Christmas and Wedding Bells

I'm finished! Presents are bought and wrapped. I have a few decorations around the house - and I decided what to cook for the Christmas lunch at school with my friends - Christmas Eve - and Christmas Day. Christmas parties started today with "Christmas at Jeanie's" who is one of my good friends who has us over every Christmas. We have a faculty party Wednesday after school, a faculty luncheon Thursday, a party and wedding Friday night and a party Saturday night. We also had a wedding last Saturday in New Orleans that was lots of fun. The band was great and we had fun dancing with our friends. I am so glad to be finished and ready to enjoy the fun part of Christmas!

As most of you know - Brittany and Jimmy are engaged!!! Gee and I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Jimmy to the family. So we get to spend the next year planning a wedding - which I am really looking forward to. I want to enjoy the planning - and be there for Brittany and Jimmy to help them with whatever they choose. Welcome to the family Jimmy - I now know who my third son will be - and I couldn't be happier!

Christmas shopping - there has to be a better way!

I'm tired of Christmas shopping!!! I really don't shop that often anyway but going every year at Christmas among all the crowds of people is just crazy! Today - I needed some black heels for a wedding we have next weekend - there was a child jumping rope in the shoe store and two other children throwing a ball!!!!! That's ridiculous!!! I never saw the manager say anything to either of them or their parents. However - I did find heels for $19.99!!!

My birthday was so nice this year. Gee, Brittany, Jimmy and I went to a great restaurant - Emeril's Delmonico - Wednesday night. The food was delicious and I loved the atmosphere - the restaurant is in an old New Orleans house so it had that cozy at home feeling. On thursday I spent the day with Zac - he had a test run - and after we hung out at his house till he was ok for me to go. His new furniture is very comfy and looks great. Then Friday - my friends at school cooked a birthday lunch and cake for me!!! Next week I'll have a birthday supper with several close friends - one of whom has a birthday today. I got lots of cards - thanks everyone - who could ask for a better birthday? I am so blessed!!!

Update - November Activities

Mike - Can't make you any Thai food - I didn't get to go because of jury duty!!! But for Thanksgiving I did make some smoking shrimp rolls (literally - I burnt the bottom) that everyone raved about so I'll make those when we visit.

The guy was guilty and will be in prison for a long time - bank fraud. We found him guilty of stealing account numbers and pin numbers, going to ATM machines, and taking money directly out of accounts. I learned quite a bit about the banking industry!

Thanksgiving was lots of fun - almost all of the family was there and the food was great!!! Family updates - Hilary is looking great and has a new beau - Laura just got back from CloseUp - Hailey is growing and really precious - Jimmy had a flat time and Gee was the hero once again!

And that's that!

November activities

Gee and I tailgated at LSU this weekend for the LSU/Tulane game. Britt & Jimmy - John and Joanna & kids - Melissa , Joshua, & Jacob - and others were there. Gee cooked a chicken and sausage gumbo and we fed about 50 people. We had lots of fun but are both exhausted tonight!

Britt and I are taking a cooking class tomorrow night at a local restaurant - Clare's. We will be learning how to cook Thai food. Several of my friends will be there so it should be fun. Other events are Corks and Canvass - Melissa's birthday event where we will bring wine and all paint the same picture - and Cootie at Melissa's new house. We also have the Twilight party coming up. Lots to do!

I have jury duty in New Orleans tomorrow - yuck! I don't think I have ever driven by myself in downtown New Orleans before so I am not looking forward to doing that. Oh well - hopefully I won't get picked - although my track record is not good! However, I doubt I will get out of it in New Orelans because the judge is my cousin or I know the lawyers. Oh well.........

Twilight - and other stuff.

Brittany recommended I read the Twilight series - well it turns out that lots of people at my school are reading them also! One of my friends has decided to have a Twilight party and a teacher at school found several websites where you can order Twilight shirts, etc. I'm on the third book and have to limit the amount of reading I do each day so I can get things done at home.

Zac is getting the keys to his new house today. We are going there on Sunday to see the house and bring him some stuff. I basically took enough stuff from our kitchen to get him started - we sure have a lot of stuff!!!! He's not going to move in yet cause he wants to paint first. I'll take some pics Sunday.

