Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

So if you know my husband then you know that the one thing he likes to do more than anything in the world is....save money! And this especially includes holidays! So we postponed our "Valentine's Day" until this past weekend.

Now we did actually get to celebrate our love on Sunday February 14th by renewing our vows at our church. I was unexpectedly nervous about this, much the same as my own wedding day. Confident in my love for Stephen but anxiety ridden about everyone watching us!  It was a beautiful ceremony and our church even hosted a reception. WLOX our local news station came to report it and because I work with this particular reporter frequently I asked her not to film us! So she got a good shot of our hands/rings and of our wedding picture! Check it out here:
Safe Harbor UMC Couples Renew Wedding Vows- Video

So this weekend Stephen and I exchanged our 'gifts'.....I made him a dozen hand dipped chocolate strawberries and he gave me a cute little nighty (tee hee hee). That was actually a first for him, in regards to trying to shop for lingere or anything for me to wear and he did quite well!  Then he took me out after his basketball game for a steak dinner (with a free gift certificate, all we had to do was tip) It was sweet though, b/c we were the only ppl in the resturant that late!

In other news I've been thinking so much about our relationship and the relationships of our friends lately. Sometime last month I started worrying about our awesome single friends. Its so hard for me to not understand why some of the coolest, nicest, most generous and attractive people I know are single. Now don't get me wrong, I don't run around playing matchmaker  nor do I belive that its easy to 'date' in this day and age. Yet...I know that these individuals that I love so much, deserve caring and loving companionship just as much as anyone else.

I've also been troubled by worrying about other friends who are in relationships that often seem difficult. How is it that we sometimes confuse love with control. passion with sex. happieness with money. or freedom with geography? It hurts my heart to see people in my life both leave relationship prematurely without sticking out the hard times, or to hang on and endure years of hurt and pain in the name of committment.

Love is a tricky thing and when you have something so wonderful sometimes you just hope that everyone else can be blessed with the exact experience. I pray so much as so hard for my single friends and our couple friends. I pray that regardless of their relationship status that they are living the  life that God has called them to live.


My own quest for love is far from perfect and yet  Stephen and I have recently gotten a small spark of that new romance back lately. I dunno if its b/c we're finally starting to feel settled or what?  Its amazing the stuff you do extra when you're in LOVE..I got up Sunday morning and made him pancakees with fresh strawberries ans strawberry syrupfor NO special  reason...when i could have slept in!

I feel like I've been in such a depressive rut since october but i started tackling my anxiety again and I think this is the product me having the ability to leave the dishes in the sink and relax instead of stressing out about everything 24/7. Stephen probably wishes I would spend more time doing laundry and dishes than "relaxing" but hey it eventually gets done, so no harm right?

I've completed almost two months of yoga Thursdays now...and I think that's helping me too. It gives me some ME time to slow down and focus on something completely new. In the same light, Stephen just finished his basketball season with Safe Harbor. Playing basketball was a new sport for him, and he's been able to spend quality time with other positive male family and friends lately. (I didn't go to any of his games except the last two play off games!) This was his new "him" time. I think we all need that as much as we need "us" time!

I hope that each of you celebrated Valentine's Day and used it as a reminder to tell someone special that you love them and to love yourself a little too! And if you missed it (like Stephen and I did...there's still a few days left in February to celebrate your love!!!) 

Wanna share what makes you smile lately???

Just so you know....

this blog isn't Evie's pity party. Yes it gets pretty rough and I'll be the first to whine..that's just me.  On the other hand I guess you could say 'when it's good....it's really good'! So here's a little taste of those good times lately!!!


Krewe of Phoenix, Call Out Ball,  January 23, 2010

Awesome night celebrating our friend Duke Ryan and his wife Amanda! We have so much fun with them and don't get to see them often enough!  The Ball itself was very unique and entertaining. Let me just say...Natchez knows how to party!!!



Knights of Sparta roll on Napoleon and Prytania, February 6, 2010


Here's a picture of some our standard krewe lately. Greeted by Dukes Denis and Danny for some pre-parade festivities!

If you didn't know I've taken a cue from Napoleon him self and laid claim to the corner of Napoleon and Prytania. I have been very proud to celebrate Mardi Gras on the same street corner for almost 10 years now! I've literally run people off this street...and this year we were thinking that everyone got the message..... (1hour before the parade steps off....there is no one for 300 yds of us!)

Even the apartment where it all started is for RENT!!!! An unseen event during Mardi Gras' past!

And for a little bit more drama my obsessive, traditional, slightly anxiety ridden self was thrown way off during our annual lunch at Cannon's! Without picking up the menu, I ordered what I ALWAYS order.....catfish etienne. The waitress asks me what that is? I about fell out of my seat!!!!!!! I immediately asked her "what do you have new owners?" and the answer was 'yes...'.  Guys I am not crazy even Zagat lists this as one of their all time specialties !!! Anways, she went on and placed the order for me and I kinda got what I had always eaten, except it was served with French Fries and Coleslaw (since when did Cannons' start serving FF on anything other than kid's plates???)  And then it got even worse...again without refering to the menu I ordered their bread pudding and so did everyone else (on my suggestion) and lo and behold it was the devil of bread pudding! It had blueberries in it!!!! I do. not. eat. blue. stuff.

The whole luncheon was only brought delight because in my true form, I invited new guest (The soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy and Brigette Starr) to share in my favorite day experience!!!!! This beautiful couple is the sweetest thing ever and we hope to see them around on the corner of Napoleon and Prytania for many years to come!!!

So...if you think you're brave enough to hang with me on our annual Sparta day just let me know! We're currently accepting applications for new friends...b/c the current crowd is running low! You have to be willing to wear sensible shoes, tinkle at the Sophie B. Wright, talk about people (and point), put up with me and my traditions, and endure most any weather. This might sound hard core but the rewards are wonderful!!!

Young Men's Business Club, February 12, 2010
We concluded this Mardi Gras season with the most Mardi Gras, Non- Mardi Gras Ball I've ever been to. The YMBC from Moss Point is not a krewe and we were often reminded that this was not a Carnival event. Yet there was a King, Queen, Dukes and Duchesses and more important our little cousin who was the ringbearer in our wedding was the crownbearer for King Joy LXXI ! We had a delightful evening with family, friends and co-workers and I learned the hard way to save my wine excusively for dinner (and girls nights on the couch) and stick to the rest for dancing/party events!  

The theme was "Be My Valentine" for this timely event and luckily I was escorted by my wonderful Valentine.


So how'd you spend your Mardi Gras....are you sticking to the traditions or looking for new ones!

 Up next.....my Valentine's Day recap!

Random Updates.....Cloudy with a chance of spinach

- So we started "Green" Smoothies this week !!! Started adding spinach to strawberry/banana and raspberry/peach.

-I walked on Wednesday at lunch...whew that felt good.

- I've decided that I should listen to more classical music, I really love violin and guitar more than others.


*imagine that I started this and never finished...thought I'd post anyways!