Happy New Year!

In case you haven't noticed, I went silent for awhile. Even though I was taking photos, I was having trouble keeping up. Work has been keeping me really busy so by the time I get home from work, I just want to chill.

Many people have been lamenting how tough 2016 was and they have kissed it goodbye. Many of them have been doing this because of the number of celebrities we lost. Prince. David Bowie. Debbie Reynolds. Carrie Fischer. Florence Henderson. And many more. However, one of the worst tragedies experienced on U.S. soil occurred in Orlando, FL in the wee hours of June 12. 49 people were murdered at Pulse nightclub.

Life is full of disappointments but my biggest disappointment of 2016 were the election results for the presidential election. When I realized that Donald Trump was going to win the Electoral College vote, I became sick to my stomach. Jerry Martin with KPRC Channel 2 said it best when talking about Trump. He said just because we're giving you a chance we're not giving you a pass. Time will tell.

So what did I do on the first day of the year? I went shopping. I was told by a friend that whatever you do on New Year's Day, you will be doing that the rest of the year.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.31.15 - End Of The Year

Let's face it. I'm not as young as I used to be and I feel my energy level dropping. I fall asleep in a chair watching the telly. I end up dropping my phone and/or my glasses. I've determined that scrolling through Instagram or Facebook is hypnotizing and can put me to sleep.

If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I have gotten way behind with my posts. For the most part, I've been taking the picture(s) of the day and then playing catch up. Also, if you've been following me, you know that I attend St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston and typically once a month I help with a 5:00PM Mass.

I guess it was appropriate that the year ended with me back at church on the evening of 12/31/15, as an extraordinary minister for the 6:00PM Mass. Some people know that January 1 is recognized in the Roman Catholic Church as The Solemnity of Mary and is a holy day of obligation. New Year's Day is not a holy day of obligation.

I was quite content being at church on the evening of 12/31/15. It seems that toward the end of the year, the were numerous deaths within the families of my circle of friends. There were also many people who became ill. The prayer list has been long. So rather than makes plans to be out with the amateurs, I went home after Mass; after counting my blessings.

The Christmas decor was still up. This church is so beautiful on the inside, it really doesn't need much decor. And all through Mass, I kept staring at the poinsettias so I thought I would share that with you.

Pic Of The Day - 12.27.15 - Nativity

I made it back in time to fulfill my monthly obligation of assisting at the 5:00PM Mass at St. Anne. As usual, the church looked beautiful with all of the Christmas decor.

And let's not forget the reason for the season.

And, speaking of all things spiritual not really but it sounds good, my guardian angel was working overtime on the drive back to Houston from Ft. Worth. I know I drove through 3 of the 4 seasons and it wasn't pleasant.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.25.15 - Occidental Oriental

This was the view of the western sky just around 7:00AM on Christmas. I was with The Calvinator at Haltom Road Park. The moon was very bright.

When we rounded the track I caught this view of the eastern sky.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.23.15 - Texas Cuisine Tour

On the way to Ft. Worth, The Calvinator and I stopped at Buc-ee's to pick up lunch.

I started falling asleep so I stopped in Riesel to pick up a Rockstar and found Christmas in a can.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.18.15 - Scenes From A Mall

I finally made it back to The Galleria to continue with my Christmas shopping. Traffic was a bitch getting there and once I arrived, I decided I was going to valet at Nordstrom because it's just what the doctor ordered.
I made my annual pilgrimage to the tree in the ice skating rink and it wasn't lit!

Usually there is one or two displays that will catch my attention and this year the award goes to Coach!

And so, I was minding my own business and I thought, "Hmmm. I haven't been on the 2nd level of the Nordstrom wing. Let's go that way." So I did and THEN I saw THIS:

The store is closing! At some point it will reopen but not in The Galleria. My bet is that it will re-open in River Oaks District.

And yes, I purchased some more shoes. Can you blame me? It was 70% the last marked price. #MerryChristmasToMe

Pic Of The Day - 12.17.15 - Happy Holidays

The evening started off with me donning a new pair of Kenneth Cole shoes and then I was into the night sky for Legacy's Holiday Party at South Beach.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.16.15 - Cookie Exchange

I don't bake. Therefore, I don't participate in Cookie Exchange parties. However, I was coerced into participating borrowed a simple recipe from a co-worker.

My stash of cookies.

The War On Christmas cookie. #minimalist

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.14.15 - Feliz Navidad

The City of Houston Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board held its Annual Holiday Party at Cafe Adobe. Mayor-elect Sylvester Turner was there celebrating his recent win and delivered good to news to the crowd.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.13.15 - A Wet Day In H-town

And when I say, "Wet" I mean WET!

However, that didn't stop me from going to CultureMap's Holiday Pop Up Shop. I did purchase a few things and I may or may not have enjoyed a Mimosa or two.

Later in the day, I decided to add some holiday decor to the interior of the crib.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.06.15 - Gloria's

Jim Sikorski held his annual fundraiser at Gloria's in Midtown. It is named Sharing The Bounty. It was quite the crowd and they really did share their bounty. Over $7,000.00 was raised and the proceeds went to Legacy Community Health and Interfaith Ministries Meals On Wheels. Oh, I discovered my new favorite adult beverage...champagne and pomegranate juice!

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.05.15 - Saturday Scenes

Another beautimus sunset in Houston. And...I wasn't going shopping until I was able to display my snowflakes on the balcony of the The Calvinator's crib. As you can tell, he doesn't look too thrilled.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.03.15 - TNT

A beautiful sunset and a beautiful lit tree.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.02.15 - Houston Scene/Seen

Coming back from lunch, I cut through the campus of University of St. Thomas and found this lonely snowperson. Then, later on when I was stuck in traffic on Richmond Avenue, I saw this cool art on a fence.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 12.01.15 - World AIDS Day

Legacy Community Health-Montrose hosted a community-wide World AIDS Day Candlelight Observance. Several people spoke and names were read of the deceased. Opening and closing the event were cast members of RENT from Theatre Under The Stars' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre.