November 2006 Archives

As I was sitting at my computer mulling over houses on a realty site, I thought I’d check out the happenings on the blog. It’s been ages since I’ve checked. My apologies for not saying "hello" sooner.

I loved all your pictures from Thanksgiving. Margaret hosted our Thanksgiving this year. We decided to recruit someone new this year since my Mom is out of commission with her broken wrist. Margaret did a fabulous job with the turkey and the rest of us brought various items. Margaret had Tim and Daniel move her couch out of her living room and combined three tables in her living room to form one long one for all of us to sit at. It worked out quite well. And her doggies behaved like perfect gentlemen behind their barrier. Poor things had to watch a feast before them. Hopefully Margaret threw them a little something later on in the evening.

I took my Mom to Abbott (hospital) last Tuesday for surgery on her wrist. They had tried previously to straighten it in the office and then put a cast on it. But after a week, they discovered the break was worse than they thought and decided surgery was the best option for her to regain her normal control. What was to be a quick surgery turned in to a 12 hour ordeal. Not the surgery, fortunately, just everything else going on at the hospital and my Mom’s recovery afterwards. She and I have a horrible time coming out of anesthesia. They were going to try a block on her arm, which they did, but unfortunately, one of her fingers didn’t get the message and continued to move. So they had to put her out and then, of course, we had to wait for her to come out of the anesthesia. But she was so determined to get out of the hospital and in to her own bed afterwards, that she put on a happy face and I dressed her quickly while the nurse wasn’t looking and we broke out of the hospital. Well okay, the nurse wheeled her out, but it sounds better the other way. She is recovering nicely and will hopefully have the cast off in another week and then will start working with a hand therapist to get it back to its old self. Don’t be surprised if you miss a Christmas card from her this year, she may be unable to write them since it was her right wrist that she broke.

My dog, Sidney, underwent her second knee surgery a week ago. I was throwing her Frisbee for her about 3 weeks ago when she uncharacteristically dropped to the ground and wouldn’t move. This dog lives to fetch and I was immediately concerned. Eric informed me she had done that one other time this summer. We brought her to the vet and sure enough, she had ripped a ligament again, this time in her other knee. She now has plates in both knees. Poor thing is falling apart and she only just turned 5. But she is the sweetest dog ever and if it weren’t for that, we may not have gone to such great lengths. If my Dad were alive he’d be shaking his head at all that Eric and I have done for this dog. Eric reminds me a lot of my Dad and when ever something arises with Sidney, he just shakes his head and listens to me pleading for Sidney’s cause. Did I mention I also give her allergy shots?! What can I say, I love this dog.

Better close this very long blog entry before I run out of space on the server. Hope everyone had a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the week ahead.

They arrived last Sunday here in Bush from points north. A welcome sight. We'll take care of them for a while.

Omar passed the first of his tests with a score of 936/1000 to become Microsoft certified!

Omar and his money. This is the money he got from relatives on Eid.

This is the first picture we took yesterday. A comment was made about whether or not I was actually touching someone because the last group picture we took, 3 & 1/2 years ago, I was the only one not touching someone. In that picture, I was standing next to Katie, who was not touching me! When I realized I was once again next to Katie, I quickly changed my position. Notice how Katie is hugging Janine & not even touching me, AGAIN!! So the next two pictures followed that revelation.

It was such a gorgeous and festive day. I loved having the dinner at my house. Michael configured the tables perfectly for the many to fit in the kitchen, with others' spilling out onto the deck - sitting at a long table there.

Another reason to have Thanksgiving at my house - I have so much food and wine left over. Good. That'll get eaten today while I work. Michael will be home with the kids. We have Patrick and Shelby too. It should be another pretty day. They can climb debris (as seen behind this picture) and walk in the woods. Boots are a commodity around here. The woods have many wet spots that one has to just wade through.

Chip got very tired of fetching yesterday. He couldn't move last night. I worried about him. He evenutally stopped chasing after the stick. Michael said he walked around looking dazed and confused. And he is still laying up this morning. That serves him right for aggravating the dickens out of people. Maybe he'll think twice before bringing a stick or pine cone to someone to throw. What am I saying? I doubt he'll think once, let alone twice.

We went to see "Happy Feet" last night. I gave it a generous 6. The children liked it a lot. I came home to a clean kitchen - this time it's "that Michael". His training is coming along nicely. It has only taken me 16 years. I won't complain that he runs the dishwasher half-full.

I got the turkey in the oven now. As I was cleaning him/her, and rubbing it down with my potion of paprika, salt and pepper, and peanut oil, I thought I might ask someone else to do this job next time. I'll buy the turkey, or shoot it (whatever), I just don't want to fool with this odious task. I don't eat turkey. I have been severely fleet-footed. I'll get over it.

At last count, there will be 33-4 people at my house today. Katie is bringing a turkey, as well as Crown Royal for old fashions, oyster stuffing, a tapenade appetizer, salad, a couple of loaves of bread. That Katie. She's having the X-mas dinner at her house. Allright, I'll make a turkey then too, but that's the last one. I mean it. I don't care how good you all say my turkey is. I'll hand over my secrets very easily. I bake with Love. That's it. Love, and paprika, salt and pepper, and peanut oil rubbed all over it.

