Today is the 2nd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Several people have asked how New Orleans is different today than it was when we moved here four weeks after the storm. Or even how it is different from before the storm. In a lot of ways, it is different but in some it's still the same.

Before the storm, people walked the French Quarter, especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights til all hours. They do that now.

You can still walk down the street with an open beer/drink in your hand (in the FQ).

The calliope music from the Steamship Natchez can still be heard.

The streetcars are still running. Different schedule now, not as often, but still running.

People still sit on the stoop and say hi to passersby.

Traffic is still bad, especially when most people don't know where in the blue blazes they want to go.

The sweet smell of fresh pralines still wafts out the doors of Southern Candy.

Street performers still entertain in front of Cafe Du Monde.

Cafe Du Monde is no longer open 24 hours a day.

Four weeks after the storm, armed national guards and state troopers could be found on every street corner and walking down the streets from 4 pm til 8 am.

Now you find armed thugs and murderers at all the street corners and walking the streets along with the streetwalkers.

Common courtesy and politeness is rare where it used to flourish.

Mine Mine Mine is heard more often than there's plenty for everyone.

English, Cajun, and French are minority languages compared to Spanish and oriental.

Schools are begging for the teachers that they fired immediately after the storm to come back and teach.

It's really kinda funny. Except when we go out of town or to the dr. or to the major grocery store, my world consists of the French Quarter. If you look just at "my world", it is the same friendly, neighborly, helpful place as ever. The people say hi and wave (locals). Parking sucks, but thats beside the point. It's once you step outside the Quarter that rudeness sets in.

What I've Been Working On Lately

Our Fall Swap block is due to Gerry by early September. I posted a picture of the one I made for the swap. Unfortunately, as I was embellishing my half, I forgot to stop.....ooops.....and completed the entire block. I rather like it.


















Of course my 2007 is a little crooked, but what the hey, it's my block. Anyway, I had to make another block for the swap. Tommy kept telling me, "Stop!!! Don't finish it!!". I told him I atleast had to do a couple of the seams. This time, I used the leaves from my dear friend Judyth in the center of the block. I used the fall colors to bead the tips of each leaf point and the center vein. This should help hold the leaves more securely. Tomorrow they are off in the mail to Gerry.


















I have also been making some ATC's. These are my first ones but I have ideas for several more. I still have to finish the backs of them, but am saving that til I have several to do.





















I have also made 3 dolls for Pat Winter's Comfort Doll collection; a doll for the Spirit of Friendship Christmas doll swap on CQI; one for myself; and a wallhanging that swam around in my head before I got up the nerve to try it. It will take a while to finish, but that's ok, I'm enjoying the creative proccess of making it. Once I get new batteries for my digital camera I will share pics.

I am going to try to get several more ATC's made today, tomorrow, and Friday. My mom and brother are coming down Saturday and will be here til Monday. They both have a three day weekend for Labor Day. Tommy got them awesome rates at Le Pavillon. That will be fun. I can go spend time there with my family, and my husband while he is working. Of course most of their time will be spent here at our apartment. Jeremy, my brother, is going to spend some time with his best friend, Thomas, who lives in Abita Springs, on the north shore. It's only about 30 minutes from us.

I'm really looking forward to it. I don't get to see my family that much, even though they only live 5 hours from here. We see my inlaws, 6 hours, from here more because we can actually stay with them. At my mom's house, Zoe is on the snack menu for Lady, Mom's german shepard, and Flip, Jeremy's pit bull. So we have to stay in a hotel when we visit them. Lately, we haven't been able to afford that, so I am glad they are coming here.

Sunday is the parade for Southern Decadence, and it lines up right in front of our house. What is Southern Decadence? Gay Mardi Gras.

I got this a while back and have been very remiss about putting it on my blog and sending a very big and sincere thank you to my good friend, JO. She sent me this back on August 8th. We were going through alot here at home and I just never got around to putting it up. I do apologize, Jo.

