Smooth Sailing

Geaux Louisiana

2010-10-04T18:44:00.021-05:00

People here are NOT afraid to speak their mind as you can see
from the top of the State Farm agent's sign!

********************

I haven't blogged in a YEAR...so I guess it's about time I got back at it.
I've been collecting these pictures for about that long so here goes...have fun!
Make sure to click on the links below too!

We live in Lafayette, Louisiana for those of you who are new to this blog. Lafayette, LA is the "heart of Cajun Country" where it's all about spice, festivals, food, Zydeco music, Cajun French, sugar cane and alligators (if you haven't see Swamp People on the History Channel).

Yummy seasoning....

This is a collection of funny pictures I've collected around town. Since "French" is the main language here you will see the use of "aux" a lot. Geaux = GO ...just so you will know. :)

The first picture (above) is of our Speed LUMP sign. No Speed BUMPS here....

Next, for all of you that don't want to WALK into the convenience store for your SMOKES you can just drive through. We have a lot of drive-thru's as you will see a little farther down the line.

Next, I "caught" some fish hanging at our local Academy Sports with the following sign...

"Lies Not Included"... Humor is in no shortage around these parts!

Before I moved to Louisiana, I had no idea how much rice was produced here. Here is a bag of Cajun Country rice which has the SEAL of approval as "Certified Cajun".

This is some good ol' shrimp and crawfish boil (seasoning)...

When you see this tea in your local grocery store there will be no doubt where it came from...

And here is the SEAL...so you know it's authentic!

A local bingo joint with a great spelling!

Out best tourist attraction...Drive-Thru Daiquiris! The paper on the tip of the straw makes it a "closed container". We don't have a lot of LAWS here...which is REALLY nice.
Notice the "Geaux Cajuns" at the bottom of the sign.

And on this water station....H2O to Geaux!

And...even some fun "plays on words".... (sorry the picture is so small).

Well, hope you have had a fun little tour of Southwest Louisiana!
Come on down and visit sometime!

Mama Mia Pizzaria

2009-09-02T22:56:00.005-05:00

I haven't posted in a while...so I thought I would share a bit of "cutie pie" cooking show with y'all.

We have this great pizza dough recipe that is so easy.
The kids LOVE to decorate their own pizza.

She is even a HAM when she is making pizza. But then he is a "Taddei".

Hormel has a wonderful new uncured pepperoni! It tastes wonderful.

He she is...Vanna...placing the pepperoni so perfectly.

In to the oven they go...

READY to eat!

Now for mama's version... Kinda makes me feel like a gourmet cook, for about a minute.

Voila!

Let me know if you want the dough recipe...Just send me your email.

Little Man Jumps!

2009-06-05T02:26:00.006-05:00

So, as you can see...Little Man likes to JUMP!
I was attempting to organize my pictures and
realized that I had a LOT of pictures of the Little Man jumping!

He can even jump with a binky!

That was Oceanside, CA, by-the-way...

Found this one of him jumping on the Star of India in San Diego...

We never wanted Little Man to have "1st Child Syndrome"so,
we encouraged him to just "go for it"!

Here in Florida, the routine was... Dad digs a big hole,
and Little Man climbs up the pile and...JUMPS!

Back in Oceanside....There are always good sand cliffs the tide left the night before.

This is in St. George, UT. Love those RED rocks!
His hands make me laugh.

Carlsbad, CA... Catching some air. I wonder what he will do on a surfboard?

Pt. Loma (San Diego). Notice Sweetie Pie's look of amazement!

Ah yes...Orange Beach, AL. That sand is like baby powder,
which is a good thing with sand built up this high!

Even in the flat land of the Bahamas...he can still find something to jump off of.

Now Sweetie Pie wants HER own collection of jumping photos. Hummmmm?
Better get started!

Happy Jumping!

Late-night Nature Walks

2009-04-11T12:48:00.006-05:00

Guess we did it to ourselves. We fostered the love of reptiles at an early age.
The above picture is "Sweetie Pie" on the Alan's Cay, Bahamas.

