Chasing Christmas: So Many Outings, So Little Time

 Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. There’s something about the lights, the music, the traditions, and the collective permission to slow down just enough to enjoy something magical. In recent years, though, the holiday season has transformed into something even bigger—an ever-growing list of experiences, exhibits, performances, and events that make December feel less like a month and more like a full-blown festival season.

And honestly? I love it.

This year especially, it felt like everywhere I turned, there was another holiday outing calling my name.

One of the most meaningful moments of the season came when a friend and I finally checked something off my bucket list that had been sitting there for years: A Christmas Carol. Seeing it performed live was everything I hoped it would be—timeless, heartfelt, and deeply nostalgic. There’s a reason this story has endured for generations. Sitting in the audience, wrapped in the familiar themes of redemption, generosity, and second chances, felt like stepping into the very heart of Christmas itself.

That same day, we leaned into the holiday spirit a bit more casually with a visit to the “A Classic Christmas” exhibit at Katy Mills Mall. It was festive, charming, and a reminder that sometimes holiday magic shows up in unexpected places. Between the decorations and the cheerful atmosphere, it felt like another small but meaningful way to celebrate the season.

Not to be outdone, my husband and I made time for the Light Park exhibit at Katy Mills Mall, and it quickly became one of my favorite outings of the year. There’s something uniquely joyful about experiencing Christmas lights together—windows down, music playing, surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights synchronized to the season. It felt cozy, romantic, and wonderfully simple, the kind of memory that lingers long after the decorations come down.

On a quieter note, I also made a trip to Bayou Bend to see the Christmas Village, which offered a completely different kind of holiday experience. Stepping into that space felt like stepping back in time. The craftsmanship, history, and attention to detail created a peaceful, reflective atmosphere—one that reminded me that Christmas isn’t only about spectacle, but also about tradition and storytelling.

Even with all of that, I still ran out of time.

I had every intention of attending Dickens on the Strand, experiencing Drunk Christmas Carol, and visiting Artechouse Houston’s Holiday Special exhibit, but December had other plans. The calendar filled up faster than I expected, and suddenly the season was winding down before I could do it all. And yet, that seems to be the new reality of Christmas—there’s simply more to choose from than ever before.

Beyond my own outings, Houston itself seemed to glow with holiday energy. The Houston Zoo’s Christmas setup continues to be a seasonal favorite, while Santa’s Wonderland offers an immersive, larger-than-life experience that feels straight out of a Christmas movie. Add in pop-up markets, themed bars, concerts, and neighborhood events, and it’s clear that the city fully embraces the season.

While part of me wishes I could squeeze in every single event, another part of me appreciates that I don’t have to. The abundance of holiday experiences means there’s always something new to look forward to next year—and that the magic doesn’t disappear just because I missed a few things.

Christmas isn’t about doing everything. It’s about choosing moments that bring joy, connection, and meaning—and this season delivered all of that in spades. Even if I didn’t see it all, I felt it all. And that’s what makes Christmas my favorite time of year, no matter how busy it gets.

Balancing Holiday Chaos

Every year, as the air gets colder and the stores start playing Christmas music way too early, I’m reminded that the holidays are equal parts magic and madness. And if you work in an industry that deals with Thanksgiving week deliveries, you know exactly what I mean.

The Thanksgiving Delivery Shuffle

The week of Thanksgiving is like the Super Bowl of logistics. Customers expect fully stocked shelves, grocery stores need every product on time, and the universe seems determined to make schedules as complicated as possible. Holiday hours shift, trucks run at unusual times, and everyone is trying to adjust for a week where everything has to be squeezed into fewer working days.

It’s a puzzle every single year — one missing piece and suddenly a store is short on essentials, or a delivery gets bumped, or someone ends up working a 12-hour day to get turkeys, rolls, and pie crusts where they need to go.

But still, we make it happen. Somehow. Even if it means spending way too much time staring at a calendar and trying to convince yourself that Wednesday absolutely does not count as a full workday.

And Then There’s My Personal Calendar…

As if the professional chaos isn’t enough, the social side of the holidays kicks in around the same time. From early November through New Year’s, my weekends are essentially gone — booked solid with outings, dinners, gatherings, celebrations, traditions, and the occasional event I forgot about until my phone buzzed with a reminder.

