Week 51

Welcome back!  I'm playing catch up again.  December has been a very busy month enjoying time with family and friends so that means less time on the computer.  At any rate, here are the pictures from a few weeks ago.

This is how week 51 went, thankfully, with warmer weather and hardly any dreaded fog: 

Day 349- Monday, 12/15/25

In our lab meeting this morning our bosses gifted us with their freshly pressed olive oil for the holidays.  One bottle is from last year and one from just a few weeks ago. They will come in handy for the holidays. Later this afternoon, back at home, the sun was out and the clouds were expansive which made for a pretty and pleasant walk.  Once the sun goes down it sure does get cold quick though.  Bailey knows how to keep warm and cozy while winding down for the evening in cold weather and it's even more magical by tree light.

Day 350- Tuesday, 12/16/25

 

The mornings are still very cold as well and Rusty know just how to manage them with a blanket-covered, warm-human lap.  Thankfully for him I'm working remote today and for now going through email requests on my phone so we can cuddle longer on the couch.  As the day went on it definitely warmed up so we could enjoy another spectacular, clouded, blue sky.

Day 351- Wednesday, 12/17/25

This must be the week of wonderful skies. Of course they all look amazing after not being able to see much sky past the dense fog for the past few weeks. Today it was the morning sky as I pulled into work that happily set the tone for rest of the day.  Everyone was in good spirits for sure. Back at home we've started to receive holiday cards from family and friends which is a fun way to catch up with those that live far away.

Day 352- Thursday, 11/18/25

I'm still getting the last of the decorations put out.  The boys come home this weekend so I need to finish before they get here.  Also at a quick trip to Target to also prep the pantry for the return of boys I found these super soft and warm sweater pajama pants on sale.  I spied them a couple weeks a go but they were more than I wanted to spend so when I saw the sale sign today I had to grab them--most certainly worth the discounted price.  I might just be living in them while on vacation the next couple weeks.

 

Day 353- Friday, 12/19/25

We're ending this beautiful weather work week with some intense rain, but that is ok because there is no wind and the temps are still warm enough to keep it comfortable out.  I got home late because I had to wait in Davis for Justin's train and then we picked up dinner before heading home.  Sadly this made it too late for Bailey's walk which is why she is moping on the couch with her rack of ribs.  LOL!  At least we have more pretty holiday lights out creating a relaxing vibe for her.

 

Day 354- Saturday, 12/20/25

 

Justin is settling is well for his holiday break and helped me make a batch of Chex Christmas Crack we can all enjoy over the next couple weeks.  It's also the start of my 2 week holiday vacation so I was quite pleased to discover the new season of Emily in Paris just dropped and started binge watching it while getting some wrapping done. Rusty tried to help but ended up running off with some of my paper remnants.  I can't believe Christmas is next week!

Day 355- Sunday, 12/21/25

Brandon flew in really late last night and is settling in at home by revisiting some of his favorite video games.  The skies are angry and grey again as we prep for a series of rain storms that will come and go over the next 2 weeks.  Thankfully the few breaks between systems are expected to be nice and sunny.  The best part of this week was Sunday dinner with all my boys at the table.

Next up is a big post including all the remaining days in 2025.

Week 50

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  Our terrible gloomy weather still has not changed one bit and it's draining but we must press on and patiently wait for clearer skies.  Until then we'll continue to prep for the holidays which is at least more fun.

Take a look at how week 50 played out: 

Day 342- Monday, 12/8/25

 

We're continuing to put Christmas out and about through the house which is most certainly a process.  Also Bailey got a new festive sweater to try on her walk today. This will help her get used to it for the dog-pack party tomorrow.  Thankfully the sweater is way easier to put on and take off than her Halloween costume plus it's nice and warm for her in this cold.

Day 343- Tuesday, 12/9/25

Most of my Christmas shopping is done and now the packages are starting to arrive.  Bonus--the increased frequency at which our doorbell rings has been a good desensitizing exercise for Bailey.  Later there were a lot of other great and fun training exercises at the dog Holiday Pawty.  They all looked so cute in their sweaters and even received a couple presents.

