A Little Reminiscing! Does Time Heal or Not?

 DOROTHY V. NESBITT JONES
March 26, 1932-October 27, 2013 
 

 

Dates are just Dates....Or are they?

Our family has never been the type to get consumed with Birthdays, Anniversaries or Holidays that insisted that we celebrate when perhaps we just didn't want to.  We are not driven by marketing ploys that insist we eat out to celebrate our love on Valentines or a chunk of jewelry that we may or may not need. 

Today is a bit different.  It marks 365 days that our family, like so many, struggled to get out of bed because the very heart of our soul was chosen to move amongst the angels.  Dorothy, Mother, Dotty, Mama or whatever you choose to call her left us this day a long, long year ago.  We are not bitter or mad and we are not unraveling at the seams each day but darn is it painful.

They say that time heals and I believe that wholeheartedly. I often thought that when one played the "Time Heals" trump is was from a loss of words or a shallowness of what in fact one goes through in tragedy.  Wisdom tells us that simply is not true.  "Time Does Heal"  It is God's way of inching you through the ups and downs of his never ending trials. It is not to be confused with forgetting, as forgetting would rob us from the experiences that made us who we are today and who we may become tomorrow.

So to our Dear Dot.  We are doing better each day.  I think!!!!  If someone asked me what I missed most I would say the laughter, the humor and the unconditional love that you splattered across this earth.  Doing wrong or making bad decisions was never a prerequisite for permanent disapproval in your heart.  It was the very thing that made you strive and love a little harder.  It is who you were and it is who I strive to be each and everyday.   You use to gut laugh at my ridiculous and unrealistic bucket list-few things have been removed since you left. Some new things will be added/deleted, but one thing remains the same. In capital letters "Being with my Dot Again" I suppose it will be deleted when the Big Man above decides to scratch it off. Until then it remains in no certain order on my Bucket list. When life throws me lemons that thought alone puts me right back on my feet to making lemonade. We miss and love you mama.   People tell me often "you have become Dorothy Junior and I reply "AMEN"!!!!!

Moon Back Dotty!

P.S-your husband is doing everything you said he would and then some. And oh my goodness he misses you in the most painful way.  Keeping us entertained daily with his jokes, obsessing, but mostly just being an awesome dad-Nothing new!!!!   And Hush Puppy-let's just say he is the perfection you already knew and he feels your arms around him each and everyday.  Just how hard does he make you laugh up there?  Stay tuned for Halloween-He is Batman on Thursday, Superman on Friday morning and Ninja Turtle Halloween Night.  You told us to spoil him!

 

SUPER BOWL AND SUPER DADDY!

IT'S  A LOT MORE THAN JUST SUPER BOWL DAY!

IT'S SUPER DADDY DAY!

HAPPY 82ND TO PAW PAW PETE.

FEBRUARY 5, 2012

I know everyone thinks their daddy is the best in the world but mine really is. If I searched the world over I could not find a better man on this earth. As presumptuous as that may sound I am certain all of you who know him will agree. So with that being said,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

YOU ARE SO LOVED!


In addition-Happy Super Bowl Day!
For those looking for a last minute recipe just scroll down to my last blog.

AND GO GIANTS!

SUPER BOWL

"Oh, When the Saints go................................oh well so we won't go marching in. But we sure had fun trying. Not the end of the world since I do love the Giants so all is well and still looking forward to the game. I sooooo hope they win. 

The 46th Super Bowl will take place on February 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 ET on NBC. 

I found these recipes on Pinterest of course. This is a guy from Canada named Kevin. He has got some great recipes and a really neat blog site. All I need is one more blog site to sink my teeth in. But check out this Pizza Dip recipe. I, myself will be taking this to a Super Bowl Party on Sunday

                                       

http://www.closetcooking.com/

Pizza Dip

A layered, hot cheesy dip with all of the great pizza flavors including pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, olives and green peppers. Can add anything really that you normally add to your pizza.

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
• 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
• 2 tablespoons green pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons black olives, sliced
• mushrooms

Directions

1. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream mayonnaise, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano and spread it across the bottom of a pie plate.
2. Spread the pizza sauce on top and sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and olives.
3. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the cheese has melted, bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

This next recipe also came from http://www.closetcooking.com/

He has plenty of good recipes..

