Sunday, August 29, 2010
Has it really been 5 years??
This picture taken inside the eye wall just prior to Hurricane Katrina making land fall. I don't think this is a time that any of us will completely recover from and certainly will never forget. I pray we don't have to experience anything like it again in our life times.
Some things I cherish from those days: the strength of a small town, the love of friends/family/neighbors, and iced water tasting like the most amazing drink on the planet!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Goodbye Palms!
Just in case anyone thought the palms weren't dead here is the proof after 2 more weeks! YIKES! Lightening is harsh!
Here are the guys surveying the situation before getting started. Of course they only had about 3 - 5 feet to lay anything down in...
BIG Shredder out in front of the house!
GONE!!
GONE!!!
GONE!!!! NOW we have some major work to do to make this landscape look like anything!! WOW!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
My funky mood...
Maybe the lightning bolt was for me?? To jolt me out of this funk I've been in?? I hope it works! I've decided to do three things to run for the fix!!
1. LET GO & LET GOD!!!
2. STOP letting work consume my every moment of life!!
3. LOVE....LAUGH...LIVE!
Think it will work?? IT BETTER!!! Wish me luck! AND if anyone out there is also feeling funkish---JOIN ME ON MY THREE!! :)
Hugs from Houston!!
1. LET GO & LET GOD!!!
2. STOP letting work consume my every moment of life!!
3. LOVE....LAUGH...LIVE!
Think it will work?? IT BETTER!!! Wish me luck! AND if anyone out there is also feeling funkish---JOIN ME ON MY THREE!! :)
Hugs from Houston!!
LIGHTNING STRIKES!!
Hmmm.....I'm thankful it wasn't the house but not sure what kind of karma this is!?!?! WOW!! Last weekend we had a Texas sized thunderstorm (which really isn't that unusual) that sent a BIG bolt of lightning & struck our palm tree or trees. (not to mention the poor trees were already looking terrible from the FREEZES we had this winter) It scared us half to death as we were all standing by the windows directly in front of the trees! EEP!!
Dad....Mom....here are the pictures--what do you think? The one on the left literally had the top blown off!! You can see the top sort of hanging on the side off to the right of the tree trunk.
We aren't sure about the tree on the left?? There is a "new" leaf...errrr frond...that looks not so good there in the middle left of the top. Do you think it got hit too??
YIKES!! Glad we weren't outside in the rain (as we McCoys have been known to do) doing yardwork this time!!!
Dad....Mom....here are the pictures--what do you think? The one on the left literally had the top blown off!! You can see the top sort of hanging on the side off to the right of the tree trunk.
We aren't sure about the tree on the left?? There is a "new" leaf...errrr frond...that looks not so good there in the middle left of the top. Do you think it got hit too??
YIKES!! Glad we weren't outside in the rain (as we McCoys have been known to do) doing yardwork this time!!!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
More 150-- photos this time!
BACKPOSTING ALERT!! :)
Thought I would share some of the BP150 still shots!
The therapy department gang (minus M & I) hanging out on our RIDICULOUS bed! It was the joke of the tent that we brought the double layer blow-up mattress to camp with! *ROFL*
18 Wheeled Shower Trucks!! :)
LOVELY pic of my backside "on the road" entering the town of Bellville right before lunch on Day 1
Mel, Bridge & me on the side of the road in some of the beautiful patches of wildflowers!
This is the typical rest stop--side of the road SOMEWHERE, TX! :)
Here is our gang before we got started! Parking lot before the starting line! Everyone looking ready to go!!
Thought I would share some of the BP150 still shots!
The therapy department gang (minus M & I) hanging out on our RIDICULOUS bed! It was the joke of the tent that we brought the double layer blow-up mattress to camp with! *ROFL*
18 Wheeled Shower Trucks!! :)
LOVELY pic of my backside "on the road" entering the town of Bellville right before lunch on Day 1
Mel, Bridge & me on the side of the road in some of the beautiful patches of wildflowers!