Day 344- Wednesday, 12/10/25

 

 I can't wait for all the boys to get home next week.  It's always fun for them to come home this time of year to a decorated house.  Hopefully the outside weather will better for them too.  I'm so sick of this type of winter sky and the cold dampness it gives off.  Our walks have been short and brisk so we can quickly get back inside out of the gloom.

Day 345- Thursday, 12/11/25

The poinsettia seems to be thriving and goes perfectly with some more decorations I've been putting out. I also received these new ornaments I ordered to represent our pets.  They are super cute, but I'm not sure why the cat is bigger than the dog--you'd think it would be the other way around or at least the same size.  So far our tree still only has lights and a topper on it.  I've yet to add any ornaments so these can be the first and then once the boys get home they can help me add the rest.

 

 

 

 Day 346- Friday, 12/12/25

 

Another delivery--our 2026 calendar filled with pictures from the past year has arrived. This is something I have been doing for years through Snapfish.  Otherwise TGIF!  John is out having drinks with his PT friends (he got a grant to go back for a few months) so Bailey and I are chilling by the tree and watching mindless TV where I just happened to catch a scene with firework in my shot which turned out cool next to the lit tree.

 

Day 347- Saturday, 12/13/25

I got the Christmas cards addressed and sent out plus we received our first few in the mail today as well.  Later we watched this new Christmas movie on Prime with Michelle Pfeiffer who I have not seen in anything for awhile.  It was a cute comedy but weird to hear her with a southern accent in it.

Day 348- Sunday, 12/14/25

 The Christmas candy dish is out and full waiting for takers that will be home at end of next week.  Today was a little brighter for us but still really much of the same ick.  It's crazy how going up to the foothills just a little in elevation changes everything--warmer temps, beautiful sunshine and blue sky.  Wish this bogged in fog layer would lift already.  The last picture is a satellite view of what the whole California central valley (400 miles long) has been dealing with for over a month now.

That does it for now.  We are expecting rain next week so hopefully it will help clear the fog in the valley and bring in some clearer warmer weather afterwards.

Week 49

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  This past week was all about getting ready for Christmas and enjoying the new season.

Take a look at how week 49 went down: 

Day 335- Monday, 12/1/25

We're starting a new month today so welcome to December.  Otherwise it's still super cold out but at least the sun made an appearance and we got to watch it set on our late afternoon walk which was super nice and mood lifting. 

Day 336- Tuesday, 12/2/25

 

We started out the day foggy which seems to be a new normal for us but again the afternoon was sunny and the sky was actually very blue which we have not seen in awhile.  Sadly the news says it will not last.

Day 337- Wednesday, 12/3/25

 

Today at work we were making antigen slides and a few of the slides had some wells that were causing our solution to ball up and not spread out to fill the well.  So weird--I have not seen that before.  It looks cool but not optimal for our purpose.  Later I was invited to another theater outing with my retired boss and we saw this amazing interpretive dance performance MOMIX Alice at the Mondovi Center on campus.  It was fantastic and very creative especially with the use of costumes and sets incorporated into the dance and their abstract way of telling the story of Alice in Wonderland. I wasn't sure what to expect exactly but was pleasantly surprised and very much enjoyed it.

Day 338- Thursday, 12/4/25

This girl and her chew toys--they keep her busy and happy but they still can't keep her out of the kitchen.  Look at her little white chin too.  That's from being such an aggressive eater and chewer.  She'll be 2 years old at the end of this month.  Time flies when you're having fun.

 

 

 

Day 339- Friday, 12/5/25

 TGIF!  I picked up a few things for dinner at the store after work and also grabbed a poinsettia to help with my Christmas decorating that will finally be happening this weekend. Turns out the festive flowering plant was on a secrete sale at checkout--score!  No Friday night movie since we watched Survivor and Amazing Race episodes I missed Wednesday while out at the theater.