Don’t get me wrong: I love seeing people, celebrating, and making memories. But when every single weekend is spoken for, it becomes a little harder to find those quiet pockets of time — the ones where you can breathe, reset, or just sit on the couch and do nothing without feeling guilty.

Trying to Carve Out Time for Myself

Somewhere between rearranging delivery schedules and RSVPing to yet another holiday get-together, I’ve realized how easy it is to lose track of my own needs this time of year. It’s like the season demands constant motion — and I’m just trying to keep up.

So this year, I’m making a point to intentionally block out time for myself. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s just an evening. Even if it means saying “not this time” to an event I would normally go to.

Because the holidays should be enjoyed, not just survived.

If You’re Feeling the Same Way…

You’re not alone. Everyone who works in a time-sensitive industry, or who juggles work and family and social expectations during the holidays, knows the struggle of trying to make everything fit.

Here’s to getting the deliveries done, showing up for the people we care about, and still remembering to show up for ourselves.

The Craziness Has Started....

As soon as October rolls around, life shifts into high gear. The holidays come with plenty of joy, but they also bring a season of planning, performing, and participating — all before there’s even time to take a deep breath.

Mastering the Holiday Delivery Maze

For me, the season starts with weeks of preparation to ensure our holiday delivery schedules for grocery stores stay within acceptable limits. It’s a puzzle with a hundred shifting pieces: adjusting for shortened workweeks, confirming product availability, coordinating driver routes, and making sure every store gets exactly what it needs—exactly when it needs it.

It’s satisfying work, but it’s also the type that keeps you up at night mentally checking off lists you haven’t even written yet. Every detail matters, because holiday shoppers don’t slow down, and shelves definitely can’t afford to be empty.

Music Amid the Chaos

Then there’s the part of my life that brings me joy in a totally different way: performing in a community band concert. Rehearsals, set lists, last-minute changes, and the nerves that sneak in right before stepping on stage — it’s all part of the experience.

Music has a way of grounding me, even when everything else feels chaotic. That moment when the lights go up and the first note rings out? It makes every hectic day leading up to it worth it.

Fundraising Season in Full Swing

On top of that, this time of year seems to be a magnet for fundraising events. Whether I’m volunteering, organizing, or supporting the cause, I seem to find myself woven into multiple functions before I even realize how crowded my calendar has become.

They’re meaningful, and I take pride in doing my part — but let’s just say my weekends have officially been spoken for until further notice.

Making Space for Myself

Somewhere between drafting delivery timelines, rehearsing music, and helping support big causes, I’ve had to remind myself that finding time for me isn’t optional — it’s necessary.

So I’m learning to carve out small pockets of breathing room. A quiet hour with a book. A walk without a schedule. A night where I say “no” without guilt. These little resets help me show up fully for everything else I care about.

The Balancing Act Continues

The holiday season will probably always be a whirlwind for me — full of behind-the-scenes work, meaningful commitments, and unforgettable moments. And while it can feel overwhelming at times, it’s also a season that reminds me of community, purpose, and the importance of taking care of myself along the way.

Here’s to balancing it all — one schedule, one concert, one event, and one quiet moment at a time. 

Go Lives and Wine

If I had to sum up the past month in one word, it would be: chaos.

Between work, vacation planning, and life in general, it feels like I’ve been juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. At work, we’ve got a huge project go-live happening very soon. On its own, that would be enough to keep me busy—but of course, the universe decided to pile on a few more things.

One of our warehouses is closing, which means deliveries have to be rerouted out of another location. Sounds simple enough… until you realize that means creating dummy routes, moving stores from one billing to another, and rewriting the rulebook (a.k.a. the SOP) so everything runs smoothly. Basically, I’ve had my hands in every detail, and let me tell you—my brain has been living in spreadsheets and routing maps for weeks.

To add to the adventure, several coworkers have been out on vacation. So while I’m over here wrangling routes and timelines, I’m also covering for the people who are sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere. (No hard feelings, but I’ll remember this when it’s my turn!)

And here’s the kicker: the go-live date is the exact same day my husband and I leave for our own vacation. Talk about timing. We’re hitting the road right - driving across five states for a Food and Wine Festival to celebrate our anniversary. Honestly, I think that’s what’s been keeping me sane. Every time work gets overwhelming, I remind myself: “Okay, just get through go-live, and then it’s food, wine, and relaxation.”

