It was so great to meet all of my new sisters.

Diva n Bling has come to an end for me.  I say goodbye to Houma tomorrow and hello to New Orleans.

So long, farewell,  enjoyed myself emenscely.  Yeah I know bad spelling.  But hey you may have gotten the drift.  I had a marvolous  time in Houma.

Yes still the quite one but I am trying.  It is just my trying will not come out of the shell for me.  So I sit and watch and listen and talk when there is talk to be needed.

Today was the big hoopla in Houma.  The big diva n bling sisterhood get together.

I had to get up early so I could get myself all gussied up.  Well that took a bit of work.  First time wearing this particular dress.  Getting into it was a cophore and a half.  I sure am not use to putting on a corset too often.  Believe me the end result is great but the starting result and trying to get into it and to tucking everything in were it belongs is always another thing. Having my puppies rise up out of oblivium is another thing.  They hang so low and trying to tuck those babies in to a corset is a pretty trying thing in itself,  but hey I did it.

The next thing was getting it tied up right so that it pulled you in.  Something else my body has not done in years.  Being tucked in so that I have a sort of hour glass figure and not an apple of a figure.  The apple figure I am use too but looking in the mirror with this dress on is a wow facto for me.  Not bad with all the nip and tucks nipped and tucked in.  Now can I breathe. Or even another thing. Sit down.  Oh oh.  I have to drive over to this place. You think I can get into the drivers seat and drive with this monstocity on.  Ha that will be the next question.  Well I will know that in about a half hour or so.  Hmmm maybe I can hitch a ride with someone else.  The I am not getting behind the wheel with all this material.

Well I dropped of a parcel to one of the ladies whole was having a Canadian coffee fix.  Tim Hortons coffee she wanted so I brought it along for her.  She has her fix for a little while now.

Then I headed down stairs were I met up with other ladies waiting to head over to the ball room for some fun.i stood around and talked with them for a little while.  Then decided well not gonna hitch a ride as all cars are full at the moment.  So I will hope in my own car and head over there my self.  

With that decided in my head I made the trek through the rain with my dress hiked up so as not to get it too wet.  Well pouring rain and not getting my dress wet.  Two different concepts there.  So now I look at the room I have behind the wheel and the amount of material I have to get behind the wheel.  Ha ha this is gonna be fun.  Hike up the dress stuff it into as little a ball as I can.  Slide into the seat and let the material go.  Material everywhere and also in my line of vision.  Gonna have to stuff it down around my feet more.  Is it all in so I can at least close the door.  Yep all in and I slam the door before I come pouring out again.  

With my self all stuffed in and ready to go.  Now where the heck am I going.  I looked on the map up stairs in my room but you know I did not groping it down with me.  I think I am lmaking a mistake on taking off with pout that map.  Okay out on the road I know I hav e to make a turn up here that will get me over to highway 24 and then on my way to Gray.  Image the right but 24 is not showing up.  Okay what the heck did I do wrong.  Get myself turned so I am at least driving in the right direction.  Well this is not working either.  Make another turn and hope for the best.  I am going through smal little roads that all seem to dead en or go in the wrong direction.  Gosh were the heck am I.  I am going to be late if I keeps this up.  So I pull over and look at my phone for directions.  First thing it says.  Low battery.  Oh boy that's not good.  Got to get this checked out before it dies.  Please do not die on me.  I need my technology now..  

You know the duffuss that I am I looked up once and you know what I saw.  Highway 24 was right in front of me. DUH!!!  All the turning and going in circles and I found the road I was looking for by mistake right in front of me.  Yey!  Not gonna be late after all.

Driving up hoping I am going in the right direction.  Yes I passed the south land mall.  Am going the right way.  Now just to find the right turnoff to get to were I am suppose to be.  I lucked out. No more problems, but yes I am still a duffus.  I can get lost and still be in the right place.

I make my way into the building.  First I am at the wrong door.  Silly, silly me. So walk around to the front and the doors are wide open.  Now why didn't I think of that.  Doors that are opened is were you should go in.  Pick up my name envelope.  Then think well let's go up stairs and see where my table is.  Then I think I would have to come back down and check out all the door prizes.  Okay better yet.  Look at the door prizes, pick which one you will not win and put your name in it.  Then check out the bling.  Oh such lovely bling.  Did I tell you I love looking at the bling.  Sometimes I even buy the bling.  But low and behold I help myself back and did not buy any.  You know there is always something that will stand out for me but this time aw gee it didn't.  So I am going to go home empty handed.  Oh well no room in my suitcase anyways.  But you know I did bring down some things to give as door prizes. I may have room.  That might have to be a space for something from New Orleans now.  If I find something special there.  Who knows.

