Happy Mardi Gras!

If you ever get the chance, you should take a trip to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras.  It is a fun time to be had that is just so overwhelming that it is difficult to describe.

I have been going since I was a child. First with my parents, then as I got older I went with various groups of friends and sometimes my sister.  I've even been lucky enough to do Bacchus ball. 

The past two years I  have been doing a little bit tamer, more family friendly Mardi Gras with my friend Jenny.  That doesn't mean it isn't any less fun! 

Saturday we went out to see Endymion.  Jenny's husband rides in this parade.  We took photos of him but due to the nature of his job, I am unable to post any pics of him.  However, I can post pics of the family and we had plenty of opportunities for pictures!

Lil Phil eating some cotton candy that Ms. Melinda bought.  (I am a firm believer in filling the kids full of sugar and then handing t hem back to the parents!)

Conner was so overwhelmed.  This wasn't even parade time but he was so busy people watching that he just held his cotton candy.

The Captain float for Endymion. This was as they were staging the parade.  Riders hadn't arrived yet.

Watching the staging of the floats.

Woo hoo!! Kelly Clarkson's float set up right in front of us!

Showing off their  Mardi Gras outfits! 

Our annual picture!  I promise Conner was having fun, even though it looks like he is miserable here.

I think this was one of the maids of Endymion.

Kelly Clarkson!!!

Kelly Clarkson and her fiance.

King of Endymion

I caught a football --while holding Phil on my back!

Sunday we went to Saint Stephens.  This is a church that for its annual fundraiser sells tables in their school's cafeteria that you can purchase for the day.  You are allowed to bring in food and drink or purchase food and drink from them that they sell.  We just choose to buy our food and drink, it goes to a good cause.  And the best part of this is that you have access to a clean bathroom!!  We saw 3 parades that day and I was one tired girl!!!  We watched Okeanos, Mid-City and Thoth.  Bacchus rolls after that but I had to get home since I had to work on Monday.

Jenny and Diane

Jenny and lil Phil

This is how we do it in NOLA!!!  Ladder time!

Some more ladders! 

The Walking Dead seemed to be a theme in the groups this year. 

A little line dancing to pass the time between parades.

Super Bowl

Oh what fun we had yesterday, walking around New Orleans to take in the sites!

We took a cab into the Quarter Saturday afternoon. We were dropped off somewhere at the end of Bourbon and we started walking. We stopped at Central Grocery so Jenny could take in the smells of this delicious Italian deli. Off to Margaritaville then for some margaritas (of course) for the start of our exploration.

We walked all around the Quarter. CBS had taken over Jackson Square. We saw Boomer Esiason and some others recording a segment for CBS Sports. ESPN had taken over the parking lots next to Jax Brewery. We saw them recording some segments for SportsCenter.

Verizon sponsored food, music and activities in Woldenberg Park along the riverfront. They had all kinds of yummy goodness going on! Crawfish beignets, fried shrimp, BBQ alligator po-boys, sweet potato pie, pralines and on and on. I didn't eat one thing. But I did have a margarita, a Mardi Gras mash daiquiri and lots of beer.

The Roman numerals was cool to see on the riverfront. They were brought in on a barge. They were HUGE!! Great photo op!

Quick stop at Harrah's for a bathroom break (call me spoiled but I was NOT going to use a port-o-potty when the casino was less than 5 minutes away walking!!!), then on our way to Sugar Mill for the recording of CMT's Crossroads show. A special "live" from the Super Bowl of Rascal Flatts and Journey. They said it was live and it kind of was, it was recorded an hour before being shown. It was fun. Definitely a must do once. Brett Favre did the intro. And we heard Tom Arnold was there. But that venue was packed. We couldn't move they had so many people in there!! So who knows who was there!!

I can't even begin to think how many miles we walked that day!!! Took us forever to find a cab that night to get us home. Josh pretty much had to throw himself in front of one to get us one. But the cab was the definite way to go. Didn't have to worry about who was the designated driver or paying for parking (which at one garage was $50!!!

It was a great night out. Next up is Mardi Gras!

Below are just my pictures from my phone. Josh and Jenny probably have just as many if not more!!

Krewe of CBS Sports

CBS stages in Jackson Square

This is on the Aquarium of the Americas

Jenny in front of one of the ESPN stages

Me in front of the roman numerals on the riverfront

Outside of Manning's

Bud Light built a walk way between the Wyndham and the Riverwalk parking lot

Jenny and I waiting for CMT Crossroads outside of the Sugar Mill

Celebrity Stalking: Jenny was the look out, Josh was the camera man and I was just enjoying the sights.

Cris Carter (guy on the left), had just found out he was going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame that day.

Change.....

Time for changes. I'm actually ready to embrace some change.

Seems that all aspects of my life is getting a "cleaning". Down two friends this week. One cause I cared too much. The other cause I didn't care enough. In their opinions. In mine, I was the best friend I could be to them. For what I was getting out of the relationships, I was giving way more than I could afford.

