Grace in Small Things - 21 of 365

1. Finding my camera that has been missing for over a month, driving me crazy! Somehow it was in a bag that I've looked in no less than 4 times...

2. Not being able to get an appointment for day care at the gym. I know, sounds like a bad thing, but I really wasn't in the mood to go and it gave me a perfect excuse not to.

3. Going to the park with Baby Girl's best friend and his mommy

4. My F-i-L having a successful hernia surgery today.

5. The king cake I bought today that I get to chow down on tomorrow! Hubby doesn't like it - so it's ALL MINE!!!!!

Grace in Small Things - 20 of 365

1. Mardi Gras sock yarn

2. A call from my friend that I haven't been able to talk to much lately.

3. Sushi

4. Family Guy

5. Lost

Grace in Small Things - 19 of 365

1. Being able to do 50 minutes on the elliptical without struggling to breathe.

2. Buying really cool Mardi Gras beads

3. Praline pecans

4. Hubby staying home from work. Yes, it was because he was sick, but it was still nice having him around!

5. A beautiful afternoon to run around in the yard!

Grace in Small Things - 18 of 365

1. Storytime at the library. Ms. Cheryl is really great with the kids.

2. Hobby Lobby

3. Morning cuddles with Baby Girl and Kitty

4. A nice long afternoon nap (Baby Girl, not me)

5. Finishing the knee socks while Baby Girl napped!

Krewe of Eros 2009 Bal Masque

So, I kinda owe you guys a report and some pictures, don't I?

On Friday night, Hubby and I attended the ball for the Krewe of Eros, they are one of the older Mardi Gras krewes, but they do not parade like some of the others. Really, it's a social organization that was founded by prominent members of New Orleans society and the ball is really a glorified debutante ball. That being said, we had a really great time. I do love getting to play dress up with my friends, there was plenty to drink and I got to dance with a guy in tights. How can you beat that?

The ball began with the presentation of the court. This ceremony lasted nearly an hour with the lieutenants, maids, princesses, king and queen. It was beautiful, but a bit tiresome after a while, so we retired to our table to drink a bit more. After the presentation of the court, the lieutenants are supposed to dance with each (female) member of their party, so we lined up and waited our turn. I had actually never met our host, and as he was masked, still didn't know him even after I had my turn dancing with him. He was very nice though and liked that I knew the difference between league and union rugby. We got to chat a bit more during the supper dance portion of the evening and I received a really pretty crown pendant for being one of his guests! I like presents!

After all of the pomp and circumstance, the fun began. The band began playing and a breakfast buffet was rolled out around midnight. Very useful as I was beginning to show the signs of too much vodka. Hubby and I had a great time out on the dance floor. It was really nice going out and having fun like a couple of adults instead of "Mommy and Daddy". The ball ended around 2:30 or so and fortunately, we had a room at the hotel where the event was being held. I don't think either one of us was in shape to drive. We also thought we would sleep in the next morning instead of having to get up with Baby Girl. Alas, that was not to be, my damn internal alarm clock still had me up by 7:30. We lounged for a while, then went out for beignets and coffee (a New Orleans tradition) and then headed home to see our beautiful girl!

Going out til all hours like that and drinking excessively has certainly set me back on my road to recovery from last week's cold, but I think it was worth it. Now to rest up for the parade on Jan 20th!

Who's this masked man? It's Hubby, of course!
The Ladies!

My lovely friend, Julia, and I on our way to the ball!

Seriously, doesn't it look like prom, only with alcohol!

Grace in Small Things - 17 of 365

1. Being able to breathe through my nose for extended periods of time. Yes, I'm still attached to my tissue box, but not nearly as much as I have been.

2. Making it back to the gym after a week off. Didn't manage to do my full hour of cardio, but at least I'm off my butt.

3. Taking Baby Girl to the park after the gym so she could get a good run-around

4. Being nearly finished with the knee socks, only have the ribbing around the top to go!

5. McAllister's Deli's Club Sandwich Wrap. I could bathe in the honey-mustard they use....

Grace in Small Things - 16 of 365

Wow, I really fell off the face of the earth there for a few days. Going out until all hours on Friday night really set me back on my recovery from my cold and I haven't really felt like blogging.

So, here we go, this will encompass the entire weekend:

1. A wonderful night out with friends

2. A giant hank of red wool given to me by my friends who travelled through India for a month over the holidays. How cool is it that they brought me yarn! I may have to expound on this in it's own separate blog....

3. Beignets for breakfast

4. Playing out in the yard with Baby Girl in February with no need for jackets or even shoes

5. The zoo with Baby Girl and Little Boy Next Door and his parents

6. My super healthy version of Shepherds Pie that still tastes AMAZING!

7. Surviving the grocery store on a Sunday afternoon

8. A clean kitchen

9. Plans to construct a major addition to the house which will include a rec room, guest apartment/office and STORAGE (which is desperately lacking in our house)

10. Getting to know a lovely new neighbor, actually, she's not a new neighbor, we just haven't really gotten to know her up until this point, but she seems really great and I'm looking forward to a potential friendship.

Okay, so that covers the weekend! Hope you guys had a good one too!