December 30, 2021 - Thursday - Zak had to wait his turn to get all in my space. After the girls went to bed last night he climbed up on the couch with me for a long while. Today while I was working on the couch he came and took a really long nap next to me. He does snore quite a bit though.

December 29, 2021 - Wednesday - My friends got home early this morning. After sharing a belated Christmas morning with them I came home to get ready for work. We weren't too busy so I got to spend some time on the couch. I think Pancake missed me. She climbed into my lap and spent most of the afternoon sleeping here.

December 28, 2021 - Tuesday - Today I was fortunate to be able to spend the afternoon in the kitchen with my friend from Sparkle All Over. I got to watch her bake all the cookies in her Chocolate Lovers Sampler. Eating them is great, getting to smell them bake is almost better. It was a great way to spend part of the day.

December 27, 2021 - Monday - I saw something the other day about using your phone to take photos of the night sky. My experience is it's not worth trying. While I was out with the dogs this evening I decided to give it a try. After messing with the setting a little I got this photo of the Orion constellation. It's the only one I know.

December 26, 2021 - Sunday - This girl likes to keep me company on the couch. We're sharing a pillow here. Thankfully she doesn't snore. She looks so peaceful in the evening light.

December 25, 2021 - Saturday - This morning I got to play Santa for the first time since Riley was little. I put out all the presents, loaded up the stockings and nibbled on some cookies left for Santa last night. I got photos of it all and sent it to my friends so they could show their little girl. This was just the reminder I needed today. This is also my 4000th photo in this collection.

December 24, 2021 - Friday - I got all my Christmas shopping done early so today I just got to relax like this girl. That and all the presents are at my house. Tomorrow I'll stop by the house, pick them up and take them all out to my dad's to share with the family. This is such an unusual Christmas this year. It's weird being by myself. Except the pups.

December 23, 2021 - Thursday - With my day off I was able to meet a friend I've not seen in a while for lunch. She's having a baby girl and is due any day now. She's all belly and has the waddle going on. She brought me some homemade cookies. Coincidentally I brought her some Sparkle All Over cookies too.

December 22, 2021 - Wednesday - Today was our last day before Christmas. I went home this morning to stay with my dogs for a while. I stopped by the office for a bit. Had a good visit with one of my coworkers then came back to wrap up the bit of work I had left. I had a bit of a headache and napped for a bit. I think I spooked Doja when I woke up.

December 21, 2021 - Tuesday - Being a chocolate fan if I saw a table with a bunch of Sparkle All Over cookies I would instinctually grab this one, the Death by Chocolate. I would be happy as can be and that would be such a huge loss. While this is definitely one of my favs her fruit flavors are so amazing. Just like me stopping to take a photo in the middle of eating this.

December 20, 2021 - Monday - It rained a little earlier this morning. When we went out there were just a few little drops catching the sun as they fell. There were small puddles on all the patio furniture. Doja was trying to get a little sip while I was trying to catch the perfect ripple.

December 19, 2021 - Sunday - In addition to dog sitting for my friends their little girl asked me to send her photos each morning of the elf on the shelf. I don't remember his name. I'm pretty sure she'll never see this so I think it's safe to admit I took a bunch of photos the first morning and a bunch more today. He's really been doing a lot of reading lately.

December 18, 2021 - Saturday - Today I met a friend I've not seen in years for lunch. I had these falafel tacos. After yesterday's dinner, a vegetarian meal or two probably would be a good idea. I got to see another friend after, we had to cancel our annual holiday ornament shopping but it was good to see her again. Today was a good day.

December 17, 2021 - Friday - Today was a busy day at work. There's so much we're trying to wrap up before Christmas and trying to minimize how much work we have to do in the following week. Tonight I treated myself to a big baked potato and a good grilled steak. Both turn out perfect and ready at the same time. Great way to end the week.

December 16, 2021 - Thursday - Today I had to go in to the office. We got some new tech in our conference room and one of my coworkers and I were nominated to get it up and running. Fortunately there were some good snacks and I got to have lunch with a couple of them too.