Things around here are back to normal for us - no garage door yet and we have other damage we will fix when later - but many people are still not in their homes. We still have two schools at our school so things are crowded. Our school participates in Relay for Life which raises money for cancer research every year and today we sold lunches at school as part of our fundraiser (we do this about once a month). Anyway - we sold 100 lunches today! That's a lot of adults in one school - and I know not everyone bought one.

Life takes so many turns...

When we came back from the hurricane days, our principal told us that based on a comment made by one of our teachers in a faculty meeting and the sermon at Mass the previous weekend, he had invited a school that flooded to share our campus for while their school is cleaned. I was immediately glad that he decided to make this offer - how often do we have the opportunity in our lives to really make a difference in someone else's life? So my friend Lynn and I figured out how we would fit another person in our tiny room. The new speech therapist in my room is someone whom I did not know at all - but I find I am really enjoying her company. So out of this tragedy I've made a new friend - what a blessing! Although, it is a little crazy to work at a school that now has approximately 1350 students and 140 staff!

Gee and I finally have the outside of the house back to normal - although we still need a roof and a garage door. We had friends over to watch LSU win Saturday night (and to eat yummy "Slap Your Mama Roast" poboys). Sunday we traveled to Baton Rouge and had lunch with Zac, Britt and Jimmy. We drove by a house Zac is looking at purchasing - very nice and in a neighborhood where he has lots of friends.

Tomorrow night - Cootie at Katie's - sounds like fun!

So sad...

Our beautiful bayou areas have once again flooded. Many friends and co-workers once again are bailing out their homes and trying to rebuild. Our swamps and natural seafood estuaries are again flooded with salt water which will continue to destroy them and kill the majestic cypress and oak trees that are native to our area. We are in desparate need of federal funds to fight coastal erosion in our parish - since we are the fastest eroding land mass in the continental United States. But if history repeats itself we will not be given the funding necessary and eventually this area will no longer exist. Once again - Gee and I have to face facts - we didn't move far enough - time to move again. We both love Louisiana and want to stay here close to family and friends - so where to we go?

TV Blues

We have all services restored with the exception of cable TV. The only channel we can watch is FOX which must be the worst channel on TV!!!!!!!!! Who watches Simpsons, Family Guy, the Hole gameshow, some wierd show last night I can't remember the name of, Judge Judy, Dewey, and Louie? Even the local Fox news station only reports New Orleans news (the hurricanne did not hit there!) and decided on Sunday and Monday that we didn't need to see the projected path for Hurricanne Ike cause they didn't want us to worry!!! Hello!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness for the internet! I didn't realize before this that I don't watch shows on FOX - at least not that I can remember. I decided to go buy a book today since TV is so bad but the local book stores are still closed. Sigh - guess I'll just go to bed early!

We Are Family!!!

Oops on the last blog!

Thanks to all the family members who helped us while Gustav was visiting:

Zac for sheltering us during the storm, giving up your bed for us to sleep in and helping with Grandma and Grandpa.
Britt and Jimmy for providing us with an air conditioned place to sleep Tuesday night and cleaning out the STINKY freezer and checking the house.
Angelle, Mike, Leah and Erin for providing us with a mini-Gustav vacation.
Joan, Carolyn, Janice, Laura, and Jean for all the phone calls, text messages, and helping with a place for Mom and Dad - especially Joan and Jean!
Kevin and Kathy/Nancy and Rick who visited us in BR before and after the storm and to everyone else in Gee's familly who called.

We are so blessed!

We are family!

My 30th Open House

We have Open House at our school tomorrow night - not my favorite thing to do. Oh well......

If you haven't read Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah you might want to give it a try. It's about a little girl who walks out of the woods into a small town unable to communicate and afraid of people. The setting is the rainforest area of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Mom, Carolyn, Britt and I were there years ago and it is such a beautiful area. Anyway - it was a good book.

So I haven't been getting up early to work out since school started! I promised myself that since my swimming days were over (since it rains EVERY afternoon) that I'd exercise in the morning - now I need to get motivated! Definitely tomorrow!

We had a nice time Sunday celebrating Britt's graduation and birthday. Seems we don't see my family that much anymore so having a Sunday dinner was fun. Shawny's girls are growing so much and her new friend seems really nice. Gee's pork steaks were fabulous and the macs were a hit as always. We did it right this time - two simple appetizers - three entrees and one dessert - not too much but plenty for all!

