Southern Love From A Yankee: 2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Typical Lazy Saturday...

Who knew that there was waterfalls so close to New Orleans? Well I do now, but I don't think anyone else had a clue! Ash and I recently made a trip up to Pond, Mississippi to check out Clark Creek Natural Area. To be honest we were jonesin' for some nature! It's only about 2-1/2 to 3 hours northwest of New Orleans.

This place literally and physically took my breath away. The waterfalls were set perfectly throughout the trail. I guess I should mention that most of the hikers take the off beaten path, basically following the stream until you got to a waterfall. The other path you could follow was the trail that they provided for the hikers, this path didn't take you close enough to the waterfalls. I gotta say I'm happy we chose the first path even though my socks and shoes were wet 99.9% of the hike. So if you don't like wet feet, trail #2 is your best bet.

So the boulders we had to climb over were clay like. Which if you ever touched wet clay can be somewhat slippery. I definitely recommend hiking shoes or sandals. The whole hike took us about an two hours to complete. Of course it would have been shorter if we didn't stop at every amazing picturesque view. I'm proud of us for turning a boring day that could have been straight lazy mode, sitting on the couch watching college football. Instead we explored what mother nature and the great state of Mississippi has to offer!

These are the MASSIVE rocks we climbed to get anywhere on the trail! WORKOUT!

Ash posing by one of the rocks

I had to add this Snap Chat! Seriously though, to get to the waterfalls was tough.

This place really was spectacular

Every turn had a beautiful view like this. Give or take several large rocks.

All in all what an awesome "lazy" Saturday

Until next time.....

Monday, March 17, 2014

Laissez les bons temps rouler

Let the good times roll...we sure did! This past couple of weeks us here in the South had a massive reason to party...MARDI GRAS! Just a quick history: Mardi Gras translates to Fat Tuesday, MG is the season of carnival, it ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. You're supposed to go out, eat what you want, drink what you can, and just be crazy. Then on Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) you repent, give up your booze, fried foods, what have you, in the name of the Lord. We are not Catholic, so if this is wrong....don't correct us. We just celebrate Mardi Gras!

Most people think Mardi Gras is just boobs, booze, and beads. It is...but it's a lot more. There are about 33 parades that run JUST IN THE CITY, that is not counting the 30+ that run right outside of the city, in the Westbank, Slidell, North Shore, etc. I think we were at a good 15 parades this season.

Starting with Krewe Du Vieux! This parade is known for their impersonations, lewd behavior, and weird gifts they give to the people in the streets (condoms, penis necklaces, rolling papers, etc.). It's probably my favorite parade...I don't know what that says about me. I think it's Jan's favorite too. Anywho, here are some pics of Krewe du Vieux

We didn't get too many pictures of this parade. Phones died, drunkess, etc. I am sure you get the picture.

The weekend of Mardi Gras we had some visitors come down from Chicago and Michigan! It all started out soooo wonderful. Awesome weather, great costumes, amazing company. Just perfect! It pretty much stayed this way until Fat Tuesday.

Janelle, Kara and I sort of crashed the MCC Mardi Gras Customer Appreciation party at one of the hotels down on Bourbon. WHOOPS! The tradition at this party is to get all the ladies together and try on some awesome wigs at one of the local wigs shop!

This is the outcome...

Ashley, Jen, Kara, Janelle

Sadly we had to say goodbye to the awesome weather, and hello to the sleet! This Fat Tuesday was three degrees off from being one of the ~~coldest~~ Mardi Gras' to date! We braved the storm though. I mean you do what you gotta do! AND WE DID!

And here comes the freezing cold weather pics...

All in all a wonderful Mardi Gras experience! Crossing my fingers that next year it will be much warmer. Oh and if anyone needs beads for ANY reason the twins are your hook up. Bags on bags full! :)

Until next time...

Thursday, February 20, 2014

We Aren't 21?

This past Groundhogs day AKA Superbowl AKA the best day of the year, Janelle and I crossed over to the other side...the other side of 25. IT WAS OUR BIRTHDAY! We cried, we drank, we cried, we laughed, we cried. Growing up sucks but at least I have my sister by my side.

Anywho...

This birthday was special because we spent it with our Louisiana friends/family. Friday night, we went to dinner with our friend Andrew. We were in the quarter at a pretty cool place called Cain and Table...the food was so so, the drinks...were AMAZING!

