Earth Day “Riley Dog Day” was Monday and it was fun. Yvette, her student worker and I went to the celebration and waited for shirts. They had lots of giveaways and music. Yvette and the student planted some succulents while I mingled. It was also being your child to work day so some had their children along for the ride. We eventually got our shirts and I hurried back to the office.

Earth day happens to be the day my Riley dog died so it is a special day for me to do something in nature. I like to take pictures so this blog will have nature pictures. Mostly plant based.

I have an official work Hawaiian shit. I didn’t get it made. Of course I only wear it when it starts getting warm so when I do for the first time I get a lot of attention I always forget I’ll get. During our morning meeting it was brought up in front of everyone. They couldn’t believe it was legit. Off and on all day I had compliments. At least 10. Students, staff, faculty. You name it. People I’d never met. It cracks me up. I say to myself, oh yeah…. I suppose this would be my 3rd year hearing it. It’s a comfortable shirt. I’d wear it all year if it was natural but for now when it’s 20 degrees outside I’ll have a long sleeve on.

Breakfast prep for the week. Quiche. Eggs, cottage cheese, ham. I have been trying to make up something for the most important meal of the day. It’s so simple to do. Reheating eggs is not a chore. After 3 days of quiche I made a sausage pepper asparagus scramble egg dish to coast us through Thursday and Friday. It’s nice and I know Yvette appreciates it.

I paid off my Physical Therapy Thursday. Pay day. It was nice going and seeing everyone. I really do miss them. Weird thing to miss, as I’ve said before. Pain. It just became routine and over the 6 months they became my friends. You open up and talk to people when you go through such things. Especially when it ends up helping you in the best of way. I utterly and owe them more than the money they collected. Lucky for me my physical therapist has been hired by the campus as an instructor starting in August. He will be a great fit.

Something weird occurred on Thursday that I should mention. I was on my golf cart checking mail and I recognize someone. A someone I had seen a LOT during election years. Ran for president. Or tried to. Didn’t make it far. Beto O’Rourke. He was just casually walking around talking to students. I have no idea. Very interesting that he had no security or escort. Just himself. No media. I pointed him out to 3 people. Very under the radar. I really respect that. If he runs for governor of my state again I’ll vote him over the asshole currently in office. Not because of today, but because I can’t stand who is making these piss poor decisions. So yes, it was weird to see a political figure only seen on billboard, websites, front lawns and the TV just walking around on my campus on a nice day.

Friday Friday. I woke up so so so very tired. I stayed up to late talking and I woke up right before 2 and had trouble sleeping. My eyes wanted to shut all damn day. It was a real struggle. Nothing worse than a slow sleepy Friday with most everyone gone.

I was going to go home after work and prep for dinner but about 5 min till 5 Yvette called and wanted to know if I would like to go meet her student worker who just turned 21 for drinks downtown. Her mother was driving her around. I said yes and we went. It was fun and we completely lost track of time. I was supposed to make dinner. Being already tired and having a drink made me no longer want to cook. We ordered pizza. That pissed off a few but what can I do. Some days even I don’t want to cook. Heck, the pizza was good.

After pizza son and I watched 3 episodes of our show Fallout. I’m not watching it without him. I think we have both been craving it. Lord, one episode was weird and full of topless ladies. What a strange moment with a teenager. Nevertheless, a good night with him. Yvette took a nap because it sure isn’t her cup of tea.

It might not have been the night we all wanted but it was still a good one in my book. I like spending time together.

Happy Friday!!!

Jalapeño

Steak and ramen. Ramen from the movie Parasite.

Chicken Divan with my mom. She always makes it better than I do. Great comfort food.

Chicken carbonara.

Steak bites with angel hair pasta and asparagus.

Chimichurri steak with roasted veggies.

Korean Bibigo steak.

After all the weekend yard work I slept hard and woke up Monday with a full tank of energy. That’s very rare on a Monday. I was ready for the week. I get to work and the new guy is pissy at me for leaving him with less than a quarter tank of gas. Boo hoo. Seth and I thought it was funny. you know how many times Seth leaves me with no gas and I don’t complain to my boss about? All the time. Hell, I was the last person to fill up that vehicle. Someone else can do it for a change.

