Sunday, August 14, 2011

Thie Big Easy ain't easy in the August heat




























































































































































171 comments:

Carol said...

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

The traffic was terrible coming home. It looked like we were in a hurricane evacuation.

It's good to be home. Lots of walking in the heat. This is the first trip I've taken since my fall down the stairs and I don't have much endurance for doing a lot of walking, especially in the extreme humidity.

Carol said...

The first 4 pics are of our Saint's experience. That was the highlight of the trip. My travel companion is in the second pic. Her son got us the tickets. Coreen, she is one of my nurses and she is from the Bronx. We played 49ers and beat them 24-3. Drew didn't play much. That's him #9.

Pic 5 is of the House of Blues, New Orleans

Pic 6 is Jackson Square.

Pic 7 is Cafe Du Monde, home of the beignets, a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar. Didn't have one. We passed the place on our way to breakfast.

Pic 8 is people selling their artwork in Jackson Square area.

Pic 9, a street band.

Pic 10 is a pic of some of those people in those red dresses. Both men and women were wearing them. Someone I asked said it was a charity run and bar drag. Some of their money goes to breast cancer research.

Pic 11 is just a look down Bourbon Street.

Carol said...

I never found out why the guys were wearing red dresses.

Just looked it up and it's called a red dress run. I think running is involved but from what I read, I think drinking and partying is more involved. And everyone has to wear a red dress to participate.

Carol said...

I tried to edit the title of the post because I had an extra letter in "The" but it wouldn't let me publish it. Don't know why.

Carol said...

It was a very neat experience going to my first professional football game but it did make me really appreciate my TV and couch.

jan said...

I love the pics Carol, Your friend is cute. My fav is pic of Jackson square. The clock reads 10:30 I believe - must be am.

Recognize Cafe DuMonde. I love the beignets. Glad you got to the Saints game.

Wow! look at the trash on Bourbon Street.

jan said...

I especially like the art in the park too.

jan said...

The guy with the bald head in 1st pic looks just like the back of Terry's head.

jan said...

I blew up the pic of the red dresses. Boy, dresses are not flattering on guys. LOL. Only in New Orleans. Well, maybe in San Francisco too.

Carol said...

I came home for lunch and my back door was open. I can't get it to latch. Probably something settled and things don't line up anymore. I'll get neighbor/handiman to fix it this afternoon but until I do, I can't leave my door open with the Magster here.

Funny thing..I was thinking of taking the day off today to rest up from the vacation. Too much walking with no pre-conditioning. It wore me out.

Carol said...

Jan, those runners in dresses aren't gay guys. You know how you can tell? They didn't assessorize. I did snap a pic of one guy who I'm pretty sure was a drag queen. He looked way too good in his outfit. Had the heels, hat to go with his little red number. And he had attitude.

This type of red dress run originated in San Diego California. It had something to do with someone oogling some woman in a red dress. I read something online but it didn't make a lot of sense.

Carol said...

Jan, that wasn't the worst looking street. Some streets were much worse. I couldn't get a pic on those streets because I couldn't snap one without standing on someone's head.

I read that they had 10,000 red dress people in for the weekend. They also didn't have many garbage cans to throw trash in.

Carol said...

They need to develop an implantable tracking device for children these days. It's horrible how often these young kids are taken from their yards or even their houses by creeps. And in small town neighborhoods and even on dead end streets. Maybe it doesn't happen that often but once is enough if it's your relative.

jan said...

Interesting idea Carol. Lobie had one of those implantable thingees. We could not have lost her if we had tried. She would sometimes get out but always came home if we didn't see her first. She was a very smart dog. There was something about her eyes. I could never take her for a walk but that someone did not stop us and comment on her eyes. I wish we had fed her more treats. John did not like me to feed her people food, but when we bought those roasted chickens at Costco, I would give her some when I was fixing our meals. She loved chilcken.

jan said...

My son Bill and his family had to put their golden retriever to sleep last week. I guess that is why I am thinking of Lobie now. Their GR had bone cancer. They all cried - so did we. She was 12 years old, same age as Lobie when she died.

Carol said...

OMG.. Gov Perry sounds just like GWB. Do you think this country could do that again?

Carol said...

Sorry about Bill's pup Jan.

Anonymous said...

Guess its true...there is no place like home...but Carol, you had a little adventure....makes for a nice break...

I noticed the trash on the streets too, but
thought it must have been because of the race...hope that is not a daily look....

Somehow I remember that you could drive on some
of the narrow latin quarter streets, but maybe
I am wrong about that...these pics looked like
there was no way cars could drive there at all...

The Jackson Square pic looks like a castle...honestly I have no idea what that is at all...Would I be correct in thinking it has
something to do with Andrew Jackson (is that a statue of him on the horse) & the battle of new orleans? or am I way off base....what is the castle anyway...

Carol, native Louisianan, don't make me look it up!!

As far as going to the football game...for a fan being in the stands is great, getting all the flavor of the game...not so much in the preseason, but at least you went there
once...& got to see Drew & Co., even if the
he didn't play that long...

And yes, you can now truly appreciate those TV broadcasts...you do get to see a lot that is
missed when you are there up close & personal...but still glad you went one time...they are your Saints, you know...

And is your Bronx buddy a NY teams fan....Hard to think she wouldn't be, New Yorkers really love their teams....no matter how far away they go...

Anonymous said...

Can't let the day get by without remembering...the 34th anniversary of Elvis
death...

So here again probably my fav song, written by Eddie Rabbit...I do like many others, but I always go back to this one....& flashback, I remember when I heard the news on the car radio way back then...
Kentucky Rain

Anonymous said...

Oh an absolute Michelle Bachmann disqualifier...today she wished Elvis "Happy Birthday"...that's it she has no credibility!!!
enough said....

Apparently she uses some of his songs at her stops...like this one...
Promised Land

Carol said...

