Good Riddance Blogger?

I thought I would keep up with both, but once I turned to Facebook and it's iPhone app, it has been waaaay hard to get back to blogger. Maybe this summer.....

Good Riddance, 2008 - Hello, 2009!!!

2008 was not the best of years for me. I felt horrible the first half of the year dealing with hyperthyroidism, then I had my thyroid killed in the beginning of July. By the end of November I finally felt somewhat normal again. Who knew it would take almost 6 months to get thyroid levels straight?!?!?!?.

Our camper was stolen, apparently by a ring of women; it wound up being sold to a SWAT team member who tried to register it here in Clark County only to discover it was stolen, so I'm sure that the perpetraitors will finally be caught now. Bradley's heel was sliced open at the airport, and Sophie's leg was broken on our stairs. And that was all in one week!

Like most people in the Vegas Valley (and probably most of the country), our house is worth about $20,000 less than what we have into it, our truck is worth about $5,000 less than what we owe on it, we have too much credit card debt, and our 401(k) is down to about a 101(k).

There were some good things that happened in 2008 - I got a promotion at work, Bradley continues to excel at swimming and academics, Ella is getting smarter (and funnier) every day, and Rick's work schedule allows him to spend quality time with his children every afternoon (priceless!). My Mom married Russ, who is a blessing to our entire family with his kind spirit, my brother had the good fortune of landing a job with great health benefits before he was diagnosed with Guillone Barre, my Dad continues to enjoy retirement, and Sue-Sue was granted the prestigious Dunbar Award for excellent service. And we got two of the cutest, sweetest puppies in the world (who are currently both sprawled out beside me on the couch)!!

The Year 2009 is starting off with a lot of promise!!

• I'm lucky enough to be travelling to D.C. for the inauguration (I still don't have tickets, but I'm willing to stand on the mall with the million or so others)


• Mimi D is coming to visit that same week for Ella's birthday and to help out with the kids (another amazing blessing!)


• Mimi and Russ are flying here that weekend for Ella's birthday party


• We are traveling to Lake Tahoe in February to see Colonel (and hopefully Bill Kelly)


• We are hoping to make it back to San Diego for Spirit West Coast in May


• I am determined to save enough vacay time and money to be home for Christmas this year


• I have hope that our new president will make a difference


• I have hope that some of the politics at my job will be put aside so that we can see some cool projects through to fruition


• And, I continue to be blessed with amazing family and friends

So I started off today with a lot of hope, some pretty good sweet potato muffins from the basket of Louisiana stuff that Russ sent us, the great memory of the awesome football game yesterday (where was that team all year?), and a hilarious email from Susan (emails from Susan are always a delicious treat, but this one was especially golden :) ). Yes, this year has a lot of promise!!

South Louisiana Eatfest - Continued

The morning after Roberto's, we started our journey to New Orleans. After meeting up with more of the crew at the Tanger Outlet Mall, we headed for lunch at Hymel's in Convent. This is the view down River Road (along the Mississippi River). First you will see a plant of some sort, then sugar cane fields.

Seafood Stuffed Baked Potato

Crawfish Bisque

(Huge) Catfish Filets

The day before, Russ was going into a drug store and asked if I wanted anything, and I said BC Powder. He came out with this huge box, which turned out to be a blessing - it took us through the weekend in New Orleans, and later in New York City. Russ is so thoughtful!!

Here we are preparing for the rest of the road trip to New Orleans after the food coma at Hymel's

BC Powder - Part 1

BC Powder - Part 2