Last Day of July

Wow!  Where has the time gone?  Tomorrow will be the first day of August!  Only 18 more days till my beach trip!  Cannot wait!

This was a pretty good weekend even though it did rain all this Sunday's afternoon.  The sun did make an appearance all day Saturday and I was able to get some much desired pool time!  It was great to relax by the pool and read a book all afternoon!

Did some shopping Saturday morning.  Picked up two new pairs of shoes and, my favorite, a new Coach purse!  Love, love, love it!  Now I have a black purse, brown purse, and 2 blue purses.  Now I feel like I can branch out and get some other colors.  Maybe my next one will be purple or grey?  The possibilities are endless!  :)

Last weekend I finished page 2 of HAED's Mad Tea Party.  Only 36 more pages to go.  This piece is for my oldest niece.  Maybe by her 16th birthday it will be done?  (She's currently 10 years old)  LOL  This piece is going slow since I am doing 2 over 1 but I am loving the tapestry look it has.  In the lower right corner, you can see the Mad Hatter's hand appearing. 

Earlier this week I started the Tinker Bell project for my sister.  Not much has been completed and honestly I have put more stitches in since I took this picture yesterday but was too lazy to update the pic. I typically don't like working with Aida but this one isn't too bad.  It isn't very stiff. 

Only five more months left of the year.  I have so many projects I want to get done.  What will get done and what will once again linger in the unfinished pile!? 

Rainy Saturday Afternoon

Let's see if I can get this post written!  I've been meaning to write but sometimes I find it difficult to find the words to even describe the most simplest action!

Today is a rainy Saturday.  It has been raining here, what feels like, forever!  Ok, so really it is only like a week but I am missing the sun!  The sun has only been peeking out occasionally.  I am truly missing my pool time this weekend!

It has been a busy time!  I think my last post was just prior to 4th of July? I spent the 3rd with a friend from work.  She had some of her friends over and I went even though I don't do well around strangers.  I actually had a pleasant time.  No, I'm not surprised.  Many times when I force myself to do something I don't want to do I have a great time!  We spent the day, eating good food, playing with the kids and watching the Casey Anthony trial.  I know, we are such nerds!  The 4th I had lunch with the parents.  My Dad wanted to make for me these hot dogs that he had at the College World Series.  This combination of food sounds a little disgusting but it was delicious!  A hot dog that is topped with hot wing sauce then coleslaw that is made with a blue cheese dressing.  It was sooo good.  I highly suggest that you try it!

Let's see what else has been going on?  Time passes by so quickly!  I guess that is because I am having fun! :)  There was the mini road trip to Biloxi for a concert!  My friend Jill and I made the trek to Biloxi to see Motley Crue and Poison! Yippee!  I've always wanted to see Motley Crue.  I saw Poison once before back in high school.  We started off with dinner at the Blowfly Diner.  This place was featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Food Network.  It was so worth it!  We ate so much!  And the view is pretty awesome too!

The concert was so much fun!  It was definitely an odd collection of people.  All ages.  All types.  Great time people watching!  Tommy Lee is a phenomenal musician!  The piano, the drums.  He did his drum solo while making loops in a "roller coaster" type contraption!  It was nice to get away for an evening and take a little trip back to when we were kids! 

One evening this past week I was able to visit with a dear friend from high school.  No, we actually go back to middle school.  She is a true friend that no matter how long it has been since we talked or seen each other, we pick right back up where we left off.  We were able to enjoy a dinner together.  She picked greek.  I had to laugh because I had asked her if there was any place here that she doesn't get back in Tulsa and she picked greek.  I figured she would have picked a seafood place!  Anyway, we had a pleasant dinner and then we went back to her Mom's house to see three of her four kids and to visit with her mom.  I spent many times at that house!  All good ones!  We spent hours just talking. Catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing about the past.  I truly need to plan a trip to Tulsa to see her!

Friday afternoon was of course spent at the movie theatre watching Harry Potter.  I will only say that I truly enjoyed the movie and thought it did a great job!!  I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may not have seen it yet!  Feel free to email me if you'd like to have a discussion about the movie!!

I have been working on HAED's Mad Tea Party.  I am so very close to having the second page finished.  I hope to do that very soon!

