Maybe I'm Just Confused

Spring Break = Masters

2009-04-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

It's Spring Break around and that only means one thing. Masters Week. Being from Augusta, originally, I get all excited to head out the Augusta National and watch the best golf tournament ever. (The only golf tournament that exists in my book, because it's just not that interesting if it's not happening in Augusta.)

The photos are a little dark, because The Husband doesn't know how to check the settings on my camera. And I let him be the photo geek for Monday's practice round.

The course was in beautiful shape as always. The azaleas and dogwoods were in full bloom (although they had been a little beaten down from the rain the night before).

We got to get close to Rory McIlroy, who at 19 years old, is the youngest player to ever qualify for the Masters.

Luke Donald got tips on the putting green. Later, we would get to see the dynamic duo of hotness that was Donald and Villegas, who played together Monday. Most men don't understand quite how hot Villegas is, so of course there are no pictures of him from the practice round, so I found this one on the internet for you to admire.

Yummy!

The umbrellas behind the clubhouse were not raised because it was so very windy, but I'd be willing to bet the egg salad sandwiches taste better from that side of the rope.

We're still watching coverage of the Masters to see who will don the green jacket this year. And we'll be back next year for more fun.

Next up, divorce parties and spas.

Random Thoughts

2009-02-25T14:43:00.009-05:00

Am I the only person in the world who really dislikes Angelina Jolie? I have to admit, she's done an amazing job at cleaning up her image...not to mention, snag one of the sexiest men alive. But I still really don't like her.

Before Brad Pitt

With Brad Pitt

I'm tired of all the political bullshit. A year ago, Democrats were bitching about Bush's economic stimulus plan...and now Republicans are bitching about Obama's. It seems to me that basically, most people want a quick fix (read..check in the mail) without taking any personal accountability. Call me a ditsy Miss America candidate (except I do actually have a minor in Political Science), but what about peacefully trying to come up with a solution together instead of having a bunch of power hungry assholes blaming each other.

2008

2009

Why is health insurance such a racket? We paid an $86 co-pay for Tamiflu this week, and Daughter #2 couldn't even keep it down! EIGHTY SIX DOLLARS...that's highway robbery!!

Did the same nutjob who figured out that if you made cocaine into crack it would be more addictive, also invent facebook?

That is all.

We've got the funk

2009-02-24T07:53:00.006-05:00

Today is my 5th day out of work in 3 weeks. If it weren't due to sickness and if I didn't feel so guilty about missing work, I might could enjoy some time off. The husband and I were both sick two weeks ago, Daughter #2 had it last week, and Daughter #1 has the straight-up funky flu this week...YUCK!!

Luckily, this past weekend we were all feeling well enough to head to Atlanta to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro. The trip was supposed to be for Daughter #1's birthday, but we all had so much fun. We had a very girlie day with the three of us plus my mom and sil. We ate lunch in the VERY PINK and very cute bistro at the store. They had high chairs and menus for the girls dolls. The place was so cute, but completely overwhelming. Hello, what recession??? When we first walked in, we saw a little girl's bag and thought "she racked up"......little did we know what we would be walking out with later.

Daughter #1 already had Felicity, and she added Felicity's friend, Elizabeth, to her budding collection. She also got a ball gown for Felicity and a riding habit for Elizabeth. (Not to mention, she got Felicity's hair done...yes, the store has a doll salon!)

Daughter #2 got her first American Girl while we were there. She chose Molly. She was very excited not only to get her doll, but to also get matching pajamas. She has worn her red and white striped pjs EVERY night since we arrived home, so she can match her doll.

So, we had a lovely respite from illness, but now the funk has hold of us again. Hopefully we will get over this soon and start our spring sports schedule by the end of the week.

This looks like a job for the Supreme Court!

2009-02-18T13:38:00.001-05:00

You're kidding, right?

Have A HAPPY HAPPY New Year!!