LOL Coreen on Bachmann. She wants to look cool but instead puts her foot in her mouth. I certainly wouldn't want her to be the first female pres. That would have to be our Hillary. When we get our first female up there, it better be one we can all be proud of.

I don't think Obama did his race any favors but then again, he was half white guy.

Carol said...

"Early New Orleans was originally centered around what was then called the Place d' Armes (Spanish: Plaza de Armas). After the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815, the Place d' Armes was renamed Jackson Square after general Andrew Jackson. In the center of the park stands an equestrian statue of Jackson erected in 1856, one of three in America by sculptor Clark Mills." Wiki

Anonymous said...

Yes, Carol, for me, it would be an insult if any of these Rep. women could possibly become president...

I haven't forgiven the Democratic party hierarchy for screwing Hill...she may have, but
they are directly responsible for her not winning & giving us Barack Obama, a nice guy,
but not a leader, he was not ready....

But be careful Carol, even your little humorous
comment about being half white would be called racist by Obamabots...

And speaking of foot in mouth...leave it to
another Texan...(& you know how I feel about Texas)....Perry says Bernanke is 'almost treasonous' & if he's printing more money, don't know how you treat him in Iowa, but it
would be pretty ugly in Texas...I'm paraphrasing,didn't feel like printing out the quote....

Will his texas swagger play across the country again....channeling GW...sure hope not...

Needless to say, this was not greeted well by
the grown up Republicans & the financial market...

Carol said...

I asked my friend if she liked the Yankees and she said yes. She's actually a huge Saints and LSU fan. Some of her kids went there. Her home is filled with LSU stuff. Everything is purple and gold. What's not LSU is Saints. I guess she's settled in down here.

She's of Italian decent and says some of her relatives had Mafia ties. I guess that is not uncommon from up in her old hood.

We met some young girl, who was part of the wait staff at one of the restaurants we went to. She said she had similar heritaqe and her folkes won't say they are Italian, they are Sicilian.

Anonymous said...

Now I learned something from your NO adventure...that beautiful castle is St. Louis Cathedral & the bldg to the left was the old city hall, to the right bldg originally housed priests, then was a courthouse, now a museum...

Carol said...

The biggest drawback of going to those games Coreen is all the walking, in the heat, steam and the crowds. We took a cab to the Superdome but then walked miles getting in and up to our seats.

After the game we walked home and that was about 2 miles in the steamy heat. We coulda got a cab but with the traffic, it would have taken much longer.

I had just bought a new pair of my favorite tennies and came home with most of the meat worn off the back of my heels. Until I got some bandaids, I was probably leaving a trail of my blood along the streets of New Orleans.

Anonymous said...

And I can't resist...in honor of Andrew Jackson,Jackson Square & the Battle of New Orleans...Johnny Horton...
Battle of New Orleans

Carol said...

Coreen, I've only been to NO about a hand full of times. I know less about the place than people who aren't from La, who have been there more often.

Anonymous said...

Ouch Carol, didn't anyone ever tell you never wear a brand new pair of shoes on a walking tour!!...

And as I already know, summer in the south
is less than desirable....Florida is very similar...hot & humid...

For me, I detest humid weather, that is why I never really liked Florida...though many think
it is not humid most of the year, I still think
it is....

Anonymous said...

And by the way, we have dropped into the 80s
& high 70s in August, those 100s & 90s in July
have not returned, so far, & we are half way through the month...a little humid, but no way as bad as it was in July...

And this week I am seeing some leaves turning
yellow/brown & falling...it's like clock
work, Mother Nature knows summer is winding down...

Carol said...

I need to go reload my antivirus. It got corrupt on me.

Carol said...

Well, I think I have my antivirus back up and running. Something went wacko.

Fall already Coreen? I wish. It was 112 heat index here at 3p. I have difficulty just breathing in this heat, much less moving around much.

I got the book I ordered today written by Flora Jessup about the FLDS and just in the nick of time. I have to go to court to testify tomorrow for work. It might involve some waiting so now I have something to read. It took long enough to get it.

Carol said...

I guess it is time to start pondering the presidential primaries, help me Jesus.

Since Obama won't, unfortunately, have a primary challenger, I decided I just might change my party affiliation to Repug, just to vote in the primaries.

I haven't kept up with the news in a long while now. I stay tuned to the murder and mayham channel, HLN. M&M is pretty rampant these days. Yes, it's depressing but less so than politics.

Coreen, I did see that Bachmann won that stupid Iowa straw poll. What a joke, but what can you expect at a Fair with batter dipped fried butter and a bunch of monkeys eating fried pork on a stick dancing around for the chance to buy votes.

Bachmann, in that pic on Newsweek looks like she needs to get her thyroid checked. With that wide eyed look she sported I think her thyroid might be a tad overactive.

So far, from the what I see in the line up, I like Ron Paul the best. I don't know all of what he stands for but I like his stance on the war. He thinks we need to get out of them. I can stand behind that.

I tried to pull up Ron Paul's Website this morning to read his other thoughts on the issues and got that blue screen of death on Lappy 1. When I got her going again, I didn't try again. Do you think that might have been a bad omen??

Anonymous said...

And so it begins & it sure didn't take long, just in time for the fall season's start....parents of casey anthony
to do first interview with Dr. Phil....in Sept... they accepted a contribution to their
'charity'...reported over at both NYC tabloids...

Carol said...

I heard about that on the M&M channel Coreen. I'll watch an interview with the parents done by Dr Phil even though I'm not that crazy about him. I've already put Sept 12 on my Iphone. Dr Phil doesn't mollycoddle his guests...he's pretty good with confrontation.

I'm sure the Anthony's weren't perfect parents but not many parents are. They did have to raise that demon and I do believe that Casey was a very bad seed.

Cindy lied for Casey in court because I think she did feel quilty for many things. One.. for not trying to take Caylee away from Casey and another.. for not having her thrown in jail for all the stealing she did from her family. Doing either might have saved little Caylee and they have to live with that reality. Cindy also didn't want her daughter to get the death penalty.

