It’s official - the impossible has happened. Somewhere in the world pigs are flying.

Whatever illusions I had of being somewhat fashionable have been shattered. I’ve crossed over to the dark side.

What, might you ask, is the dark side? Uggs - quite possibly the world’s ugliest and most unflattering shoe ever designed.

And I’m afraid to say that they’re here to stay. My time in the south has ruined my tolerance to even the mildest of cool temperatures, and my feet have never before been so snuggly warm and comfy. So, my apologies fashion world, but I’m afraid that from here on out my winter trips to the arctic north of the Mason-Dixon Line will require these puppies:

So… I’ve really been slacking in the blogging department as of late. Life has been hectic and at the end of the day blogging is the last thing I want to think about. Of late, however, life has been especially busy and tense and blogging seems a welcome break.

So with that said, here’s a recap of life since my last post:

Hubs survived a night in the ER and a bout of food poisoning

O had surgery on his knee

(Not to worry - he’s fully recovered and better than ever)

We toured the Washington wine country with D & J

We spent many a night (and day) wandering Seattle and taking advantage of the perfect summer weather (and the Pike Place Market).

We took in some great shows (Bellow the Belt, Catch Me if You Can, Wicked, etc)

(Aaron Tveit and Leo Norbert Butz were A-maze-ing)

Celebrated my 27th Birthday.

Caught up on some reading (for business and pleasure)

(obviously this one was for pleasure)

Hosted an LSU tailgate at Husky Stadium

Celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary (in Paris! Hubs completely surprised me with an anniversary trip)

Made the big drive back to New Orleans and broke down (and subsequently spent 2 days) in Sioux Falls, SD.

(were we spent a lot of time tasting beers and watching football @ the Granite City Brewery)

Took lots of pictures of the worlds handsomest dog

We also: saw Ben Folds with the Seattle Symphony and Rufus Wainright (solo) at the Seattle Symphony, spent lots time with friends and family (and met all of the new babies), hosted a Bacon Party and celebrated Hubs’ 29th. Not too shabby for 5 months.

***

We also lost our beloved mailman Roy (someone very near and dear to our hearts and O’s BFF) to a tragic car accident. On Saturday, September 26 Roy was pinned to his mail truck (while covering an extra shift) when a car blew threw a stop sign on St. Charles Avenue. On Friday October 2, 2009, Roy passed away from complications from his injuries.

Roy was one of the kindest, most magnanimous, and big-hearted human beings one could ever hope to encounter. To meet Roy was to have an instant friend. He delivered more than the mail. He delivered a little piece of himself - day in and day out Roy delivered a little sliver of sunshine in what was often an otherwise bleak or unremarkable day. He shared in our happiness. He sympathized with our misfortunes. He was the charismatic heart of the Uptown business community. In a world where it is easy to grow distant and cynical, Roy kept as all connected - physically and emotionally connected. He made life cozy.

Please keep Roy and his family in your hearts and prayers in these difficult times..

Every spring/summer we load up the car, put the dog in the back seat and make the cross-country drive from New Orleans, Louisiana (husband’s hometown) to Seattle, Washington (my hometown).  Every trip we try to take a different route to see new sites and cities.

We’ve seen and done a fair bit on these drives to Seattle and they’re becoming an annual “vacation” that we really look forward to (the same can not be said of the drive back to New Orleans - there is something wretched about going back - it seems to take 1,000 times longer). We’ve watched a taping of the Jay Leno show from the floor seats, visited old college friends, spent an evening strolling the boardwalk on Huntington Beach, visited Disneyland, toured the Reagan Library, discovered out favorite wineries in Napa (that’s you Casa Nuestra, Ehlers, Hall & Pina!), taken in local markets/street fairs and seen just about every rest stop and billboard our routes have to offer.

(@ The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, June 2008)

Back on June 6th we hit the road for Summer 2009. We made it in 3(ish) days, with overnights in Dallas, Texas (Thanks James & Amy!), Cheyenne, Wyoming and Missoula, Montana. We hit just about every Chick-Fil-A on the route (so that husband could get his fix before entering the Chick-Fil-A-less Northwest, spent several hours visiting my sister over lunch in Bozeman and saw snow(!) in Wyoming in June!

(Snow in June!)

Last night the husband, sister-in-law and clerk/bf headed in to the French Quarter to partake in the NOWFE Royal Street Stroll. As always, it was a blast - lots of great wines to taste and some delicious food.

Of course, no trip to the French Quarter is complete without a hurricane at Pat o’s.

My mother-in-law was a very young mom — she had my husband at the age of 16 — and as a result she never got the chance to go away to college, or to partake in any of the traditional college experiences.  Two years ago, when her youngest child graduated from college she decided that it was high time she went and this morning she departed for a semester abroad in Greece.

We’re so excited for her (and proud of her hard work and determination).

Congratulations Miss Jane! Have fun and take lots of pictures for us!

My husband’s law clerk, and sister-in-law’s boyfriend, Seth, graduated from Law school on Friday, so Saturday we grabbed some friends, loaded up the dogs and beach gear and headed 4 hours east to Santa Rosa, Florida.

We ate too much, drank too much and got way too much sun — it was perfect!

Three years ago a lowly first year law student approached my husband for a job, and recognizing that he had no previous experience in law he offered to do the job for free. We quickly realized what a hard worker (and asset) he was for the firm and made him a paid employee.

Since then Seth has been an invaluable clerk to my husband, working full-time and getting through law school… he even found time to woo my sister-in-law — the bosses little sister — Jennifer.

Tonight he graduated law school and we’re please as punch (and quite proud).

(Seth and his beautiful girlfriend/my sis-in-law Jenn)

Congratulations Seth!

So, I didn’t make it to A-Town for my 5 year reunion, but I did manage a spur-of-the-moment roadtrip this past weekend.

Scott and I decided to make the trip while en route to a movie on Saturday afternoon, and after a few phone calls to get a sitter for O and a quick trip back to the house to pack we were on our way. We made great time and managed to cruise into Taqueria del Sol (my first true love) for dinner with two of my favorite people by around 9 PM.

We spent the next 3 days visiting all of may favorite haunts and catching up.

Scott enjoying his favorite breakfast. None of the Chick-Fil-A’s in New Orleans do breakfast - we ate here every morning of our stay (except Sunday, of Course)!

305 East Ponce de Leon - my former Home Sweet Home

Decatur Square

Heaven… I (heart) these girls.

One last taco-stop on the way out of town.

I cannot believe how much Atlanta has changed in the 3 years since I left - or how much I miss it.

Main Hall (a.k.a. home 2001-2003)

As I’ve mentioned previously, nearly 10 years ago I ventured from the Emerald City to the Dirty South.  Time flew and this past weekend was my 5 year college reunion.Work obligations (and the geography of said obligations) prevented me from attending, but I definitely spent the weekend longing for my old stomping grounds . . .  and my favorite gals who accompany said grounds. The sirens’ call was strong.

Eens, Court, Banana, C-Dre, Michelle, Deri-ho, Alana, Nic, Tammy, Nina, Holly, and the rest of the class of 2004 - I miss you guys! Congratulations to us on winning the Mollie Merrick Award again!

After months of preparation and a last minute crisis (which led to Jess attending the whole affair on crutches) Doug & Jess are hitched!

Congratulations Jess & Doug!