TO BRADEN AND MASON

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

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....

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....

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.....

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....

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

150 MS RIDE

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!