LIFE IS GOOD 46

TO BRADEN AND MASON

2009-04-05T09:12:00.004-05:00

I have not posted in a very long time! I was on facebook this morning and read Braden Alba's thoughts on his Grandma Nancy S Alba. It brought many great memories and the many lessons she taught me. I thought I would share with Braden some of my memories of her here because I can't figure out how to post long messages on Facebook!

Please join me in sharing memories of Nancy with Braden and Mason!

Braden,
I have many fond memories of your grandma Nancy! I will share a few with you.
When I was young about 15 years old I loved going up to your grandparents house (my brother Sam and his beautiful wife Nancy). They would invite us up to their house for dinner. Nancy and Sam would make one of my favorite meals which consisted of London Broil grilled, Spinach Salad, and rice Pilaf. It was an awesome meal.
Here is the funny part, the first time I ever had this meal we were all gathered at the table eating first and seconds and sometimes even thirds on some of the items.
Nancy asked me "DO YOU LIKE SPINACH?"
I remember looking at her and saying 'NO PLEASE NEVER SERVE SPINACH WITH THIS MEAL IT WILL JUST SPOIL IT'
I remember her smiling at me and then smiling at Sam! I asked her at the time to please pass the salad because I was on my third serving of this delicious salad!
After dessert, because we always had dessert when I went to your Grandparents house Nancy very gently said told me that the salad I so enjoyed at dinner was a SPINIACH SALAD! I looked at here and said “NO! Spinach was this green globby looking thing that they served on school lunches. She said that was cooked spinach and that I had just had three servings of uncooked spinach! I GUESS I DO LIKE SPINIACH.
I remember driving in here Honda 4 door Accord with here and Brian and Matt in the back seat. We were going very fast because we were late to one of the boy's soccer games! I remember her telling me not to tell anyone how fast we were going. She just did not want the boys to be late for the game. I always loved the time I spent with her and I remember telling her that when I grew up and had a car I wanted it to be just like hers.
Birthdays were always something special. I always received money not just any old money! Money that she had ironed and made crisp! I loved receiving those cards. She always remembered special days.

Braden, these are just a few of the memories I have of your Grandma! She was a grand lady that always made me feel very special and most of all LOVED!

Let the Parties Begin

2009-01-06T11:15:00.002-06:00

So it is that time of year when you are torn between the old and the new!

New Looks!
New Thoughts (or old thoughts that keep resurfacing)!
New Experiences

Let the parties begin it is this time of the year here in the Crescent city! Yes it is the beginning of the parties and activities for MARDI GRAS!

It is my first time in the city for this extravaganza so what is MARDI GRAS? So we celebrate Halloween don't we?

If you want to join for some fun in the Crescent City let me know! Good luck finding a Hotel during the weekend and week of Feb. 20th. I get the 24th off for the ending of the festivities. I might just have to take the 23rd off as well and make it a nice long 4 day weekend of festivites.

New Experience....

2008-12-18T23:31:00.002-06:00

I just came home from seeing this and had an awesome time! Christmas music will never be the same for me and I think I need to go and get Guitar Hero! WOW is all I can say! The only bad thing is that now I am all wound up and I need to be to work at 6:00 a.m. The alarm will go off at 5:00 and I am going to be hating life!

I have only 5 days until I am home for Christmas! I am excited. I hope to see as many of family and friends as possible!

SNOW in New Orleans....

2008-12-11T11:14:00.005-06:00

Who would have thought snow in New Orleans! They tell me that last time they got snow in December the following Hurricane season was bad aka KATRINA. We shall have to wait and see. I just thought you all might enjoy the picture. It was 76° two days ago and just raining yesterday! Oh well it is pretty..... Only people at work and other offices are freaking out! Schools are closing and the State Offices are closing. What about us poor Federal Employees?

Oh my gosh I just got home and it is freezing in my house! I should have left the heater on in the house! Man I am ready for some hot chocolate or something to get me warm!

I forgot one more thing I found this headline! "More sex means less stress" I need to do something about this! Way to much stress in my life..... GREEN MEANS GO......

FIRST'S.....

2008-12-01T20:21:00.005-06:00

My first thanks giving in New Orleans...... Remind me next time to just go to a restaurant for dinner next time! Way to much food for one!

It is good to be ranked #1! Okay it is not the kind of thing you want to be #1 in but it is amazing to me how we get desensitized and/or accustomed to things. When I first moved here it would bother me every time I would read the newspaper there was always a headline about the violence mostly the murders. I would map out where they occurred to see how close or far they were from my work and home. I have had two murders occur within two blocks from my house and another one about 5 blocks from my work. The one by my work I pass this house everyday. It is pretty sad. Now when I look at the paper it is like I just skip these articles other then when I want to view some interesting comments on the stories.

It has been a year that has been difficult regarding work! I dissolved my company and moved to New Orleans. WOW what more can I say other than lost of company lost of a friend lost of ...... SO MUCH LOST!

First Hurricane Season... Good to have the first one under my belt. What did I learn... You can never be to prepared and you need to be flexible.

Well enough of my first for a little while.

I WAS JUST WONDERING....

2008-11-14T19:14:00.001-06:00

What would you say if.........

150 MS RIDE

2008-10-05T18:52:00.003-05:00

My intent was to ride 150 miles after 110 I placed my hand on my helmet and said "NO MAS" I am tired and I ache in places that I will not mention at this point and time. Suffice it to say that currently I just took a hot shower and took Advil. I may take another hot shower in a few hours. MORE LATER! Just wanted to let you all know that I made it safe and sound and a lot of sourness.

Love you all that supported me on this venture!

Stay tuned for pictures and and a running dialog.

DO I WANT TO RIDE AGAIN NEXT YEAR ABSOLUTELY!
DO I WANT TO GET ON THE BIKE TOMORROW AND START TRAINING, NOT EVEN IF MY ETERNAL COMPANION WERE OUT THERE RIDING HIS BIKE AND I WAS GUARANTEED TO MEET HIM! OKAY! MAYBE IF THERE WAS A GUARANTEE BUT THAT IS ANOTHER POST ALL TOGETHER!

SCOOTER LIFE

2008-09-26T11:44:00.007-05:00

I have so much fun on my scooter. Yes I finally got it all ready to go and have been riding it to work and all over New Orleans. It is such a fun little toy. and can I say economical.

You will have to click on the picture to see how much I spent to top off my gas tank on the scooter. I got about 75 miles per gallon. I spent a total of $4.20 cents for 1.116 gallons. I love it.

I only have 7 more days before my MS 150 ride I am really excited. I will take lots of pictures and share with the family.

Well sorry this is so short I just wanted to share with you my scooter news!

HOME SICK....

2008-09-20T12:08:00.004-05:00

At the moment I kind of feel lost and alone! I hope you bare with me. I am sort of feeling out of sorts. Like I am tired and I just don't want to deal. So what do I call this?

HOME SICKNESS

I miss going with my sister to go buy a Carmel apple even though we both know it is not good for us.

I miss seeing my nieces and nephews at my mom' s house for Saturday lunch.

I miss having my niece cut and color my hair. I also miss my friend Bri cutting my hair.

I miss taking my nephew Alex for a ride in my convertible as well as my great nieces, Whitney, Sam, Emma and Kate.

I miss going up to my brother Hirams house just to hang out and talk to my brother.

I miss golfing with my brother Hector and my nephew Ryan.

I miss eating my mom's good food.

I miss being babied by my mom when I was not feeling well physically as well as mentaly.

I miss going to lunch with my friend Stephanie.

I miss hanging out at Brianna's house and baking sugar cookies, brownies and just hanging out and having dinner. She made some good meals.

I miss calling my friend Kim and going to a movie and dinner.

I miss going out to Tooele and visit my sister Isa and brother Peter.

I miss....

So what do I do this morning to try and get out of my funk...

GO ON A BIKE RIDE. AFTER ALL THE MS 150 is only 13 days away.

Saturday morning start time..... nothing but ZERO'S

Mississippi river along the levee.