"Little Man" in South Florida... at one of those tourist places.
He REALLY wanted to hug that alligator!

This was taken on a "nature walk" at Shark River State Park in the Everglades.
What a GREAT gator. Check out that tail!

Yes, here in Louisiana you really don't need pet stores. All that is required is to walk out your front door and be observant. As you can see, my kids, who are "addicted" to reptiles and "other" things and have mastered the art of listening and fast reflexes!

This dragonfly seemed to want to stay around for a while...

Wait, did I just say "mastered the art of listening"??? Don't get too excited. That skill stops as soon as they enter our house

Below is a little baby Green Anole lizard. They look just like the Geiko lizard, movements and all. I couldn't find my pictures of them when they are brilliant green. Sorry.

We have small toads and very interesting spiders.

.Sweetie Pie, above...Miss "NON-PRINCESS" loves her frogs and lizards. She said to me the other day... "Mom, do you know what I love more than lizards? Jesus!"

Little Man caught this one the other day. He is so beautiful!

This is the American Bullfrog. It is one of the largest frogs.

This one isn't even that big! We caught a bigger one last year. People eat a lot of frog legs (delicious by the way) around here and I guess you can see why!

One of the benefits of home schooling is that we can take late-night nature walks because we don't have to worry about catching the bus at 7AM!

Well, hope you enjoyed a little Southeastern US nature show.

Happy Easter!

Mardi Gras Cajun Style

2009-03-01T15:08:00.005-06:00

Well, Mardi Gras is over for another year...as Lent begins.
The PARTY is over and now it's time to repent!

Thought I would post some pictures of some of the parades. That's a king in the one above.

This was a beautiful float. You might have to enlarge the photo to see ALL the beads hanging behind the "throwers".

It's all about getting the most and the best beads. As you can see, the guy in the photo above must have won the contest! As you saw in the first photos, so many of the adults REALLY get dressed up. The kids...not so much. :)

On their way to getting the "booty".

Even the trucks (we don't have cars here) are decorated.
Yes, that is a REALLY steep incline it is parked on.

Looks like Little Man made out OK!
We had a lot of fun, but missed Daddy who is still on his ship.

And, for your viewing pleasure, please enjoy the video so you can experience it all first hand. Notice my kidos on the fence at the end.

Big Ships and the Cajun Riveria

2009-02-24T00:08:00.009-06:00

On Saturday, I drove with my two kiddos down to a place called Cameron, LA. I had to bring my hubby a new cell phone and since he was in port we thought it would be a great time to see his ship. There he is in is "walk like an Egyptian" pose.
It would just be so hard to be married to someone really quiet and boring...

Cameron, LA is about 2 hours SW of Lafayette so we were on the road REALLY early. One hour on I-10 and 1 hour on little country roads.

The Paul Callais is a 150' Offshore Supply Ship. Danny usually drives an 180' ship, so this is his "baby" boat. Usually the back deck is loaded with generators, and numerous boxes of everything from food to drilling pipe. They supply the oil rigs with EVERYTHING they need to sustain life, including water. Sometimes even a ride back to land in a hurricane!

On our way down, we saw remnants of Hurricane IKE that hit at the end of last season. There is still so much destruction and people without homes.

OK, uploaded this one out of order...
Just a little beach photo op.

Even the buoys got washed ashore.

There are very few homes down on the coast or the Cajun Riveria...as the locals call it. Just a few brave vacation home owners...who are rebuilding AGAIN. As you can see, they are getting higher off the ground with every hurricane.

Love these stilt homes. Most bugs and rodents of unusual size
(for those Princess Bride fans) stay away...

Danny up in the wheelhouse play a tune.
Probably Cheeseburger in Paradise!

Little man by the rear controls.
This is where the captain drives when he backs up to the oil rigs.

Himself.

