Smooth Sailing

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.

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,...

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!

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!

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. ...

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 chicke...

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!!