This is the typical rest stop--side of the road SOMEWHERE, TX! :)
Here is our gang before we got started! Parking lot before the starting line! Everyone looking ready to go!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Extended Silliness 2010 BP MS150
Let's try this again for anyone with time on their hands to watch nearly 10 minutes of MS 150 camperitis! :)
If you listen a while...you'll hear me say "Whoa" a LOT!!! *ROFL* Those were times when I was paying more attention to what I was filming than what I was riding and nearly lost it!! YIKES!! :)
If you listen a while...you'll hear me say "Whoa" a LOT!!! *ROFL* Those were times when I was paying more attention to what I was filming than what I was riding and nearly lost it!! YIKES!! :)
2010 BP MS150 Update!!
I know....I know....It's been MONTHS since April!! So this is a BIG back post!! I finally edited some of the video from the 150 and thought if there is anyone out there who is still interested in seeing it...a late post is in order! I'm still trying to get some copies of pictures & will add those to the blog some day.
We had a fantastic time! We didn't come close to making the whole thing!! (But we knew that going in!) I made 37 miles and Matt made 59!! I am sooooo proud of him!! The second day was very stormy in the beginning so we did NOT ride to Austin. We helped clean up and pack up everything ---> and home we went for a LLLLOOONNNNNGGGG nap!
Anyone who wants the short glimpse of our adventure please watch the first video...running time just under 2 minutes!
BUT if you want the complete LOOK into the silliness that ensued after the ride you are welcome to watch the EXTENDED version...running time just under 10 minutes! (and don't say I didn't warn you *heehee*)
Thanks to everyone who supported us and our journey to the MS150! It is a fantastic cause that we are happy to be a part of! I'm not sure if we are done with this event yet?!?!? Matt wants to finish it....I would love to at least make it through Day One!! :) We shall see! It will be here again before you know it! Stay tuned bicycle enthusiasts.....or just anyone who is entertained by our attempts at cycling!
HUGS FROM HOUSTON!!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
2 days and counting
I'm getting a little nervous but the time is ticking down despite the nerves! I would appreciate everyone's prayers and angel wishes for Matt and myself this weekend as we embark on our two wheeled journey in route from Houston to Austin!
We are 90% packed...the car has a bike rack...the "butter" is bought...the soreness from the last ride is nearly gone---> all in time for the BIG ADVENTURE!!! I'll be filming on the ride thanks to Matt's video rig for my handlebars so that you can all share in the fun once we make it home. My goal is to attempt as many miles toward LaGrange, TX as possible. Riding into Austin may not be a reachable thing for me this year! BUT--I'm so proud of the progress I have made! :) It might be the "MS 50" for me this year...that remains to be seen!
If anyone has an extra dollar or two you are willing to donate to a great cause...please copy & paste this link to help me reach my fundraising goal:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=5890150&pg=personal&fr_id=12962
I appreciate any support given and remember it is a tax deductible donation! :)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Black Eyed Peas!!!!!
Woooohooooooo! I've got a feeling!!!! Tonight's gonna be a good night! Tonight's gonna be a good good night!!!
AND IT WAS!!! Got to see the BEP rock the house at the Houston Rodeo!!! Barrel racing...bull riding....a calf scramble....mutton bustin....corndogs...funnel cake...upset tummy....WHAT A NIGHT!!! :) [OH and that red blurry picture is an actual Ginnydreamin masterpiece of night photography *ROFL*][I think I post these pics to entertain myself more than anything]
Also squeezed in 5 miles of seat time with contact & pollen issues earlier in the day! :) Matt became one with the bike clipping himself bravely to the pedals like a REAL cyclist!! YIKES!! It scares the living bejimminy out of me to even THINK of clipping myself to the bike but most of you know I'm a BIG CHICKEN!!! Maybe with a few hundred more miles on this bike and I'll think about it??
THE GOOD NEWS IS: NOONE HIT US!! :) Yipeeeee!! :)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Ride??
8.5 miles during which there was more 'Ginnydrama' than should have been!! I GOT UP EARLY FOR THIS!!!! ACK!!!!
The second part of our day was spent at the Brookwood Community Cafe' and included a quick costume change in the BR followed by a lovely lunch with Mama Bird and Addie!! It was delicious and the company was nice! The greenhouse at Brookwood ALWAYS rocks my world!!