Man, if I could buy milk and store it like that
I would never have to go to the grocery store!

Just one of the TWO massive diesels.

It's good to be the king!

After we left the ship we drove about 1/2 mile to a ferry which took us across the cut to the beach. If only California could be so EMPTY.

The kids had a great time walking along and treasure hunting (finding shells). Having basically grown up on a boat and the beach, they were, to say the least, VERY HAPPY.

The trusty burb on the beach. I would be in jail for this in So. Cal!
There are only about 7 homes down there...the ones in the background.

All ditches lead to the ocean.... Good thing there were big shells around to scoop with.
As the Captain says...May your anchor be tight, your cork be loose, your rum be spiced and your compass be true~

RRRRRRRRRRGH.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T13:15:00.002-06:00

Dad is home...and so we decided to go away for a little 4 day retreat. Chicot (pronounced Chico) State Park is about 1 hour north of Lafayette. It's a beautiful little park with wonderful cabins on the lake. I could just move in and never leave.

Most of them are built on pilings so all you see is water out the front windows. Beautiful at night with the full moon shinning in.

Sweetie Pie got her first fishing pole that lights up when you reel in your catch...or your moss as it was for her. The fish just were not biting. Saltwater fishing is the only way to fish! She can cast it pretty far though!

We went on a great 5 mile hike. This is part of the lake behind us. It's covered with lillys in this section. Looks pretty swampy with the Cyprus trees huh!

The hike was a lot of fun and the best part was that we got to go UP HILL AND DOWNHILL. Whohoo...

And at the end of our hike, we found this wonderful tree...for a Happy Valentines Day!

Parenting Tips from....

2009-01-06T23:24:00.002-06:00

Have you ever watched The Dog Whisperer? I don't have a dog yet, but I always find it interesting to watch the way he commands attention from animals as soon as he walks in the room/yard.

The "Whisperer" always gives the instruction that you MUST become the Alpha Dog in order to rule, otherwise they will "rule the roost" or doghouse. Consistency is also a huge factor.

I'm great with horses. My aunt taught me well that they can feel your fear so you better let them know who is boss from the start!

Well, the other night as I was watching his show I realized that I could learn a lot about parenting my 5 and 8 year old Alpha Dog CHILDREN from him. In fact I think he is much better than Nanny 911!

After I tackle being a parent, then maybe I can move onto a yellow lab!

New Year is Almost Here

2008-12-29T16:47:00.002-06:00

OK..This year is going to be different! I've been thinking about all the things that I want to accomplish this year and I AM going to get them done.

Usually I only "list" physical things i.e. Get in shape (always on the list), be more organized...you know, but this time I'm also including spiritual ones as well. I think that they are the MOST important.

A friend of mine accomplished something that I'm sure has been on her list for a long time. She finished her book and it is now for sale on Amazon! It looks like a great book if you would like to check it out! It's called Prisoner of Circumstance...

What a wonderful accomplishment. I can't wait until my husband finishes the one he is writing. Thank you Nadine for the offer to help with self-publishing.

As another little plug, my niece Harmony just started a little business making hair bows and other children's items. She comes from a VERY creative family and has made some beautiful things. Check them out if you have a minute.. Apricot Smiles

Well, the New Year is right around the corner... Let's see how I do on my resolutions! Any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Gumbo Lessons

2008-12-11T00:05:00.003-06:00

Soon after getting home from running errands today, my very cool neighbor "Miss Kayla" called me and said "I'm making Gumbo." "Come on over if you want to learn how!"

(First you make a roux and add onions, garlic and beef broth)

Well, Kayla is SUCH a great cook, and Certified Cajun all the way. I LOVE her gumbo, so I grabbed my camera (must document) and my kids and we headed next door.

(Then you add the smoked sausage and seasoned chicken (still on the bone) and let it boil till the chicken is done.)

This is a recipe that has been in her family for a long time. I'm sure she has a million with the same "M.O.". Cooking and recipes are definitely something that you pass on to your children in these parts. I don't think you can get married without taking a "cooking test" first.

