Scavenger Hunt

Well, my blogging bud Tress over at Jumble Mash tagged me in what has apparently become the newest blogging meme:

INTERNET SCAVENGER HUNT

I promised her I'd do this (and she's totally awesome), so here it goes....

How it works:

1. Tell everyone who tagged you.
2. Find and post each item on the list.
3. Tag 7 other blogs.
4. Notify each blogger that was tagged.

Now for the hunt:

1. Favorite YouTube video.

Ever since Nicole over at It's All Random posted this as thanks for a blog award, it's been my favorite! Check out this guy Mitchell's YouTube page, he's hilarious.

2. A photo that will make everyone say "Awwww."

How could you not?!

3. A funny t-shirt.

Sadly, it's true.

4. Something geeky.

Love me some Sheldon.

5. Link or photo of your favorite movie.

This was a really tough one because I love SO many movies....

but since I had to pick one...went with this one. Best romantic comedy ever!

6. Link to the newest blog you've discovered.
World Between the Lines

7. Photo of something on your wishlist.

A day at the spa.....oh how I'd love one!

Well, there you have it.  My scavenger hunt is complete.

I'm not going to tag seven specific people, but instead I'm giving an open invitation to all of my awesome readers!  If you want to take part and take a day off from your regular blogging, join in!  It was fun!

Movie Delight Monday

Happy Monday, y'all!  Hope your weeks start out in fantabulous fashion. 

Since we're well into October, I feel that it's necessary for my Movie Delight Mondays to consist of thriller/horror films.  First, let me inform y'all that I'm the biggest chicken that ever lived.  Seriously, I can't watch scary movies.  I love them, but they freak me out to such an extent that it's hardly worth putting myself through it.  Let me be clear:  I will watch horror movies this month because it's necessary.  However, due to my watching said films, I'll be checking closets, behind shower curtains and the backseat of my car for weeks after this month is over with.

That being said, today I'm covering one of my all-time favorites in the horror movie genre.  I think I can better handle this trilogy because it's sort of.... almost.... kinda like a spoof.  It started out with the intention of  being the horror film that made fun of horror films, but turned into a series of films with a cult following - and a fourth installment in the works.  That's right, I'm talking about

The Scream Trilogy

The first film starts out with the awesome Drew Barrymore sporting an awful platinum-blonde wig, in the stereotypical girl-alone-at-night situation.  Creepy guys calls, starts a conversation, then proceeds to scare the bejeezus out of generic pretty girl.  Just when you think she'll be saved - nope, dead girl hanging from tree. 

The opening scene is more of a mood-setter than anything.  You're aware the film is going to be full of horror movie no-nos, but also a bit scary. 

After this, we're introduced to our main character, Sidney (played by the somewhat-annoying but still lovable Neve Campbell).  Poor Sidney's mother was murdered one year ago, supposedly by Cotton Weary.  Suddenly two students are murdered, bringing attention back on Sidney's mother. Dad has to go out of town (of course), so she's going to be home alone - GASP! - for a few days.  Not to worry, though, because her creepy boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich) had an affection for crawling into her bedroom window at night and pressuring her to have sex.

Sidney is surrounded by Billy and her friends, slutty Tatum (Rose McGowan), her boyfriend Stu (Matthew Lillard, who I LOVE in this film) and film fanatic Randy (Jamie Kennedy).  Randy is the one who's always making references to films, explaining the "rules" to both the characters and the viewers of the film.  Also on hand are Tatum's older brother Dewey (David Arquette), the inept deputy who wants to be a hero, and reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox-Arquette) who's just trying to get to Sidney for a story.

The killer begins stalking Sidney via phone, and suddenly she's under attack by a crazed killer donning a Halloween costume/ghost mask. More people start to die (obviously), most of which have broken a rule of the horror genre.  The film reaches a climax at a house party, full of underage kids drinking and watching Halloween while Randy explains the rules in detail. 