Seeing as how EVERYONE else has been awarded this one, I will say if you haven't gotten it, consider yourself nominated.

My Season To Season Swap Fall Block

For some reason I could not get my picture uploaded to the group so I put it on here for all to see. The colors are brighter in person than in the pic. The leaves are more copper in color.

It seems like most of my posts lately have been family related. Sooooo, I decided to show you what I'm working on. I actually have several projects, small ones, going right now.

I "made" a treasure box, what I call it, for my swap sister, Daphne, in England. I started out with a cigar box that the gentleman who lives downstairs from us gave me.

I took off all the paper and hardware. Then I wrapped it in quilt batting and covered it with a purple moleskin. Did I mention purple is Daphne's favorite color??? Well, it is. I added a motif to the front and fringe around the lid.

I wanted to add a cq'd block to the top. I had a purple one from earlier this year.

I embellished it with roses, a beaded ribbon, and a D for her name. I also used a gold fairy and two purple handmade buttons that Daphne had sent me.

Unfortunately, when I was finished I discovered that the block was not long enough to go on the lid. It was wide enough but not long enough. Very disappointing but I learned to check these things before I begin and make adjustments. So....I had to do something with the top. I decided to keep it simple with a lace bow and a button that Tommy had picked out for me. It has a victorian styled woman's head on it. Quite different from what I wanted but I think she will like it. I'm going to fill it with goodies for her. I am going to use the block for the cover of a needlecase for her that is due in October.

So that is now finished. I am just waiting on a shipment from Judyth to finish my package and put it in the mail.

I have also been working on comfort dolls for Pat Winter's project for abused women. Of course I forgot to take pictures of them. When I actually get them finished I will post some. I also have one made for the Crazy Quilting International's group Spirit of Christmas doll swap. I'm planning a couple for more for that also.

I have also started my Victorian Christmas stocking for the CQforNewbies group swap this fall. I am trying to get a head start so I don't stress out. I really like the way it is coming and have a sneaking suspicion I may keep it and make another one.

I am actually staying fairly busy with all this. I need to unearth my sewing machine so I can finish my dolls and get them in the mail.

Beadaholism Runs in the Family

It is 5:24 am on Friday, July 13th. Why am I up this early? Tommy had to cover the night shift of a guy on vacation. This is so going to throw off my sleep, yet again, as Tommy usually works the 7a to 3p shift on Thursdays and then the 11p to 7a shift on Friday. For those of you up nights like me, have you ever realized there is nothing but junk on the tv? Must be my cue to turn it off or put in a movie.

Well, I have been gone for a while and have lots to share. First off, on June 12, Tommy became a grandpa. Jaylee was born to his oldest Chelsa. She is beautiful. We got to see her when she was 2 weeks old. Tommy is still disturbed that Chelsa is only 16, but that is something he took up with her mother. With us while we were visiting mother and baby, was Erin. She is Tommy's youngest at 8 yrs.

Ok, I've decided to start at the beginning because I was beginning to confuse myself, much less you guys. We left New Orleans at 4:30am Sunday, June 17th. At 8:30pm, we picked up Erin, Tommy's youngest, in Perry, Oklahoma (about 85 mi W. of Tulsa). From there we drove to Pratt, Kansas (40 mi E. of where Greensburg, KS used to be) and Tommy's dad. We got there about 10pm Sunday night.

Three generations of Lears: Tom, Tommy, Erin.

We spent Sunday night with Tom in his apartment. He lives in what was the original Pratt hospital and has now been converted to apartments. This was the first time since '99 that Tommy had seen his dad. First time Tom had met his granddaughter Erin. As uptight about it as Tommy was, it was a wonderful visit. The two men may not see eye to eye on everything, what father and son does, but the love is obvious. As for Miss Erin, I don't think that girl has ever met anyone she didn't take to almost immediately (except me the first time).