I think that most parents would have done the same. It was obvious that both her parents did realize that Casey was involved in Caylee's death. I wonder if that will come out in the Dr Phil interview??

I never believed anything she said about George..her father. When she was out of jail for that short time on bail..he threw her up against a wall trying to get her to say what she did to little Caylee. Now..that is not the behavior of someone who was involved in that child's death like her lawyer said in court.

I'm glad Judge Perry ordered CA back to Orlando to serve probation. Hope that keeps her from hiding any money she makes offshore.

I just heard on HLN that in her book she will write about her parents and her brother..nothing about what happened to poor little Caylee. I guess she hasn't trashed her family enough yet. Anyone interested in reading anymore lies from CA needs to have their heads examined.

Of course..it might not be so bad if those people standing in line to sue CA or recover their losses have some money to go after. The IRS might be the first in line. She owes them about 70 grand already.

Also..if she has to report her whereabouts for probation..the people standing in line to sue her can also serve her.

Carol said...

I've really had enough of the missing murdered children stories on the M&M channel but I'm following the story about the blond who went on that trip to Aruba with that weird guy and disappeared. It's starting to look like there might be some kind of human trafficing of blond women going on over there.

That guy involved in her disappearance seems to be very rich but I haven't heard anyone report on how he made all his money. Sounds like he was too busy tormenting women to actually work.

jan said...

I am more concerned about the 29,000 children in somalia who have died from hunger. That is something we can do something about.

Carol said...

I agree Jan. With all of our tax dollars going to kill people and place our military in harms way, we ought to be able to provide food and water to those children. It's a disgrace that we don't. Really..how much could it cost. Heard this AM that gov is buying chickens cuz there are too many. Send then chicken.

I'm sitting at the courthouse waiting. Hope this doesn't take long.

jan said...

Carol, what are you doing at the courthouse.

Carol said...

Jan, a guy was trying to get a bond reduction and using a medical issue to get it. It didn't work but I was tied up all morning waiting. Over two hours of waiting and on the stand for probably a minute.

Carol said...

While waiting, I did get into that book Church of Lies by Flora Jessup. Holy Moly, it's distressing. What those men and some of the women do to children is worse than criminal. Some of the stuff makes Sadam Hussien look like a good guy by comparison.

The National Guard needs to get into those cults and rescue people. The victims in there are too oppressed to even try to get help. Flora escaped twice and went back.

jan said...

That is about the rate of women going back to abusive partners. I don't know if I want to read it. I will let you tell me about it.

jan said...

Smart to take a book with you. I try to always have something to read when I go to Dr. and other appts.

Carol said...

Jan, I got the book because I watched Flora on HLN talking about the FLDS problems. She is very active in trying to bring attention to the problem there and she helps to rescue those who want out. I wasn't sure I'd even ever read it but I got it in the mail yesterday and needed something to do this morning while waiting.

I can't believe she could be normal after what she went thru. She was the victim of just about every kind of abuse there is and the women are as bad as the men there.

I don't think you would want to read this kind of non-fiction.

Carol said...

Interesting that I was just comparing Warren Jeffs and the likes of him to Sadam Hussein and I read that his cult plan to erect a 3 story statue of him on their compound.

Some ex bodyguard said remember what happen to that statue and that the same thing can happen to this one.

Carol said...

Just was watching this video on AOL where that young thing that Hugh Hefner was going to married was making fun of Hef's sexual inadequacies. What did she expect from an 80+ year old guy? I feel kinda embarrassed for him but what did he expect from a 20 something year old twithead? Did he think he could make a silk purse out of a twithead?

Carol said...

Coreen..I just found a long comment you wrote that I missed. I don't care what the Obamabots think. I wish he woulda turned out better. I really do. My intuition just said..noooooooo! And my intuition is usually spot on but what was the alternative in the general election..huh? All I can say is that I am glad we got the two women on the Supremes. BTW..how are they doing?

If we don't have any good choices this election..I guess I'll write in Mickey Mouse. Then again..I don't think we have that option here in good old La. We can't spell well enough here for anyone to figure out who we voted for.

Carol said...

Well..they woke me up at midnight..I couldn't get back to sleep so took a half of a 5 year old ambien. I slept right thru my alarm..over an hour..evidently. But I'm not getting up and running. I have to have my.. slowly get going after a couple a cups of coffee..start.

Carol said...

Man, it hotter than a witch's tit outside, whatever that means.

The computer weather says 99.3 with a heat index of 118 but my vehicle says it's 102. Not sure what heat index would go with that.

Carol said...

Coreen, did you hear about the witchcraft dabbler, Christine O'Donnell, walking out of the Piers Morgan show? I guess she wants to control her interviews. She just ended up looking as dumb as we all already thought she was.

jan said...

I cannot feel sorry for these old men who hook up with a very young woman to make themselves feel younger ie. Hugh Hefner. What the heck do they (men) expect? I am sure she was in it for the money.

jan said...

I dated a younger guy when I was single in Austin and we had nothing to talk about - besides he was pretty immature for his age. John is 5 years younger than me but we grew up in same era

jan said...

Carol, my stepmother used to take Ambien. One night, she fell asleep sitting in her chair. John and I had to carry her to bed - one of us each under an arm - and I just put her to bed in her clothes.

jan said...

I am afraid to take sleep meds. If I can't get to sleep or wake up in middle of night and can't get back to sleep, I get up. Of course, now I can come home and take a nap.

jan said...

Have not seen much news this week. I have worked every day but taking off tomorrow. I am trying to catch up after being gone 2 weeks to OK>

jan said...

Carol, I may order that FLDS book. I think I do want to read it. Can you get it on e-books?

Carol said...

The book's pretty rough Jan. I don't know how Flora got out with her sanity. I'm about 1/3 of a way thru it. I think it is available on Kindle and cheaper than buying it in paperback form.