YEAH - Britt is in New Orleans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Orleans is only about 30 minutes closer to Houma than Baton Rouge but it is all interstate and seems like soooo much closer. We made three trips in one week - to move stuff from Houma to Britts - to take Britt and Jimmy out to eat - and for a bowling tournament we always go to but this time I spent my time with Britt instead of entertaining wives of other bowlers - which is also fun! Gee said he is so glad to have a daughter who now lives in "his town" - he's looking forward to showing Britt some of his favorite spots. Anyway - I am thrilled!!!

Jane had surgery Friday and is doing fine - that's all I know.

School starts tomorrow - the countdown is on - hurry up April!

I'm a Counselor?!

INFJ - that's my personality type - what's yours?

Jung/Myers-Briggs Personality Test

Counselors have an exceptionally strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others, and find great personal fulfillment interacting with people, nurturing their personal development, guiding them to realize their human potential. Although they are happy working at jobs (such as writing) that require solitude and close attention, Counselors do quite well with individuals or groups of people, provided that the personal interactions are not superficial, and that they find some quiet, private time every now and then to recharge their batteries. Counselors are both kind and positive in their handling of others; they are great listeners and seem naturally interested in helping people with their personal problems. Not usually visible leaders, Counselors prefer to work intensely with those close to them, especially on a one-to-one basis, quietly exerting their influence behind the scenes.
Counselors are scarce, little more than one percent of the population, and can be hard to get to know, since they tend not to share their innermost thoughts or their powerful emotional reactions except with their loved ones. They are highly private people, with an unusually rich, complicated inner life. Friends or colleagues who have known them for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. Not that Counselors are flighty or scattered; they value their integrity a great deal, but they have mysterious, intricately woven personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.
Counselors tend to work effectively in organizations. They value staff harmony and make every effort to help an organization run smoothly and pleasantly. They understand and use human systems creatively, and are good at consulting and cooperating with others. As employees or employers, Counselors are concerned with people's feelings and are able to act as a barometer of the feelings within the organization.
Blessed with vivid imaginations, Counselors are often seen as the most poetical of all the types, and in fact they use a lot of poetic imagery in their everyday language. Their great talent for language-both written and spoken-is usually directed toward communicating with people in a personalized way. Counselors are highly intuitive and can recognize another's emotions or intentions - good or evil - even before that person is aware of them. Counselors themselves can seldom tell how they came to read others' feelings so keenly. This extreme sensitivity to others could very well be the basis of the Counselor's remarkable ability to experience a whole array of psychic phenomena.
Mohandas Gandhi, Sidney Poitier, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, Emily Bronte, Sir Alec Guiness, Carl Jung, Mary Baker Eddy, Queen Noor are examples of the Counselor Idealist (INFJ).

Have you lifted a heart lately?

I love reading books where I learn things! I just re-read "The Secret Life of Bees" and there are many lessons in this book but one in particular is about lifting another person's heart. In the story Lily asks August why she painted her house pink. August replies that her sister May (who is a little different) went with her to the paint store and fell in love with a bright pink color. And although August wanted to paint the house beige, she decided to go with the pink. Her reasoning was "some things in life don't matter much - like the color of a house. How big is that in the overall scheme of life? But lifting a person's heart - that matters. The whole problem with people is they know what matters - but they don't choose it." Now I'm not sure I would have chosen to live in a pink house - but how many opportunities do we have to choose what will lift someone's heart? And how often do we miss those? I would love to incorporate this idea into my daily life - at least begin to see those moments. What do you think?

If you haven't been to Brevard, NC you might want to give it a try. We stayed at a beautiful cabin and hiked to several great waterfalls. We had a great time playing in creeks and enjoying nature. I bought a beautiful piece of pottery at Muddabbers Pottery and a fused glass bowl at the Glass Feather. We had a fun and relaxing vacation.

So two more weeks of summer and then school starts. I really don't mind - especially since this is my 30th year! I love summer - but working is still fine with me.

Britt and Jimmy are taking the bar exam this week - so prayers please! It's been hard so far and they have one more day of testing. I know they will both do fine!

Sunporch

Here's a picture of the tile on our screened porch - we are so excited about it! I made new cushion covers also - now we are shopping for more furniture. We have sat on several but they just aren't comfortable - any suggestions?