I recently purchased a kit that my sister has asked me to do.  I typically don't like to do kits but I am caving because, well, I pretty much indulge my baby sister in anything she wants.  It is The Disney Dreams Collection by Thomas Kinkade, Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland.  It is pretty large.  Finished product is 16" x 12".  Not sure when I will get to this.  I am hoping to at least start it soon.

Today has been such a lazy rainy day.  Although not very lazy.  I did get the bathroom clean.  Laundry started.  Kitchen cleaned.  A run to the produce market.  Not a complete waste.  Shopping this morning with my mom.  I also watched some of the movie, The Searchers.  The best John Wayne movie ever!  And I have spent the afternoon listening to one of my Garth Brooks CD box sets.  I haven't done that in forever!  I'm thinking tonight will be a movie night!  Tomorrow is brunch with my friend Jenny and her mother at a German restaurant about an hour from where we live.  It is well worth the drive! 

I hope everyone's summer is going well.  Mine is beginning to slow down.  At least I have no other big planned events except for a planned beach vacation in August with my mom.  I see lots of sun, sand, and water mixed with shopping!  Cannot wait.  I know it will be here before I know it!  I just need to get through this upcoming work week, I have two board meetings to prepare for and my team mate is currently on vacation.  I certainly hope there are no surprises!  Keeping my fingers crossed.  

Cranky Monday!

Yep, I was cranky today!  Did not want to get out of bed and go to work.  Why?  Cause my summer weekends have been absolutely fantabulous!!!  I'm enjoying my summer and well, work is just getting in the way!

This past weekend I had breakfast with my friend Jenny, her 2 boys and her mother.  We went to a local bakery who serves a phenomenal breakfast!  So much food you can't possibly finish it!!  Jenny had me cracking up!  She told her oldest boy, Phil, who is 2 years old, to show me what he gets for breakfast.  So he took me over to the case where all the pastries and muffins are and he tells me, while pointing at the muffins, "I get the chocolate one!".  Now  you would think nothing of this but this kid is pointing to a bran muffin!!!  Yep, Jenny has taught her child that a bran muffin with raisins is a chocolate chip muffin.  LMAO!!!!  When he gets that muffin, he digs into it, looking for the raisins like they are treasure!  Boy, when he finds out what a chocolate chip muffin really is, he is going to be upset!!!

 Can you tell the difference?  I know I can!!!

After breakfast, they agreed to go with me to a panaderia.  A panaderia is a mexican bakery.  There are two that have now opened up and I've been dying to go in but too chicken because my spanish isn't that good.  But we went and I was able to get my favorite baked good!  It is called a concha.  To me it is like a big cookie but it isn't very sweet.  I didn't know it but Jenny got one too and she thought it tasted like a sweet bread. The best part was that the workers spoke just enough Engligh!  Woo hoo!  I see more visits in my future! (No fussing Jessica!  My spanish sucks!  Even after all those years of lessons!)

The weekend also included some pool time and a much needed pedicure!!!  It was just an easy going relaxing weekend!  I also finished a book (pool time is great for that!).  I finished Water for Elephants.  I do recommend this book.  Easy, quick read.  Pretty good story! I have not seen the movie but hope to.

Next I will be pulling out the 7th Harry Potter to re-read in anticipation of the opening on July 15th.  Before that though is 4th of July weekend and then the Motley Crue/Poison concert!  I've been listening to my Motley Crue tunes and I need to download my Poison songs onto my iPhone.  Gotta get ready for the concert! 

I definitley don't want to jinx myself but this has been a good start to the summer!

Another Good Weekend

Saturday I took a mini-roadtrip to Biloxi.  It is only about 2 hours away.  I drove by the beach, smelling the salt air and anticipating my vacation in August when we go to Orange Beach!

I visited a quaint little cross stitch store in Ocean Springs, MS: Threadneedle Street. It was cute.  They had a great selection of specialty threads.  I walked away with two Mirabilia patterns that were on sale for half off!  Yippee!

Lilac part of the Spring Garden Party Collection for Pixie Couture:

November Topaz Fairie:

Did a little bit of shopping at the Gulfport outlets before heading home to watch some of the College World Series.  I was able to see the end of the Vandy game and then all of the Florida - Texas game.  Great that two SEC teams are in the winners bracket.  Sucks that they have to play each other on Monday night.  South Carolina plays tonight.  Here's to hoping that an SEC team takes th e championship again this year!