She was repeatedly sexually abused by her own father. Don't remember her mentioning anyone else. Some of her female relatives were physically and emotionally abusive.

I don't want to give away any more of the story but we can discuss it if you read it.

Carol said...

I'm a little afraid of Ambien also so I only took 1/2 of an old pill. They are about 4 years old. I've read where people sleep walk and even some have reported committing crimes while taking Ambien. I was a little afraid of waking up in the river but I've been real tired lately and didn't want to be up all night.

A friend took one when she got home from working the night shift once. She ate something afterward and woke up with it still in her mouth the next morning. They say to get in bed and prepared for sleep before you take it. I've had several people tell me it doesn't do a thing for them but it was lights out for me.

You only need to have about 5 hours left to sleep when you take it. I took it right after midnight and my alarm was set for 5a. I never heard the alarm go off but must have been knocking it off every 5 minutes without waking up. I finally woke up on my own at 6:30.

The guy who called me last night is one of our EMTs. I hadn't been to sleep for long but was in that deep sleep. He said he had 3 people to tell me about. He told me about the first two, no big deal, and said he hadn't even checked on the 3rd one yet. I said, in a not so pleasant voice, not to call me back. If it was serious and couldn't wait until morning, send them to the ER. I've been a good sport for way too long and those days are over!

Carol said...

Have you guys heard about that husband of one of the housewives of Beverly Hills committing suicide. Those programs can really wreck people and their families. They don't pay enough for me to have that kind of invasion of privacy. I've heard those women make a little over 200 thousand for the season and the husbands and kids make nothing.

jan said...

Cannot believe I said that - John is 5 years older than me. LOL. He will get a laugh out of the above.

Carol said...

And they reported that any parties or stuff they do to impress the viewing audience comes out of their salaries.

Last night one of the ex stars from Jersey Shores said she was made into a villian on her show. They made her into something totally different from her personality.

I think that on this season of HW of Beverly Hills, the guy who killed himself was going to be really roasted. His death may have done away with the entire season of already recorded shows.

Oh and BTW, I don't watch any of that crap.

Carol said...

Now I'm confused Jan. Is he older or younger?

jan said...

Carol, I am afraid I would not wake up if I took Ambien. Alcohol and narcotics have a big effect on me. I can drink a small glass of wine am feeling no pain. I actually could not see one time when I had 4 drinks. It scared the s*** out of me.

When I have pain, I take 200 mg of ibuprofen or one extra str tylenol and it takes care of my pain - even a bad headache. If I take a narcotic, 1/2 the usual dose works for me.

jan said...

older. Thank God! I don't think I would be happy married to someone younger. It would drive me nuts. No matter how old I am, he will always be older. Bob was 4 months younger than me and he always teased me about it and I hated it.

Carol said...

Before I gave up on men because they wanted me to play dumb and subservient, I thought that I would probably have been more compatable with younger men, > than 10 years my junior. They weren't so threatened by women. Some would have preferred an educated, independent cougar.

jan said...

I have not seen this show. Interesting!

Carol said...

I did have this young guy, a good bit younger, who had a crush on me. He was my dive partner when I took scuba diving. Unfortunately he was married and I was dating the dive instructor.

jan said...

Hmmm. Like I said I only dated one guy younger than me. I liked being younger than guys I dated.

I have read in books on birth order that a person is more compatible with people who represent a sibling - since I am an oldest - I am more compatible with a younger or middle kid. John is a middle kid - with an older sister and I am an oldest sister with a younger brother.

jan said...

What happened to the dive instructor?

Carol said...

I was watching my M&M channel this afternoon and this woman, who was on Dr Phil, had filled her adopted son's mouth with hot pepper sauce as a punishment for doing something. Then she stuck him in a cold shower. She had his older sister video taping this. Someone saw the program and now she is on trial for child abuse.

People called into the program and said they didn't think the mom did anything wrong. I thought it was awful. I thought it WAS child abuse.

The kid was only 7 and she filled his mouth with hot pepper sauce. If he choked he could have aspirated or shot that stuff up into his sinuses. Jesus, what is happening to people these days?? Are they all nuts?

Carol said...

I sometimes mention what I've seen on the M&M channel at work so the other day several people asked if I heard about the father who chopped his kid's head off. I said no, and I'm glad I missed that one.

The reason I hadn't heard about it was because it wasn't on the M&M channel, it happened in our state. The child had cerebral palsy and the father was tired of taking care of him and angry at his wife. He left the child's head outside for the mom to find. He had no history of mental illness.

I can't even talk about the story, it's so awful. You can Google it but I'm sure you wouldn't want to read it either.

jan said...

Dear God! Yes, it is amazing what people will do.

jan said...

I am against any punishment to children that causes physical pain. I agree, the hot sauce is abuse. You are right the kid could have aspirated.

Carol said...

Jan..you and I usually choke on our first bite of chips and salsa. Am I right? Was that you?

jan said...

yes! happened to me so many times. It is so embarrassing in a restaurant. A couple of times I had a hard time getting my breath back.

Carol said...

Jan, I was just looking at a video from the Today Show..one from earlier this year when the pepper sauce incident was on the news. Matt Lauer said that in a poll of over 5000 people..33 percent thought the pepper sauce discipline was OK. Maybe a drop wouldn't be too horrible but it looked like that mother filled his mouth..had him hold it in his mouth while she was in his face yelling at him.

Actually..not sure if it would work in my neck of the woods cuz some of the Cajun kids around here would probably just throw in an oyster to have with that pepper sauce.

Carol said...

It would be torture for those Yankee kids. My Yankee friends can't take the heat.

jan said...

In our agency and child protective services in NM, the hot sauce thing would have been considered physical abuse.

Carol said...

To be fair to that mom, she did say she had tried everything and she was on Dr Phil for help.

jan said...

