Drifted Notes

We went to the Wine Festival in Granbury, Texas. If you have never been to one, this is definitely a must see. The little town itself is awesome, with a great atmosphere that makes it fun to just walk around and explore. The festival was not that expensive, and with the ticket you get a glass to take home, which makes for a nice keepsake.

It was one of those outings that felt easy and enjoyable, and I would go again without hesitation.

Today AJ and I went to a local event where they do glass blowing. We each had the chance to make our own Christmas ornament, which was a really fun experience. We were told to come back in a week to pick them up. When we went back, hers turned out great and we were able to take it home. Mine, on the other hand, had broken and they had to remake it. I never did go back to pick it up, it just did not feel the same if I hadn’t made it myself.

We haven’t been back to do this again yet, but it is something we still plan on doing in the future.

This weekend AJ, her sister, and her nephew went with me to the Kaylee Mills Gala. The whole evening had an energy to it, people dressed up, the room buzzing with conversation, the kind of event that felt both formal and fun at the same time. It was a great time, and I would definitely do it again if the chance came up.

We bid on a few items during the auction and actually won them. I bid on a fishing trip for AJ and AE and won, and I also bid on a hog hunting trip and won. Between the bidding, the food, the drinks, and the laughter, the night was full of good memories. It’s definitely one I’ll keep looking back on.

Today I closed on my brand-new house. I knew from the start that once I sold the other house, I wasn’t going to be in the apartment for very long. I even told the apartment complex that when I signed the lease. They understood from the beginning that I might break the lease, and they were fine with it. I never really made that apartment feel permanent, I didn’t hang anything on the walls, and I hardly unpacked.

So when the day finally came and I told them I had bought a house and would be moving, they allowed me to break the lease without any penalties. I’m still grateful for that. It just goes to show that honest communication really does go a long way.

Today was the day I signed for my very first apartment. It feels bittersweet. The apartment is in AJ’s area, since staying in the house that VS and I had built was just too heavy. It is not that I could not afford to keep the house, but living there without VS was simply too much. Selling that home meant I had to find another place to live, and this felt like the right step. Since VS’s passing, I needed somewhere that would give me a chance to start over. The town I had been living in was far too small and isolating, and this apartment feels like the fresh start I have been needing.

AJ and I went to Las Vegas for the first time together. It was a place I had always wanted to take VS, but we never made it there. In the past, I only came here for work, so my time was spent in meetings and conferences, without the chance to see shows or enjoy the city the way most people do.

This trip was different. We came for one of AJ’s family member’s weddings, and while we were there, we made time to actually experience Las Vegas. We saw America’s Got Talent, The Blue Man Group, and another show that slips my mind now. Being able to share that with AJ made the trip stand out even more. It was one of the best times I have had in Las Vegas, not because of the lights or the crowds, but because I finally got to enjoy it the way I had always imagined.

This weekend was the first time AJ and I visited Fredericksburg, Texas. Known as Texas wine country, it had been on my list for a long time. I remember talking with VS about making the trip before she passed in February of 2022, but we never got the chance. Being here for the first time brought that memory back, and it felt good to finally check it off the list while sharing it with AJ.

When we arrived, most places had already closed since it was a Friday evening and the town shuts down pretty early. We did find one winery still open, and ended up spending the night there, talking with the owner until around 2 a.m. It turned into one of those nights that sticks with you, simple but memorable.

Coordinates will always be one of my favorite places to go.

This weekend AJ and I traveled to Bandera, Texas to meet up with her family at the ranch. It was my first time seeing the place, and I got a tour of the land. One thing that really stood out was AE throwing a fit, not for any real reason, just to have a fit.

This weekend we spent time at Jellystone Park in Waller, Texas with AJ’s kids, her sister, and her sister’s kids. It was one of those weekends that felt full from start to finish, with plenty of noise, laughter, and the kind of chaos that only happens when family gets together. The kids kept busy between the pool, the activities, and just running around, while the adults found moments to relax and catch up.

One of the funniest moments came when AJ’s sister looked over at AE, shook her head, and said, “Boy, you need to get out of the sun. Look at your eyes, they are getting sunburnt!” I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard. The way she said it, so serious and matter-of-fact, made it even better. I still think about those words and find myself wondering how in the world someone could actually get sunburn on their eyes.

Looking back, it wasn’t just that one line that made the weekend memorable. It was the whole atmosphere, everyone together, the kids playing without a care in the world, and the kind of simple joy that comes with being outside and surrounded by family. These are the kinds of weekends that stick with me, not because of big events, but because of little moments like that one.