 Eventually the killer is revealed and everyone is shocked by who it is.  Battle royale between killer and Sidney ensues, and the film ends with creepy alternative music playing as police cars arrive on the scene of the mass murders.   

Scream 2 starts out by catching us up with the survivors from the first film.  Sidney and Randy are in college, and slowly moving on with their lives.  Sidney has gotten over her boyfriend issues and is dating a hunky frat boy, Derek (Jerry O'Connell).                      

                            

Cotton Weary, who had been originally charged with Sidney's mother's murder, is out of prison now, and wants to cash in on his personal suffering. Gale has written a story about the Woodsboro murders, which has been turned into a film.  The film promotes a craze, and Dewey joins Sidney at school for fear that she'll need protection.  He's right, because suddenly it seems like a copycat killer is on the loose, and he's after Sidney.  

I like the second installment because it makes use of the college setting to massacre ditzy blonde sorority girls and address the issue of Greek partying in excess.  (If you party, you die.)  Some interesting characters meet unfortunate ends in this film, but it's still a good one.

Scream 3 takes place in California.  Yet another installment of the "Stab" movies is being made, and a series of murders bring up Sidney's mother.  Sidney, who's been in hiding since the nightmare of college, decides to got to Hollywood to find out more about her mother.  Of course, as soon as she hits the movie lot, the killer is after her.  Gale and Dewey join Sidney, and Cotton Weary also shows up in the film, if only for a short time.

Parker Posey plays Jennifer, who will be playing Gale Weathers in Stab 3, and thus begins following Gale around in an effort to learn more about her for acting purposes.  After realizing cast members of the film are being killed in order they are supposed to die in the script, it's decided that Jennifer is the next victim.  Together Sidney, Gale, Dewey and Detective Kincaid (played by the totally hot Patrick Dempsey) set out to find out who the killer is before another murder takes place, and help Sidney solve the mystery of her mother as well.  

Yet again, it's a constant ball of confusion over whodunit, because just when you think you know who the killer is, that person is murdered. 

I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the films yet, so I won't say who the killers are in any of the films, or what the mystery of Sidney's mother turned out to be.   I will say, though, that if you've never taken the time to watch these films, DO IT NOW.  They're all great!

Also, on a totally awesome side note, a fourth installment of the Scream series just wrapped filming last month, with original stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox-Arquette returning.  Joining them are some younger stars such as Emma Roberts and Hayden Panetierre.  Both Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven have supposedly signed on for a three-part series, since originally the Scream movies were intended to be only a trilogy.   I'm so excited about this film, and can't wait to see it (release date is set for April 2011)!

Twitterpated Day

Don't ask me why (because I have no idea), but I woke up in one of those lovey-dovey moods. You know, where you want to cuddle and smooch your hunny bunny and tell him how much you just love his sweet face and all of that nonsense.  We'll call it

Twitterpated Day

Maybe it's due to the date (10-10-10).  I'm not superstitious at all, though.  So probably not. 

Anyhoo, I figured since I'm in such a smitten kitten mood, I'd list for y'all my most favorite celeb couples.  Some of them are no longer together, but I think they should be (and just so y'all know, I'm an excellent relationship judge. If I say you're compatible, then you are!).

Here they are, in no particular order:

Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens

I just can't get enough of these kids.  I think they're the cutest!

Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston

I know, I know.  I can't help myself.  I think they made a WAY
 hotter couple than he does with Angie (and her with John Mayer. Yuck!).

Kurt Russell & Goldie Hawn

Loved 'em in Overboard, and I still love 'em. 

Their love is a groovy kinda love. Just ask Phil Collins.

Sarah Michelle Gellar & Freddie Prinze, Jr.

They've been adorable since the mid-90s.  So cute!

Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears

You know, back before she got all crazy, shaved her head and stopped wearing underwear. 

Blake Lively & Penn Badgley

I thought they were sweet together even

before I realized how deliciously addictive Gossip Girl is.

Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey

I'm still angry at her for breaking his heart. 

Brad Paisley & Kimberly Williams-Paisley

They both just seem like the nicest, sweetest people....
and they named their boys Huck and Jasper.  How cute it that?!

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner

I just want to hang out with her, and I'm so glad he dropped J-Lo.  Cuteness.

Well there you have it.  I was going to put Ryan Philippe and Reese Witherspoon on the list because I absolutely adored them together, but I really can't stand him since the whole Abbie Cornish fiasco. 

Hope y'all have a great week!



Ch-check it out

A few months ago Jessie May over at Blossoming Brilliance asked me to blog about life topics.  I chose to write about balacing life as a wife, mother and college student.  (I wrote the post over the summer, so it was prior to this current semester back at school, which I'm LOVING!)

Go check it out here, and take a look at all Jessie offers on her blog.  She's a life coach, and has great posts and information!

Y'all have a super-dee-duper weekend!

I'm Inspiring (yep, another award)

I know!  It's craziness.  It's like winning Best Dressed, Most Likely to Succeed, Homecoming Queen and Class President all at once!

 (Note:  I was never ANY of those things.....but I was voted Class Clown a few times and Most School Spirit twice!)

The super-sweet Megan over at Megan Moments awarded me with the Fall 2010 Favorites "Blogs that Inspire" Award.

See?

The award was created by Megan to acknowledge those bloggers who inspired her in various ways.  I personally think this is an awesome idea, and not just becuase I was one of the recipients!

Y'all go check Megan's blog out.  I've just discovered her, and so far what I've read is great! Thanks, Megan!

As with every award, there are some rules you must follow in order to accept, and here they are:

1. Make a post thanking and linking back to the person's blog who awarded you. (CHECK)
2. Tell everyone in that post what 7 things are that inspire your life - people, places, things?
3. Pass the award to 7 more blogs.
4. Contact the bloggers you picked and tell them about the award! (:

Since I've taken care of number one, let's move on to two.....

Seven things/people that inspire my life:

1. My mom

My mother has faced various forms of adversity in her life - some devastating, some just minor setbacks - but she never let any of them affect her outlook, her kindness, or her devotion to myself, my sister and our family.  She's the greatest person I've ever known, and now that I'm an adult, wife and mother, I appreciate her so much more.  I also rely on her much more and look to her for advice.  My mom is by far the most inspiring person in my life. 

2. Nature

Everyday I try to stop and look at the many wonderful things God created and be thankful for the opportunity to enjoy them.  There is so much magnificence, beauty and wonder all around us, and we tend to forget about it all because of the fast pace in which life moves. 

3. My grandparents

My mother's parents will reach their 53rd wedding anniversary this December, and that - to me - is a huge accomplishment.  They have gone through so much together - having and raising children, losing parents, siblings and friends, losing jobs, economic hardships, natural disasters, grandchildren, great grandchildren....and through all of that, they still love each other as much as they did when they were newlyweds.  Every day they go out on their porch, sit together and just enjoy each other's company.  They're so stinkin' cute, and I hope the hubs and I will be able to look back 50 years from now and love each other just as much. 

4. My children

The loves of my life.  Before they came along, of course I had dreams and goals, but none of them compared to the absolute need to improve myself once I became a mother.  Now they inspire me to be the best mom, the best wife, finish my education, just be better in general.  They inspire me every single day to be the best person I can be.

5. My Dad

My dad is the coolest, most laid-back dude.  Ever.  He always says life is too short to be stressed out all the time.  He doesn't let the small things in life bother him, and he inspires me to be the same.  If everyone was as chill as my dad, there'd be a lot less evil in the world!

6. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Speidi, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan

                                 

These idiots inspire me to think before I speak, say no to drugs, refuse to do reality shows and ALWAYS wear undies!