Monday morning, the 18th (my mom's 65th birthday) was spent looking at pictures and listening to family history. We left just after noon. We were not going to be able to see Chelsa and the baby til after 2pm the next day due to a pediatrician's appointment, so we spent the night in Broken Arrow, just east of Tulsa. Erin got her wish and got to go swimming in the pool....just her and her daddy.

Tuesday we slept in a little and had a leisurely breakfast there at the hotel. Then we set off for Horatio, Arkansas. I will swear til the day I die I heard banjos. It took Tommy a little while to find Chelsa's house but we eventually did.

Grandpa Tommy, Chelsa, and baby Jaylee

Grandpa getting his first real look at Jaylee.

Sisters: Chelsa (16) and Erin (8).

Another 3 generations of Lears (and don't grandpa look thrilled about that!!!)

Aren't they a beautiful family? I think of the two girls, Chelsa looks just like her daddy.

In case you are wondering about the big gap between the two girls ages, there is a third child. His name is Patrick and he is 15. He and his mother were out of town for the time we had Erin, so they didn't get to see each other.

We took Erin back to Perry, actually to Stillwater where her mom was working, on the 1st of July. Other than a few bumpy moments, it was a wonderful two weeks.

When we took Erin back, I got to meet her mother. I have now met all of Tommy's ex's with the exception of the first, who is deceased. Of the three, Erin's mom is the only one who wants Tommy back. She latched onto him like.....like.....ok, I'll be nice....an anaconda with fresh meat. Her mother looked at me abashed and I think she thought I was going to out of the car and hurt her daughter. I just smiled.

Tommy laughed when I brushed him off before I'd let him kiss me....he thought I was a little disturbed by the hug. I thought he was disturbed for having married her in the first place. They have nothing in common. But it's all over til next time. I must make a mental note to remember the bleach next time too....hehehehe

I know, I know, it's been too long since I have posted anything. My friends are starting to worry. I'm sorry. Life got all tangled up and time slipped away from me. I do have a lot to catch you up on though. Later....for now, I want to ask a question that has been buzzing around my little brain. As I read blogs and posts for the groups I am in, it seems that there are several people who are in the process of, getting ready to start, or finishing the process of moving. My question is this: What is your ideal living environment? I don't just mean your home and studio, I mean the entire environment.

I have several things that would make my ideal environment. What are they? Well, let's see:

1. Not living in what is now known as the most dangerous city in the U.S.
2. Not hearing sirens at all hours of the day and night.
3. Not having people walking past my house at all hours of the night, loud and drunk.
4. Not having to worry about my husband walking home from work late at night because there are no parking spaces by our house.
5. Not listening to the nightly news and having the first 15 minutes taken up by who got shot/stabbed/killed and no one was caught.
6. Not listening to our politicians make excuses for why they did the stupid crap they did.
7. Not living in a state where we re-elect the stupid politicians who do stupid crap.
8. Not living in a parish (we have parishes and not counties) where when the schools were first began reopening after Hurricane Katrina all the teachers were fired and the new school officials brought in their own teachers AND are now BEGGING for teachers to return to the classroom because there aren't enough and there are too many kids STILL not back in school, two years later.
9. Not living in an area where it is politically incorrect to arrest someone for the murder of an innocent because the bad guys are simply killing each other off. (that is the latest excuse for no arrests/convictions of anyone who has killed someone this year, this includes the police officers who are being killed.)

Of course there are some funny things about living in Louisiana. We are the only state in union (that I know of anyway) that had a run off election for governor between a convicted felon and a grand wizard of the KKK.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox for now and change the television channel to something that doesn't deal with real life on the streets of New Orleans.

As I was blog hopping tonight, I ran across one entitled The Creative Notebook http://creativenotebook.com/. The day's entry is called Toot Your Horn Tuesday. Since I have been rather down on myself the last few days (weeks...), I thought I would take part. She said to simply list 10 things that you have accomplished in your life. Then she said:

"Now, take a look at that list. You did great! Look at all you’ve done with your life, with your time. You ROCK!!!!!!"