She should call Supernanny. I love that show and supernanny can work with the most difficult children and teach parents how to discipline appropriately.

Carol said...

Jan, I saw something yesterday about some book that does recommend hot pepper sauce on the tongue as a form of punishment. Didn't catch the title.

Carol said...

It might be in the FLDS manual of child care. Wouldn't doubt it.

Carol said...

I don't know what hot sauce mom's motivation was for recording herself punishing her adopted son but if one of her goals was to be on TV she got her wishes. It's another example of quick turn around karma.

She got herself on TV. She has been royaly humiliated in front of millions but maybe something good can come from it. Maybe people are talking about what are acceptable forms of discipline. The FLDS isn't the only place that hides some horrible secrets. It's possible that those same secrets hide in many families.

Carol said...

I think that most parents who go overboard when discipling their children are reacting more to their emotional situation than to what the children are doing. I even recognized that when I was a young child.

jan said...

I agree on parents reacting emotionally to situations and reacting to their feelings. We need more good parenting classes that are free to new parents. If you get a chance watch an episode of supernanny. It is an awesome show and if parents would watch it they would learn some things. Children who misbehave are often reacting to what is going on with parents. Young children need discipline, not punishment - there is a big difference. The hot sauce on the tongue or mouth is punishment, not discipline.

Carol said...

Another reason why it might be preferrable to stay home to watch your favorite football game on TV is that it is less dangerous. Two people were shot in the parking lot of a 49ers/Raiders game. Remember that guy who was so horriby beaten at another game.. he is still in bad shape.

Before we could get into the superdome we were frisked and they looked in our purses. At first I thought it was to check for weopons but maybe it was just to get rid of any snacks we brought in. I had a box of Mike and Ikes in my purse, didn't remember it was in there and they made me throw that away. I was a little pissed about that.

Carol said...

I read somewhere that Karl Rove said that Palin will be adding her name to the list of presidential hopefuls. Can you imagine a debate between Perry..Bachmann..and Palin? It might make for some good comedy.

Carol said...

And Kim Kardasian blew 10 mil on a wedding. I wonder how long it will last. Just think about how many hungry children just some of that money could have helped feed.

jan said...

Just cannot figure out why people spend so much money on a wedding- something that only lasts for a short while

I will watch the GOP debates simply for the entertainment value!

jan said...

We are going to see the movie "The Help" today. I read the book months ago and could not put it down. Everyone (at least the women) talking about it here. I wonder what the response is to it where you all live.

jan said...

I drove myself and a friend to Santa Fe Fri nite to see another friend who made dinner for us. SF is only 52 miles away. Lightening and thunder began about 9 pm and we left 30 minutes later. After about 10 miles we hit a heavy rain - just coming down in sheets and an amazing lightening show (on the highway). The rain was coming down so hard I could barely see the highway and I was leaning over the steering wheel as far as I could. I stopped twice under the overpasses. Finally, it slowed down. Then about 10 miles down the road it was over and the highway was dry. That is how these thunderstorms are here. They cover only a few miles. We can get a heavy rain at our house and 5 miles away they get nada (nothing). I don't do well driving in bad weather. I was shaking all over. I had a bottle of water and sucked it dry - cause my mouth got so dry from the anxiety. So glad to get home that night.

Carol said...

I've never been married but I feel pretty certain that I would have had a cheap wedding and saved the money for a house and maybe a fun honeymoon.

I've seen kids that allow their parents to spend money on their weddings that they couldn't even afford. Can't understand that but then I've always been a tad on the cheap side and never into showboating.

Jan, I don't think I can even watch any Republican debates even for the comedy value. I'll catch the highlights on those comedy shows.

jan said...

On highway going thru SF, it is so dark. They don't have any street lights and the highway itself is pitch black. They do have some white lines but they were not very bright. In Alb the highways have street lights.

jan said...

I am the same about weddings. Young people should use the money for their homes.

Carol said...

Jan, that's how some of our thunder bumpers are here also, raining in the front yard and not in the back. Member that?

Yes, I do want to see "The Help". I guess I'll wait until it hits DVD. I was going to ask who mentioned reading that book. I thought that maybe it was Ivy or you.

Carol said...

I'm watching Burlesque right now. Wasn't sure I'd like it but I am.

jan said...

I liked Burlesque too.

Carol said...

Jan, tell me what you thought of the movie.

Carol said...

Coreen, I see your boys are still up front but how can they have the same number of wins as Boston but one less loss? Forgive my ignorance.

Carol said...

I heard my Saints had their asses handed to them by the Texans. I didn't get to see it because it was only on our local cable and I have Dish. Probably best I couldn't see it. Tomato Woman said Drew wasn't doing well. He didn't play much in the game I saw last week. It was the backup who played.

jan said...

Carol, I liked the movie. Wish I could remember more about it. It has been a while since I saw it.
Sorry your team lost.

We saw The Help tonight. I think the ads on TV are playing up parts that are funny, but it is definitely not a comedy. I think they did a good job. It is sobering. When it was over, people left so quietly.

Carol said...

I never got the impression that movie was going to be a comedy. You want to share a little more about it?

Carol said...

Good thing I wake up pretty much on my own in the morning. My alarm clock was set and everything looks right but it never went off. I guess I'll start using Iphone.

Carol said...

Just heard on HLN that scared Mexicans are buying tracking devices to put under their skin. It's a story from the Washington Post. I thought that that might be a good idea for children but I didn't know they already had that technology available. Will look up the story later..when I have time.

Anonymous said...

It's only pre-season so not to worry yet...

Yankees played one less game so far, due to
bad weather....

Haven't watched Burlesque yet, its on cable...
I'm a Cher fan soo...loved her in Moonstruck one of my top 3 fav movies...

Anonymous said...

You might not see this, so here is a pic of Hill & Bill walking in NYC holding hands...

No idea what the caption at the bottom means... but they are still together & holding hands defying all the negativity piled on them throughout their life together...so good for them...
Hill & Bill

jan said...

