Hurricane Gustav

Well I know I haven't posted in a long time and I'm not sure who might or might not still read this blog. We are evacuating New Orleans tomorrow morning. We'll be heading up to Northern Alabama to wait until Gustav passes. If we can come back, we will. If not, the plan is to head out west. Literally. We'll be heading back to California to start over at least until it's safe for us to come back. Clinton is really set on coming back to rebuild. I am honestly not. He is an electrician though so these hurricanes keep him working. Anyway, if you're still reading, please keep us in your prayers. I will try to update again in a few days and let people know if we are coming back or heading to Cali.

So obviously I'm not on vacation anymore...

Actually it's more than that. I'm back from vacation and as soon as I got back, I started a new job. And about a week after that, I started school again full time. I've never been more tired in my life!! Things are going well though. I love my job and I'm doing well in school. I will try not to stay gone too long, I owe everyone pictures!

And we're off to Disneyworld nice and early tomorrow morning!! I can't wait, we'll be staying there for the whole week! The day after we get back, I start my new job so I will try to update ASAP but I apologize if I get crazy busy and don't get a chance.

Thankful Thursday!

Ok so I'm totally copying a couple other blogs I read but I think this is such a great topic that I will follow suit. I had to think long and hard about things I'm grateful for. I mean, the obvious are family, kids, Clinton and all that. What's interesting in that though? I mean, you all know I am thankful for that. So I want to tell you something I am thankful for that you might not know. I am thankful for Pep Boys. The reason why? We bought four new tires from them near the end of February. They had a buy 3 get 1 free deal where they mail you a rebate check for the cost of the 4th. Not only were they the best deal in town anyway, but we got our rebate check last week. I was skeptical at first but yeah, I'll be shopping there again!

Link Swap

Link me to your site and I will link you to mine as well. It's an easy way to increase blog traffic and it's FREE! Just link me and then either post a comment or email me shauneef@gmail.com and let me know so I can link you back.

Yearblook.com

http://www.yearblook.com/
What a cool site! You all should checking out yearblook.com and vote for your favorite post of the day. You can also sign up with them and submit your blog so that you can be included in the coolest new website I've seen in a while. They even have a contest for the best post of the month. The writer of the post and the person who submits the post to yearblook will each receive a $50 prize. This is also a great site to check if you are looking to find the best blogs on the planet. I have found some of the most profound and some of the funniest pages just by cruising through and clicking on some of the more popular posts displayed Of course if you see one of my posts up there, be sure to stop and vote for it. I have to get a bit of self promotion in there. I have found a lot of new ideas for my blog in there as well and I think I may be incorporating a few things into this site. Definitely check them out!

Easter Pics

I forgot to post the Easter pics so here they are! Yes, I know I am mean for making them both wear the bunny ears but how many more years can I get them to do it? I did save them, we will do it again next year. They got a bit of candy in their baskets but most of it vanished before they got to eat it. Wonder where it went? Ha ha ha!

On Easter morning we took the boys to go see Horton Hears A Who. I figured we might as well take Dominic since he is usually more well mannered than Gabriel anyway. Well, wasn't I surprised. Gabriel sat through the whole movie, just chomping on his popcorn and being very good. Dominic, on the other hand, was whiney and fussy and had to be removed from the theater. After that, we took a bit of a drive and ended up at the lake to eat our lunch. We spent the afternoon and part of the evening at Clinton's grandparents house. Overall, it was a pretty good first Easter in New Orleans.

Dominic got to try his first Peep and to Clinton's disappointment, he is like me and he LOVES them!! Then again, he doesn't really turn much down. He doesn't like jellybeans though. It was hilarious watching him spit it out.

Gabe-isms: the speech of a toddler

Watching Gabriel grow up is really fun and rewarding. Often it is hilarious too. He has a crazy sense of humor and when it is accidental is when he is the funniest. To the left is what he does when I tell him to make a funny face by the way. He doesn't always look that weird.

Gorilla or girnona = granola. He does love his granola bars!

He has a bit of a speech impediment still and his "l" sounds like "w" a lot of the time. For example, "I want to sit in the wibbing woom" is really "I want to sit in the living room." He cracks me up!

Also as most parents and non-parents know, the terrible two's really can be terrible. I'm just glad that my boy has manners when he throws a tantrum. Yesterday I told him to pick up his toys and he shrieked (and I mean he was loud) "NO THANK YOU MAMA!" I couldn't believe my ears so I asked him to repeat and he said "I SAID NO THANK YOU MAMA! I DON'T WANT TO PICK UP MY TOYS, NO THANK YOU MAMA!" Well, I very politely sent him to his room for a nap. When he got up, he picked up his toys.

Take this test, it's great!

An Easter Bunny Picture

Yet again, Gabe refuses to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap but Dominic is such a pro! He knows how to sit, how to pose and he looks so cute!!