Well, I thought it might be a good idea for me to remember some of the things I have accomplished in my life, so here goes:

1. I graduated from high school. (Not really any big deal except that I am the only one of 5 children in my family that did it.)

2. Received my B.S. in Biology in 3 years after a 3 year sabbatical.

3. Received my M.S. in Biology with emphasis on Botany. Was within 2 months of graduating when my dad died unexpectedly. Almost gave it up.

4. Coordinated and ran the science fair for a school of 450+ below poverty level students.

5. Two years in a row had regional winners go to state competition in the Group category, where the previous 7 years had been won by a private school.

6. Took my mom on a Girls' Only Weekend trip to New Orleans.

7. Married a wonderful man.

8. Made a black velvet dress for a local entertainer without using a pattern.

9. Made clothes/quilts as all my Christmas gifts last year.

10. Still working on trying to figure out what goes at 10.

Tommy's Birthday at Bourbon House

What can be said about Tommy's birthday celebration at Bourbon House? Nothing really good...and for the price of dinner, that IS sad!!! We had to make reservations.....or so we were lead to believe. So we did.....for 8:30 pm Thursday, May 31st. Raf arranged to get off work early and Tommy had taken the day for his birthday. Raf walked to the restaurant and was already there when our cab got there. So we went in and were told that it would be about 5 minutes for our table to be ready. We decided to wait in the bar as the men wanted a beer. It is a really beautiful place with cool light fixtures, and grill work on the ceiling fans.
So here is Tommy and Raf waiting in the bar for our table.
Here is Raf falling asleep in the bar at 9:20 pm, while waiting for our table.
Tommy woke Raf up cause he was snoring:p
The last time Tommy and I went to Joann's, he picked out some fabric for me to make some clothes out of, for myself. He requested a blouse out of this material for this birthday. Well, here it is. Of course he didn't give me time to get ready to have my picture taken....like run.

Anyway, for a place that is supposed to have awesome steak, they only had one, a 14oz rib eye, on the menu....for $25. So the two men ordered that. I ended up with a $28 seafood platter. the catfish, shrimp, and crab claws were good but the oysters were not done enough. Don't get me wrong, I eat raw oysters. But I like them either fried or raw.....not some where in between. And would you believe the ONLY AND I DO MEAN ONLY vegetable they offered was french fries???? I mean come on, if I want fries I'll go to McD's....at least there I have a good chance of them being hot.
These are the lights and ceiling fans. The pic on the left was taken through a mirror that was by our table.

On the way out, I visited the ladies room. I know the other lady in there must have thought me strange. I took a picture of the tile floor. Hey, I think it's really pretty.

Something that was rather frustrating was that we past soooo many empty tables on the way to ours. And there were tables in the front of the restaurant that we could have sat at. By the time our waitress actually got around to taking our order, it was almost 10pm. I can guarantee we won't go back.

After we left the restaurant, we walked across the street to a little bar, like the ones that predominate Bourbon Street, and had another drink. By this time, the two guys were getting a little toasted, but they can never be faulted on their behavior. I had been drinking water all evening, as I don't drink, so I decided what the heck and ordered a frozen strawberry daiquiri. The first sip gave me brain freeze so I did little more than carry around til we got home and then I drank it as it melted.

We caught a cab and let me say what an experience that was. We generally take cabs when we go to dinner so no one has to be the designated driver and we don't have to deal with nonexistent parking by our house. We have always gotten really lucky and had very nice cabbies. Well, the one that brought us home, or to the corner closest to the house, was a trip. Every time we came to a stop light or sign, he fell asleep. Raf, sitting up front with him, had to keep waking him up and reminding of where we were going. Once we got off Decatur and into the Quarter, wrong turn, he kept wanting to let us out at each corner. We had to literally encourage him to go further, not this corner, but the next one.....one more and then turn left.....no.. your other left......now go to the stop sign.....stop sign, red metal piece with the word stop on it.....ok, we will get out here and walk the rest of the way....thank you so much...lol

Raf said that if he had spent one more minute beside that guy he would have been gagging. Apparently, he'd taken water rationing to the extreme.

