New Barn

Whenever I ask my dear husband to fix something or make something for me he can't find the tool he needs. We can't walk in our garage because of all his stuff. He can't find anything. We have a camper that needs a home, a tractor, a boat that needs protecting, and a tool trailer, in addition to all his "things". He has been wanting and needing a barn since we moved here 6 years ago. Well, finally, he's got his posts in the ground. They are really like telephone posts. My son came over with a boom truck and a huge augur he borrowed from work and they worked on putting those posts in Friday evening and Saturday morning. I haven't seen my husband that happy in good while. He is going to get his BARN!! It is far from being finished, and I will submit posts as it comes along.

Back to Reality

We got back from our visit to Destin FL, and Gulf Shores AL last night. We had a busy 6 days. The children were good, but the twins had trouble sleeping at night and woke up very early..5:30 a.m. every morning. They would come to wake up me and Paw and play in our bed. We enjoyed that. They had a grand time at the beach and camping.

Catherine, my older granddaughter had fun too. She floated down Turkey Creek in an innertube with her uncles. She returned home on Monday while the rest of us continued on to Gulf Shores and shopping at the outlet mall. I spent lots of money, but learned the prices are only about $5.00 off the regular store prices. We asked for coupons at the Welcome Center in Alabama and received a coupon for a book of coupons. Only problem was that there were restrictions on almost all of the savings. You either had to spend so much money or you couldn't use it on sale merchandise. I did spend so much that I received a "free", reuasable shopping bag advertising the mall.

Had tons of laundry to do today. I got the sheets and most towels washed and on the line today. I am organinzing my pictures and videos of the trip. Still have to put up the groceries and clean out the camper.

"Goin Campin"

We are getting the camper ready for a trip to Florida tomorrow. We are camping at a really nice campground in Destin. I don't want to tell you the name, because it's already hard to get reservations and once the word is out, I may never get a spot again! My son and daughter in law are coming with us and my twin granddaughters. I am also bringing another granddaughter because it's her turn to go camping with Ma-T and Paw (us). We will be gone 5 nights, 3 in Destin and 2 in Gulf Shores, AL. I hope to get to the Tanger outlet mall in Foley for some serious shopping. Hope Paw will watch the little ones for us. Will post more when we return.

Lovely Weekend

It was my kind of weekend. Some things needing to be done, but enough time to do some unplanned things too. We had my grandchildren ( my daughter's 3) spend some time with us. We visited some of my other grandchildren ( my son's 3 children) in Mandeville. Two of the girls were playing softball (coach's pitch) in their 1st game. My son, Kelly, is the coach. It was at a really nice park with covered stands. We had a bar-b-que at Kelly's after and then headed home. I had to be at choir practice at 4, and barely made it in time. Dan got the kids dressed for church and met me there. Later in the evening, we lit a bonfire intending to have smores, but the fire was waaaay to hot, so the kids ate the smores with unmelted marshmallows. They seemed to enjoy them almost as much as the real thing.

Dan has been working on closing in the chicken yard with a top made of wire. We have lost all of our older chickens, for the last 3 years to hawks. I have 27 new babies now and don't want to lose any more. It is almost finished.

This morning after everyone feasted on Dan's eggs, grits and bacon, Caecilia and I made brownies. I used the Ghirardelli brand and they were delicious.

After washing and hanging out clothes on the line, I did a little genealogy online. I am really getting into that lately.We had a late dinner - early supper of roasted chicken mashed potatoes and carrots from our garden.
I gotta go get the clothes off the line now.
Lovely weekend....

Weekly Goals

I find myself wanting to accomplish so much, that I procrastinate.I don't know where to start. ..which project, which personal improvement, which cleaning job and on and on. Maybe if I write it down so the whole world can see I will feel accountable. So I am going to try...notice I said try, I didn't say "I am going to do". So you can't hold me to it. I am going to try to accomplish one goal a week. The category will change, because I have so many interests and duties. I probably need to narrow them down, but....that's what makes my life worth living and interesting to me. I just need to concentrate on one thing and just do it!

Maybe I have ADDH or some other problem....probably. Anyway, on Thursday or Friday of each week, I will post my goal for the week....see I can't even decide which day to start! So wishy-washy. This week I am going to wash dishes every night before bed....no dirty dishes in the sink all night. This will be an accomplishment for me. I work 10 hours a day 4 days a week and am tired when I get home...plus I like to watch my shows on TV, but this week there will be no excuses. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment.

Boutin's Restaurant

My grandson made his 1st Communion this weekend. We were so blessed to be able to celebrate this milestone will all of my children and grandchildren. After the solemnity of the sacrament we all went out to eat at Boutin's in Baton Rouge. There was a Cajun Band playing and lots of dancing. ....we had a fabulous time!






The food was good and the atmosphere couldn't be beat. Cajun dancing is a great way for all generations to have a good time participating in the same activity. And it is so noisy, you can't really hear the babies fussing. The Cajun's are known for involving the whole family in all activities.....we come from good roots!

Family Reunion

There is so much to do and so little time. We have been trying to get ready for a family reunion of about 65 adults and 15 children at my house the first weekend in April. The yard was a mess from Gustav and winter...we hadn't cleaned it well since. My husband had to take down a ramp we made for his mother when she was staying with us after surgery.

We planted a front flower bed, FINALLY!!! We put in George Tabor azaleas, a sago palm on each side and a crepe myrtle (can't remember the name, but it is light pink) on each end. We lined the front with cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) planted behind the landscape timbers. Our hope is when the landscape timbers have deteriorated enough to remove them, the cast iron plants will have multiplied enough to hold the soil in the flower bed. I will take photos when I get the time.

There were thunderstorms and tornado warnings last night and our electricity went out. Luckily I had batteries in my alarm clock, so it still sounded off this morning but I had to get dressed for work in the dark. It is supposed to rain today and tomorrow. I am hoping the weather is good for our Reunion.

We will be having boiled crawfish, my husband is cooking jambalaya, and everyone will bring dish. We ought to have lots of food. We will be playing some games too and will have the volleyball net, and horseshoes set up.