Home Again

The balance of the ride home was without incident. We limped along through Tennessee, and I was sure we would need to find another hotel room before the day was over. But when we reached the Kentucky border, the highway was suddenly plowed and salted. We went from 40 MPH to 70 MPH in a matter of minutes. It was smooth sailing from then on, and we got home about 8PM.

Today I spent most of my time unpacking, doing laundry, and paying bills. There's no place like home.

I'll Have A Little Drink With My Ice, Please

The good weather couldn't last forever. Since the predicted rain threatened our golf game today, we decided to play it real smart, and leave for home a day early. We had heard that an ice storm was passing through southern Tennessee tonight, and we thought we would get north of it before it hit. Wrong! We caught the worst of it about 3:00 this afternoon, just north of Huntsville Alabama. By the time we stopped just south of Nashville, I was exhausted (I was driving).

Tomorrow morning we get to start all over again. Hopefully it won't take us too long to get to a state that knows how to deal with this kind of weather. Michigan has a lot going for it in that regard.

The Saints Go Marching In

What a day to arrive in New Orleans! We came into town yesterday afternoon, just before the playoff game at the Superdome. When we made these plans, we had no idea the Saints would be in the playoffs, say nothing of being at home. Nor were we conscious of the fact that this team has NEVER been to the Superbowl. (Kinda makes me feel better about the Lions) The game was fun to watch. We caught the first half during dinner, then walked back to our hotel to watch the second half. As soon as that last field goal was kicked, the crowds streamed onto Bourbon Street, by the thousands. We could hear the reaction from our room a block away! It was quite a party (something akin to the Mardi Gras itself), and lasted well into the night.

Today we went to the New Orleans School of Cooking for a class. We learned how to make red beans and rice, cornbread, pecan pie and pralines. We got to eat everything they demonstrated, and we left full and happy. Then we walked the city for the rest of the afternoon.

Tomorrow, we are golfing (can't let this great weather go to waste) then having dinner at Emeril's restaurant in the French Quarter.

Sales Resistance

The Hubs decided he needs a new phone. His will no longer hold a charge. So, today we went to the Verizon store. He said it would be a good idea for both of us to look at what they have to offer. I was convinced I wouldn't be talked into anything that required me to change my current rate (which I have had for so many years, it has actually been cheaper for me to buy my phone than to sign a new two-year contract at a higher rate). Well, they must have seen me coming. With their 2-for-1 offer, and special rates on this and that, and just a small charge for the other, the Hubs and I are now the proud owners of a new phone - - each! And, while they were at it, they sold us on texting, as well as minutes. So I guess I have now been dragged into the 21st century. I just have to read through all the enclosed literature to see if I can figure out how this thing works!

Health

It's been a whirlwind of activity the last couple days. My brother-in-law had a heart attack Tuesday night. He is in U of M's Coronary Care Unit, and will recover, though not nearly as fast as he thinks. They put in three stents, and I suspect he will need a significant amount of rehab. He is also uninsured at present (yikes!). When he sees the bill, it may send him right back into the CCU!

As for me, I spent this afternoon getting my annual physical. All seems well right now, although I am with a new doctor. Hated to give up my old internist, but she didn't participate with the health insurance I now have. I'm still looking for the doctor who doesn't think I am overwieght. I don't think there is one, so I will just have to lose those extra pounds.

Peggle

On Friday, we went to dinner with the boys. We went to their side of town this time. There used to be a restaurant in Milford that we liked to go to, called the Five Lakes Grill. It has since closed, and was re-opened as a mexican restaurant. It is now called Cinco Lagos (5 lakes...get it?). It was pretty good, but no Sagebrush Cantina. But, then, we have been terribly spoiled. The company was great, though.

While we were there, #1 Stepson brought me a CD with 2 new Peggle games on it. He had given me Peggle Deluxe some time ago. It reminds me of playing pinball when I was a teenager (without the added benefit of body english). My addictive personality took over, and I stayed glued to my computer for days on end, until I became a "Peggle Grand Master" (something that I could put on my resume, no doubt). Anyway, I raved about it so much that he said I just have to add Peggle Nights and Peggle Extreme to my repertoire. The Hubs just rolled his eyes. He knows I will be a stranger for awhile.

Vacation Planning

It wouldn't be an understatement to say the year has started with a vengeance. The 10-12 hour days are beginning to become the norm again. I am glad to be looking at a vacation in a few weeks. The Hubs and I have been discussing our respective plans. Boy do we have different approaches! I tend to daydream (pretty extensively actually), then eventually come back to reality, once I start to apply the time and dollar parameters. It drives him nuts - such a waste of time and energy in his book. He, on the other hand, thinks of all the things we can't do, and mentally checks them off the list. Are you kidding? Who wants to plan a vacation by thinking of all the things they can't afford to do?

After several discussions (alright, some would call them arguments, but that's because they don't really appreciate our creative process) we agreed on a few things: We want to travel by car. It would be nice to play some golf, if the weather cooperates. And, we want to get warm! That puts us somewhere in the south. Florida? New Orleans? Savannah? Atlanta?

I'll bet we can find several more things to argue about before we finalize these plans.

A Sad Day

A dear friend and golfing buddy of ours lost her 41 year old son very suddenly this past week. Today we went to the funeral home to see her and the rest of her family. It was so sad, though she is holding up pretty well, considering. This is the second child she has buried. I can't imagine how tough it has been for her.

Not looking forward to this afternoon, I didn't get much done today at all. I read a book all morning, then paid some bills.

Happy New Year

It was such a great New Year's Eve. I was in bed by 9:30PM! I'm not one for New Year's Eve parties (never have been), and once you've seen the ball drop once, it's not so exciting anymore (although I sure would like to see it live, just once - I don't know why, just cuz it's there, I guess).

I was up at 6:30 this morning. No hangover, and raring to go. The Hubs and I enjoyed our mexican breakfast, knowing it will be the last of our unhealthy indulgences for a while.

The tree has been taken down, and the ornaments carefully packed away. That's a tradition in my house, born of nothing more than the necessity to get it done while I have time off from work. Unlike many, I actually enjoy taking down the Christmas decorations. It appeals to my sense of order, I think. It reminds me of my sister Mary Fran, who always liked weeding the rows of carrots in the garden, because they looked so pretty when she was finished.

So now I can put my feet up and relax for awhile. The Hubs made a marvelous bean soup with the ham bone left over from the family party. It will be a great snack while I watch TV. Hopefully I can find some golf amidst all the bowl games.