Week 51

Hello! I'm running late as all the festivities this week got in the way of me publishing last week's pictures on time. That's ok though because I was busy enjoying time with family and I hope everyone else is having a wonderful holiday season too.

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 351- Monday, 12/16/24

This week started out wet outside and inside. I hit up Starbucks just before driving over the causeway to get to work.  Thankfully despite the rain we had no accidents to block the way.  In the lab our new incubator has sprung a dripping leak out this port from excessive condensation inside that is not supposed to be there--repair guy is on his way.  Back at home the weather was perfect for snuggles with a good blanket and a curdled up pup.

Day 352- Tuesday, 12/17/24

No rain today but a beautiful sunset out in the country at puppy training class.  It's our last one until the new year so we had a little ugly sweater holiday party that was great fun.  I just happened upon matching sweaters for Bailey and I.  Bailey plus 4 other pups also tested for the AKC Star Puppy title and all did great. Our trainer gave us a bottle of the farm's freshly pressed olive oil complete with custom labels including a picture of our own dogs on them as a gift.  So cute!

Day 353- Wednesday, 12/18/24

Wednesday at work I did actually get a lot done this morning in the lab but then had the pleasure of spending the rest of my work day out to lunch with my retired boss, current boss, and favorite colleague.  This is an amazing place in Davis and the food was so good we ordered many plates to share just so we could try a little of almost a little everything.  It was a very special treat to help us kick off the holidays.

Day 354- Thursday, 12/19/24

Our admin team continues to add to their Whoville decorations daily which is fun to check out here and there.  Today, first thing in the morning, I spied the Grinch looking out the department door window--so fun!  It's the last working day of the year for me (aside from us rotating a couple days each week to go in and feed cultures).  Back at home the skies are grey and gloomy and the trees are bare but you can now see where birds have nested which is a cool thing to note. Inside our tree is nice and bright with the ornaments finally hung.

Day 355- Friday, 12/20/24

My Christmas flower is in full bloom now and really pretty with 4 big blooms.  Bailey got her December Bark Box that she is currently enjoying.  And we are all thankful for a lit tree and other festive lights around the house. Since I was off today it doesn't really feel like a Friday but it does feel great to know I have the next couple weeks to enjoy for my winter break with all my boys close.

Day 356- Saturday, 12/21/24

Today I got some morning Rusty cuddles in, finished up the last of the decorations, and picked Brandon up from the airport.  Later as I went upstairs to shower I got this different point-of-view picture looking down on Bailey who is keeping my spot on the couch warm. I love how she's looking up at me too.

Day 357- Sunday, 12/22/24

It was a quiet day where I found time to finish wrapping presents.  There are only a few more days until Christmas and the rest of those days will be all about baking and meal preparations.  It's also great to have Brandon home.  He and Bailey reconnected right away and having an extra person to entertain her while we rotate getting things done is always helpful especially with the holiday looming and last minute prep to be done.

What a super full week this one was but also a lot of fun and good cheer.  I'm sure I'll be late with next week's post too as I'll see you in the new year.  2025 here we come!

Week 50

Happy Tuesday!  It's the final week before Christmas!! I pretty much have all my shopping done except for a few stocking stuffers and food items for holiday baking and meals.  Brandon will be home later this week after finals and my goal was to get the house decorated before he made it here-- mission accomplished.  Thankfully Justin was around to help with that.  It will be nice to be done with the current work week so I can enjoy the next two holiday weeks having fun with the family.

 

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 344- Monday, 12/9/24

With the rain gone and wind moving in to dry things out and drop more leaves the week started out with more of a fall feel but I know that won't last.  More winter storms are brewing.  Late last Friday at work we had these plate stacks dropped off so first thing this morning I started by running QC tests on them. If they pass they can be sold to help determine the causative agents of mastitis in dairy cattle which then leads to the right treatment options.

Day 345- Tuesday, 12/10/24

Over the weekend we focused on getting the tree put up and stockings hung.  Now in my spare time after work I'm working on putting out other festive decorations around the house.  Having a remote work day where my breaks happen at home helped a lot.

Day 346- Wednesday, 12/11/24

Look at all those lemons and that is just on our side of the fence!  They are nice and ripe now so I'll have to start picking them and freezing some to last us through the year.  In other news, the onslaught of gift orders have been arriving and are piling up.  Sometime next week I'll find the time to sort and wrap it all once the rest of it all shows up.

Day 347- Thursday, 12/12/24

Here's one of the first new winter storms I was talking about and now today it feels very much like winter.  Brrr!  It's super cold out and very wet.  Last night it was raining so hard we all had difficulty sleeping through it. On the bright side there was no wind plus when it rains here that means snow in the mountains.

Day 348- Friday, 12/13/24

That bulb flower I was gifted is starting to bloom and I didn't know exactly what it was called but saw them also being sold at Nugget Market so now I know it's a Giant Amaryllis.  Super cool and fun to see it bloom bright red for Christmas. Later today Justin helped me watch Bailey so I could address Christmas cards and then on our way to the store he put them in the mail drop for me--such a good elf ;0)  TGIF! The movie we watch this weekend was the new Beetlejuice.  It was fun to have Jenna Ortega in it and see most of the original cast back but the storyline was just ok.