While I was watching Florida beat Texas, I finally completed another page of Dragon Knot!!!  Woo hoo! That leaves only six more pages left.  Three of those six pages are not complete pages.  In fact, if you put those three together, you might get half a page of stitching.  So, I'm thinking I really only have 3 1/2 pages left to stitch. 

I've put this design aside again for just a little bit.  I've picked up the Mad Tea Party design.  Hoping to finish a 2nd page in that design. 

Father's Day morning was spent at the pool.  My dad is currently on vacation so we gave him his gift a few days ago.  My sister and I chipped in to buy him a remote controlled helicopter.  He was like a little kid on Christmas morning.  He spent the rest of the night crashing the helicopter all over the place. 

Tomorrow it is back to work.  Boo hoo!  I really need to win the lottery!  Working really cuts into my fun time! 

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Working Hard, Playing Harder

I have been terrible at keeping up with my blog.  Actually I've been terrible at keeping up with really anything computer related.  It is summer time and it is busy, busy, busy!!!

Last week was my first week of work with no overtime.  Woo hoo!  I was even able to take a day off to just "collect" myself!  Treated my mom to lunch to thank her for helping me out all these weeks!  Thanks to her, my apartment was cleaned, the refrigerator was stocked and my dog was well taken care of!  My mom is the best!

Along with all the hard work, I've been having a lot of fun also!

I recently was able to have my 2 nieces and nephew spend the night with me!  The kids camped out in the living room and the next day I took them to the pool!  We had a blast just splashing in the pool and enjoying the sun!

Enthralled by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

Little Miss Diva!



Bayou Country Fest was once again held in Tiger Stadium this year.  I was able to head to it with some friends.  We had a great time but we melted!  That is the only way to describe it!  It was incredibly hot the Saturday we went.  The line up on that Saturday was Luke Brian, Trace Adkins, SugarLand and Tim McGraw.  SugarLand was awesome!  I would highly suggest to see them in concert!  Tim McGraw is a great singer but he is kind of a boring performer!  Sorry to say, but he is.  And while I didn't get a picture of them, because it is like the one reality show I do not watch so did not know who they were, the cast of Swamp People were seated in the next section over from us. 

Jenny and I before we started to melt!

The view from our seats



I took a trip down to New Orleans for a morning, by myself.  I headed to my favorite cross stitch place to look around and do some shopping.  I picked up some fabric and a Mirabilia Mermaid pattern to do.  :) Like I don't have enough other things to do!  Once I finished my shopping, I headed to the Quarter.  There was the Creole Tomato Festival going on.  It was being held in the French Market.  Tons of food, people and music.  There was even a Navy band playing!  I'm a sucker for a man in uniform!!

I even made it over to Central Grocery to get one of their famous muffaleto sandwiches.  Yummy, yummy!  And of course, I couldn't leave without getting some pralines.  It was a quick roadtrip that was very much needed by me!  A little alone time doing something fun!

Spent this morning/early afternoon at the pool with Jill.  It was so relaxing.  We got lots of sun, or at least I did as evidenced by my red arms and upper legs! We are lucky we did it early because true to form, we had the typical late afternoon rainstorms! Definitely must do again!

The summer hasn't even "officially" started and it has already been so much fun!  I can't wait to find out what is next . And I think it is going to be....drumroll please.......the Poison/Motley Crue concert in Biloxi!  Woo hoo!  I am so looking forward to it!  It has been years since I've seen Poison and I have always wanted to see Motley Crue! 

I've been working on Dragon Knot right now.  It seems to the be the project of choice right now.  We'll see how much I can get done before I get bored.  I hope to have a progress picture very soon. 

I hope everyone else is having a great summer so far!

Time Is Flying!!!

What is that saying?  "Time flies when one is having fun."  Not so sure if I am having fun but the time sure is flying!

Work has been crazy insane.  We have 3 back to back conventions. The first starting today with the last ending next Sunday.  Since starting back at the old new job I have yet had a week with no overtime!  Not that I am complaining!  Love the checks!

Weekends have been jammed pack lately.  Trips to New Orleans, shopping and there is even more to come!

Here are a few pics from when I went to New Orleans.  Headed to the zoo and then down to the Riverwalk to see how high the river really was.

The weekend we went to the zoo was absolutely perfect spring weather!  It was great to be outside in the fresh air!

Here are some pics of the Mississippi River from the Riverwalk.  It may not seem high to those who aren't familiar to the area but trust me, it is very high!