Anyways I am getting off track with bling.  The day progressed.  We had a delish buffet dinner a little dancing and a few prizes given away.  Lots of pictures being taken by everyone and all those new friendships made.  I even made a few if you believe that.  Quiet little me made a few friendships with ladies I have been friends with on Facebook.  Putting faces to ladies I type to all the time. And yes them seeing me and how much I say on Facebook to what I say in person.  Totally different from to what they thought.

I said my goodbyes and left about 2:30 and headed back to the hotel.  You know I didn't get lost one the way back.  Wonders will always happen sometimes.

I got Rob to undo my dress and aw!!!  I can breathe again.  Boy oh boy that felt so good but now the apple figure is back and the loose track pants are back on.  My red hatting is done for now and it is time to pack up.

We still have one more night here.  Leaving in the morning to get a car back before he closes.

So Rob and I had a little time to see what was in Houma.  He wanted to go out to the mall and look at the real Cajun store.  I was just up for a walk to stretch out a little.  And since it was pouring rain I was not gonna walk around the streets to get soaked.  I found the mall on the first try.  Had a little walk around and checked out some of the stores.  We found the Cajun store and did a little looking in there.  The alligator heads at the front were real.  I thought from pictures they would be plastic but no.  Sharp teeth  and all.  This is when it reminded Rob that he was going to make me try alligator.  Shoot I thought he had forgot about that.  Well no.  Now I keep mentioning other resteraunts to go to.  But he keeps saying we are going here.  So all the way back to hotel. I pointed out so many resteraunts.  To no avail..  Shucks.  I guess I am going to the seafood place just beside the hotel.  The first thing he orders is alligator bites.  Really?  And yes I have to try them.  I am not much on trying something new.  No adventure to me at all.  Well after much coaxing I did try a piece.  Well not bad but a little chewy for my taste.after the taste I did get to eat my mozzarella sticks. Which made me happy.

So now I can say I have eaten alligator.  Mind you only a bite but I did try it. He said next time frog legs.  Another face coming my way.

So now this adventure is over with my red hat sisters.  Next convention is in Edmonton in and month and half.  Three fun filled days plus a few extra activities added on by me.  Will be driving there and taking along a quilt I made for a giftie.

So the next week will be spent checking out ghost and voodoo in New Orleans. I will be writing on my other blog about our adventure in New Orleans. Then home and back to the grind.  To pay for all of this.

Houma and Louisiana thank you so much for your hospitality.  Linda and her team made this such an enjoyable time here.  I had a great time and made some very nice friendships.  Will be writing here in a month or so again.  Catch cha all on the flip side. And back on Canadian soil were life goes on

Day two or two and half if you count I was up all night to catch a plane.

Hello all.  Wow the humidity here is pretty warm.  Stepped outside to catch a taxi and it just hit you like a ton of bricks.  The hotel room we are staying at in New Orleans has no window.  So you can not really tell what it is doing outside.  I got up this morning and decided to take a look outside.  Found out it is not a window we have but a mirror that looks like a window with curtains on it.  Well guess have to wait till we get downstairs to see what is going on in the world.

So got up this morning and you know we missed the continental breakfast downstairs.  I think I needed the sleep more then I needed the food.  After the plane ride from heck yesterday I was so happy that we still had a room and I could just put my head down and my feet up and just relax.

You see last night plane ride which was suppose to be an hour and half ride turned out to be five hours.  We got loaded in the plane.  Then had to wait to see what the weather was doing.  As storm fronts were traveling over New Orleans.  The plane finally taxied out to the Tarmac but then all of a sudden after a bit of a wait at the runway he turned back towards the hanger.  Said had to get gas in order to make this flight happen.  So another wait while we filled with gas and they figured out a flight plan.  Then back out to the runway and waited again while plane after plane took off.  We finally got in the air and started heading north.  Did not turn south until we were up north of Arkansas. Then came back down to New Orleans via Mississippi.  We got into New Orleans at midnight or there abouts.  Then getting the shuttle and onto the hotel.  We still had a room when we got there.  Thank goodness for that.  Was out like a light in. I time after Rob got us a couple of snacks from the vending machine to tie us over till morning.  There was no walking for me.  My feet had a little problem and started to swell on me. Not easy walking with that.  So I slept with my feet up and my head down.  And out like a light in. O time.  Yeah I already said that.