Janelle and I sharing a Hoochie Hoochie

On Saturday, we decided a good amount of bar hopping needed to happen, so we called upon our troops.

Me, Hannah, Sam, Janelle 1, Janelle 2, Mitch

It all started with drinks at the Columns, then onto Superior for dinner and MARGS this is where the night started to go blurry...at least for me, Superiors margs are NO JOKE! We stumbled over to Lucy's and Barcadia before ending our night at Jax Brewery.

Our Mardi Gras present from Hannah

Probably the best pic of the night...Sam and Mitch

All dressed up for the night

It was an amazing 26th birthday! Too many drinks + great friends = a great night! Janelle and I are truly blessed with where we are right now, we live in the coolest city in the USA and we still look 21. HALLELUJAH!

We did not start from the bottom...

But we are here...with Tigger (meow)

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Friendship

"Respect those friends who find time for you in their busy schedule. But really love those friends who never see their schedule when you need them.."

Time is an issue when it comes to friends and family. Being so far away from the ones I grew up with is extremely hard. Since I have been down here I have missed birthdays, anniversaries with my Bran Muffin, revealing parties and lots more. It really is tough.

This past weekend one of my best friends in this great big world was hit by a car. I have known Jeffrey since 2007, he has the best personality, along with one of the most contagious laughs. Whatever he says just brings a smile to your face.

When I got the news of the incident, I completely shut down. Our close friends were urging us to come see him. Knowing how bad the accident was, there really was no way I was not going to come.

We experienced some crazy challenges on the way up to Michigan. One flat tire on the way out Thursday night that forced us to turn around and try this trip on Friday. We head out that morning and experienced amazing weather. Then we enter Ft. Wayne.... Oh how I hate you Ft. Wayne. Blizzard like conditions, -22 degrees. Oh how I don't miss the weather up north. 38 miles south of the Michigan border we experienced our second flat tire of the trip. Calling in a tow truck to change our spare was a two.hour.wait! Kill me now while I wait these two hours out. Ash on the other hand manned up and said (excuse my language), LETS CHANGE THAT BITCH! And change it we did. For the FIRST TIME EVER!!! Finally after 18 hours in the car we make it home!

The next day we make our way up to the hospital to see Jeff. You know how someone tells you what happened, and you kind of downplay it like "it cant be that bad, if it is, it wont look that bad." Well it was worse then I could imagine, so bad all I could do was cry. I didn't want to talk to him, I didn't want to touch him. I just wanted to close my eyes and pretend this never happened. After taking a moment to mentally chill out, I finally started speaking to him. Grabbing his hand to let him know we were there.

We came to visit him the next two days. In that time he came off the ventilator, started opening his eyes, and squeezed family and friends hands! Just complete leaps and bounds. The last day we were told to rush back to the hospital because he FINALLY woke up and was communicating with everyone!

Since I have been back Jeff has had surgery to fix his broken hip, pelvis, ankle and his C1 and C2 vertebrae. He asks to sit up and can do this for over an hour! Next they will go in to fix his broken jaw and some teeth that were damaged. After the hospital he will have to do some serious rehab and will be confined to a wheelchair for 7-12 weeks, but Jeff is one of the strongest guys I know. To friends, family and strangers always keep Jeffrey in your thoughts and prayers. And to Jeffrey, I will never see my schedule when it comes to him. :)

Sunday, January 5, 2014

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

The time has come to make those new years resolutions! I gotta say though, I am that person who makes the resolutions annndddd abandons them in about 5 to 6 weeks! ~~See ya awesome goals~~. I am hoping 2014 goes a little bit differently! Here are my

5 New Years Resolutions for 2014!

1. Appreciate the hair that I was born with.

I love straight hair! Just frickin' LOVE IT! Curly hair...ehhhh not so much. Dec 21st. is the day I started my hair journey! I am trying to stay curly for as long as I can. The first few months will probably be the toughest, but luckily Ashley is doing this New Year Resolution with me! Please pray for us. I will post updates on our progress once a month.

1st month in...

Curly hair all the way!

2. SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! (Money of course!)
Once again, I am forcing myself to do something I hate! Money is meant to be spent not saved! Orrr so I thought. Everyone on Pinterest and Facebook have been posting a Money Saving Challenge. I thought, why not?!