I'm sad to have lost them from my life but I've learned that you can't fix something that doesn't want to be fixed. There's always going to be something wrong.

This is a first for me. To acknowledge that I can't fix it. Loathe that! Feels like I'm giving up.

Positive though are the friends that I have good relationships that are getting better! My friend Stacy, knowing that I am feeling blue, getting my nephew to call me for same FaceTime. Love, love, love that.

I'm made some changes here on the old blog. New title. New description. Eventually, when I get to it, a new layout too.

I've been sick for so long that I am ready to be well, get back on the health track!!!

Looking forward to the next few weekends in New Orleans. I'm happy to be busy right now but am fearful of when things slow down. Slow = time to think = trouble but til then I'll enjoy the adventures heading my way!!!

So confusing…

We were always taught that January was a winter month. A time for sweaters, hot cocoa, fires, coats, etc. So why is it 74 degrees, shorts, t-shirts, flip flops and the AC is on? The weather is crazy!!! In fact, on Tuesday it will be close to 80 degrees!

While it was a beautiful spring weekend, I spent most of it inside. Sick…again. Ugh!!! This time fever and sore throat. It was off and on, the fever. Very frustrating. I need to get well. The next two weekends are going to be packed with lots of potential fun!!!

I didn't sit around all weekend and wallow in sickness. I can't seem to do that. Probably why it takes me so long to get better!

I did get some cleaning done around the apartment. Bought a new shirt, New Orleans Saints, to wear next weekend. Put in a lot of stitches in my HAED Peacock. Started watching the first season of Downton Abbey (which I absolutely adored). Started the book Beautiful Creatures.

And for some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to make homemade applesauce. Took me FOREVER to peel, core and chop 12 apples!!! It is a simple recipe. 12 apples, a tablespoon of water, and a teaspoon of cinnamon. All cooked down in a crock pot. But it was definitely yummy!!! But from now on, I think I'll just buy it from the store!!

Also tried another new recipe for a southwestern casserole. Layering tortillas with a yummy black bean mixture, salsa and cheese. The best part of it is that it is only 290 calories a serving. Probably less since I used fat free cheese. Sided with a salad, it made quite a yummy dinner!

Can not wait for Saturday! Hoping to get into the recording of CMT's Crossroads with Rascal Flatts and Journey. Looking more forward to Journey than Rascal Flatts. Also hoping to see some celebrities down in the Quarter. The list of appearances is a mile long with the Super Bowl in town!!

I hope to have some pictures of our adventures next time!!

Hello Sun!

Oh how I missed the sun! He decided to finally come out on Thursday. I believe the last time I ad seen him was just prior to New Year's? I'm not sure. It was so long ago and I was beginning to think I was going to have to build an ark!

I was finally able to take the trash out without swimming to the dumpster. Take down the garland that decorated the balcony. Duke has been able to go out for a walk and has been napping on the balcony soaking up the sun!!

I am finally feeling better. Only coughing occasionally. I've been able to finally get up and start getting the apartment organized. Soooo much to do!!! Kind of overwhelming!

Made a pot of cinnamon apple raisin steel cut oatmeal for breakfast for the week. Tried out a recipe for a Tex Mex Chicken Salad for lunch this week. Dinners? Still clueless. I have a ton in the freezer though, so not worried.

Had a new HAED start for the new year. I am doing Peacock in Full Bloom for my bedroom. Started it last Sunday and have already finished one page. Yay!!! I hope this can be finished pretty quickly. I love the colors. If I could find the time to work on it every day, I might finish it quickly.

Good bye 2012…hello, bronchitis???

2013 is not exactly starting off the way I wanted. It has been spent divided between the bed and the couch. I have acute bronchitis. I haven't had that since college!! I used to get it a lot as a kid but thought I had maybe outgrown it. Guess not. But I do wonder, how many times can a person blow their nose and not blow out brain material??? I mean come on, how many boogers can one possess?

The worst part is the lack of energy. A shower sends me back to the couch for a rest. Trying to take down the decorations from Christmas is taking FOREVER! So frustrating.

So, not much has been accomplished this first week of the year. I have, however, discovered the series Sons of Anarchy. Completed the first 2 seasons and now working on season 3. This show is AWESOME! Not something I would typically watch but I can't stop watching!

It's amazing how big the apartment looks with all the Christmas decorations down! But now it is time to think about Mardi Gras. I do believe it is time to make a new wreath for the door!! Sunday was the official start of Mardi Gras. Woo hoo! Plans are already in motion for fun times!

I've been doing some stitching. Of course since I was pretty much planted on the couch I had to do some stitching! Worked on the Snow White until I had a little incident with some cocoa and had to stop and wash it. Then I moved on to HAED Queen of Hearts.

It was back to work today. I am so far behind on my projects. I worked straight through lunch and worked extra. So now I'm exhausted and been fussed at by my mom and sister for pushing it too much. But it has to get done!!! Lots going on this week!!!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone rang in the new year with family and/or friends!