Anyway, we all made it home safely. Tommy said he had a wonderful time cause he was with his wife, and his best friend.

Oh yeah, I finished the strawberry daiquiri around 2 am. I only had the one drink all evening. Man was I sick Friday morning....slept all morning after Tommy kindly got me Tylenol and refrained from saying I told you so as he tucked me back into bed. He really is a wonderful husband.

By the way, he is now 49 years old. Next year it will be the big 50. We will definitely chose a better restaurant!!!!!

It seems my last post upset some of my friends. I am so sorry for that. I have a tendency to be very highly critical of myself and my work. If someone else doesn't like it or doesn't "vote" on it, or whatever, I tend to go overboard on my reactions. Instead of pulling up my socks and getting over it, I pull the blankets up and disappear. I went and took all the webrings off my page and wrote a real "oh poor me!!!!" post. Some reason I had thought I was actually older than 13. Guess not....lol. Guess I'd better grow up fast....otherwise my husband might get into trouble for having married a child.....hehehe.

To Charlene, Gerry, Gail, and my dear friend Jo, thank you for your comments on my purse. I appreciate all your support.

I also promise to let a day or week go by before I write a post concerning my hurt feelings next time. I do get over them rather quickly (too much of a waste of time not to).

Oh yeah, I am NOT giving up cq, have waaaaaaayyyyyyy too much stash, and I do enjoy it so much.

Purse I made for the Crazy Quilt International Purse Contest

Well, I made this purse and entered it in to the CQI Purse Contest. I actually had high hopes for it. Unfortunately, as usual, I was wrong and no one liked it. It got one whole vote, and that one was mine. Isn't that pathetic? There are so many ladies in that group whose work I so admire that I guess I was hoping one of them might like mine.

So the question is now, do I keep doing it or do I try to find something else that I enjoy and might have a chance at being good at. Maybe I just need to stay out of the big league.

Life in the Month of June

I know, I know, it's not even the end of May yet and here I am talking about June. So much has changed lately. By the way, we found a new doctor and I am back on my hypothyroid and depression medication. Tommy says he can already tell a difference in my attitude....ain't that a man for you?? :p

Anyway on to the end of the May and the whole month of June. Tommy and I are going to Bossier City Sunday and Monday. When his nephew moved home, he left most of his stuff here, so we are taking that up to him. Wednesday, the 30th is Tommy's 49th birthday. He has to work 3p to 11p (of course). He is, though, taking Thursday off. Rafal is going to rearrange his schedule for Thursday and then we are taking the birthday boy to Bourbon House (one of the restaurants owned by the Brennan's) for steak. Last year we went to the House of Blues. It was quite an experience, especially for Rafal. There was a goth concert in the auditorium part of HOB. We had to walk past two blocks of goths in full regalia. Rafal had no clue!!!!! He was actually rather nervous. Gave Tommy and me a good laugh. Anyway, Bourbon House is supposed to have killer steaks, and that's what the men want. Me, I will have my salmon.

On the 4th of June, I go back to the dr. for an EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work. The following Monday, the 11th, we journey back to Bossier for Tommy to have his 6 month check up with his cardiologist following his heart cath last November. We both admit the trips to visit our parents, his in Bossier, and mine in W. Monroe, are long and tiring. Especially since we still haven't been able to get the air conditioner fixed in the truck.

