New Years Eve!

Coming to you live from my favorite place in the house, the sofa. As I type, I'm almost comatose from sinus medicine. I've been well since Friday, why am I taking meds??? BECAUSE MY THROAT STARTED HURTING TONIGHT!! I have sinus pain & pressure as well. Dean is feeling better. I didn't think sinus was contagious? All this sickness & the fact that the majority of our friends are out of town leads to a boring New Years Eve. We're just watching LSU.

Yesterday, I went to brunch with Allison. We went to Tallulah. It's the restaurant in a new hotel in town.

We had a glass of champagne. So good! I had the crab & shrimp frittata. It was really good. I didn't get a picture because it took forever. Our waitress told us that "the fritatta had to be re-made". Hmmmm. OK. Anyway, I was starving when it came & forgot about pictures.

I LOVED the Christmas trees in the lobby.

Of course these are iPhone pics but the trees below were my faves! The tree was actually gold.

The pictures don't do them justice. Gold tree with silver, gold & bronze ornaments. So, so pretty.

The close up doesn't do it justice either. There was more gold than silver but the combo was so pretty.

Another one.

Loved this ornament.

We did a little shopping after brunch. I picked up the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. I was told it was a must. I'll let you know.

Today I was back at work but I only had to work until noon. I met friends for lunch.

Lane is our Godchild. We exchanged Christmas gifts. I got a very cute necklace & earrings.

Me, Vicki & Lane. My hair was in a ponytail. I don't like the way it looks but I didn't feel like doing anything more to it this morning.

Me & Lane. Vicki's niece Simone joined us too. I just realized we didn't get a pic. I can't believe how grown she is. Time flies.

A bunch of our friends are spending NYE in Pass Christian at our friends house. Since we had to work &  Dean still isn't well, we stayed home. I got a text message from one of our friends this afternoon telling me to stop by on my way home because they had something for me.

I was very excited to see this! Dave makes this appetizer a lot & I love it. It's assorted cheeses, olives, artichokes, mushrooms, red peppers & some sort of salami or sausage or something. I don't generally like salami or sausage but I love this stuff.  He said since we couldn't be with them he made us our own. I was very excited. We snacked on it while watching the LSU game. I'm wondering if I'll make it to the end.........

Toodles!

Listen to your mother!

Sigh. The week before our cruise I had my annual appt with the Dermatologist. I'm pasty white & have a ton of moles so I get myself checked out. There were 2 on my back that she wanted to remove. No biggie. She did it & that was that. Until a few days later. I get a call from her saying that one was abnormal so she wanted take more skin. Oh joy. Of course this doesn't come as a surprise to me. I had to do the same thing a few years ago. My appointment was Thursday. It's not a major thing at all. Go in lay on your stomach, she gave me some numbing shots, did the procedure, sewed me up & I was on my way. Of course this is me we're talking about & I've become some sort of crazy person the older I get. I didn't pass out but when I saw the bloody gauze on the little tray I got shaky & queasy. I wanted out of there! It's ridiculous really.

Once the meds wore off it hurt. Not horribly but pain nonetheless. It's in a bit of an awkward spot being that I'm a side sleeper. I tried to sleep on my other side. The stitches bother me too. They stay in for 2 weeks. I read my "wound care" paperwork & I see that I can't do any vigorous activity until the stitches come out. Well, isn't that great? No yoglates or running. BTW, haven't done either of those things in like 3 weeks because of the cruise & being sick. It's not going to be pretty when I start.

So back to the title of this post. Back in the day I was a BIG fan on the tanning bed. Like I said, I'm pasty white & I don't like it. Not one bit. The tanning bed was the solution. Back then was when it was said that the tanning bed was better than the sun. My mom disagreed. Did I listen? No. I should have. It's not fun getting cut on. Of course there are worse things too. So people, go get checked out!!

Toodles!

Christmas!

I'm FINALLY feeling better! YAY! Yesterday, was my first day of no meds & I slept all night with waking up with a coughing fit! Sadly, Dean is now sick. Lovely. So back to Christmas. I hop y'all had a wonderful Christmas!
I had to work Christmas Eve but was able to leave the office at 1:30. I was still feeling pretty bad so I was very excited to be able to fit in a nap before Mass. After Mass we had dinner reservations with our friends, the Gillio's.

Amelia-Ann, me, Alexandra & Sheri waiting on our table. Dinner was at Ruffino's & it was delish!! I had their signature pineapple martini & I didn't cough for hours! After dinner we had to go home & change into our pj's. We were all going to our other friends house for a PJ party & to play the White Elephant game.

Yes, that's me in front with red velvet footie pj's on! We were supposed to have hot chocolate but you know this is Louisiana & we never know about the weather. It was in the 70's so the adults had margarita's!

Me & some of the girls before we started the game.

I was very excited to end up with a Starbuck's gift card. I had to steal 3 different ones before I finally got to keep one but I got it!!