Day 340- Saturday, 12/6/25

 

After getting some weekend cores and a few errands ran I managed to get Christmas mostly put up. So far Bailey has left the tree and hung stockings alone.  She was curious at first but just needed a quick sniff and then was good. Later we watched the movie HIM which started out fine but in true Jordan Peele fashion ended up taking a really bazar turn.

Day 341- Sunday, 12/7/25

All is calm and quiet but still VERY cold and dreary out.  At least the holiday cheer will help with the depressive mood the weather is putting everyone in.  Maybe a good Christmas movie would help too but right now we're working our way through this suspenseful short series with Claire Danes which also has a grey and dreary feel.  Regardless it's still a good watch.  Next week--more upbeat fun things to watch and hopefully more sunshine.

That does it!  See you all next week.

Week 48

Welcome back and happy Tuesday! Last week we had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. I took the whole week off so I could spend more time with the boys while they were home.  The only downside was the weather. We didn't really see the sun all week. It was foggy and grey and dreary which also made it super cold--highs in the 40's.

On to the pictures from week 48: 

Day 328- Monday, 11/24/25

We crossed the river into the capitol area to take in a movie with the boys which was actually better than I expected and also a good way to get out of the house.

Day 329- Tuesday, 11/25/25

 

After Justin and Rusty got up for the day I took the boys out to pick up our traditional See's Turkeys for the season and also do some more shopping for other items needed to prepare our upcoming feast.  Both the boys and pets are really enjoying each others company especially since the boys like to really play a lot more than their parents.

Day 330- Wednesday, 11/26/25

 

Today was mostly spent in the kitchen doing prep work for items needed to help complete the meal tomorrow.  I made the cornbread that will be used in our stuffing and the brine we'll use to soak the turkey plus Justin helped me bake some pies and breakfast muffins.  It smelled really good in here and having the oven and stove on helped keep the house warm on this super cold day.  Thankfully Bailey's new winter jacket just arrived so we tried it out on our late afternoon walk and even though she was reluctant about putting it on at first she quickly realized it's warming value and is now happy and eager to have it put on for her walks.

Day 331- Thursday, 11/27/25

Happy Thanksgiving and I hope everyone had a great day sharing it with family and friends.  Mine started nice and slow with a cranberry orange muffin and coffee.  Most of the rest of the day involved preparing the meal in-between watching the parade and dog show that followed.  Later we enjoyed our feast of turkey and ham plus a bunch of great traditional sides followed by pie.  Bailey picture sums up everyone's after dinner vibe perfectly. 

 

Day 332- Friday, 11/28/25

Tyler and Lupe were at her family's for dinner yesterday but they came here today to have brunch with us and spend more time with the other two boys before they need to leave.  It's so nice having all 3 under the same roof again. Tyler is super grateful this season to have found a new job he just started a couple weeks ago working for the state as an analyst for the department of transportation.  It was fun to hear how it's going and how excited he is. He's been wanting to get out of health the care realm and try something new--this gives him more of a ladder to climb without needing to invest more money into additional education, much better pay, benefits and a pension plan so its a win-win.  Later, we actually had to say goodbye and send Brandon off to fly back to LA.  It's crazy to think he really only has one more semester of college left.  Otherwise TGIF!  Our Friday night movie was one we wanted to watch in October but the streaming price was way too high and now it's available for free. Can't beat that.  It was worth the wait too--great end to the series.

 

Day 333- Saturday, 11/29/25

 

Time to send Justin off on the train so he can head back to Humboldt and continue to look for a job.  The job market for young adults is really not that great right now but he's happy to keep trying and hopefully he'll catch a break like Tyler did.  It took him applying to countless jobs for the past couple years to finally find something new.  You know who will miss Justin the most?  Rusty! All day he refused to leave Justin's bed.  At least he'll be back for Christmas in a few short week's.

Day 334- Sunday, 11/30/25

This whole past week was all about football aside from family for John.  Today the Niner's are playing and he just can't get enough.  Otherwise we're done with one holiday and ready to tackle the next.  Before the boys left I had them help pack away the fall decorations and bring the Christmas boxes down from the attic. So far all I have up is the door wreath but at least it's a start!

That wraps up another week and another month!  Let the holiday games begin.