I finished reading two books.  The new Sookie Stackhouse book, Dead Reckoning and JR Ward's Lover Mine.  Both are great books! Love, love, love both of those series.  Can't wait till the next Sookie book and I need to go out and buy the next Black Dhagger book!

I do have one small cross stitch finish.  I managed to finish a small bib for a co-worker who had a baby about a month ago.  I was able to finally find time this week to go visit her and her new baby boy!  He is so sweet! I did a doggy bib because the parents have two dogs themselves and absolutely love dogs.

I worked 10 1/2 hours today at work.  Tomorrow is going to be another long day.  I am going to go in super early because I need to leave on time.  Needless to say, I've already put my 40 hours in for the week!  Next week is going to be just as long since I am working a convention.  I am leaving on time because my nieces and nephew are coming in to town and I have them for the night!  Yay!  I plan on us going swimming and to the park.  Then Saturday night I will be going to see Luke Bryan, Trace Adkins, Sugarland and Tim McGraw at Bayou Country Fest!

I am so thankful that my Mom came by today and cleaned my home for me and that she has offered to go grocery shopping for me tomorrow! She is the best Mom ever!!!! It is a great help to me and such a relief!


Summer is here!  And it is going full force!  I feel as though I haven't had time to take a breathe!  But I have to say, and I do so reluctantly because I don't want to jinx myself, but I do believe I am having fun! :)

Great Weekend!

This has been one of the best weekends in a really long time!  I've been so busy with the new old job that I needed a weekend like this one to blow off a little steam!

I started the weekend off by waking up at 4:45 a.m. on Friday to watch the Royal Wedding.  Yep, I was one of the nerds who watched the wedding!  My sister and I watched it together through texting.  It was like a fairy tale come to life.  :)

Saturday I spent the day at the New Orleans Jazz Fest with Jill.  We walked around looking at the different craft booths and food options.  There was definitely plenty of food options!  Everything looked so delicious but we were so hot that we didn't feel like eating much.  We tried the crawfish bread and the crawfish monica.  Both are must haves! I don't know how many stages there were set up at the festival but there were quite a few.  We "camped" out at the main stage because that is where Bon Jovi was going to be playing.  During the day we heard Wayne Toups and Irma Thomas.  Jill ventured over to another stage to see Amos Lee while I kept our spot for Bon Jovi.  There was so many people!

 We started out pretty far back.  You can just see one of the big screens set up by the stage in this picture.

Bon Jovi gave a great performance!  No Richie Sambora wasn't there as he had checked himself into rehab but one of Wayne Toups guitar players stood in for him.

 For the encore, Jon put on a Saints jersey! 

We eventually got close enough to take this picture!

Jill and I have both agreed that we will have to go back again next year!  Maybe make it a whole weekend event!  It was just a great time over all!

Sunday was a completely lazy day.  Nothing much was accomplished.  I did finally get a pedicure that I really needed!  Took Duke out to the dog park for a little bit as I had completely ignored him on Saturday.  I am going to have a ton of chores to complete this week!  But it was soooo worth it!

Busy busy busy

I have been so busy lately!  So busy that somehow I lost a day this week!  Everything is like a blur!

On Saturday I started the new old job.  Attended a board meeting at a University in Lafayette.  Quite a different atmosphere at this university.  Ok, yes, I'm a snob.  No school, at least in Louisiana, can even come close to LSU!!!!  Geaux Tigers!  Ok, I digress.  Back on track!  Started back at the old job on Saturday.  A 9 hour day on a weekend.  Woo hoo!  Monday was back in the office.  I can't really say I am training because I am quite familiar with the policies and procedures but just learning, or trying to, the quirks of the 2 associations I will be managing.  However, this week was conference preparation for one of the two that I am taking over so I am having a crash course in their conference prep.  I am exhausted!  It has been 8 solid hours of non-stop work!  But it definitely makes the days go by fast!  Tomorrow, Friday, I am off to the convention, once again in Lafayette.  Yay!  Overtime!  In one week, I should make what I normally would make in two weeks. 

The overtime check will then lead into the next topic of conversation:  a new purse or new sunglasses.  I'm not sure which one I will get first but I am in need of both!!!!  However, Coach is currently having a 30% off sale at their outlet store and I do love my Coach purses!  But then, my sunglasses are almost 2 years old and getting scratched up.  Oh, the dilemma!  What do I get first?