2008-12-31T19:15:00.002-05:00

Resolutions

2008-12-31T10:53:00.003-05:00

I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions. Because I normally don't keep them. I think if you're going to make a lifestyle change, you can do it any time. You don't have to wait until a new year begins. Plus, I'm really bad at making lifestyle changes.

I didn't make any resolutions last year, but I did for 2007 (you can see them here). I haven't kept ANY of my 2007 resolutions, and I guess if I were to make some this year, they would be similar.

So, here are my 2009, non-resolutions, in no particular order.
1. I know I'm not going to keep my house spotless, so I'm going to get a maid (every two weeks, minimum)
2. I may not rejoin the gym, but I'm going to plan on going for more walks (at least 4 days a week).
3. Cut down on smoking.
4. Be better about making appointments
5. Host something at my house a few times a year (since I'll have a maid cleaning, this will be doable)
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables (and make the kids do so, as well). In fact, I want to twice a week eat no meat at all.

Maybe, I'll be better at getting this together this year.

A Very Merry Christmas

2008-12-31T10:37:00.002-05:00

My parents and grandmother made the drive to our house for Christmas Eve. We had an amazing beef tenderloin for dinner, sitting by the tree in the dining room. I've finally gotten my dining room looking the way I want it, with help from the new pictures I got from my grandmother's house.

After opening the Christmas Eve pajamas, putting out the reindeer food, and singing an interesting, booty-shaking rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on the front porch, we sent the kids off to bed.

Sometime during the night, Santa made very nice stop at our house. Daughter #1 got an I-Pod, which never left her ears that day. Daughter #2 got an "Intendo" DS. Both of these items made our travels to the in-laws much more pleasant that afternoon.

I was very spoiled this year. I got new sheets, a David Yurman bracelet, 1st edition Shakespeare's, a gorgeous ring, some clothes, and some golf accessories.

After eating our sausage pinwheels and opening presents with my family, we packed up the car and headed to the in-laws. We had this shindig at my bil's house and it was wonderful. All of the cousins played together, we ate, and were merry.

Since we got home Saturday, I have been to a neighborhood get together, held a spend-the-night party for Daughter #1, played golf, and gone out to dinner. It has been quite a full holiday.

We are still unsure of our plans for tonight. Our "family" plans were canceled and we're not sure if we're going to go to the "adult" party. We usually have people over for food and football on New Year's Day, so we may take it easy tonight.

Hope you have a Happy New Year. See you in 2009.

Updated blog

2008-12-22T16:54:00.001-05:00

Yes...This is my third post of the day. That's more than I've blogged in a year. I just wanted to give props to Simply Fabulous Templates for my new template. I'm digging the new look!!

San Francisco

2008-12-22T11:18:00.025-05:00

We did, in fact, make it to San Francisco at the end of July. I never blogged about it, because I'm a major slacker and just haven't blogged at all in six months or longer. So, here it is....our San Fran adventure.

Day 1 - Friday

We arrive in San Francisco to beautiful weather. Leaving Atlanta, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 95 degrees, and San Fran was in the low 70s. The husband, brother, sil and I took BART straight into the city to find some lunch in Union Square and hop on a cable car.

We waited what seemed like forever in line at the turnaround to get the cable car, but enjoyed the scenic S.F. hills on the way to Fisherman's wharf.

Fisherman's Wharf, while a must-do tourist destination, was not my favorite part of the trip.

We took some pictures of Alcatraz while avoiding pigeon poo and then headed for drinks at the Fog Harbor Fish House on Pier 39.

(Photo from www.gosanfranciscocard.com)

After drinks, we took BART to Livermore to meet all the family at the hotel.

Day 2 - Saturday

First stop...Muir Woods.

a family could live inside the trunk of one of these trees

It was beautiful and so quiet and a not-so-faint smell of marijuana in the air. After walking around the woods, we drove back over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge into the city and had lunch at Tadich's.