Midway of my ride.

HOME AT LAST.

I am still feeling the blues, you would think that after 27.45 miles I would feel better. Maybe after I take my shower and get something to eat I will feel better.

HERE IS TO HAVING A BETTER DAY!

FEELINGS...

2008-09-19T21:21:00.004-05:00

This is the second attempt at this post! Lets just leave it at "I wish that I could talk to you and tell you what is happening in my life" Here are a few highlights:

1. Surprised my parents in Mexico.

2. I was in Mexico when hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana.

3. Took me an extra day to get back into town because my flights were canceled because of Gustav.

4. No damage to home or property due to Gustav.

5. From what I hear from friends that stayed during Gustav the wind was worse for IKE than Gustav.

6. Work is good just a lot of it.....

7. Only 14 days for the MS 150 bike ride if you have not donated and would like to please view the link on my blog. I need all the help I can get...

8. As many of you know I got a scooter! I love it! I need to go get a leather jacket I guess I will just have to go shopping! You all know how much that excites me.... (NOT). The last time I went shopping for clothes for myself was with Brianna, wow that was a long time ago. Bri are you up for another shopping spree? I though I might ask

9. Get your shopping done! Christmas is coming soon and all I want for Christmas is ......

I would really like to know if anybody has heard from BRI or has any information they would like to share... I know! I am pathetic....

New Transportation

2008-08-22T16:26:00.008-05:00

So I have been trying to figure out my transportation issue. I have a car that I can't register for reasons I will not get into here and I need to drive something that is legal so what shall I get? What can I afford? And what is economical? So I looked and looked and this is what I came up with!

One little wheel and it makes it go!

Add another wheel and it goes pretty smooth!

Add a body between the two wheels and what do you get? A scooter for NANCY! YA YA YA

It only has 5.4 miles on my new mode of transportation.

I love the way it looks from the front!

And the back!

and the view i have when i am sitting on the scooter. I need a name for my new scooter! Let's have a naming contest! Submit your name and I will pick the one I like the most and you will receive a prize. I haven't decided on the prize yet but I will send something that is NOLA.

I have not had my picture taken on it when my friend comes over tonight to take the scooter to her house for safe keeping. Why would I have my friend take my scooter when I just got it two days ago well I will tell you why. It is called tropical storm, tropical depression and possible Hurricane FAY is on its way towards us. So my friend offered her garage to store my scooter and get it out of the rain....

BENEFICIARY

2008-08-04T19:36:00.003-05:00

So the one of the things I like about work with the Corps is that you have an unusual amount of paperwork that you have to fill out and complete before you start work and also when you arrive and then the madness just seems to continue.

One of the items I have had to fill out is by beneficiary form. As I thought about this and about who to place on this form it was a difficult decision. So I have filled out my form and this is what will happen.

1. When I die you will receive notice from the Corps that you have been assigned as my beneficiary. You will receive the following:

You will receive 4 times my base salary, which right know is $240,000.00.
You will receive my money in my 401K which currently is $140,000.00 Lets hope that the market recovers and I don't lose to much more of this.
If I die while on the job you will also receive an additional $120,000.00

It is pretty sad that I am worth more dead than alive. Oh well. I only ask that you do the following in case of my demise.

Pay for my funeral etc.
Remember that I chose you! Use the money wisely and remember that I loved you and if I had a child I would be proud if they grew up to be just like you. Your parents did well in teaching you and in raising you!
I have a small plastic tote that is in my house as well as a similar one at work with copies of all the important documents. They say here in case of Hurricanes to have the documents in an easy accessible place. Any way there is a letter that is addressed to you my Beneficiary and in it I explain why I chose you.

RAIN - HURRICANE

2008-08-04T08:15:00.004-05:00

LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN......

So I was hoping to have my first hurricane it does not look like it but hopefully it will bring some relief to the high temperatures.

I rode my bike in to work this morning and had a strong head wind. It took me about 10 min. longer to get here than normal.

I rode last Thursday and when I got home I was so tired and hot I could not figure out why. I sat in front of the air conditioner and was listening to the news and they said the temperature was 95 degrees but with the humidity it felt like 105. No wonder I was tired and felt like I was going to pass out.

Oh well.. More later. I am hoping Edouard will hit closer so that I can go home early. Riding home should be an adventure.

Intersting Phrases

2008-07-30T23:34:00.002-05:00

"we can learn to respect one another's boundaries"

What an interesting little phrase! Are boundaries meant to keep us in? or out? What if the boundaries become blurred? What was once acceptable is no longer acceptable! Or wanted! Or needed!

I look at my life and I think of all the boundaries that I have crossed? Was it worth the effort? Was the prize everlasting? Did the ends justify the means? Were the boundaries set by the two of us or just by one? I will allow you in only as long as it makes me feel good! I will allow you just to see a little bit of me but not all of what I am!

"in the future we can avoid further damage to fragile feelings"

Another interesting phrase! Is it better to ignore the ringing of the phone because you know who it is that is calling? If I don't answer the phone they will get the hint that I would prefer not to talk to them! If I don't respond to emails will they understand or know that you are not respecting the boundaries I have set-up?

"We are simply different people, and that leads us to see situations quite differently"

Is this not a good thing? The world would be a very boring place if we all thought and acted the same! Can we not learn from our differences and become a better person?

Just some random thoughts... I think I will go to bed now.

Stay tuned for some more insightful blogging from "SHE WHO HATES TO WRITE"

Corps of Engineers

2008-07-30T17:29:00.003-05:00

From an article in the local newspaper"

"Relatively small amounts of water have been leaking from the Lakeview canal levee for a year or longer, despite $24.4 million in repairs by the Army Corps of Engineers since Katrina breached the eastern floodwall in 2005."

Here is a comment posted regarding this article.

"Have they tried Mightyputty? It works on TV, fixes any leak."

I don't know about you but this just made me laugh.

No this is not one of my projects. All of my projects are on the west bank of the Mississippi river. And what I do for the Corp is process modifications etc. for the different contracts.

Just a side note. I think since I have been here almost 5 months I think I can count on my hand the number of days that an article did not appear in the news paper about something that the Corps is doing or is not doing. It kind of makes you careful when you talk to people and thy start asking about where you work. We all kind of have the bullseye on our backs.

Any way I thought you might enjoy a good laugh.

A good laugh.....

2008-07-30T07:19:00.002-05:00

A friend sent me this picture the title was " Rare photo: Mexican Navy Seal" I had to laugh. I hope it brings a smile to you as well.

I am working on getting ready for the MS 150. I am excited and a little anxtious because the ride is in Oct. and I feel like I am way behind on training. Oh well.....

I got a new bike! I sold my Felt 80 and purchased another one with the money I received from my other bike. I will post pictures later.

Hard to believe that I have been here for almost 5 months working. So many things to work through and so many things to just let go because they are not worth the effort....

More later.....

New Orleans Police at its Finest

2008-07-17T13:21:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post. Take a look at this article and tell me what you think! Just a little background on some of the comments you will read.

1. In the last two weeks a police officer that was going to retire that day chose to ware a police shirt (old) shirt from previous years and was suspended on his last day for his wearing the wrong color of shirt. The shirt was blue and it should have been black. becasue of his suspension he is not allowed to apply to be on the reserve force for the police department.

2. A New Orleans Police Officer was on his way to work crossing the Causway bridge (24 mile bridge) he was late and so another police (Causway Policeman) tried to pull him over and he tried to ram the police officers car and then when he was leaving the scean he hit the Causway Policeman. The police officer that was late was clocked going in excess of 90 MPH on the bridge.

Now this I tell you it makes you wonder about the Police here in the area.

Read and let me know what you would do in this situation and what would you tell the kids that witnessed this?

How long can you survive

2008-07-14T16:34:00.001-05:00

My niece had this on her blog check it out it is pretty interesting. It said that I could survive for 599 days. Not to bad thank heavens for food storage and for a wood shop. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Birthday wish

2008-07-07T17:57:00.002-05:00

So just a quick post. I thought all day if I should call and wish this person a happy birthday today. I struggled all day with this and decided that I would send a birthday post. I hope you have/had a great day. Birthdays only come once a year except for me because I use to always tell you it was my birthday everyday. I do hope this year brings you all of your desires and wishes.