Staff senate meeting. I wasn’t able to physically attend and I’m happy I didn’t. VP for Development had a presentation. I watched it and it was bloated bullshit. 4 years on I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m wondering what the point is. Nothing really happens. It’s just to appease the masses. I suppose I get a little insight into the campus life and what’s going down but I usually know in advance anyhow. I’ll stick with it if I get nominated again next go round. It gets me out of the office and I suppose it’s good exposure.

Tuesday I received my money from my first eBay sale. $97.88 for a video game I can no longer play and didn’t even know that I had. Just shy of $100. I have some more games I’m going to put up now that I’ve seen how it works. Why not. Money in my savings. I think I’ll try and keep 5 active items up at a time. This is actually some good fun and a money maker (hopefully).

That evening I was going to have Yvette and her kids over for dinner. Pasta with a fresh tomato oil based sauce I put together at lunch to marinade. I needed a trip to the store after work for garlic bread and basil. Got home to let the dogs out only to find a scene straight from the Exorcist. 5 puddle of dog vomit. Owen ate my caladium bulbs. Dum dog. The house smelt like shit so I’m sure he ingested some of that as well. It would be the night I’m having guest over and was rushed. 20 min later I went to the store. By 6 I was finally cooking.

The meal was a hit and awards her son and I emerged ourselves in the world of Fallout. I told him I wouldn’t watch the show without him. Yvette fell asleep for the hour. She wasn’t interested in this kind of show. Oh well, we had a great night.

My somewhat new coworker has had a bug up his ass all week long. Barely saying a word. Seth and I think it’s sort of funny. What’s up with the people that take that position always being so dang moody. It must come with the job. I had no idea someone could be as moody as Sarah.

It got hot Thursday and it was cold again on Friday. Nice and gloomy. A beautiful Friday. I needed a beautiful Friday. It was a dreadfully long week. I almost couldn’t make it.

After work I dropped Yvette off and went out to my moms for about an hour. I came home and fed my dogs and let them out and rushed to a last min invite to Yvette’s parents. They cooked out. Amazing chicken, beans, sausage and some awesome deer jerky. I had to save room for my own planned meal and it was difficult with so much good food. It was a great time.

Happy Friday!!!

Jalapeño

Margarita salmon w/ street corn and broccoli cheese. The salmon with the street corn was amazing.

Fresh ingredient pasta. Chopped tomato’s, mozzarella balls, spicy Italian sausage, fresh basil, garlic clove, olive oil, salt, pepper and cracked red pepper. Yvette and the two kids liked it.

Pasta. Spicy Italian sausage again with shells and a cream cheese mozzarella marinara sauce. Cooked with zucchini and mushrooms. Very good.

Bowtie pasta salad with peas, corn, red bells, diced tomatoes & cheese. Mix some tech and spicy salsa you have a meal. lime pepper chicken with pico.

Carne guisada over sticky rice. Yvette and I already had a little meal earlier at her parents but I needed to cook this. It was yummy. For whatever reason I can’t upload the picture.

Ah the smell of livestock shit, boy does it make you feel alive. I went to my first rodeo in well over 30 years. I hated the rodeo and all the bullshit it brings with it. The big trucks, rednecks, busy restaurants, fake people playing dress up. The smell of shit in the air. Just not my thing but I figured I give it a try again all these years later. Yvette and her family love it. I’ve always found it to be a little cruel but that’s just me. I’m no rodeo boy, but let’s try new things.

So the show kicked off at 1PM. It was a matinee. I’m fine with that. When I got over being made fun of for not wearing jeans and just wearing shorts and flip flops I started to prepare myself for the anxiety attack that I knew was coming. Boy did it ever come. As soon as we walked in that arena I wanted to turn around. My heart was pounding. I’m not built for such things. It takes me time to settle. Plus, it’s just not my crowd. I generally don’t like cowboy’s. I’m from Texas so yeah, maybe that’s weird.