           

Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip
http://www.closetcooking.com/

A hot cheesy baked dip with all of the flavours of a bacon double cheese burger that makes for some great game day snacking!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 6 strips bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon ketchup

Directions

1. Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, set it aside and drain the grease from the pan.
2. Cook the bacon in the pan until crispy, about 6-10 minutes, set aside and drain all but a tablespoon of the grease.
3. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
5. Mix the ground beef, bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella, cheddar, worcestershire sauce and ketchup and pour it into a baking dish.
6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the top starts turning a light golden brown and then sides are bubbling, about 20-30 minutes.

Drink Ideas

Clinton Kelly's Super Bowl® Punch

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Superbowl-Clinton-Kelly-Super-Bowl-Punch

Red one in the back

Ingredients

• 1 cup Vodka
• 1 cup Tequila
• 1 cup Rum
• 1 cup Gin
• 1 cup Triple sec
• 1 cup Fresh lime juice
• 2 cups Cranberry juice
• 4 1/4 cups Ginger ale
• 2 cups Blueberries
• 2 cups Sliced strawberries

Yea, you guessed it!

Long Island Ice Tea

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz light rum
• 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz tequila
• 1 oz sour mix
• cola
• lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the spirits and sour mix into a collins glass with ice.
2. Stir well or shake.
3. Top the glass off with cola.
4. Garnish with the lemon wedge.

Manhattan

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1-2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish – Maraschino Cherry

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Variations:
Dry Manhattan: substitute dry vermouth and an olive garnish
Perfect Manhattan – use half dry vermouth and half sweet vermouth and garnish with a lemon twist

Refresh-I posted these last years. So darn cute!

HAPPY SUPER BOWL!

FD HIDDEN DIV

MARDI GRAS AND A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT.....

Just about the time we finally get our Christmas decor put away "BAM" it's Mardi Gras.  This year it really snuck up on me.  Check out the schedule.  This is a list of all the parades and dates.  Great web site to bookmark.  Bottom Line-Mardi Gras Day is in 24 Days/5Hours/38minutes minus about an hour with the time that it will take me to finsh this blog.  But that's just Mardi Gras Day.  Folks, the festivities have long started.

http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/

I decided to step up the plate this year with my Mardi Gras decorations. I was feeling pretty energetic and festive so it was off to Hobby Lobby and Gordon's to add to my purple, green and gold ensembles.  I had just about secured all my props so I went into full decorating mode only to be abruptly stopped in my tracks.  And I do mean tracks.  You see I decided to swap out the Christmas lights in the flower bed with some Mardi Gras lights.  I delicately draped them through the flower beds and proudly plugged them in for their big debut.  As night sets in so does my daughter. She was returning from a trip to North Carolina/South Carolina, Georgia and anywhere else she could find in between. After a quick reload we walk her out to the car to see her off to school.  After a quick hug and a wave off she went.  So I Thought.  As she is rolling out of the driveway I hear her yell "MOM" from her car window.  "The Mardi Gras lights don't look good. " You can't really see them" "You need to move them up higher".  Well okay!  A quick step into the flower bed followed by a slow reversal out landed me straight into the St Tammany Emergency Room.  Imagine that!  You know when the security guard knows you by first name there is a problem.  Five hours later (and that's a record my friends) I am sent home with a brand new black boot that the kardashian
sisters would be envious of.

Most recent picture with the swelling somewhat down,

Blah, Blah, Blah. 

Bottom Line is I have an avulsion fracture that entails three weeks of non-weight bearing activity and an elevated cankle.  Yep, that's where you come in (ALL 16 OF YOU) that follow my little blog, which by the way I now consider a medical journal. You see I didn't lose my typing privileges so your ----- out of luck.   SERIOUSLY!

But enough of that-I want to share a couple of things that I have run into in my bored quest to amuse myself.

I think the best kept secret is finally out.

PINTEREST

 http://pinterest.com/

   I have been pinning for sometime now and I am still in awe over the creativity that so many people have shared. WHO KNEW?  It really is the coolest web site I have ever seen and has something for everyone.  I have even started seeing men Re pinning.  The recipes are incredible.  Here is one that I recently tried however I used my own version. Basically I cheated!

King Cake Cupcakes 

2 cans of Cinnamon Rolls

Brown Sugar

Cream Cheese

Almond Extract

Place a Cinnamon Roll in a cupcake liner.  Press a hole into the middle.