Theriot Craze

The 4th of July was crazy!!! Almost the entire Theriot family was at John and Joanna's camp - having a good time as you can imagine! Tons of laughter - food - boating - crazy sleeping arrangements (although Gee and I got there first and had a bedroom!!!!) - fireworks - extra people since lots of people brought friends. Some of the Fernin cousins came on Saturday - good to see them. Fun was had by all - as usual.

I just read Angelle's book recommendation - "Firefly Lane" by Kristin Hannah. When I started it I liked it right away but kept thinking there is no way this book is gonna make me cry - I was wrong. I bawled like a baby at the end. Loved, loved, loved the book - read it!!!!!

We are leaving for North Carolina in three days - I CAN'T WAIT!!! I love all the pics and news on the Gallers website but it's not like being there. Wish Z and B and J were coming - but I guess Mom's always want all their chicks together. We will be together on the cruise - and sooner that that I hope.

Update on summer projects

In the beginning of the summer I listed 4 things I want to do this summer and I decided to look back and see how I am doing.

1. Exercise more - doing that
2. Stained glass - doing that
3. Read more - doing that
4. Clean out closets - have not done that!

Oh well - three out of four ain't bad!!!

Our patio is finished and looking great - I'm doing the final mopping today - just mopped it 4 times! Hopefully we will move our furniture and plants back in it later today. I sewed new cushion covers and replanted a few plants. We are having a "cool front" so it actually felt nice early this morning on the porch.

Last weekend we went to Gee's elementary school reunion. It was fun although the only people I knew were the Theriot's, Kennedy's and KBA's - which I guess is alot of people. Gee and I spent the night at John and Joanna's and went to the Riverwalk Sunday and to Harrah's. We also had a snowball - cocoanut cream of course - I really do enjoy New Orleans.

I love to swim!

So Joan and I are swimming at 7:30 in the morning three times a week. The water is perfect and we swim for 45-60 minutes. My arms have been a little sore but it feels so good - I think swimming is my favorite form of exercise. Thanks - Joan - for installing a pool.

Carolyn and I have spent two weeks this summer viewing houses - she is moving back to Houma - and after viewing approximately 25 houses and putting in a bid on three - she has finally been successful and she and Cindy will be moving into their new house around mid July. It's a really nice three bedroom/two bath home with a great layout - built in bookcases - fireplace - back patio - and two car garage. So - if anyone out there needs help finding a house to buy I am quite the expert by now on what not to buy!

Gee's surgery is Tuesday - keep him in your prayers - although I'm sure everything will be fine! I'll have to be sure and look good that day since he will finally be able to see me with both eyes - ha!

We will be installing ceramic tile on the screened in porch soon - just found a tile and a friend to install it so hopefully this will happen in the near future. Now - I just have to recover my cushions and spruce up the porch a little.

Ahhh - the beach!

Just got back from a week at the beach with the girls. We relaxed on the beach - read books - shopped - swam - the usual stuff. I read three books - Stephen King's "Bag of Bones" - wierd - Claire Cook's "Life's a Beach" - nice fun novel - and Jennifer Haig's "Miss Kimble" - really good.
This is out third annual trip and we will definitely be back next year. Carolyn told me about a great backpack beach chair with a canopy top so I was in the shade the whole time - thanks sis!
We bought some nice jewelry at Blue Girl Bead Shop and some nice pottery.

So I will start exercising Monday!!!!!!!!!!!! Joan and I are going to start swimming - I will begin my weight routine again - and do some pilates. Time to get serious and lose a few pounds - too much Key Lime Pie!

Week 1

Week one of summer vacation was fun - especially when Carolyn and Cindy decided t0 nix the northshore and move back home!!!!!!!!!!! I was reserved when she initially told me cause I was afraid she would change her mind but now that it's set - YEAH!!!!

Gee and I haven't been "vetting" lately - it's in the shop - seems the transmission needed some work. I'm ready for it to come home!

Angelle asked the question on her blog about what we like about summer. I think my favorite this is daily life. I like just doing normal everyday things at my pace. I eat breakfast when I'm hungry instead of morning recess - I don't mind cleaning and doing laundry and paying bills. I like getting to watch daytime TV. I love window shopping and running errands with the idea that if I don't do it today I can always do it tomorrow. I guess this is what retirement will be like eventually.

I didn't have to work!!!!