7. Michael Myers

This terrifying dude (along with Pennywise, Jason, Freddy and all other horror movie villians) has inspired me to avoid dark houses, cemeteries, camps by the lake.... and to just stay home on Halloween night.

So, those are my seven (7) inspirations. 

Now to award the seven bloggers who inspire me - whether it's inspiration to try a new recipe, read a good book, look at the goodness in life, look for the humor in life, get off my butt and exercise, etc.  Here they are:

Naida

Heather

Amy

Cole

Beatles and Booze

Allie

Meg

Thanks for being inspiring guys! 

Face Punch

Hey, y'all.  It's HUMP DAY, and I'm super-thrilled about it because after today I'm on Fall Break until next Monday from school.  Awesomeness. 

For my Face Punch topic today, I've picked something that is just completely appalling to me.  I was so disgusted and disappointed when I heard this story on Kidd Kraddick's show Monday morning.  I found the story that I knew would show up on MSNBC, which only made me more angry.

Here's the deal:

A Tennessee home caught fire after a man's grandson lost control of a fire he had going in the backyard.  The local firefighters were called, and they came to the scene but REFUSED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. 

Why?

Because the man had failed to pay a $75 "fire coverage" fee. 

Are you kidding me? 

At first they wouldn't even respond to the 911 call, but then they realized the man's neighbors had paid their fees - of course they had to be on hand in case the fire spread to the covered residents. 

The man begged firefighters to put the flames out, telling them he'd pay whatever he had to, but they refused.  His home burned to the ground, and they lost three dogs and a cat. 

The state of Tennessee should be outraged at the county's poor handling of such a devastating situation.  I'd fire every single one of those firefighters, and the idiots in charge of the whole thing.  THEN I'd use state money to rebuild the damaged home. 

You, Obion County fire people, get a gargantuan face punch:

I'm Versatile....who knew?

The awesome John Smith gave me the Versatile Blogger award.

He blogs about writing, and gives great tips and ideas on things like character and plot development, as well as the occasional random post. Check him out, you'll love his stuff! (Thanks so much, John! I appreciate the encouragement!)

The rules of acceptance of this fantabulous award are as follows:

1) Thank and link back to the person who gave me this award.

2) Tell everyone 7 things about myself

3) Pass this award to 15 other bloggers

4) Contact the bloggers that I've picked and tell them about the award

I've already said thanks to John, but again, THANK YOU JOHN! You rock!

Here's seven (7) things about me you never knew:

1. Back in the 90s I memorized the dance to N'Sync's "I Want You Back" and I still remember it. I even
bust it out occasionally when the mood strikes me.
2. I can sing four songs in Spanish.
3. I wish I could shave my head and not look ridiculous.
4. I hate fairs; they creep me out.
5. I once won a spelling bee with the word "hyperbole."
6. I tried to read Helter Skelter three years ago, but it scared me so much that I couldn't finish it (that's the
only book I've been unable to finish). I've since been hesitant to try again.
7. Halloween is my most favorite horror movie, but Michael Myers frightens me more than any other villian.

Now to pass this award on to 15 people....

These are the folks who I feel are the most versatile and entertaining:

Heather
Nicole
Emily
Roberta
Novie
Alice
Cole
Kate
Lydia
Molly
Amy
Annah
Emy
Jumble
Violet

I love reading y'all's stuff! Keep it up, guys.

Also, my BBBF (Blogging Best Bud Forever), Jumble Mash, also gave me an award today!

I just freaking love you!


Toodles!

Movie Delight Monday

Happy Monday, y'all. 

Last week I was having a case of the Mondays, and bailed on my usual Movie Delight Monday.  However, today I'm determined to have a good day, which means we're back on schedule.

Today's selection is one of the most unusual films I've covered, but one of the biggest as far as cult followings go:

The first time I saw this movie I was maybe seven or eight, and it scared the bejeezus out of me.   I mean seriously, if these guys

don't scare a child, then I'd be concerned about their mental health.

