This morning I woke the little monsters up early. Why wake sleeping children – isn’t that breaking every law known to civilization? Well, it is hot here – it is summer in the South dagnabbit. The mommy-van maxed out at 105 by noon. Does that tell you something? I planned a Slidell excursion for today. …

Our bestest friends from Oklahoma are in town for a Saturday through Tuesday visit. Saturday they arrived and I had a poolside spread of crawfish & baked bries that I bought at the Mandeville Farmer’s Market & a spinach pie and doberge cake from the Mandeville bakery. I had Abita beer of all flavors on …

I recently met Milena Merrill in person. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, it should. Milena is the Northshore NOLA.com blog coordinator and master of EVERYTHING she touches, a remarkable woman. She shared her Katrina story with me, and as usual, my chin just dropped. But, her “it is what it is” attitude and …

I have had a few friends in various parts of the US, find themselves recently unemployed. My first response, “Come here, tons of jobs.” Their response, “Are you kidding Greta?” There is no “perfect” place in the world that doesn’t have drawbacks. Every place in the world offers something undesirable: crime, bad weather from time …

Friday was the first day of the 3 day French Quarter Festival. The weather forecast predicted a cruddy Saturday and Sunday and a beautiful Friday. We arrived about 11 AM on Friday and so did everyone and their Grandmother! Parking problems to start. Well, it wouldn’t have been for me, but hubby was driving. He …

The whole fam damily headed off in the family truckster for the monthly block party held in Downtown Covington (about a 15 minute drive). The former owners of our house bought a condo in walking distance from the main event, so we were meeting up with them as they graciously invited us to show us …

ATTENTION: All you businesess in Mandeville, Covington, Metairie, NOLA…anywhere I write about…jump in now before I charge you a full FEMA check for a tiny ad!!! “This” blog has only been around a short time, but I maintain others and have been a blogger for 2 1/2 years now. I know what I am doing …

We moved to Mandeville at the end of January. One huge difference here is, “my kids are in school ALL DAY.” No more half-day kindergarten for this mom. Now I can actually do other things besides going to playgrounds and story times. I haven’t earned a penny in 11 years (son #1 will be 11 …