Combine about 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 package cream cheese and one little dash of Almond extract.  Mix and then fill each hole in cinnamon roll.  Ice top of cupcake with glaze that comes with Cinnamon rolls and cook according to instructions  I like mine sort of undercooked.

Sprinkle with yellow, green and purple sugar or anything Mardi Gra-ish.

That simple!

Here are a couple of more cute ideas I found here and there.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90461779/set-of-two-mardi-gras-wreaths-carnival?ref=sr_gallery_32&sref=&ga_includes%5B0%5D=tags&ga_search_query=mardi+gras+wreath&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=


  This was on Etsy but is already sold.  But a cute idea!

Baby Tripp has the world hard at work bringing Awareness to EB.

And finally as we continue to mourn Baby Tripp I am still in amazement with all the people that are working tirelessly to help with EB Awareness. Check this one out. One of our very own here in the New Orleans is Scott Walker  He will be raising money for EB by running the Rock'n' Roll Half Marathon on March 4th.  Help him out if you can! 

Scott Walker

                     http://www.crowdrise.com/runningfortripp/fundraiser/scottwalker6
BENEFITING: Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America, Inc.
EVENT DATE: Mar 04, 2012
DEADLINE TO GIVE: Mar 04, 2012                                                                HERE'S THE STORY:
I'm running the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on March 4 in New Orleans in memory of Tripp Roth, to heighten EB awareness and to raise money for DebRA of America - the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association.
Please help bring me bring attention to this horrible disease.
Tripp was born May 14, 2009. He died on January 14, 2012.
Tripp, who lived with his mother in Ponchatoula, was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin caused painful blisters. Doctors said he wouldn't live to be a year old. He made it two-and-a-half years before losing his long, brave battle.
But the fight in his honor continues.

You can read more about Tripp's journey here: http://www.randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com.
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN MY TEAM (YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUN) AND RAISE MONEY FOR EB AWARENESS, CAN EMAIL ME AT SCOTTWALKER@HEARST.COM

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

 A long week to say the least and without a doubt a "Sad" one. As the world knows our precious "Baby Tripp" passed away but not before completing his work here on earth. If you noticed I used the word "OUR" Baby.  That's because at some point that's what he became to so many very many. All because a mother so unselfishly reached out to the world to ask for our help and prayers.  I for one have never seen anything like it in my life.  His story has been so perfectly told and shared by his mommy Courtney and so many.  I am forever grateful to Courtney, Tripp and their family for making me a better person all from afar.  With that being said I would like to say 'THANK YOU" to those of you who helped me to help them. I know your kindness, generosity and prayer has moved mountains with this family as well as many others.  I have included the links to Courtney's blog for your continued prayer and support as well as the EB organization.  Continue to spread the word about this horrific disease as there are many others who continue to need our help.   

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

www.Debra.org

Rest in Peace little Angel

2012 A "Tripp" Inspired Resolution

Happy New Year to Everyone!

ELMO

Wow it has been a while since I posted my last blog but I'm back at it with a lot of catching up to do.  Prior to starting this blog I reviewed my January 2011 New Year's blog and literally busted out in laughter.  Those annual New Year's resolutions just don't come easy now do they? 

RECAP: http://mojonesaldridge.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year-everybody.html

I HAVE FOUND myself these last few days reflecting on the past year and making a game plan for the NEW YEAR. As the NEW YEAR arrived I like so many people, asked, WHAT'S THE GAME PLAN? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO DIFFERENT? WHAT'S MY GOAL? The answers are usually very shallow having to do with one's physical aspects such as losing a few pounds, training for a race event or getting my teeth whitened. BLAH BLAH BLAH! This year I find myself on more of an emotional and spiritual conquest. In other words, I am so over it! Now, I know that a lot of this new found wisdom stems from the fact that I've been on this planet for almost 50 years and that life's little lessons certainly mold you into whoever it is that you are supposed to be. Some of it is in our control but so much more of it is not. I get that now, but what I don't often get is what to do with that information. So with that being said, my next series of blogs will be directed toward my attempt to better myself from an emotional and spiritual stand point. Going to be quite the challenge for someone as high strung and tunnel visioned as myself . BUT WHAT THE HECK? Sure, I am going to do my best with the physical care-taking issues, but my focus is to acquire a settled mind and to realize that I am not in control even on a good day. I can assure you that there have been more years than not that I didn't achieve my NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION'S but you gotta at least try. RIGHT? So, hoping you guys who have been following my blog for the last few months will join me in this adventure. Stay tuned for some comic relief and some topics that are sure to hit close to home. We're all in the same boat of LIFE with all its up and downs. LOVE TO EACH OF YOU and wishing you much success with whatever comes your way. OK, I confess I really do want to feel good in a bathing suit this spring, but only from a 50 year old perspective. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As history often repeats itself, I FAILED, miserably.  Well I sort of got a handle on the "I'm not in control" issue but not so much on the "acquire a settled mine".  I have now decided that the owners of settled minds are few and far between.  I know they exist but I think you could count those rare specimens on one hand.  At least that is what I believe.   Needless to say, I have no 2012 Resolutions.