So, the film stars a handful of mostly unknowns with the exception of the unfailingly grumpy John Vernon, who plays Chief Curtis Mooney.

Story goes like this:  two young horny kids are getting their cuddle on one night when they see what first appears to be a comet.  Closer inspection reveals a circus tent full of frightening clowns intent on taking everyone captive, turning them into human cotton candy balls, sticking straws in them and sucking their blood out.

I know.

They have quite a few tricks up their sleeves, like shadow puppet talents that can actually kill people and popcorn that turns into freakishly scary mini clown head things. 

CREEPY.

The clowns begin terrorizing the town, killing residents by the handful, all the while Chief Mooney is ignoring cries for help.  (Don't worry, he gets his due.)  Horny couple and deputy Dave are the only ones who can stop the killer klowns, so they take their friends' ice cream truck (again, I know) and begin their counter-attack.

I won't give you details, but it all ends in massive amounts of ice cream toppings. 

If all this post has done is make you thoroughly confused, check out the original trailer below. 



The chaos that is college football.

If you aren't a college football fan, then just disregard this post because it's all about the NCAA.  

Also, if you happened to miss the LSU-Tennessee game today, I highly suggest you go on ESPN or Fox Sports or YouTube (or just watch ESPN's football wrap up later tonight).  Why, you ask?  Because the few seconds AFTER the end of the game were craziness.  Yes, after. 

A little bit of info about my Tigers:

(Note:  I refer to the LSU Tigers as "we" because, like all LSU fans, I consider myself part of the team.  I know it's a bit ridiculous, but you'd have to be an SEC fan to understand.)

LSU is having an awful year.  We are, in fact, undefeated.  It's all a mirage though, because on paper there's no way we should be.  We have an immature, finicky quarterback who tends to be careless with passes.  We also have a coach who is the worst time manager in the history of college football.  Our defense is one of the best in the nation, which is how we've managed to keep getting Ws.  There are a few great offensive players, but they can't do much with an inept quarterback and idiot coach.

Here's how it went down:

LSU struggled offensively throughout the entire game.  Four - count 'em, FOUR - turnovers, an obscene amount of penalties and terrible time management found my Tigers down by four points with about a minute left.  We've got backup quarterback Lee in, and our guys are moving down the field.  For some reason unknown to us, Coach Miles puts Jefferson back in (which prompts a loud "Boo" from the stands).  A penalty against Tennessee puts us on the TWO YARD LINE, and it looks like we're about to pull off a win.  Then the clock starts moving again, and our quarterback is roaming around on the field like a lost second-grader at the zoo. 

The hubs and I are screaming at the television as the clock ticks down...5...4..3... FINALLY our guy snaps the ball, which proceeds to fly over Jefferson's head and he's chasing it down as time expires.  We lost.  WE LOST!?  We were RIGHT THERE.  On the TWO YARD LINE.  What an idiot! 

Tennessee players are rushing the field and the TN coach is making his way across the field for the obligatory handshake with Miles.  LSU fans are making their way out of the stadium dejectedly. 

Oh, I'm mad.  I'm stomping around the living room grumbling about Les Miles being the worst coach in the history of the world and if LSU doesn't fire him I'm going to take my big behind to his house and fire him myself.....

"Wait! There's a penalty!"  the hubs begins swatting at my arm in excitement.   I look back at the tv, not daring to feel any hope that there is some miraculous intervention by the good Lord Himself taking place.  Unfortunately for Tennessee, they can't count.  The commentators freeze the replay and count the number of defenders on the line when LSU snapped the ball before time expired.  They had THIRTEEN guys on the field (for you non-football folks, you can only have eleven)!  This means LSU gets a free play with no time on the clock.  One play.  One opportunity. 

And wouldn't you know it, the skies opened up, angels descended from heaven and our boys made the touchdown.  LSU wins 16-14. 

WHEW.