Ouch! Surely going to be a frequent word in my vocabulary for the next few weeks!!
Lesson Learned: Sometimes its best to just WALK the bike across the one lane bridges!! :)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Ride like a girl!!!!
OK--this is a quickie post to let you all know I'm not dead yet!! :)
BUT praying may be in order!! Remember last year when the SO and I signed up for the 180 mile bike ride from Houston to Austin but then dropped out b/c of unfortunate circumstances preventing us from getting the gear etc. to be able to attempt the ride. WELL--> we didn't learn a lesson by that dropout at ALL....NOR did we learn the proper way to TRAIN for said event!!
Here we are a mere 5 weeks to the ride and we are sadly (and SORELY) NOT in shape for this ride!! This weekend 20 miles into a headwind nearly killed me! :) *ROFL* Yes...seriously I bet I stopped 18 times (at least) during the 20 miles!!! ANYWHOOOO---> there is no QUITTING!!! Who knows if I'll make 5 or 105 miles?? I'm pretty sure NOT to make 180 (heehee) but for better or for worse April 17th is coming fast!! AND I NEED TO PEDAL FASTER!!!! :) Wish me luck!! I sure do need it!
The picture above is in George Bush Park (where we were riding) but was not taken by me! I failed to pack the camera for the voyage so only sniped an internet pic for you to see!
LESSONS LEARNED: 1. Biking with traffic on Westheimer is SCARY!!!
2. A headwind makes it feel like all directions are UPHILL! :(
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT!!!!!
Stand up and get crunk!!!!!! This is how we do it in New Orleans ya'll!!
I'm SOOOOOOOOOO wanting to be there! Only a couple more days until I get to soak up some of this Saints LOVE!!! The city is on fire! All of us are reunited in New Orleans brotherhood who have ever hailed from this great town!! :) It has been completely revitalizing to be a part of--->even over here in Houston we've been hugging it out DAILY for our team! Fellow NOLA employees at work can't stop talking about it!! IT HAS BEEN AWESOME!!!!!!!
I'm watching the parade on streaming video online! THANKS GOODNESS for technology! My Mamma is down there on Howard St. in the THICK OF IT ya'll!!!! :) She says she has her camera so let's hope for some great pics if she can stop yelling "WHO 'DAT!!" long enough to take some! :)
For those of you who don't know---> this parade was to happen tonight WIN or LOSE! :) BLESS OUR BOYS!!! BELIEVE 'DAT!!!! :)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
BELIEVE DAT!!!!!!!!!
DESTINY IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did anyone see the clock after the Colts missed that 4th down and goal?????
44 seconds left on the clock!!!!!! BELIEVE DAT!!! DESTINY!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe baby!!! NEW ORLEANS WILL RISE AGAIN!!!!!! :)
BLESS OUR BOYS!!!!
pssst.....I know for a fact they had an angel cheering section in Heaven!! Granny, Uncle Kemp, Aunt Harriett, Aunt Nara----> HAD to be smiling down on this tonight!!!!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Is it destiny??
Anyone believe in numerology??? Check these out!!
This will be the 44th Superbowl.
Obama is the 44th President.
There are 44 days from Christmas to the Super Bowl.
The Saints franchise is 44 years old.
On Super Bowl Sunday it will be 4 years and 4 months since Katrina.
The Saints won in the NFC Championship game in 4 minutes and 44 seconds overtime.
SOME SAY IT IS DESTINY!!! :) I say I'm so freakin' excited they MADE it to the SUPERBOWL---> I really don't care if they win it or not!!! BUT A WIN WOULD BE SWEET!!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Look OUT Miami!!!
Letter below sniped from Miltie's friend Jill :) *written by Mark Larando*
Dear Miami,
The Saints are coming. And so are we, their loyal, long-suffering and slightly discombobulated Super Bowl-bound fans. While there's still time to prepare -- although a few hard-core Who Dats will begin trickling in Monday, most of us won't arrive until Thursday or Friday -- we thought we'd give you a heads-up about what you should expect.
