March 2006 Archives

Dan and I (along with two other couples) charted a boat in the British Virgin Islands last week. We had a wonderful vacation on the water! We snorkeled and saw some amazing sights; an octopus, some sting rays, sea turtles and numerous colorful fish. We started out of Tortola, BVI and went to various islands around Tortola. Each island was unique and interesting. It was a very casual way of traveling. My feet didn't want to be bound in socks today after being bare foot for a week! What a dream vacation! Ashley and Nicole were well tended to with Dan's mom in Florida. Now back to reality. Carol

Happy Birthday, Angela, Christina, and David

Have a day

Happy Birthday, Scott

Have a day

Next Saturday, April 1, 4PM on.

To Our Family Blog readers: Come one, come all. But give me an idea if you're coming. We're boiling crawfish, having dessert and soft drinks but could probably use more soft drinks and maybe side dishes. Time to have some fun.

I don't remember the last time I saw ponies in City Park.

Guess who's still here?

I think he's challenging me to a duel. His mate is behind me somewhere and he's a bit flustered. Very peculiar birds.

Erin Go Bragh

One year ago I had major surgery to remove the cancer from my body. Read "Beth" from a year ago.
I just wanted to post an update ........so far so good! I have to continue seeing my oncologist every three months for four more years. Thanks for all of your prayers. ;o)

My friend, Kristina, and I talked at length about her situation yesterday. Meanwhile, she wrote an idea out in my entry from last week. Check out, "calling on the minnesotans". Any questions, call me and I'll fill you in, or give you Kristina's number.

I run a March Madness Tournament Pool every year.

If you would like to play, here's the link.

Mother, tell the story.

I took these pictures just a few minutes ago. I am a bad judge of depth, but I think we've gotten at least 6 inches of snow and it's still snowin' and blowin'. School is closed for Ashley and Nicole as with many other districts. Snow is sticky and wet; "heart attack" or "snowman" snow! On the news they show numerous car crashes, spin-outs and the roads are basically a mess everywhere. The poor Robins are probably wondering what the heck they were thinking coming back so early. I saw the first ones on Saturday morning. Saturday we had a high in the high 40's, today it started at 28 and is dropping. Ya gotta love the changing weather patterns. Carol

I wonder how long I will have to look at these stumps in my backyard. And another thing, how am I supposed to count downed trees for tax purposes? There are too many for that. I guess I could try. And then add the 40 or so that we have already cut and carted off or burned.

This wig was thrown from a truck float Mardi Gras day. There was a rastafarian family near us that day that Jacob didn't have any connection with. They throw the darndest things. These wigs came in sealed bags so we were sure they had no lice.

Like son, like father. The wig is in my car - riding around until I run into it's rightful owner. It will NOT find it's way back into my house. (It's not my size)

Something I said yesterday prompted Robbie's suggestion that I enter some old diary conversations. Well, I looked around and found a few of them. I didn't launch an all-out search, but someday I will because I should have quite a few more years somewhere. And I have to tell you, they aren't very interesting for the most part, so don't look for this segment very often.

On this day (or thereabouts):
03-09-49 Got two tubes of Revlon lipstick.
03-06-50 Catherine got ring.
03-08-59 Saw Globe Const. Co. houses for$13,200 and $14,200. Very nice.
03-08-60 Mixed 1/2 tblsp. rice cereal with banana flakes for Janine. She was an angel all day.
03-08-61 Took Sue to ear specialist. Another infection--$6.39 med.
03-09-85 Mrs. F. had minor accident.
03-05-87 Bought new weed eater. $25.00.
03-05-88 First grass cutting.
03-04-89 Rummel Prom for Christina. Went in limousine.
03-17-90 Girls' junior prom. Served chicken fettucini.

I led a not-much-going-on sort of life. Either that, or I played my hand very close to the vest. Sincere apologies if any of you had high hopes of a good read!!

It seems like yesterday and it seems like a lifetime ago.

I have been thinking lately how some of Dad's traits and characteristics were passed on not only to us, his children but also to his grandchildren. I see a lot of him in Brian. The infectious laugh that Dad had, you all know which one I'm talking about because Aunt Ginnie, Aunt Catherine and Uncle Pat all have the same one.

I also remember a lot of warmth and a lot of silliness. That's a great combination. Miss you Dad.