(photo from www.ugonnaeatthat.com)

My parents had eaten there 20 years ago and were anxious to return. It is considered the oldest restaurant in S.F. and I can see why it is still around. The food was very good. I had the cioppino and was quite surprised when it came with a bib!!

(photo from www.ugonnaeatthat.com)

It was well worth the humiliation of donning a child's accessory. On our way back to Livermore, we drove down the beautiful and oh-so-crooked Lombard Street.

That night we got to catch up with lots of family members at my cousin's rehearsal cocktail party in Dublin.

Day 3 - Sunday

Sunday we made the trek back down to Fisherman's Wharf and take the ferry to Sausalito to eat brunch at Horizons.

Cloudy skies and dark water on the S.F. side of the bay

Clear skies and beautiful water on the Sausalito side of the bay

photo from http://mtkilimonjaro.blogspot.com

So yes we did take public transit for 45 minutes, walk half an hour, and take a 30 minute ferry ride just to have brunch on Sausalito and then quickly make the same trip in reverse to get to Livermore in time for my cousin's wedding. (Eating is IMPORTANT!!)

The wedding was at the Martinelli Center at Garre Winery in Livermore, and it the scenery was almost as gorgeous as the bride, which is saying a lot!!

It was a wonderful weekend. I feel very lucky to have been able to go spend the weekend for his wedding.

Weekend Redux

2008-12-22T10:18:00.004-05:00

We had a fun weekend. Daughter #2's birthday was Saturday, and being so close to Christmas, she's never had a proper party. I figured it was time for her to have one, so I took eight little girls (my two included) to get manicures. While waiting for each other to get some seriously cool nail art (snowflakes, rhinestones, and polka dots, oh my!) they took turns sitting in the massage chairs. Daughter #1 is hooked! After our pamper fest, we went to Pizza Hut and pigged out. I would say that the party was a success!

My brother and sil arrived Saturday afternoon, and the girls were thrilled to hear that they will have a new cousin arriving in June. I can't wait to start smocking for the baby. We had a great time with them, but was extremely disappointed this morning when my brother and Daughter #1 woke up this morning with the stomach virus. Nothing says Merry Christmas like hugging the toilet.

I still have not finished Christmas shopping, but hopefully the kids will feel better tomorrow, so I can get out.

San Francisco Here We Come

2008-07-23T12:24:00.002-04:00

We're heading to San Francisco Friday and I cannot wait. I have not been on a major trip (that requires a flight) in almost ten years!! And I have not been to San Francisco in EIGHTEEN YEARS! I was so young the last time I was there that I remember very little about the city. I am excited to see the city from the eyes of an adult.

My cousin is getting married at the Garre Winery in Livermore on Sunday. Unfortunately that means we'll have little time in San Francisco proper. Fortunately, that means that we'll get to explore some vineyards and do some things outside of the city that we wouldn't normally do.

I'll be sure to blog the trip when we get back.

No Water

2008-07-03T11:22:00.004-04:00

I woke up this morning to no water. I panicked wondering had I paid the bill. In my head I knew that I had (and paid it early, to boot), but that sinking feeling crashed all over me. I checked my bank statement and saw that my bill was paid. So I wondered, why is my water off? Finally I called the city.

Me: Hello, I live on ABC St. and my water is off. I was wondering if y'all are working on something over here.

City: Yes we are.

Me: Do you know when they'll be finished?

City: I sure don't.

Me: So you have no idea of approximately what time I'll have water?

City: Nope.

There are so many things wrong with this.

Why would they plan to turn the water off on the day before a long weekend, when people are probably planning to go out of town?

Why would they not give affected residents fair warning that the water would be off, so we could make arrangements?

Why would they have no clue when affected residents would have water again?

Getting the Girls

2008-06-26T17:31:00.002-04:00

I'm on my way to go get my children. It's bittersweet. I have loved having time alone, but I have missed them terribly. Daughter #1 has been at camp for almost two weeks and we've only received mail from her one day. I'm taking it as a sign that she's been happy.

