Summer time!

It's finally here - I lOVE when school ends and I can just relax - well not really - just get busy with my summer projects and travels. So far I have trips planned to Florida, North Carolina, a cruise, and Michigan. I'm starting to think that work is intefering with traveling so something may have to go - and it won't be traveling!

My main summer project is going to be to clean, organize, and get rid of stuff!!!! Ugh! I hate clutter and that's how this house feels at the moment. So Goodwill/St Vincent's - here I come. I also plan to exercise more this summer - swimming/body pump mainly.

But the main summer project is to help Britt with the wedding!!!!! Hopefully we will get most of it done in the next two months so it won't be too crazy in the fall. I did not raise an undecisive daughter which is great! You are doing a great job so far, Britt.

Well - I guess I better get started...

Bachlorette Party

Last night we had a bridal shower and bachlorette party for two teachers at my school who are getting married soon. The shower was at Copelands and at the end a limo picked us up and took us around for several hours. We had a great time - singing, laughing, and dancing. Lots of fun.

Today was just a relaxing day at home. A little yard work, lots of reading, and a nap in the hammock. I researched "knock out roses" and have decided to plant a couple of them in my garden. They are care free and bloom most of the year. Mom has a couple and I really like them. We worked on digging out a Sago Palm that died today - good spot for the roses!

Tomorrow we are going to New Orleans to visit with Britt and Jimmy - go out to eat - maybe a snowball (Angelle - you have me craving them!) and see the baby kitties. Should be fun.

Two weddings and a funeral

Actually - two funerals - but one is in Washington State. My Mom's sister-in-law died last week - Aunt Margaret. She was a wonderfully different for all my other aunts mostly because she was a "northerner". Her accent - her vocabulary - her life experiences were so different from ours. I didn't know her very well but found her to be warm, happy and loving. The other funeral was my Dad's sister - Aunt Bertha. She was one funny lady - always teasing and fun to be around. She was the female version of my Dad - and although I never knew my grandpa - I was told he was the same way too. She will be missed. My parents are now the only surviving siblings from their families.

We also had two weddings this month - both lots of fun. One was in Houma and one in Point Clear, Alabama. The Alabama one was very memorable to say the least. I went with two girlfriends and stayed at the Grand Marriot Resort - what a great place to stay. The grounds were beautiful - right on the bay - and there was lots of activities planned - croquette - bike riding - kayaking. One of my friends said it was like being in the Dirty Dancing Movie. The rehersal supper Friday night was held at Five Rivers Resort - lots of fun and delicious food. Saturday we took a short walk along the bay to a beautiful old home where we had shrimp and grits and mimosas under the oaks with of course the beautiful bay views. The dessert was apple cake with candied pecans and caramel sauce. WOW!!! The wedding was at the Grand Saturday night. Highlights were the appletini's (which were the exact lime green as the bridesmaids dresses), the food, the awesome band, dancing and - get ready for this - the fireworks!!! Yes - fireworks - over the bay - un be lie ve able!!! We were all astonished - then our friend confided in us about the cost of the wedding. I'm not going to put it in the post - but I would say it's easily 10 times the cost of any wedding I've ever been too. The mother of the groom is a very close friend - and we had so much fun dancing and enjoying a few cocktails. After the wedding we sat in until the wee hours of the morning on a swing overlooking the bay laughing about old times. Sunday morning we had breakfast in a great little cafe in Fairhope before heading home. What a great area - I will visit there more often!

It's been a while...

I just reread my blog and realized it's been a while - so here goes.

The crawfish etouffee festival was delicious. We met Janice and Lige there - Kristin, Scott & friends had a booth so we hung out there. We tasted lots of delicious varieties of etouffee and listened to cajun music. The day was spectacular - cool and sunny (although I did get sunburnt!). We had lots of fun and hope to make this an annual event.