Once the anxiety began to dials itself back I started to have some fun. I really enjoyed the shows much more than the competition. Aside from barrel racing and bull riding, nothing else really did it for me. I liked the kids riding the sheep the best. So yeah, the shows between the competition was the best part. I wasn’t so sure how I felt about the announcers. I guess one was a clown? Who knew. Much different rodeo in the 80s.

One funny thing happened. The entire show I was sitting right directly behind and old high school friend of mine that I had not seen in probably 20 years. He had moved off to El Paso and never came back. What are the odds of sitting right there by him all these years later, in a crowded arena at a rodeo I hadn’t been to in at least 30 years. Wild. It was great seeing he and his wife. I went to school with her from 1st grade through graduation. Small world.

We walked around the fair ground for a little while on the lookout for turkey legs. Yvette’s son had to have his leg. These things are gigantic. He left very satisfied. I don’t blame him. It was good.

Overall it was a nice experience and I had fun with her and her son. . I always do. I like doing things with them. I’ve done a lot of new things with them. Home that continues.

After the rodeo I went to see my mom for a little bit. She was good. I went to the store and bought the things I needed for dinner. I was cooking. I made some BBQ chicken thigh, sausage links, okra. Yvette’s daughter made some yummy pasta. We had a little feast. After eating we sat outside and enjoyed the nice evening. I got to really hang out with the kids. It was a good day.

I woke up Sunday and made myself a super protein omelet and had some coffee. My goal ahead was to mow my yard. I have not mowed my own yard since I had my back injury in July. Almost a year ago. The most painful part was pulling the lawnmower to start it. I mowed at a slower pace but in the end I accomplish the goal. Feeling a little ambitious I decided to trim some of my landscape, weed eat and blow the debris. I felt very pleased with myself, although I did hurt afterwards. That was expected.

I took a shower, made a quick trip and got ready for lunch with my mom, Yvette and her kids. The shower felt so so good after pushing myself in the yard. I was so proud of myself but I have much more to do. 9 months of not being capable of much around the house has left me with a lot of catch up.

Went after some lunch and the 4 of us had a lot of laughs. It was a good time as usual. I’m lucky to have a good family and be able to have good times. Funny thing about the place we ate is the owner is my neighbor. He automatically gets me a beer and tequila without asking. What am I to do. I guess I laughed more.

I did more yard work. I told you I wasn’t finished. I trimmed the hedges. I was another 2 hours. I still need to do more. I need on a ladder but no one will let me and I’m not stupid enough to try on my own. I have a week long vacation and a long drive ahead of me soon. I don’t want utter pain on my first trip with Yvette.

The day was done. I went to Yvette’s to paint a butterfly and then I came home and made dinner and meal prepped some breakfast. Seasoned shrimp cocktail with battered green beans. Breakfast was a low carb quiche. It was a good weekend.

Saturday was a very nice day. Yvette’s daughter was in the rodeo parade so we went that morning around 10 am. That was my first ever rodeo parade. All these first with Yvette. The parade itself was kind of fun. Just a parade. Her daughter’s second parade to be in, that I know of. I like to be there for that. I Alamo slept too late. I woke up early and went back to sleep. Glad I stirred awake. we went for burritos afterwards. Mine was a messy big mess.

The rest of the day I ran around the town. I sold some old Xbox games and found out some other Game Cube games were going for over $100 on EBay. Hold those suckers. I eventually made it to my moms and visited for a bit. Picked up Yvette for a trip to get the ring cleaned and inspected. We roamed and ended up at the arcades. We both played some Skeeball. She kicked my ass. It was still fun. Had some chips and queso after that adventure.

I’m an idiot and I move things by myself. I’m trying to clear rooms in my house for my family so I moved an impossible couch. How it was moved in, I don’t know. The movers did it and I wasn’t around. It was a chore. 7 door ways latter and a lot of lifting and tilting. Christ!!! I got it out the damn front door but no way I was moving it to the garage from that point. Had to call for assistance. I love Yvette’s son. He has helped me so much during my cripple days. Bless him. One less thing out of the way. Another couch and a large chair. One step at a time.