I spent last night with my brother. His wife is out of town, so caught up, went to eat sushi, and watched Georgia lose the college world series. My mom is bringing Daughter #2 to my brother's house today and we're off to S.C. to spend the night with my uncle. Friday, we'll head up to the beautiful N.C. mountains to get Daughter #1 from camp.

I'm hoping that Daughter #1 is not as moody as she was last year when we got her from camp. It was awful. I don't know what kind of hormones or emotions were going through her little body, but one minute she was laughing and showing us around camp and the next, she was crying. Maybe since she's a year older, she's got a better grip on her emotions (yeah, right!).

We'll leave camp Friday afternoon to go to my parents' house, where we'll spend the night and visit with them. Then Saturday, it's back home. It will be a whirlwind trip, but very worth it. I'm just excited to hear how camp has been (since we haven't received any mail!)

Making New Friends

2008-06-25T09:22:00.002-04:00

There is a girl with whom I teach. She's not on my hall, so I don't see her frequently. But when I do see her I always speak. Granted, I'm a little hyper in the morning and it could be a little threatening to others, especially if they're shy. But my point is that she has rarely spoken more than two words. Maybe she'll whisper a simple, "hey" or "good morning" but that's it. So I just took it that I annoyed her or something.

She came to the cookout Saturday night. And she talked. To me. 6 couples were at this cookout, and I did notice that she talked mainly to the two of us who teach with her. But I couldn't believe that we were having a real conversation.

Skip to Monday. She came on the "girls day." She was wonderful. She talked as much as everyone else...and that's saying quite a bit!! I'm so glad that I went on our girls outing or I may have missed the opportunity to get to know her a little better.

Making new friends is nice...we're planning another girls day for next week. Yay!!

Young and Old

2008-06-23T10:18:00.004-04:00

We had a fun-filled weekend. But I really think I'm younger than I am. This weekend showed me that I am indeed in my thirties and no longer in my teens and twenties.

The husband helped a friend build a cook-house, so we were invited to a big fish fry Saturday night to celebrate it being finished. It was much fun, but I'm starting to wonder why so many of our friends are so much younger than we. We were probably 10-15 years older than than all but one or two people at this party. (Remember, The Husband is 6 years older than I, so that does make a difference.) In this particular instance, the friend is our old neighbor, I call him my other son even though he's only 11 years younger. He practically lived with us his senior year of high school and is like a member of the family. It's so nice to see him living on his own, and growing into a mature, responsible adult.

Saturday, some friends took us to the lake to tubing. This was the first time Daughter #2 had been tubing and she had so much fun. I, thinking I am still a teenager, (see reference to young friends) decided that I could still go tubing. I mean, all you have to do is hang on, right? It's a little difficult to hang on when the (young) boat driver is intentionally trying to throw your old ass off. My muscles haven't been this sore in a while. I really wanted to ski, but I'm probably lucky that I didn't, I probably wouldn't be able to walk this week.

This picture is not me (it's from www.dailyheights.com), but it gives you a good indication of what I looked like at some point in the day.

After spending all day on the boat, we went to a cookout Saturday night. We had a nice evening that began turning into a late night. The friends were more our age (more like 4 years younger than me, but 10 years younger than the Husband), but I had one moment of "I'm way too old for this." One girl left the cookout to get her daughter to bed. She returned to the party sans husband and daughter, and felt the need to "catch up" and began shotgunning beer. Granted, she had company in the shotgunning department, but I just thought NO WAY!!!

Today, I'm feeling young again. We took Daughter #2 to meet my mom and go off to the beach. So I've planned a girls day. Manis, Pedis, Lunch, and sitting by the pool require no extreme youthful energy, just the ability to catch everyone up on the gossip, and shut my mouth long enough for them to reciprocate.