Then there is Jazz Fest at the end of the month.  I can't wait to see Bon Jovi in concert.  I have to admit, after all these years living down here, this will be my first Jazz Fest.  I am excited to go and check it out! Besides the music, there is of course the great New Orleans food and drinks!

I just have to mention the great disappointment when I found out today that BOTH All My Children and One Life to Live have been cancelled.  My sister was in tears.  My friend Jenny was in disbelief.  My mom thought it was a joke. They are to be replaced by two shows called "The Chew" and "The Revolution" (I think that is the second one's name).  I am so tired of "reality" and talk shows.  I like my trashy day time tv!  I guess I will just have to read more books! (I tape the soap operas and watch them at night)

Speaking of books, I just finished Yasmine Galenorn's Blood Wyne.  It is the latest book in her OtherWorld Series.  As I was reading the book, I was noticing references to events that had happened in the previous book.  I couldn't recall any of them.  So I looked up the previous book.  Yep, I had skipped one.  So I've finished Blood Wyne and I am taking with me to the convention, Harvest Hunting. 

Very little stitching has been getting done.  I plan on taking a project with me to the convention and maybe I'll get some thing done since I'll have two nights in the hotel.  After 12+ hour days, I won't feel like "going out". 

I hope that next time I get a moment to blog, I'll have some pictures to share of something, anything that is creative and/or fun!

Job Search Tips

Kathryn left a comment in my last post asking me where I was finding these jobs as she has not been successful yet.  Well Kathryn, it wasn't easy and I put a lot of time into the search.  The key to it though is to not get discouraged!  I know, easier said than done

The first resource I used was the local classified ads.  Most specifically the Sunday edition of the newspaper.  This is typically the largest listing of available jobs each week. 

Second, I made a list of local colleges and big companies that I knew of in my area.  Most of them have websites that have a "career" section.  I "haunted" these websites at least every other day.  You'll start to notice a trend though on each website as to which day they post jobs.  One of our local universities lists jobs typically on Friday mornings.  So I'd look at it Friday afternoon.

Third, I used a job board.  CareerBuilder was a great one.  I posted my resume on it and set up searches that deliver available jobs to your email.  In addition, you can set your resume to be searchable by employers and give them permission to contact you directly.  One of the offers I received was actually off of CareerBuilder.  A headhunter saw my resume and sent it along to a company that was hiring.  I also received phone calls and emails asking for interviews for positions that I didn't even apply for!

Fourth, apply at your local temp agency.  Most temp agencies today are not just for temporary work.  They also assist with direct hire.  But you never know too when that temporary job may turn into a full time position!

Fifth, never burn your bridges!  I left my last position on very good terms and when they had an opening come available, they offered it to me. In addition, my old boss also gave me great references for positions that I was applying to. 

I recently heard a "fact" on the radio, for every 10 of thousand dollars you are seeking in salary, that is how many months it will take you to find a job.  For example, if you are seeking a salary of $60,000 it will take you 6 months to find a job for that much.  It was true in my case.  It took me 4 months to find a job. 

While searching for a job, keep in mind: 1) Can I do this job?, 2) Will I be happy?  and 3) Will it pay my bills?  Those are important things.  Keep searching.  The job market is turning around, or at least the news sources are saying it is.  I would agree somewhat.  I've noticed an increase in the number of jobs available. 

It is a frustrating process but a necessary one.  Keep at it.  View each interview as "practice".  When I finally got my offers, they all came in at once!  Here I was hoping for just one and I received two!

Two Weeks Notice

Once again I have put in my "two weeks notice."  Wow!  I really didn't imagine that I'd be doing that again.  Yes, I've been looking for another position, but it isn't really easy to get a job! After months of submitting resumes and going on interviews, I was handed not 1 but 2 offers this week (not to mention the 3 phone calls I've had asking me for an interview)! 

The first offer was for a position with a marine fleet company that was in the next town about 30 minutes away.  It wasn't a bad drive.  All interstate and not much traffic.  I interviewed with them 3 times.  I think I met the entire upper management team.  During the last interview, they made me an offer for the position.  I was so thankful.  They seemed to be a great company with great people to work with!  I was excited! 

But then, a position at my old job opened up.  I never thought I would ever go back or even be wanted back there!  I loved the work.  Liked the people.  But the boss and I, well, we had our moments.  But he called me to see if I would be interested in going back.  I thought about it and agreed.  He said he'd get back with me. 

