apparently my blog is incorrectly named . . .

So . . . my friend Kourtney and I were driving down the highway (returning from an arduous day of shopping), and I commented on the scenery . . . the highway was literally built over the swamp (trees/grass growing out of boggy water). And I explained that this was why I named my blog "Life in the Swamp". Kourtney says, yeah, but you don't live here on the highway, do you? No, I admitted. She said, yeah well, if you wanted to accurately name your blog, it would be "Life in the Hood!" Is it really that ghetto? I asked, but then we both answered that redundant question together . . . YES! So . . . I guess I should rename my blog "Life in the Hood"

Of course, I couldn't post with including at least one picture . . . my nephew (Noah), who obviously loves his Aunt Carly so much that he can't even pronounce her name. But he loves me so deeply that when asked who is Aunt Carly married to? he can tell you, Matt! (yes, he has met Matt twice in his life of 2o months and can say his name, but not mine!)

remembering Wayne

I was very privileged to be with Wayne (my step-grandfather) and my family during the time of his passing to be with the Lord. It was a unique and blessed experience, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. A myriad of emotions hung in that hospital room during his last hours on earth, as we all reminisced about our time with him . . . and those precious moments that seemed so short. Wayne had been in my prayers regularly during these past months, as his health deteriorated. Now I know that as I was praying for the Lord to ease his pain and to comfort him, give him peace . . . now I know the Lord was listening. For he is now in a much better place than any of us. I am ever so grateful for my amazing family, who were there to support and comfort each other during this time. I know that it meant a lot to my grandmother to have us all there. There is such healing in family.

Here are a few memories of our time with Wayne . . . these first two pictures were taken this past July, at the family reunion.
Grandma and Wayne sitting in Valerie's backyard . . .

Jackie and Wayne by the pool . . .

These are some snapshots from my wedding (July 2007) . . . Wayne had such a splendid time at the wedding. I think he had more energy than I did . . . he danced to every song!

He really liked dancing with this 'gal' . . .

Wayne and Leann dancing together . . .

Yikes, its Ike!

Need I say more . . . take a look at Ike . . .

I guess we should expect hurricanes in NOLA, but the thought of evacuating again is a bit depressing. I've already heard many NOLA residents on the news saying that they aren't going to evacuate again . . . which could spell big trouble for the city. The path could still shift around a lot . . . so lets hope and pray for the best!

Matt, Frankie and I returned last night from NC . . . about a 12 hr drive. The traffic was good until we reached NOLA. Frankie was bad until we drugged her again. At least we're getting practice with evacuating.

Not much damage here . . . lots of fallen limbs and debris, broken fences, and trash on the sides of the roads. No flooding, and we had power when we got home last night. Food is a different story . . . Matt had to go to 3 places before he found food for dinner. The only thing available at the place he went was "the box" . . . four pieces of (fried) chicken, french fries and a piece of butter soaked bread. Very healthy for sure! Oh well, at least we got to eat.

Pictures from the evacuation to my parents . . .

Frankie sitting on Matt's suitcase . . . ready to go back to NOLA I guess . . .

Matt had fun in Gastonia. He and my dad went to the shooting range on Monday, and then Matt returned the next day by himself . . . shoot em' up Matt (Notice his very daper 'shooting' attire . . . he was the only one dressed in Polo)

Here, Matt is showing that he can take out your bladder with his gun as well as with a scapel in OR!

In my parents' dining room . . .

Frankie loved my parents' screened-in porch . . . here she is rolling around on the porch

Frankie is trying to take a bath and her mother won't stop taking pictures of her . . .

Frankie is now sitting on Matt's clean clothes, which Matt was really happy about . . .

Matt, tell us how you really feel about driving 12 hrs back to NOLA . . .

Frankie was happy about it too . . .

Didn't Matt want to get in the picture with the back of my hair?

Family happiness in the car . . .

the Industrial Canal . . .

Frankie is so glad to be home . . . she sits with her paws crossed all the time . . .

Is she trying to wake me up?

the evacuation vacation

Yes, it appears Gustav did actually have the audacity to run itself into Louisiana! Matt and I evacuated to my parents' house in NC. We left Saturday afternoon around 3pm when Gustav upgraded itself to a Cat 4 with a predicted path to NOLA. We drugged poor miss Frankie with some benadryl and threw her in the car; she actually did very well in the car (although, sleep she did not!). We went through some painful traffic on I-10 east - we left before the contraflow started. Once we picked up I-65N in Mobile, Al, the traffic drastically improved . . . although, all the bad drivers from LA seemed to be following us. We arrived at 4:45 am on Sunday morning (and we were exhausted). We will wait out the storm here and see what happens . . . the earliest we would return to NOLA is on Wednesday . . . but maybe not until the weekend . . . keep us in your prayers!

the audacity of Gustav

Lo and behold . . . Gustav (not even hurricane status as of yet) is creating a paranoid frenzy here in NOLA. My dear fellow blog readers . . . Currently, with its winds at 50 mph and still 6 days away, people are making drastic preparations for the worst. University hospital (and Tulane probably) are shutting down the OR on Friday . . . no elective cases. My fellow co-workers are bombarding me with questions . . . Where will you go? When will you leave? Have you made hotel reservations yet? and I'm thinking 'Seriously, hotel reservations?' I have been advised to take my car and drive home (with the cat). And, let me just say that 13 hrs in the car with Frankie meowing (for a storm that we don't even know is coming!) sounds pretty miserable! At work, we filled out emergency contact sheets in case of a hurricane (Laura is planning to go to India, in case anyone is wondering about her). Our condo complex has also sent out flyers about hurricane preparation (please don't leave potential flying hazards in your yard), with forms for emergency contacts as well. I must say, Gustav's gusto has already arrived in NOLA!

the audacity of Gustav for even thinking about coming this way?! As Dr. Fox would say, Unbelievable!