You are not forgotten just placed in a location in my heart that I at times allow myself to enter and other times I don't dare go there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. HARRY POTTER LIVES AND I WILL GO AND SEE THE LAST MOVIE WHEN IT COMES OUT IN YOUR HONOR!

Tagged by Baby Joe and HIs Beutiful wife Jessica

2008-07-05T17:17:00.002-05:00

I got tagged by baby Joe and his wife Jessica,

10 years ago I was..... sorry I had a senior moment. Just kidding, 10 years ago I was working at Clinical Innovations full time and going to school full time. I could not pass up the opportunity for Uncle Chris's company paid for my education. I ended up only paying 50% books they paid for the rest! What a great company to work for!

5 things on my to do list today

Go on a bike ride. I am trying to get ready for the MS 150 in October. oh wait I did ride this morning on the levee so that is off my list but it was on my list so I am leaving it.
Go grocery shopping - Done
Take out the garbage - Done
Study - Done. Study you might ask what I am studying well I decided to study Thermodynamics. yes a little light gaining of knowledge.
Take a shower and go to the Essence Festival.

If I were a millionaire I would buy a house and travel more. I would really like to go to Australia.

Places I have lived, Texas, Utah, Florida, Connecticut, California and know the beautiful state of Louisiana NOLA ROCKS!

I tag the following people: Amanda, Johnathan, Boo, Monse and Stephanie

Rules of Tagged - Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answers.

Bike Ride

2008-06-25T09:06:00.002-05:00

I rode in to work today. I needed to start getting time on the bike getting ready for the MS-150 in October. I ride from my house in the lower garden district into the 9th ward and then into work. The route takes me through the French Quarter and then along the Mississipi and into the navel base on Poland Street. The route is about 5 miles or so. I need to get a new battery for my odometer to make sure. Anyway it was a good ride I had to carrie all of my stuff in my backpack so I had an additional 15 pounds on my back. It was a good ride. I did not realize how sweaty I was until I got into the building and took off my backpack. I need to bring a bunch of stuff so that I don't have to carry everything in the mornings.

Anyway I got in to work and was looking at the newspaper and this is what I found

"Man murdered in Lower 9th Ward this morning
by Ramon Antonio Vargas, The Times-Picayune
Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:46 AM
A 48-year-old New Orleans man was found murdered in the Lower 9th Ward this morning, a spokesman for the New Orleans coroner's office said.
Victor Russell appears to have died from gunshot wounds, said John Gagliano, the coroner's chief investigator. Someone found Russell dead the 6300 block of North Rampart Street and alerted police, Gagliano said.
The New Orleans Police Department hasn't released details about the case.
Media reports also indicated that someone coming home from work found Russell dead inside his home.
Court records show Russell had a litany of drug convictions.
He pled guilty in 1989 to possession of crack cocaine and received a one-year hard labor prison sentence in 1990, according to court records.
Six years after receiving that prison sentence, Russell was sentenced to seven years of hard labor in prison after pleading guilty to a possession of crack charge.
In 2004, Russell pled guilty to a possession of cocaine charge, receiving a two-year prison sentence. A judge suspended it and placed him on active probation, court records show.
He was off probation by May 2007, court records show, but police arrested him once more in June 2007, booking him on a possession of crack charge in June 2007.
Russell was awaiting a trial date in that latest charge at the time of his death."

This is right by work it is about 3 blocks away. It is a good thing I am not riding into work between 1:00 - 4:00. I do leave my house at 5:45 a.m. I feel safe but it makes me realize that I need to be vigilant when I do ride. I have friends at work that know that I am riding and so they come by my desk and make sure that I make it okay. If not they come looking.

Life is good and I am loving what I am doing and hope to do well on the MS-150.

Jessie- HAPPY BIRTHDAY 35 IS A GREAT YEAR!

WORK WORK WORK

2008-06-23T17:33:00.002-05:00

I had to work on Saturday. It was okay because I only worked for 5 hours.

I am still planning on my emergency evacuation plan and head on up to Atlanta to see Nessa and Kevin and family on the 4th of July weekend. I am excited just to get out of NOLA.

I am going to see a comedian on Saturday Night. I don't remember who he is but I am scheduled to go with some friends on Saturday.

Well sorry this is so boring but oh well. Life is good and I am continuing to train for my MS 150. Thanks to IGES, Ingenieros, Michelle, and Wadsworth family for your support on the MS ride. I really appreciate you guys.

Later much, maybe I will write some more later.....

GOOD NEWS FOR BRIANNA AND KENNETH

2008-06-19T17:46:00.027-05:00

GOOD NEWS.......
So life in New Orleans continues. It is crazy to think that I have already been here for 114 days. Yes I counted the days. 114 days in New Orleans area. I actually left Salt Lake 116 days ago. I recall the ride here and I was just glad when I finally arrived after 30 hours in the car I was just glad to not have to drive more than short distances.

SO YOU SAY WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS!

Well today I heard that Brianna my friend was back with her husband. Believe it or not that makes me really, really happy. I have prayed that she would find peace with what ever decision she made in regards to her marriage to Kenneth. I have prayed that she would find joy in her life and always know that a kind and loving Heavenly Father loves her and would always be there to support her and help her in her decisions. For I know that she is one of our Heavenly Fathers choice daughters sent to this earth to teach me and help me through some difficult times. I know that he has heard my prayers.

Together we learned about the elephants in South Africa.
I love that you love to learn!

You impressed me by showing me that you loved my parents.
You wanted to learn how to make tortilla's! You bring JOY to my heart
when I see this picture!

Kenneth you will forever be one of my mom's favored son's.
My mom and dad enjoyed you coming to learn with Brianna.
Together you learned! That made me HAPPY!

I saw the love you had for the scriptures and you
taught me to love them even more than I had before.
I loved it when you would read to me before we went
to bed every time we were together
for YW in the Richards Ward.

PEACE BE STILL and know that a loving Heavenly Father
loves to hear from us in pray and he listens to us.
DO WE LISTEN TO HIS ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS?

I love this picture because it brought me peace
to know that you were both happy!
I longed to have what you had with somebody
that was out there that would love me unconditionally.

There is beauty everywhere if we but look!

Brianna, aim for that which is best!
Know that a GOD will always be with you!

Return with Honor and with the one you love.
For GOD saved you for this the eleventh hour!

Two became one and with GOD nothing is impossible.
Find your way back to each other! For there is joy in what is
bound on earth!

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

Walk with me MY FRIEND!

The road is long and at times lonely but we are never alone!

A day on temple grounds will always have
a special place in my heart!

I wanted to make you something with my own hands!
I loved the time I spent on this project for with every hour
I spent on it I found peace in knowing that it was a gift of love for a friend!

The smile on your face was so worth the effort!

Find your way back together and remember
to have GOD in your partnership for with him nothing
is impossible and with him all things are made better!

I love you BOTH! Brianna as my friend and sister,
you who allowed me to cry and feel peace in your presence.
Kenneth as my little brother for I wish you the best in life!
SOME DAY WE WILL EACH FIND PEACE IN EACH OTHERS COMPANY!

Strive to return to the house of the LORD and know
that he loves all of us and is only waiting for us to ask
him our questions. He will answer prayers for
he has answered mine!

The sun rises and sets and and I shall see you in
GOD's time not mine!

I have prayed that my will, wants and desires in regards to Brianna and Kenneth would be malleable to my Heavenly Fathers will, in regards to this friendship that I long to have. I still continue to pray for Brianna and I pray that I will see here someday HAPPY AND CONTENT. I have seen her in my dream, happy and content, a dream in which we shared the joy of friendship and the knowledge that we care for each other.

I commend you all for reading the whole post! I know it is long but it was something that I needed to do!