I had a great evening with friends. Food! Conversations! Laughs! Smiles! Fireworks!

New Year's Day was spent on the couch, resting. Woke up feeling under the weather. Or maybe i matched the weather? Rainy and icky all day long. I just felt icky all day. So Duke and I relaxed all day on the couch. Watched a whole lot of nothing on tv.

Time for resolutions!!

1. Find a bigger place to live! I am looking forward to that!! Either a house, town home or even just a bigger apartment.
2. Get organized. I've started to work on the kitchen. Then I'll move on to the other rooms. Need to make room.
3. Keep on working on my financial situation. Pay off more debts. Save more!

I do believe those are my top 3. I have other things in mind but not ready to write them down.

Here are some of our pictures from New Year's Eve:

Happy Holidays!

I have been one lucky girl!  I was off for 9 days straight.  Had a wonderful Christmas.  Spent tons of time with family and friends!

Let's talk vacation.  I actually had off 9 straight days.  At first, I was like, "what will I do with all that time off?"  I managed to fill it with absolutely no problems!  It flew by and here I am, back at work.  Well, at least for half a day.  The days were filled with friends and family.  I think out of those 9, I only had 1 day to myself and that was yesterday, Sunday.  But I have to say, that I actually slept this vacation.  Every night I managed to sleep the entire night through.  For those who know me, you know that I really sleep one night through!  So the best gift this Christmas?  It was the sleep!

My parents, grandparents and Santa went over board on the gifts for me.  I received a ton of kitchen organization things, like containers and shelves, so I can get my kitchen organized.  I received at least a dozen movies from my most wanted list. A much bigger crock pot than I had (I already cooked my first meal in it).  My two younger cousins thought it would be funny to send me a bottle of wine (my sister also got one) and a wine glass to go with it. To them it may have been funny, for me?  It was appreciated.  One can never have enough wine! I also received this super cute LSU watch:

There were numerous dinners to be had with friends.  Two new restaurants were discovered.  One of which was Texas de Brazil.  Yes, it is a chain.  Yes, it serves mostly meat.  But it was good, to my surprise.  Especially since I am not one to eat a lot of meat.  But mostly the company was good!  My mom, my sister, Jenny, her mom and I all had a great meal together. One could simply eat off of the salad bar there are so many things on it!

Very little stitching was done.  I did make some progress on a Snow White I am doing for my youngest niece.  But that was just yesterday since I haven't really had anytime at home.  No stitching gifts were received but I did go to Jo-Ann's yesterday to get some floss for a new project I am going to buy and start in the new year (sale currently going on, 4 skeins for $1.00, plus I had a 15% off my entire purchase coupon, couldn't beat that!).  HAED is currently having a sale and I want to get the following design to do for my bedroom (I've got a peacock theme going on in my bedroom these days, mostly it is the colors!):

I typically do write out my New Year's resolutions and reflect back on the ones that I had chosen for this year.  I'm not going to reflect back this year, because I had many numerous lessons occur that I, hopefully, have finally learned and need not repeat! I will sit down to do resolutions, tomorrow? 

But for now, I need to get some work done, then off to a basketball game, followed by the LSU bowl game, then midnight with some very good friends. 

Happy New Year's!

Reflections

This past year has been a pretty tough one.  It had loads of ups and downs.  All of which has made me a better person. 

I've had some personal defeats; losing friends, losing my mind (lol); but out of all of that, I am a stronger person.  Recently I have been a by stander in my best friends divorce.  That's been a tough one.  I don't want to choose sides but I feel that ultimately I will have to, but I am trying my best to not.  I recently lost a person who I thought was a friend.  Turned out, he wasn't (I can be a very bad judge of character!).

But on the other hand, I have amazing friends who have recently come out of the woodwork, literally, to support me.  My co-worker/team mate in the office has become like a sister to me (as evidenced by the fact that in addition to the 40 hours a week we work together, we typically also do things on the weekend and her kids (ages 4 & 2) can recognize my car in random parking lots if we run into each other).  I've been going to therapy to deal with depression and anxiety issues and am feeling so much better!  My  job is going better than ever.  Even completed my annual review with only a few hiccups and received a raise! 

2013 is already looking to be a good year.  The negative has been removed from my life and, hopefully, there is only good to come!  I will be busy with 6 different conventions next year.  There is Bayou Country Superfest.  Vacations (I hope to make it home to see my grandparents and a trip to Disney???).  Mardi Gras.  And I am sure much, much, much more.  Oh, yikes, my 20th reunion is in 2013.  Hmmm, will have to think about that one! 

Color Run

What fun! Today we did the Color Run in New Orleans. It was about 3 miles around the lakeside of UNO.

We saw lots of tutus. Men, women, and children. There were even a few men in suits. That was a little weird.

The color that was thrown on runners wasn't really a paint. It was like dyed powder. There were color stations that you ran through that were manned by volunteers who threw the color on you.

Not sure I would do it again but it was worth doing once!!

I am excited to wear my pretty blue wig again however at Mardi Gras!