Sunday was busy. I woke up and went shopping. After that I went to BWW’s for lunch with Yvette and our youngest. Good time. The onion ribs. My lord. Amazing. We made a trip to Sam’s for some goodies. Once I was back home I decided to cut down a tree and plant some yucca. It was a productive afternoon. With that all said and done I went to Yvette’s to hand out for a little while before I called it a day.

The total solar eclipse was a lot of fun. It was weird being on campus and it getting dark again. We had a little picnic in the gloom and watch the sun begin to fade away. Shame we were not in the path of totality but at least we had perfect clear skies. I hear cloud cover eliminated a large portion of totality. Bummer for all those thousands of people who should have had a fantastic show. After hearing from my boss just how amazing the totality was, I really wished I’d have seen it.

It was a pretty magical week over all. Yvette and I had some good times. I went by her house each evening and had a little food. Imitation crab pasta? I wouldn’t have ever thought that would be good but I was wrong. Wednesday her mom made meat loaf, green beans , rolls, mashed potato’s and Mac & cheese. It was great and fun. I talked to her father about wedding plans. Once I got home around 9 I played some Zelda until my eyes were weary and I went to sleep.

Happy Friday!!

Jalapeño

Honey garlic soy beef over rice. I, of course, added ghost pepper. Great meal.

Poblano pepper sauce chicken with veggies & rice.

Beef ribs w/ slaw and corn on the cob.

Hamburger Helper. I added mushroom and spinach.

We had meatloaf at Yvette’s parents. It was amazing and a lot of fun.

Meatballs over zucchini spirals with a mushroom carrot marinara sauce.

Burgers and fries I made for Yvette and her youngest. We ate before a picture was taken.

The Monday after the long weekend I was hoping for a mellow day to ease into the week. Well that didn’t happen: I got fucked. I had so much to do that I was only actually in the office about 3 hours top. I have no idea what the deal was. Lord. At least the day went by quickly but it sure exhausted me. On top of a busy weekend I was spent.

I’d like to say Tuesday was more laid back but I’d be lying. This week seems to be relentless. Yvette seems to be having the same sort of week. She has had meeting after meetings and a lot of extra work for this cyber security event coming up this week. We had one moment of peace where we both took a break and went a to check mail. I’m over the week and it’s just Tuesday.

Wednesday was more of the same: busy. I’m tired. Nothing really to talk about. Yvette and I had a pizza picnic on campus. We have done that a few times. Find a random place to sit and eat. I really like it. Usually it happens when she is busy and needs to work a little more. Boy was she busy this week. I even helped her that afternoon by carting a bunch of boxes from on building to the next. Always happy to help my sweetie. The day ended with me having a colossal headache. I went home and started my baked potato, took 4 pills and laid on the couch. I don’t get a headache often, thank god. All the pollen in the air this time of year. Yuck. I fell asleep and woke to the oven timer. That’s rare as can be. I woke up a little pissy and still tired.

Long busy days just keep coming. Oh well. I couldn’t get off my feet. I also helped move stuff back that I moved the day before. The event was over. I didn’t mine, I volunteered. Plus I got two lunches out of it and a shirt. It’s kind of fun being helpful.

Friday was surprisingly busy, which I needed. Fridays can be a bore. I hit it hard early and pretty much kept it steady all day. I had myself a little lunch on campus, thanks again to Yvette and my helping them the last 2 days. It was a fairly amazing grilled veggie wrap from our campus food source. Sadly, I was alone. She had a meeting from 1-5. To also fill the time I drove around handing out eclipse glasses. Monday we have a total solar eclipse on Monday. We are not in the totality zone but it will nevertheless be fun. Shame it’s happening while at work. Finally 5 arrived. Yay!

Happy Friday!!!!

Jalapeño

Lasagna with green beans. I was so tired so I made a microwave meal.

Ranch style beans with grilled sausage, jalapeño and sauerkraut. I accidentally sort of burned the sausage a little but it still managed to be tasty.

Beef tip w/ gravy stuffed baked potato.

Chicken enchilada bowl.

Date night! Sriracha soy pork belly with kimchi and broccoli. This was a first. I liked it. I know what to do different next time.