First things first: You need more beer. Yeah, we know. You ordered extra. You think you have more than any group of humans could possibly consume in one week. Trust us. You don't. New Orleans was a drinking town long before the Saints drove us to drink. But it turns out beer tastes better when you're winning. (Who knew?) So let's just say we're thirsty for more than a championship; adjust your stockpiles accordingly. And look. When we ask you for a go-cup, be nice to us. We don't even know what "open container law" means. Is that anything like "last call"?
It's Carnival season in New Orleans (that's Mardi Gras to you), and we'll be taking the celebration on the road. So don't be startled if you walk past us and we throw stuff at you; that's just our way of saying hello. Oh, and sorry in advance about those beads we leave dangling from your palm trees. We just can't help ourselves.
February is also crawfish season, and you can be sure that more than one enterprising tailgater will figure out a way to transport a couple sacks of live mudbugs and a boiling pot to Miami. When the dude in the 'Who Dat' T-shirt asks if you want to suck da head and pinch da tail, resist the urge to punch him. He's not propositioning you. He's inviting you to dinner. And if you see a big Cajun guy who looks exactly like an old Saints quarterback walking around town in a dress ... don't ask. It's a long story.
We know that crowd control is a major concern for any Super Bowl host city. Our advice? Put away the riot gear. Reason No. 1: Indianapolis is going to lose, and their fans are way too dull to start a riot. Reason No. 2: New Orleans showed the world on Sunday that we know how to throw a victory party. We don't burn cars. We dance on them. Reason No. 3: Even if we did lose, which we won't, leaving the stadium would be like leaving a funeral, and our typical response to that is to have a parade. Speaking of which: If you happen to see a brass band roll by, followed by a line of folks waving their handkerchiefs, you're not supposed to just stand there and watch. As our own Irma Thomas would say, get your backfield in motion.
And hey, Mister DJ! Yes, we know you've already played that stupid Ying Yang Twins song 10 times tonight, but indulge us just one more time. To us, "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)" isn't just a song; it's 576 points of good memories. It's the sound of a Drew Brees touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, a Pierre Thomas dive for first down on 4th-and-1, a Garrett Hartley field goal sailing through the uprights in overtime. It's what a championship sounds like. You may get sick of hearing it. We won't. Encore, dammit.
Inside Sun Life Stadium, you may find your ears ringing more than usual. We're louder than other fans. Seven thousand of ours sound like 70,000 of theirs.Don't believe us? Ask the 12th man in the Vikings huddle. Some people think it's just the Dome that heightens our volume. But you're about to discover a little secret: We can scream loud enough to make your head explode, indoors or out. It's not the roof. It's the heart. Well, OK, and the beer.
Don't be surprised if there are more Saints fans outside the stadium than inside. A lot of us are coming just to say we were part of history, even if we can't witness it up close. The Saints are family to us, and you know how it is with family: We want to be there for them, whether they really need us or not. Because we know our presence will mean something to them, whether they can see us or not. Come to think of it, seeing as how you're taking us in for the week, we pretty much regard you as family, too. So we're warning you now: If you're within hugging distance, you're fair game. Hugging strangers is a proud Who Dat tradition, right up there with crying when we win. Most sports fans cry when their teams lose. Not us. We've been losing gracefully and with good humor for 43 years. Tragedy and disappointment don't faze us. It's success that makes us go to pieces. Hurricane Katrina? We got that under control. The Saints in the Super Bowl? SOMEBODY CALL A PARAMEDIC!!!
So anyway, don't let the tears of joy freak you out. We're just ... disoriented.
OK. Let's review: Order more beer. Throw me something, mister. Suck da heads. Wear da dress. Stand up. Get crunk. Hug it out. Protect your eardrums. Pass the Kleenex. Hoist the trophy. See you at the victory party.
Faithfully yours,
The Who Dat Nation
*Features editor Mark Lorando can be reached at mlorando@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3430. Comment and read more at NOLA.com/superbowl.
Dear Miami,
The Saints are coming. And so are we, their loyal, long-suffering and slightly discombobulated Super Bowl-bound fans. While there's still time to prepare -- although a few hard-core Who Dats will begin trickling in Monday, most of us won't arrive until Thursday or Friday -- we thought we'd give you a heads-up about what you should expect.