Kerry from J05 came to town!

So Kerry is in town for a conference so we met up for brunch today at Luke. Here's the link http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
We had an excellent time and I enjoyed every minute of our visit with Kerry. Thankfully the boys were very well behaved, Gabriel especially and that is rare. He is in love with Kerry! When it was time for her to go, he gave her hugs and kisses and told her "No Kerry! Don't leave me! Don't go!" It's safe to say she has a way with kids!

French Quarter

I saved the pictures of the French Quarter for their own post. It is really an amazing place down there and totally unlike the rest of the city. I just wanted to share a couple pictures of the street performers that we saw that I thought were really neat. First picture, I have no idea on Earth how this guy manages to balance on the ladder and not move. I mean, he does not move at all. I couldn't even see him breath! The second pic is a man completely painted in silver! He stands on a platform and looks like a real metal statue. Only as we were walking by, he made these really weird clicking sounds to get our attention. He never said a word but he set this picture up of Brian being held up by the silver statue and Zack, Kevin and Brian's family friend. It really was neat and made for a great picture!

There were a lot of other neat things we saw, like the riverboats and row after row of historic bars and taverns. Even the peoplewatching was spectacular. We went to the Audubon Aquarium and Jackson Square. I'd never seen that much of the French Quarter on foot. We'd always just driven by so it was like all of us were tourists for the day instead of just them. I hope they come back again soon!

Our visit from Kevin!

Kevin is my friend from junior high. We met in 8th grade and then he moved to Oklahoma in 9th. Somehow through all these years we managed to keep in touch. Unbelievable I know! So Thursday, he was on his way back from a cruise and happened to be docking in New Orleans so I got to see Kevin, his sister Susie and his boyfriend Brian. I was so excited that he finally got to meet my kids and spend the day with us. I got a few pictures I'd love to share! We had a really great time and even the sunburn after was worth it. Gabriel and Dominic loved Brian and Kevin and had a great time as well. It just so happened that they were here on Dominic's birthday so we considered it the celebration. Even Clinton met us after work later that night and he said he was impressed that I have such cool friends. I don't know if I should be offended or complimented by that. However, when I told him that I had invited them to come back for future visits, he said "Good, they can stay with us."

Happy Birthday Dominic!

Happy birthday little boy! I can't believe you're 1 today!

The official George W. Bush Countdown Clock

How long before we get a new Prez?

Thinking about changing background.

Tell me what you think...
Should I leave the Mardi Gras diamond background or do you think it would be easier to read if I had a plain black background? Or do you have a better idea? I love the header on it, I don't want to change that. Leave your opinion in comments please!

The boys

Apparently they no longer like having their pictures taken. Whenever I pull the camera out, they run, hide, cry or try to cover themselves in food so I can't get a good picture in anymore. Gabriel even resorted to throwing a sippy cup at me because I wouldn't put the camera down. Nice! I can't wait for the teen years!

VFTW

Although I have never voted for the worst, I have always found this website amusing. Why is it that a lot of past American Idol contestants who didn't like VFTW are now advertising there? Odd! Anyway, check them out for a bit of amusement! www.votefortheworst.com

Another shout out to the world of working at home!

For those of you interested (I do get a lot of questions) this is a one stop shop of information regarding working at home. You can ask pretty much anything you need to know about particular jobs and find out if things are legit. Please check them out, it's a great forum with tons of information. www.workplacelikehome.com

Working From Home

Many of you already know that I have started working from home. I get so many questions about it that I figure I better do some blogging about it. Hands down, my favorite position right now is for ACD Direct. www.acddirect.com

My job there is to take pledge calls for PBS, National Public Radio and St. Jude. I love it! If you are intereted in working from home, I would recommend applying there ASAP. As far as I know, they will not be conducting interviews again until the pledge drive is over in April. However, I would apply anyway. It's a lot of fun!

Why won't you just take a nap!!

I just don't understand this little boy sometimes! Why does he refuse to take a nap, only to pass out on the couch because he is exhausted?

My new look!

I can't remember the last time I got a haircut that I liked this much! I am so excited so I have to share it with everyone! After 3 hours of highlights, color and a brand new cut, here is a brand new me!

The best one yet!

Valentine's Day!! Clinton pretended for weeks that he just couldn't imagine why I would want anything on V-day. He went on and on and on about how it was a commercial holiday made just for women, blah blah blah. Check out the surprise I got!

I have been a bad, bad girl!

In terms of blogging that is! I've been so busy, I got behind!!! I'll be doing some updates today so beware of many posts!

Thank you Clinton!

My Clinton that is! While I was training for my new work at home employment, he was watching the kids and making new shelves for my pantry at the same time! I got everything rearranged and now I know exactly what and how much food we have. I am so excited! And now I know for sure that I am a stay at home mom because I am excited about organized food in my pantry.