Now it starts to get nice and brown and the aroma is just wonderful. Add a little Louisiana rice and voila!

After we were done and the chicken had to cook a bit more, I left to go home to make my dinner.
Miss Kayla brought me a big bowl and my "sweetie pie" little girl couldn't get enough. The dinner I cooked didn't have nearly enough flavor for my 5 year old. She has always been a little crazy about food. She liked GRAPE NUTS when she was two and now loves chips and salsa, and begs for Grapefruit! Go figure???

And...yesterday it was 71 and we had the A/C on all day. Today it was 49 so we lit the fire. Tomorrow we are expecting snow...in Lafayette LA! I hate to think what you guys farther north are in for... Get out the salt.

Finally Finshed

2008-12-09T11:38:00.003-06:00

Well, after two years they are finally finished! Santa can come down our chimney now because the "stockings are hung by the chimney with care!"

My sister and I starting sewing these and now they are finally finished. Sadly hers did not make the "cut" when she was cleaning out her house to move last year.

They kind of remind me of Dr. Seuss..our FAVORITE author!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Christmas Music

2008-12-04T09:14:00.007-06:00

Happy December!

Well, I normally wouldn't try to use my blog to sell too many things, but I thought some of you might be interested in some Christmas CD's that my husband arranged and recorded (music is his first profession). My husband plays most of the instruments and and we both sing as will as one other female vocalist.

My good friend Scarlet and I were chatting about these CD's yesterday.

I mentioned the stories of her daughter singing along to the music on these CD's years ago. We laughed because she didn't remember that at all. I guess we are getting old. It's good to have friends that remember the pieces of the puzzle so we can put it all together later! Maybe blogs will help with that issue!

Silent Night: A Christmas Collection is a mixture of traditional favorites with some very nice vocals.

Joy to the World: A Christmas Collection is a mixture of instrumental traditional favorites.

If you would like to listen just click here .

I'm selling them for $9.99 each or two for $14.99 and $2 flat rate shipping for any quantity. Just email me directly at korintaddei@gmail.com if you are interested!

Or, if you are interested in the MP3's you can just download them directly from CD Baby.

Thanks and I hope your Christmas Season is off to a wonderful start!

2nd Amendment Exercises

2008-11-18T22:57:00.004-06:00

In honor of our new president and all the freedoms he represents (or NOT) the first thing we did when Daddy got home from his last trip offshore was to go shooting!
Even little sweetie pie had fun shooting the .22.

It's great here in Louisiana. Not too many laws, and as long as you are outside the city limits you can pretty much just find some open space and shoot!
We happened to know some people that let us shoot in their backyard.

Dad, with the ultimate hunting rifle! Darn good marksman I might add.

Little Man has been shooting since he was 5 1/2 yrs. He owns two guns now and is a very good shot. Gun safety is always a big deal and is reviewed all the time. I remember taking Gun Safety classes in 6th grade in Utah. Seems so uncommon in so many places now.
He just look like a little Louisiana boy!

The bumper stickers around here read..."Kids that hunt and fish don't steal and deal!"
I believe it. And they all say "Yes, Ma'am" to their Mama, no matter what their age is!

Hunting is a huge thing here in Louisiana. Most people have deer meat in their freezer and REALLY know how to cook it. Cajun style of course. It's so good for you and so much better than beef. Can't wait to get some good recipes.
My neighbor is going to bring me a roast or two for my little apt. freezer.
Happy Hunting!

Luther Rocks!

2008-10-31T08:28:00.008-05:00

Happy Reformation Day!

Road trip anyone???

2008-10-30T22:53:00.009-05:00

Have you ever seen snow like this in April? This snow...completely covered the rest stop at the summit on our way to Denver Coloroado from Utah. The rangers had to dig a tunnel to the front door. It was late at night and we were all in flip flops...running and freezing to the bathroom! Yes, dad had to throw a few snowballs at us too.