Next morning woken up by house keeping.  Oh gosh we have to get on the road.  Picking up a rental car and then the drive out to Houma.  Grabbed a taxi over to car rental place.  Well at least I did something right.  I got a rental place close to easy access to the road going to Houma.  So only had to get on expressway and head out of town.  Not through town but out of town.  Easiest drive I had to make and tank goodness for gps.  Got us there without a hitch.  Love when things go together like that.

So now have a room in Houma.  There are so many red hatters walking and driving around town.  I missed some of the fun things they were doing this afternoon but made it to the pirate get together tonight.

I took Rob on a bit of a walk.  He being a big guy the humidity did not do too much for him.  First thing he did when we got back to room was go take a shower..  He may spend allot of time there if this keeps up.  Walking around New Orleans may be tough on him.  I was hoping that maybe we could walk down to were a few were meeting but didn't make it that far.  Decided to turn around as was a little further then what the map looked like.  Dang maps never tell the truth of how close you are to something.  So I hoped into my pirate outfit and headed down stairs to meet up with the other ladies going there.  Got a ride over to were the buses were picking us up and road the bus over to were the event was taking place.

Two tents set up.  One nice and cool inside.  With chairs set up for socializing.  The other tent was filled with buffet type meal and the vendors were there as well.  Two vendors with some gorgeous hats and the bling lady herself that I by lots of bling from.  Diane.  She had a couple more items for me that I had paid for already..

So wandered the room for a little while.  Found a seat were a few ladies were sitting and ended spending a few hours with them chatting a way.  Well as you know they were chatting I did my usual and not too many words coming out but did keep up my end of the conversation.  Imagine that.  From the quiet one.

Met Anna tonight and she was surprised.  She thought when I said I was the quiet one that I was just kidding.  Well she found out the opposite of what she was thinking.  I can say so much on Facebook but when it comes to face to face I am as quiet as they come. I got a certificate and a pin tonight by joining ROOTH.  That is the royal order of the hat.  You make a hat that has a ship on it and then you show it off to all the Pirates there.  Mine includes and bear on the back and mermaid Barbie waving to everyone as I walked by.  Plus my ship in the front.  A little heavy but was fun to wear. 

 Anyways the night rolled on.  Laughing and fun and a few prizes given out.  Great night together with these ladies.  They may still be partying over there. The dance floor was opening up when I left.  I found a ride back to the hotel and called it a night..  Now I sit here jabbering away on my blog.  Happy to say my feet are holding up better then they did last night.

A picture I stole from Angela. A pinkie I was sitting with for the night.

My outfit for the night.  Just a tad warm for Louisiana weather.  Was going to wear a vest with it too but decided just a little hot.

And I thought I was the only one that gropes all out for a costume

Pirates, Pirates every were but not the swill to be seen.

So tonight was a fun night.  Met a few ladies I had seem on Facebook and more or less did my usual and watched and learned and laughed my night away.

Tomorrow will be the big dinner.  To now find another ride to this or maybe driving myself.  Who knows.  Just follow the caravan that is going and have another fun day with these ladies.  I seem to be at a great table and up in the balcony.  No do not worry I am not bringing any water balloons or paper airplanes to drop.  I will behave myself.

Talk again tomorrow.

On the road again heading to New Orleans

Good morning all.  I am now sitting at the airport in Vancouver waiting for a flight.  Yesterday I did a little napping and ran a few more errands and fretted about this trip.  Do I have everything?  Should I have packed that.  Should I take that out cause I don't really need it?  The list just goes on.  The big one.  Why the heck am I doing this?  I am not really a traveler.  Yes I do want to have some fun in my life but going places and meeting new experiences is a problem with me.  I know a problem I should get over. Hey I only live once so yes I am going to live it fretting and all.  

I do a big talk about being well traveled. Well yes I am but I am a nervousness reck on the inside.  My biggest fear is getting out and doing things.  Meeting new people and having new experiences.  I talk big but when it comes time to do this do I really want to do it?  I have said I want to do this and I want to do that.  I have a list of things I do want to do but will I get the nerve up to do them.  Well I am trying.  Roller coasters are still off my list though.  I was on them when I was younger and they are defiantly not my cup of tea.  But yet I talk about going on a zip line. Or going into an air tank and flying with a big fan blowing me in the air..  I have gotten close to going up in an ultralight and you know I chickened out at the last minute.  You reading this yes I said a zip line.  I know weird but I won't go on a roller coaster again.

Anyways that is enough about that.  I will do these some day but probably not in the near future.

So today I am sitting in the airport as I am heading to another convention.  This one just outside of New Orleans. In a little town of Houma.  Well this town may not be little but.  I really don't know until I get there.  That is if I get there.may get lost in the bayou many times looking for a turnoff to this place in a rental car I am not too familiar with.  Do not want to meet up with any gators.