2008-06-18T17:37:00.002-05:00

Okay so this incident happened yesterday around 5:00 p.m. it is a lot of traffic at the time but I about died laughing when I read this:

"The driver appears to be 16 years old and the passenger 14, according to preliminary information, said Officer Garry Flot, a spokesman for the department. Both will be charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, flight from police officers and possession of marijuana. The driver also will be booked with numerous traffic violations and aggravated flight from police officers, Flot said.

"I was stopped on Poydras waiting for the light, when I heard a loud boom -- like a lightning bolt. Their car smashed into a maroon Hummer waiting at the light (on Poydras at St. Charles). It had been bouncing off cars, hitting one after another as it sped down Poydras (headed toward the river)," said Doug Salzer, one of the many motorists who watched as the Hummer and Trailblazer then slid to the other side of the intersection and caught fire.

As the "two young men" bolted from the Trailblazer to make a run for it, said Salzer, one was delayed because "his pants fell down to his ankles and he had to pull them up before he ran."

So much for a fashion statement.

I laughed and laughed and laughed. I hope it makes you laugh as well.

I will post more later

Rainy Day's and Sunday

2008-06-15T19:24:00.003-05:00

So I woke up today thinking of my dad so I gave him a call. He asked how things were going and how the weather was. I told him it had rained some yesterday and that I had heard it raining in the night. He asked how the roads were I told him they were fine. Well I think I should have looked out my door before saying that. The roads around my house were rivers. The water was up to mid wheels on my car. I got ready to go to church and had to go through the river. The water was just above my head lights. It was crazy. When I walked out of my house I crossed the road to get to my car, the water was up to my knees. This picture is from across the street from the church. Luckily when church ended the roads were again passable and I was able to make it home. Oh by the way the first thing on my list to buy tomorrow or the next chance I get is an umbrella.

This is a link to an article about the thunderstorm.
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/rain_flood_new_orleans_streets.html

By the way happy fathers day to all of you out there.

Bikes, Treadmills and other equipment

2008-06-10T18:47:00.008-05:00

Michelle thanks for the suggestion of a movie chocolate and soft pillows. This had to do. I have no couch or comfortable chair but I did have a camping chair and an exercise ball to prop my feet up for my AA day (Attitude Adjustment), it worked and I felt much better today and was able to wake up and conquer the World!

I have converted my front room to a home gym. I purchased a treadmill and got an indoor trainer for my bike. Why you ask would I do such a thing at my house. I have committed to ride the 150 mile for MS here in Louisiana. It is over a two day period 75 miles on way and 75 miles back only a different route in October. So I have commited to get myself ready. I need sponsors so I am asking you all that read this blog to go to the following http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=5113220&pg=personal&fr_id=9300 and support me I would like to raise as much as possible. Please help.

So what else is happening:

Went to the Temple on Friday. Was nearly in an accident. The truck in front of me started fish tailing and hit the car next to him and and almost went over the embankment into lake Ponchartrain. I finally made it safe to the temple.

Temple: did not make it to endowment session. I learned that you have to call and make an appointment. Oh well. The temple workers were kind enough to hold a special sealing session and the six of us on the waiting list were able to do sealings.

Work: life is good. I am getting more and more comfortable and in what I am doing. I went out and met with one of the contractors today and had a good fact finding meeting regarding the contract and the modifications I am working on.

Well that is enough for now. Please support me if you can for my fund raising for the MS ride.

Evacuation Plan

2008-05-30T19:27:00.003-05:00

So hurricane season begins June 1. I have decided that my evacuation plan will be to head up to Atlanta and camp out at Kevin and Vanessa's house. I talked to Vanessa tonight and she said that would be fine and that I could even stay as long as I needed to. I am going to do a dry run, hopefully nothing will happen between now and July 4th weekend. I am going to make a driving trip up on the 3rd and ensure I know the route etc. It will be fun weekend to say the least.

I get my treadmill on Wednesday and so I have been rearranging my living room. I have taken down all the pictures that I have up and will replace with the pictures that I get from you all. Thanks Vanessa, Allison and hopefully Jane's soon. I am still waiting to hear from the rest of you.

I am going tomorrow to a craw fish boil. At work we have a lot of people that work with us but they actually are hired through contractors so they are not Corps employees. Anyway there are about 5 of them in my area that I eat lunch with etc. The company they work for is having their summer party and so I was invited to go with them. It will be fun and hot only 90° and maybe only 75% humidity. It will be a lot of fun.

LIFE IS GOOD!

Daily Life

2008-05-28T20:31:00.002-05:00

I did it I did it. I finished my self evaluation today. It only took two days like Brook said. I don't have to worry about it until Sept 30 when the pay evaluation is due. I am just glad that is done.

I booked my ticket today for going home for Christmas. I figured I would take care of this now or the prices are more than likely to go up because of gas prices etc. I come to SLC on Dec 23 and come back home to NOLA Jan 1.

Today has been a good day. I went to work and felt like I was very productive once I finished with my evaluation I was able to address the projects that have been on my desk since I had left on my vacation.

I came home and took a nap. I was tired and I went after work to the bank and run some errands and then when I got home my bed looked to inviting so I took a little power nap, is a 1 and 1/2 hour nap considered a power nap? Well it was good to sleep. I got up and removed all of the items from 3 of the shelves from the book case that has to be moved to make room for the treadmill. I only have 2 more shelves to go. It is going to look so nice.

I am still waiting for pictures from you all I only got pictures from Vanessa, thanks Nessa. Please send me some as soon as you can.

Well that is all for day Sleep well

Hurricane Season

2008-05-27T21:47:00.001-05:00

FYI let the madness begin. The season starts June 1 I guess the first one can't wait to be noticed.

Training

2008-05-27T17:26:00.003-05:00

So I got my Income Tax refund and I had told myself that I was going to use that to buy my treadmill. So guess what I just did. Yes I have ordered and paid for my new piece of equipment. I am excited, it gets here in 7 to 10 days. Does that mean I don't exercise until then? :-) just kidding. I need to make room in my exercise area.

I failed to mention that yesterday at my Branch activity I was out grilling hamburgers and hot dogs in 91 degrees and 85% humidity.... It was so hot I was very dehydrated when I got home.

Work was spent today doing my self evaluation. I hate self evaluations. Oh well I guess I just need to work my way through the process. Brook, my team leader, came and talked to me this morning on the status of some of my projects and said that everything had to wait until I got my evaluation done. He told me it would take about 2 days to complete. I thought no it should not take that long to do the evaluation. Well I spent about 6 hours on it today and am still not even close to finishing. I need to have it done by Thursday so I am giving myself the dead line of tomorrow.

Michelle thanks for helping me with the link and how to do them.

That all for now I am off to the next task.

New Beginning

2008-05-26T21:07:00.004-05:00

It was a good trip to Utah. I had fun and was glad to spend time with the family. My trip to DC for Kevin's graduation was quick and fun as well. I would like to go back to DC and see some more of the sites. What I did see was awesome.

I left Utah on Sunday and flew home. What is home.... New Orleans is now my home and it will be a good home for the time being. I was reading the Ensign on the way home and I came across the following from President Eyring "The thought and the hope that I can have eternal relationships carries me through the trials of separation and the loneliness which are part of mortal existence." as I thought of this I was reminded of what Michelle wrote in her blog. I in essence have done that by coming down to New Orleans. I have come to work in a place where no one nows me. I have a chance to recreate who I am and what I want to become.

My how things change. I thought my life was golden and things were going well at work with Caro Bri. How wrong I was. My life changed and it brought me here to New Orleans. I have a good job working with the Corps and I will continue in my company but it is now call Caro Nikele.

Goals here are three of my goals

I will begin my exercise program to feel good about myself. I will do it so that I can feel good about what it is that I have to offer. I am worthy to be loved unconditionally.

I will write daily about my thoughts and feeling and not be embarrassed of what I write. I will write for me. Not in hopes that others will read but to ease my burden of what I am feeling and know that I am worthy to be on this earth and enjoy that which it has to offer.