Courtney and Tripp

 Okay well maybe I have one and it's a big one. You see at some point in the early months of 2011, I was blessed like so many with the opportunity of hearing about a special little boy who was and is struggling with a disease that most of us have never heard of.  It is a disease that is so brutal and painful that I still almost a year later have not been able to wrap my brain around.  Your probably asking "What does this have to do with your New Year's Blog?.  It has everything to do with it.  So many of you already know this story but if you don't I am going to provide you with a link to tune you in.  It is painful and very difficult and at the very least will change the entire course of your day but it will also open your hearts and just maybe widen ones level of compassion. 

BABY TRIPP and ELMO

His name is Tripp and he has captured the hearts of the world.  His mother Courtney has opened her heart by telling the most incredible story ever and educating each of us about a disease (Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa) that so many of us have never heard of.  She is without a doubt the strongest, most courageous individual that you will ever encounter.  Baby Tripp has spread a message that is just down right powerful on many levels.  

So with that being said, my New Year's resolution was a no-brainer.  More compassion, less self-pity................but most of all I have restored my faith in the lengths that some people will go to reach out and help someone.  I know they feel the love.

God Bless Baby Tripp, Courtney and family. I thank you for sharing such a painful yet beautiful experience.  You have inspired so many of us with your love and courage and for that I am thankful. 

WE LOVE YOU!

Courtney and Tripp's Blog Link

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

EB AWARENESS WEBSITE
http://www.debra.org/

Tripp's Elmo Article-check out Courtney's blog for the song.
http://www.heraldguide.com/details_archive.php?id=9843

9/11 Irony of a Leaf

SWEET GUM LEAF

Please watch this video-It's really amazing.

Earrings, necklaces and pins have special significance, though, as they were molded using leaves from trees living within a 500 mile radius of Ground Zero; Sweet Gums will be among the species planted to surround the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and a portion of proceeds from the sale of this evocative and emotionally compelling line will go to the construction and maintenance of that all-important facility.

As usual we are sitting at home on a Friday night recovering from yet another orthopedic surgery, a very sore throat and a kidney infection.  To say the least I am having another pity party and feeling left out of life. Seriously, how lame and shallow of me.  Tonight as I started my usual channel surfing I ran into all of the 9/11 Specials.  I love Dateline and I love 20/20 however I deplore the doom that I feel after viewing each especially when your next and final event for the evening is attempting a good night sleep.  After a few moments of debating I decided that I just needed to get my big girl panties on and endure. 

Rewind with me for a moment.  Last January Fred and I took our first trip to New York City ever.  Fifty Years old and never been to New York.  Never really wanted to but boy had I missed out.  As it turns out I completely fell in love with a city that I had for years proclaimed I had nothing in common with. 

Now, I like the rest of the world watched in despair as the September 9/11 tragedy unfolded.  I cried, shook, felt sick and even questioned the man above. I know some of you will relate to this. As horrific as it was, it was far away and sometimes when it's not in your own backyard you just don't digest it and you just don't get the entire picture.  Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example.  It was in my backyard and as far as I was concerned in my little brain it was the only heart wrenching thing that was going on in this entire world.  I don't necessarily think these are two good comparisons but they were huge tragedies.  I just happened to be in the middle of one of them.

Moving forward....... during our visit to New York we visited Ground Zero.  As we approached the area I began my little 9/11 experience.  I was sad, mad and all the above but most of all as shallow as this sounds I was frozen not from shock but from the 17 degree weather not to mention the windchill. I was also agitated from the noise and all the construction and could not get in the groove of mourning for something that so deserved mourning.  Especially when you are standing in the smack middle of it. 

