Audobon Adventures!

We started our day with a hearty breakfast at Mother's...and yes, there ham is FABULOUS!

Then we hopped on the St. Charles Streetcar to ride to the Audobon Zoo. We got to see some of the homes in the Garden District.

The zoo was very nice and clean. The animal exhibits were nice. Lil Sis was disappointed that they had removed the kangaroos.

This little fox got up from his nap to pose for me...then he went back to sleep. It was so cute.

We walked back to the hotel to meet Dr. Hubby and then headed to the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas. I petted a stingray and a shark!

We had dinner at the Acme Oyster Bar in the French Quarter. The catfish was fantastic! Then we headed to the hotel to watch the premiere of "V" on abc. I look forward to seeing where they take this show.

After the show we caught the river streetcar and headed to Jackson Square to pick up some beignets from Cafe Du Monde. We decided to take a carriage ride around the French Quarter. We saw Cemetary #1, Bourbon Street at night, Royal Street, Brad Pitt's home, the most haunted place in New Orleans (LaLaurie Mansion) owned by Nicholas Cage, and LOTS of colorful characters hanging out on the sidewalks. I highly recommend a carriage ride after dark! Take your camera even if your hubby says "But it is dark...you won't need it."

Tomorrow we are going to tour Oak Alley Plantation (Brad Pitt's home in Interview With The Vampire and the location of Bo and Hope's 1st wedding on Days of our Lives).

Mardi Gras In November

On Day #4 after eating our $19 breakfast buffet we caught the shuttle and headed for Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World!

We were greeted with a sign warning us that a movie is being filmed. It is called "Knucklehead" and stars some people I don't really know. It was cool to hear "quiet on the set" and "rolling."

They gave us "King Cake" to eat in the beginning. A small plastic baby is baked inside and normally whoever gets the baby in their piece has to host the party next year and provide the cake.

On the tour we learned how they make the floats and props. This is a design for next year.

Alot of the people props get new clothes made out of packing material.

Alot of the props are made of layers of styrofoam. The guy doing this job was covered from head to toe in little pieces.

The sides of the floats are covered with cotton cloth and painted white. Then the color is added. At the end of each parade they paint over the design with white and start again. The cloth is changed every 5-6 years.

It was amazing to see these giant creations in the building. I bet it is even better rolling down the street.

We got to play with a few large head masks. Did you know the people who ride the floats must pay to ride ($500-$1500) AND must provide their own "throws" (beads, stuffed animals, plastic cups, coins)? The "throws" can cost them $400-$500.

We also had a little fun with some costumes and masks.

Mardi Gras World is a MUST DO in New Orleans. We had a BLAST!

We took the Algiers Ferry across the Mississippi River to historic Algiers Point. This cargo ship was passing by...I am in love with all the ships and boats.

We had lunch at the Dry Dock Cafe.

We met Dr. Hubby back at the hotel and headed for the Riverwalk Shopping Mall. I got tickled when I saw the "Southern Food and Beverage Museum"...leave it to the southerners to have a museum dedicated to FOOD! Ironically, DO NOT eat at the Riverwalk Food Court...everything was YUCK!

We had time to go to the Canal Street Mall...very upscale. In SAKS I went straight for the Louis Vuitton section. I held a Speedy 30 handbag in black...I wanted to marry it, but couldn't since I am already married...LOL! It was only $2240! Yikes!

Tomorrow we are having "Audubon Day."

Bourbon Street? More Like Barf Street!

How did we start Day #2 of our trip?

Beignets and fresh squeezed OJ at Cafe Dumonde on Decatur Street. Caution...you WILL leave with powdered sugar on you!

The carriages were all lined up in front of Jackson Square. We did not go on one yet...

I loved the artists and their work displayed on the wrought iron fence. So relaxing to stroll along in the shade.

Tarot Card Readers and psychics were sprinkled among the artists.

Can you find Capt. Jack Sparrow among the black and whites?

I am amazed at all the alcohol and bars...I had been warned, but my imagination did not prepare me. I would have loved an icee...unfortunately they were all filled with rum or vodka.

The statue guys are fabulous...they can really take you by surprise. I don't know how they hold so still for so long.

St. Louis Cathedral is gorgeous. Mass was in progress while we were there.

Bourbon Street smelled like a combo of alcohol and vomit. It was yucky. Manga Dork glimpsed some odd behavior in a gay bar...yikes. I don't care if I ever walk that street again.

We ate lunch at Hard Rock Cafe...I had Twisted Macaroni With Chicken. It was yummy!

We walked along the Mississippi and caught sight of the steamboat, Natchez. It's rainbow flags were flying high...

This funky car was SO cool. There was so much to see on it.

The French Market had lots of neat foods and...

mardi gras beads and masks galore!

We caught a streetcar and headed back to the hotel for dinner and some relaxation in our room. Dr. Hubby starts his convention tomorrow. Oh yeah...I also found out where the Fall 2010 convention is going to be...SAN FRANCISCO!

More F.U.N. to come tomorrow!

New Orleans Is Fabulous!

Our flight from Atlanta to New Orleans wasn't nearly as nice as the one with wifi...but at least it was on time! Thank God for no delays. The clouds were beautiful. We even saw an airplane flying across from us way up there!

