Seven Years Later

I actually wrote this post 2 years ago on the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting....now that seven years has passed I thought I would share it again.

Seven years ago my family was joking “oh there is another hurricane coming to New Orleans”

Seven years ago they were evacuating to come to Houston for “the weekend”

…to do some shopping

…see the family

…have a good time

…to crack jokes that they only time we see each other is when we evacuate

Seven years ago we were relieved for a moment that Katrina had not caused that much damage

Seven years ago my family and I were sitting on the couch watching the flood waters tear through a city we all love

Seven years ago my Aunt was wondering if she was ever going to see her son again

Seven years ago my family was praying that their homes were still standing

Seven years ago we never thought we would be housing over 10 people in our home ranging from 3 years old to 80

Seven years ago my dear friend did lose her home, and almost everything she owned

Seven years ago my cousin was stuck inside the NOLA courthouse because of rising waters

Seven years ago is something that we will never forget

That house was completely uprooted and moved down the street - it is not a cul-de-sac

Hurricane Katrina is something that we will never forget. My family did get lucky and only sustained minor damage, but the city was forever changed. I took these photos - mostly in the lower ninth ward and St. Bernard Parish - a few months after the storm hit. These images I will never forget, seeing the destruction up close is indescribable. 

My cousin who was a police officer at the time, stayed there through the storm, after the storm hit we could not get a hold of him, he had to write his contact information on his clothes in case anything happened. Him and his buddy ended up being able to evacuate after several days. His sister picked him, his buddy, and his buddy's 3 great aunts - all in their late 70's early 80's (there were 3, we called them the golden girls) and brought them to my parents house. It was heartwarming to see people come together to help our NOLA family that was in need, and we will never forget what happened 7 years ago this weekend.

This year my family sits in New Orleans without power battling through Hurricane Isaac. I hope this storm passes soon and we do not look back on gut wrenching images like these as a result of this storm.

Dear...

Dear Weekend Weather: Please I have 2 sessions scheduled I would really appreciate if you did not rain out both of them.

Dear Mexico: I need you to be here sooner; I am ready to be on a beach

Dear Crossfit: Even though I sucked ass in our last workout I am beginning to enjoy you more, and I have even lost a few pounds.

Dear Bank Account: I am sorry you were hurting this week, you should feel better today.

Dear MyFitnessPal: I think your calculations are terrible…ok so maybe I eat terrible but I really thought I was doing better…whatever.

Dear BFF: I cannot wait to see you NEXT MONTH!!

Dear Job Gods: Please send B a new job soon, he deserves it!

Also, head on over to Savanah's blog and enter her Shabby Apple giveaway, so many adorable things that ya'll can buy me!

It's OK

   

To have gotten nothing accomplished last weekend except for an uber fun boozefest on Friday night

That I am super pumped that I fit into pants that I have not worn in a year

To be counting the days, minutes, seconds to our trip to Mexico

As well as ordering clothes for said trip to Mexico

To be super excited for my nephews birthday party in a few weeks – he is turning 4, can’t believe it!

 That I am behind on editing…ok I am technically not really behind, I just feel like I am…

To not be super thrilled about playing softball tomorrow night…but I feel bad saying no

That I am sad that the weather is going to be cold soon

That even though it is going to get cold, I cannot WAIT to put our Christmas tree up

That I SUCKED in our Crossfit workout last night – major fail

That I bought a bottle of wine the other night and I have yet to drink it….wait this is really NOT ok…

   

Words From Mom

 

B and I have been married almost 4 years {so crazy} and we have yet to be pressured by family to have a child. This I am grateful for.

…cue yesterday’s phone call…

…it happened

Me: Oh you guys are having Evan this weekend?

Mom: Yep picking him up on Thursday

Me: Oh I’ll be down that way for a photo session maybe we can have lunch

Mom: Oh dad is meeting one of his Cuban friends for lunch

Me: ah ok, well maybe I can come by

Mom: it sure would be nice if Evan had a cousin

Me: it would be nice if Evan had a brother or sister

Mom: well if you or your sister just wouldn’t wait so long….

Me: well if you and dad had Elisa and I closer together in age…  {we are nearly 12 years apart}

Mom: ohhh so it’s my fault

Me: confirmed.

Don’t get me wrong babies are cute and all and I get super excited for friends that are expecting  - I will throw you a fab baby shower!  But I really just like to play with them and hand them back to their parents. 

I am definitely still at the stage where when I see a kid throwing a tantrum in public I literally want to close up shop.

So mom, that whole baby thing is not happening tomorrow, and probably not next year either, have fun with Evan!

       

Things I Hate Tuesdays

Tuesdays. The most worthless day of the week.

Pistachios. OK I hate them when I try to crack them open and they chip my nail polish.

Wrong Numbers. Quit calling me at 2 AM.

Hangovers. I am NOT 21 anymore and staying out until 3am hurts a lot worse the next day.

 USPS. Really, you delivered an EMPTY package to my client? You suck.

Snoring. Although the tunes my husband has been belting out at night has gotten better, I still hate it when the brass band starts playing at 11:15pm.

 Wasps. Thanks for making a nest in my pretty wreath.

Tile. More specifically white tile in the shower…Who had this bright idea? I need a maid.

         

Photo Fun!

More photos from my week - enjoy!

New favorite nail polish, and SO easy to apply with the wider brush, dried easily AND was only $1.90 - FOR THE WIN!

May or may not be sober.

mmmmm pistachios, yes please

 Love these 2 girls - drinks at Tasting Room, and and closing down Yard House for a fantastic Friday night

 First off do not judge the mound of laundry, second of all I looked over and saw said laundry shaking and walked over and saw this guy had made a new home

Then we had snuggles while I edited and he slept

Also bought these pretties on Sunday, since the old ones busted I finally had to break down and buy a new pair - so ready to try them out!

And I leave you with this...JEAH!!

Phone Photo Fun!

Phone Photo Fun!

I was going to link up the past 2 weeks and time got away from me but I am back today for some photo fun!

  

 Half of my new bathing suit came in from VS - getting ready for CANCUN!

Kitty cat snuggles are the best!

 My nephew, the rocker at Rock Star day at school

My cleats died last week during my soccer game - noooooooooo! Hubs told me to just duct tape them....

The Starbucks in the Kroger by my house NEVER has the very berry muffin so I obviously had to get one when they finally had them out

SNACK!!!

mmmm and my yummy salad that I had a few times last week for lunch - so delish!   Also go stop by Savanah's Blog she is having a fab ERIN CONDREN giveaway to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Phone Photo Fun!   Or actually just stop by and don't enter....I need a new planner! = ) 

Wordless Wednesday