Somewhat disgusted with myself and my detached perspective I followed my husband into the 9/11 museum.  As he walked around educating himself with all the incredible pictures and props, I headed straight for the gift shop area.  There hanging right in front of me was a rack of shiny beautiful leaves with a leaflet hanging around it.  Silver, gold, brass colored.  The sky was the limit.  As I began to read the information I knew instantly that I had to have one for many reasons.  (A) it was beautiful (B) it had such history surrounding it (C) the money was going to a great cause.  Yet all I could think about was getting a cute cord to put on it to wear around my neck.  What a great conversation piece.

Your probably wondering about now what it was actually for.  Simple yet genius.  They (and I'm not sure who they is) decided to take some of the leaves off the trees that were still standing to make a template for these incredible pieces.  They then sold them to raise money to replace the trees upon completion of ground zero.  How could I not buy one?

Now here is the moral of the story-I packed it in my luggage and returned home.  I then placed it in my jewelry box and never looked back.  Last night as I am reliving this horrific tragedy via the TV. I remember the leaf.  What did I do with it?  Where is it? I jumped up, or in my condition right now, I  slowly maneuvered myself to the jewelry box.  There is was.  All shiny and just as beautiful as I had remembered.  I slowly picked it up and held it to my heart.  As the tears flowed I knew that after years and years of 9/11anniversaries and after unsuccessfully mourning even when I was standing on top of it I had finally put all the pieces together.  Don't get me wrong I knew it was special and like the rest of the world I tried to wrap my brain around it.  My heart just wouldn't let me. 

Sometimes we need a small token or some sort of visual to process something that we would prefer not to. This was mine!   I believe this is called compassion which is ironic in itself.  The one thing in life that I do have is an abundance of "Compassion" and the one thing that I often declare is wrong with this world is the lack of. So here I stood in total confusion.  It wasn't from the lack of trying rather then the ability to allow myself.  Compassion!  Stay tuned because that will be a blog in itself.

With that being said (and I weep as I type) my sincere compassion, my thoughts and prayers and any positive energy I have is directed to those who have lost, suffered and endured such pain.  I look forward to my next visit in warmer temperatures where I can really sink my teeth into an appropriate mourning and a celebration of all the progress that has been made to restore the devastation.  What a fabulous job this city has done to remember, to move forward and to maintain dignity.

And to think my $20.00 leaf may have helped.   God Bless New York!

Temper Tantrums-New York Part II

The TOP-TEN-David Letterman reasons why Fred and Melissa won't make it to New York.......

Let's revisit the previous blog about my ungoing obsessive To-Do-List........ I knew shortly after purchasing the New York Jet Blue tickets that the "Rain Man" in me would surface.  OCD at it's finest.  Had to make a file, had to make a list, had to run out and buy Frommer's New York City Guide.

OCD AT ITS FINEST

Preliminary Packing 1 month before departure.

And yes every article of clothing is black.

The Top Ten:

1. Melissa is a hypochondriac

2. Mom-in-law is trying to put up permanent residence in Lakeview hospital  

3. Fred thinks that the New Orleans area will not be able to operate without him

4. Mother Nature is having enormous hot flashes and apparently lives on the East Coast

5. New Yorkers can't handle The Clampetts coming to Manhattan nor do they want to

6.

7.

8.

9

10.

Okay well maybe there were only 5 top ten reasons but they were big ones and our trip was looking pretty non-doable. This is where the temper tantrums started.
 I don't get out much and all I wanted to do was get one thing off my "Bucket List".  I was scheduled for my first neck injection a couple of weeks prior to leaving and was fully aware of the not so great success rate especially after one injection.  Fortunately my "I BELIEVE" instincts kicked in so I had convinced myself that I would be completely healed and ready to hit the ground running.  The procedure itself was painless as I was completely out and don't remember a thing, however what followed several days later was not so painless.  Aching, gnawing pains that led me to believe there would be  no way for me to board a plane much less play "Teddy the Tourist" in New York city. In the mist of this saga my precious mother in law was admitted to the hospital after an unexplainable black-out that included days of multiple heart test.  With good conscience I could not leave her until there was some sort of explanation.
 As departure time was drawing near I had to at the very least start entertaining the idea that this little trip may no come to fruition.  Remember, I am good at making plans but what I am not good at is kinks in my plans.

Fast Forward.....

