Random, Unconnected Sunday Thoughts

The second of three Mardi Gras balls is in the rear view. Of course, I actually had to work during this last one instead of simply revelling, so I'm pretty worthless today. I don't remember the last time I spent all day Sunday on the couch without hopping up from time to time to attend to one chore or another. My most noteworthy accomplishment today has probably been to change out rolls of toilet paper and paper towels. I have yet to warm the leftovers for dinner, however, so there may be more strenuous activity in the next few hours. Even though there was no hangover to contend with, I guess I just can't party like it's 1999 anymore.

I already miss football.

For some unbeknownst reason, when I awoke this morning (to let a pushy dog out to attend to his bladder) my voice had dropped at least two octaves. I guess the crud might be returning, just in time for company. So, for the immediate future, just call me Lauren "Moogie" Bacall.

Yeah. We need a few more months of football.

Having two "Mother of the Bride" dresses in the closet from out-of-state weddings does wonders for the Ball wardrobe budget.

Have I mentioned that I miss football?

Our Young President, in my worthy and accurate opinion, is little more than a petulant, arrogant, petty tyrant intent on expanding the reach of a centralized federal government to the point where a representative Republic and separation of powers, as contemplated by the Founders, will fall by the wayside. I just hope it's not too late because we can't wait!

Football. *sigh*

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Carnival, and the Status of the Unionized Speech

Why, yes, I am still alive, thanks for inquiring!  I'm not sure where last week went, but it was probably consumed with the taking down of Christmas finery, the putting out of Mardi Gras excess, and our first ever Endymion Coronation Ball. Pepper will be riding on a brand new super float, throwing trinkets to the masses, and getting properly lubricated for the Extravaganza that follows the parade on February 18th in the Superdome.

The Coronation Ball was pretty impressive -- it staggers the imagination to think of the logistical nightmares that accompany an intimate dinner service for 5,000+, but it was pulled off with style and flair (even though we left before the Second Line parade -- the Second Line parade that kicked off at 2:00 a.m.!  Pepper and Bouie had a date to go bird hunting early on a foggy Sunday morning.)

So, it's beginning to look a lot like Mardi Gras here at Moogie's Mansion!  We're expecting anywhere from 4 to 9 guests for the big second weekend.  I guess folks are finally accepting that this could be our last Carnival season as New Orleans residents (translation: free bed and breakfast a block off the Uptown parade route).  Here's a little bit of the finery --

The dining room is my favorite spot to decorate for Mardi Gras because we spend a lot of time at the table -- and you have to go through the dining room to get most anywhere downstairs.

The front parlor is fun, too.

Then, there's the upstairs tribute to my Krewe of Muses, the night-parading, all-woman Krewe.  I usually leave this good loot out all year 'round so our houseguests have an adequate opportunity to develop an appropriate appreciation for the Muses.  If Pepper wants to erect a shrine to Endymion he'll have to find another spot.

Yep --  shoes play a large role in Muses treasure.  (The roll of toilet paper is from the Krewe of Tucks.  Their monarch doesn't ride on a throne, he rides on a giant toilet and throws plungers and squirting toilets!).

And, of course, the Sophie Wright marching band is in full practice mode, and they've been practicing outdoors in the unusually-warm weather we've been experiencing.  Yep. I had to turn on the AC in the middle of January!

I'm sure I'll feel like this come Ash Wednesday.

Now, changing gears, what Drinking Game trigger words shall we establish for tonight's Status of the Unionized speech?  "Fair share?"  "Millionaires and billionaires?"  "Educational opportunity?"  Everyone had better get a designated driver set up -- this could be a tipsy evening!

I Knew It . . .

We're gearing up for Mardi gras.  The wreaths have been taken down.

And, I can indeed see the big ol' brass cup hooks.

*sigh*

Good Medicine

Pepper and I are in the midst of our annual Christmas Cold and Sinus Infection Extravaganza.  I thought we might escape it this year because it didn't strike until New Year's Eve, but, noooo.  It was just teasing us and landed on us with all four feet as we headed back home.

I was afraid I'd bleed out through the nose and someone would have to change the icky sheets (I know -- TMI.  Sorry, but this is really how I think sometimes), so I broke down and went to the doc yesterday.  She armed me with Amoxicillin and nasal spray to supplement the Coricidin HBP.

I always hate the second day of antibiotics.  The biotics rise up in self-defense and fight back hard, turning one's body into a sore and battered battlefield for a day or two.  Then the meds usually take the high ground, and one begins to feel better on day 4 or 5.  So, listen up, microbes -- you stand no chance, so why don't you just give up and surrender peaceably now?  You know you can't win -- so, why engage in shock and awe just for effect's sake?

Toward the end of his military career, Pepper traveled quite a bit and came to refer to commercial airplanes as "silver flying pathogen tubes."  I think he might have been onto something there, and the same general idea (although an earthbound version) might apply to the homes of friends and family during the holidays.

Oh, well.  At least my misery is not compounded by the agony of a Razorback defeat in the Cotton Bowl!  Despite what the FOX sportscasters might have preferred, the Hogs whomped up big time on the Kansas State Undomesticated Pussycats! 

Now, I think that a Saints victory tonight over the Lion Cubs, followed by an LSU drubbing of St. Nick on Monday might be just the little bit of extra tonic I need to make a full recovery before donning my nurse's cap to take care of Pepper next week after his rather extensive oral surgery. 

Perhaps we should start referring to Moogie's Mansion as Mayo South.

Who Dat!!!

COLLEGE GAMEDAY and 17 Candles . . .

. . . for our little Rosie!  Since she can't see them to blow them out, the 17 candles are metaphorical, but we wish her the happiest birthday ever anyway!  Here's last year's birthday post:

Happy Belated Birthday . . .

. . . to our Rosie! On January 6th she attained the ancient and revered age of 16. In people years!

These pics were made back when she could still see and get around by herself outdoors. She used to love to sit on the porch in the sun and watch the world go 'round, and yap at me to prepare her supper faster.

She's still a feisty little thing, despite having suffered several strokes that took her voice. She's recovered her hearing now and her sense of smell. She still likes to sniff around the front yard (and our dinner plates!), but I can't leave her unattended outdoors anymore. She walks in circles, and I'm too scared she'd somehow get under the house and I couldn't get to her.

She may not be with us too much longer, but I'm going to treasure each and every day that she walks around in circles on the bed and wipes her face on me after she eats.

Sixteen years is a long time to love someone.

If she could only tell all the stories she must have on my kids!

She has fallen off the bed two nights this week and hit the ground pretty hard.  I'm afraid her back legs are getting to be a little more than she can handle -- they aren't working too well lately.  I don't want her to suffer, but we're not quite to that rainbow bridge yet.  I get to cuddle with her a little bit longer.  Because . . .

She certainly wouldn't want to miss hearing the Razorbacks rough up Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl tonight!!  WPS!!!

Those Undomesticated Pussycats are gonna find out that they aren't in Kansas any more.

Wake Up! It's 2012!!!

To one and all (except maybe for a few folks in DC), HAPPY 2012!!

May this new year provide you and yours with twelve flavors of awesome, health, happiness, and prosperity.

And, maybe a Razorback victory in the Cotton Bowl. And another Saints Super Bowl ring.

Maybe a Powerball win or two.

And the safe return of all our military members to the loving arms of their families and loved ones.

Now, go eat that pork roast and those black eyed peas and cabbage! (Moogie is preparing cabbage and Brussels sprouts because we can use every single dollar the Fates can spare!). The Lord helps those who help themselves!