Parking Garage Visitors

You have to look very closely... I know the photo isn't very good, but I was rushing to snap a picture of this little momma bird and the trail of baby birds behind her as I walked out to the parking garage this evening. Too cute!

Spiders

I have a problem... there seems to be many mini-spiders in my living room. I woke this morning to find 3 along the baseboard behind the end table in the living room. It sort of freaked me out, but I captured and killed them. Then I sat down in my chair to watch a little TV, when Dylan noticed that there was a spider climbing out of my school binder sitting on the floor by my chair. Chewee went nuts trying to catch it. That's when I looked up and saw two more creeping around the carpet in the middle of the room. It's very creepy, and although I know they aren't on me, I have this creepy-crawly feeling they are going to crawl onto me when I am unaware. I am not typically scared of critters (well I am of snakes), but now I'm paranoid of spiders. Any ideas why I would have so many spiders in my house? Any suggestions on ridding them other than sic-ing Chewee on them?

David Cook

David Cook ROCKS! I think he's my favorite on this season of American Idol. My fave female singer is Karly Smithson. Both of these artists truly rock!

KA

While in Las Vegas, WD and I saw two Cirque du Soleil shows that were amazing. The live music, singers, acrobatics, dancing, and other talent was astounding. The newest show we saw was "KA". Very, very cool. The stage did amazing things while the actors and dancers hung on. I think it was featured in an episode of CSI. If you are ever in Vegas, you really should check it out!

Las Vegas Vacation

I would call it "DisneyWorld for Adults"... Las Vegas, Nevada is an absolutely wonderful place. Despite it being known as "Sin City", I found it to be quite beautiful. WD and I arrived Monday... thus the reason I haven't blogged... I promised not to bring my laptop. We stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. It and the New York, New York Hotel and Casino were my absolute favorites as far as the sights and ambiance. Experiencing new sights, sounds, tastes, and smells made this vacation one full of adventure:

• Watching the Bellagio fountain show from the window of the Eiffel Tower Restaurant in the Paris Casino and Hotel,



• Tasting an exotic black pepper flan as well as succulent lobster with butter sauce,



• Trekking across and around the Hoover Dam,



• Sniffing at the relaxing oxygen bar,



• Walking wide-eyed through the "Bodies...the Exhibition" exhibit in Tropicana Casino,



• Drinking peach "slushes" from the Glacier Bar,



• Shopping at the M&M and Coca-Cola stores,



• Dodging the card clickers (ask me about these lovely people later),



• Watching the spectacular Cirque Du Solieau productions of "KA" and "Mystere",



• Giggling at the bartenders and waiters at "Dick's" restaurant where they threw paper napkins up in the air and all over the place,



• Seeing the Vegas lights from 52 stories up at the Voodoo Restaurant & Lounge,



• Listening to the vast array of music being played or performed all day and night,



• Playing Black Jack starting with only $200 but leaving with over $700,



• Smelling the frangrant scent of the floral show in the Bellagio



• Indulging in an $8 scoop of cookies and cream gelato and a $10 candy apple from NY,NY,



• BEST of ALL... enjoying time away from work and mommy responsibilities to spend quality time with WD... I honestly had forgotten what great fun we could have together!

Nice New Orleans

Traveling to Tulane University in New Orleans today was a treat. The weather was absolutely beautiful. While driving around St. Charles Ave looking for a legal parking space, I enjoyed the sites and sounds of the area through my car windows. It was absolutely beautiful... directly across the street from the university is the Audubon Park. The huge, ancient oak trees bowed at the entrance letting the sun's light flicker through the budding spring leaves. A gentle wind blew the leaves that were scattered along the sidewalk up and onto my car. The occasional beeping horn reminded me that I was here to do my job, not enjoy a "vacation". As I found a spot to park along the curb, I noticed the high volume of bicyclists, walkers, and joggers. Why not? If I lived and worked in such surroundings, I would never drive my car either. If I tired, I could always hop on the street car!

What Would You Do?

I am a huge fan of news programs such as 20/20, PrimeTime, 60 Minutes... yes, I know most news is depressing and sad, but not tonight. PrimeTime on ABC showed a great program called, "What Would You Do?" The first portion of the program showed individuals who had just been told the Bible story of the Good Samaritan. They were told to go to another location to continue what they thought was a "try-out" for a TV Show where they would retell the story of the good samaritan. Only on the way they were to cross paths with what appeared to be a man in distress sitting in the grass clearly upset. Most did not respond, but there was a woman who took action even at the expense of an asthma attack. It was remarkable. You may want to check it out online... of course there were some quite comical scenes as well... a trick the producers played on a couple sitting in a restaurant... terribly hysterical!

Dancing Queen

We spent all day(and I mean all day) at Erin's first dance competition of this season. It was exciting and boring... exciting when Erin and her teammates performed, exciting when some of the others performed, but so very boring after sitting for hours and hours. Getting good pictures was difficult because of the low light (couldn't use flash because it can cause the dancers to lose focus). Here the girls wait expectantly as the awards are announced. It was the only moderately clear picture I got.

South of New Orleans

You know you are truly "south" when you see a sign that says, "North to New Orleans". This thought crossed my mind today as I returned from New Orleans on a business trip. I actually was traveling north on 310 towards I-10 when I saw that sign. Shortly after I passed it, I noticed how beautiful the cypress trees adorned with moss were, and how I so often take the Louisiana sights and sounds for granted. I gain a great deal of enjoyment out of travel (in and out of the state), but I truly love being a Louisianian!

Ricky Rama

It's so excited... some of our neighbors/friends, Stephanie and Tanner, are in the Phillipines right this moment picking up their newest family member, Ricky! He's a little boy about Dylan's age who has been in foster care. The adoption agency didn't even know his birthday! They had to estimate his age. You just have to check out their blog as they progress through their trip. It's www.rickyrama.blogspot.com. To be honest, I am selfishly excited about the possibility that my children will get to enjoy a new friend with such diverse culture. People from other lands totally fascinate me, and so I hope and pray Ricky feels welcome and becomes comfortable with our American children. He's definitely going to be a blessing to Stephanie, Tanner, Austin, and Madison, but he will truly be a blessing to us all!

American Idol Fan

I am soooo enjoying American Idol this season! My favorite is by far the young, David Archuleta. He is extremely talented. What a pleasure to watch and listen as he performs so effortlessly. Another one to watch is Jason Castro (pictured here). Very talented, and very endearing. Although my schedule won't allow me to watch the episodes as they air (thank God for DVR), I enjoy them nonetheless!