Gecko Invasion!!!

What's the deal?

I've seen more of these lil geckos this summer than ever!!!   A few in the house even.

I like the way the other one is poking his lil head out to see what the deal is...



The gecko really is tiny, I used the micro function on this one... you can tell how teeny just by comparing it to the ant next to it.

 

                                             They're creepy lil dudes. 

St Joseph's Cemetery

The St Joseph Cemetery was beautiful... very ornate monuments and well cared for.

 I visited St Joseph's when I visited the other historical cemeteries last month.
The Star Cemetery backs up to it. A stark difference in the level of care between the two cemeteries. But, Holy Trinity Church sees to the maintence of St Josephs... and it shows.

In about 1882 Holy Trinity Catholic Church bought ten-and-one-half acres for $210 to establish a Catholic

A large monument is dedicated to the five Catholic priests who died during the yellow fever epidemic of 1873

This cemetery is near the Main Post Office ... where greenwood Rd becomes Texas Avenue. At the time of it's original purchase it was "Texas Road"
Beautiful and historical grounds and monuments.

"I forgive you"

Mom & Me in 2000

My mom is ALL about Birthdays and holidays.   She called me three times this week telling me she was sending Jake his birthday card in the mail.   (a wee bit obsessive at times) Today, she called asking was Jake home or at his dad's house.

Me: He's home... I'm headed there now.
Mom: OK, his card should be in the mail today.   I hope it's in time.
Me: I'm sure it will be, It can't take 2 weeks for it to go 2 miles.
Mom: I want him to have it today for his birthday.
Me: Mom, Jake's birthday is on the 23rd.
Mom: I know.
Me: Today is the 13th.
Mom: Oh... I thought today was the 23rd!
Me: No Ma'am... (chuckling with her).
Mom: Ok...  well... I forgive you.
Me: You forgive me?
Mom: yes... I forgive you.
Me: For?
Mom: having him 10 days late...
Me: I love you.
Mom: I love you.  I gotta go (she was still chuckling at herself)

Mother's Day 2009

She makes me smile.   Much.    

I love it when she leaves a message for me to call her.     Then when I return her call, she asks ME what I want.    lol

This made me smile. much.

Mom of the Year!

When I came home from work this past Tuesday... I was dawg tired.  The night before we came in from South La around 11pm.     I was feeling it.    Jake had a dental appt at 3 and then we went home.   Did I mention how tired I was?   It was my birthday and I only wanted one thing .. a NAP!

So, I got just that.   I let Jake to go ahead and go play at his friend's house. (normally he'd have to get homework done first, but a tired Mommy makes for a poor 8th grade math helper)

I woke up at 6pm.  Ordered pizza for dinner and called Jake to come home.  After eating, came homework time.

But now... Jake was whining...  "I don't feel good"   "My stomach hurts"
Me: Jake... you felt well enough to go play.
Jake: But, I really DO feel sick.
Me: Jake, do your work.  I'm serious.
Jake (in a high pitched whine):  But, my stomach hurts and I feel sick.  You don't even believe me.
Me: I'm done.  I'll be back when you stop complaining and are ready to get your work done.
(I make a semi-dramatic exit and pull the door with a bit of force... not slam though)   As I'm walking away I hear fluid spill, splash and gurgling noises, followed by, "Moooooooom!" 

Yup... he puked.   All over his bed, the textbook, the floor and a few minutes later in the hallway.

Mom of the year, I tell ya.  
(reminds me of the time I made him push a wheelbarrow with a broken arm...  but that's another story)

The Shrimp & Petroleum Festival

Every Labor Day weekend, we go down to Morgan City where my husband is from.   Why Labor Day weekend?  The Shrimp & Petroleum Festival.    (and fortunately, it's also about the same time the redfish are biting...)

This year was the 75th anniversary of the Festival.    It is the oldest chartered festival in the State of Louisiana.  

It began in as a celebration of the shrimp industry.   And in 1967, they began celebrating the oil industry as well.  The Morgan City/Berwick area relies heavily on these two commerces.

