Happy Mardi Gras!!

It's that time of year again....I know the folks who've lived here their whole lives are totally over the whole "Mardi Gras" thing, but I LOVE it! The parades, the merriment, the balls-bring it on!

Becky and Brianna came down for some of the festivities. Fat Tuesday itself is not until February 16, 2010, but since they'd never been down here for any part of the Carnivale Season, I thought it would be good to ease 'em into the whole experience. After all, dropping them in the middle of St Charles Avenue on Tuesday might have been more than they could handle, and Bourbon Street is DEFINITELY not some place I couldn't take my 3yr old niece-ESPECIALLY on Mardi Gras.

Bearing the above in mind, when my two favorite girls were here visiting, off parading we went. It was BRUTALLY cold and windy here (which lead to me taking sick after Beck and Bri left), but I think everyone had a great time. I always miss Becky and Brianna when they leave-more than words could ever express.

Here are some of the pics. Brianna has struck up a friendship w/Lanie Murray (the daughter of one of my friends) and she's the other little girl you'll see in some of the pics. The Bacchus Ball is tomorrow. Got my gown all lined up and ready to go! Those pics will be forthcoming....HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!

I Believe

Unless you've been living under a rock somewhere, you know that the Saints recently won the Super Bowl. Its nearly impossible NOT to become enveloped by the love this city has for its team and it's even more difficult to articulate exactly how much joy has been ringing through the parishes for days upon days. The pride of all who live here is infectious, and I'm so happy to have been a part of witnessing history. I will remember this Super Bowl and the emotions I felt, as well as the emotions felt by all around me, for the rest of my life. What an incredible day!

The more and more I pontificate on my decision to relocate, the more and more I stand convinced the move was the best decision I've made for my life. In trying to find a song to correspond to the happiness I feel, "I Believe" by Cowboy Mouth immediately came to mind. I've always been a huge fan of the band, founded here in the great city of New Orleans, and if I ever meet Fred LeBlanc on the streets, with his remarkably deep voice and high energy, I may very well swoon. Let's just hope I'm standing near a patch of grass when that happens....

I couldn't locate the song to upload it to the playlist that plays w/my blog, so the lyrics below will have to do along w/a link to the band playing the song live. The song is so filled with hope and faith that the lyrics have moved me to point where I am w/out speech. I'm with ya, Fred; I believe in the power of love and that New Orleans is always gonna be my home...


I Believe


Cowboy Mouth


Whatcha gonna do with the restlessness inside you worried mind

How you think you're ever gonna get ahead when you feel so far behind

Step inside this endless moment for a subtle touch of grace

I've always found my strength inside the act of faith



I believe in the spirit of Rock N Roll

In the eternal strength of the immortal soul

Cause sometimes everybody's gotta let it go

I believe in the power of love



I believe in the sounds of Sam and Dave

That little children should occasionally misbehave

That all that you get is all that you gave

I believe in the power of love



Little boy staring out a windowsill to a world that doesn't care

Everybody 'round is so much bigger that they don't even know he's there

But one day he's going to grow to be a man and maybe then they'll see

He'll provide the hope and care for the family



I believe in the chance of love at fist site

That your life doesn't always have to be a fight

And if you do it at all you ought to do it right

I believe in the power of love



I believe that sometimes you got to take a stand

That you're holding my heart when you're holding my hand

Cause everything eventually is in gods hands

I believe in the power of love



I have got to take the best of me and keep that heart alive

Why'd I ever want to shut that down and kill my soul?



I believe that sometimes you've got to take a chance

That you can't live your life just listening to can't's

Cause the thrill of the ball's part of the thrill of the dance

I believe in the power of love



I believe that we never really are alone

'Cause there's so much more than anything we've known

New Orleans is always gonna be my home

I believe in the power of love



I believe in the spirit of Rock N Roll

In the eternal strength of the immortal soul

Cause sometimes everybody's gotta let it go

I believe in the power of love



I believe in the power of love



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCeX6ZRB6HM