Almost Child Free

2008-06-19T18:01:00.002-04:00

We took Daughter #1 to camp Sunday. It was a long day in the car. We left Spartanburg, SC at 7:30am, drove to Brevard, NC, then to Athens, GA, before returning home around 11:30 that night. We would have stayed to spend the night in one of those nice towns, but we had to get home.

I've been working all week. I've agreed to try to rework some of our curriculum. It stinks going to work this summer, but they're paying me extra for it. I figure since Daughter #1 is at camp and Daughter #2 is at day camp, I could get some work in.

Daughter #2 is going to the beach with my parents next week, so The Husband and I will be home alone....YAY!!

All Summer Long

2008-06-13T11:33:00.002-04:00

I'm not normally a fan of Kid Rock, but this song reminds me of summers when I was in high school (I'm guessing that's the point).

I just didn't know kids in northern Michigan were fans "Sweet Home Alabama."

Ears and Is

2008-06-13T10:29:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we drove to the next town over (remember we live in BFE where nothing exists but fast food restaurants) to take Daughter #2 to the doctor. She was up all night Wednesday night screaming and crying with her ear hurting. Of course, she has swimmer's ear, and we had to get drops for it. The major problem is that we have to keep her out of the pool for about a week....ARE YOU SERIOUS??? That'll be a challenge.

While we were out, I decided to go look at I-Pods. The Husband has the old 40GB Classic, but it's his (even though I often hijack it and I've downloaded all my music on it). But I'm having a problem with Apple's pricing system. The 8GB I-Pod nano is $200, and the 80GB I-Pod Classic is $250. $50 dollars for an extra 72GB....seems like a deal, but why is the nano so expensive? It must be because it comes in the cool array of colors which the Classic is decidedly lacking (silver and black just don't fit my spunky personality or may variety of music tastes).

You may be asking why on earth I would need 80GB of music and the answer is that I don't, but I do need more than 8...the dilemma...what shall I do??

Top 5 Reasons I'm Glad School Is Out

2008-06-10T10:47:00.004-04:00

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1. We just bought into our neighborhood pool. Only eight families own it and it is less than 100 yards from my back door. The kids have been swimming like champs for a few weeks now.

2. We just spent 9 days at the beach. We took one day when we were too sunburned to sit on the beach to spend a day in Beaufort and check out the Hunting Island Lighthouse. We did nothing but read, sit on the beach, sleep, and eat. It was fabulous.

3. CAMP!! Daughter #1 leaves Sunday for camp in North Carolina for two weeks. She is so excited. We began packing her trunk yesterday and she climbed inside and told me to just ship her there. Daughter #2 will be at Day Camp and while #1 is in NC the first week. Then #2 is going to the beach with my parents while #1 is in NC the second week. It will be like camp for me for about two weeks.

4. I'm enjoying reading for pleasure! I read three books during our time at the beach (A Portrait of An Unknown Woman, Bergdorf Blondes, and The Emperor's Children). If anyone has any good recommendations please let me know!

5. San Francisco! We are going to my cousin's wedding in S.F. in July. I haven't been to California since I was in the 9th grade (and let me tell you, that's longer ago than I look.) We'll be out there for 4 days and I'm really looking forward to it.

My Oven Just Died

2008-02-26T11:35:00.001-05:00

WTF???

Birthday Planning

2008-02-26T09:43:00.002-05:00

It seems as if the only time I blog lately is when I'm home sick. So here I am again. Apparently I never got well after the flu two weeks ago. I finally went to the doctor yesterday and I am now taking FIVE prescription drugs. WOW.

So, besides catching up on The Real Housewives of the OC, I'm also trying to get the final details of Daughter #1's birthday party this weekend. She is very excited because she is having a Rock Star party at a nearby spa for little girls. She also found her birthday present. I haven't given it to her yet, but she knows its coming and can barely contain her excitement. I now just need to figure out what kind of cake to get her. I think she wants one that looks like this.

I just need to find someone to make it.