Dean & I were up bright & early Christmas morning. There was a lot of cooking to do. Dean made seafood gumbo & fried a turkey in his oil less turkey fryer. Those things are amazing! We also had a ham, roast, broccoli rice casserole, rice dressing, cornbread dressing, cauliflower casserole, rolls, crawfish dip, pecan pie, carrot cat, Italian cream cake, chocolate cheesecake (OMG TO DIE FOR). I even contributed. I made green bean casserole & corn casserole. Everything was really good but we had way too much. It was only my parents, Dean's parents, my brother, sis-in-law, Logan & my cousin & her husband & kids. Dean  & I are still eating leftovers but I'm actually enjoying it.

Logan was so fun this year! He was super excited about opening gifts.

He was waiting patiently for someone to give him something to open.

The look on my cousin Brendan's face when he realized we gave him gift cards & not an iPhone was hilarious! Well, not to him. Hehe!

My cousins Dylan & Brooke

 I love this pic of Logan & Brooke. I just wish it wasn't an iPhone pic & a little clearer. Oh well.

Aren't they cute? Logan loved hanging out with the cousins.

As the family was leaving the neighbors started coming in. Everyone knew Dean was making gumbo & everyone wanted some. We had a great day. I was really bummed that I had to go to work Wednesday.

Toodles!

Christmas Eve Eve

I'm still sick. The coughing has started on a regular basis now & I sound like a dog with heart worms. Oh joy!

Friday night was our neighbors Christmas party. I didn't leave work until 6:15. Long story but suffice it to say I wasn't really in the party mood but we went & it was nice.


This is Cliff, the host. He started the party in a tux & ended up like this. Don't ask.

Saturday was Christmas at Dean's parents with the cousins & Dean's brother & niece & nephew. Dean's parents went on a cruise the week before we did & they brought the kids some gifts from Mexico.





The chickens were the hit of the party. It was one of the stupidest things with no point!


Camille had bongo drums on her Christmas list.


I was excited about this gift. You can never go wrong giving me wine!

There are always interesting conversations at Dean's parents. They live in Bayou Pigeon. The heart of Cajun country where everyone has a nickname. This is how it went.

Me: Keith from White Castle is a carrier.
Dean: Spinx
Me: huh?
Dean: They call him Spinx
Dean's brother: oh yeh Spinx. Isn't that the one we always thought was gay?
Dean: No, that was Plug.

TRUE STORY!!! I SWEAR!

Dean's mom was sick earlier in the week & her Dr. gave her prednisone. She quit taking it after a day because it kept her awake. I feel bad so I'm taking it now. Yeh I know all about not taking other people's meds but it's steroids & my Dr gives them to me so I'm not worried. I took the first one yesterday. I didn't sleep. Sigh.

Today, Dean & I had some last minute shopping to do. We have a Christmas Eve pj party & Dean needed some Christmasy pj's. we found some Ralph Lauren ones at Macy's. Yes, Dean will be sporting Polo PJ's!!! It cracks me up!!

We had some gift cards to get & as usual I picked up a few things for me. Supposedly, this is going to change my life.


A 20% off coupon at Ulta is an awesome thing!!

Loft had everything in the store 50% off. I picked up a top & a sweater.

We took a shopping break & went to the movie & had lunch. We saw "This is 40". I really liked it. I'm a big Paul Rudd fan. I loved him when he was Phoebe's boyfriend on Friends.

We had Mexican for lunch & did some last minute grocery shopping. This is my Christmas baking this year.


On a side note, I think my mom & mother in law are trying to kill me. I've talked to both of them tonight & they told me to take a Benadryl too. Good Lord!

Merry Christmas!!

Toodles!!

Sigh....

I'm tired. I don't feel good. I'm annoyed. It's a wonderful time of year!!! That's sarcasm. Seeing as how I just got back from vacation I really shouldn't be feeling this way but I am. I can't help it. Christmas is always my favorite time of year. This year, I'm not into it. I didn't mail Christmas cards, I didn't go all out with my decorating like normal. I'm not finished with my shopping. Which means I'm also not finished with my wrapping. Thank God for Dean. He's off today & got some last minute gifts & ran a ton of errands.

I know being sick doesn't help. Also the fact that I have to work Christmas Eve & the day after Christmas is a bummer. Especially, since Dean is off.

Our Christmas festivities start Friday night with our friends annual Christmas party. That's always fun & it's next door so it's convenient. Saturday is Christmas at Dean's parents with Dean's brother & our niece & nephew & cousins. That's always fun too & there's always good food.

Speaking of food. There's been eating going on at my house & no exercising. This sickness has just made me not feel like doing anything. I was hoping to go back to Yoglates tomorrow but I don't know. I'm halfway thinking about blowing it all off until after Christmas. Not a good plan but it may very well turn out that way.