Mom-in-law gets better and returns to the Ritz, aka the retirement center.
Now the only obstacle left is me.  After a private talk with myself I decide that enduring the neck pain would be far less difficult than dealing with the guilt and the sadness that was going to overcome me if I failed.  Decision made!  So I thought. 
Yet another winter storm prediction and we were back to the wait and see approach.  "You've Got Mail" but this time is wasn't from Kelly Ripa.  It was Jet Blue's version of a sympathy card.  That's where the temper tantrum comes in...... "Nothing ever works out for me".  Why can't one thing in my life go according to plan?  Typical Jones fit as my mother calls them.  My daddy has them, my bother has them and my children have them.  My mother still to this day just looks at us and laughs and a part of me thinks she and Fred really look forward to them for some twisted-like sense of humor.  Fred refers to them as "spinning".  He can see it in my eyes and he normally forwarns anyone in the vicinity to step back. In my defense, I don't have them that often and in my defense it's usually well provoked, at least in my little mind. Normally it's about something completely out of my control and 9 times out of 10 I know up front that my little seizure will prove fruitless.  Yet I keep on having them at the ripe-old- age of  50.          

Fast Forward Again...

After a short delay (2 days to be exact) we were able to move forward with our departure.  Of course my perfect flight time of 10:05 on thursday turned into a 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.  That meant a longer travel day and a more painful neck issue. SO off we go across the causeway at 4:00 a.m.  If you are one of my fellow OCD'ers you will know that arriving early to appointments, parties and the likes is mandatory.  The goods news is that the plane was basically empty and we had the entire tail-end to ourselves.  And no...don't get any bright ideas.

Ladies and Gentlemen "Welcome to New York" The skies are partly cloudy and,

well you be the judge....

Stay tuned for

Planes, Trains and a Subway that Fred said he would never take.



Breaking News.....Breaking News.......Breaking News.

This New York Blog has been interrupted to bring you the latest information about our up and coming celebrity Melissa Aldridge.

Seriously, it is no secret about how much I adore Regis and Kelly. I live for my night-night regular coke (my treat of the day) and watching my recorded Regis and Kelly Live Show.  I know that just screams a well warranted "Get a Life" but it is what it is.  My recent visit to New York just triplified (is that a word) my obsession.  Regis makes me laugh and well Kelly is just all the things I want to be.  Funny, pretty, sweet and skinny and I do mean skinny.  Some will say she is too skinny but to me there is no such thing as long as your healthy.  Fred will tell you "she needs to lay off the salads".  Thank goodness he doesn't like toothpick style women.  You be the judge. 

Back to the breaking News...

Last night after watching my taped show and David Letterman I decided I wasn't quite sleepy-eyed yet so I decided to familiarize myself with Twitter.  Yes I Tweet but about once a month. Haven't taken the time and really haven't had much desire.  Until last night!!  I follow several people but rarely check them and didn't even have Twitter piped into my Iphone.  This will come as a huge shock.  I follow Regis and Kelly.  In fact the two days we were on the show they were trying to teach the technically-challenged Regis how to "Tweet".  So as I'm manuvering through my Twitter account I notice that Kelly has just tweeted this.

KELLY RIPA
 Kids in bed, now Idol! It's the dreaded group night....oooh pain and suffering.-k

SO JUST TO TOTALLY AMUSE MYSELF I PRESS REPLY AND I TYPE THIS:
jonemeli@Regis_and_Kelly love J-lo-I was on R&K when she did a surprise visit.Felt really ugly after leaving you, j.lo, kelly Minka Julianne Hough about 13 hours ago via web in reply to Regis_and_Kelly

NOW KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT SHE WOULD NOT RESPOND (ALTHOUGH I DID SIT THERE AND WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO MAKE SURE) I DECIDE TO CALL IT A NIGHT.

THIS MORNING I GET UP, GRAB MY DIET COKE AND CHECK EMAILS.  IN MY NEW EMAILS WAS THIS sent from Kelly at 6:39 a.m. 
Kelly Ripa- Welcome to my life!-k
Direct message sent by Regis and Kelly (@Regis_and_Kelly) to you (@jonemeli) on Feb 17, 6:39 AM.

Now if I could just convince her and Mark to stay with us for the Endymion Mardi Gras Week-end.

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE NEWLY FAMOUS ALDRIDGE ABODE. I'M SURE SHE WILL CALL TONIGHT.  I TOLD YA'LL I am GOING PLACES.  SERIOUSLY.

