2025 Adventures
Beetlejuice
January 1, 2025
Off to Spokane to watch the musical comedy BEETLEJUICE, Tim Burton’s story tells about a teenager whose life changes when she meets ghosts and a demon in stripes. I think we all eventually have to confront life’s demons “Facing demons in life” means confronting and dealing with negative emotions.
Disney World
January 4-18, 2025
I enjoy being by myself in wonderful Disney free from all the stress of reality? Have we prepared for four years of Trump? Love seeing our Disney friends and dreaming about “What Next?” Maybe ABD Egypt? Is D33 in our Future? Doubtful, but it is a nice Disney Dream.
Disney Treasure
January 18-25, 2025
My highlight on board were the Disney Treasure’s live shows… Disney Seas, Beauty and the Beast, and Moana. Concierge is incredible. I was asked what I wanted to experience on the cruise… I said the Haunted Mansion parlor and the Periscope Pub. It didn’t happen. Enough said!
Remodel 2025
January 28, 2025
Our early discussion centered around escalating costs. We heard that whatever quote you get from our contractor, you should double it. WHAT? Monsieur François Léon Oui was hired! Stay tuned this could be the most interesting page turned in our marriage.
Valentine's Day
February 14, 2025
One Month
March 1, 2025
The greatest gift Monsieur Oui can give his sweetheart is my time, my complete attention (sometimes), my love (always) and a completed remodel. Question is… will my body or will my spirit hold out the longest?
Two Months
March 31, 2025
And happiness…Well, after all, desires torment us, I see now happiness is when there are no more desires. This remodel is like a novel of desires… up until the very last page page Monsieur François Léon Oui does not know how it will end? Maybe never? Next the Master closet.
Mamma Mia
June 18, 2025
Nice break from our remodel. Fun… Fun night watching an old favorite. The cast member playing Tonya blew the house down with her voice and body. AND of course one fan sang along as did most of the crowd.
Remodel 95%
July 4, 2025
Our Fourth of July was proudly celebrated at home, basking in the glory of our brand-new kitchen—featuring rich black walnut cupboards, polished quartz countertops, refinished baseboards that no one will ever notice, and a full lineup of shiny new appliances. Honestly, what more could anyone possibly want? Mimi, of course. Phase II.
MJ
July 8, 2025
Michael Jackson was truly one of a kind—a generational talent whose music, movement, and imagination reshaped global pop culture. He gave the world joy on an unmatched scale, turning songs into shared memories and performances into moments of pure wonder. Yet behind the brilliance, there lingered a quiet absence—a longing for the love of a family.
Puppy Sitting
July 9-19, 20256
Grandma heads to Denver for some peaceful puppy babysitting—what could go wrong with two French bulldogs? Enter Miss Eloise who nearly staged a full-blown emergency by attempting to swallow her toy shark’s dorsal fin like it was her last meal on earth. Once again proving “babysitting puppies” is just code for chaos.
Big W in Yellowstone
July 24 - August 5, 2025
At 14 years old, my “perfect” grandson has mastered the rare art of trying to sleeping until noon while claiming he’s exhausted from “thinking too much.” He can clear a dinner table faster than a power outage and still insist he’s “still hungry.” He saw Yellowstone buffalo and made movie history.
Master Closet Remodel Begins
September 13, 2025
Master Closet Floor Completed
September 21, 2025
There’s a deep satisfaction in producing a finished, functional object. A hickory wood floor isn’t just a surface; it becomes part of our home’s story: “Oui built that.”
Some Like It Hot
September 24, 2025
The story follows two struggling musicians, Joe and Jerry, who accidentally witness a mob hit. To escape the gangsters, they disguise themselves as women—Josephine and Daphne. It was fun and entertaining. It is always fun to travel to Spokane for good food and a bit of shopping.
New Furniture Arrives
October 11, 2025
Homes act as a reflection of identity. Mimi’s goal was to improve our home’s identity. She did by improving the feel of the home as ours.
ABD Egypt
October 12-24, 2025
Egypt’s history spans 5,000 years, centered on the Nile River, where one of the world’s earliest civilizations built monumental achievements like the pyramids and developed advanced systems of writing, governance, and religion. For me memories of fifty years ago flooded back.
Halloween
October 31, 2025
Halloween: the one night a year when adults dress like idiots, kids demand candy from strangers, and everyone collectively agrees that fake cobwebs count as “decorating.” But we definitely had fun and laughed a lot.
San Juan
November 4, 2025
Three days in San Juan blend history, beach time, and tropical nature. A day relaxing on the beach at the Caribe Hilton, experiencing local food and culture. This rest bit offered an easy mix of ocean view and the most painful facial ever to be felt.
S. Caribbean
November 7-14, 2025
We sailed on the Disney Magic for a 7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 7, 2025. We made stops in Aruba, Curaçao, Antigua, and St. Kitts before returning to San Juan on November 14, 2025.
Southern Caribbean 2
November 14-20, 2025
A B2B on the Disney Magic for a 6-night Bahamas cruise from San Juan to Galveston. We stopped at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Nov 16) and Castaway Cay (Nov 17), with days at sea then arriving in Galveston.
Thanksgiving
November 27, 2025
Every Thanksgiving my wife caters a 13-mile delivery for professional leftovers thieves—in 2026, we’re keeping the turkey and cutting off the freeloaders. Turns out the only thing getting stuffed wasn’t the bird—it was their take-home containers.
Half Bath Remodel Start
December 8, 2025
I guess you remodel your half bath with granite, a fancy European sink, brushed brass fixtures, and hickory fronts for the same reason people wear a tuxedo to a backyard barbecue—no one asked for it, but hopefully everyone notices.
Sad Day
December 9, 2025
Dee passed peacefully on December 9, 2025, surrounded by family after enduring significant health challenges. A devoted mother of four, accomplished dog breeder and a gifted artist, Dee lived a life defined by care—for her family, her animals, and the beauty she created with her hands. I will remember her for her independence, her passion, and the lasting mark she left on those closest to her.
Very Quiet Christmas
December 25, 2025
The house was quieter than it has ever been, where even small sounds seemed louder, and each of Dee’s ornaments whether on the tree or the Santas on the shelf carried memories of hands that are no longer present. Mimi and I move gently through our familiar traditions. Christmas wasn’t the same in 2025, but in the quiet warmth of this special holiday Mimi and I have to realize it is still ours to share.