Friday was Good Friday so I was off work. I tried to sleep in and managed to until a little after 8. I got up and ran some errands. I bought two more spineless cactus for my back yard and proceeded to bag over 10 bags of leaves. If you didn’t know already, I FUCKING hate to bag leaves. I always get stuffy and feel nasty afterwards.

Once I did as much as I could with the amount of trash bags that I had I cleaned up and picked up Yvette for a birthday lunch. Gave her a gift and we were off to eat some sushi. The food was great and she was happy. After lunch we went sight seeing and people watching in our sad empty little mall. It was actually quite fun. It was actually kind of sad.

Dinner reservations were at Texas Roadhouse. The door was great but my god. It should be named Texas Shithouse. What a mess. The hostess was a rude bitch and wouldn’t seat the majority of the party until all guest arrived. 2 people out of 12 were late. That was later discovered not Roadhouse policy. The tables we were seated at were not prepared. Not plates or silverware. When the drinks finally did come, and I do mean finally, the waiter dropped the tray and broke about four glasses. No communication between any of the staff. Drunks soiled the facilities with vomit to the point people left to use the restroom elsewhere. It was gross. Items ordered did not show up with the meal. Items were charged that were not suppose to be charged. All in all I had a good time and was very amused. I loved it when they sang happy birthday to Yvette. I have no idea why that place is so busy.

We were all ready to get out of there so we had our dessert over at Yvette’s parents. It was so much less chaotic. So peaceful. We ate our cake and sang happy birthday. I couldn’t resist the sweets on my sweeties birthday. It was a nice ending to a pretty day. So happy to be a part of it.

I slept in, woke up and played some Zelda. Love this game. Still have a lot to do it seems. After wasting time defeating a sand worm I cut my hair and took a shower. I went to meet up with my family. Both brothers, mom, sister-in-law and 3 nephews. Cork & Pig. It wasn’t as big a shit show as I thought. Baby Jackson is so well behaved. The tuna salad was good.

I went on an adventurous journey to HEB with my brothers after lunch. We went for some brisket. My youngest brother had other things which he needed to buy so what should have been a short little trip took much longer. I only agreed on splitting the cost of the brisket and nothing else. I stood my ground. Three $20 Easter baskets I was not contributing my money.

After the store it was a rigorous run at Zelda. Damn that game. I thought I was about finished with it but it seems not. I’m okay with that. I like the game and really didn’t want to give it up. It’s been a long time since a game has captivated me as this one has. Shouldn’t be surprised, Zelda games have been my favorite since I was a little boy. Before I was 10 years.

My brothers wanted to go downtown to some local breweries. I put my game down, it was running out of batteries anyway. Wanted to see Yvette before her church service but I think she was busy getting ready. We went to a place I’d never heard of that apparently opened in 2022 and is closing c2024 due to the building being sold to the local empire. Guess I won’t be going again. After that beer we walked down the street to another brewery and had another beer. It was a nice day. We had some fun. Very mellow. It is great to have them all in for the holiday weekend.

The night was mellow all alone. I called Yvette and we talked for about 2 hours. My middle brother randomly showed up needing matches for a cigarette. He jumped the back fence as opposed to the garage or the front door. Fool. He walked away with some chicken spaghetti. I guess that was a win? I got off the phone with Yvette and quickly went to sleep in anticipation for the following day.

Easter Sunday!! It was nice and gloomy once again. A gloomy holiday weekend. I slept in till 9 and once again played some Zelda. After a trail I showered and got dressed for lunch at Yvette’s parent with her family. As always hey we’re so hospitable and the food was great. We had chicken and beef fajitas, sausage, rice and beans. Guacamole, pico and homemade hot sauce. Watched some UFC Football. San Antonio beat DC. I wanted more food but I had to save room for round two at my moms.

I went home and started making my deviled eggs. After an hour between meals I made my way to my moms. My brothers and family were abundant. We also had our oldest family friends and my brother from another mother with us. He and his wife brought their little 3 week year old. It was cute seeing Yvette and he daughter hold the child. The daughter came over for the baby. That, and of course the Mac and cheese. The brisket was nice. It was a good time and I was utterly bloated.

