June 15th 2009, The One Week Mark and Tales of The Big Easy

Today marks the completion of our first week on our Caulfield Cross Country Adventure. And I am happy to report that we are all still speaking to eachother! Even the teenagers are having fun and still speaking to us. I must note that the three older kids just don't have the same level of animated excitement with the announcement of the next activity we will be doing as our 7 year old. For instance, when Pat announces that we should get moving to the elavator, Fiona skips down the hall to the elevator singing a song about "we are going on the elevator!" with the same excitement level had Pat announced we are going to see three of her favorite Disney Princesses in person. If only we could all look at life with the enthusiasm of a 7 year old! But don't dare touch the elevator button! That is Fiona's job and there will be a dramatic display so emotional that you will never forget this "rule"again. But if the simple act of pushing the elevator button brings such joy, why deprive her. I wish I could get that excited about something so mundane!

As I type this posting, Pat has returned with today's parking attendant tale. I will have him write it down in his words to give it authenticity. There is yet a third attendant with a new set of rules and pricing. You really can not make this up!

Today there is supposed to be record heat. Yesterday was about 94 degrees. It is supposed to be that or higher. Tierney was the only one not complaining about the heat. She is wanting to sit by the pool and not be bothered with walking in the shade, as it is every 17 year old girl's mission in life to have the best tan ever!

Last night we ate at Acme Oyster House. Fiona insisted on getting a plate of oysters. We made several attempts to explain that we did not think she would really like oysters, but she was determined to have some oysters. We decided to compromise and got a plate for all of us. You can imagine the look on her face when she saw the actual oysters! Her enthusiasm was diminished and she had second thoughts. But we turned the tables on her and made her try one. Photos of this will be posted later today.....it is about what you would expect. And the oyster, once slithering in her mouth, was expelled shortly after back onto the shell which it arrived. Pat, Tierney and I finished the rest of the oysters. I felt that Acme Oyster House had lost the charm I recall from our 1990 visit with Mom and Dad. We did enjoy some great New Orleans food but it seemed a bit rushed and the service was not great at all. But Pat loves this place and disagrees with me. He has been coming here forever and it is like an old friend to him.

Earlier in the day we purchased bags of beads to toss from the balcony. Seems that Sunday nights are a bit tamer and no one seemed that interested in our offers. Poor Fiona....calling out for about an hour "Anyone? Anyone? Want some beads?". A few people responded but nothing like we would have gotten the night before. One gal shocked me as she started to pull her shirt up (I suppose this is what some bead tossers get in exchange for their beads). She was teasing us because she had her bathing suit on underneath. But she had me going.............

So we will have more beads to toss tonight. The revelers were called off the streets earlier this morning. It was about 4 AM when I heard the people being corralled off the streets. And the street cleaners followed with in the hour. The bar across the street finally took a break and is closed this morning. Perhaps Monday is the day of rest here on Bourbon Street for some of the bar keepers. This particular bar had not closed since we arrive Saturday. I will let you know if they reopen this afternoon.