I ventured over to Alabama this past weekend and celebrated Mardi Gras early. My brother-in-law is expected to deploy to the Middle East in a few weeks, so of course we had to have a party!
Pots of red beans and rice, shrimp creole, and of course our standard lumpia were devoured quickly and drinks continued to flow well into the morning.
Mardi Gras comes a little late this year, but perhaps that's a good thing because it just extends the party season!
I intended to get my holiday message up but I've had some trouble with my dying PC.
The good news is that my temperamental PC will soon be replaced with a new Mac. I've taken on a few new projects and it will be great to finally have something reliable to carry them out.
Stay tuned for a new project I'm launching that will surely make you hungry!
I can't believe how close it is to Christmas! I was sick the last few weeks. I intend to have my holiday message up soon; I just have to find something witty and crafty to say.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd mention a wonderful group of people in my life who came together during an unfortunate series of events nearly 10 years ago. During Thanksgiving week, I had a reunion of my wonderful friends that make up BEERs.
Yep, BEERs. Like any group related to disaster, it's an acronym: Bitter Ex-Employees of the Red cross. (How's that for creativity?!?)
Back in 2001, this young naive guy, fresh out of college and working part-time for city government, came to find an article in the local paper looking for volunteers to join the local chapter and become an AmeriCorps*VISTA.
What the heck? Sounded like a great opportunity. I joined.
Two weeks later, the greatest attack of terror to hit the United States since the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor happened. I was thrown into the middle of disaster response for the local chapter.
Out of the devastation came a well-bonded, strong team that enhanced a disaster volunteer program thousands of times over. We motivated one another and vented when necessary. In between trainings, planning meetings, grant reports, and volunteer recruitment drives, we managed to fit in many opportunities to eat and laugh many, many times.
And of course, we drank copious amounts of frosty beverages.
I completed my obligation in one year and soon left for Tallahassee. Our team disbanded eventually to career advancement and/or romance; unfortunately, some lost their jobs when chapter finances took a bad hit (hence, the "bitter" in our group's name.)
However, this year, we came back for a brief moment and reminisced of the great times, managed to vent over some of the bad ones, but we all agreed we came out stronger and our heart for service and passion still beats.
I recently had a day out with my nephew, taking in some lunch at Moe's and shopping at the mall and grocery store.
I'm trying to convince his parents to let me borrow him for a weekend and take him around town. The boy is a chick magnet. No doubt my little boy is a ladies' man, always quick to offer a smile and laugh to get attention.
I took the video below while we hung out together. It's from my mobile phone, so it's not of good quality, but I hope you enjoy watching this son of a soldier dancing with his singing Army bear.
