I gave birth to the most beautiful, funny, smart and talented baby on the planet. (Ok, so I’m biased).  I have no idea where the time has gone, but sure has been a wonderful ride! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Today was an ABSOLUTELY gorgeous day here in Florida. We are finally getting weather like we are supposed to! This morning we went to see Pearcy Jackson and The Lightning Thief. Afterward, we walked next door and had lunch outside on the terrace at Ed’s Tavern. When we got home, Joel went to the garage  do a little stress relief:

otherwise known as washing the car. It’s really his favorite thing to do.   Yesterday we went to Barnes and Noble in Sarasota and I found this water bottle. I HAD to have it because I think it’s a good motto for my new job! If you can’t laugh about it, you’ll go crazy! On Friday, my last day with my elementary students, my teacher’s aide arrived with this lovely bouquet.

I am very excited to start my new job tomorrow. I know that it will be full of challenges, but hopefully full of rewards too! Hope you have a great week..next time, knitting pictures!

Today we had some errands to run in Sarasota and I shot these from a moving car. This is at the Bayfront in Sarasota. Yep, the sky really was that blue today. These are straight out of the camera, no cropping or retouching. Click once, then click again for the larger size.

I have finally figured out how to add actions to Photoshop Elements 8 and look out, you’re going to be seeing more photos soon.

Daddy and Daughter

My favorite Saints Fan!   We had the best time at our Super Bowl party! Jeff, Jen and Jack came over and I made gumbo and other goodies. Jeff made some YUMMY Chinese Nachos that I swear I will have to get the recipe for. How amazing was that game?! I screamed, cried, jumped up and down and generally made a big old fool of myself. I am so thrilled for New Orleans and the entire state! It was just amazing, and one that I won’t soon forget.

Life has been chugging along. But in a bit of fantastic news…I GOT A NEW JOB! I full time, contracted, teaching position. I am so excited. I will be teaching high school ESE students at our county’s alternative high school. After nearly two years of long term subbing with a ton less pay and no contract, persistence has finally paid off. I have to transition out of my current classroom…which I hope to complete by the end of this week. This new job will be a HUGE HUGE HUGE challenge, but I am so looking forward to it.

My mom and dad has six inches of snow in Central Louisiana this week,..I hope she posts some pictures so that I can show you. Here in Florida, it’s has been really cold for February. We’ve been consistantly 20-30 degrees below normal for the last month, and I have no idea when it is going to end. I know everyone up north is just rolling their eyes at me, but really, I swear, my blood has thinned or something in the almost eight years (wow, where does the time go) that we have lived here. I hope to have more photos for you soon, but until then, here’s a photo from my trip home. Looks like the beavers have been busy on this tree..don’t you think?

Thank you Saints! You’ve made this Misplaced Louisiana Girl as proud as can be!

Gee, looks like I took a week and a half off from posting after the Saints win to go to the Super Bowl.  Since then, we have had a birthday:

Joel turned 38 with a good old fashioned party, complete with balloon, cake, ice cream and his favorite foods.

Amanda decided to put together a desk with minor help from her dad.

And I decided to get off my rear end and go back to the gym. I’ve done a dance class and an hour and a half yoga class that was awesome. I’m meeting a friend this afternoon for some weights and cardio.

On Sunday, I’m hosting a Super Bowl party hosted by Verizon. On a whim I signed up to be a host, never thinking I’d make the cut, but I did, and they are sending all sorts of goodies for the party. The box should be here today and I’ll post pictures of the contents later. I’ve also been knitting for my friend Diann who was recently diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. I’m using Duet Sock Yarn in Tiffany, which I had in the stash. Pics later of that too. Have a great day!

NEW ORLEANS SAINT ON THE WAY TO MIAMI…..

I may need to lie down.

I had a wonderful visit in Louisiana, even if it was too short!  We spent it relaxing….and eating way too much! I really didn’t take a whole lot of photos, but did manage a few.

Amanda in her Mardi Gras mask.

Dad (Pawpaw) and Amanda

This is a beaver house out off of Breezy Hill Road, back in the Bombing Range. The beavers have built two huge dams and have made beaver pond. I have never seen anything like them. I have a bunch more, but I’m still processing them. The day I took these, it was overcast and dreary, but I think it adds to the photo, don’t you?  More photos later, and hopefully more of a regular blog schedule.

Headed to Louisiana this afternoon for a much delayed trip home! I promise to be back next week with lots of photos and a renewed energy to get back to walking and Weight Watchers. Maybe this trip is just what I need to get my head back on straight!