Coreen, thanks for sharing pic of Bill and Hill. I don't get what the statement about "sexual tensions" means. It does not appear from the pic that there is real affection in that hand holding, but one never knows. Sometimes when John is holding my hand and we are walking like that, I feel as if I am being "drug" along. That is what comes to mind in this picture. When I feel like this, I usually break the hand hold. Bill has longer legs than Hillary and he may be walking too fast for her. He facial expression does not look relaxed. Maybe she is trying to make a good "showing" of something or other.

jan said...

I meant "her" facial expression.

jan said...

Carol, I never know how much to share about a book or movie. The book/movie is about how Black maids were treated by their young white employers in the 1950's and early 1960's - in the southeastern states. The setting was Jackson, Miss. The story is told from the perspective of these Black domestic workers and one 23 year old white, college grad who wants badly to be a journalist. The journalist wanna-be reminds me of you at that age. She felt she did not belong with all the young women she had gone to HS and college with who had married young and had young children. I knew some of these women in Lake Charles who were members of Junior League. They have bridge and other do-gooder clubs and do a lot of gossiping.

jan said...

Many books have been written and movies made about the issue of the Black man and freedom riders in the south, but this is one about the Black woman who can only find work as a domestic raising little white children and leaving her children at home.

jan said...

There are some of the same racial issues of that time in the movie, such as separate bathrooms for "coloreds" Black people riding in the back of the bus. Events that are displayed in the movie are the death of Medgar Evars, speeches of Martin L. King and the assassination of Pres. Kennedy.

jan said...

I recommend the book. It is really good.

Carol said...

I think that Bill and Hill are probably the best of friends, something that probably many married couple never achieve. I think they have been from the beginning. I think they respect one another. They may not be hot for each other but the best friends status is better in my book.

Hillary looks a little pooped. I'm sure she is with all she has to do. Bill probably has time to have more fun. He doesn't have all that responsibility.

Carol said...

I do remember those days of white and colored water fountains and bathrooms. I remember them mostly from an old department store we had here..Mullers. That's the only place I remember it being that way.

Jan, I didn't really have any problems not being the "norm", married with two point five kids. When you guys were around, I just horned in on your family. We were sister wives...well, not exactly.

Carol said...

Last night I read on AOL how to get pen ink out of your clothes. I can't have one of those gel pens in my pocket or I ruin clothes. I even ruined a purse a while back.

I didn't have a pen the other day and had to borrow one. It was one of those gel pens and by the end of the day, I had inked the pocket of a pair of my slacks.

Years ago, I could use hairspray to help get ink out of my lab coats but since they now have pump sprayers, hairspray doesn't work anymore. I've tried everything and combinations of everything and nothing works.

Well, last night I watched this guy on a AOL video use milk to soak the stain in. It has to be the full fat milk because it has something to do with the fat in milk. After soaking the stain in milk for 2 hours he rubbed it with bar soap. Then he washed it. This weekend I plan on trying it before I wash those slacks again.

Carol said...

I was sweating that Hurricane Irene but it looks like she is going to move up the east coast. We need to start praying that she doesn't bother anyone over that way either.

Our. hot as hell, weather has had one benefit...it has kept those pesky hurricane out of our hair. It's that high pressure that is responsible for the heat and drought and it also wards off hurricanes. That's one reason I try not to complain too much about the heat.

Carol said...

It's been a very busy hummingbird summer. I have to work hard to keep fresh nectar out for those hummers, change it everyday.

I've not remembered having so many here in the heat of the summer. Usually not any. My neighbor said that houseboat Brenda thought it meant that we were going to have a hurricane. I think just the opposite.

Birdies are smarter than we are and they wouldn't be hanging out here if we were going to have a hurricane. Could also mean there will be an early winter up north. It must have some meaning.

jan said...

I agree Carol. I too think Bill and Hill are friends and compatible. They have the same interests. I think the worst thing for Hill was the humiliation that being in public life brings when there is a scandal like the Monica affair. The scuttlebutt in AR was that she was crazy about him but he liked lots of women; that his political staff protected her from knowing about his womanizing. In addition everyone thought he respected her opinion. Many thought the glue that kept them together those early years was their love for Chelsea.

jan said...

John says he has seen many hummers. I have not, but I am gone most days at work. I bet the hummers there know you are keeping food out for them. They are funny little creatures. Sometimes when we are sitting on the porch, one will fly up and just watch us for a few seconds, then turn around and fly away.

jan said...

Interesting, the worst seasons for hurricanes are when we get the best rains and the fewest wildfires. what is bad for you there, may be good for us.

jan said...

I will have to try the milk thing on other stains. Thanks.

jan said...

Just found out another good friend here died the same day as my BIL. RIP Carl. That is 3 people we cared about in about one months. I hope that is the end for a while.

jan said...

Carl loved dogs. We met through Lobie. Carl was one of univ. groundskeepers. When I walked Lobie, Carl always kept doggie treats in his pocket. Lobie loved Carl. Carl was HIV pos and had Hep C. He had a liver transplant in San Fran 2-3 years ago. He died of liver cancer. He was a dear friend. We knew he was ill for past 3-4 months. I think I posted a pic of Carl and his 5 canine friends about a year ago. Carl was also an artist. He painted. His paintings were of old/antique cars. He had one that he made some greeting cards from of a red antique truck with 2 of his dogs in the back. I bought some of his greeting cards.

Carol said...

Did you feel that quake Coreen? They evacuated the Yale stadium because it was shaking.

Carol said...

Sorry about your friend Jan. I do remember his pic with his dogs.

Carol said...

I read they had an earthquake in Colorado yesterday. It's kinda rare there also. It was felt in northern New Mexico.

Anonymous said...

Only a minor feeling of a weird vibration at my desk... same with some friends who felt it
but not enough to cause concern...but seems in NYC the bldgs did move enough to alarm many...as well as DC....