So, offer #1 was received on Wednesday.  Offer #2 was received on Thursday.  Having choices is not always good!  I had already tentatively accepted offer #1 based upon passing a few physical tests and a final reference check.  But offer #2 was just as good money-wise AND I would pick up all of the benefits and tenure I had since I was returning to the company within a year of leaving! 

I went with offer #2.  I am going back to the association management business!  I was offered my old association but I decided to work with some new ones.  Also, my role will be a little different this time as I will be working more with the other coordinators, training them, and developing/expanding programs for the associations.

I am very excited about this.  So, now I just have to get through the next 2 weeks at my current job.  I can already feel the stress related to wondering if I'll get paid or if I'll have a job melting away!  Now I can just worry about doing a good job!

Weekends are too short!!!

I think we need to petition the "job gods" that the work week be 2 days and the weekend be 5 days!  This weekend was another weekend that I didn't want to end!

It was another gorgeous spring weekend!  Warm temps and lots of sun!  Spent as much time outside as possible.  Took Duke out to the new dog park where he proceeded to make new friends.  Or at least that's the story I am sticking to!!!  My perfect baby acted like a monster!  He seemed to be "attracted" to a cute little shih tzu and well, he let her know it.  Over and over and over again!  It was quite the embarrassment for me!  Thankfully the owner of the dog had a good sense of humor!  When we weren't at the dog park, Duke spent time out on the patio sunning himself.

I got to see Stacy and Marly Grace for a brief visit on their way home from their cruise.  We had a yummy lunch at Chimes and I got to open my souvenir from Mexico.  This pretty tile that my sweet pea Marly picked out for me.

I've also been steadily working on Cassady's baby quilt. I think I am making great progress. 

The entire quilt.  As you can see I have Jill, the spoon and the plate to finish along with the flowers in the border.

Jack is finished!

Almost finished with the Goose!

I may actually get the quilt done in time.  MAYBE

On the job front, well, it has taken a life of its own!  I have been praying for guidance.  What is the career path I should be on.  I went back for a 2nd interview with a really great company in the next town over.  They spoke of a possible 3rd interview, which I agreed to if necessary.  I've heard from 2 people on my reference list who said that the company has contacted them. Yay!  Shows they are interested in me!  BUT, then, today, I find out that an opening has come available at my old place of employment.  My old boss called me today to talk about it and if I'd be interested.  I said Yes.  Yep, I am crazy.  But I miss the work, I said I wanted more pay and well, who knows?  I can't turn away opportunities waiting on other opportunities.  I am confident (or at least pretending to be) that the right choice will become apparent to me!

Dancing with the Stars starts tonight.  There are many "stars" that I do not know but then there are some that I can't wait to see dance, particularly Kirstie Alley and Kendra.  I like my "reality" tv!!  :) 

Fun Weekend!

Oh, how I wish the weekends would never end!  Mondays are just so loathsome!  Especially the Monday following Daylight Savings Time!!! 

I had a great weekend!  It was fun and the time just flew by! 

Friday
Friday started with an interview for a great position that would keep me busy and with a company that seems to be pretty great and STABLE!  Unfortunately, I was only able to meet with one of the three people I was supposed to meet with so I am hoping to be called back for a 2nd interview.  The person I met with said that he felt confident I would be, but one never knows!

Stacy and Marly Grace rolled into town Friday afternoon.  It has been quite a few months since I have seen them last.  Since football season! Way too long!

We went to dinner at a local favorite, Parrain's!  Great seafood.  We had fried green tomatos with a remoulade sauce, charbroiled oysters, and fried shrimp.  Yummy!  After eating so much we had to do something to work off all that food so we went to Perkins Rowe which is a local shopping area. Great area to walk around and do some window shopping.

Then we finished up the evening by watching LSU beat Cal State Fullerton in baseball.  It was a close game but we were victorious!  The game also had one of the worse collisions I had ever seen in a baseball game.  Looked like they forgot they were baseball players and were football players instead!  While we watched the game, Marly kept herself busy coloring and making me a beautiful picture of a sunflower!