I was organizing some of our MANY digital photos and thought it would be fun to share some of them. We have made 13 trips coast to coast...in the last 5 years! Our Suburban has treated us well and has been more of a home to us at times. On this trip in the above photo...we were moving our belongings from Utah to Louisiana. The Budget truck is "with us".
Money for gas anyone???

If you have never driven across this beautiful country of ours, you should. Put away all those fears of "what if" and just do it. We have done it in 3 days with very small kids. In fact my "little man" likes to tell people "When the road changes, the state changes!" The above picture is northeast Texas on our way to Witacha Falls. I love when we get to the states where they mow the sides of the interstate. Green is my thing.

It is so interesting and a great learning opportunity to see the landscapes change. From the deserts of southern Utah or Arizona to where the trees really start showing up in the Hill Country just west of Austin to the solid forests of Alabama, it's quite an experience. The above picture is of us trying to make the summit just outside of Denver before dark. That didn't happen as the top is at 11,500 feet! And, we swore that we would never climb this mountain again. I think this was our 3rd time!!!

This is the Mississippi River. I tried to catch it as we went over the massive bridge. Those of you out west just don't know what a REAL river is until you have seen this one. Those are 250' barges sitting in the middle just over the rail. Louisiana is losing it's coastal land because the Mississippi was re-routed into New Orleans many moons ago.

Alabama really is "the beautiful". The forests are amazing and the red dirt...darker than southern Utah! I think anything could grow in this state.

Can you believe this is a REST STOP??? Can't remember if this is the Alabama or Mississippi stop but either way, I'll just move right in. It's as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. Free soda drinks and plenty of rocking chairs inside to "rest" in. Oh and lets not forget the nicest people ever to welcome you. I'd like to see California pull something like this together.

As you can see we like to take pictures by the state signs. We want to "prove" to our kids when they are grown that we really did take them places. The scene usually goes something like this... "Oh, there it is...here comes the sign... everybody ready? " Suburban quickly comes to a stop...we all jump out and brave the bugs, dust, dirt, cars..whatever and take the picture! Passing cars must think we are crazy.

Couldn't help but throw in a beautiful Arizona sunset. I took this one going 70 mph hanging my arm out the window with the camera. Yes, my husband was driving.

Texas is funny. This is the Texas sign on the East side of the state just before you get to Louisiana. On the west side on I-10 to the south the entrance is ...well BIG. Two very large rock pillars on each side of the road with huge stars on the top with a BIG sign...Welcome to Texas.

New Mexico desert...

Two Georgia Peaches.

New Louisiana Sign...

Old Louisiana Sign.. Cuties were little then.

Hope you have enjoyed the trip.
Now, pack a sandwich and get in the car!

Long Over Due...

2008-10-30T00:17:00.006-05:00

For years I have been meaning to do one of these. So, for those of you that sent them to me...here you go!

A-Attached or Single: Attached, for 23 years...22 married!
B-Best Friend: My husband. I definitely married up!
C-Cake or Pie: Homemade Apple Pie. Traditional Style
D-Day: Saturday. Can't wait for Sunday!
E-Essential Item: hot showers. Sailing makes you appreciate EVERY one.
F-Favorite Color: Candlelight Yellow (It's a girl thing)
G-Gummi bears or gummi worms: Swedish Fish. My mom got me hooked.
H-Hometown: Pleasant Grove, UT
I-Indulgences: Cinnabons
J-January or July: January, my birthday month. Wait, is it my favorite now?
K-Kids: two
L-Life is incomplete without: My Family and our instruments.
M-Marriage Date: August 29, 1986. My husband says he was "86'ed".
N-Number of Siblings: two brothers and two sisters. I'm the queen, ruler of them all.
O-Oranges or Apples: Apples if they are super crispy.
P-Phobias or Fears: Cockroaches. Need I say more?
Q-Quote: Pray to God, but row towards shore.
R-Reason to Smile: listening to my kids laugh
S-Season: Fall
T-Tag:
U-Unknown fact about me: I'm addicted to cinnamon rolls.
V-Vacation destination of choice: Caribbean
W-Worst Habit: cinnamon rolls
X-X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds...but only when preggy. So much fun!
Y-your favorite food: Steak
Z-Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

My Best Attempt...

