Oct 2026 (1/2)

01 Oct 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dadas

The rain finally came.  It's nice to see that it may get a little cooler soon.  Cụ is starting to sleep more and feeding is becoming impossible.  Her hand felt so smooth and soft when I was holding it.  The rain on the roof was a nice sound that blended with her breathing.  Change is in the air and all we can do is let it come.

Cuddlin'

They Just Keep Getting Bigger

And Uglier

02 Oct 26

Dear Diary,

Today I woke up and did some of my region music on cello. I than went to school and did my work while Cu slept and Hospice said she won't live much longer which is way to sad. A bunch of people are coming tonight to our home to see Cu. Milli went to Penelope's Birthday party at the mall which seemed fun for her. 

beautiful sunrise

tired 

sleepy baby

mall girl

03 Oct 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Mama

We're so sad and so busy.  Drakeson made regions this morning, and Milli knocked it out of the park at the Jazz Pop Rock Festival in the afternoon.  At our home, we have Bác Thuẩn, Khoi, Cô Mai, Cậu Hiệp, and Thal visiting.  We have some cousins today and more cousins tomorrow.  There's baking to do, studying to do, practicing to do, and waves upon waves of grief everywhere.

JPR

Apple Roses

Family

04 Oct 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Mama

The more you take care of somebody, the harder this is.  The time between her breathing keeps getting longer and longer.

We love you always.

And you'll always be my little cookie thief.

This afternoon, we went to the Hat Rehearsal.  This morning, we completed our bakes for the day.  Tomorrow is a school day, and the alarm goes off at 6:10.  Time keeps ticking.  It ticks no matter what - no matter who you are or what is happening.  When you're in grief, when you're in love, when you're the Hatter, or even when all three happen at the same time.

Tileton Abbey Entryway

Catering

Tea Set

Hookah

We're All Mad Here

Guest Book

Bar

Seating

My Corner

Handmade Flowers

We Made it Through Another Day

05 Oct 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dadas

Cụ is still hanging in there.  Thankfully, Cô Mai and Cậu Hiệp are staying until the end.  That's huge.  Now Cụ is rarely alone with someone who can't tell her how wonderful she is in Vietnamese.  Drakeson and Milli seem to be handling this well.  For me, it comes in waves.  Small ones.  Like the ones that herald a tsunami.  

More Cuddlin' And Caressin'

Don't Let The Picture Fool You; That Foot Is TINY

Sep 2026 (2/2)

16 Sep 26
Dear Diary,

Today 1 went to school, and it was a half day today. Then, I went to Hat Creek and I had a burger with my friend, Indie, than I went to the libarry with ong and practiced.

# I went to volaro with ong

Editor's Note: Drakeson has chosen to not be involved in the family today.  He didn't eat with us, refused to practice (which is pretty normal these days), left messes for other people to clean up, and didn't get a blog picture.  He even skipped swim practice, so it really was like I have an only child.

mamas selfie

17 Seo 26

Guest Writer: Ông

George was home today. He made bread. But I had a tooth extracted and I’m not really feeling up to much.
Bà and I took Cụ to Simply Phở where she had some soup. But shortly after getting home, she started shaking uncontrollably and grew delirious. She seems to have calmed down. But Bà is sleeping with her tonight. That leaves my favorite Texas granddaughter to sleep where Bà usually sleeps.

Least Favorite Texas Grandson & Favorite Texas Granddaughter

18 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dadas

Well, Cụ seems to be getting better.  Bà had the hospice people come over and Cụ qualified for their services.  I don't think Cụ cares one bit.  She still gets up from a sitting position faster than I do.  So, we'll see how long this hospice thing lasts.  Additionally, the kids continue to revolt against all of our parenting.  I miss Max.

Mama Is Furious With This One

And This One

19 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dadas

Eleven hours.  That's how long I was out for the kids' swim meet today.  That includes taking the little one home and then picking up the big one for his events.  Also, this pool is a good 30-40 minutes away.  Ridiculous.  Fortunately, they both swam like demons today and I was very proud.  Anyway, at least I don't have to do this tomorrow before my night shift.  Wait?  What?  Oh, man!!

The Most Fearsome Tag Team In All Of Fake Pro Wrestling

20 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Today I went to my swim meet, and that was early, but I beat my enemy by 25 seconds, and I subtracted 18 seconds! Then, I went came home and Mom imeditly went to rehersal. Than we did our practice, and when she came home we gave her kisses and ate dinner with her, and cleaned up everything.