So yes, this month has been busy, stressful, and a little wild. But I’m also excited. Excited to see the project finally launch, and even more excited to grab my husband, load up the car, and head out for a week of adventure (and maybe a glass or two of something really good).

Here’s to go-live weekends and anniversary road trips!

Refilling the Creative Well

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had some much-needed opportunities to reconnect with my creative side—and it’s been so refreshing.

It started with a visit to an art installation in Houston with a friend. The exhibit was incredible—an immersive blend of science, technology, and art that really sparked something in me. I shared photos and videos with my mom, and she loved them so much that I ended up going back, this time bringing her and one of her friends along for the experience. It was just as magical the second time.

That same friend and I also caught a live performance of Weird Al and Puddles Pity Party in The Woodlands, which was as entertaining and quirky as you'd expect. A perfect mix of humor, music, and theatrical flair.

And most recently, I spent a full day at a retreat for the community band I play with—and also serve on the board for. It was a full day of music, collaboration, and connecting with other musicians. Exhausting in the best way.

All in all, it’s been a creatively rich few weeks, and I’m so grateful. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need that kind of outlet until you dive back into it.

Summer Busy times!

Summer always has a strange rhythm, doesn’t it? It speeds up and slows down at the same time. For me, things have definitely shifted into a faster gear—especially at work. For those who don’t know, I work in the grocery industry, coordinating delivery plans to make sure stores are stocked and running smoothly. And when summer hits, so does the hustle.

Vacations, cookouts, holiday weekends...they all mean more planning behind the scenes to keep things moving. Lately, I’ve been juggling delivery schedules like puzzle pieces—making sure everything fits, even when it feels like the pieces keep changing shape.

With the extra busyness at work, it’s actually been a good time for our community band to take a little break—we’re officially on hiatus until August. I already miss the weekly rehearsals, the laughter during warmups, and the joy of making music with friends. But I know we’ll come back refreshed and ready to play when the new season kicks off. In the meantime, it’s nice to have a little space to breathe.

I’ve still been carving out time to see friends—grabbing dinner, catching up, laughing a lot. It’s funny how even a simple patio meal or a spontaneous evening out can work like a reset button. No agenda, no expectations, just good food and better company.

I’m also trying—emphasis on trying—to keep stress from settling in too comfortably. That means getting outside when I can, saying yes to things that feed my energy, and giving myself permission to say no when I need space.

So that’s where I am this summer: working hard, slowing down when I can, and trying to be present for all the little moments in between.

Hope your summer is bringing you a mix of light, laughter, and maybe a little less screen time.

Trying to be a bit more professional...

I'd like to try to be a bit more professional in my blog posts, since this is not just a way for me to vent, but I know that others are reading through the posts as well! So, here goes nothing! My attempt at talking about our upcoming patriotic concert on Sunday, June 29th...

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Our Patriotic Concert

As a board member of our community band—and someone who handles logistics for our concerts—I always look forward to this time of year. Our annual Patriotic Concert is one of our most cherished events, and this year, it’s happening on Sunday, June 29th at 4:00 PM at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church.

From rehearsals and stage diagrams to flag décor and making space for the community chorus—we’ve been busy.

Music, Community, and a Lot of Planning

This concert is more than just music; it’s a community celebration. That means coordinating not just our band members but also our community chorus, who will be singing with us on several selections. Adding singers to the mix always brings an extra level of excitement—and complexity.

We’ve worked hard to make sure everyone fits on the stage (which is no small task when you’re combining instrumentalists, vocalists, percussion gear, and patriotic bunting!). We’ve spent time adjusting our setup to ensure the band and chorus can perform together comfortably and with clear sightlines to the Music Director.

Rehearsals, and Red, White & Blue

Behind the scenes, we’ve been coordinating rehearsal schedules between the band and the chorus, and making sure our flag-themed decorations are ironed and ready to go. There’s something special about walking into a space draped in red, white, and blue—and we want every audience member to feel that sense of pride the moment they step through the door.

A Musical Tribute to Our Country

This year’s concert program includes a mix of stirring marches, reflective tributes, and classic patriotic favorites. From “America the Beautiful” to rousing Sousa pieces, it’s the kind of music that brings generations together. And with the voices of the community chorus added in, the experience becomes even more powerful.

Join Us!

