Pic Of The Day - 01.28.15 - National Kazoo Day

Wednesday was National Kazoo Day and one of my co-workers made sure we all received a kazoo. This one matched my shirt.

Pic Of The Day - 01.27.15 - Tin Man

What is this you might ask? This is Ben in his work space.

It normally doesn't look like this but for his birthday his staff decided to decorate. Everything was covered in aluminum foil. When I found out what they were doing, I decided he could wear my silver sequin jacket...and he loved it!

Pic Of The Day - 01.26.15 - #Deflategate

We have our own #Deflategate going on here at Legacy. On Thursday, there was a going away party for Ashley. Food. Balloons. Tears. Laughter. You get the picture.

Ashley has a fear of balloons being her car, so when she ended her employment with us on Friday, she left the balloons behind. On Thursday and Friday both sets of balloons were at the same height. I should know because I good see them in my peripheral vision both days.

Well...this is what I saw on Monday! One set was still at it's same height as on Friday but there other set had started to deflate. Did someone get cheated when they purchased the balloons? Not the same amount of helium in both sets? Makes you wonder doesn't it.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.25.15 - Scenes From A Sunday Night

I love the costumes at The Miss Universe Pageant. Some of the contestants go way out. I spent the evening at home watching part of the pageant before I switched over to America's Worst Cooks and then over to Looking.

This is only a sampling of some of the costumes. Enjoy!

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.24.15 - Another Taste Test

While Calvin was doing this:

I was doing this:

...another taste test.

This is New Orleans Ice Cream White Chocolate Bread Pudding. It took me a couple of tastes before I figured out that it was hint of bourbon that I was tasting. It too is quite yummy.

Pic Of The Day - 01.23.15 - Taste Test Of The Day

I accidentally stumbled across New Orleans Ice Cream the other day and gobbled up the Praline Crunch. Temptation led me back to Kroger where I had to purchase additional flavors.

This is Bananas Foster. The first few tastes were yummy but very sweet. I could only handle a few spoonfuls at a time. Don't get me wrong...I love it but I'll be eating it in small increments.

Pic Of The Day - 01.22.15 - Au Revoir

Today was the going away party for Ashley Turner. Ashley worked at Legacy for about 3 years and is moving on to another agency.

Ashley is the queen of selfies. She also has an infectious laugh that will be missed. It's sad to see good people go but this is a better opportunity for her so we're happy for her.

Pic Of The Day - 01.21.15 - Victory

The Victory is having their annual Houston Brunch in a few weeks and in preparation for that they are doing house parties to build some momentum.

Richard Holt and Mark McMasters opened up their home for Table Captain Party. They're always great hosts. The desserts were rumored to come from Moeller's and they were not only delicious, they were worthy of a picture!

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.20.15 - Beads, King Cake & A Meeting

Renita didn't want us to make a fuss over her birthday so I decided to throw a Mardi Gras Party during our staff meeting. The King Cake came from Three Brothers Bakery and was yummy.

Pic Of The Day - 01.19.15 - Williams Tower

Some days you get a view that is too pretty not to stop and enjoy. It was a clear day in Houston on Monday and the morning sun reflected in the Williams Tower. This was the view from The Calvinator's Upper Kirby Crib.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.18.15 - Scenes From A Sunday Morning In Houston

Sunday was the running of the 2015 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half-Marathon. The new course comes within a block of The Calvinator's New Upper Kirby Crib so I didn't have an excuse not to run. Plus, it was Alan's 50th birthday and he was running the marathon.

I contemplated stopping them and asking, "Who are you wearing?"

Pic Of The Day - 01.17.15 - Runxpo

This past fall was a bit difficult. Nothing seemed to go as planned and the icing on the cake was the fall of December 2014. If I even had the slightest idea that I could run walk/run 13.1 miles on 1/18/15, it was squashed when I fell.

At that point, it was too late to turn in my entry. I even toyed with the idea of walking 13.1 but there is still some discomfort in my left leg from time to time.

So...I went to the George R. Brown to pick up my expensive t-shirt. Yep, this t-shirt cost me $100+ and nothing was going to stop me from retrieving it.

It's always a fun time to be at the expo. Some vendor will premier the latest gadget. There's usually a sale on running apparel and I scored a deal on some fitness attire at the Luke's booth.

So...there will not be a lottery for 2016 so maybe I'll pay my money again and get a finisher's t-shirt next year.

Pic Of The Day - 01.16.15 - I Cain't Say No

So...on my way to work on Friday, I stopped at Three Brothers Bakery on Washington Avenue in The Calvinator's former 'hood. I needed to place an order for King Cake for work on Tuesday. My intent was to order the cake and walk out of there without purchasing a pastry. #FAIL

I saw this apple crumb cake and it looked too delicious not to purchase it and share with my co-workers.

Pic Of The Day - 01.15.15 - Here Comes The Sun

Seriously. It is a big deal. Not seeing the sun in however many days it was really dampened my Get Up And Go. In fact, I was beginning to think my Get Up And Go got up and went.

We went through a long stretch of days that were cold, cloudy and wet. It was the talk of the town here in H-town. However, yesterday around noon, it looked like we might be ending our stretch of cloudy and gloomy days.

And this song kept playing through my head:



And for the first time, in a long time, The Calvinator and I enjoyed this view:

Pic Of The Day - 01.14.15 - All Hail The King

...Cake!

