New Orleans - Too much fun!

2009-08-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

New Orleans, city of sights and smells.

Bumper to bumper traffic, it was a relief to exit off I 10. Downtown New Orleans has a beautiful skyline; our exit was close to their super dome. Downtown was so nice and clean but once you turned off the main streets into the French quarter, close to the famous Bourbon Street you really was taken back in time to tiny streets with mule drawn carriages. Barely any room to drive down with close to zero parking. We arrived in the later afternoon and the streets were fairly dirty. But after dark the street cleaners came out and washed down the streets so in the morning they were bright and clean.

The first night we ate at Sugar Shack just off bourbon street, crawfish pie, ice cold beer and hot tasty shrimp poor boys. The price was very reasonable and the service was good. Walking down the streets you are hit with a wide range or odors; wonderful smells from the different restaurants as you pass and vile smells from the grease traps and the people lying on the streets. We also rode the trolley to the end of the line to see some or the grand old houses on St. Charles Street. If you go to New Orleans expect the best and the worst from folks there. Friendly and loud, everyone talks to everyone. But there are also, drunks and fools on every corner. You will see, tourists, people in costumes, everyone having a great time.

The next morning we went to Jackson square, Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait. . Enjoyed shopping at the open air French Market live blues band that was outstanding played while we shopped and sipped fresh strawberry smoothies, rode the mule wagon, ate pralines at Aunt Sally’s. We stayed at the Hotel Monteleone, which was fabulous. The carousel piano bar was fun and relaxing. The service was very friendly and helpful. The rooms were nice and the beds slept well. Don’t expect the rooms to be very big because it is an old hotel and although the very nice they were small, but extremely clean and worked easy to two.

We picked up muffuletta sandwiches to take back to the hotel with us. You have got to go to the Central Grocery on 923 Decatur Street. It is really a fun store, very old and the olive dressing is fabulous. I had gone to New Orleans for a Business Convention. I learned a lot and have a volume of good memory about people I met and shared time with. Hotel Monteleone is registered as one of the most haunted Hotels in America. We however did not find any ghosts, just a beautiful hotel that has stood the test of time. Nearly every tourist asked about the floodwaters reaching the French Quarter. Each local proudly replied we are 2 feet above sea level that worked in our favor. Things I took with me from New Orleans, Pray like it is up to God but work like it is up to you. Also, When you are up to you neck in water 2 feet can make to difference between life and death.

Pass me the hairspray and save me some ammunition.

2009-07-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Lord only knows what is going to happen on any given day in my beauty shop. Ok, I own a small beauty shop in West, Texas. So let me help you understand the environment. Today, even before I could open the door, the phone was ringing off the wall. The temperature is already 95 and the morning sun is bright and shiny. I love it! Today was rather a mild day. The topic of conversation that kept coming back around all day was divorce. What is it? Something in the water. Everyone is talking about someone they know that is getting a divorce. " They been married 35 years, she had to leave him or kill him. Luckily she is leaving." Next a challenge - hair color correction. She had red roots and black ends. "I see we are ready for a big change in hair style?" Maybe it is community menopause. Huh?

Next few customers were men discussing dove season opening, they think it is Sept. 1 Dove are very plentiful right now so everyone that hunts can't wait to see it get cooler and get the dogs out.

Well, to goes another day. God bless us all and pass me the hairspray!

Pass me the hairspray!

New Orleans - Too much fun!

Pass me the hairspray and save me some ammunition.