I always have to work on Memorial Day but this year we ended school on Friday - yeah! - and I was able to celebrate the holiday with everyone else! We went to John and Joanna's camp in Slidell and had lots of fun boating and visiting and eating and enjoying a cocktail or two. Most of the family was able to come for either Sunday or Monday. John and Joanna's new boat is great - it fits a million people. That's the first time I was in a boat on Lake Pontratrain and it was definitely beautiful and fun - we took a late everning cruise. On Monday - John pulled some of the kids on a big blow up thing. They had fun. Anyway - I definitely prefer not working on Memorial Day!

Carolyn is in - continuing her job search on the North Shore. She and I are going tomorrow to look at places to rent and so she can interview some more. I'm looking forward to spending a little time with my sis - I miss her!

So - my first regular day off has been mostly chores - paying bill - washing - but it's just so nice to be able to do those regular things at my leisure. I just love waking up and thinking - hmmm - what will I do today? I am truly blessed!

Summer projects

Every May I start making a mental list of all the summer projects I'm going to do - little things like do the mending piled on my sewing maching and big things like clean out the pantry. Last summer I painted the living room/kitchen/halls. That was a huge project! So this year I'll post my list and see in August what I have actually completed.

1. Begin a stained glass project. I haven't worked in stained glass since Hurricanne Rita - and I really miss it. I'm thinking maybe something for my kitchen window - perhaps Bird or Paradise flowers - with a bevel border.

2. Exercise daily! I eat pretty healthy but am barely able to keep from gaining weight - so the key has to be exercise. The challenge will be to find something I can carry over into next school year - I hate getting up really early to exercise and after school I'm am often just tired and not in the mood. Any ideas? I might try Angelle's yoga - just not sure how much of it involves working on my knees - which is always a problem for me.

3. Read more - seems like during the school year I don't read as much so I'm ready.

4. Get rid of stuff! We have too much stuff . I hope to bring several loads of things we just don't need to Goodwill or St Vincents.

Anybody else have any summer goals?

WooHoo Britt

Brittany graduated with honors today - we couldn't be more proud of her. The graduation was really nice - great speaker - not too long - great seats. After, we went to the law school for a reception and they enjoyed lunch with Britt, Zac, Jimmy and his parents and niece. Everything was just wonderful. I can still remember when Brittany announced she wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. Well, my dear, that day is here. Your dreams are coming true.

15 more days

Only 15 more days of school - YEAH!! I'm ready for a break - although it's been a good year. And this time next year I'll be retired and continuing to work - weird huh?

Last night Britt was awarded a scholarship from the Terrebonne Parish Lawyers Assn. They announced all of her accomplishments in law school - I knew them all but it was so neat to hear them announced in a meeting of lawyers. Yeah Britt - I am so proud of you!

The reunion last weekend was a lot of fun - great seeing cousins I hadn't seen in a while. I also enjoyed visiting with Janice and Larry. The french cousins were really nice except they only spoke French so that was difficult. There were a few interpreters there which helped some.

Age

Today at lunch (while we were eating poboys supplied by our courtesy committee) I discovered something a little disheartening - I was the oldest person in the room! I'm older than my principal, assistant principal, master teacher, secretary, and the others I eat lunch with. There is one lady who is a year younger than me and she and I were talking about how wierd it is to be in our 50's but not at all feel that old. Honestly - I feel like I am in my mid 30's. Getting old is just wierd!

So this weekend my family is having a family reunion with our cousins from the Marmande, France Region of Europe. It's been a long time since I saw many of my cousins so I am really looking forward to going. Janice and Larry will be here also which will be nice. I haven't seen her since last summer. The cousins from France speak French - obviously - so there will be a langauge barrier - but I hear they look like some of my Uncles so that will be neat to see.

Time for Grey's Anatomy...

Let's try this again

Obviously I did something wrong cause my pictures did not post - so here we go again. Yeah - it worked!

April Flowers

Since ya'll are not here to see my beautiful flowers I thought I'd post two if my favorites. I just love this time of year - today is a beautiful day with cool breezes - Gee is working on the vet - my flowers are in full bloom - and I just took a nap on the "ham" - it doesn't get much better than that!

Friday afternoone Dad called to invite us to eat crawfish - and since Gee is on call I went by myself. We had a nice visit and I brought Gee the leftovers, promising Mom and Dad I would make crawfish pie with the ones he didn't eat. Well - Saturday - Gee called me from work saying he had two free sacks of crawfish! So we decided to boil them and peel them - which we did till our fingers were screaming! Today we made crawfish pies and crawfish etouffee - yummy! This is what I love about Louisiana - we have the best food by far! Hungry anyone?

