Rebekah's 30th Birthday

When Becky graduated from high school I had taken out a full page ad with pictures from all ages and I also put this: "From baby shoes to high heels, each step that you took was noted in the hearts of those who love you". Your dad, your brother and I are so proud of you in everything that you do. As you are finishing up your Masters in Nursing know this, that every step that you take is still on our hearts and that you are loved more than stars in the sky.

The Great Mississippi Balloon Race 2011

This was my second time attending the Great Mississippi Balloon Race in Natchez, Mississippi. Last year was a bust. We sat by the river for 4 hours waiting to catch a glimpse of one of the colorful hot air balloons to no avail. These things are big and Natchez is pretty small... where could they have gone?? Someone said that they had blown the opposite direction. The day wasn't a total wash we ate at the Pig Out Inn and had some fabulous ribs. This year we decided to change our schedule and go to the 7am race event. The wind was blowing and it looked good for a chance to get some pictures. We went by and got coffee and arrived by the river at 645am. People were gathered by the rail and in the parking lot in their cars. I got out and spoke to a few locals who assured me that the balloons would be coming. They didn't have a clue what they were talking about. I noticed a few 'bikers' on some really great looking Harley's and went up and asked them if they knew anything. They had just heard on the radio that the balloons were going to going to the Mall and "drop the ring" over a target in the back. Off we went...along with those that I told what was up. It really was wonderful. We got there in plenty of time and before you could see them you could hear the short burst from the propane burners as the pilots adjusted their height. They appeared over the trees in vivid colors that stood out against the pale blue sky. They had to attempt to drop two flags in a area that apparently had points associated with how close they were to the center pole. They could coast along the ground but not touch or they would be disqualified. The final test was dropping a ring over the center pole. Only one man did it. I had a great time. Stan and I were cheering and clapping with everyone else. I got some wonderful pictures given that I still am learning how to work my camera. Will I do this again. Absolutely. BUT this time I will read the program to figure out where they are going to be. Oh... we ate at the Pig Out again. YUM. Not as good as wedding and birthday cake but close.

The Non-Wedding Weekend Entertainment Part 2: Painting with a Twist

After the swamp tour we went back to the hotel to rest and prepare for our evening entertainment. Becky turned me on to the idea of Painting with a Twist. PWAT is a local business that caters to wanna be Picassos. Who like to drink. I know you shouldn't drink and drive but now I am seeing the wisdom of not painting while you drink. Oh my goodness we had fun. We had a preset picture that PWAT prepares ahead of time by just outlining the basic part of the pic. They then attempt to teach you to paint. Kudos to the teacher that night who was responsible for a group of 12 drinking adults. We managed to do credible pictures and kept most of the paint off of ourselves. Rick decided he didn't like the presented picture and talked the instructor into letting Bryan and him do their own thing. My sister Barb started out painting the preset picture and then when her black border got too large she just went with the flow and did an abstact that I wish I had kept























AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!!!

The Non-Wedding Weekend Entertainment Part 1: Swamp Tour

I have learned to love the state of Louisiana. My first few years here will filled with loathing of all crawling things that seem to be of abundance every where you go. Time has lessened my phobias and I have grown to appreciate our wonderful natural environment. Unfortunately our wetlands are disappearing along with the wildlife that depend on these areas for survival. I wanted to share with my family the beauty of the swamps. I asked around to long time locals about the best tour and was referred to Champagne's( pronounced shom-pine..not like the drink). Brian Champagne conducted our tour in a flat bottomed boat. The bayou simply said is wondrous. We saw birds, centuries old trees, alligators, and a few spiders. The local fauna is beyond description. Brian was a wonderful tour guide and I cannot recommend him highly enough. My sister Barbara told me later that she initially did not want to go but was so very happy she did. I think that sentiment was held by all. I will close this blog by saying that much needs to be done to preserve our wetlands and that beauty like this should never be lost. Thank you Champagne's Swamp Tour for a wonderful morning.

Family and Friends Like Family: The Non-Wedding Weekend

My family and two of my dear friends from Oklahoma had reservations to come to Joshua and Syd's wedding in Lafayette and as you know it was moved to August in Iowa. Since everyone still had plane tickets to come to Lafayette they decided to come on ahead and we would just have a mini reunion and celebrate my early birthday. It seems that in December I will be 60 years old. I really didn't think that was right and rechecked my birth certificate to be sure. I still feel like I'm 40 with just a lot more cellulite. Anyway I had a "birthday" celebration and a mini-reception for Joshua and Syd. Barbara, Patti, Mindy, Carrie, Jill, Rick, and Bryan all stayed at the hotel along with Becky and of course myself. The first night I hosted a buffet and Janet and Reno Leblanc came along with Westley Quebedeaux.

I was thrilled that everyone took the time to come and planned several events for entertainment. In the next blog I will have pictures from the swamp tour and the painting party. I simply loved having everyone here and enjoyed my "vacation" in the Presidential Suite at the Hilton. I do owe a huge thanks to Bryan's partner Rick Green. I pride myself of being able to get the most for my dollar but Rick is the uncontested king of getting the best for less. I had booked the suite for only two days that ended on Saturday. My guests were staying through Sunday and I just didn't have an additional 400$ for that last night. Rick slicked up his hair, took me in hand, and off we went to the reception desk. I LOVE watching a master at work. He complimented the manager on his style and gave him the details about how I was just HATING to leave the hotel and that the cost was just WAY to much...so what could he do to help me. The man didn't hesitate and dropped the cost to one that I could afford. Now what you need to know is that I had already been down earlier and they turned me down flat. Love you Rick. You are the bomb!