Home Sweet Home? Maybe...

So, I've been shoppping around for a new home, and it sure ain't easy. I've seen more than my share of $*!!holes around town, including a run-down creepy lookin' one that overlooked the interstate.

Alas, I think I've found what I wanted. I've made an offer and now it's wait and see!

Some of the paint will change, but the cutest thing is that the play house will become Molly's new dog house!

Happy New Year!

Happy new year! It's already been regrettably unforgetable.

I'm not going to divulge much about the new year festivities, mostly because can't remember much, and what I do remember, I'm quickly trying to forget.

Anyway, the holidays went well. I was in New Orleans for Christmas with the whole family at my bro's house. It was the first time in a year that the five of us were all together. And how things go, it might be another year before it happens again!

Today was the inauguration for the new Cabinet. I went out to see it as it was literally a stone's throw from my office. It's cool to see democracy in action, even if you didn't necessarily vote for all the candidates. It was chilly, and I could only chuckle to think of all the south Floridians coming up to witness the event.... they probably thought they weren't even in Florida. I stood for as long as I could before I retreated back to the office and watched a bit more through the window in warm comfort.

Hopefully, I'll update again soon. Hope you're having a great one!

Christmas Can't Be Here Already!

I can't believe how Christmas is quickly here!

I just finished my shopping last night, and decided to give up on the remainder. I'll just have to give cash at this point!

I have not done my Christmas cards at all-- I figure that I can get them done and mailed off between Christmas and New Year's!

I haven't even done my annual Christmas message... I'll post sometime this weekend... I hope.

Keep safe this holiday season!

24 Hours In New Orleans

Sometimes my job brings with it some interesting perks.

At the last minute, I found myself boarding a plane for the Big Easy to do a presentation at a national conference. I was asked to go... how could I pass up the opportunity?

My latest trips to the City have been limited to drive-in, visit my brother, and drive back out--all in the same day. This time, though, I did the "touristy" things.

After dinner with my brother and his friends at La Crepe Nanou, I checked into my hotel in the Quarter and decided to take a midnight stroll.

Now, let me just mention that if I were travelling with anyone, I wouldn't even venture out, for fear of their safety or the eternal taunts of "well it was your idea we walk out here at midnight." However, I was by myself and thought to myself, "if I should die tonight, at least I died in the French Quarter."

Well, I doubt there would be any crime that night. Nearly every cop in the parish was out there that night, chatting with the few tourists with those tacky boob beads and the occasional homeless man.

I found myself transplanted into my own movie. It was surreal... the fog was so thick I could barely see down the streets, and the air so numbingly chilly. Outside the Cathedral, some of the scariest people were gathered, chatting and drinking. They were extremely friendly as they'd say, "How ya doin'?" when I smiled at them.

I walked block after block before I finally returned to the hotel and went to bed. The next morning, I enjoyed another stroll and a stop at the Cathedral for prayers

I worked while I was at Cafe du Monde for breakfast. I was preparing notes for my presentation and doing some follow-up phone calls with different organizations. I was so tempted to say, "hey, I know you're in the office stuck behind a computer, but guess where I'm at?!?"

Finally, by the afternoon, I was ready my presentation. I was right on target and think I did a heck of a job. It was only for thirty minutes, anyway. Afterwards, it was a drive to the airport and hours of waiting at the airport before my evening flight.

Twenty-three and a half hours in New Orleans in return for a thirty minute presentation (of which I only spoke about five minutes?)

I think my job does have its perks!