On the Road Again...

Friday Don received a call from Danielle, his cousin's daughter who lives in Florida. Danielle's lungs were transplanted 9 years ago and lately she has been struggling with different ailments and the lack of energy. She told Don her grandmother had asked her to try the shakes Don takes to see if she could build up her strength. Danielle was interested in trying the shakes so Don and I made a quick trip to the beach house to meet with Danielle and get her started on the shakes. We left Saturday morning at 10:00 and returned at 9:00 Sunday night. We packed a lot into 35 hours!
Before we could go, I had to prepare Don's shakes for the week. I measure out everything he needs for the week so while I'm working I don't have to worry about whether he's "sticking to the program".
We had a beautiful day to travel.
I know you can't see this very well but we were on the I-10 and Don was driving so it is a miracle I was even able to get this picture. Anyway, Pensacola loves their Blue Angels. These were on the supports of a newly updated exit from I-10.
No unhappy face here as we make the final approach, crossing the Garcon Point bridge 10 minutes from the beach house.
We're here!
Are you stayin????
We all took a ride after arriving at the beach house and ended our day at Ruby Tuesday's for dinner.
Look what was waiting for us when we arrived home after dinner...a fabulous sunset.
Deke, Debby, Hannah, and Dixie enjoying the sunset. Well, Deke wasn't enjoying it, he didn't see what all the hubbub was about. I think he said something like, "Donnie, Donnie, haven't you EVER seen the sunset before, what are we doing out here?" He was a good sport about it though and posed for several pictures while we were out there. The sky changes so quickly - in just minutes you can see many different beautiful scenes.
Hannah and Debby working together in the kitchen.
While we visited Saturday evening, Don worked on Debby's computer to see if he could get it moving a little faster.
We woke up to a beautiful morning at the beach house. We were moving slow due to Daylight Savings Time but did have interesting things to see...
...pretty little "weeds" growing in the sand...
...and wildlife flying close by...breakfast with the pelicans.

It's nice to wake up with a friend.
"Uncle Net, PUT THAT CAM-ER-A AWAY"!!!
Enjoying a lazy morning, Don and Debby visiting with a cup of coffee.
Danielle came over Sunday morning to pick up the shakes. While we visited, I made her a shake which she seemed to enjoy.
When we tried to leave the beach house, we had not one stowaway...
...but two.
When we left the beach house, we stopped in for a vist with Edward, Don's brother. We went with Edward to see his daughter Kim's new house. Kim and her husband Chris have been busy working on the house and their hard work shows!!
Kim, Chris, Christopher and Matthew at their new home in Gulf Breeze. We enjoyed a nice visit with Kim, Chris, and the boys in their park-like back yard.
Don and I with the boys. Matthew has finally warmed up to us and actually gave kisses and sat on our laps! Christoper is growing taller by the day and seemed to have grown so much since the last time we saw him.
We took the scenic route home and stopped in Orange Beach...it was cold and windy but we couldn't resist a walk on the beach.
The surf was big and very loud. Don wanted to spend the night in Alabama but I convinced him it was better to come back when it was warm. There was a strong wind blowing and we could not stay on the beach very long.
I told Don I was wanted to put my feet in water but Don was not about to join me. He said the water would be freezing...he was RIGHT!
Pretty pink sunset over Alabama.
And...you know you're back in New Orleans when you are stuck in a traffic jam at 9:00 at night!!!

All Work and No Play...

While parades were taking place all over the city, we celebrated Mardi Gras Day at Mom's house installing the floors. Don had quite a krewe, Ashley, Douglas, Lisa, Maverick and Goby all showed up to lend a hand. I ran errands throughout the morning then provided lunch for the gang...Popeye's chicken. It's not Mardi Gras without a little Popeye's! The whole house now has floors except one bedroom that was being used for storage. We will finish that one Monday after the contractor removes his things from the room. The house is coming along quite nicely. I would rather Don did not work on it as much as he has been, but he enjoys it and says it gives him something to do.
Ashley and Don halfway through the room they are working on.

Lisa supervising Douglas. Douglas was so precise cutting the boards for the room. He did an excellent job. Lisa was right there with him measuring, cutting, and laying the floor.
Taking a little break to enjoy the flavor of Mardi Gras. Well, not everyone, Don and I had a baked chicken sandwich...that was flavor enough for us.


Ashley enjoying a little R&R after helping Don with the bedroom.
By the end of the day, everyone was dog tired!

Meanwhile, Back at the House...

After a long day working Don relaxed after dinner with coffee and King cake!

It's been pretty cold here and with all of the company, we have not been over to the house. But, after resting for a day or two, the rebuilding continues. Don bought a new saw and was putting it together for the floor project.
Ashley and Douglas help Don lay the floor at Mom's house.
Send off breakfast for the girls. Erin and her friends were leaving on Sunday to head back to Florida. I made Lost Bread, Banana's Foster, and coffee with chicory for breakfast, a little taste of New Orleans.

Mardi Gras Madness

Throw Me Something Mister!! It's always fun to have a front row seat at the parade. Ashley's friend Adam slept on the parade route and Ashley got out there at 6:30 AM to make sure Erin and the girls would have a great view of Endymion!
The crowd thickens - there are throngs of people as far as you can see.
Floats heading to their line-up position.
It's always good to make friends on the parade route.
The streets are getting crowded!

Happy Mardi Gras!!

Don's great-niece, Erin, is in town with some friends for Mardi Gras. Ashley took them Uptown to meet Drew and some of his friends who are waiting on the parade route. Whitney and Douglas headed Downtown to meet some of Whit's friends from LSU. Busy, busy times at the Walker house!
Erin, Ashley and the girls heading out to the parade.

My mother's house in Lakeview took a beating in the waters brought into New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Over the last few months it has been redone and is now getting the finishing touches. Don has been installing the tile floors and will install the wood floors once the air-conditioning is up and running.
He stopped cutting long enough to take a picture...but only one. He was a busy, busy man.
I made lunch for the boys and they took a little break on the dining room floor.
Cutting the tile required team work. When I look at these pictures it is hard to believe how many empty lots there are in the neighborhood. Before the storm there were homes on every lot and so many trees...it looks like a completely different place.
The bathroom is ready for grout.
When we ran out of tile, we locked it up tight and headed for home. After another coat of paint on the front door and new windows which are scheduled to go in Tuesday, the outside of the house will be finished.

"If My Friends Come Over, Stay in Your Room"

I picked up my new glasses
today after work and when I got home the response was not good. First, Don didn't even notice (even though I had called him on my way home and told him I picked them up), next, Douglas looked at me in shock and said, "Ohhh, Mom, if my friends come over please stay in your room", and last but not least, Drew said, "Mom, those ARE the loaner glasses, huh?" "Are you waiting for your real ones to come in?" After a while, Don decided he liked them but I am not sure if that is only because he wants to continue living here! I am okay with them, don't love them and don't hate them, just indifferent. Also in the picture are the beautiful roses Don brought to me at work with a very sentimental card...26 1/2 years and he can still be romantic!