If you’re in town, we’d love for you to join us. Admission is $11 person, and there’s no better way to kick off the Independence Day season than with live music, fellowship, and a celebration of the values we all share. Bring your friends, your family, and your love for music—we’ll take care of the rest.

Birthdays and PTSD

For years, I haven’t wanted to celebrate my birthday. Ever since my dad passed, the day has felt heavy—filled more with painful memories than joy. It’s hard to explain, but birthday wishes and well-meaning celebrations have sometimes triggered a kind of PTSD response in me. So I’ve mostly kept the day quiet, under the radar.

But this year was different.

My birthday happened to land on Memorial Day, and I spent it doing something meaningful: performing in a Memorial Day ceremony with the band I play with. The City of Sugar Land hosted the event, and they invited us to be part of the program. Jeff, Mom, and David came out to watch, which made it even more special.

And you know what? It was a good day. No stress, no anxiety—just music, remembrance, and a little bit of healing. 

Balancing Pasta and Pressure: Life Lately

Earlier this month, I had a much-needed evening out with a couple of friends. We discovered a unique Italian restaurant that had actual Fiat car parts incorporated into its décor—definitely not something you see every day! It made for a fun and memorable dining experience, and the food didn’t disappoint either. Those kinds of spontaneous nights out are always a great reminder to enjoy the lighter moments when you can.

On the work front, things have been far less relaxing.

We've had a couple of major projects roll out recently, and unfortunately, both ran into issues. The core problem? Key stakeholders weren’t looped in ahead of the changes, which led to confusion and miscommunication across teams. It’s been a frustrating situation—especially when you're trying to manage the chaos and still find yourself on the receiving end of the criticism.

One project, in particular, aimed to streamline operations by eliminating an estimated 25–30 delivery routes per week—a target we’re now successfully meeting. Ironically, the transportation director, who led that project and was informed of the planned reductions, is now concerned about having drivers without enough work. It’s one of those classic “cannot win for losing” moments.

Amidst the stress, there was a new opportunity for growth: leadership in action. Our department managers recently asked the supervisors to start leading our weekly meetings. I was the first one asked to step up. While public speaking isn't exactly in my comfort zone, I leaned into the challenge—and even added a little humor by creating nicknames for each of the supervisors based on the areas they oversee. It helped break the ice, and hopefully set a tone that the rest of the team will feel comfortable following.

It’s been a month of mixed experiences—some energizing, some draining—but all reminders of how unpredictable both work and life can be. I'm learning (and re-learning) that sometimes, a good meal and a laugh with friends can be just as important as meeting deadlines and running meetings.

Project Overload and Unclear Direction

It’s been a very active season at work, with several major projects moving through development and implementation phases. While I welcome the opportunity to take on new challenges, the process hasn’t been without its complications.

One of the more difficult aspects has been the sheer number of competing ideas and perspectives being brought to the table. Everyone seems eager to contribute their vision of how things should work—but unfortunately, many of those approaches have missed the mark when it comes to building a process that actually functions effectively.

As a result, both projects have experienced repeated delays. Now, we’re heading into a critical phase, with one project scheduled to go live this weekend and another shortly after. At this point, there’s still a lack of clear communication and direction across teams, which creates a lot of uncertainty heading into launch.

It’s hard to say how things will unfold—but like many in operations and logistics, I’m staying flexible, responsive, and ready to problem-solve in real time. Here’s hoping for smooth rollouts and a stronger sense of alignment moving forward.

When the Weather Doesn’t Follow the Rules

If the weather had a personality, you might say Houston’s has been feeling a little unpredictable lately.

This past January alone brought an unusual rollercoaster of conditions. We experienced two significant cold snaps, one of which was so intense it brought a rare sight—snow in Houston. In a region known more for humidity than flurries, seeing the ground dusted in white felt almost surreal. In between those cold spells, a tornado touched down, serving as a stark reminder that Gulf Coast winters aren’t always calm. And to cap off the month? We were suddenly basking in temperatures in the 80s, as if winter had been a brief, strange dream.

But January wasn’t an outlier—it was just the latest chapter in a year full of extreme events. Over the past 12 months, we’ve also seen:

• A second tornado, once again highlighting the increasing volatility in our local storm systems.

• A powerful spring storm that knocked out power across large parts of the city for several days, affecting schools, businesses, and daily life.

