Professional…..

I am so proud of Ryan. The pergola is done. It looks amazing! I am glad I took pictures to document the process because people may not believe it was a DIY project. Believe it. Ryan's a professional.

Living and learning...

As we enter our fourth month in Louisiana, Ryan and I are adapting to our new surroundings. We are living and learning the ways of Louisiana. In case you are planning a visit,

Buggy. If you are in a store and someone offers you a buggy, it is not for a baby, it is what others refer to as shopping carts. Buggy=shopping cart. Cart=motorized machine, go-cart.

Ma'am, Sweetie, Honey, Miss. All terms I am called on any given day. I think I may have even had a Sugar Pie one day.

Drive thru Daiquiris. They really do exist. When I asked how drive thru alcoholic beverages are allowed, I was told that they don't put the straw in the drink (they hand it to you), so it keeps you from drinking it while you drive. Now, I don't frequent fast food restaurants often, but I am pretty sure McDonald's does not put your straw in your drink, but they know you are going to pop open that paper wrapper before you even pull out of the drive thru lane. Another note, the daiquiris are super strong. It took me a weekend of sipping to finish it.

Nothing beats the heat while mowing the lawn like drinking your drive thru daiquiri. 

Yield Signs and Merging. I learned that yield does not mean stop, but here a yield sign means slam on the brakes and make sure no car is coming. I learned merging onto a highway from an on ramp should be at approximately the speed the other cars are traveling on the highway. The on ramp is long enough for you to gain speed, and successfully merge into the traffic flow. Here on ramps are for driving as slow as you possibly can, waiting for someone on the highway to slow down and wave you on before you merge. One day, I even watched a vehicle run off the road when they ran out of the merging on ramp lane because they had yet to merge. This results in back up and traffic jams at every on ramp. Vehicles travel on the highways at below the posted speed limit a majority of the time.

Hurricane season. A good friend gave me some advice on what to stock up on, and how to prepare myself for any possible hurricanes. Fingers crossed, it looks like this year is going to be a good year. We still have another month or so of hurricane season, but we have passed the peak time. But, one thing I learned, preparing for a hurricane is similar to preparing for a snowstorm up North. Stock up on non perishable foods, have some extra bottled water on hand, and keep your gas tank full. Major difference, the precipitation comes in a different form.

Fall. Does not exist here. I see pictures posted on Facebook, people are wearing jeans, long shirts, maybe even a sweatshirt. Not here. Sundresses and flip flops. We are still reaching mid to upper 80s each day. Throw all rules of fall clothing out the window. It's still hot, it's still appropriate to wear summer clothing. Do not get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. I love the warm weather!

Fried food. It is not just Louisiana that loves fried food, pretty much every state has a plethora of fried food. I would say, if the people of Louisiana could alter the government food pyramid (I believe it may be a plate now) they would add fried food as an additional food group, and most likely largest food group on the pyramid.

This guy was hanging out near the restaurant. 

Where I ordered fried pickles. Absolutely delicious! May even compete with french fries. 

I offered one to the restaurant's mascot, but he was not interested. 

Saints. If the Saints are playing, don't even bother hosting a party, asking friends if they want to get together, or suggest any activity other than watching the game. Prior to football season we received multiple flyers, refrigerator magnets, and cards listing the football schedule. Same can be said for LSU. If the Saints are playing everyone is dressed in black and gold, if LSU is playing, everyone is dressed in purple and gold. Know the teams, know their schedule, know the final score.

Another race. This time it was only a 5K, and began at 7:30 a.m. much earlier than the last.
The Saints 5K in New Orleans, the race ends on the field in the Superdome. 

North Shore vs South Shore. People quickly know, or assume they know a lot about you when you say you either live on the North Shore or the South Shore, separated by Lake Pontchartrain. I am very thankful Chevron's office is on the North Shore. I love living on the North Shore, and visiting the South Shore. Good thing I am not afraid of bridges.

Our friends Patrick and Kaity came to visit over Labor Day weekend.
Of course we had to head to New Orleans. 

When you forget the heat, humidity, and smells of New Orleans, it really is a great city.
The buildings are beautiful. 

The street bands provide entertainment. 

I am in love with all the balconies. 

With all this said, the people of Louisiana are probably the nicest people I have ever met. Our neighbors are beyond the sweetest people. People are always smiling, and enjoying life. You can strike up a conversation with nearly anyone, and leave feeling like you have known them your entire life. We are learning why people love living in Louisiana.

And because what is a post without a picture of Macy?

Such a good girl, she waited until Ryan said it was ok to eat them.