December 15, 2021 - Wednesday - Doja, is such cutie, but boy is she a stereotypical little sister. Yogi love to play fetch and she just loves to try to not let him. It's funny how different their personalities are, but they both have so much energy. She still looks like her head needs to grow into her body a little bit.

December 14, 2021 - Tuesday- Yogi has been my Photo of the Day more than a few times. He's such a cool dog that really loves to play fetch. He looks like he's almost outgrown his bed. Or maybe he's just the right size. I'm sure his little sister Doja will be featured here in the next day or so.

December 13, 2021 - Monday - My room here has many amenities. One of them is my own microwave. How cool is that!

December 12, 2021 - Sunday - I came out to my friend's house after the Cowboy game. I'll be staying here for a while taking care of their dogs while he and his family take a vacation. We were able to fit in a good drink and a good cigar before the end of the night. Not a bad way to end the day.

December 11, 2021 - Saturday - Today is Dad's birthday. Some of the family already lives out there. My other sister and brother-in-law went out to do some stuff for dad. I picked up everyone their own little cake in the flavor of their choice. It was great to be there with dad and just be like kids again. But the best was seeing dad so happy with everyone being there together.

December 10, 2021 - Friday - If I walk out my front door anywhere around lunch time my watch thinks I'm going to get pho. In most cases I usually am, but today I'm going our year end meeting/holiday party/baby shower at work. It's really cool to work with such a great group of people and it's really special when we can all get together in person.

December 9, 2021 - Thursday - Thankfully I woke up feeling only as bad as yesterday morning which was a huge improvement. I was a little worried it could be a repeat of yesterday, but slowly I began to feel better. By the end of the day it mostly just a little bit of an annoyance. I slept so good tonight. Zak really doesn't like to get his photo taken.

December 8, 2021 - Wednesday - Today was a tough day. I don't know how or why but I woke up and felt like I pulled a muscle in my leg. It was annoying during the day but by dinner time it got very, very real. Zak came and kept me company while I tried to find a position to at least be less uncomfortable. Sleeping was quite a challenge.

December 7, 2021 - Tuesday - Today was a long day of work. When I was done I felt like this. Zak, the girls and I spent what was left of the evening after dinner watching TV. We have a phrase at work one of the guys at has made famous, "tired head". It really captures the feeling.

December 6, 2021 - Monday - I got some more tomatoes from my brother and of course I made this again. It's amazing when you use just a few ingredients how big a difference the main one makes. These tomatoes are so delicious and sweet. I'm going to have get some of these to grow next year.

December 5, 2021 - Sunday - Today is Zak's 2 year Got You Day. He was a stray and I don't know his real birthday so I decided it today from now on. I get Whataburger for Zak and the girls from time to time, but today Zak got his own double and the girls each got their own Jr burgers. One of the perks of have strays is they can eat most anything without issues.

December 4, 2021 - Saturday - Tonight another one of my dear friends got married. It's been a long, long time since I was part of any wedding. It was a special honor and privilege to be asked to be a small part of the occasion. It was a lot of fun seeing a bunch of her friends. We had a great time at the reception and after party.

December 3, 2021 - Friday - Tonight after I finished work I got my stuff packed and went to a friend's house. I'll be dog sitting for the next couple of days. This is Phoebe and while she's very different from Zak she also a lot like him in someways. She's can be really pushy/needy when it comes to getting pets. She's quite a sweetheart.

December 2, 2021 - Thursday - First off I know this is a horrible photos but this is was a first and we were watching TV in the dark. Today Zak was laying with me and Biscuit came over and laid in the middle of my lap, but this time Zak didn't go away. He stayed with Biscuit lying up against the back of his head. This is a big moment after almost two years.

December 1, 2021 - Wednesday - Today I had avocado toast for lunch. When I make this I always save a little bit for the dogs. Zak gets the big piece and the girls get the little bites. I have to make sure Biscuit get a little piece of toast. Sometimes she doesn't chew her food good and she'll gag. Little goofball.