Exciting News

2008-02-18T09:07:00.002-05:00

While we were at the parents' house this weekend, my brother informed us that he and sil are expecting. I'm so excited to have a new niece or nephew.

In other exciting news, but not as good, one of my students shot two others last Thursday. He then tried to come to school on the bus to (apparently) take out the one he missed. Luckily (?) he got beat up on the bus and fled and never made it to the school. These kids involved in this incident are 16 years old....INSANE!!

Feeling Better

2008-02-13T18:26:00.002-05:00

I feel much better, but I think it's now becoming a sinus infection. I've been popping Sudafed, but I have a feeling I may need an antibiotic.

I finally made it back to work today. Of course, the kids did nothing while I was gone. I didn't care while I was at home huddled under my covers with my laptop re-watching Season 3 of Lost. HOWEVER, when I got back today and they had forgotten everything from last week, I was a little miffed. Unfortunately, we're on a deadline so I don't have a lot of time to go back and play catch up. The graduation test is in March and US History compromises a significant amount of the Social Studies portion (and they will only be a little over half-way through the course).

We're heading to my parents' this weekend. I'm desperate for my hair to be cut and colored (it's grown out so much that I've forgotten that I'm supposed to be blond) and I need someone new to do it. I love my hairdresser here, but I'm ready to cheat. I just need some fresh ideas for my hair. The sad thing is that I have to drive 3 hours to go to a real city where I know that I can get someone to give me something up to date and not give me a perm and frost me....ugh. I hope that it looks cute, but I'm a little worried that I will love and will end up having to continue to drive up there for regular haircuts.

I'm off to help the girls with their Valentine's.

Oh...Happy Birthday, Heather!

Weekend Yuckies

2008-02-11T09:34:00.000-05:00

It all started Thursday night. I was invited to a girls night out. Of course, I went, I enjoyed myself, I drank a little too much red wine.

I woke up Friday morning feeling really badly. I thought it may just be from all the wine, so I dragged myself out of bed and made it to work. Luckily, I had a video to show one class, and I took the other two to the computer lab, so I didn't have to stand up and talk all day. I was feeling progressively worse.

By the time I got home, all I wanted to do was put on my sweats and curl up on the couch. The Husband took both the girls to the "Daddy Daughter Dance" so I had three hours to watch movies all by myself with not interruptions. I was feeling worse by the time they got home so I just continued to lie on the couch and let The Husband put them to bed.

Saturday morning, I thought I was going to die. My temperature was over 102 and I was having chills and sweats. The girls had two birthday parties to attend, so The Husband took them to buy gifts and dropped them off at the neighbor's house for the party at 11am. Ten minutes later Daughter #2 comes home with a temperature of 102.5 and goes to bed where she doesn't wake up until 2am.

So, what have I done all weekend? Well, I have been on the couch for days watching oscillating between watching bad television and sleeping. An entire day of Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency marathon has filled my quota of trash tv for at least the next few days.

I watched the Grammy's last night. And I have to say...Kanye West is an asshole. I love his song, but him, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not unsympathetic. I feel very sorry for the man about losing his mother. But his sense of entitlement and self-importance is ridiculous.

Today, I'm feeling much better. No fever, but still I feel weak. I'm going to try to get some laundry accomplished. I feel its a good activity, because I can sit while I fold, and I have time to rest between loads.

Daughter #2 is feeling better, as well. But I have her home with me today, but I think we will both be back at school tomorrow. She and I will spend the day watching bad TV (of the child friendly variety) and eating more grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, which is the only thing either of us has eaten for almost 4 days now.

New Orleans

2008-01-21T09:23:00.001-05:00

We had an exciting and fun-filled family vacation. The four of us went to Disney World for four days. I highly recommend Disney's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Daughter #1 was able to dance with the characters...she even did the Soulja Boy with Cinderella's step sisters. She was called up to sing Rudolph at Animal Kingdom. She's such a diva....this was great for her.
Daughter #2 loved the roller coasters mainly. Remember that this trip was for her 5th birthday, She was mad that she couldn't ride Space Mountain. Her favorite ride was Test Track....I think I have a real dare devil on my hands.