One of my friends and I (Sharon) headed to Baton Rouge on a Saturday to eat at Sangria's and do a little shopping. We explored bead and pottery stores on the way there (I resisted the pottery although I was tempted) and hit the sales at Ann Taylor Loft. It was a great girls day - good being with you Sharon!

Nothing is better than being with family - and that's just how Easter was this year. Angelle, Mike, Leah and Erin arrived on Friday and we spent the day eating and relaxing. Gee had planned on getting a blow up pool for the kids but we decided to improvise instead and filled a boat we had with water and had a boat pool! The girls loved it! We took a family photo at a local photographer's (our Christmas present from the kids - great idea!) and had a delicious meal of steaks, potatoes, asparagus, and strawberry pie! My husband is the best cook!!! We then spent the afternoon visiting, playing with the kids, and just enjoying being together as a family. We are so seldom all together that those times are even more precious - each moment treasured. Easter Sunday was crazy with Gee's family here - lots of people and lots of fun - and MORE FOOD!!! I am so full!!! Monday we went took Daddy's boat to Lake Decade and Leah tried fishing while Erin explored the boat and everything in it. Tuesday we drove to Baton Rouge to eat at Sangria's. We took a side trip to see Mike the Tiger also.

MarchAprilMay

I love it when the third nine weeks ends and we are in the last stretch of school! We have three weeks of testing this nine weeks - so that only means 6 weeks of therapy. Just about all of my students are where I want them to be so progress has been good. We also have an Americal Idol contest going on - each week we predict who is being voted off and we keep track of who predicts correctly. Right now we all have 0 points!

Last week I went with my GRITS friends to paint a picture at a local framing store. We painted Fleur de lies! It was fun - although it was more like coloring with oil paints that true painting. Mine is decent although I wish I had some more paint to work on it. My Mom always used to say her painting wasn't finished - now I know what she means - although my ability is no where near hers! I wouldn't mind trying another one!

Gee and I spent last weekend cleaning the garage and planting flowers/veggies. It was a beautiful weekend and we really enjoyed being outside. Daddy and Gee ran the crawfish pond on Sunday - they caught a few and boiled them at Mom and Dad's. Gee also ran it this week but we think someone ran it before us so we didn't get very many. So Gee cooked steaks instead - yum!!!

Sangria's is the best ever!!!

Well I must say I that the food I ate at Sangria's Restaurant is the best food I've had in a long time! We were treated to a palatal feast - san pedrito, brisket burritos, sangria special salad,
camerones de diablo, lime pie - we had so many delicious samples. Mmmmmmmmmm. Another successful gourmet with good friends, good food, good drinks!!! If you haven't been there - go now!!! I wish I could!!! Check out website

http://sangriagrillandbar.com/index.html

Friday night was a good time also - Brittany, Jimmy, Zac, Jenna, Gee and I saw Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco - in Baton Rouge. This was my second Cirque performance and I was not disappointed - it was outstanding. We went to Sangria's before and after - love the white Sangria. We spent the night at Zac's and played with Brie - she is precious and a bundle of energy. It was nice to spend time with the kids.

Pumped!!!

Body pump classes are finally getting easier - and I increased my weights! I'm still a light weight compared to some of the others in the class but it does feel good to be past the beginning - constantly sore - wondering if I should be doing this - stage. My only problem are lunges. Do to old age (yes I am briefly admitting it) I have a wierd foot problem and can't do lunges (woohoo). But - all other exercises are good to go!!!

Last Sunday we went to John's viewing stands on the parade route on Veterans. I'm impressed! The stands are huge and a large part of it is covered. There was lots of room to stand, sit, or whatever. We stayed for two parades and in between I went with Britt and Jimmy to meet Jack and Sam - their new kittens. They were so cute - and of course loved their Mimi. We had lots of fun being with the family and enjoying the parade - even saw Dave and Lige on the float!!!

I am so ready for a few days off next week - and so are the kids. Mardi Gras has them hyped up and the atmosphere at school is a little crazy. We all need a break - two more days!

Time to watch the end of American Idol so I can see who they kept...