The Big Easy

What a weekend. On somewhat of a whim, we headed down to New Orleans to celebrate Erin's 30th bday. The original plan was to take the booze caboose down there, but after some talk about delays and dirty surroundings, we decided to just wait for Bourbon St. to be around filth. We certainly got what we were waiting for. After getting there, and settling in, we headed straight out to get a taste of the town. We didnt eat fancy down there, but it was damn good. Oysters, rues, sausages, tuna, jambalaya, ect...it was divine. Then of course, we hit the town. Razoos, the front door, the cat's meow. Let me preface this by saying, I dont go out much, and im usually in bed now by 10:30 at the latest (Insert loser name here). So, by 12:30, I could tell I was fading. Insert red bull here. Im not allowed energy drinks because they make me nuts, so after that, i was good to go... till about 3:00, then I was done. I consider that successful. I needed me some 5 hr energy....

The next day we did one of my favorite things in new orleans, walked around the French Quarter and took in the sites, sounds, and adorable shops. 

ate at delicious hole in the wall places

tasted delicious rues

watches as we made Hilliary eat said rue.

Then it was onto another one of the best parts of NO

Pat O's & Hurricanes

several hurricanes

The plan was to attempt attending the Saints preseason game vc the Texans at the Superdome, but somehow we didnt make it....but I think we were ok with that.

We ended it with the best breakfast pastry in the world.

Next time we might just take a girls shopping/ culinary trip bc this town takes it out on you. However, I love it still. 

Black Lab x 3

My puppy is getting big. 

Last weekend, my sister in law, Emily, brought her black lab puppy (Dash) over to play. Riley was here for the festivities as well. Needless to say, things were a bit crazy in the house with three 5 month old labs. They enjoyed the hell out of it. (Mac on the couch, riley trying to reach him, and dash playing on the far end)

Catching a shot of Riley is not easy to do, she has the most energy in the bunch.

Sissy Tay and Mac 

This was by far the most difficult picture ive ever taken. I dont see how we got them to sit and look for this, but it happened, kinda.

Mac is spending the weekend with Riley as we are taking a quick trip down to New Orleans for a friends b'day. Im sure we will miss him more than he'll miss us while he's playing with his sissy.

Back to Blogger

I really havent had the zeal to post lately, and I actually have alot I want to say. I started today by trying to upload my own photo to my background of the blog, but failed big time. Now ive got a boring blog and i give up. The rest of my life, however, has been far from boring. I actually had a pretty awesome week. Work was great and I met some awesome new friends. First, I have to do a little backtracking. Last weekend some of my sorority sisters and I held a small baby shower for Sam at my house. Liv helped me set up as we got ready for the group and also took some photos because she's a picture genius (see also her photography blog)

Jensi's master diaper cake

the spread

the table

Liv already documented the shower pretty well, so I'll let her to do talkin. We had a great time, and it was fun to see my AOPi gals.

Yesterday, Mac ran his first 5k and I ran my first in a looong time. (needless to say, im sore as hell today) Mac up-ed my pace big time for the first two miles, but finally by mile 3, I was back in control. The race officials were in love with him, and since he was so sweet, they even gave him a finishers medal!

We couldnt take pictures at the race because it was pouring down raining, so once we got home and dried off, we had a photo shoot.

But it didnt last long because im pretty sure this is his, "Im done with pictures now" face

Finally, last night we had a get together to celebrate Jordan being done with the bar exam. We had an awesome time catching up with people. Here are some pics, mostly of Raughly being adorable. 

lil Alex peeking over Ashlye's shoulder

R checkin out Mac's kennel

I was impressed by how well behaved Mac was with a toddler

After a long week, this was the scene in our living room this sunday moring. It was National Relaxation Day....

Tweetie Tweet

Ive caved. Im now on twitter. Apparently you can follow me @jerismb. I really need someone to explain this thing to me. Like i needed another social networking tool in my life...

100 Days of Tea

Every morning I drink a cup of Lipton hot tea to start my day (homage to my Irish life) This morning I realized I had finished a 100 count box. (Thanks to stockpiling) I had another box to open right up and start anew. I thought this was a very metaphorical opening, as it allows me to really focus on the next 100 days. How am I going to make them count? What will be my focus? I also realized I have about 100 days until im another year older, so the reflecting increases. Of course I have business goals to reach, and I wont bore you with those here. It's the personal goals im pondering. I need to start running/exercising in general again. I do have a 5k this weekend, but it will really be a Jeris and Mac walk/jog. I'd like to see my friends more, I feel like I know many of you now only through your blogs. That's not healthy. There's talks of two trips, one for a friend's bday and one with my momma, both are pending. Basically I want to make the most of the next 100 days. The season finale to my reality show will be my birthday party which will take place at Mtn Fuji on November 18th. (Yes, I am planning my own party, and yes I know that's totally control freak, i care not.) I will have to devote and entire post to this place, which is one of my new fav sushi places in bham. But anyways, I digress. My cup is empty, time to start the day.

Watch what you ask for..

What an afternoon. A 18 hole golf game that should have taken around 4 hours turned into a 9 hole game in 5. That summer shower I was asking for, I actually got it. However, I got more than I bargained for. We stopped twice for rain  torrential downpours, and each time we continued, it was more humid than ever. Needless to say, I am exhausted. However, I promised a post, and I need to detail my trip to Minn. (two weeks ago...) so here we go. 

Minneapolis is a hidden gem of a city. I absolutely loved it. However, I did go during their two months of decent weather. I couldnt handle their winters. Our headquarters is in downtown Minn, and I was there for a professional dev conference. It turns out that Ameriprise is the largest employer in the city, which was impressive.  While there,we took in tons of sites. The Twins were playing one night in their new stadium, so we walked by and took a look see.

Ferg and I outside of Target Field. I look like an oompa loompa against Fergus' Irish self.

This was a tennis court in the middle of downtown, different.

Outside our building

Fantastic mural on the side of a building

We also went to a fantastic British pub cleverly named Brit's pub. The coolest part about this place was the lawn bowling area on the roof. Basically they have bocce ball leagues. Very neat. 

The second night Ferg and I wanted to do something random and fun, so what do we do? Bowl of course. A quick cab ride across the Mississippi river put us at the most awesome (straight out of the 1950's) bowling alley. 

In conclusion, it was a great break from reality and a chance to see a very neat city. Where to next?

Life Update

Im still here. Haven't had the time or energy to post lately. I need a vacation. Instead, im off to play golf in 110 weather. Not my idea of work or play for that matter in that kind of heat. Guess I cant complain too much, I get to do that instead of being at the office. A nice afternoon shower would help though....will be back tonight hopefully. Until then, I bring you wet mac.