Actually it was a beautiful day here...no humidity high 70s....sun/blue sky...one more
day then humids come back & end of weekend possible rain from Irene...still not causing
concern up here though...

Carol said...

Update, update...Hot sauce mom found guilty of misdemeanor child abuse and

the Florida Supreme court upheld Judge Perry's order that CA will have to serve her probation.

It's a good day for justice.

I do hope that hot sauce mom doesn't have too much more punishment. I think having to pay an attorney, go to trial and be humiliated in front of the entire country was about as bad as she needed. I think she learned her lesson.

Carol said...

I can't wait to see Jane V Mitchell tonight who thought that the judges were just being vindictive for wanting CA to serve her probation.

The women ripped off both of her parents, both her grandparents, including the money the old man had for his nursing home care and then ripped off the only decent friend she had..cleaned out her bank account and shouldn't have to serve that probation?? Come on Jane.

And she already got off for something horrible even if it was just letting her precious baby girl rot in the woods, without a proper burial and funeral, while she partied and lied to everyone. And I'm 100% certain that wasn't all she did.

And I will be surprised if she can meet her probation requirements. I see people all day long who aren't one tenth as bad as CA and they can't. Some even prefer to spend all the time in jail rather than even attempt to successfully complete probation. They are incapable of following any rules.

Carol said...

And interesting...I had two nurses at work who said their parents who put a drop or two of hot sauce on their tongues if they said a bad word. Hot sauce mom looked as if she filled the kid's mouth with it. And the cold shower, considering it was up in Alaska, seemed almost worse. He was screaming when she did that.

Carol said...

I am concerned about that hurricane for ya Coreen. Some of the models get it kinda close to your neck of the woods. It will probably lose a good bit of punch before it gets up there. And you would be on the easier side of it. And those models change everyday.

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at201109_model.html

jan said...

When we first got Lobie, she would tear up our paper on the driveway and some neighbor's papers also. My BIL (one that died) suggested putting hot sauce on the paper, which we did. She never touched another paper.

jan said...

We are heading to Asheville, NC tomorrow. Flying this time.

Carol, I hope the hurricane does not do too much damage. I am going to buy me a little plastic poncho as we might get some rain where we will be.

Carol said...

Well Jan, you might find some excitement, none that I would want to deal with. Sweet dreams.

Carol said...

I think you should be OK in eastern NC Jan. All I see on the weather prediction for that area is about 30% chance of thunderstorms. Good sleeping/dreaming weather.

Carol said...

You would have felt that earthquake if you were there today. It's all one big plate in that area.

Carol said...

I hope it doesn't set off anything in that New Madrid fault area.

jan said...

John's daughter lives in Virginia - next door to wash DC. She felt the earthquake.

jan said...

I am packed. What a pain to pack to fly now. We are flying Delta and to check a bag is $25. which would mean $50. for a round trip. I am too much of a cheapskate so we are each taking just a carry on. I am taking hotel samples of shampoo and conditioner. I color my hair so have to have conditioner plus my hair is thick and coarser than most people's - probably a throwback to my cherokee ancestors. I won't be taking my pillow so hope I can sleep. Maybe will take my own 100% cotton pillowcase. that will help. I am taking my computer so I can keep up with you guys.

jan said...

Carol, are you in the new madrid fault. So is little rock - I think.

jan said...

I hope to be back on here tomorrow night.

Carol, you are not saying anything about this hurricane's name - Irene. It is named after you. Hope it is not too bad, or you will never hear the end of it. LOL.

so, good night Irene.

jan said...

Good night Coreen.

Carol said...

Y'all stay safe Jan and John and have a fun trip. Glad you will be able to keep in touch. You are going to a dreamwork thingy?

I think that earthquake was trying to shake up/wake up Washington DC. That's the first thing I thought when I heard about it.

Carol said...

If the hurricane is anything like me, she will make a lot of noise but not do any damage. Hope so.

Carol said...

I was pondering this morning....if we pay attention to the signs..I think the Universe might be talking to us.

There have been so many things on the news about how we encourage people's bad behavior for entertainment. From what they are reporting now about hot sauce mom..it seems she might have made her child abuse video more dramatic just to get on the Dr Phil show.

It seems that she sent in something to the show describing her situation and they weren't interested and might have suggested that it needed to be more dramatic so she recorded it and made it more dramatic.

Then there is all the bad behavior played out on those reality shows...one resulting in a suicide. Evidently there were other reality show participants that say they came close to suicide after being involved in their reality shows.

Carol said...

Speaking of the cold water shower hot sauce mom used to torture her son...I read a blog comment that said that the tap water temp in Alaska was about 52 degrees. I never heard anyone on TV mention that but I thought about it when I heard that kid screaming.

For three weeks after Rita..I had to take cold water showers because we had no power. My water lines run under the camp and in the summer that water is almost luke warm but I was still very uncomfortable not having any warm water.

Carol said...

Just heard that a standard homeowner's policy might not cover earthquake damage. Bet those people on the east coast never thought about that.

Carol said...

Do keep your eye on that hurricane Coreen.

Anonymous said...

Jan, travel safely & enjoy your dream workshop...hopefully wherever Irene winds up
it won't impact your plans...

Carol, the latest here says IF Irene follows
the current track, we will get hurricane effects, all of CT will feel some impact,but
the greatest will be the other end of the state
toward RI & before it arrives here it will hit
Long Island NY, then it crosses the Sound, I showed you pics of LI sound last year, its only like 10 miles across from LI, NY to CT...right not they say it will be Sunday into
Monday for whatever comes...

As always I will be concerned about losing electricity, water & watching the 80'+ trees that surround the house swaying & hoping they are strong enough to not snap...

jan said...

"If the hurricane is anything like me, she will make a lot of noise but not do any damage. Hope so."

Carol, I really laughed out loud when I read this. I too hope so!

jan said...