• And, of course, a hurricane that reminded us of the force of nature we always keep one eye on during the warmer months.

Each of these events on their own would be noteworthy. Taken together, they paint a picture of a climate that’s becoming less predictable and more extreme. For residents and businesses alike, it’s a growing challenge—how do you prepare for everything from snow to hurricanes, often within the same year?

As we move forward, it's clear that staying weather-aware isn’t just a good idea; it’s a necessity. Whether it’s investing in backup power solutions, updating emergency plans, or simply staying informed, adaptability is key. Because if the last year has taught us anything, it’s that Houston weather no longer plays by the old rules.

New Year New Travels New Weather

Jeff and I are finishing up our long holiday work weeks. We've been working mostly straight through since the middle of December. We'll soon be finished up and back on our regular schedules at work, but after we take a few days vacation to recoup, relax, and decompress after the busyness of the season. 

We have booked a room at a casino resort in Louisiana, but are also aware of a polar vortex heading our way around the same timeframe. While we are looking forward to getting away for a bit, we are taking extra precaution to secure the house for the freezing weather. 

Not something I wanted to plan for while trying to recoup and relax, but we will survive! 

Tornados...Tornados Everywhere

Yesterday, my phone began blowing up with weather notifications. I picked up my phone to look, and two different apps were sending notifications to seek shelter. Like RIGHT NOW. That's unusual - as I'm normally only getting a notice from the pushes to my phone (i.e. the Amber Alerts). But the actual weather app was now also pinging my phone.

The notices said there was eminent (extreme) danger and to seek shelter immediately, as there was a tornado warning in effect. I've gotten tornado warnings before, but never to this degree. So, I did as any normal person from the Texas Panhandle does, and I went outside to look. 

Sure enough, just to the south of our house was a tornado. It was forming, but I could absolutely make out that it was a tornado. It was traveling northeast, so it ended up going just to the east of us, in an open field just past the houses to our left. I could see debris flying up as it was getting closer to us.

I ran inside and woke Jeff up (he sleeps during the day as he works overnight), and made sure he was dressed, and in the hallway for safety. We both looked outside once again, and the tornado had passed us at that point, and was continuing to go east. We found out that two different neighborhoods not far from us were hit pretty hard (Sunterra and Winward). 

The storm carrying this tornado continued on, and the tornado itself bounced around all the way to Beaumont, and possibly beyond! I stopped tracking it when the storm crossed over the Beaumont area.

This marks the second time this year that there has been a tornado very close to our neighborhood. In May 2024, there was a tornado in the fields across FM 529 from us, making its way to Cypress. That tornado did some major damage to some transformers and towers near the FedEx depot at Grand Parkway and West Rd. It also took down some of the power lines along FM 529, leaving our neighborhood without electricity for several days. 

Jeff and I went to stay with my mom and step dad after that one, because they still had power. It was crazy because we could follow the path of destruction of that tornado all the way from Bellville past our neighborhood in Katy!

Speaking of spiraling cones of wind, we also made it through Hurricane Beryl in June. The eye of the hurricane went directly over our neighborhood. We kept electricity through most of it! 

The only damage we took from the two tornados and the hurricane was needing some shingles repaired after the hurricane. We've been quite lucky this year!

Surviving the Holidays

We've made it through another Thanksgiving holiday. Things have been so crazy this month that I almost forgot that I had not yet posted anything. 

I'm still responsible for making all holiday delivery changes for the holiday week. However...it has changed up a bit this year compared to all the other years I have done the scheduling. Looking back, it has been my responsibility now for 5 years, going on 6 years this coming spring. 

Customer Service used to write the schedule for our customers to get deliveries during the holiday week (we are closed on Thanksgiving, so no billing, selection, or delivering on the actual holiday itself). So, customers who normally get either a delivery or they are due in with their orders on Thursdays have to bill and deliver another day. We would double check the projected changes behind them, and then they would implement the changes into the system.

Five years ago, it changed to me making the changes and implementing into the system. The person in Customer Service decided he did not want to continue to do it any longer, so he trained me how to do it. I would go through the spreadsheets (5 in total: Grocery/Frozen, Meat, Produce, DFW area Meat, and DFW area Produce) and make sure everything matched by store by billing, upload into the mainframe, and verify it was correct. Then I would work with Customer Service after they had sent the schedules to the stores to make edits to the schedule as needed.

