Favs from Nola

I was looking through some old photo albums today and ran across my album from our trip to New Orleans from 2011.
Man have we changed. Ha!
I went back and read my blog from the trip (I was in the middle of my 365 project), and it's amazing what you remember vs. what you record.
I recall New Orleans being quite "seedy", but there is a whole bunch of beauty to the place.

Anyways, here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip.
So much to see. So much history.

Metairie Cemetery

The "Fallen Angel" statue lives here.

::Fallen Angel::

A Rant and Randomness

I have become quite deliberate in my old older age.
I am very conscious about what I put out in to the world and what I expect from the world in return.
I respect the rules of karma and divine paths and faith, and count on them to see me through my days.

I have issues with evil, bad guys and hurting for intent. I also recognize, however, that they are a part of the world, and therefore are a part of the plan. And there is a plan. And that plan is from God. And eventhough they seem awful, there are a series of checks and balances, ebbs and flow, that make the world what it is.

It is hard to fathom the plan in the midst of heartache or anxiety or worry, because accepting that the heartache, the anxiety, the worry is justified... is rather troublesome.

That's why I try my best to not put those things in to the world, and to not surround myself with those things. Which again, can be hard.

Today has been funky.
I am in a fight with my hubby right now.
It's revolves around his Christmas gift to me. And not necessarily the gift itself, but the fact that he thinks he heard one thing when I didn't say it.

He got me new Pioneer Woman pots and pans for Christmas. It's a large set that includes a jumbo cooker with a lid, an iron skillet, and 4 or 5 other pieces. And while the set looks really nice, and it's a pretty blue, we don't need new pots and pans. And I have an issue accumulating things just because. Like I said, I've become quite deliberate. He thinks I asked for new pots and pans at some point, which I didn't. Our pots and pans are fine. We need a new jumbo cooker, which I had mentioned, and I believe he mis-took that mention as pots and pans (plural). Which is completely unfounded...
So that lead to our fight.
I feel like I have to ask him to listen to me so that I can grab his attention for a moment.
Otherwise, he hears parts of sentences... and parts of sentences incorrectly.

And what makes it even worse is that we are both too stubborn to back down. He is adamant that I said we need new pots and pans, where I am adamant that I wouldn't have said it... because we don't need new pots and pans. Why would I say we need new, if we don't?
And he said that when he got me the gift, he wasn't even that happy with it.
And he said that it was really more of a gift for him, since he is the one who is doing the most cooking right now.

At any rate, we talked/fought the whole way to work this morning and then we left it up in the air like that. Usually we will talk or text or send each other link on Facebook Messenger...
But today has been quiet.
Which makes me think that he is mad too.

-----

I am in desperate need of some quality time with him, without any distraction. With a 6 month old and a 2.5 year old, that is hard to do. Most days, I spend my evenings nursing Courter, putting Penny to bed, and falling asleep early. We both work full time and leave the house before the sun comes up. Our days are long and hectic, and I have very little "me" time, let alone time with my husband. Maybe the new year will bring a moment to slow down and catch our breaths and focus on each other.

Merry Christmas Adam

Tonight I asked G if it would be weird/okay if we didn't get to see Santa this year. He reassured me that we did not need to and that it wouldn't hurt anyone if we didn't. I felt a sort of immediate relief at that. I find myself needing the picture of the two kids sitting on Santa's lap to share with the world. But then I'm like... "for what?". And I'm not sure if it's slightly bah-humbug-ish, or if I'm struggling/coming to terms with the consumerism of Christmas, or if I need to take a break from social media so that I can stop comparing myself and my family to others...

But anywho, back to today and back to Santa. For the record, we tried. We had plans to go to a Christmas-lit hayride tonight, and Santa was to be there, so we were all set! But then the plans changed for the other half of our party and we are post-poning it a week. That meant no pre-Christmas Santa. So today, after being cooped up at home with a toddler ailed with strep and a hubby trying to work, I decided that we would pick up the baby from daycare, venture to the mall, pop in for a quick minute to see Santa, then be on our way to get the rest of the things done (because if you know me, you know that there are always things to be done). Well that plan went about as well as the rest of my day. Read not.

The mall was packed! The line to see Santa was super long! The only store we needed to go into for kid pajamas (thanks to a gift card) was also packed and lacked the cuteness that I was hoping for. No go. So with babies in hand (albeit slightly tired and hungry), we made our way back to the car, through the sea of people, up the escalator with a stroller, and out the closest door we could find.

Total bust.
No Santa. No PJs.

We opted for the Arby's for dinner. It has an extra large dining area and is never busy, so we don't feel weird about Penny running amuck. Which she enjoys doing btw. Then we hightailed it to the Hobby store, picked up one gift, then made it home.

And now everyone else is sleeping.
I can sit. The only sound is the breathing of the souls in this place, and the slight whoosh of the ceiling fan above me.

I feel like I need to pray and re-center. I heard once that when things seem to be going wrong, find God. Make Him the center and ask Him to direct. Today was definitely one of those days where things were going wrong. But it's okay. It's just a day. Time moves on.

Image: @andrearhowey (Instagram)

I saw this verse (different translation) on the back of a pick-up a few weeks ago and it has kinda stuck with me. I am all about believing that God has a path and that every moment is part of that path, but I need to be better about trusting and seeking His will.

Maybe a resolution for 2017?

At any rate, tonight is Christmas Adam. Adam was before Eve. 😜 I saw someone mention that on social media and hearted it. That's a good way to end today. Tonight we shall dream, and tomorrow shall be welcomed in all of it's glory. 

Merry Christmas Adam!