July 30, 2014 - Wednesday

Thursday I woke up and realized, "Crap, I forgot to take a picture, AGAIN." Then I remembered that my sister texted me a picture of a muffin she was having for breakfast. That made me want one too, so I walked to the cafe and got this. Fortunately, I thought to text her this back.

July 29, 2014 - Tuesday

One of the guys here brought back some food from the meeting at the "test kitchen".  The food was okay but more than anything it made me want a beer. And since there's beer in the fridge here at work, I had one. You can see my thumb print in the middle of the glass.

July 28, 2014 - Monday

I stopped by the grocery store to pick up something to make for dinner. My cooking inspiration comes and goes and right now it's gone. I can't think of anything exciting and I'm not too enthused to cook either. Basically I'm saying I pretty much phoned in this spaghetti with meat sauce.

July 27, 2014 - Sunday

Riley talked Grace into coming up on the couch with us. She's quite a bit taller than me when sitting next to each other. She has those white eyelids in the corner of her eyes that roll over her eyes with she bites people. At least that's what I tell Riley when she's annoying her.

July 26, 2014 - Saturday

A friend of mine asked me to come take pictures at her little girl's birthday party. And because she knows I'll work for cake, I said, "Sure." I don't know who's little girl this is, but how cute is she? Those red curls are so adorable.

July 25, 2014 - Friday

(PSA... 5 months until Christmas.) Got home and made breakfast for dinner. For some reason Riley thinks IHOP's pancakes are better than mine so I make them when she's not home.  By the way she's wrong.

July 24, 2014 - Thursday

The crepe myrtle around the corner is shedding its bark. I thought the pile looked cool in the light of the setting sun.

July 23, 2014 - Wednesday

I went to dinner at a friend's house and got home a little late. I called Riley on my way home and she told me she wasn't feeling so well. I stopped by the grocery store and picked up some old fashioned home remedy. It was late but I think it helped.

July 22, 2014 - Tuesday

We left Grace with my parents out in the country while we went to Austin. We stopped on our way back into town to pick her up and got stuck in traffic leaving their house. This was the worst of it though and had a pretty smooth drive back into Dallas.

July 21, 2014 - Monday

I took Riley and Rane down to Austin for a quick getaway. It was mostly just to spend time with the both of them before they head off in different directions. I wish we could have stayed longer. We met my niece there and went out to the Salt Lick and ate like pigs.

July 20, 2014 - Sunday

I went with a couple of friends to InSync. These big cats have been my pic of the day before. They've had such a rough year and have lost so many of their cats, many to canine distemper. They have a wall out there with a memorial for each of the cats that has passed. It's heartbreaking how long the wall is.

July 19, 2014 - Saturday - No Photo

I failed... I spent the day at the house cleaning out the front bedroom that we use mostly for storage and took a nap. It didn't occur to me until I woke up Sunday that I didn't take a picture at all. I made it 199 days without missing a day. I guess I just start over and try to make the rest of the year.

July 18, 2014 - Friday

This has to be some kind of record low or something. It was amazing to take Grace out for a walk after work and it was not hot at all. For July in Texas that's just weird, but a great break from the heat.

July 17, 2014 - Thursday

Riley and I went to Sam's the other day. We found the Honey Maid S'mores sandwich cookies that she's been wanting for a long time. And then she found these too. I'm not going to say this was her worst idea.

July 16, 2014 - Wednesday

My guacamole plant is blooming. Oddly and sadly enough it doesn't grow avocados, but I did make some guacamole at work the other day for a client meeting. During my last review, my boss said he based my raise on my "guacamole skills." I think he may have undervalued my guac a little.

July 15, 2014 - Tuesday

Went out to dinner with a friend to celebrate her new job. She worked out her new offer to start at the end of the month so for the next two weeks she'll be taking it easy. A bottle of wine is a good way to start that. Great Greek food isn't too bad either.

July 14, 2014 - Monday

In my office I sit with my back to the big windows. I was so busy and focused on my work I didn't even notice it was raining until I heard the rain hitting the glass. Seriously, I was busy and focused on work. It rained even harder once I got home. My yard and plants needed it.

July 13, 2014 - Sunday

My sister asked me to take some head shots for her. Her decision was based on the pictures I've taken of Barkley, my parents' dog, and my price. I gave her the pain-in-the-butt-little-sister discount. This is the second time I've been hired for my photos. She's taking a little bit of Texas back to NYC.

July 12, 2014 - Saturday

I went to an outdoor birthday party for my nephew's little girl. It was hot. I went to meet a friend for a few drinks after. We found the bottom of a few of these before we left. Ended the night with some really great Lebonese food. Too bad he lives on the other side of town. Had a great time.

July 11, 2014 - Friday

I brought my iPhone amplifier to work to show it to a friend. He considering starting an on-line store with a variety of products in various categories. I may end up making some more of these. I'm still pretty impressed with myself on this. It sounds pretty awesome.

July 10, 2014 - Thursday

Thirsty Thursday.... I went to meet some friends for food and drinks after work today. One was coming from her job and the other was coming from a nap. I got there first and had a very cold beer on the patio while I waited. We decided to go inside. The beer wasn't cold enough to keep us out there.

July 9, 2014 - Wednesday

I came across a challenge this afternonn on FB to go 24 hours without complaining even once. That ended about 2 hours later when I got a Chocolate Milk from Starbucks with ice in it. Who puts ice in milk??? So I caught myself and have committed to starting again.

July 8, 2014 - Tuesday

I met a friend for lunch today. She told me a story that began with, and I quote, "I was ATTACKED by a GIANT Junebug." and included an admission of, "I'm a screamer." "And not just a regular scream but a 'rape' scream." She was a bit offended that none of her neighbors came to check on her.

July 7, 2014 - Monday

So for a couple of years Riley has told me she wanted me to take her to get a tattoo on her 18th birthday. I had hoped that at some point she would change her mind. She didn't. So that's what we did this evening. Bangarang, Peter. At least its part of a good story.

July 6, 2014 - Sunday

Riley left for a bit today so I finished working on the video project I'm doing for her birthday tomorrow. She's turning 18. I remember feeling like I got kicked in the gut on her first day of kindergarten. This is kinda the same feeling but spread out over a few months. I'm gonna miss my baby girl.

July 5, 2014 - Saturday

This is my momma about to blow out her candles on her cake. We surprised her. So often I'm reminded of how fortunate I am to have the big family I do. We all pitched in to put this together for her. She looked so happy all night and that was the best part.

July 4, 2014 - Friday

This is almost a perfect picture. I was so disappointed when I saw the blur on Riley's face. We went out to do an early birthday celebration for her, my niece and my little sister. Between everyone there we had a bunch of fireworks. The light from her sparkler and the big one exploding up in the air lit the her so well.

July 3, 2014 - Thursday

My family and I are throwing a party for my mom this Saturday. It her 70th birthday and I'm working on a video for her. This is one of my brothers. This kid will grow up to make some of the best BBQ ever. Some of you may remember Smokey's on the east side of Ft. Worth. He's taken it up a notch since then.

July 2, 2014 - Wednesday

Riley and her boyfriend decided to get her an early birthday present. Now I would never spend that much on headphones, but after listening to some music with them.... well they do sound awesome. I'm actually using them right now while she's spending the night at a friends.

July 1, 2014 - Tuesday

I took Grace for a walk this evening after work. I know I take lots of pictures of stuff growing around my neighborhood, but for some reason I'm fascinated by the details and intricacies in such a small space. The colors are pretty cool too.