I'm still in shock.  That was craziness.  Did Tennessee earn the win?  Yep.  Did LSU deserve to lose?  Certainly.  However, we still got the W.  I'll take it.

Fantabulous Friday

I can't tell you how completely thrilled I am that Friday has finally arrived.  This week has been an exhausting one.  Some of the exhaustion was my fault (a Sunday adventure in New Orleans, the Britney episode on Glee - which caused much excitement at my house - a football game viewing at my Alma mater - which they lost. Embarrassingly badly), but most of it was school.  I have yet more exams next week AND the week after that.  I love school.  I love school.  I love school.  I love school.  Nope, still not working...

ANYHOO, on a much brighter -and much more entertaining - note, today's fantabulous topic is the brainchild of one of the coolest dudes in the blogsphere.  The totally fantabulous Cole Garrett over at Dry Humor Daily has thought up a pretty nifty idea, and I'm going to share it with you guys because I was immediately eager to jump on board and join in on something that is sure to catch on like syphilis....er...I mean....like something totally non-STD-related.  Yeah.  Like pogs.  Or the phrase "that's what she said." 

Now that I have your undivided attention, I can share with you Cole's awesomely titillating (that word always makes me giggle) invention.  Are you ready?

Are you?  REALLY?

I present to you:

The Blog Quilt

Obviously this isn't the quilt I speak of.  It's merely for

 entertainment purposes. Click the link above the picture.  Duh.

 

The Blog Quilt so cool, though.  You can add your badge for your blog to the page, then add the badge for The Blog Quilt on your personal blog to refer other bloggers to the quilt. (Hopefully that wasn't confusing, although I almost confused myself.)  The hope is that eventually we'll be a part of one awesome, gargantuan internet quilt.  We can all cuddle up together underneath it in our bond of Blogdom.  Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it? 

Warm and fuzzy like these ridiculously cute kittens

So, I beseech you (I've always wanted to use that word in a sentence!) good people to click the link, go see the quilt and join us!  Together we can make a difference!

That really has nothing at all to do with this, but I just had to use it.

Love, peace and chicken grease, y'all!

A Flashback...

The year was 1998. The show was TRL. These five dudes started singing, and it was the beginning of an obsessive crush that would last well into the new century....



Ahhh.....JT, how I drooled over you.

You're welcome.

Case of the Mondays

Yes, someone does indeed have a case of the Mondays, and it's me.  I didn't feel good today, so I skipped school.  I know - I was shocked at myself, too.  I just spent the day hanging out with my babies (which I feel like I hardly ever get to do anymore), watching cartoon movies and cuddling on the couch.  It was great. 

Then later this evening I went to my little cousin's football game.  Since my other little cousin (his sister) is a cheerleader for the peewee team, I decided to dress my girls in their LSU cheer outfits. 

The girls had a ball running all over the place.  It was actually cool when we got to the field, which was a welcomed break from the relentless heat and humidity we've had lately.  By the time the sun went down, though, we were all a little chilly. 

As for my less-than-chipper mood....

I have no exams this week, which is a relief, but they start back up again next week.  I have three exams and a quiz next week, and two exams the week after that. I'm already exhausted and I haven't even started studying yet.  Also, I have an essay due in one class two weeks from today.  Awesome.

I'm determined to make this a good week despite my inner urge to let the mood fester.  My to-do list for this week:

1. Make index cards for my psychology and geography classes.
2. Begin studying for my political science and history exams.
3. Start on practice exams for my math class.
4. Finish locating articles for my essay project (10 down, 5 to go). 
5. Complete an outline for my essay by Friday evening.
6. Stay on top of the laundry so it doesn't get ridiculously out of hand.
7. Refrain from reading my new Dexter book until after exam week.
8. Finish my online math homework (due October 5th).
9. Find time to get a french pedicure because the last one is wearing off.
10. Limit myself to one cup of coffee per day.

Don't know if I'll be able to accomplish all of these, but it's only Monday.  I'm going to be optimistic.