#there was mac and cheese for dinner

halloween

blinkin had a really bright light today 

21 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dadas

I've been waiting a good long time to fix the paint problems of the house.  Today was the day.  Ông had purchased a large paint mixer for the job.  I heaved the 5 gallon that has been sitting in our oven of a garage for the past 4 years out to the backyard.  Once I opened it, my dreams of painting sank.  I tried mixing the paint, but I could tell things weren't going to work.  I had a test spot and tried to apply some.  Utter failure.  It was painting with fake snow.  

I did what every person would do in this situation; I called the builder, Blue Horse Construction, and spoke to our friend in the office who says she'll look through the records to get the name of the paint color for me.  If that doesn't work, I'll have to take a chunk of drywall to Lowe's for color matching.  

The home renovating gods got a good laugh today.  

Studyin'

22 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dada

If you would have asked me yesterday if I thought a concert with Puddles Pity Party and Weird Al Yankovic was going to be a massive explosion of sound and color mixed in with some of the most amazing talent I've seen on the rock concert scene, I would have given you some snooty response like I was Thurston Howle III from Gilligan's Island.  You would have had every right to slap me right off of the S. S. Minnow and into shark infested waters for being an ignorant jack-ass.  They were incredible.

#PuddlesPityPartyAndTheLyricsToGilligan'sIslandToTheTuneOfStairwayToHeaven

First Concert

Drakeson Was Not A Fan Of The Ceiling Architecture

23 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dada

We had a rock star in the house today.  Cynthia Lin came over and rehearsed with Mama.  I made things comfortable with food and beverages while they filled the house with Sondheim.  What the hell is this life I'm living?  

Is She Actually Asleep?

Super Cool Study Area

24 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Today I went to school and that was very fun, because I did a lot of typing, and I got to stand up for myself because some one called my hair and myself ugly, and I said, "don't you tell me how to look!". Then, I wen to my piano lesson which was fine. Then, I had my theory lesson, and went home and did envolpos

#I made some little key chains

making envolops

25 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dadas

I had to work overnight the day before and slept when I got home.  Mama had work that morning, but when she came home, she continued perfecting her edible envelopes by painting a red heart with her food dye.  This is a warning to all of you who come into contact with this stuff.  It does not come from this planet.  It will stain anything.  The chrome bumper of a '57 chevy?  Stained.  A brick of pure, solid gold?  Stained.  But dangit if it doesn't do the trick on confections. 

This Bowl Is Silicone.  IT STAINED SILICONE!!

But, Boy, Isn't That Pretty?

26 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Guest Writer: Dada

I woke up early and took biggins to swim at COTA.  I rested in the car until the end where I walked in and saw biggins swim the whole length of the pool with an elastic band around his waist.  At first I didn't know he had that attached to him and I saw him swim back at a pace I couldn't believe.  I thought, 'Hot damn!  Look at that kid go!'  Then I realized what was going on.  I'm still impressed, but I've had to remove him from Hercules status.

Uncle Zac and Aunt Johanna came over for dinner tonight.  I made mapo tofu and it was fantastic.  I'll definitely have to make that again soon.

Play Time

27 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Today was nice. I went dogsitting today and got 20 bucks! A lot of people came over to rehearse and there was a lot of music going on throughout the whole house. I made a protein shake and Milli drank half of it so than I ate ice cream in her face ha that will show her!

pumpkin baskets

baking with swim cap

28 Sep 26

Today I went to school and that was pretty fun. Then, I went to my violin lesson and that was pretty fun, but when I came home, I did all of my piano, Cu started dying, she took some deadly madicine that gets off pain.

# I'm really scared for Cu

ready to go to school

Cu is dying

29 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Today was very sad. Cu is still not doing well which is just horrible because I am going to miss her very much. I had COTA today and I didnt do to good until the very end when we did fast sprints which I got good times in. Milli got some Dental stuff today and she got to skip some school. ( lucky duck )

DUCK

yelling because she looks like a duck

Cu is happy

looks happy but is in pain

duck face and Me

30 Sep 26

Dear Diary,

Today I went to school and I couldn't eat any thing, because my teeth hurt so much and I had more pain then ever. Then, I went to swim, and that was really fun because we played a lot of games. Then, when I came home, Mamas and I got into a fight, and kind'a made up.

# I tried to put pickle juice in my lunch box, but Dad wouldn't let me

working

punkin lights