We met Lil Sis at the airport and took a taxi to the Hilton Riverside. Can't wait to show you the view from our window. We dressed up and went to dinner at Mother's Restaurant...I had yummy fried chicken!

Then we hit the street to check out the costumes...we saw the Sham-Wow guy, Rainbow Brite, Santa Claus, Micheal Phelps, Harry Potter, the Joker, Cheech, Snake Charmer, lots of pirates, Ghostbusters, Dodgeball (movie) team, Father Time, nun, Blue Man Group, cowboys, doctors...it was so neat! And yes...we saw a couple more "colorful" costumes too.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...

Blogging at 18,000 Feet!

Guess where I am!?

I am flying high in the sky!

Delta has free gogo wi-fi today! I didn't even know airplanes had wifi! This is really helping with my anxiety.

We are flying from Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!) to Atlanta, GA...yep...I just might see a Real Housewife! I wonder what my reaction would be? Hopefully they won't need a restraining order against me...lol!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and a spoooooky Halloween. I can't wait to get "Raggedy" and explore the streets of New Orleans. I look forward to blogging about my trip and sharing my experiences with the best bloggy buds in the blogosphere!

Scrappy

The Countdown Is On

Packing for a trip is EXHAUSTING! I am so tired...but I am excited too! I threw up yesterday and I have had diarrhea for the last couple days! My bowels are directly connected to my nerves...I can't help it...I guess it's faulty wiring...lol!

We will arrive in New Orleans around 6pm tomorrow night. I can't wait to see Lil Sis!

Some things we have planned...cemetary tour, eating at Cafe Du Monde, Mardi Gras World, Algiers Ferry, Oak Alley plantation tour, swamp boat ride and lots MORE...it is going to be FUN and I can't wait to blog about it each evening.

Keep us in your prayers for a safe trip!

Don't Make Fun Of The Frazzled Mom!

This morning was crazy! Dr. Hubby snapped at Manga Dork and made her cry. I had one preschooler crying to go to school and one crying to stay home...unfortunately it was the one who didn't want to go that had to go today! I couldn't find her shoes anywhere. We were 10 minutes late.

I went in and apologized to her teacher and explained that we had lost her shoes and about the crying. She laughed and said, "Well, I'm surprised you haven't brought the wrong one in." I told her not to count that out yet.

As I was walking out the door I heard her say to the kids, "Today we do not have a leader...because we are having our VALENTINE party!"

Feels good to not be the only crazy one on this planet! LOL! I needed that giggle...

Are You Packed Yet?

Are your suitcases packed?

Only 3 more days til we leave for New Orleans!

Anything specific you want to see while we are there?

Faith And Airplanes

Today I was struggling. Struggling with anxiety over flying to New Orleans on Saturday. Somewhere in my head came the idea that I needed to go to church. I felt like if I did not go to church that the plane may crash. I know that sounds completely irrational. I even laughed and said that I would go to church so that I wouldn't have that craziness in my mind...even though I knew it was irrational.

So the 3 girls and I went to church...they are having revival. I sat in the pew and I thought "I would love to know if that was God speaking to me or just my flying anxiety. I kinda laughed and thought "if this preacher says {airplane} I will know." I mean, come on, what are the chances of him saying airplane?!

The 2 little ones had squirmed and wiggled me to death, but around the middle of the sermon the preacher got my attention. What did he say? He said...

"There was this pilot flying an airplane...way up high with 147 passengers. He got on the speaker and said, "I regret to inform you, but we have lost one of our four engines. Luckily we can make it fine with just three." He also added, "I would also like to inform you that there are four pastors on the flight." At this time a guy leaned over and said to the woman next to him, "I would much rather have four engines and three pastors instead of three engines and four pastors."

Everyone laughed...except for me...I was too busy wiping the tears.

During this time my little ones were very still...it was the only time I wasn't wrestling with them. I had prayed this morning for God to keep me safe...and he had asked me when I was going to go to church for him instead of making exscuses. I have been absent way too much. Through my fear of flying God let me know that I need to do my part. I need to go to church and worship. I need to put more effort into my prayers. I need to read my Bible.

I wish I could bottle the feeling I had tonight and share some with each of you. I felt God so close. I will get on that plane Saturday and know that he is watching over me.

Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.-Matthew 18:20

{This was the daily scripture shared on my scrapbooking message board. I know that God was with us tonight.}

God Bless You.

Feelin' Raggedy

Last night was our community Halloween party. My "Andy" was home sick...not that he agreed to the Andy costume.

Wild Child loved walking in the parade.

But this is where Cutie stayed in the beginning...she was not fond of the scary costumes. My MIL joined us for the event.

Our little gangsta diva won "funniest" in her age group.

I even walked for my age group...the high school ninja kid in front of me was TOTALLY gettin' into character and almost whacked me with his sword several times. The oldest parade participant was 81 and the youngest was 2 months.

After the parades we went to play games...at this point the little ones' cat costumes were falling apart. I've got to exchange them before trick or treat on Thursday.

This is Manga Dork's boyfriend. Looks like Kim from Real Housewives...LOL! Peace! He was a very nice young man and they enjoyed helping with the games.

The evening was a blast! Oh yeah...I almost forgot!

Congrats to the Lady Reds! 2nd place at the District Tournament! Manga Dork is top row last one on the right. She played hard and received a standing cheer from her coach and teammates on the bench for one of her plays.

Happy Weekend!