This challenge seems the easiest for me personally. I have decided to switch it up a little bit though. Instead of going from weeks 1 to 52, I have decided to alternate them. Example: 1st week, 52nd week, 2nd week, 51st week and so on. This will help when Xmas '14 rolls around.

My sister found an awesome blog, Living Well, Spending Less. This blog helps create a budget, cut your grocery bill in half, learn how to spend less, and much much more! Seriously check it out!

3. Work Out More

Simple pimple. Get my ass into shape!

4.Eat Out Less.

This pretty much goes hand in hand with my NY Resolution #2 and #3. I just want to try to make more meals of my own, which would mean more money in my pocket and maybe, just maybe a fitter body. Fingers crossed. Living in New Orleans will make this pretty hard, seeing as how there is a variety of restaurants on every single corner. Woof.

5. Travel, Travel, Travel

Where to? I don't care! Many friends have moved to some pretty amazing places and I am ready to travel this vast country!

Well these are my resolutions. I hope everyone else makes some realistic but amazing goals for 2014. Lets make it one we will never forget! See ya later blog-ahhss!

Throwback to 2013

I am a little late...but
Happy 2014 Everyone!

I have to say that 2013 was a life changing year for me. Moving cross country and starting my first big girl job. Yay Janelle! Two life changing events brought me to where I am, but man oh man do I miss the Mitten. I miss my friends, family, coworkers, bars, Michigan beers, watching the Lions every Sunday, Tigers games and perfect summer weather. There is a lot to miss but there are so many things I have come to love about the south. For example, spring weather during winter, a variety of food, drinking and walking around downtown, new friends, and new adventures!
I cannot complain about where I am in my life. Its been an amazing journey. So I decided to make this post more of a "Throwback to 2013". Where I was throughout the year and the people who have helped me love the south!
2013 did not start off the way you would want any year to begin. My mom had been taking care of of a woman named Adrean Jackson for a few years. She had a major impact on my moms, my sisters and my life. She had a heart made of solid gold, words that were warm and unconditional love for anyone no matter who you were or the situation you were in. On January 12 she was taken from us. A little off topic but Beyonce just came out with a song called Heaven. Every time I hear it I think of this amazing woman and her role on Earth. Heaven honestly couldn't wait for this amazing woman.

Ardean, Me and Ash

Me and Bran for Adrean's funeral. This man has stuck with me through
the roughest of times. Thanks B. :)

I wish all of my family and friends would move south, but since they wont, I guess vacations up north or down south will have to suffice for now. There are a couple of people who I wish I could have packed in my car and moved down to LA with me. First person I would snatch up has to be Cal. I have had the opportunity to watch this little guy grow into the most amazing kid I know today! Before he was born, I found babies to be disgusting. In my mid twenties I felt like if I had this feeling about children then who knows, I may never have them! Then Calvin was born and POOF, that feeling was long gone! He is the most wonderful sight to see and can make you smile whenever he walks into a room. I I cannot wait to see him next time I am in Detroit! I love you baby Cal!

Oh Chrystal. What can I say about the lady who knows what to say in EVERY, and I mean EVERY situation? I would say this, "Get your ass to LA. I cannot live without you!" I am not kidding. When you find a best friend like her, make sure you do nothing wrong to spoil the friendship. s

I moved to New Orleans April 28th and have had a blast ever since! One of the first things I got to do in New Orleans was attend Jazz Fest. We were able to see one of our favorite singers ever, Frank Ocean. What an amazing experience!

Jazz Fest!

I despise the saying "No New Friends". Sooooo what you are saying is that you never want to make a new friend ever? What a lonely life. When I moved to New Orleans I only knew people my sister had befriended. I started my new job June 9th and have met some pretty amazing people because of it. Janelle and Mitch are friends that I know will stay with me no matter where this life takes me! I couldn't imagine not knowing these people! I thank God for bringing them into my life.

My baby Mitch!

Janelle Squared

A few of my coworkers. :)

Being able to see my Aunt Pat and Uncle Joe as many times as my heart desires is wonderful. When I lived in Michigan we were lucky if we got to see them once a year. Now they are just located a close three hours away. Being so far away from my mom is hard, but knowing my aunt is so close eases some of the home sickness I sometimes feel. They really are amazing people.

My crazy Uncle :)

Find a love like they have and you've got everything.

This past year has been crazy! I don't know how 2014 can top it. I hope everyone has a wonderful start to 2014!