Day 349- Saturday, 12/14/24

Time for the second winter storm to hit.  This one sadly had wind involved as well.  We pretty much spent the day inside trying to stay warm and get more decorating done.  We had sloppy joes for dinner with fries which a nice warm and comforting meal.  Then after dinner we finished putting lights on the banister. Rusty seems to like the new lighting on his landing.

Day 350- Sunday, 12/15/24

Today we get a break from the rain before another storm hits tomorrow.  We started the day with some warm Sunday cinnamon rolls and then took advantage of the nicer weather to head out for some wine club pick ups.  I think we are set through for the holidays in terms of wine--some of which will be gifted.  Justin was also looking through holiday baking and drink books to get ideas for the Christmas week.  Sunday dinner tonight it was just for the 3 of us since Tyler and Lupe had other plans.  We enjoyed some bacon wrapped pork tenderloin medallions paired with one of our new wines.  Great way to end the week!

One more work week for me before getting a 2 week vacation during the holidays.  Can't wait!  Thanks for stopping by and hope you're enjoying the build to to your holidays.

Week 49

Hello and welcome back!  December is starting out just as busy and crazy as expected.  It's the mad rush to get everything done before the holidays especially at work because we shut down for 2 weeks.  It's colder, more foggy, and definitely more winter like out, but at least it's also festive and there are a bunch of parties coming up.  Our neighborhood it looking very pretty at night with all the Christmas lights going up which makes walking Bailey in the dark that much more enjoyable.  Our neighborhood know how to represent!

Here are last week's pictures:

Day 337- Monday, 12/2/24

Our admin team at work went all out on the decorations with a Whoville themed Christmas for our department.  They put it up over the weekend so we'd be surprised as we came in this morning to start the week.  Love it!  Also today Tyler and Lupe's newest niece was born and they got to see her.  She was expected last week but was kind enough not to mess with Thanksgiving gatherings.  Too cute!

Day 338- Tuesday, 12/3/24

I spied this lonely dandelion amongst all the fall leaves in the park today walking Bailey before driving to puppy class.  I guess the blooming weed hasn't gotten the hint that winter is upon us.  Bailey is all primed and ready to head out now  but just before leaving I needed a picture of her standing from the front so she can register to earn her training certificate.  The test is coming up in a couple weeks.  

Day 339- Wednesday, 12/4/24

This week at work we had a new flammables fridge/freezer and new incubators delivered.  All of our equipment is really old (like 30 years old) so we're slowly working on replacing what we can and what is most urgent before it all becomes urgent or an emergency.  Also in our lab meeting our bosses who happen to be married handed out these decorated bulbs that will bloom for Christmas and can then be planted in our yards.  What a great holiday gift that will keep giving for years to come.

Day 340- Thursday, 12/5/24

Most of the trees in the park have now lost their leaves and are looking very much like bare winter trees which can have interest and beauty in their own right.  In other news, Justin took a road trip with a local friend to go visit Humboldt and he had a great time catching up with everyone. He also popped in to surprise the gaming club at their weekly meeting.  It's a club he started over 4 years ago and was one of they hardest things he had to leave when moving back home. Thankfully he found a good person to pass the torch to so it can carry on. From time to time he'll join the meetings remotely so they were all supper excited to see him in person for this one.  Oh! And there also just so happened to be a big earthquake (7.0) right off  the coast up there. Everyone was concerned about a Tsunami but thankfully that didn't happen and all other damage from the shaking was minor.

Day 341- Friday, 12/6/24

I picked up a stocking for Bailey while at the store for weekend supplies today after work.  She has no idea what it is but would love to rip it up in true puppy fashion.  Later as we walked in the dark the moon was very bright and beautiful tonight.  Even with all the Christmas lights my eyes kept being drawn to the sky.  TGIF!  So thankful the work week is over and we can relax for now.

Day 342- Saturday, 12/7/24

The Christmas cards I made and ordered arrived today.  Hopefully I can get them out before the end of next week.  Later we watched this movie newly streaming on Netflix.  These AI horror movies are truly scary as this could very well be our future.  During the movie I got up just for a minute to grab some water and Bailey wasted no time stealing my warm and cozy spot on the couch.  It's a good thing she's super cute especially when she sleeps.

Day 343- Sunday, 12/8/24

Over the Thanksgiving break I started binge watching the Empress on Netflix and just wrapped up the second season today.  There has got to be a third coming because there are still so many loose ends to tie up.  It's a good watch.  The rest of the day was filled with chores and Christmas decorating.  We at least have the tree up and stockings hung.  Bailey doesn't like new things that pop up in her normal spaces so she barked at the tree as we were setting it up but then explored it a bit and is now doing well just leaving it alone.  Same for the stockings.  Presents under the tree later may be another story.

That wraps up another full week.  Hope to see you in the next one.