A day in New Orleans

The gulf coast is a fascinating place.  Peter and I took a day trip to New Orleans recently. I love driving down the streets lined with oak trees. Peeking at all of the old ornate mansions.  We visited the World War II museum and saw part of a retirement ceremony being held by the Army.  Walked around town reading different restaurant menus. Ate amazing food (at the Sugar Mill, I think). And of course, took pictures! Enjoy...

 

                                                                                  

                                                                                                   

                                                                                

Goodbye Summer : (

Yesterday morning I stepped outside and was greeted by quite a surprise. It was cold! I quite enjoyed the seasons in Puerto Rico- hurricane season, the wet season, the rainy season... all of them humid, and seldom below 75 degrees. This year Delaney and I will get to experience Autumn and (gasp!) Winter. I don't like to be cold. Delaney doesn't know what it means to be cold- yet. So we are soaking up the last of the sun's warmth now. The humidity has already left us. Here are some of our favorite summer moments.

Enjoying the sunshine.



Gulf coast :)

 
     A boat that washed up during Hurricane Isaac.

                                                                                 

                                                                                     Paddleboarding!

Bedroom before and after

Halfway painted room

Finished painting and new furniture! Still not done...

A new collection..

I always have a camera with me (thanks to BH's training). Sometimes two. Now that I have a smart phone, make that three. One never knows when a great photo op will present itself. Instead of collecting tchotchkes (EE) or other things to collect dust and/or take over my budget, I have photo collections. They keep so nicely in their files on my laptop's desktop. Hardly any dust. : ) I have a collection of birds sitting on statues. There is a collection of funny signs and unique storefronts. A collection of flamingos, of course (which is starting to materialize as a physical collection too, uhoh). Tattoos. Sunsets. And my favorite collection of pictures that I have taken, entitled "Only in Puerto Rico." Some of these collections have made it onto facebook, and I think my newest may have to as well. This week started a new collection for me. It doesn't have a title yet. One of the ideas that I'm playing with is "You know you're in the South when..." and here is the first picture of that collection, "Cajun wine glasses." : )

Making it ours

In an effort to feel more like a resident and less like a guest in this house, I have begun to change things around a bit. It is a nice house and Peter kept it well, but it still has this bachelor feel and look to it. The kitchen was an easy "take-over," but I have left the rest of the house alone. Til now. : )
It took some time and a few compromises, but we have finally picked out bedroom furniture. By this time next week, there will be dressers and drawers. No more suitcases strewn about the room. We are going to paint a few walls and hang a wall sconce (or two). Pictures coming soon : )

Technology amazes me. I have appreciated it over the past few years when Peter was stationed in various places. At the end of each day we were able to talk "face to face" almost, no matter if he was in Texas, Mississippi, or the Middle East. Now that we get to actually see each other in person everyday, I have new reasons to love technology.
One of the highlights of my week is getting to be a part of different classes at ESD in Puerto Rico. I miss those kids and teachers and the life there, but when I am "facetimed" into their lessons, we get to be together again. Elizabeth likes to invite me in to her Bible/devotions class with the little boys. We each take a turn to pray, and then we share their Bible story for the week. Last week they took turns reading to me about David and Goliath, each showing me a page and telling a part of the story. Love it.
Another reason I love technology? This blog! I didn't want to do it at first, but different friends asked that I start it up again to let them see what we're up to, and what our new life is like. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but it has been fun to post pictures and share lil bits with you. Surprisingly, people from eight different countries have visited and read our musings. We will do our best to keep it up!

Marriage conference

Our church hosted a marriage conference this weekend. Out of the 150ish attendees, we were probably the newly-est married couple there. It was good to hear about lessons and struggles that others have gone through. Peter had to go into work on Saturday, so I attended the breakout sessions alone. We laughed about the irony in me attending the seminar on "Military Marriage" by myself because he was working. Thankfully he was able to join me for the last two sessions. We met a few other couples and got to know some of the people in the church a little better. Good times.