More Than the Regular Stuff

Laura keeps up with a blog that I have started visiting through her blog.  The writer gave a list of things for which she was thankful so thought I would "copy" her idea.  Obviously,  it is that time of year when we reflect on our blessings and take time to stop and actually say thanks.  We tend to get a bit mushy, and there is nothing wrong with that.  I am thankful for my family and my friends, and my church and the grace and mercy that God has seen fit to extend to all of us.  With that being said, here are some other things I am thankful for. I am thankful

* for people who are willing to give me a pedicure.  Granted I pay for the service, but I would be hard pressed to work on a person's feet that I don't know and love, even if it is for money.

* for remote controls, TV, DVR, gas fireplace logs, garages doors, car starters; need I go on?

* for baby wipes and disposable diapers.  For some reason my daughter enjoys placing #3 grandson in my arms when he needs a major diaper change.

*to be able to travel.  My husband can't figure out why I don't want to stay at home.

*for my swing.  There is not a better place to spend a Sunday afternoon napping and reading, reading and napping, napping and reading.  You get the picture.

*for HGTV.  My house ain't looking too bad because of projects I have seen created by Candace Olsen, et.al.

*for blogs.  I enjoy keeping up with the young folks and seeing their children grow and change and do all the silly things kids are suppose to do when they have parents who love them and have their best interest at heart.

*for Lady Gaga.  Now, I know truly that in the words of my Mamaw, "The world is going to hell in a hand basket."

*for the ABC program "What Would You Do?"  There are some folks out there who know the difference between right and wrong and are willing to take a stand.

*for the American Congress.  As sad as the situation is, we have had some goods laughs at the expense of, literally, the American taxpayers.

*for wigs.  Those who know me know why.

*for the color red.  It truly brightens my outlook on life.

*sticky notes.  The best for keeping my life organized; i do love to be organized.

*for Pepsi.  It's what gets me going in the mornings.

*for night time.  That's when I do my best work.

*for caramel and chocolate, the best of two sweet flavors when combined.

*for hot Krispy Cream donuts.  Again, need I say more?!

*for the two-day work week ( I am semi-retired) and an entire week vacation for Thanksgiving.  Hope yours is a good one.

I love NOLA

I can't explain why I enjoy the occasional visit to New Orleans, but I do.  The place is dirty, there are some strange folks running around, and I have seen just about all there is to see except for the Aquarium and the WWII Museum.  Usually when I do get there, I try to eat at one well known place to test the cuisine that is considered to be some of the best in town. For my birthday one time, the Lalis took me to Commander's Palace for the Saturday Brunch.  Yummy.  I have eaten breakfast at Brennen's and watched Lance eat oysters at Acme.  I still have a long way to go to make it around to all the eating establishments, and at this point I haven't tired of my visits to NOLA.

Over the Labor Day week-end, we attend the wedding of Brad Dickerson and Bridget Ory.  We had a great time with great friends, and we ate our way though NOLA.   Friday night we attended the rehearsal dinner and the went to a cocktail party at The Columns, a beautiful antebellum home that has been turned into a bed and breakfast and a downstairs bar that caters to the locals and rents out for private parties.

 Beautifully appointed tables at the rehearsal dinner

Saturday morning, Lance and I awoke and ate a nice breakfast at tour hotel.  The French toast was quite tasty.  We then met our friends Shirley and Jay and started our morning stroll around the French Quarter.  At 10:30 we stopped for the obligatory beignets at Cafe du Monde.

Love those beignets

 After filing our tummies, we walked through the art district and did some window shopping.

Gate at the Corn House

 We stopped at the Jackson Brewery for an afternoon beer and snack of red beans and rice and gumbo; then, we headed to meet our group for a late afternoon lunch.  We ate at Mulate's.  I had seen the place on Alton Brown's Eating on Asphalt tour on the Food Network. Jay could vouch that the place was a good choice so we all headed for what turned out to be a great meal.

Jay, Shirley, Sandra, Jerry, Lance, Lannis, John

Our choices included boudin, gumbo, po-boys, onion rings, crab claws, shrimp, and zydeco bread.  But the coup de gras was the bread pudding.  I am a taster of bread pudding.  It is one of my favorite desserts, and the bread pudding at Mulate's was the best I have ever had.  I mean the best!!!  There was not a bad morsel in the entire order, and we just missed the live zydeco music by a few hours. 

We left to get ready for the wedding.  It was a beautiful wedding in a beautiful church on the Loyola campus.  Next, we headed to the reception at the Board of Trade Building.  Lot's of food there.  The crab dip was to die for and the bride's cake was delicious.  After eating, dancing, and the second line, we turned in for much needed rest.

Sunday morning, we met the gang again to eat breakfast, which believe it or not, I passed on.  Lance and I said our good byes and headed for the Mississippi Delta.  All the time I have been to NOLA, I have never eaten at Middendorf's in Manchac.  Why not?!  We stopped to eat a lunch of the most wonderful fried catfish I have ever eaten.  I won't pass that place again.

We are home; we are satiated; and I am already looking forward to my next trip to NOLA and where I am going to eat.  Wonder if I can talk anyone into going to the Aquarium with me?

Another One

Something that bothers me a lot are people who do not have their payment ready when they are in the checkout line.  It is as if it is news to the person that she owes money for her purchases when the cashier tells her the amount.  After the BIG surprise, she then proceeds to dig in her purse, pocket or bosom for the money that she owes.  Anyway, it looks as if this fact also bothers the management at the new McDonald's in Indianola.  More power to ya Mickey D's.  Now come on down to Wal Mart and put up a sign for them.

Quiet

I raised only one daughter.  Quiet was a thing of beauty at our home.  She was either in her room or outside or watching televison.  There was no:  "He took Buzz!" or "He tore up my legos!"  or "I want that tractor."  There was the ocassional neighborhood spat with the Nobile boys, or with Bart, or with Reed, or with Edye.  But to those of you who raised more than one child, my hat is off to you.  I don't know if I could have done it.  What I do  know is that my daughter and her husband are great parents with the patience of Job.  Sometimes I wonder why they don't do like Job and tear their clothes and pour ashes on their heads.  The boys are not bad, mind you; it is just that when one is taken care of, another one needs attending to. But my heart absolutely melts when William says, "Will you stay a hundred days?"  or Wes asks me to read a book for the tenth time or Reed slobbers down the front of my blouse then offers me high five.  Life is truly wonderful when I am with them, but it is quiet at my house.

Do you want to be my friend?

My Profile Picture

Did you know that Indianola Academy had meet the Colonels last night?  Did you know that Sandra and Jerry Nobile had a wedding anniversary last week? Did you  know that Kathryn Dyksterhouse had a mag treatment and is doing well and back at home?  Did you know that Larkin Kennedy had a birthday Sunday and that the twins had their four-month check-up? Did you know that Wilson got a good pathology report? Did you know that Mike McIntyre came to the Delta this past week-end?  Did you know that there are so many people playing all kinds of games, winning all kinds of stuff and needing all kinds of stuff?  Well, I know the answers to all these questions because I am now on Facebook.  Yep, you read correctly, Facebook.  I have fought signing up for several years.  I even signed up several months ago and then signed off.  Too much info and too many people wanting to my "friend."  But I could not resist any longer.  It is amazinig all the info a person has access to on Facebook. I look forward to keeping up with you if you are my friend, and if you are not, just ask.

Another One

Really?  Who would have thought it?

One Stop Shopping

One of my favorite ways to pass time as Lance and I are riding in the car is to read signs. With the availabilty of a camera on my phone, I have started taking pictures of some that amaze me.  This is one of the best I have ever seen.