2008-10-25T09:06:00.016-05:00

At being a photographer....

My niece Harmony posted some new family photos on her blog. The pictures were amazing. The photographer (her neighbor) is so inspiring. Her style is so fresh. She really captures the true moment with her work. You can see some of her work at

http://artphotographs.blogspot.com/

So after looking at EVERY photo on her site, I became inspired again. Especially since some of her photos were taken with a "point and shoot" camera. My sister says that Photoshop is the new "darkroom". Hopefully I will have more time to learn how to add such great color and effects. The above photo was taken off the Oceanside California Pier.

Sometimes though...we capture pictures that just naturally turn out surprisingly well. The light just happens to be right and everything works. (Haulover Cut..North Miami, FL)

I decided to be brave and post some of my favorite pictures. Non-Photoshop...just regular dumb luck! Most of these were taken with a 1 MP camera! (Jupiter Island Beach, FL)

This one of the Hotel del Coronado, in San Diego really surprised me. I was really hoping that the moon would show up on this beautiful night! This hotel is so full of history. It was even the location for Marilyn Monroe's film "Some Like It Hot". http://www.hoteldel.com/about/history.cfm should you want to plan a vacation.

This is a picture my husband took of the Star of India also in San Diego. She was built in 1863 and is the oldest ship that still sails regularly, and the oldest iron hulled merchant ship still floating. The day he took this picture, she had a lot of sail up, even though she was tied to the dock. Here is a link to a full picture of her if you are interested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Starofindia.jpg

Another picture of Oceanside Pier. We used to take long walks along the sand at dusk until the sand was too cold for our feet. My little "sweetie pie" would even watch for the 'green flash'!

Back to Florida... this is Boca Chita Key out in Biscayne Bay (Miami). You can only get there by boat. This is not a real lighthouse, but you can go up inside when the park rangers are there.

As the former owner was preparing the island for his own private use his wife was fatally injured... on the island. She later passed away and he found the memories too deep to continue to work on developing the property. Rumor is that she fell down the steps inside the lighthouse... spooky! http://www.key-biscayne.com/kb/keys/bocachita/

And lastly, another peaceful picture of Oceanside, California. Not very often do you have this much beach to yourself, especially in California! I just love the way the kids are just exploring life. So simple. I wish I could freeze time...

Now it's your turn to post your favorite pictures!

No time like the present!

2008-10-15T21:17:00.009-05:00

Some friends of mine at the apartment building that we currently live in were joking around the other night calling me the "welcoming committee". Seems I get to know people or at least say hello even quicker than Louisiana natives around here and I was getting hassled for it. When I got back home I got to thinking about what makes me just not waist anytime in saying 'hello'??

Well, having spent 9 of 22 years of marriage on a sailboat, doing quite a bit of long distance traveling I have learned that friendships have to be made on the "fly". You see when you are out there on the water, and you anchor for the night, you might have 1 or two other boats come into the anchorage too. Being friendly and free-spirited as sailors are, we usually dingy over and say hello. We are usually invited aboard and then one boat or the other makes dinner and we have a great time. We might, if we are lucky, stay in the anchorage one more day and get to know them better and then we are off onto our next destination. Nevertheless, with addresses exchanged, the Christmas cards come in the mail for the rest of forever and we always love to catch up on that couple/family's latest travels! We even crossed paths with a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway in Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago that we had not seen in 10 years...but had received Christmas cards from.