Holiday weekends never last long enough it are great while they do last. Happy Easter to everyone.

The tyranny of time. Oh how quickly it takes from us. How things change within is grasps. Birthdays are upon us. It’s rather hard to believe you are the age which you are. You never feel that age in your minds eye. When you reflect upon what was the past and the different directions which your life could have or did take, it’s always mysterious how you reached where you currently stand. I know I never could have seen myself where I am now standing. This is a good thing. I only wish it had happened earlier, but that’s out of my hands now. Time takes and it also gives. One learns much over time. Knowledge is a gift and for all that time takes away, the gift of knowledge prevails.

Mysterious socks. Hazel found some women’s sock. Christmas? Very strange. Never seen by me and they were not Yvette’s or her kids. I walked out of the bathroom and Hazel had them. Where from is anyone’s guess. Did they belong to my ex wife and they surfaced while I was clearing out rooms for my future family? Did someone maliciously put them through my mail slot? I have no idea but it’s been troubling my mind.

Yvette has a birthday. Yes, another years has flown around the sun since we became and item. This was also the same week I too her on our first date back in 2022. Crazy it’s been 2 years since we started talking and now we want to get married. What a joy it has been. Love the family I’m getting to be a part of.

For a short week it sure was long. We don’t have work on Good Friday this year, which is great. I’ve been going stir crazy in the office. Thursday Seth took off which meant I had the option of doing his job. Gets me out of the office. I was grateful. It’s been a very long short week. Some of you understand that.

Happy Thursday/Friday!!!

Jalapeño

Saturday brunch w/ Yvette. I made some Eggs Benedict. Dam good.

Bibigo steak & veggies with some pot stickers.

Breakfast for dinner!!! Ham and cheese omelet, hash browns and some sausage links. What a fantastic meal.

Sweet spicy chili crisp ground beef bowl with some zucchini spirals.

Burger salad, animal style.

I made Mexican pizza!!! Total Taco Bell rip off.

Beef Bulgogi Bowl. Date night before the weekend. Her youngest had dinner with us! I think he liked the meal. I think he likes eating something new.

It was a nice weekend spending quality time with Yvette. I even went and had menudo by myself at Yvette’s parents. I thought menudo was Sunday so I missed Yvette and showed up better late than never. The menudo was just as good as always. They also had some barbacoa which was also fantastic. Her mother kept handing me corn tortillas. I left a happy man and I’m glad that I went.

Saint Patrick’s Day. I went out for lunch with my mom. Yvette was under the weather. I guess the weather was so crappy there wasn’t a whole lot anyone could do. I heated up some potato soup for her that evening. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a green beer. No green food coloring but I had blue and yellow. Haha.

The week did turn out to be a pretty one. I really need to start working in my yard. I hate oak trees this time of year. So messy. I wiped out the weeds and it seems that was all that was keeping it not being dirt. Success.

So back in July I royally fucked upon my already bad back. After 6 months of physical therapy, meds for the pain, multiple MRI’s and a meeting with a neurosurgeon I am finally feeling better. The PT really helped. Mondays visit with the neurosurgeon was vastly informative. It was interesting to have the imagery from my MRI explained to me. I was able to recognize the for fucked up disc compared to the one that were normal. It was very noticeable. One in particular was very noticeable. The surgeon didn’t recommend a procedure, but he did say if the pain increases he will set up spinal injections. He said since the PT helped I should be okay if I keep that up.

The PT did help. When I hurt myself in July of last year I was barely moving and falling down. I was force to take campus elevators. I hated that. Eventually I could walk up the stairs slowly holding the rails. I progressed to not needing the rails. Now I can run up stairs again. You have no freaking idea how exciting it was to run up a stairwell. Such a great feeling to have my mobility back. I mean, at one point I wondered if I needed a cain to walk it was so bad. Just need to be very careful going forward in life. Hopefully I can avoid surgery. 🤞🤞

The weekend is going to hopefully be busy. I’ll be bagging leaves and planting some grass. I hate bagging but it must be done. I hair laying sod but it needs to be done. Maybe I’ll find some time to have some fun.

Happy Friday!!!