Today I found out that I do not exist!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

This Day In History

On February 4th, 1997, a civil jury in Santa Monica, CA found O.J. Simpson guilty in the deaths of Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

After seeing excerpts of his books, who really could think he didn't do it? Some people have a lot of nerve and he is no exception. Thank goodness he doesn't receive the proceeds for this book!

Endymion!

We came, we waited and we left early. I am disgusted with the grown adults that will wait until right as the parade starts and crowd in front of a group of 2-5 year olds that have been waiting for hours. Shame on you! We watched three floats pass and there were so many people that kept crowding in front of the kids that they saw nothing. Furthermore, the idiots were so drunk that I was afraid one of my children would get hurt, so we left. And yes, that is Kevin Costner throwing beads.

Hillary Clinton, who do you think you are?

http://www.usasurvival.org/images/hillary.jpg

So Clinton suggests that Americans be FORCED to pay for health care. Even considering garnishing wages and setting penalties for those who refuse. She says that it will only be required for those who can afford it. And who, in her opinion can afford it? And who is she to say? I really think it takes a lot of nerve for her to propose something so stupid. She would have been better off saying she was going to raise taxes and bring in universal health care.

Of course, when I read her proposal, it made me smile. I can't wait to see her supporters as they put down their "Vote for Hillary" signs and run screaming in the name of democracy and free will.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080203/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp;_ylt=AjbEWOPjB9akbHZyJSx8CA5vzwcF

The heartbreaker!

God help me when he gets older because he already knows he's hot stuff!

Play free rice!

I'm not sure how to turn the banner into a link so I will show you the banner and tell you to go to http://www.freerice.com/ and play.

Funtriva

I play funtrivia every single day. We have a team there and I am the leader. I say that loosely because I think of myself more as a motivater than a leader. If you like trivia, come play with us!

Good In Bed

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It took me a day and a half to sit and read the whole thing. Seriously, I was reading when the boys went to bed the night before last. Then during their nap yesterday and I even read while they played in the living room. I know this sounds cliche' but I laughed and I cried and I got angry. It takes a LOT in a book for me to go through all that. Jennifer Weiner is now my favorite author, I can't get enough of her books! There is only one left to read and I'm ordering it now. I also learned that she has a blog, right here on blogspot. http://jenniferweiner.blogspot.com/ She calls it "Snarkspot" which is another reason that I love her. I just wish you could comment on her page so I could tell her how wonderful she is!

A tour of New Orleans

There is so much work still to be done. I took some pictures of our neighborhood from the car the other day. Now keep in mind, this is one of the "decent" neighborhoods. Look at all the work that needs to be done! Some houses are fixed, some aren't and some just need to be torn down and rebuilt. It's aweful! I really hope this city can get it together soon. I sent Clinton out with the camera today to take some pictures of the 9th ward. When he gets them, I'll post them too.

This is my house, cute huh?

And this is a house on the same street that desperately needs to be fixed. The rest are all houses in the same area. Just proof that some are done, some are not.

This is Palmer Park. It has a playground, a track and a baseball diamond. Up until a couple months ago, it was completely filled with FEMA trailers and it's going to take forever to get cleaned up enough to take our kids there again.

Vote for Barack!

Florida will have their primary tomorrow. Next week, is super Tuesday, which coincidentally falls on Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras day). We will likely be at parades all day and then will come home to hear who took the most votes. I will be crushed if Hillary gets it. As a woman, I am very disappointed with the campaign she has been running and will be very unhappy if her negativity wins her a nomination. Louisiana votes on February 9th but I will be unable to vote since it's a closed primary and I am registered independant. I switched my affiliation this year from republican but I just couldn't make a full jump to democrat. Baby steps right? So if you are reading from Louisiana and are registered democrat, vote Barack for me. Since I can't!

More Mardi Gras!

We went to two more parades today. We saw the Carrolton Parade and the King Arthur Parade. We found another great spot on St. Charles and set up shop. I was thinking as the parades went on that I should be blogging about the weird things we get on the parade route instead of the parade itself. Today we got two huge combs and a backscratcher. Weird huh? I also was handed several strands of home strung beads that are just gorgeous. Gabe loves the bands and tried to march away with several of them. He is just too funny. I wish I had pictures of when he gave a pink teddy bear to a little girl riding behind a dance team. Dominic is getting into the parade spirit also and many of the float riders were handing him toys and beads. As you can see, he didn't make it to the end. He took a nice little nap in the back seat of the stroller about halfway through the second parade. The boys had a really great time and Gabe is already begging to go do it again. Make sure you check out the huge pile of stuff we brought back and also the video of gabe dancing at the end. It's pretty funny!