I have some friends that re-settled in St. Paul since Katrina. They found housing and resources to help them have their baby, she's 4 months old now. The husband just had surgery to fix a hernia last week. He suffered with that for years. He is talented with computers, designs web-sites and such. She used to run Synchronicity prior to my taking over. They are smart, responsible, and honest. They are very nice people. I am putting this out there because they need some assistance finding jobs. Anybody up there have openings in their work places? Kristina and Mike live near a bus line in St. P. Kristina, and probably Mike too, is adept at getting around with public transit. Also, if you have any winter (girl) clothes for a baby - I'd think she's a size 6-9 mos by now, but don't know for sure....

Help, please.

I hadn't seen a robin since last year. Until a few minutes ago. Katrina must have wreaked havoc with their benchmarks and normal stops.

Brianne applied to the Teacher Cohort program at her school at the beginning of January. She had an interview with the professors over a month ago. She was told the acceptance letters would be mailed out the first week of March. She has been a little anxious about the results, as there were 110 applicants for 40 slots in the program. She got her acceptance letter yesterday. Her dream since the second grade of becoming an elementary school teacher is beginning to take shape!

Looks like it's in pretty good shape.

Update (March 4): Storyland wasn't open yesterday while I was there but there was a grounds crew there doing something. Everything looked very colorful like it had recently gotten a fresh coat of paint. Some of the characters were knocked over but it looks like it could open today. Maybe it's only open on weekends. Does anyone know?

French Quarter Festival
Date: April 21-23, 2006
13 stages (there will be no stages or booths at the U.S. Mint this year)
40+ food booths

Satchmo Summer Festival
Date: August 3-6, 2006

Christmas New Orleans Style
December 2006

For Immediate Release:
Contact Kathleen Alter
at 504-522-5730.

French Quarter Festival is a Geaux!

New Orleans, January 2006 - The 23rd Annual French Quarter Festival, April 21 – 23, 2006 will take place as scheduled. This free community event employs over 100 musicians and provides an estimated economic impact of $75 million for the city during the three days of activities. “We are committed to play our part in New Orleans recovery” said Jon Stern, FQFI Board President. “French Quarter Festival not only provides jobs for musicians but also is a big draw for tourists who are an economic must for New Orleans. But the best part is we put smiles on thousands of peoples’ faces.” French Quarter Festival provides many opportunities for families locally, as well as nationally, to come down and have fun in the Quarter. There will be over 10 music stages, the World’s Largest Jazz Brunch, children’s activities, an art show and much more for all ages to enjoy. In 2006 French Quarter Festival will have locations set up for donations to benefit a local musicians’ fund (to be named later) and provide opportunities for other non-profits to gain exposure. “Local musicians are our lifeline, they make our Festival possible. It is a great opportunity for us to help them out as much as we can.” said Kathleen Alter, the new French Quarter Festival CEO.

FQFI would like to dedicate this year’s French Quarter Festival to all New Orleanians whom we lost due to Hurricane Katrina, as well as those who survived and will play a vital role in bringing back our wonderful city.

Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on either, please call the Festival office at 522-5730 or email at feedback@fqfi.org.

Ash Wednesday. Jimmy (Elizabeth's son) is showering, getting ready to go to work at Joey's tuxedo shop. Lars (Katie's son) also worked there this weekend, and stayed with me, but he left last night because he had two tests today that he didn't want to miss. Jim had permission from his folks to cut school today. This is usually a three-day holiday for them, but on account of Katrina, they decided on just Monday and Tuesday. Jackson and Jacob had to go back to school today, but Christina's public school has the day off. I haven't talked to her this morning, but I bet she's crying because they had to leave her home alone.

Saturday night, Jackson and Jacob stayed overnight while Christina and Phillip went to the Endymion ball. For awhile it was pretty loud in my usually very quiet house because Lars is an expert at revving up those little boys, and they just can't get enough of it. Sunday night it was Angela and Joey's turn to trip the light fantastic at the Bacchus ball. The other grandma had the Samuel duty overnight; I'm not sure if that was the first time or not, but I know they loved having him. He's a very easy baby to be around.

After the parades yesterday, Janine and Julia and Aaron stopped in for a visit. They had spent the day on St. Charles Avenue with Angela and Christina and their group watching Zulu, Rex, and the two truckparades, Elks and Crescent City. The parade route was shortened considerably because of police protection concerns. Since the storm, a number of police have left the force, plus there is supposedly no money to pay overtime. Anyway, I had fixed a pot of red beans for the boys and fortunately there was more than enough for everyone.

A lovely evening and a really nice ending to the extended weekend. And now, on to Lent.

P.S. I forgot to mention that Elizabeth and the others in her family visited Scott's parents in central Florida this past long weekend. And Katie and some friends took a surprise, spur-of-the-moment trip to Las Vegas. Both will return this evening.