Heaven at Hermitage

Hermitage Bay, Antigua . . . indescribable . . . words and pictures don't do it justice. This is how I picture heaven ~ exotically beautiful ~ serene tranquility ~ romantic seclusion. Just the sound of the waves on the sand, and the refreshing feel of warm breezes. I wanted to melt into the surroundings and live there forever! Literally, paradise on earth.
We were so excited to share this special place with Jackie and Connor (August 2nd - 9th). They stayed for four nights, while we were lucky enough to have seven nights. If pictures are worth a thousand words, actually being there was worth a million. The flowers and vegetation were beyond beautiful with the most vibrant colors. Our cottages were a short hike up the hill, and offered amazing views. Everyday was a mix of relaxation and adventure ~ sunbathing ~ soaking in the pool ~ reading under the umbrella ~ eating and drinking to our hearts' content ~ snorkelling ~ kayaking ~ hiking ~ collecting sea shells ~ and of course, photography!

this is our amazing view ~ with afternoon sunlight reflecting on the ocean . . .


our view from cottage #38 . . .

view from our deck . . .

our daybed, beside the plunge pool . . .

our room . . . and no, we did not need the mosquito net

soaking in the view with a glass of wine . . .

evening pictures before dinner . . .

the pool and bar/lounge area at night . . .

Hermitage beach . . .

view of pool and beach . . .

On our second day (Monday), we decided to hike to Rendezvous Bay . . . unfortunately, the taxi ride was 50 min to get to the drop-off point. Not to mention, it was blistering hot, and we were carrying our picnic lunch along the way. I think Connor and Jackie were a little loathe to leave the paradise at Hermitage Bay, but they made the best of it! Rendezvous Bay is actually one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen.

Here we are on our way there . . . Jackie seems to be the only one smiling!

exotic views on the way there . . .

our first view of Rendezvous Bay . . .

After the strenuous hike, we all adjourned to our hillside plunge pool . . . to soak the warm water and have a much needed drink!

Afterward, we got ready for dinner (soaked in the bath while listening to music and drinking wine . . . ahhhh . . . ) and of course, took some pre-dinner photos . . .

twilight in the bar/lounge . . .

side view of cottage #38 . . . sitting on the edge of the world . . .

looking down on cottage #38 . . . Jackie and Connor stayed in cottage #39 just to the right . . .

morning/daytime picture of the plunge pool . . .

the incredible view from our cottage . . .

view from behind cottage #34, on the walking path down to the beach . . .

Matt at the lounge beside the pool . . . probably waiting for a frozen fruity drink . . .

here, we're visiting with our new British friends, Nikki and Steve . . . they were a lovely couple, and we hope to keep in touch with them . . .

I know, I keep posting this same picture . . . I love this view of the afternoon sun reflecting on the water . . .

Dinner on Jackie and Connor's last night . . .

morning rainbow at Hermitage . . .

morning on the beach . . . take your pick of beach chairs . . .

the water was an amazing color . . . every shade of blue and green imaginable . . .

lots of jellies . . .

hermit crabs at hermitage beach . . . what a wonder!

beachside and hillside cottages . . .

Jackie and Connor didn't want to leave . . .

After their sad departure, Matt decided to take a nap on our daybed . . . how anyone could sleep with that incredible view behind them is beyond me . . .

enjoying the view with a nice glass of savingnon blanc . . .

this is the view from above/behind cottage #38 ~ note the green hill to the left . . . Matt and I hiked around this hill . . .

During our hike around the green hill, we discovered six or seven "secret" beaches . . . this was one of my favorite mornings . . .
Here you see the trail that wound around the outside of the hill, along the coastline . . .

Matt standing on the red rock pennisula (you can see this from Hermitage) . . .

Carly's favorite secret beach . . . she's picturing her dream house on the hill above this beach . . .

here I am going for a swim . . .

have you ever seen such clear water? it felt like bath water . . . (with jellies!)

another picture of my beach . . .

the next morning (much to Matt's chagrin), we took a kayak trip back to my secret beach . . .

view of the "secret" beach from the kayak

Coming back to Hermitage on the kayak, we passed around the red rock pennisula . . . you can just barely see the cottages . . .

View of Hermitage from the kayak . . .

late morning shower (when we returned from kayaking) . . .

yes, I have a hundred of these pictures . . . (this is where we spent all of our late afternoon hours . . in the plunge pool, listening to music, drinking wine or mojitos or pina colodas)

what a life . . .

admiring the view . . .

spectacular sunsets . . .

the last morning, we spent our time by the pool and the beach . . . relaxing and wishing we could stay here forever . . .

we had a beautiful sunset on our last night . . . antigua wishing us farewell . . .

Our last dinner . . .

Before leaving, we vowed to come back to Hermitage before too long . . . I only wish I could bring all my family and friends with us! This is the most amazingly beautiful place I've ever been, and we loved every minute! It was hard to leave . . . but I still have the 600+ photos I took (and lots of incredible memories)!