I will live my daily life in a manner that I will be pleased with what has occurred in that day. All that I do will be to the best of my ability and I will have the knowledge that it will be good in the sight of my GOD. I will trust in the inner compass that I have that will allow me to do things morally and ethically correct.

Sorry just some random thoughts for today.

Comming Home

2008-05-13T16:58:00.003-05:00

Okay so call me a slacker. What can I say. I have been trying to get ready for my trip home and working extra hours so that I don't have to use any of my annual leave for my trip. I am very excited to come home. I have a few things that I would like to be sure and do while I am home.

1. Go eat sushi/Japanese food. I spoke to Allison and she will make reservations at the place she always goes to. You all just need to call her and let her know if you are coming so she can reserve the room etc. I thought it would be fun to have a girls night out. It will be on Thursday May 22 at about 6:00 ish. I sure would like to see as many of you as possible, Dusty, Jessica, Sylvia, Michelle, Areli, Kathleen, Shelly, Jennifer, Jessica (baby Joel's wife), Boo, and any one else that would like to join us . Jane, Chach, Isa, Sherilynn, Mary, Stephanie, Brianna, Kim and all others.

2. Get my hair done. Sylvia can you let me know when you are available so that I can get my mop addressed. You will be shocked at how it looks. I guess I am going to have to break down and find a hairdresser here because I don't think I can go 7 months before my next hair appointment unless of course you or Brianna want to come out and take care or my hair. I would consider sending plane tickets to get either one of you out here to take on the task. As you can see I am not planning another trip home until Christmas time if all goes well.

3. I have set up an eye appointment with Dr. Alldredge. I need to have my eyes checked and my prescription for my glasses adjusted. I am hoping to get into contacts if at all possible. I have my appointment on Tuesday May 20 in the morning so that morning I can't play.

4. I have a wedding to attend on Saturday May 24 so that day is pretty much taken care of I can spend time with the Family then.

I think those are the only things that I have scheduled so far. I am free for lunch and stuff all of the other days.

I will be flying home on Sunday May 25 in the afternoon. I figured I would need a day to relax from my vacation before going back to work on May 27. I am really excited to come home and see as many of my family and friends as possible.

Family and Friends

2008-05-02T18:38:00.002-05:00

Calling for pictures from all family and friends please send me pictures of yourself, your family and your friends (okay only of your friends that i know). I need them as soon as you can. My email address is nancy@caronikele.com please send them in jpeg or in cs2 or photo shop. I do not have CS3 so please format in something I can use. Thanking you all in advance. Let me know if you have any questions.......? I will certainly try and answer them.

Jacksonville Florida

2008-05-01T18:53:00.009-05:00

I took a water taxi from the hotel I was at to Jacksonville Landing. It was kind of fun.

Sushi

Do you like the picture of my new boat? actually this was taken from the land side of Jacksonville landing. I was having sushi and this came driving by while I was having dinner. Oh and for all of you that are interested in woodwork. Guess what class I have signed up for? Yes I am going to take a wooden boat building class. This is a description of the class "Wooden Boat Building – To help preserve the centuries old wooden boat building tradition of Louisiana , the Museum offers classes that allow interested skippers - mostly novices with no experience - to build their own wooden boats, under the supervision of a master boat builder. Over 75 boats, from pirogues to 20-foot lake skiffs, have been started since we began offering these relatively inexpensive 12-week courses three years ago, and we have a waiting list of future classes. The Museum also holds its annual tribute to these graceful vessels – old and new - when it hosts the annual Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival each October. Scores of classic wooden boats, hundreds of other watercraft, and thirty thousand or more visitors attend this extremely popular event each year.

Can I Just say that I am just totally excited. Brothers get ready to see an awesome looking project.

So the door won! I was walking out of the hotel room and got my finger caught between the safety lock and the door. Oh well what can I say!

Jacksonville has been a great time. I have learned a lot in the class. I will be glad to go home and sleep in my own bed. When I first got here the memory of living in a hotel room came flooding back.

I got a call from my friend at work today and told me that my bikes had arrived. I am excited, another coworker has told me he will help me assemble the bikes so I can start training on the levees.

Well friends and family. I am living my life and having a great time. I love where I am living and the opportunity that I have traveling for work. I am excited to see some of you, as many of you as I can when I come home in May.

Jacksonville Florida

2008-04-27T13:57:00.002-05:00

Today was travel day. I left this morning and got to Jacksonville Florida. I am here for a week of class. Oh well somebody had to go. I just got here and I am starving I am going to head out and try a place to eat.

I hope the Fiesta for Andrew and Trisha went well. I can not wait to see photo's etc. I will be heading to Utah on the 15th of May but I will be flying out to DC on the 16th I will be back in town on 19th and will be in SLC until Sunday so I have time to visit with Family and Friends. Set your appointments up Hector, Hiram, Isa, Sam and all others as well :-) Allison Sushi sounds good to me you just tell me the time and location.

My hair needs attention to all you stylist in the area that are willing to tackle the job :-)it is long and out of control.

Well I am hungary and I am getting a headache so I am off to find food and will write more later.

Birthday

2008-04-24T05:42:00.002-05:00

Today is my big day. It is my Birthday so here are 47 things about me that I will share with you all.

1. My middle name is the same as my maternal grandmothers 1st name.
2. I love to make things with my hands mostly woodwork things. My favorite project was a table I made for a friend for Christmas.
3. My favorite candy bar is “Big Hunk” which by the way they do not have in New Orleans. So sad :-)
4. I will eat a “Milky Way” but well Milky Way just has a whole other meaning for me
5. I love sugar cookies and I finally learned how to make them in the last two years. It was a great recipe and I had a great teacher. Currently my neighbors and coworkers love them the best of all the baking I have done thus far in this place called NOLA.
6. I am the 12th child of 12 that my mother and dad had. Yes same father and same mother.
7. I have 33 nieces and nephews between the age of 9 (Nick or are you ten?) and 35 Allison (which will be 36 one month from now).
8. I have 40 great nieces and nephews between the age of 15 (Whitney I think will be 15 or is it sixteen, boy Allison and John you are getting old) to new born (Breezy).
9. I also love to do cross stitch, I know Mila I am behind on the angels but someday I will finish the rest. Two are done and two are almost complete that leaves 3 more to go I think there were only 7 but I don’t remember. After all I am getting old and can claim a senior moment.
10. I love to sew; quilts, my sister Mila and my Mom have been very patient in trying to teach me.
11. I love to go with my oldest sister Chach and buy Carmel Apples and I love when she goes with me to pick up Sushi. She hates sushi but she will go with me to pick it up when I lived in Salt Lake, she would even sit at the kitchen counter and watch me eat sushi.
12. I loved when I made the little wood benches for my sister Isa and her new Store “The Purple Cow”.
13. I love my brothers, Sam, Ed, Joe, Hector and of course the baby boy Hiram.
14. I love that Hiram takes good care of his favorite little sister. OH wait I am his only little sister . I guess he has no choice.
15. I love that I can call Hector and invite myself to dinner at any time. I also love that his wonderful wife lets me come and eat at any time.
16. I love that Sam and I had an opportunity to take woodshop class together. Although the wood shop instructors always tell me that I am a much better woodworker than my brother. But you should see some of the things he has built he is incredible and I love that he always was willing to share his woodshop table with me. 
17. I love that Joe did not disown me when I put a huge dent in his truck when I moved recently. He is a good brother that has a huge heart and is willing to forgive his little sister for all my mess ups.
18. I love that Ed takes the time to visit my parents and for what he does for them.
19. I love to cook but at times it is very hard to cook for one.
20. I love that my mom and dad always told me that I could do anything and become anything I wanted to do when I grew up.
21. I love that I am my Tia Naela’s favorite, sorry guys but you all know it is true.
22. Did I mention that I love my brother Hiram? He has been such a great example for me and he has helped me through some tough times. And he has also introduced me to the world of bikes. I am joining a team, coworkers that ride the levees here in NOLA. I am hoping to ride in the 100 miler for his company.
23. I took a line dancing class, here at NOLA. A Mexican with no rhythm is getting maybe just a little groove.
24. I love walks in the park with a good friend.
25. I love the wii, Nick get ready because I am getting really good at bowling and at boxing, you are going down when I see you in May 
26. I love that when I call Hiram and Jane’s house Zach always answers the phone. Hiram and Jane I really hope you pay him good for his services.
27. My favorite food is a Hamburger. I can eat hamburgers every night.
28. I ate fantastic home made manicotti that a friend made for me with a great salad and of course we had dessert first because we took the youth in our ward to do Baptisms and were treated by the bishopric for ice cream at Baskin Robins. I think Home Made Manicotti is my second favorite food.
29. I am not much of a vegetable eater. Hector’s family can attest to this. Although I do like asparagus but not broccoli and cauliflower so much.
30. I had my first taste of crawfish and I like this new food.
31. I love photography; I am hoping that when I grow up I will get a camera just like my nephews (Pere’s). I love the cannon rebel.
32. I love that I only have to list 15 more things about myself to reach 47.
33. I love my new Branch. The New Orleans 1st Branch rocks. They have taken me in and have welcomed me into the little Branch.
34. I love that I am almost done unpacking from my latest move. I only have 7 more boxes to open.
35. I love to read. So if you have a book for me to read let me know.
36. I have never seen the movie “Forrest Gump” and I hope I never will.
37. I read all of the Harry Potter books last summer for the first time. I never thought I would read them but a friend convinced me to start them. Good books.
38. I love my job at the US Army Corps of Engineers. I love construction and see things being built.
39. I love to read all of my nieces and nephews blogs. Although some of you are slacking and if you don’t change them soon I am going to stop visiting your sites.
40. I love robotics and some day I am going to build a robot.
41. I hate housework but I love to work in the yard and garden
42. I love my mom and dad. They are the best people I know. They are loving and kind to all they meet.
43. I love that I have 8 living siblings that spoil me rotten and I know that I am their favorite little sister.
44. I love that I am currently living in New Orleans.
45. I love my Sunday routine of going to church, coming home and having a big breakfast, taking a nap, going for a walk and then come home and bake goodies.
46. I love that I am a member of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints”
47. I love that I have a sure testimony that my Heavenly Father loves me and he knows me by name and that he does answer prayers. He is mindful of my needs wants and desires and he has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams.