One of the most unexpected and nicest things that has ever happened to my husband and I happened on our first sailing voyage and I think of it often. After a very long passage down the Pacific coast of Mexico we anchored in Acapulco. It was almost dark and the last thing I wanted to do was to make dinner! Right after that thought, I heard a "knock" on our hull. Some "neighbors" in the anchorage came over to invite us for dinner. We had the most wonderful spaghetti dinner with "friends" we had never met. 1993 was the year!

We have become such a busy, private society these days that we have to schedule months in advance just to have lunch with a friend. We don't even call on that wonderful invention, the telephone. We text so that we can "reply" in our own time.

My husband swears I use up my "daily quota" of allowed words everyday. What can I say, I love to chat and get to know people...especially the elderly. There are just so many wonderful experiences out there to be heard and learned from. We are all so unique.

So, take time to watch the sunset once in a while and REALLY get to know your neighbor! Isn't that what loving your neighbor is all about?
Oh, I hope you enjoyed the pictures of the Bahamas! We hope to get back there soon.

Geoux Louisiana

2008-10-11T12:46:00.008-05:00

We'll another post about Louisiana just has to be written. Too many interesting things here, at least to me. I get joy from the simplest things. Hmmm, is that a sign of a simple mind?

The banner above is from a little town called Golden Meadow WAY down south where the land is disappearing. Fishing Rodeo's here are a big deal!

These small towns take you back to the good ol' days where honesty was just expected and not a joyous suprise. The wooden "box" was just held together with a couple of bolts, to keep the wind out. No Lock!
On my last trip I stopped at a little Satsuma stand (similar to Cementine oranges) and bought a bag. I noticed this sign and just had to capture it. How simple things used to be. The owner, which I chatted with for 30 minutes, was a boat captain for 35 years and "now does oranges". I wonder how many permits he had to have to put this stand on his property? NOT! Oh yea, we are not in California anymore....

This is a grave yard in the same area. Not too much dirt here, so you have to be buried ON TOP of the soil! We have a LOT of Catholics here as you can see.

And my prize winning picture of the day was this wonderful Chicken Car! Looks like the chicken made it through hurricanes Ike and Gustav. Most of this area was under water and without power for quite sometime. Notice the plywood on the windows in the background.

GEAUX LOUISIANA! Remember we are French Cajun down here.

Back to Work

2008-10-09T19:45:00.010-05:00

He's gone, but only for 28 days. It's not easy though. My husband "D" is a 165' supply ship captain down in the oil fields of Louisiana. He supplies all the oil rigs with food, water, supplies, equipment and maybe even a ride back to land if they need it.

Due to hurricanes Gustav and Ike "D" has not been back to work since August 27th!

As I laid in bed next to him, the night before his departure, I felt the usual anxious feeling of knowing he would be gone for such an extended period of time. My thoughts always go out to the wives/husbands of all our wonderful soldiers and I wonder what it must be like the night before their deployment. Only, they have no idea when their husband's will be coming back...or if. Remember them in your prayers!

When morning arrives we wake the kids early (we only have one car) and get ready to go. I'm always amazed at my kids ability to be so happy in the morning, no matter how little sleep they they have had the night before. It's usually non-stop chatter!

We load in the burb (Suburban) and start the 2 1/2 hour drive south to the "office". We live in Suburbia Lafayette Louisiana. When you drive any further south, things get VERY interesting and fun. Louisiana is full of life and a lot of characters! Homemade signs are everywhere advertising LIVE CRAB, ALLIGATOR MEAT, FROG LEGS, CRAWFISH or even homemade GUMBO. We always have fun taking interesting pictures on our trips.

In 1755, almost 1000 French settlers were expelled from the Acadia (Nova Scotia) area of Canada because they refused to take an oath of allegiance to the British. They came to Louisiana and the Acadians/Cajuns were some of the first settlers here. They must have been a very strong people..to put up with the alligators, bugs and heat. Most of their family names can still be heard here. Their descendants are still thriving!

If you have never been...plan a trip and enjoy some GREAT food and extremely WARM people. But watch out as they might just invite you over for dinner!