This convention is called diva n bling.  There are afew tours in the morning of Friday, then in the afternoon will meet up at the mall to see everyone.  The last stop will be at a donut shop were we will see how many can get into one picture.  They have made special red and purple donuts for us to enjoy.

  

This or the mall is probably were I will be meeting up with the other ladies.  My flight does not get into New Orleans until later tonight.  Have a stop over of a couple of hours in Dallas as well.  So decided to go to our hotel in New Orleans.  Get a restful night, grab a cab in the morning to the rental car place and get our car.  Then for the drive out to Houma.  Yeah I did ask to see if someone could pick us up at our hotel and got told that there is only one person in the office so can not leave to come and get us.  Bummer!!!  So a taxi ride we get.  Just to get a car so we can tour out to Houma.

So now the adventure begins again.  I am traveling with my son.  I sure do not know what he is going to do while I am sitting quietly watching all the se ladies giggle and laugh and visit.  It will take me a little while and some mugging before I get in the groove.  Yes I am getting better but still very quiet.  I am a watcher more then a doer.just have to go with the flow and see what happens.

This group of ladies sound like so much fun as I talk to them over the Internet.  Yeah that is were I do most of my talking. I am a typer not a talker. As you can see my blog is now starting again.

Well flight is soon going to be called.  See if I can get a little shut eye on the plane.  Talk to you to finish this later.  Was up most of the night.  Had a little bit of shut eye at home.  Went to lay down and slept for a couple of hours.  Then it was up at 2:30 and off to pick up Rob.he stuffed in his suitcase into my little bug and off we go.  Drove along Mary hill by pass down yo new west and along marine drive.  Dang nice drive that early in the morning.  Not much in the way of traffic. A few cars but they are not bumper to bumper.  I probably could have taken an easier route but I was heading this way so kept going.

So have been sitting on this plane for two hours.  I did get a little more sleep.woke up here a little while ago and figured it was time to play.  There was a glass of ice cubes sitting on my serving tray.  I set it over on Rob's tray and Oooops down it went.  All over his tray and down to the floor.  Well at least I didn't get anything on his books he had in his bag.  His pants are a little wet though now.  Floor around him may be a little wet too.  Serves him right for putting his ice cubes near me.  He is back watching his movie and holding onto the glass of cubes so I don't get it again.

I was trying the Internet on the plane but couldn't get on without paying.  That's a bummer. Gues I will have to wait till I get to Dallas to see what is happening in the world of diva n bling.  There was suppose to be some special announcement today.  Guess I am going to have to wait a little longer. Hopefully will get on sooner or later.  I am going into withdrawal without my Facebook.  Yeah I know I am a sorry sort of person.

Well I will put this machine away again and see whether I can get a little more shuteye.  Still a lot tired.  Need my beauty sleep to look almost normal for the convention. Next stop, Dallas were we spend a couple of hours before heading onto New Orleans.hope weather is a little better.  Sounds like one plane with some ladies on it had to go to another airport cause of a big storm cloud over New Orleans.hope we get in without a hitch.

Talk again later. I believe mother nature needs a red hat.  Then maybe she would not be so nasty to all her sisters.

I am now sitting in Dallas.  Waiting so impatiently for the next plane to come.  A three hour wait plus a couple of time changes and lack of sleep.  Getting a little testy, but I did finally get onto the Internet.  So now I can post this little dribble I am typing away at.

Dallas airport.  Huge I mean huge.  You walk and then take a train to next terminal and walk some more..  Got to our gate but sign is not up for our plane yet.  Hope they do not move it to some other terminal or we will be on the move again.  I am just a country girl at heart. One small terminal with only two or three gates.  Not use to this.  Hope New Orleans is not as big. I will be lost for sure.  Glad I got a shuttle to the hotel though.  I am going to hate driving tomorrow on maybe busy roads and from the sounds of it raining as well.  

Well I have blabbered enough for one day.  Gonna get to the hotel and get a good night sleep tonight to be ready to go tomorrow and meet all my sisters in crime.  Oh did I say that.  No crime being committed here. I am sweet and innocent   So I keep saying on Facebook and the quiet one.  They say the quiet ones are the dangerous ones.  Hey I don't believe that.  Do you?  So no more hearing from me today unless it is on Facebook.  I have filled my blog for today.  Need sleep.  Lots of sleep

Talk to you again tomorrow.  After I am rested and in the town of Houma.  Or lost in the bayou.  Whichever comes first.   Send out a search party.  The gators can have Rob first.  He has a little more meat on him then I do.  I am just and appitisor