I hope you all have a great day.

UTAH IS A WHITE STATE.....

2008-04-23T09:23:00.003-05:00

So I get to work today bright and early 6:00 a.m. I am tring to make up time so when I come home in May I am not using any of my annual leave. Anyway back to the topic of why I am writing this from work. I get to the office and we have a person that visits our office once a month to just talk about issues if we have any. Kind of like a free shrink if you need to vent etc. So anyway I am at my desk working away and she comes over and sits at the chair by my desks and introduces her self etc. she asked me where I was from I told her I was born in Mexico but that I was raised in Utah. The next thing out of her mouth is "UTAH IS A PRETTY WHITE STATE!" I just kind of looked at her and she proceeded to say that she had been to Utah once for a wedding and felt very out of place because she was the only minority there. I just sat there stunned. I told her I had never had a problem or ever felt out of place no matter what state of the country I was at.

So Family and Friends what experiences have you had living in a white world and being maybe just a little brown or in some of our cases a lot of brown. CAN WE NOT JUST LOOK AT THE OUTWARD AND LOOK AT WHAT WE ALL HAVE TO OFFER FROM WITHIN. After all we all do bleed red don't we?

It reminded me of the time I got pink slipped out of Chemistry class in high school to go visit my Chicano counciler who informed me that if I ever was not prepared for a chemistry test he could always get me excused because after all I was the only Mexican in the class... As you all know my favorite thing to be called is CHICANO....NOT

Activities and some stuff

2008-04-20T15:37:00.009-05:00

Just a few highlights of the past week,

I am back to baking on Sunday afternoons. My neighbors and my coworkers seem to like and enjoy the fruits of my labors. It does keep me out of trouble and by giving away the goods the temptation to eat them all by myself is gone....

I was out inspecting the levee system from the Bonne Carrie Spillway up to Baton Rough, 110 miles of levee system, when a coworker called to see if I was interested in going to the Hornets Playoff game. It was so much fun I really had a lot of fun.

I went to V-Day in hopes of seeing Oprah. It was good overall but I think I could have done with not hearing a couple of the monologues. Oprah was supposed to be there but at the end they announced that she was ill and unable to attend. It was a disappointment because I basically wanted to see her but oh well. It was a good evening of entertainment. I guess I am still into plan B of going up to see John and Karoyln when they move up to Chicago… do I have any takers to join me?

Levee inspection continues, the flood watch continues and thus it makes for very long days. When I go on Flood Fight (levee Inspection) it takes any where from 12-18 hour days. It is good only because I am trying to earn time so that when I go home in May I will not have to use any of my annual leave it will be good to go home.

I took some pictures of our levee inspection. Any day out in the field is a better day than a great day in the office. This was taken in the morning at the beginning of our inspection day it was about 6:30. The mighty Mississippi River can be very impressive. God has created a beautiful world for us to live in and enjoy.

This was taken about 1/2 way through our inspection it is a Church property, I think it is Jesuit but I was not sure. I just thought it was an awesome view with the trees and the manicured lawn.

The story goes that this is Patches house. This is a house that when the levee system was built was on the flood side of the levee. The owner was an older gentleman that was self sufficient. He lived off of what he could hunt and fish. When Katina was baring down on the area he did evacuate. He returned to his home and lived out the remainder of his life. He died shortly after returning but the story goes that this man was an incredible man he lived off the land. I thought it was a pretty cool house out on the Mississippi River it reminds me of Tom Sawyer.

Not to interesting of a post but I am just tired. More later.

Life is great!

2008-04-11T16:10:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post to tell you all that I have had a great week. I love that I am here in the Crescent City and the vicinity. It has so many things to offer an I am excited to just get out there and enjoy what it has to offer. I am going to the strawberry festival on the north shore (across lake Ponchartrain)they tell me it is one of the funnest festivals. I am going to the French quarter for what else "French quarter Festival", Andrew Alba you need to come out so you can hear all of the Jazz bands etc. and I am also going to go see Oprah at V-to the power of ten. I am really excited I will take pictures see if I get a good one from the nose bleed section.

Andrew the Jazz festival is coming up the last weekend in April first week in May. They say it is a great time to listen to jazz and all other types of music.

Well family and friends, remember who you are and how tall you stand!!

And to you my friend "I spy with my blue eyes?..."

Oh one more thing. I got my flipper (tooth) adjusted so it did not cover over half of the roof of my mouth. It is much better and I am hoping to not talk with a lisp nearly as bad as it was before.

2008-04-09T20:09:00.006-05:00

My day started early today so don't look to close at the dark circles under my eyes. I got to work this morning at 6:00 am. I thought I was going to be riding the levees today. The Mississippi river is running high and we ride the levee in 12 hour shifts and document weekenesses on the levee's. Don't worry I am not the one determining if the levee's are safe. I am just a scribe. Although the old saying a day out in the field is better than any day in the office.

Not only that but Sylvia check out the hair. This is after letting my bangs grow out for two weeks so you can imagine how short they were. I got a little carried away with the scissors.

Look MOM I got my front tooth and it is not even Christmas. I still have an adjustment getting use to the FLIPPER when I eat. Usually I get frustrated and just take it out. I find myself playing with it. I usually catch myself and try and keep it in place. Although my boss asked me if I was eating candy. And we laughed when it was my tooth I was playing with.

Look what I ate for dinner tonight. It was so good. On Sunday, between sessions our little branch had a pot luck. One of the members of the branch brought craw fish. I had never had them before. They were really good. I got cravings today and went and got me some. Not a bad meal for $5.00. It was very good but very messy to eat.

Distrubance in the Hood!

2008-04-07T21:00:00.003-05:00

You have all heard that New Orleans in the murder capital of the nation. Over Easter weekend, two days there were 10 shootings in the city. Kind of scary but I have never been scared in the hood.