After Disney, we were home for Christmas. We dropped the girls off with the mil and were on our way to New Orleans. We had a blast...although we needed about a four day recovery.

After checking in to the beautiful Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street, we went out see the sights.

Of course, we had to stop and get one, or two, or was it three? of these!
Obviously the next morning we weren't feeling so hot, so we walked off of Bourbon Street in search of sustenance and non-alcoholic entertainment. Apparently, entertainment of the non-alcoholic variety does not exist in New Orleans. We went to a fabulous restaurant called Mulate's. My brother was in search of blackened alligator tail, while the sil, the Husband and I were in search of Bloody Mary's and grease in the form of Po-Boys. As we were leaving the restaurant, our nice waiter asks us if we would like a beer to go....why, yes we would!!

After we left Mulate's we walked across the street to a mall that was right on the Mississippi River. (The above picture is taken from the mall.) My dear brother had forgotten to pack socks, so we were in search of some. We walk into the Gap to find the socks and realize (after he's paid and we're leaving the store) that we still have our "beer to go" in our hands. It was a very odd experience.

After lunch and shopping, we're feeling a little lucky and decide to hit up Harrah's. My brother gets all ticked off about something in there and tells us its time to go after only about 30 minutes...which was just enough time for me to win about 50 dollars.

We headed back to our hotel after Harrahs. We went back to the hotel to get ourselves cleaned up and looking pretty for our nice dinner.

We went to Emeril's NOLA restaurant. It was fabulous. If anyone can find a recipe of his lobster bisque, I know four people who would be willing to pay good money for it. The food was divine. I had (after the bisque, course) Filet Mignon with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Worcestershire Sauce and Walnut-Blue Cheese Stuffed Portobello Mushroom. YUMMY!

We may have had too much wine and champagne, because the Husband and the brother began playing champagne cork football in the restaurant. And then we began singing with the three-piece band they had. At some point my brother asked them if they could play Black Dog by Led Zeppelin....and they DID!!!

After NOLA we wandered around Bourbon Street some more. We found an extremely posh penthouse New Year's Eve party where we felt a little too redneck...I can handle a party like that at home, but when I'm on vacation I just want to have fun. Bourbon Street was packed and we kept getting separated from each other. Finally, the Brother and I went on back to our hotel and the Husband and the SIL stayed out....who knows what they did, but neither was feeling very well the next day.

It took us a while to get going on New Year's Day. The Husband and I went off in search of food and football. We found a place where the food was good (think crawfish etouffee slathered on a hamburger), the service sucked, and the tv could not be seen from almost any table. (Is there any wonder why I can't remember the name of the restaurant?)

Considering it took around TWO HOURS to get a bowl of gumbo and a hamburger, we went back to the hotel to get dressed for the big game. Plus, we needed to do a little tailgating.

The Georgia fans in New Orleans ranged from:

Nice and tasteful to

Completely over the top!!

We headed to Razzoo's for a little tailgating fun. We also met up with some friends that I haven't seen since high school.

Then FINALLY, we made it to the SuperDome...the whole point of the trip! We blacked out the Dome and watched the Dawgs tear up the Rainbow Warriors. It actually was kind of sad. The Hawaii fans were so nice and gracious. They were really excited to be there. Of course, the UGA fans were loud and drunk and obnoxious....and I am talking of others besides myself. I was hoping that it would be a real game, but it wasn't even close. I think this shows a real flaw in the BCS system (or at least a problem with the snotty Rose Bowl Committee).

At least Georgia ended up being ranked #2 behind LSU. I can certainly be okay with Numbers One and Two being SEC teams.

I'm already planning to be in Miami on January 8, 2009! It's going to be the Dawgs' year!!!