KELLY RIPA- Kids in bed, now Idol! It's the dreaded group night....oooh pain and suffering.-k

Part I-New York and Then Some.......

For those of you (all 5) who read my little blog you may remember my last post about the "Bucket List"  A trip to New York was definitely in my bucket but pretty far down to say the least.  Seems for reasons listed below it was moved to the top of the bucket. Irony of it all-the item was finally removed but now has been re-entered.  Seems "New York" is really where I would rather be.  

Gotta go back and finish what I started. Was so hoping I disliked it.

Come to find out-I really am a City Girl.

The Ruby Red Steps in Times Square

(Yep) it was about 17 degrees out there)

A couple of months ago I was doing what I do best and doing what I like most.  Surfing on my computer. Searching for new things to learn about, keeping up with old friends and making new ones on my Face book.  As I glanced to the top of my AOL screen I noticed an ad for Jet Blue.  NEW ORLEANS TO JFK NEW YORK.  $69.00 One Way-DO THE MATH-That is $138.00 Per Person Round trip. "Sure".

After further investigation and some fine print reading, I decided to click on it, but only out of curiosity.  Before I knew it, they were asking for a credit card and all the info to go with it.  I just kept on clicking and I just kept on answering all the right question until "Voila" Fred and I were booked to New York.  Understand we had no prior conversation about this other than we just were not that interested.  What the hell did I just do?  You know that ever-so-famous movie-line "YOU'VE GOT MAIL"?  Well I did and it was in the form of a Jet Blue confirmation.  Oh dear!  Now I had to go wake my little 8:00 p.m. slumber baby up from his couch perch to deliever the news.

"Fred"  "Fred" "Fred"  Wake Up!  We're going to New York.  What the hell are you talking about?  So I explained, he laughed and started snoring again.  Started me wondering about what other things I could get away with.  Who knew that after all these years  all I had to do was tell him something bad or something expensive right after dinner when he is sleeping through one of his favorite CSI or NCIS episodes.   It's a no-brainer. 

I feared the worst-suffering from a bulging disc in my neck and heading to a place that is as fast paced as it gets.  Even worse-repeated winter storms started toying with our departure.  Thank goodness I had not scheduled any events that would have to be reconfigured.  We were truly taking this trip in a "by the seat of your pants" kinda style. Those of you who know me know that's not how I roll.  There is a plan, a plan for everything and usually it is spelled out in black and white on a piece of paper that is in my possession at all times.  I was either going to need some heavy drugs or a new lease in life to get through this journey.  We did get through it and I can honestly tell you it was one of the most memorable and delightful moments in my life.  I would like to share our fun adventure with those of you who are seriously needing something to do.  I have elected to post about our ever-so humorous trip in an episode form as that is all I know now from my new filming career in the big Apple.  Hope you jump on board and stay tuned for some fun and interesting travel stories.  And lucky for you we got snowed in for two more days.  So it's buy 5-get 2 free.  Poor you. LOL  

Stay tuned for next blog-"Temper Tantrums Get You Nowhere "

Bucket List Removal

My Bucket List Runneth Over! 
Not getting any younger as I will be 50 in several months and sad to say that I have never been to the big city of New York.  Never really had a desire.  The older I got the less I wanted to go for many reason.  (a)  don't like crowds  (b) don't like to shop (c) no casino (d) don't like museums (e) sure not going to like paying $14.00 for a 40 ounce and (f) don't like Plays or Musicals (however I may be wrong about that and just don't realize it).  Many, Many years ago I ran the London Marathon and and forked out $100.00 for a ticket to Les Misérables.  Truly it was the most boring thing I have ever seen and I opted to leave at half-time. HALF-TIME? SERIOUSLY?  Appears with the title of  the show I should have been the star.  Am I starting to sound like white-trash?  I know that I am in the minority when it comes to my opinion of Les Misérables but I really felt that way and it truly scarred me from any future art and cultural experiences.  So with that being said I have decided not to be so hard headed and to try to take this trip open minded.  In other works I have emptied the recycle bin in my mind and and cleared the cache in my head.


Of course being the over analyzer and the micro-manager that I am our trip has already become quite comical and we haven't even started packing.  Stay tuned for my my future blogs which by the way will become more frequent so If you see me popping up in you new mail and you aren't interested. Just delete or block me. What I don't know won't hurt me.   NEW YORK IS WHERE I WOULD RATHER BE! or Green Acres.  Seriously?