I come home from work today and my normal routine is to turn on the TV just for background noise and I am reviewing emails and I hear on the news "Shooting on Josephine St and Laurel" I jumped up and ran to the TV and found that a person had been shot in his car. I was not sure where Laurel street was but it sounded familiar. I looked it up on Google mapped the location and found that it is about 5 blocks south of where I live. It sounded familiar because a couple of Sundays ago I decided to go for my normal Sunday Stroll and decided to head south because I wanted to check out some houses that I passed when I went to Wall Mart. I had mentioned to my friends at work the area I was walking and they all three just gave me this look like "ARE YOU CRAZY!" I could not figure out what the fuss was. I told them that I was walking around and felt fine and then decided to head back to my place. They told me that I was walking in an area that is called the Jackson Street Projects. They said it was not a very safe area to be walking around in. They made me promise I would not walk around in that hood area again. I told them I liked to walk on Sundays and so they gave me routs to take that were safer. Basically all of them told me to stay between Magazine Street and St Charles Street and that I could walk West to Audubon park and East to the Round about and I would be okay. Who knew.

The whole time I have been here I have never been scared or intimidated. I have been protected but I also have to do my due diligence and research a little bit better where I am going to walk before I head out. I love that I have gotten into the habit to walk to the stores and the restaurants if I decide to go out to eat. It is pretty therapeutic to walk and just think.

Here is to walking in safer areas and to be safe.... Say a prayer for Brianna and while you are at it pray for me as well.

House Decoating and more!

2008-04-01T16:59:00.008-05:00

This is not my house but I want some opinions on what you think of this house. What is the first thing that pops into your mind and what possibilities to you see in it? This house is about 1/2 a block from where I am living.

This is the north wall as you walk in the front door. You can see that I have also placed my stereo in this area.

This is the wall that you see when you walk into my house. It is actually the office west wall.

okay so the picture above is of the wall that is on my left as you come in my front door. to the right of the picture I have kind of an enclove I have set up my fish tank there with the book case but I am trying to figure out what to do with this area. I can actually fit my over sized chair in that area if I decide to move the book case out of the way.

This is the same wall after my pictures are up my couch is in this area. the top of the couch is about 3 feet below the pictures.

okay so nothing all to exciting but I need to do something about the current blinds they are driving me nuts.

I thought I would share an experience one of my coworkers had during Katrina. He lived in lakeside (or is it lake view) I get confused. Any way he and his wife and son decided that they were going to ride out the hurricane at home. Needless to say they got flooded they spent 7 nights on the roof of their house they had pets and would not leave them. They had national guard come by and offer to take them to safety but they refused because they would not allow the pets to come with them. He had a family member living in California that ended up driving from California with a boat and came to rescure him and his wife and sons and the pets. It was amazing to hear how they stayed for such a long time on the roof of the house and that it took family memebers to drive cross country to resuce them. One of the stories. I will tell you more later.

I am off to line dancing class! Yes you read right. I am taking a line dancing class. you can all pick yourselves off the floor. I am way out of my comfort zone but it has been great fun.

Love to all,
Aunt Nancy

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS....

2008-03-28T15:15:00.004-05:00

So what happens when you are in Salt Lake City and decide that you are going to wire your apartment for internet service and forget to take your wire strippers? You use your teeth of course..... and you chip your front tooth. Many of you saw me before I left with my chipped front tooth. Well about 2 days before I left I was starting to have a very sore front tooth.

Ever since I have been here in the Crescent City my tooth has been very sore and it had gotten to the point that I could not even eat it would hurt so bad. I finally went to the dentist and he told me I would have to have a root canal and then a crown placed on my tooth. I decided to wait for my Dental Insurance to start before I scheduled any work to be done. I went to the dentist today thinking I was going to get a root canal and before he started he said he wanted to look at the x-ray one more time. He looked and said "I think I want a second opinion on your root canal. The area where the canal of the root was suppose to be had calcified there was no canal that showed up on the x-ray. He sent me to a specialist who luckily could see me right away. Before I went to this other Dr. I was informed that the new dentist was not in my insurance plan so I would have to pay everything up front and it could possibly be up to $1,ooo.00 to get the work done. I was stressed but I was in enough pain I said I was going to this other dentist.

He took another x-ray wehre it showed that the tooth was actually cracked. He was hoping the crack would just be straight across and they could save the tooth.... how much is this goiong to cost me..... he removed the portion that was cracked and gave me the bad news that the tooth had an oblique crack so it went from my gun line up into my gum area... Sorry but we can not save the tooth. The dentist sent me back to the original dentist to have it removed and to take the mold for the new tooth. So tell me how much is this going to cost me. I went in to the dentist this morning thinking that that I would have to pay aobut $4oo.oo for the root canal and that included 1/2 payment for my crown. Well the good news was when I went to the second dentist no root canal was necessary he charged me $150.oo to remove the portion of my tooth that was cracked. Did I mention that I hate dentist because the shots are always painful and I can not stand the sound of the drill. Well anyway so far my dentist visit was 150 and counting. I returned back to the 1st dentist and had to wait for about 1 hour to get me in again. When I finally got in they took the molds of my teeth so they could order my falsie. Well the technician for got to give me the topical anesthesia and the dr. comes in and starts to give me the injection to numb the area where the tooth is to be removed. Oh my HECK I about had a fit. He says you should be numb enough for the shot and I said "THE TECHNICIAN HAS NOT GIVEN ME THE TOPICAL ANESTHESIA" oops oh well it is a good thing he is good looking or I would have left.... He gave me the shots and proceeded with the removal of the tooth. So know I am toothless right there front and center. So I went to pay for 1/2 of what was due and it was 200.00 so all in all the amount ended up being what I was anticipating but no root canal and I am just toothless.... Don't I look pretty?

I went to the pharmacy to pick a prescription for my medication and had problems because my health cards had not arrived and I thought I can not afford to get Vicadine without my insurance help. I finally got it all taken care of and got my credit card out to pay for my prescription. I about died when she rung it up even with my insurance.... NO NOT BECAUSE IT WAS EXPENSIVE I had to pay .62 cents. yes you read that right sixty two cents..... not to bad thank heavens for insurance.

Well that is my experience for the day at the dentistssssss.......

P.S. Sylvia I will send you the beads I need an address. I will also post next time a picture with the bangs that I cut myself....

WHEN IN ROME

2008-03-21T16:43:00.006-05:00

As the saying goes “When in Rome, Do as the Romans.” So I decided to venture out on Saturday the 16^th of March. There was a parade going to happen in the hood. The route was one block from my house so I decided to venture out and see what all the fuss was about. I tell you I need to get a hold of the Days of Forty Seven Parade committee and see if they can top this parade. Okay the floats and the bands and overall the parade in SLC can not be beat but tell me do they through out good stuff like shall we say CABBAGE, POTATOS, ONIONS, CARROTS, BANNANAS AND OTHER SUCH GOODIES. I think not. Oh and least I forget BEADS OF COARSE. Take a look at this picture of my stash. So I got beads but as they say what goes on at parade route stays at parade route… just kidding. It was a fun diversion from going through boxes. It was a beautiful day and I was glad that I ventured our. So if you want me to send you or your kids beads and stuffed animals etc. let me know.

I am still trying to get out of boxes but I am hoping that by this weekend I will be done with boxes and can begin decorating walls etc.

Here is my exercise for the week. I figured I would post so that Katie and Lilli and Dusty can see I am not as good as they are but I would love to have you guys keep me on track if you would.
Monday: lift weights for 45 min, Tuesday: treadmill 2.5 miles walking hope to eventually get to jogging and then running, Wed: weights 45 min. Thursday: treadmill 2.5 miles Friday: weights 45 min. I get up at 5:15 so that I can get to the Gym by 6:00 and to work by 7:oo. I am a morning person to exercise I find if I get it done first thing in the morning it is better because by the afternoon, after work, I find any excuse not to go. Oh I forgot that every day to get to where the gym is at work I walk down 3 floors and then three floor up to the office.