Christmas Day will be at our house with my family & Dean's parents. The amount of food we're having is out of control but I know it will all be delicious. I'm actually craving all the holiday food so I'll be happy to have some leftovers.

I hate cold weather. I've said that a million times BUT it is nice for it to be a little cool for Christmas. It's been in the 70's & 80's here. I guess that doesn't help my mood or Christmas spirit.

Then there's all the crap going on in the world. It's awful. I firmly believe that God needs to be in schools. He needs to be everywhere. He needs to be the basis of everything we do.  I think if more people believed & went to Church & had a religious foundation things would be different. I know everyone doesn't agree but it's my blog & my opinions.

So this was uplifting huh?? Hopefully, as the weekend draws closer, the mood will get better!

Toodles!

We're back

Sigh.... I can't believe the week's over & we're back at work already. Sigh....We had a great time on our cruise. This is our third cruise & second this year. What can I say? We stick with what we like! This was our first Carnival cruise. In the past we've had a balcony room but this time we had an "inside" room. I didn't have high hopes. I envisioned having to climb over the bed to get anywhere. That's ok, it was cheap!
I was pleasantly surprised! See that window? Yeh, it's not a window. Apparently, some boat designer chick thinks if you put curtains on a solid wall it will make you think there's a window. Not so much. This picture is from the door of the cabin. The bathroom is on the left & the closet on the right. There was a neat little desk/vanity area with a stool. It was perfect for when I decided to fix my hair & put on makeup. Incidentally, that happened maybe twice. We ate at the buffet the entire time. We never set foot in a dining room. The buffet = I could wear a hat! It was such a relaxing week!

We left Monday & the weather was awful. It was raining & a cold front was coming. Luckily, we missed it.
The deck by the pool & slide.

The atrium was decorated so pretty. There was garland everywhere. Loved it! BTW, these are iPhone pics because I haven't done anything with the pics from my good camera.

Once we got on the boat we ate lunch & explored the boat & then unpacked. If you've never been on a cruise they do this safety thing that is like the flight attendant going through the safety thing on a flight. The only difference is that you have to actually go to your "muster" station & listen to the safety drill. I hate it. I mean really, what's the point? If there's an emergency nobody is going to follow proper procedure. The Concordia anyone..... So I took a little nap before the drill & when I woke up my throat was KILLING me. Seriously??? We weren't on the boat 6 hours & I was sick??? You've got to be kidding.
It was time for the first cocktail of the trip. I needed something for my throat. I love a drink with an umbrella. That was a good pina colada.
A little later I had a glass of champagne.

There was sushi bar on the boat. I've tried California rolls before & they were just ok. I decided to try again. They were just ok. Dean was NOT a fan.
I love going back to the room at night to see what towel animal we have. They're so cute! I love that on a cruise they clean your room in the morning & then they come back for turn down service. The chocolate they leave is really good!

Tuesday was a day at sea. Those are always really relaxing. Wednesday we were in Progresso. We'd never been there before. We didn't do any excursions this trip. The first thing on my to do list was to find a "pharmacy" to get some sinus meds. The ship didn't have anything but Tylenol PM & if I took that during the day I wouldn't have known where I was. Lucky for me I found a guy. HAHA! He spoke enough English to understand I needed a decongestant & then he was able to tell me to take 3 at a time every 8 hours. Now normally I wouldn't buy random meds from a third world country but I was desperate. So desperate that I took the meds with this.
I don't like beer. These little 8 oz. Corona's were 3 for $5 & Dean does like beer.  I needed something to take those pills with. Blech! It was gross!

This little bar was at the port & it had some interesting decor.
There was also a pool & a DJ in that little hut.
This was hanging on the ceiling of the bar. Interesting.
We went to another little bar that felt like home with the LSU & Saints flags.
The Pina Colada's were good & cheap!
The DJ with the LSU lanyard. He knew who LSU was but he didn't know who Snoop Dogg was.
Dean tipped the waitress/bartender for his beer & my pina colada & these shots appeared at our table. It was Mexican Koolaid. I'm not a shot girl but I thought maybe some of this would kill the sickness. It wasn't bad at all.

On the menu for dinner was fried shrimp & fried green beans.

The shrimp are the darker colored fried things. They were surprisingly good. Although, for the life of me I can't figure out why they were that shape. Shrimp aren't straight.

 

Thursday we were in Cozumel.

We ate lunch in the port at a place called Panchos II.
More pina colada's! Dean had a margarita.
The enchilada's were soooo good.

Back on the boat we did a mini martini tasting.
They were good. I promise we didn't drink the entire time we were on this trip.
The buffet area.

The salad bar.
One night there was a Mexican buffet & they had all sorts of pretty desserts & decorations that were made out of fruit.

 

Friday was another day at sea & then Saturday morning when we woke up we were back in New Orleans.

I'll post some of the good pics later in the week. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better. I've got a ton of things to do to get ready for Christmas.

Toodles!