Sorry I didn't do a Movie Delight for y'all today.  I'll make up for it next week, I promise!

A Fabulous Day in New Orleans

If I had to pick one word to describe today, it would be FANTABULOUS.  Myself and three of my girlfriends purchased tickets to see the musical Hairspray at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre when they went on sale two months ago.  Unfortunately one of the girls hasn't been feeling well and had to miss out on today's adventure.  I invited my younger cousin along because she's a huge Hairspray fan, and also because it would be a shame to waste the ticket (we had the best seats in the house - no lie). 

The production didn't start until 2pm, so we decided to make a day of it in the French Quarter.  You know, play tourist (it's fun to do that occasionally). Also, our beloved Saints were hosting the Atlanta "dirty birds" at noon, so we donned our WHO DAT gear in solidarity.  Yes, we're all crazy sports people down here.



First we roamed over to Jackson Square, which is where one of the most beautiful buildings in the world (in my opinion) stands - the St. Louis Cathedral.  I've mentioned the cathedral in previous posts, but today was completely different because for the FIRST TIME EVER, I was in Jackson Square when the doors were opened.  As many times as I've been there in my life - which is dozens - the doors have always been locked. 



Me, my cousin and girlfriends in front of St. Louis Cathedral



So, imagine my absolute delight when we realized the doors were open and we could actually go inside!  I was speechless.  I'm not Catholic, but you can't help but feel awestruck by the magnificence and beauty of it.  I found myself having to control the urge to cry.  You can feel the history when you're inside.  There really aren't enough words to describe it.  At that moment, I could have spent the rest of the day inside, just looking at the stained glass, statues, every nook and cranny.  Unfortunately we showed up in the middle of mass, so we couldn't take pictures or roam as freely as we would have liked. 

From there we strolled through the Quarter looking for someplace to eat lunch.  There are little restaurants and bistros at every corner, but we settled on a place boasting to be the "Original" New Orleans Seafood Restaurant.  I'm not sure how valid that declaration is, although on the menu they claimed to have been opened before the Battle of New Orleans.  So, take that with a grain of salt. 

My cousin and I split crabmeat au gratin with an appetizer of crab cakes.  Although I've had many various versions of seafood in my life, I had never before had crabmeat au gratin.  The coz' insisted I would love it, and I'll try anything once, so I went along with it.  Took me a bit to adjust to the texture and mix of crab meat with cheese, but it was actually pretty good.  The crab cakes were delicious.  All in all it was a little heavy for a lunch, but we all enjoyed our meals.  

The girls playing with Mardi Gras
 masks and me with my awesome new wig!



After lunch we decided to stroll through the French Market, which is basically a collection of tables covered in everything from jewelry to purses, shirts, knicknacks, etc.  Anything and everything you could want.  A thosand people selling you different versions of the same things.  (Think flea market with lots of cajun.) 

My cousin found a Bob Marley bracelet and a new Saints t-shirt, my friend found a new Who Dat shirt and I found the most awesome wig ever made:  a black and gold feathered wig - aka Saints wig (told you we were serious).  We spent an hour or so browsing the tables, then stopping in shops we passed as we made our way back towards the theatre . 

When we arrived at the theatre, we found our seats and waited for the show to start.  When we saw "The Wedding Singer" back in July, I remember thinking no other performance could live up to that one.  I was wrong.

These people did John Waters justice.  The man would be proud.  There was innuendo, raunchy, music and fun.    Surprisingly the scene stealer was a woman who played Penny's mother/matron/warden/PE coach/principal.  She was hilarious.  Also, Tracy's parents were a big hit.  I was actually surprised at how many children were there.  The material was a little too adult for young kids.  I think parents were imagining the remake of Hairspray (with Zac Efron) and forgot about John Waters' version. 

Anyhoo, the musical was wonderful and we had a fabulous day.  I can't wait to do it again!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!