We ate at R&O's last night. My shrimp po-boy was absolutely scrumptious. They make the very best in the world and I hadn't had one since before the doggone hurricane. They were so very close to the 17th street canal, but the first breach that flooded N.O. was on the other side of the canal. Many of their employees lost homes, thus their operations are still not up to their pre-hurricane days. Limited menu, limited hours, and on the back of the menu is a story asking for patience with the way things are running now. My children were having the time of their lives at Elizabeth's - playing with Patrick, and the Soules while we dined. How cool was that?!!

My children love being with their cousins. We had Shelby since Sunday evening. Every night they'd ask can she spend another night. I had to work, so Aaron was in charge. It worked out very well. David is starting his long days at work - holiday jewelry sales are up. Matthew was working with his Grandfather doing lawn maintenance, so Shelby became Julia's unofficial little sister. We loved having her. She is such an easy guest and she and Julia entertain each other all day and night. They have to be fussed at for laughing too much, or too loud sometimes.

I wish everyboy a joyful day. Now that the pecan pie is baked, the turkey is baking, I shall start my day with a walk in the woods. Here is a picture of them...

Seeing if we can do this here.

Via Nancy

Zack shot this deer opening morning. He and John still have more tags to fill and the season goes until Sunday.

This beautiful picture was taken a few weeks ago at Luke's baptism. It was at the Kenner church that we Ferraras grew up in and Mama still belongs to. Fr. Miles, who married Joey and me, did the baptism. He also baptised Jackson 8 years ago because my sister and Phil were living in Monroe, LA and wanted to be near family for the baptism. He is a wonderful priest who delivers great homilies. He gave a great homily at my wedding that people whom we haven't seen in a while will comment on to Joey or me. He also did a great baptism for both Jackson and Luke. He sang "Jesus Loves Me" to Luke and made everyone join in. It was very pretty. He had also done that at Jackson's baptism. Anyway, it was a great day and I was very pleased to have gotten this beautiful picture of Luke and Mama. I should say that my photographer, Stephen Clayton, got this beautiful picture.

About that beautiful gown that Luke is wearing: Sue MADE it! In 1978, I think? It was for her final grade in a home-ec. class. She hand-made the gown, the slip, the bonnet, and the blanket. It's absolutely gorgeous and I'm so pleased that Samuel and Luke both got to wear it. Incidentally, that gown has been worn by Jackson, Jacob, Lars and Amy, as well as Sue's own 4 children.

Happy Birthday, Mama, a woman with eternal style and grace.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Love,
Rob

Ya think?

I am working for the same company Michael works for - Haddon House Distributors. They distribute groceries to Sav-A-Centers, carrying over 15,000 products. Today, I am driving to Ocean Springs to work. The past two days, I worked with Michael at two different stores. I love working with him. We are a very good team and make each other laugh. Yesterday, I brought us a picnic lunch of tuna salad sandwiches, chips, drinks, and little candy bars - which only I ate after a couple of hours of assimilating various groceries. It isn't very glamorous, but somebody has to do this kind of work. My big project yesterday was making a million bags of the many different kinds of pasta fit on the shelves. It isn't as easy as it sounds, and those bags break open if you manhandle them. The grocery managers don't want the products cluttering up their storage space in the back. I can see why Michael gets overwhelmed with it. It never stops. Orders come in, they must be assimilated, which is sometimes easy and most of the time, not. Products have to be rotated. Sometimes, the district sales manager orders more stuff than is needed in anticipation of holiday items being bought. So, space is the final frontier that needs to be created. Then, more orders are taken after distributing the ones on hand to their proper place, insuring they have clear markers on the shelf. All the while, the grocery store managers are a little hostile towards the merchandisers (me or the salesman) for any clutter they perceive in their storage areas.

Michael is commission only, so he makes his money off the orders. I am salaried so I can go home after 8 hours. He has been leaving for work hours before I do, and comes home hours after. The work I do will alleviate some of his stress. Maybe. I tried to be helpful and assimilate as much as possible without interrupting his flow. I had no idea such products exist as the ones I put away. Larry, our mutual boss, was hoping for younger salespeople and merchandisers, but he has us - getting older every day. Oy vey. It is a welcome change, though, from waiting tables. I go in when I want, wear what I want, and just do the work. I will be working with Michael two days out of the week and that's pretty cool.

U2 and Green Day Exclusive Performance by U2

I'm not usually a big fan of either of these bands but I thought this performance before the Saints-Falcons game on Monday night in the Superdome was electrifying. Crank up your speakers.

We had fun trick-or-treating last night in Christina's neighborhood. It sure isn't the same as when we were little though. We only hit about 10 houses, and of those houses, only about 3 had people passing out candy. The rest of the houses had out a bowl with a note saying "Take one." I was a little disappointed since my baby looked so darn cute. I needed someone to open the door and say how cute he looked and for him to practice the ritual saying. Jackson and Jacob and the other children in the neighborhood seemed to enjoy running around in the streets and playing with each other than the getting candy part. Her neighborhood does a block party with a space walk and hay rides. Samuel got his first sucker last night and he kept asking for more. He's hooked already!

On another note, my boy is ready for potty training, but I'm not! He kept asking me to put him on the potty two nights ago at bath time and when I did he produced. We did the big potty dance and stood on our heads and gave the m&m treat afterward. He asked to go last night again at bath time and again he was successful. I just don't have time to fool with that right now, but it thrills me that he's showing such interest.

Marlee is on the right corner. Alexis is in the darker green, Christian in the lighter green dress. Other than that, you know the rest... there's Dorothy, the old lady, the ghost buster, Tinkerbell, and the prom girl in yellow.