And so it goes...

In theory...

In theory, spending my morning coffee time updating the blog seemed like a great idea.  In reality though, we had a brown out Wednesday night that blew my computer!  It was a weird event.  I was sitting at the computer (something new) and the lights dimmed A LOT. Some of the low voltage lights just faded to nothing and pretty much everything electrical was making not good noises.

Our TVs were struggling to turn themselves on and reload the cable information.  My computer was trying to reboot and not succeeding, so I just powered it down (apparently a mistake).  I ran around unplugging everything I could reach that was attached to an electrical plug and went to sleep.  Not a bad thing considering how tired I was from the past two weeks.

Thursday morning I woke up, made my latte and made my way to the computer.  Powered it up, waited it to load and hit the email button.  No files found.  Application files not found.  I browsed my back up drive for Outlook files.  None found.  Browse the back up external hard drive.  None found.  Not only did the power event take out all my email, it's files and my contact list, but the ENTIRE program as well.  Crap.  Spent a while trying to figured it out and only managed to delete ALL the Office programs.  This was work for the computer geek.  Unfortunately he's tied up.  A lot of the appliances seemed to readjust themselves, (in fact - I have a service call out on our dryer but it seems to be working just fine now!).  The only casualties seem to be my computer and big screen TV in the family room. 

Oh well.  I tried again Friday, and tried writing this post on Saturday, when we had ANOTHER power surge and the post went *poof*.  Man.  Right now I'm writing this from Bob's laptop from not so sunny (at the moment) Southern California.  Hopefully my computer guy can come next week when I'm home and find my files and programs.  Don't think that's going to happen though.  So for all 4 of you out there that still read the blog - please email so I can start compiling an address book again.

So - that's the news from here (there) for now... tomorrow - California!

Let's try this...

Today I'm trying out a couple of new things.  You could call it procrastinating, but I prefer to think of it as altering my morning routine! eBay is killing me financially - so this is what I'm going to try to do while I drink my morning lattes.  Besides - it will keep me from housework for a bit! Lord knows there is still tons of Mardi Gras stuff to clean up!

We had 24 (25 when Jessie decided to sleep over) people at the house for Mardi Gras! Air mattresses every where and a good time was had by all!  Unfortunately our dryer is acting up (oh yeah, I gotta call them!) so it is taking forever to get the laundry done.  We had 30 somethings and 3 kids (second generation) under 5 and then the 20 somethings.  Bob, Lolly and I were the only "old" people here.  All in all it was a great week-end.  With the exception of me leaving the keys to the car (our get away car for Mardi Gras Day) on the party bus.  The bad news... my keys have been vacationing in Florida for the week.  The good news... wonderful Mr. Rex was kind enough to bring me my extra set, so we were only hanging around for about 30 minutes.

Unfortunately, this pattern repeated itself in Orlando on my way to the airport! I could not find the keys at all - and of course the contract was locked in the car! I finally ended up calling American Express to find out who the lessor was - Budget - called a locksmith - and had a shuttle bus driver find my keys in the parking lot!  Hurray! I was so astonished and relieved (the locksmith was going to cost $250 easy) I forgot to reward her... but she has been in my thoughts and prayers lots for the past few days!

Disney World was great even if the weather was a little dicey.  Actually, it was perfect for me - not sunny and cool.  Covered from head to toe and didn't need to worry about sunscreen!  Saturday they closed the Magic Kingdom early for a "private" party.  Erin had gotten us tickets to their Pirates and Princesses party!  It was super - many adults and kids dressed up - not to mention the adults there without kids! There was treasure to find (read as more Mardi Gras beads etc) and a 15 minute fireworks display which included a "battle" for Cinderella's castle!  Tinkerbell flew (can't tell you the last time I saw her fly!) and we had a fantastic time!

All in all, life is good.  Just filed an insurance claim on the glass kitchen counter top... an ongoing saga... I started Chantex yesterday with the hopes of finally quitting smoking again... family is good. Work continues through out New Orleans and it is wonderful seeing all the new construction.  Skylar has the plans for his house, but unfortunately the bids are double what he has to spend, but that's another story. 

Oh! Today on Ellen she was talking about inventions... Ellen showed this bra that you can fill up with wine and drink on the go! I thought it just hilarious!!!  WHERE WAS THAT WHEN I WAS DRINKING???!!!!

Yes, I'm ALIVE!!!!

Ok, I've been meaning to do this for ages... Yes, I'm alive and well.  There just hasn't been a whole lot to write about.  Well, actually there is a ton of stuff... I just never thought anyone would be interested in it!

Here is the family photo from Friday night - our start of Carnival.  Ben is asleep in the corner in his stroller - and Jessie's boyfriend Caleb is new too... new to the photo not to Jessie.  They've been together about 1 1/2 years now, I think... y'all may remember him from the NYC family trip.

The Suit of Lights (my sequined suit) has been finally retired, but look for an amazing replacement for next year. And, as if Mardi Gras wasn't reason enough to celebrate, Andy turned 21 on Monday. Yikes!!!  (It was Ellie's 5th birthday too!)

For the moment I'll just post some photos so everyone can see life is as usual... I've got to pack for Disney World.  I'm meeting JC, Erin and the boys for the weekend.  The grand boys have their own private paparazzi!

Later kids!!!

 

From the left, Skylar, Caleb, Jessie, J.C., Erin, Jake, Bob, Lolly, me, Chad and Andy.  I think we all look terrific! Didn't have the chance to tweek it in Photoshop - so don't let all the red eyes scare ya!

Andy, Bob, me and Jessie on the left. Andy and me in Iris on the right.

                                                         

Some of the twenty something people we had staying here for Mardi Gras - I think these are all the Millsaps kids (on left). At the last moment, there was an opening on Bob's float so Chad was able to have his first Bacchus ride (center of photo).  Interestingly enough - bracketing the photo is Skylar (far right) and his boss (far left)!

My crazy kids at the Bacchus ball on the left and Chad's family on the right. Chad is holding a LSU hat that was autographed by Les Miles at some point during the day.

Andy and Ellie share the same birthday - so we celebrated at our brunch. And of course, Superstar Benjamin...

Mardi Gras day saw us repeating the Barbie theme (not as successfully as the past).  It says a lot about your daughters' boyfriends when they are willing to cross dress! Skylar was protesting by not wearing a dress that the women had not dressed as Ken!

PS - 138 days sober - that's almost 5 months!