Jalapeño

Bangers & Mach. A weird Irish meal that’s onion gravy, mash potato and sausage served with green peas.

Sheppards Pie.

Leftover Sheppards Pie.

Coconut shrimp with a spicy sweet chili sauce served with roasted asparagus, Parmesan cheese, tomatoes and a balsamic glaze.

Chicken fajita stuffed baked potato. All the fajita fixings in a potato. I had guacamole and chips as a side. It was tasty. I’m on a stuffed potato kick.

Skillet chicken divan. Chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken, mayo with curry powder and lemon juice. This is a simple quick take on one of my favorite meals my mom would make. Hers was a casserole. Melted cheese on top.

Hibachi teriyaki shrimp with grilled fried rice. Date night with Yvette.

Spring Break again. How? Time flies. The campus was dead and Yvette and the kids took off out of town. I was marooned. Good lord was it not just a slow ass week. Made even slower because Yvette was not around. I twiddled my thumbs. I’m sure glad someone was having fun off work. I was bored to tears. I had very few things happening at work, for good or bad.

The week did start with some excitement, a baby was born. My best friend/brother had his first child. So damn exciting. The baby was adorable. I was actually moved to tears when I saw the boy in person. It was so moving. I’m very happy for the new parents. I know they are scared having a child and being middle age but they will have a lot of support. I have faith. Exciting times.

Damn time change is still kicking me in the teeth. It’s just so dark in the mornings. Even my dogs were confused why I was up and letting them out in the dark. The light in the evenings is okay I guess. I just wish they eventually do away with day light savings. It fucks me up for a few weeks every time.

Friday was terribly slow at work. It was also nice and gloomy and cooler, which was nice. Woke up to crazy lightning and thunder. Liked the thunder when I was in the shower. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much for rain.

I took a late lunch for my doctors appointment so I didn’t have to use any time. This is my biannual check up. Always a good time. I swear to the good lord that my blood pressure is always higher when I visit the doctors. Sheesh. The visit was mostly positive but I have a future with more MRI happy time. Yay me!!!!

Happy Friday!!!

Jalapeño

Saturday morning brunch with Yvette. Tatter tots & chorizo topped with cheese, hollandaise sauce, green onions and a sunny side egg.

Deconstructed chicken pot pie. I’ve done this once before and completely forgot about it until it showed up on my Facebook memories.

Chipotle chicken and rice with veggies. Nothing exciting on the eyes but the flavor was there.

BBQ chicken pizza. I’ve always liked these toppings and I question why I only just not decided to make my own. It was fantastic and I was a gluten and ate it all through the night.

Buffalo chicken twice baked potato. This wasn’t my original plan for dinner. I was going to make a chicken fajita stuffed potato and then Yvette sent me a recipe. I had to try it and I’m glad that I did.

BBQ chicken sandwich with pickled onions and Reaper cheese.

Beef nachos.

I made some Italian peppered pork tenderloin w/ raspberry chipotle & roasted Brussels w/ a balsamic glaze.

Time, it sure does fly by. How are we already in the third month of the year 2024? I mean, I feel like I just put up the new calendar. It’s already going to be spring. Trees are in bloom. The temp is in the 80s. I need to start getting things done around my house for my family to move in. There is still a lot that needs to go to either the garbage or a thrift store.

The week was all office duties. I hate that. It’s mundane. Oh well. Still working the kinks out of our new system. I tried to keep busy but it wasn’t easy.

Thursday I had some awful news. My ex wife’s nephew passed away. I loved that boy when I knew him. Granted, it’s been 3 years or so, but that doesn’t change a thing. He was too young. He stayed with us. Such a sweet funny kid.

The rest of the week was something of a drag. All I looked forward to was Friday night with Yvette. Happy Friday!!!

Jalapeño

Burger salad.

Taco salad.

Chicken with a poblano cream sauce, veggies and cilantro lime rice.

Broccoli cheese stuffed baked potato with a Dijon lemon mustard salmon.

Lemony asparagus chicken stir fry over sticky rice.

Chicken Caesar Salad.

Caribbean Jerk pork tenderloin with some spicy sugar snap peas.