One of the traditions (that date back over 70 years) is the blessing of the fleets.    The Father blesses them, for safe passage on the waters and pays homage to those fallen.

Jake enjoyed the rides

They KNOW how to party.  Big time.   There is music, a carnival, crafts fair, a parade, a firework show...  It's all one huge, long party.  

     Ron's Mom and our grandson Hayden

On a personal note, my in-laws have a ceramic store in Berwick (Berwick & Morgan City are much like Shreveport & Bossier... only seperated by a river).   So every year my mother and father-in-law have a booth at the festival.   She paints faces and they sale many Louisiana themed ceramics.

Jake flying high!

Hayden Paul...  said "This is the BEST Shrimp Festival EVER!!"     I have to agree with him.  We had a lot of fun!

A great Firework display on Sunday night!

Did I mention them Coonazzes know how to throw a party?   :)  See ya next year!

'Til Death Do Us Part...

Or is it "til death DUE us part"... either way, we part.

Morbid topic, eh?  I don't mind.

A few years ago, my Mom told me that she had a "DNR" order on her chart.
"WHAT? You're on a walker... you aren't at death's door...  I don't get that!"
She explained, that when God called her, she was going home.   Changed my view on a few things.     Something I had to look at professionally and personally.   It is her RIGHT to not be "saved", is it not?  

I'll honor her wishes and she won't ever go on a ventilator or be electrocuted.   Because I love her and that's her wish.   

A year ago, she'd decided she wasn't going to go on dialysis when the time came.   I said... "Ok... I'll do whatever you want.   I didn't know you wanted to die though."   She says, " I don't want to die!!!"  (I'm a straight shooter.. obviously..)   I told her that death IS the alternative to dialysis.   She changed her mind and says she wants it when the time comes.  (But reminded me, no code)

This past week, she went into congestive heart failure.   A rough diagnosis, but even rougher if you're in chronic renal failure (and tetter on that line of getting dialysis).   So, yeah... this isn't a death sentence, but will ultimately mean a shorter life span for her.   

Mom is the greatest thing since sweet tea.  One day my heart will break in a million peices.    She only wants a memorial and insists on being cremated.  I'll comply.   But told her I'm not sticking her on a shelf.  I don't wanna be watching Idol then bust out crying because her ashtray catches my eye.   I'll spread them with her parents and sister (Shhhh!  Don't tell Forest Park).

So this makes me think of my own mortality.   And I 'm OK with dying.   My only concern with dying is leaving our kids and my husband.   But otherwise I'm ready and I've got some great "a priest, a monk and a Rabbi walk into a bar" jokes to tell God when I get there.   

I do have a few requests:
No thick make up.   Don't wear it now, don't want it then.
Don't put my hands on my belly.  I don't wanna look like Santa Clause.
         Place them at my sides please.
Only a quick memorial, no "funeral" .   That *** is depressing.
No "visitation" they charge for people to come look at my corpse (iffen  
         folks GOT to see me not breathin, do it at the quicky memorial thingy)
And unless, it's my husband or kids  don't allow folks to stick stuff in the box
         with me.   
My sons don't have to go to the memorial.  And no one is to judge them for it,
        cause I'm their Mom and I said they don't have to go!
Needs to be at 3:30pm.   No earlier.   (for my peeps)
Elisa has to sing.
Patricia has to cry out,"Awww lawd... Jo, what us gone do wit out you?!!"
My husband is to be inconsolable for weeks.  Then get the hell over it and go   
          blow the insurance money! (But not on expensive cigars and cheap
          strippers, I say go with the cheap cigars and expensive strippers... they
          have less stretch marks & more teeth...)
And.. when he remarrys (not a stripper, please)... she can have anything of
          mine buuuuuuuuuuuuut (and let me be real clear here....)
          NO OTHER WOMAN USES MY CAMERA!!!

So... Did ya hear the one about..... a Priest, a Monk and a Rabbi go into a bar....?