Now, it is a bit different. Instead of having 5 separate spreadsheets, everything is populated in one spreadsheet. So, all the product types are grouped together by store, which makes it easier to go through. There is a separate team responsible for implementing the schedules into the system, so I have to be quicker in my edits so they have time to get it uploaded and verified. 

Besides all of that, now we have to get approvals from leadership in the warehouse, transportation, and sales before we can send the changes to the teams that maintains the schedules. And...if customer service says that the customers do not like their schedules...OH WELL. No changes are made - we can bill something off schedule, but we cannot edit their holiday schedule. 

As we are in the middle of Thanksgiving planning, I had to rush through and complete the Christmas schedule edits. We are now in the process of getting them approved by leadership so it can begin the upload process to the system. Never ending madness around here!

Making the Most of Untraditional Weekends

One of the things Jeff and I truly enjoy is planning short getaways together. That said, when I talk about our "weekends," I'm not referring to Saturdays and Sundays like most people. With our non-traditional schedules, our weekend typically falls early in the week—and even then, it's not always easy to align our time off.

I work Wednesdays through Sundays during the day, while Jeff works overnight shifts from Thursday evening through Monday morning. Most of the time, we make it work. While Jeff sleeps during the day, I’m able to work remotely in a quiet house. But when it comes to planning a getaway, the logistics become a bit more complicated.

We can’t simply finish work on Sunday and head out for a couple of days like many couples do. Jeff is usually getting up and preparing for work just as I’m finishing my day. That means we can’t hit the road until Monday morning—after he gets off work—leaving us with only Monday afternoon and evening at our destination before we need to return on Tuesday. I have to be ready to start work again on Wednesday morning, while Jeff still has another full day off before his next shift begins.

It’s a tight window, and unless we plan for a destination within day-trip distance or I take time off, we’re often left with very limited options. Occasionally, Jeff can arrange to take Sunday night off, which allows us to leave Sunday afternoon after I’m done with work—but that’s not always feasible given the demands of his job.

Looking ahead, I do hope that one day we’ll have more flexibility. Ideally, that will come when Jeff is able to transition into a less physically demanding role—or when retirement enters the picture. Until then, we’ll continue to make the most of our limited time together and squeeze in whatever adventures we can, even if they’re short and sweet.

The challenges don’t stop with travel plans. Holidays bring their own set of complications. While my remote job allows me to work from virtually anywhere with a solid internet connection, Jeff’s work is strictly on-site—and even more demanding during the holiday season. Every year, the only other person on his shift takes the final two to three weeks of December off, leaving Jeff to cover both schedules for more than 21 days straight. It’s a heavy load, and it often means sacrificing family time.

To his credit, Jeff has spoken up in recent years, and small improvements are happening—other team members have begun to step in and help cover a few of those overnight shifts. Still, more needs to be done to create a fair and sustainable balance, especially during the holidays when time with loved ones matters most.

Until then, we’ll continue to adapt, plan creatively, and hold onto the hope that more flexibility is on the horizon. After all, making meaningful memories—no matter how brief—makes the effort worthwhile.

Hello September...Here We Go!

The arrival of September usually brings stress, frustration, anxiety, and lots of additional work. It marks the onset of "Holiday Season," which is quickly approaching. 

This means decorating for both fall and Christmas, buying and wrapping Christmas presents, deciding if we are going to be able to meet with family for the holidays (we have issues in the holidays due to work schedules), completing delivery schedule changes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's (all to be completed within the next 3 months), making spur of the moment changes for stores' deliveries...

Not to mention planning and executing Fall and Christmas concerts, publicity for the concerts, rehearsals, social media blasts, emails to patrons, designing and printing the concert programs. 

I have already planned some outings with a friend for Friday nights during this time. It will force me to get away from the work, and spend some time decompressing from everything. I'm already looking forward to it!

In October, we will see "Sleeping Beauty" in a whole new way, as the ballerinas wear LED lights, lighting up the stage as they dance!

Also in October, we will see the Houston Symphony perform "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

In December, we will see a parody of Die Hard, called Yippee Ki Yay.

There are some other Christmas themed attractions I would like to see, and may be able to get around to them in November if available to. The Museum of Fine Arts puts out a Christmas Village every year, and last year the friend and I were able to go in January to see a whole Christmas Lights display set up in the local shopping mall parking lot.

