30 June 2011

Day 20 ~Awesomely Fun and Fabulous Evening

Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of attending a concert with Michael ~ to see none other than Keith Urban!To say it was a fabulous event would be an understatement.  Keith (cause you know I'm on a first name basis with him now) is an awesome entertainer, multi-talented and yet so down to earth.  I had attended one of his concerts about 5 years ago and vowed I would return.  And yes, I can't wait to go back again!   He was that good!  Are you getting that I thought he was wonderful?

 About halfway through the concert, he made his way to a platform that was situated in the middle section of the arena, very close to where we were seated.  Keith then announced in his wonderfully cute Aussie accent "who has the best seats now?"  Yep it was me, along with a bunch of other guys and gals.  Mike continued to encourage me to GET CLOSER.  Funny, that is actually the name of the tour.  So I did my best.  I ended up about 8 feet away from him, with only about 4 people separating me from the platform.  Yes, I was mesmerized, as I was singing along - I was thinking "am I really this close?"   I ended up wedged between some guy and a girl whose beer glass was dangerously close to my personal space. But I really could have cared less.  Yes, he was a truly a treat to behold - blue eyes, tight jeans, beads of sweat, beautiful voice!  

It was fun to feel like a young girl again.  But perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the grin on Mike's face. First of all I think he was surprised at what a great performer Keith Urban is.  He puts on a fantastic show for male and female, young and old.  But I think Mike kind of got a kick out of watching my girlish enthusiasm.  And wouldn't you know, I got pretty darn close, but Mike actually touched him!  Yes, he kind of got shoved and brushed his shoulder.  (sigh!)  So for a couple of hours my mind was on Keith, but Mike knows where my heart really belongs!









And here's a short clip of what we got to experience.  Mike's taking the video, towards the end the girl in the black bow - that's me!

21 June 2011

Day 30 ~ Feels Like Summer

Yesterday I ventured out with Thomas and Garrett to Alligator Creek for some fun in the sun!  We met up with Heather and Chloe, friends from KC that used to live on our court.  The weather was perfect, not too hot and the water splashes from Garrett were refreshing!


Garrett was a little bit nervous about getting in the water alone.  He's so used to constant companionship!


But then a Justin Bieber song came on, he started dancing, and all was better!


Thomas and Chloe were great at entertaining Garrett.  He loved the lazy river.  And Thomas even jumped off the diving board into 12 ft water.  He was a little bit nervous, but he did awesome.  I really think he wanted to impress Chloe!


We finished up with a trip to Snobiz for some awesome snoballs.  They aren't on every corner like they seem to be back home in NOLA; they are few and far between here.  These were our first snoballs of the season.. Delicious!

19 June 2011

Day 32 ~ Memories of My Dad

Today is Father's Day, so today's picture is dedicated to my dad.  I am certain I don't say it enough, but I love him dearly.  He taught me to never give up, to believe in myself.  I know he was proud of me and he would just give me a hard time so that I would try harder.  He still does that. I won't even mention Big G, Little G and Fat G - oops I just did.  Hah!  All in good fun!
As I sit here brainstrorming fun memories ~ here's what comes to mind:
digging for worms in the dirt
squeezing next to him in his big recliner
me running to greet him when he came home from work yelling "DAAAAAADDY!"
teaching me to hold a bat
going to lots and lots of restaurants as I was growing up
his oh so corny jokes
him wearing my ma ma's wig just for fun
trips to the country to see his "old aunts"
long discussions about just about anything you can imagine: politics, religion, football, John Wayne movies
long walks everywhere - to church, to shops on Metairie road, parades, and even a long walk back home from Lakeside Theatre after "Star Wars"
throwing rocks in the creek in North Carolina
lunch at Bud's Broiler
dots of shaving cream on my nose
singing jingles in the bathroom as he shaved - Roto Rooter; Ajax the foaming cleanser
me being "the squirrel", Stephanie was "the rabbit"
watching the Stooges and Shirley Temple movies; Abbott and Costello; Laurel and Hardy
putting on the old records and dancing to songs like "The Baby Elepant Walk" and Al Hirt songs
the taste of salt as I kissed his face when he was working in the yard
Happy Father's Day! 



Posted by Picasa

17 June 2011

Day 33 ~ Simply, I Am Blessed

Without a doubt, I am blessed.  


My week has been less than spectacular.  I've had a cold that has dragged on, missed a day of work, got very little accomplished around the house.  And then today I was just starting to get back in the swing of things when the kids became very noisy, my head began throbbing and a virtually new computer purchased for Greg was no longer functioning.  Suffice to say that little human hands had been all over that computer.  I was crying, yelling, scolding and then found myself at the desk here attempting to address a graduation card.  I glanced up and saw the Facebook page open and read a few posts here and there.  I became even more irritated as I read about the successes and joys that friends were experiencing.   I admit, I should have taken pleasure in well, other people's pleasures, but not today.   Instead I began contemplating deleting my Facebook account so I wouldn't have to read about other people's good days and be left feeling bad about my less than good ones.  


So I expressed what I was feeling and this is what I wrote: I find Facebook to be such a downer at times. I really enjoy reading about others' experiences, but it can be a huge waste of time and I often come away feeling others have it more together and are just better at everything. So all in all it's probably not a good relationship. I think maybe it's time for an intervention.


And almost immediately family and friends came to my rescue.  I was reminded of all the blessings I have and not to take things posted so seriously.  Which, I of course, already knew.  But sometimes we must be reminded of even the simplest of things.    


So I'm thankful for the MANY comments!  It's nice to know that someone out there really is listening, or in this case, reading!  And that you cared enough to respond and not allow me to participate in my pity party for much longer.  True friends will be there when you're even a little bit down, confront you with reality when needed, call you on the phone, make you laugh and even offer chocolate!  So thanks again ~ I'll hang on to you guys, on Facebook and in the real world! 


So, as I was saying . . . I am blessed!  With so many tender mercies, too plentiful to number!  Here are just a few, in pictures . . .




Last month Lindsay and I spent a weekend visiting friends in Kansas City and went to the Princess Diana exhibit at Union Station.  This was the only picture we were allowed to take.  It was a replica of the cake from her wedding to Prince Charles. 


The next day we had lunch at the Plaza in downtown KC.  Very lovely.  We chose Cheesecake Factory for lunch.


Lindsay was becoming impatient waiting for our meal.


But she thoroughly enjoyed it when it finally arrived!



Here are a couple more candid shots taken with my phone:  Thomas after Tae Kwon Do

and Todd showing off his Sunday best


and last, but not least, a couple from Mark in New York




02 June 2011

Day 49 ~ Lindsay's Graduation

Seems hard to believe that yet another one has graduated. Where has the time gone? This one is dedicated to my one and only . . . Lindsay.




Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make your own photo slideshow