First things first: You need more beer. Yeah, we know. You ordered extra. You think you have more than any group of humans could possibly consume in one week. Trust us. You don't. New Orleans was a drinking town long before the Saints drove us to drink. But it turns out beer tastes better when you're winning. (Who knew?) So let's just say we're thirsty for more than a championship; adjust your stockpiles accordingly. And look. When we ask you for a go-cup, be nice to us. We don't even know what "open container law" means. Is that anything like "last call"?
It's Carnival season in New Orleans (that's Mardi Gras to you), and we'll be taking the celebration on the road. So don't be startled if you walk past us and we throw stuff at you; that's just our way of saying hello. Oh, and sorry in advance about those beads we leave dangling from your palm trees. We just can't help ourselves.
February is also crawfish season, and you can be sure that more than one enterprising tailgater will figure out a way to transport a couple sacks of live mudbugs and a boiling pot to Miami. When the dude in the 'Who Dat' T-shirt asks if you want to suck da head and pinch da tail, resist the urge to punch him. He's not propositioning you. He's inviting you to dinner. And if you see a big Cajun guy who looks exactly like an old Saints quarterback walking around town in a dress ... don't ask. It's a long story.
We know that crowd control is a major concern for any Super Bowl host city. Our advice? Put away the riot gear. Reason No. 1: Indianapolis is going to lose, and their fans are way too dull to start a riot. Reason No. 2: New Orleans showed the world on Sunday that we know how to throw a victory party. We don't burn cars. We dance on them. Reason No. 3: Even if we did lose, which we won't, leaving the stadium would be like leaving a funeral, and our typical response to that is to have a parade. Speaking of which: If you happen to see a brass band roll by, followed by a line of folks waving their handkerchiefs, you're not supposed to just stand there and watch. As our own Irma Thomas would say, get your backfield in motion.
And hey, Mister DJ! Yes, we know you've already played that stupid Ying Yang Twins song 10 times tonight, but indulge us just one more time. To us, "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)" isn't just a song; it's 576 points of good memories. It's the sound of a Drew Brees touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, a Pierre Thomas dive for first down on 4th-and-1, a Garrett Hartley field goal sailing through the uprights in overtime. It's what a championship sounds like. You may get sick of hearing it. We won't. Encore, dammit.
Inside Sun Life Stadium, you may find your ears ringing more than usual. We're louder than other fans. Seven thousand of ours sound like 70,000 of theirs.Don't believe us? Ask the 12th man in the Vikings huddle. Some people think it's just the Dome that heightens our volume. But you're about to discover a little secret: We can scream loud enough to make your head explode, indoors or out. It's not the roof. It's the heart. Well, OK, and the beer.
Don't be surprised if there are more Saints fans outside the stadium than inside. A lot of us are coming just to say we were part of history, even if we can't witness it up close. The Saints are family to us, and you know how it is with family: We want to be there for them, whether they really need us or not. Because we know our presence will mean something to them, whether they can see us or not. Come to think of it, seeing as how you're taking us in for the week, we pretty much regard you as family, too. So we're warning you now: If you're within hugging distance, you're fair game. Hugging strangers is a proud Who Dat tradition, right up there with crying when we win. Most sports fans cry when their teams lose. Not us. We've been losing gracefully and with good humor for 43 years. Tragedy and disappointment don't faze us. It's success that makes us go to pieces. Hurricane Katrina? We got that under control. The Saints in the Super Bowl? SOMEBODY CALL A PARAMEDIC!!!
So anyway, don't let the tears of joy freak you out. We're just ... disoriented.
OK. Let's review: Order more beer. Throw me something, mister. Suck da heads. Wear da dress. Stand up. Get crunk. Hug it out. Protect your eardrums. Pass the Kleenex. Hoist the trophy. See you at the victory party.
Faithfully yours,
The Who Dat Nation
*Features editor Mark Lorando can be reached at mlorando@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3430. Comment and read more at NOLA.com/superbowl.
Monday, January 25, 2010
WHO 'DAT NATION!!!!!!!!!
WHO 'DAT!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
What a game!!!! I'm practically speechless!! BLESS OUR BOYS!!!!!!!
LOOKOUT SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!! HERE COMES THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!!!!!!!!
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