The Holiday Delivery Season: From Dread to Optimism

Every year, it starts the same way. Around August, a little knot of dread settles in my stomach. I know exactly what’s coming: the holiday delivery schedules for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a season that should feel magical — lights, shows, festive events — but for me, it always came with a heavy side of stress.

I remember one year, hunched over my computer, five different mainframes open at once. Dry goods. Frozen. Meat. Produce. And then the Dallas-area versions of meat and produce. One customer change meant navigating all five systems. If I wanted to adjust holiday billing? I had to run through all 1,000 grocery/frozen customers, then meat, then produce, then Dallas meat, then Dallas produce. And the moment Thanksgiving deliveries were done, Christmas schedules loomed. September through December was a relentless cycle of updates, spreadsheets, and last-minute changes while the holiday week raged on around me.

It was exhausting. And frustrating. And no matter how much I tried to plan, surprises always found a way to pop up — a truck rerouted, a customer last-minute change, a holiday promotion added.

This year, though, feels different. With the integration into the National Routing Team, the new OMS system, and a dedicated team handling schedule maintenance, I’m finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Now, all product types are housed in one place. One spreadsheet shows everything for a customer. One screen lets me see it all. The chaos of navigating five separate systems is gone.

I’m cautiously optimistic — but also excited. For the first time in years, I can imagine actually enjoying the holiday season. Maybe I’ll catch a show, sip some hot cocoa, even breathe. The work is still there, of course, but it feels manageable. Efficient. Maybe even… pleasant.

After years of holiday scheduling dread, that’s a gift in itself.

Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl

What an interesting, scary, and wild week it has been so far. Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, Texas as a strong Category 1 hurricane early Monday morning. When it went over the Yucatan Peninsula prior to that, it spun the hurricane, and aimed it towards Matagorda...it was originally supposed to make landfall near Brownsville.

The hurricane made a direct path to Houston, and the eye of the hurricane actually traveled almost right over our neighborhood. What an insane experience that was, to be going through hurricane force winds and rain, then all the sudden NOTHING.

The company I work for took on damage to the frozen warehouse, which will now need to be repaired. Both the grocery and frozen warehouses are without power, and work is having to be done manually to get loads out since they do not have access to printers or copiers right now.

Over 2.25 million customers were without power after the storm hit. Centerpoint Energy has restored a good portion of those customers as of today, but many are still without power, during the hottest part of the year. 

So far, the death count is up to 11 in the Houston area due to the storm.

Happy Hurricane Season (sort of)

It has already been quite the active season, and we are only a month in to the Hurricane Season.  I can only imagine what it is going to be like in August and September...hope it does not get more intense!

Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall in June - in Mexico. Florida had a few scares as well in June, with some disturbances along the east coast.

We are now prepping for landfall of Hurricane Beryl.  It was originally supposed to make landfall in northern Mexico, but has shifted to the north, and is now aimed squarely at Brownsville. It could turn more and head towards Corpus Christi more, which will put us in an area with more rainfall expectations.

We are already on the dirty side of the storm, and are expecting several inches of rain Monday - Wednesday of next week. If the hurricane turns more and aims toward Corpus, the rain will be much more intense.

We've already been sending water and supplies down to Brownsville to prep for the storm to be hitting them early next week. Here we go!!

A New Creative Chapter?

One of the things I genuinely enjoy about maintaining this blog is having a space to share my thoughts, reflections, and day-to-day musings. Writing here has become a surprisingly therapeutic habit—something I look forward to continuing, even if the posts sometimes feel a bit like rambling. There’s value in documenting the moments, no matter how small.

Lately, I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a second blog—this time with a more focused theme. I'm constantly on the lookout for weekend getaways and short vacation opportunities, especially within Texas. Over time, I’ve gathered a growing list of travel ideas and hidden gems, and I’ve been thinking... why not share that information in a more structured way?

I’ve already started keeping notes in a physical notebook, and I even tried organizing everything in a bullet journal. But keeping it updated—and making it look the way I envision—has proven tricky. A digital format might be the way to go. Not only would it be easier to access while on the go, but it would also allow me to build something more creative, polished, and shareable.

Now I’m feeling inspired to explore design ideas and layout options to bring this new project to life. It’s always exciting to start something new—and who knows? It may become just as fulfilling as this space has been for me.