It's hard to believe that it took me so long to have my first piece of King Cake in the 2015 Mardi Gras Season. There I was, minding my own business as I am prone to doing, walking through Whole Foods on Kirby when I saw the display of cakes. I was hoping that they I wouldn't have to purchase a whole cake and could purchase a slice. Needless to say, I was happy that they had two individual slices and I only purchased one and two slices of pizza, milk, and bottled water.

There is more King Cake in my future! I can smell it!

Pic Of The Day - 01.13.15 - Get Thee Behind Me Satan

These look innocent but they're evil in a delicious kind of way. What are they you ask? Chocolate covered Oreos.

I have a candy dish at my desk that provides nourishment to my co-workers. It has become a gathering spot. However, on Tuesday Gayle arrived with a container full of these temptations. Not only are they pretty to look at, they're yummy!

Pic Of The Day - 01.12.15 - Music Makes The People Come Together

Originally I was going to use this for my pic of the day because the other day when I was in Bed Bath and Beyond with no comma, I heard a David Bowie song from the '80s and a Go-Go's song and they both brought back memories.

Music tends to do that to me. Some songs will take me all the way back to elementary school. Some songs bring back happy memories and some bring back memories that are not so happy.

So...as I was walking to my car after work on Monday, I noticed this:

It's pretty in an old worn out kind of way.

Because it was trash pickup day, I couldn't park in my normal area of the neighborhood so I had to venture out and park on a side street. I've parked here before but had never noticed this gate. Maybe because it was gray and cloudy, the pop of colour caught my eye.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.11.15 - (fill in the blank)

Sunday, like Saturday, which was life Friday, which was like Thursday, well you get the picture was gloomy. Not only was it gloomy, it was wet!

Because I had a meeting in the afternoon, I knew that I would not be able to make the 5:00PM Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church so I woke up extra early, waited for the rain to subside, walked The Calvinator and then made it to the 7:00AM Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

I was a bit surprised that the Nativity scene was still up and all of the Christmas decorations but hey, I'm not complaining.

And then there is this collage of photos.

The only way I could get The Calvinator to pose was to offer him treats. This is his new haircut.

Things didn't work out like I wanted them to on the the previous day. He had a scheduled appointment at Dirty Hairy for a 12:00PM grooming but when we arrived, he wasn't on the books and he couldn't be worked in. That's OK for people with flexible schedules but I'm not one of those people anymore. Plus, the place isn't that convenient anymore because of the move.

Needless to say, I wasn't not please with the situation and it's the second time something similar has happened to me at that establishment. So...we trotted our happy asses out of the establishment and I sat in the car trying to figure out what my next move would be. I then remembered that in The Calvinator's new 'hood, there is a Petsmart so I called and they were able to work him in.

I think he looks adorable but the reaction I received would tell me otherwise. He really didn't want to have anything to do with me when I picked him up and when we arrived at his crib. He really needed a trim because his bangs were so long, he walked into a wall one day and into a car one night. Regardless of what HE thinks, I think he looks muy guapo.

Pic Of The Day - 01.10.15 - Love Is But A Song We Sing

There is random sign on a random utility pole in The Calvinator's new 'hood. It's placed high so someone really had to go through the effort of placing it there. Maybe it is a reminder that we need to put a little love in our heart and that love is more than a song we sing.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.09.15 - Latin Luncheon

It was a fun afternoon a group of 10 people of Latin descent gather for champagne, tequila shots, cocktails, conversation and food at Cuchara.

Mole verde with rice, beans, white corn puree and tortillas.

Paloma

Pic Of The Day - 01.08.15 - Champion

This past NFL season, I once again participated in a Fantasy Football League. My heart just wasn't into it this year so I just sort of let the team flounder.

The season culminates with a tailgate party. Debbie makes sure we have a fun time. And, like grade school, everyone gets a trophy for showing up and playing.

One of my co-workers/friends actually won her league! She is a champion and more than just in fantasy football.

When she received her trophy, she started singing this:

Pic Of The Day - 01.07.15 - The Weather

Last year I had never heard of a Polar Vortex but I guess it's been around awhile. Yesterday, I heard a new term: Arctic Assault. It's getting cold here along the upper Gulf Coast and everyone is talking about the weather. And yes, I know this is a screenshot but how do you take a photo of an Arctic Assault?

It made me think of this song:

Pic(s) Of The Day - 01.06.15 - My Secret Obsession

You may or may not know this about me but I LOVE Dance Moms. Some people either, love it, hate it or have never heard of it. I don't even know how I found out about a few seasons ago but once I started watching, I got hooked and I can't explain it.

 Abby Lee Miller is owner of the Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh, PA. She has an elite, competitive dance team that magically traverses the United States competing in dance competitions and they win! The dance moms are one of the plot lines to the show because they all want the best for their daughters. There is also the infamous pyramid that the girls are ranked each week. There are the Candy Apples; Cathy who is Abby's nemesis.

Love or hate Abby, I really think she wants the best for her girls. I don't always agree with her method of teaching but she does get results.

Somehow, I didn't realize that last night was the premiere of the new season so I'm glad I stumbled across it. And, I normally ignore the dance numbers when they're performed at the competitions because at that point I'm worn out from all of the drama and I know there is more drama to follow once the awards are distributed.

Last night was different. Abby choreographed a number that think is called Freak Show and it was a circus theme. It was very different from some of the other numbers and I was intrigued.

And I will tell you, I was impressed and they won! Good job Abby Lee Miller and to the girls! I'm looking forward to the new season.