Saturday
Saturday, we packed in a bunch in the morning!  Stacy and Marly Grace were to head to New Orleans to catch a cruise ship.  So, we went to breakfast and then while Stacy went to pick up her mother-in-law, and Marly and I waited for Stacy's mom to arrive at my place, Marly and I cleaned up my patio.  I know, real fun, huh?  But it was such a beautiful morning out, it needed to be done and Marly offered to help.  Who was I to turn down free labor?  :)

Once I got them all off to New Orleans, I headed out to see a movie.  I chose Red Riding Hood.  I liked it.  It was different.  Definitely  not a traditional fairy tale. But if you aren't  interested in werewolves or witches, not a movie for you!  And it definitely was an "adult" movie. Not for children to see!

Sunday
Started off at the dog park with Duke.  A local park recently underwent some renovations and is now open.  It is a beautiful park.  Has a section for large dogs and small dogs.  A fishing pond.  New tennis courts and facility.  Walking trails.  Duke go to roam around for about half an hour with no leash on and then I got to walk around the trails for another half an hour. 

The rest of the day was laundry, watching LSU beat Cal State Fullerton in the 3rd game of the series (we swept the series!), and a quick visit with my parents.  It was definitely a lazy Sunday!

Daylight Savings Time, though, is not my favorite.  I like the extra sunlight but the hour we lose really messes everything up.  I went to church on Saturday so I wouldn't "oversleep" on Sunday.  But then Sunday night I wasn't tired and couldn't get to sleep so I tossed and turned all night.  Getting up Monday morning was a fight!  Blegh!  Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll be back into a routine again!

Stitching
Not much progress has been made since last week.  It's been busy, busy, busy.  Hopefully I will have something to show next blog entry but I'm not promising!  LOL  Stacy and Marly Grace are back in town on Saturday again and we have plans.

Spring is here!
I can tell spring is here.  Not by just the film of green pollen on everything but by all of the upcoming events: parties, baseball games, concerts.  It is going to be fun and busy time!

Good bye Mardi Gras! Helloooo Lent!

Oh, it has been such a great Mardi Gras Holiday!  Yep, it is a holiday down here in the South!  I've been off of work since Friday and I am dreading going back to work because it has been so nice to have no stress or worries! 

It has been a busy six days!  At first I wondered what I would do with myself, but now, I'm wondering, "Where did the time go?"

Mardi Gras
I was able to get down to New Orleans on Sunday for parades.  I have to say that this was one of the easiest trips I've ever taken.  It only took 1 1/2 hours to get down to the Quarter and find a parking spot.  For Mardi Gras time, that was like "ZOOM".  That never happens.  Plus we were able to find a great parking spot in a really nice (clean, well lit) parking garage.  Not to mention pretty cheap, only $20 for the day. 

We hit 4 parades: Okeanos, Thoth, Bacchus, and Endymion.  Endymion is typically a Saturday parade but due to the torrential rains that our area had on Saturday, they moved the parade to Sunday.  We were on a great corner, Tchoupitoulas and Poydras, that was at the end of the parade routes and were surrounded by great people who were fun to talk to and were polite!

Captain of Okeanos

This is either Okeanos or Thoth.  Can't remember!

King of Bacchus, Andy Garcia!  He was a great king! 

His float was stuck in front of us for about 10 minutes and he really played it up for the crowds!

One of the Bacchus floats.  This year they were playing tribute to World War II vets. 



Crafting

I did get some stitching and scrapping done!  It wasn't all fun down in New Orleans, although a very good time was had down there! What happens in New Orleans, stays in New Orleans! :)

Baby Blanket

I have managed to finish the well and the bucket on the baby blanket.  When you look at it as a whole, I don't feel that I have very much more to do.  So, I hope I can keep it up and continue to work on it!

Butterfly Fairy - Night

On February 27, my sister's birthday, I started the latest project I am doing for her.  I've made some progress on it. 

Scrapping

I even managed to get one page done of scrapping.  Finally I did some pictures of my niece Cassady Hope.  In these pictures she was 7 months old.  So I've got some catching up to do and a pile of pictures to finish off!

Well, that's all I have for now!  I go back to work tomorrow.  Yuck!  I had an interview with a headhunter today that went very well, so now I am just waiting on a call back.  Friday brings Stacy and Marly Grace into town.  They are spending Friday night with me before they head off on a cruise.  I can't wait to have a night out with them! 

The 40 days of Lent started today.  For Lent I am giving up all fast food, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Sonic.  Which will really limit when I go out for lunch during the work week but will also  help with me saving money! :)

Till later!