Work is going good I will post more this weekend about work and stories about Hurricane Katrina and what my coworkers went through. Some of them went through some pretty horiffic things.

MY NEW HOME

2008-03-16T18:09:00.024-05:00

Sorry for all the pictures but I thought you all might like to see what my house looks like. As you read this post I have asked for some suggestions on decorating. Please feel free to give me your thoughts and ideas. As you all know I am not the best in decorating but I think I would like to give it a try and make this my home....

Pedestal sink in the bathroom.

Shower curtain that I brought from Salt Lake. I think it looks great.

And finally the bathroom not to big but it will suffice.

More pictures of the kitchen and the washer that was in the house. I have acutally had the owner remove the washer and I am using my front end loader. The house is not upgraded electrically to use my dryer. I have asked the landloard to see if I can hire an electrition to come in and add the 22o line so that I can use my dryer. That would be nice.

This is a built in cabinet. It is actually pretty big. As you can see somebody decided that they would paint over the windows of the uper side of the cabinet. I think I may try and remove the paint. I think it would look much better.

An added cupord space in the kitchen the dryer is located on the lower right of the picture.
Behind the screen is the water heater.

This is obviously the Kitchen. I like the hanging pots feature. The stove is gas and so is the dryer.

Bedroom looking into the entrance when you come from the shop room area I don't know if you can tell but there is a about a 4 inch ledge that goes all the way around two walls. It is wide enough to place nick nacks on top of the ledge or small pictures.

This is still the bedroom and as you can see I have three huge windows in this room. It has a gas heater as well you can barely see the top of it on the lower left side of the picture.

Ah finally my bedroom. note the little closet in the corner. Right by the closet door in the first window is actually a window air conditioner. Note the blinds I need to do something different her. I do have a ceiling fan and the light again is not very good but I will see what I can do about that.

This is the light fixture in the shop room. Again the lighting is not very good in this house but look at the two large windows again in this room. It is simply amazing how huge these windows are.

This is the room that I am using as my shop storage room the only problem is that this is the only room with closet space. Actually there is a small closet in the bedroom but in essence this is the only closet. I chose this room to hold all of my wood shop equipment because it has a door that I can close and as you walk down the hall you don't see the woodshop equipment. Not that above the closet is also storage space.

This is the view from the office/craft room down the long hallway to the Kitchen area as you can see you have to go through this hall way to pass the shop room, then the bedroom and then the bathroom area and finally to the kitchen.

This is the light fixture in the office/craft room it does not give me a whole heck of light so I need to place a desk lamp on my office desk to give me some additional light. I also need to check into maybe getting better light bulbs in the fixture to help with the light. I like the fixture I think it adds character to the room. Note the big wall with nothing on it. I just need help on decoration. I have family pictures and Africa pictures that I will use to decorate. Once I get things up on the walls I will post my creations. I am open for suggestions again on decorating if you have any ideas. Also note that the picture below shows another great wall between the windows to do things with. Understand the from floor to ceiling it about 12 feet tall. the desk that I am currently sitting at to type this comes to the bottom level of the window seal so I have about 9 feet of wall space to work with.
Picture of the large windows in the office/craft room. the windows reach all the way up to the top in essence they are about 2 f eet wide X about 6 feet tall. As you can see the windows shades are just paper blinds. I need some help on decorations so if any of you have some ideas on how or what to do to dress these up please feel free to comment. Just so you know the bedroom has three huge windows similar to this one that also need to be addressed.

This is looking into the second room you come to when you walk into the house. I am actually using this as my office/craft room. look at the heater. It is a a gas heater and this is what keeps my office/craft room and living room warm. This heater reminds me of Guelita Caro's house i remember seeing these at her house when we went to Piedras to visit. It brought back fond memories of our trips to Mexico and visits with Tia Naela and the rest of the family. The entry way from the living room to this room actually has huge pocket doors. I will take a picture of this and post later. I can actually close this door when guests come if I chose and all they will see is the living room.

This is looking in through the front door as you can see I have an iron gate on the front door and it is a double door. I am really glad that both sides of the door can open and that when I do the breeze is just great.

As you can see I have a lot of decorating to do. As I have only been in The Cresent City for two and a half weeks and I have only worked so far for two weeks, I have lots to tell about Work. Stay tuned and also I will try and catch up on some other details. Like the St. Patrick's Parade I went to on Saturday. I will write more on this soon.

I HAVE ARRIVED

2008-03-16T18:03:00.003-05:00

So I arrived in the area on Wednesday February 27. I was just glad to get out of the car and know that I did not have an 8+ hour drive ahead of me. I stayed in a hotel on Wednesday because I did not know what time I was going to make it into the area and so I had made arrangements with the apartment complex to meet with them first thing Thursday morning.

Needless to say when I arrived at the apartment complex I did not like the way the apartment complex looked like and I just did not feel good about the situation. I made a quick decision that I would stay in a hotel for a couple of days and see what came up. It would also give me time to look for another place.

I looked on Craig’s list and started looking for housing and also talked to people at work. I found the place where I am living and have been very happy with it so far. The location is great. I live in what is known as “The Lower Garden District” My house is two blocks from St Charles Street and two blocks from Magazine Street. These are two famous streets in New Orleans. I have many shops within walking distance as well as restaurants etc. I love the location. Here are some additional pictures of my house before all of my house hold goods were delivered.

As I mentioned before it is a shot gun house so it is long you need to walk the full length of the house to get to the kitchen that is the furthest west of the house then you have the bath room and hallway area next comes the bedroom and then a small bedroom/shop storage room and then an office area and then the living room when you walk in the house.

2008-03-14T19:47:00.001-05:00

Okay so I am still figuring out how all this works but this is a little taste of what is to come in the next couple of day. This is the house I live in it is 1402 I love it. It is a shot gun house and there are four apartments in the house two on the bottom and two on the top we have the whole length of one side of the house. It is about 150 feet long and about 15 feet wide per side. Stay tune for more news latter.

THE MADDNESS BEGINS...

2008-03-14T19:35:00.000-05:00

And so a new phase of my life begins. I am now living in New Orleans. What a change. It has been a great 2 1/2 weeks. I have an adventure to tell and I will begin by telling you all that yes I have decided to blog. I am doing this for two reasons.

1. I think this is easier to keep the family and friends updated as to what is going on in my life.

2. It is a good way to keep a record of what is going on and that way when I am old and want to remember back I have some kind of a record.

That being said this is not the only record I will keep. I am starting to scrap book my adventures and will have that as well.

So shall we begin. As many of you know I made my move on February 25. I left Salt Lake on Monday morning and decided to head east and then south. The road was a white knuckler when I went up through Parley's and up past Coalville etc. but once I past that area it was pretty clear all the way.

When I got past Evanston I began to worry because the road signs were warning that I-80 was closed between Lyman and Cheyenne. Needless to say I was a little stressed. I really did not want to get stuck in Lyman. It all turned out well when I got there the roads were clear and the road was open. It was just high winds and since I have a high profile vehicle I was worried (NOT). The rest of the road was clear just minor snow flurries through Denver and then it was clear all the rest of the way to New Orleans. No I did not drive all the way through without breaks. I drove the first day from Salt Lake City to Colby Kansas. It was about 11 hours in the car. The next day I drove from Colby Kansas to Canton Texas. Okay so I took a wrong turn and ended up going through Dallas before I realized it.

Sylvia let me borrow the GPS and if you make a mistake it tells you "Recalculating Route. Needless to say it ended out being about a 3 hour detour. Oh well it is after all a mystery ride and an adventure. this day I drove again about 11 hours

Okay, so back to the story I left Canton and headed down to New Orleans it is about an 8 hour drive from Canton to New Orleans. But all was well I made it safe and I was excited to be in the Crescent City. Actually I was in Metarie that was where my apartment was suppose to be.

Well I think this is enough for my first time blogging. Stay tune for my next installment. Oh I figured I would give you a little tease and show you what my house looks like here in the Crescent City.