Seven things

OK- now it's my turn:

Seven things I can’t do:

Whistle - you probably inherited that from me, Britt
Bite cold things.
Stay awake super late.
Lie without laughing - I never get anything over on anyone!
Ride a bike - I need to relearn.
Talk on the phone while driving - I can do this but don't like to.
Drink and drive.

Seven things I can do:

Find my way around - I have a good sense of direction.
Make stained glass windows.
Chill out by myself - I don't have to have a lot of people around.
Be patient.
Read all day!
Lay around on a beach, mountainside, or near a pool with a good magazine/book.
Teach children how to talk clearly.

Seven things I want to do before I die:
Travel to Hawaii and the Florida Keyes
Play with my grandbabies
Travel to Bali and Italy
Learn how to make pottery.
Travel to every state in the US
Retire
Did I mention travel?

The Seven dwarves are (google is cheating!):
Who cares

Seven things I say most often:
Look at me!
Such is life.
How was your day?
Hmmmmmm
Really?
Are you kidding me?
Oh well.


Seven movies I love:
Little Women
Steel Magnolias
Old black and white movies
Julia Roberts movies
Sandra Bullock movies
Almost all romantic comedies
Shrek

Ordinary things

Our life has been just ordinary lately. For example this weekend was spent at home doing whatever we decided to do that moment - housework, napping, reading, planting, rewatching the LSU victory on DVD - just whatever. I love weekends like this one - somehow they seem to restore me. I love busy weekends also - but sometimes busy all week and busy all weekend is just crazy!

I have read three intraspective (not sure of the spelling) books over the past few years - and I really like the most recent one although each one has and continues to teach me some very important lessons. The one I am reading now is "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle which is the Oprah book that goes along with the lessons every Monday night. When I first started the book I found it to be very difficult to understand - he outlines so much in the first chapter - but I continued reading it and really like. It's about a way of looking at life and living each moment in life and recognizing your reactions to certain moments in life. It's really life changing.

Only four more days till we leave for North Carolina!!! Can't wait to see everyone there. We are so blessed!

Relaxing on the weekend

Britt and Jimmy visited us Friday night which was a lot of fun. Yummy seafood, cold beer, strawberry pie - I wish we all lived closer so we could do that more often. It was great to see them!

Saturday we cruised in the vet and visited some friends in Thibodeaux. The vet will be painted next week and then the interior will be put back in and the seats redone - hooray! I can't wait to see it all put together and have a comfortable seat to ride in. It's been a fun car - can't wait to cruise the coast in it!

Today we met John and Joanna, Mike and Auz, and the girls in downtown New Orleans for lunch. The girls were in a cheerleading competition so we watched for a while. I had no idea that cheerleading was such a big deal - I was thinking football games - not major competitions - especailly for the little girls. It was fun to be with them.

Tomorrow I have an all day workshop - ugh - I hate those things! But it's at Nicholls and I get to go to lunch with other therapists so that will be nice.

Eye, eye, eye mate...

Gee and I usually only go to one or two parades at Mardi Gras but this year we opted out all together due to Gee's eye situation - he wouldn't be able to see any beads flying at him! So we decided to go to the North Shore and stay at the camp for a change of pace. Gee is slowly getting his stamina back - so we mostly took scenic drives. Normally Gee drives and I navigate - but this time I drove and navigated! I definitely like it the other way around.

The gulf coast is still very devastated from Hurricanne Katrina. Some homes are rebuilt but most of the area is just empty lots. There was no place to eat from Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs except for the casinos and fast food restaurants. But we did find an old favorite restaurant - McElroy's - that used to have two locations - the beach location is gone and the one we ate in had 7 ft of water in it! I had flounder with crabmeat stuffing and Gee had the same with red smapper - soooo good!

The next day we headed the other way towards Folsom/Hammond. We are still scouting for a retirement place - but we aren't ready to make a decision yet. Still not sure how we will want to live in 5-10 years - in the country? in a golf community? in a townhouse with a place for a boat underneath? on a boat? in an rv? Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

Today we ventured to Madisonville where we had lunch on the river. It's one of my favorite Northshore places to lunch and my crab/shrimp/avocado salad did not disappoint. Now we are home and Gee is itching to cook - he's promising to make red gravy tomorrow - my absolute favoite! I love my husband!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously - it's so nice to have him feeling better - just need the vision to improve.

