Fall Break

Oy - I'm feeling somewhat normal again! The last two weeks were midterms and I was NOT prepared for the onslaught! I figured it would be a quiz and some little assignments due, but I obviously did not pay attention to my carefully plotted Google calendar. I had 3 tests in 2 days, assignments for Joshua/Judges/Ruth, and a MAJOR paper due! I thought I was doing well until that paper. See, it wasn't just a paper...it was a series of papers...10 to be exact. Each varied in length and content...each required extensive research and footnoting. By Friday night my mind was oatmeal, and I didn't turn my paper in on time. Thankfully, Dr. England had some grace and allowed us to turn them in over break with only a 5 point deduction.  I took the deduction. Andy was great, too! He was a technical writer in his past life and offered to help edit my OT paper. Boy, am I rusty in the writing department! Academic writing is much more technical and my writing (according to Andy) is more colloquial.  Needless to say (colloquialism!), he did A LOT of reading and correcting.
My only highlight was the last-minute decision by my in-laws to come and visit! They arrived Friday evening and fun ensued! Since my brain had reached the consistency of oatmeal, I decided to grab some Jimmy John's sandwiches and head over to Lakefront to visit with Andy. He was a bit busy, so we can back to the apartment and Bob took off where Andy left off with correcting my papers. Now I had the benefit of a former news reporter, a seminary graduate, and a pastor rolled up into one awesome helper! And we STILL weren't able to finish in time to get full credit for the paper. (Disclaimer: I place no blame on Andy or Bob. It is solely mine!)
Saturday we went to Bignets 'n More in the Lower 9th Ward (the hardest hit by Katrina) and enjoyed a lovely breakfast of stuffed bignets! Then it was off to the Garden District and a little window shopping and a little shopping shopping. Andy went to work at 2 and I laid down for a nap while Bob and Jill went exploring. That evening the 3 of us went to The Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter and dined on boudin, gumbo, red beans 'n rice, and more. We got there at a great time b/c as we were leaving the line went out the door and spilled onto the sidewalk! That turned out to be the theme for the evening. If Jill and i needed to use the restroom, we'd go right in with no wait and then 6 women would follow us! LOL! As we wandered around the Quarter we made some really fun discoveries! Not the least of which was The Court of the Two Sisters. After looking inside and being totally enchanted by it, we made reservations for Jazz Brunch the next day.
After church on Sunday we went to Cafe du Monde to whet our appetites and then strolled around the Quarter until our 2 pm reservations. As my friend Leah Frazier put it, "it changed our lives" and "affected us emotionally"! It was a superb buffet and we were seated right next to the Jazz band! It was really lovely! We were treated to an impromptu performance with a famous local singer. The rest of the afternoon was spent strolling around the Quarter and discovering some really wonderful shops!
On Monday, Andy and Bob went golfing while Jill and I ran errands and did some light shopping. Since we were headed to Ruth's Chris downtown for dinner that night we had a light lunch of shared nachos at Izzo's in Metarie.  I have to say that dinner that night was exquisite! Having been a restaurant manager it's difficult for me to enjoy my dining experience at times b/c I'm distracted by 'mistakes'. This was not this case this time! From his approach, to his wine service, to his silent service John was SPOT ON! I was able to enjoy my experience with my family and not be distracted.
It was a really lovely time with my in-laws and I'm tickled that when I announced they were coming for a visit in one of my classes, my classmates groaned and tried to commiserate with me. I laughed and told them I really was looking forward to their visit! LOL! Yokes on them!
Bob and Jill left super early on Tuesday and I spent the last 2 days doing almost nothing. I slept A LOT, did a little bit of housework (I mean, the groceries did need to be put away!), and I read. That's pretty much it! You'd think that would be a great way to live, but it's not I was bored by last night and when I got up this morning I was inspired to finish/turn in my paper, write my overdue blog, return my library books, and complete my thank you cards! And that is where I am write now....feeling industrious....well, maybe a little ;)