Coreen, I too hope we don't get effects of Irene here. I hope you stay safe and keep your electricity.

We are here in Asheville now. Had a nice trip. It was fun to fly. We are used to flying Southwest and was different on Delta. Had to pay $25. for a checked baggage. I knew I would and planned on it. There are some things I had to have, and you cannot carry them as carry-on baggage. Will pay the $25 again going home. So be it!.

jan said...

We are spending the night in Asheville tonight and then going to the retreat center tomorrow. It will last from 2 pm tomorrow until 8 am on Tues. We are looking forward to it. I started reading one of the required books on the way. We have to do a book report on it in Sept. I like the book. Written by a woman in Georgia who is one of the main characters in this whole thing. She describes Carl Jung's ideas about dreams and spirituality. I think when I finally read some of his books, It will make them easier to understand. John has read one of his book titled Memories, Dreams and Reflections.

Yes, we are doing the Dream Group Leadership Training.

Carol said...

Coreen, you now have to take this thing seriously. You are in the extreme threat area. I hope it takes that curve out to sea and I'm working on that.

A little preparation is good insurance. Usually when you prepare, it doesn't hit but if it does...you will be prepared. Have any friends with a generator? Can't see you doing four weeks without electricity like I did. At least it's not as hot there but tropical systems seems to bring in tropical conditions. Humidity...

Rita was suppose to pass us by and hit the Galveston area and she made the worst possible turn she could make. Gave us her worst side, which is the northeastern quadrant. I still have PTSD symptoms when I hear the word hurricane.

Irene's a big storm also so her impact will be spread out. It's not as much the hurricane winds that do all the damage, it's those tornados it sends out. We had so many tornados wrapped up in Rita that they lost count.

Watch the weather channel, they'll scare the hell of of ya. If you see Jim Cantore up your way, tell him Hi. He's a cutie.

What was interesting is that we had a reporter from the NYT hanging out at the jail during Rita.

Carol said...

Jan, glad to hear you arrived safely. Share what you learn. I like Carl Jung's ideas.

Carol said...

Wasn't there some kind of nightmare scenario if a hurricane pushed a surge up into Manhattan or was that totally fiction?

jan said...

Carol, did you ever take the Myers Briggs Personality Inventory. It is based on Jung's theories.

jan said...

I think we talked about the MBPI some time ago when Ivy and Chloe were still here.

jan said...

Could not find my phone earlier. Was close to panic. Then remembered that when we got the rental car, I put it in a little place between the front seats of the car. I think I freaked John out. He has had enough stress for the day. Had to go buy him a snickers.

jan said...

Coreen, Hope this hurricane misses you. It is all in news here. I am fairly sure things will be ok here.

Carol said...

Yes Jan..it was either you are Ivy that introduced that to us..I think.

I can relate both to freaking out when I misplace my cell phone and needing some chocolate as a antidote.

Carol said...

I keep both baby Kit Kats and baby Snickers in the frig cuz I need lots of antidotes.

Carol said...

I think I scared Coreen off or she's shopping for batteries.

Carol said...

Did you use John's cell to find yours Jan? I don't have that luxury out here. If I misplace mine, I'm in trouble.

Carol said...

Coreen..how many miles is it from the Atlantic across Long Island to your house?

Anonymous said...

Long Island NY is about 20-25 miles wide from
its south shore which faces the Atlantic to the North Shore which borders Long Island Sound, then the Sound is about 20 miles across
to the CT shore....My house is about 15 miles
north of the Sound...

Just got back from New Haven, it was gusty winds downtown in NH, & it just started to rain
here in Trumbull Center...This is a storm coming from Chicago, nothing to do with Irene, but it may have some severe thunderstorms later
today....

Right now, the Yankee game is in a rain delay, not sure if they will get the game in today....

Carol said...

Yankees kicked some butt today.

Took off this morning to go fishing. One of my fishing sites said it was a good fishing day..ha..in the middle of August? But I took that fishing site's word for it. The high period was also early when the heat is more tolerable and I needed a fishing fix.

My secretary went with me. I can't even get my boat off it's little ramp without help. We did get into some fish called Ladyfish. They fight like hell but they are not a eating fish. I fish for food not just for the sport. I did catch one small bass. The drought has allowed salt water to intrude into the river so not much action from fresh water fish. Don't think I will go fishing again until fall.

Carol said...

I don't like what I see on those hurricane models Coreen. Have you decided what you are going to do yet? Are they recommending that your area evacuate? I see New York is on high alert.

It would have been best if that storm stayed east of you. I do feel your pain. It's a whopping stressor and ya really never know what those girls will do until they get there.

Carol said...

Maybe you should dust off your cell phone you never use. We never lost cell service here even with all the damage we sustained.

Anonymous said...

Just have to go with it Carol & hope it won't be as bad as it could be & then deal with the aftermath, whatever it may be...

Any evacuation that might be needed would be along the shore communities, right now it is the non-stop media deluge that gets people worked up...but I suspect that most will wait it out unless it starts getting really bad along the water...As with most shore communities in these parts those properties are pretty expensive & the owners
are hard core live at the water's edge type at all costs...

My biggest problem would be the trees all around the house...I had them trimmed back in the fall & the arborist said the type of trees
around my property are not generally the type that topple...oaks, beeches...pines are & I don't have any of those...

But the ground has been pretty saturated over the spring so you never know...he also said when the big trees are swaying that's what they
are supposed to do, but have to say watching them sway when the wind is howling is disconcerting at best...

Gloria smacked CT pretty hard but that was 20 years ago...my closest friend was w/o electricity for several days then (she still lives in the same house)....& I remember how
awful humid it was after that hurricane & the air smelled metalic...

jan said...

Good luck Coreen. I have not heard any news all day - up here in the hills of Eastern NC. It is like the rest of the world does not exist. I need to go in now and checck news and see what is going on with Irene.

Anonymous said...

I put up a new post....