The fun for June really starts on the 17th. Once again, we are going to Bossier. This time, though, we will be leaving again almost as soon as we get there. If we are lucky, we will be picking up Tommy's son Patrick. We will then head north to Perry, Oklahoma to pick up his daughter, Erin Ree. She is 8 (8 and a half, according to her). Patrick is 15. From Perry, we will continue north to Pratt, KS. Pratt is about 40 miles east of what used to be Greensburg, KS. In Pratt, we will be visiting Tommy's dad. This will be the first meeting for him and his two grandchildren. Tommy hasn't seen his dad since '99. According to him "the old man is dang near 80 years old". His wife died two years ago and he has no other family up there. I feel sorry for him being so alone. I am looking forward to meeting him. My mother in law has made me swear to take tons of pictures. We are also going to give the kids disposable cameras so they can take pics and show their points of view of the situation. Of course it will also be video taped. It should be quite emotional.

Oh yeah, in case you are wondering if we have lost our minds, we will be borrowing my mother in law's car with the air conditioning. We may be crazy but we are not masochistic at all.

Once we leave Pratt, we will go to Horatio, Arkansas. I just hope Tommy survives. We will see his oldest child there. Chelsa is 17. She will also be presenting Tommy with his first grandchild while we are there. Tommy will have all 3 of his children together in one place for the first time in roughly 5 years and then to have his first grandchild thrown in also. All this on top of having visited his dad. I think I will need several boxes of kleenex.

We will drop Patrick, and the car, back off in Bossier and come home. Then on July 1st, we have to take Erin Ree back to Oklahoma.

In case you are confused, yes, each of the children have a different mother. Tommy has been married 5 times. Of course, he saved the best for last...lol.

I am going to have to put together some small projects to take with me. I will be spending most of the time in Perry in the hotel. No matter how nice I am to her, Erin's mother is very antagonist to me. I don't want that to happen and ruin what is going to a wonderful two weeks together with Erin.

Well, I think that is all for now. I am busy making clothes for myself. All my summer clothes are still in storage in New Hampshire. Too long for a one day trip to pick them up. But then who doesn't like new clothes. I am also working on a cqed box and will post pictures soon.

It's done. I finally got up the nerve to send in the pictures of the purse I made for the Crazy Quilting International yahoo group's purse contest. I have had it finished for about two weeks now but was just too chicken to actually submit it. Well, it's submitted, like it or not.

When I originally started this project it was a totally different purse. I was originally going to use the one pictured above and to the left as my contest entry. I don't know why I didn't. Who knows. A friend of mine wants me to put this one in a frame so she can put it on the piano in the hotel where she performs and sell it for me. I think I am going to put it in a frame but then keep it for myself. I love it. I actually can't believe I create it.

I just finished a black velvet evening gown for the same friend. Still have to make her two more. As she wants all 3 to be identical, it won't be that hard. And yes, I'm getting paid to do it. Hhhmmm, getting paid to do something I love to do.....what a concept! The only thing is I forgot to take a picture to post. Oh well, I will remember with the next one.

CQ4 Newbies Special Project for JK and Jenny

Here are the pictures of the wallhangings that we did as get well gifts for JK and her mother in law, Jenny. I have to remember next time to check my pics before I package everything up. The beautiful pic on the left is of JK's wall hanging, taken by JK. The one on the right is of Jenny's taken by me. I am so ashamed.






















On JK's wallhanging the blocks were made by the following people (rowxrow, l to r)

row 1: Charlene, Jo, me
row 2: Lesa, Linda C., me
row 3: Erin C., Ati, Lesa
row 4: Lori K.





On Jenny's wallhanging the block were made by the following people (columnxcolumn, top to bottom)
column 1: Lori K., Jo, me
column 2: Lesa, Linda C., me
column 3: Lori K., Lesa, Erin C.

The bauble bags were made by Christy and filled with teas and wonderful Dove chocolates.
The tea/chocolate sets in the last picture were sent by June and the black/green tea bags were sent by Lori K.

Well, this answers a lot of questions :p

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.