Silver Linings Playbook

We see a lot of movies, M loves them. We've seen most that are in the running this awards season. I liked a number of them, but when we finished watching Silver Linings tonight, I felt so happy. I actually liked the characters, I became invested in the outcomes of their lives, the dialogues were real and believable, the story was wonderful and hopeful, and redeeming. I love it when a movie can move me. That doesn't happen often enough. Oh, and M, and our friend, C, liked it as well.

One step closer

Re-doing the living room is going to be a slow process. Last summer I painted the walls gray and M's brother made the built-in shelving unit for us. I've been watching the price on a new rug, waiting for it to drop, it did. So now the rug is in place. Next I need o get the wooden blinds and then keep looking for new tables. This coming summer I plan to take a picture of the sunset over the Pacific, to counter the shot of the sunrise over the Atlantic that hangs above the fireplace. That should be close to finished then. I was really happy the colors in the rug match the colors in the baskets. It's hard to tell when you're looking at them on-line.

Final day in New Orleans

We had our last breakfast of beignets at Cafe du Monde, then went next door to pick up pralines for a friend back home who asked for them. Now on to the final day of interviews, lunch, then the airport. I was going to post a video of the pralines bubbling in a copper kettle, but Blogger isn't letting me post the video. I can't remember my account info to post it to Youtube then link it. So I went to Youtube, found a video, but it's not giving the option to post it to Blogger. I don't know if this is a glitch with the iPad, or what. Anyway, you can go to Youtube and learn all about Aunt Sally's.

The French Market

OMG! I got so bit by the shopping bug while at the French Market! There are tons of souvenir things, food, clothes and everything imaginable for Mardi Gras. I couldn't resist, I picked up some masks and beads for Melanie and I. A friend of ours throws a big ass Mardi Gras party every year and we're always horribly underdressed and under-beaded. Not this year!

Jackson Park

Strolling the French Quarter

Lunch

We had muffelettos for lunch in our enclosed courtyard.

Cafe du monde

We had breakfast of beignets. They're like carnival funnel cakes only better.

New Orleans, LA

We just got in to our room in the French Quarter. It's very late and we'll be sacking out soon, but first, you must see shots of the room. Not sure how well they'll come out without flash. I may have to re-take them in the morning. We're staying at the Hyatt in the French Quarter. The room is HUGE! The ceilings must be at least 20 feet high. We have glass doors that open onto an enclosed courtyard. I will probably have dreams that I'm a French Princess.

New Year's Resolution

I have been living in a rush, trying to do too much, for far too many years. I fear my friendships and personal relationships have suffered as a result. So this year I vow to take time and make time for others.

To take one's time, to make time, to spend time -
to go as slow as one wants or needs to; to use as much time as is required, to stop what you're doing to help another, to sit down and talk with a friend. Live life as if there is no hurry.

Use your heart, your hands, your feet -
Walk to work, to the grocery store, to the ice cream shop, to the farmer's market, make things with your hands for people who matter to you, invite someone out on sunny day, to walk in the woods, to have brunch, have a tea party, float in kayaks with friends because the journey is more important than the destination.

Write poetry, play with make-up and jewelry, go visit friends who are far away, then spend all the time you need, doing things they like to do. Give of yourself, think of others, do for others