My turn...

What is your salad dressing of choice? My new favorite is Zea's Pepper Jelly Vinagarette

What is your favorite fast food restaurant? None!

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Cafe Milano's in Houma, LA

On average how much of a tip do you leave at a restaurant? 20% - in honor of Britt

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Bananas and apples

What are your pizza toppings of choice? I must admit that I love pepperoni pizza

What do you like to put on your toast? Cinnamon and butter.

TECHNOLOGY

What is your wallpaper on your computer? My precious grandaughters in LSU attire!!!

How many televisions are in your house? 5 - which is ridiculous for 2 people

What kind of cell phone do you have? The one for sale that day that I could read w/o my glasses!

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Two children and a few teeth.

What is the last heavy item you lifted? The sofa I moved today by myself so Gee can lay on his left side and see the TV in the living room (post op instructions).

Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Nah

BULL[CRAP]OLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? Why would I want to know that?

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Claire - and one day I will!

What color looks good on you? Not really sure

Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake? Play dough - but it wasn't a mistake!

Have you ever saved someone’s life? I once called 911 when the woman in the car ahead of me was being beaten but I don't know if I saved her life or not.

DAREOLOGY

Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000? No - I like my fingers.

Would you never blog again for $50,000? Sure

Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000? At 53 years old - are you kidding me?

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Absolutely not.

Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000? If someone was threatening my life or the life of a loved one I would like to think I would be brave enough to - but never for money.

What is in your left pocket? Probably a kleenex.

Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie? I really don't remember it.

Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house? Both - but I could do without the carpet.

Do you sit or stand in the shower? Sit - most of the time.

Could you live with roommates? Yes - I did in college.

How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Not too many - I just sent them to Goodwill

When was the last time you had a run-in with the cops? Can't remember any - althought they are at school pretty often.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Mom, a Mimi, a Speech Therapist, a stained glass artist, and a traveler.

Who is number 1 on your top 8? Don't have a my space but on my phone it's Gee.

LASTOLOGYQ:

Last Friend you talked to? Lynn

Last person who called you? Carolyn

FAVORITOLOGY

Number? 4

Season? Spring - I love the weather and the flowers and school is almost over!

Holiday? Christmas - since I have learned to relax about the shopping - I LOVE Christmas lights and Christmas Mass.

Day of the week? Friday around 3:00.

Month? June and July

CURRENTOLOGY

Missing someone? My kids and grandkids

Mood? Upbeat and a little worried about Gee

Listening to? It's very quiet at the moment.

Watching? So that I don't make typos

Worrying about? Gee's eye

First place you went this morning? Took Gee to the eye doctor

What can you not wait to do? Finish my 30th year in April 2009 so I can retire when I want

What’s the last movie you saw? Can't remember - it's been a long time

Do you smile often? Yes

Are you a friendly person? Most of the time.

What are you looking forward to? Emily's baby shower - spring - summer trips - a good book - our next GRITS meeting - Gee's cooking - Mardi Gras holidays - the beach - holding Erin and playing with Leah - Carolyn and Cindy moving back to Louisiana - Gourmet at John's camp - but mostly any time with my family!

After a wonderful holiday and awesome LSU victory, it's back to school and our normal routine. Last weekend was fun - we attended two weddings. Both took place in gorgeous churches. St Francis cathedral in Houma has been newly remodeled and is elegantly beautiful and Immacolate Conception Church in New Orleans has so much history - the backs of the pews were iron scroll and the altar was stunning. I love visiting different churches - there is such a powerful feeling of holiness - just think of all the prayers offered in those churches! Jamie was a beautiful bride and the reception was alot of fun.

So this week we are dibbles testing at school. We have to administer a series of one minutes reading tests to EVERY STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL!!! Who came up with this idea??? We do this three times a year and it takes all day for 3-4 days with 10-15 people testing! I know what's wrong with education - we test too much! Last week our fourth graders took the practice LEAP to prepare for the real LEAP in April. So those students had a test every morning last week and were tested again today. Oh well - only 4 1/2 more years!

Oh well - time to get the clothes out of the dryer!