'Houma' is Where the Heart is

As with every move we make, I'm always worried about having to meet new people and learn the ins and outs of each city. Well let me tell you, Houma has made it very easy. After being in temporary housing while looking for a place to live, we moved into our permanent home a month ago. The day we moved Derrick had some friends from NOLA come help. Vivian and I ran out to get them some burritos from Moe's. That's when it all began. One of the employees at Moe's was extremely kind. He helped me fill the cups up with ice water, dished out some to-go salsas, and carried everything out to my car. He was so genuine and I was very grateful!

Here are some other wonderful and quirky things that Houma has had to offer:
 
~ As I was waiting to get fabric cut at Hobby Lobby (super excited we have a Hobby Lobby by the way) a friendly women let me know that she makes hair bows for girls and she let me know of one of the two baby boutiques in town. We were sure to stop by on our way home.

~ The Library is surprising impressive. There is a bubble wall, pirate ships and a mini door for the little kiddos to go through to get to the learning room. Vivian and I have gone to Toddler Time a couple of times now. 

~ There are no liquor stores, although it is not a dry parish. Liquor is only sold in grocery stores.

~ The post offices are also located in the center of Rouses.

~ We went to our first Chiropractor appointment and were greeted by perhaps the most inviting and friendly person I've ever met, the Chiroprator's wife. When we told them we were knew to Houma she began asking if we needed a dry cleaner, a dentist, a pet groomer, and on and on. She took out her phone and started writing down all her preferred businesses. Plus, she said if we needed anything at all, to give her a call on her cell. Later that week, I was getting into my car at Rouses and she pulled into the spot next to me. We looked up at the same time and made eye contact. She was elated. She popped out of her car and gave me hug. She made sure everything was going well as we got settled and reminded me to call her for anything. What a super nice lady. I want to be that nice!

~ We prefer to shop local produce and meat at farmer's markets. We found a couple nice ones in NOLA. I was worried we weren't going to find any here and would have to drive all the way in to NOLA. What was I thinking? We're in the country. Althought he demand to shop local may not be as big as the population in NOLA, we are closer to the farmers. Well, we hit the jackpot. Last weekend we found a stellar farmer's market where we got 3 dozen eggs for $7 (Whole Foods would have been $13), fresh shrimp, grapefruit, tomatoes, cauliflower and broccoli. There was a cajun folk band rockin' it as well. Then we found a meat market where we got 10 pounds of a variety of local, fresh, organic meats for only $30! Jackpot!

Yep, that's colored cauliflower!

All of these things and more have made Houma an easy town to enjoy. It feels like home. Above all though, I have been lucky enough to make a friend with whom I have many things in common and our girls enjoy playing together.

Vivian with her new friends on New Years Eve

Any time you want to come visit the Southern Hospitality of Houma, you are welcome to our home. 

Tropical Kale Smoothie Mustache

Another delicious Super Snack - Tropical Kale Smoothie with pineapple, peaches, coconut water, raw honey and kale.

She's Got Her Daddy's Curls

This is what Vivian's hair does when we don't brush it after a bath. CURLS!!! I love it!

Shhh...You're Too Noisy

Either Vivian was not impressed by the music we chose in the car today or she has discovered that sound changes when she plugs her ears. Which ever it is, it was so cute!

Goal Accomplished - Brazilian Wax

Another goal complete. Although I am not starting my Birkram Yoga goal yet, I went into NOLA today and got a Brazilian Wax. Thank you Bombshell Waxing for your professionalism.

Clever Water Tracker

 I've started to be more conscience of how much water I'm drinking. Also, I've been trying to drink about 4 cups before eating breakfast as a way to flush my system and start the day fresh and ready to breakdown foods. This is my clever way of keeping track of how many glasses I've had and which glass is mine versus Derrick's. I use a dry-erease marker to write on the bottom of my glass my initial, 'N', and for every glass I fill up I put a tally mark. Today I'm on glass number 6 which is 12 cups of water. Ya Baby!

Super Dee Duper

Vivian loves her Super Foods. Oatmeal with Goji Berries and Cacao Nibs! Yuuummy!

Goal in the Works - Act of Kindness #10

On our way out today there was a bag of trash in the road. I had Derrick stop and I picked it up and took it to the dumpster. Keeping my neighborhood clean and pretty!

Goal in the Works - Homemade/Handmade Christmas Presents

For December I did 2 crafts. I like making homemade things for gifts, it's so much more personal. The first one I made was for Derrick. I made a personalized coffee mug with a couple of Sharpies, a plain white mug and the oven. I wrote on the mug with the Sharpies and then baked it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Update: Even though we don't dish-wash the mug and we are gentle when we wash it, the writing is coming off. I plan to get a ceramic pen and try again.

The other craft was for my mom, she asked for a vase for Christmas. I went out looking for the perfect vase. I found many that were too small or too big or too plain. I did find a few that I was drawn to and they all had etched designs on them but the price was out of our Christmas budget. Then I thought, 'I bet I can make one. Then it will be one-of-a-kind.' So that's what I did. I found a great shaped vase at Michaels and used my 50% coupon. I also got the etching materials from Michaels with another coupon on a separate trip. It took an entire day to complete but well worth it and it wasn't difficult. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the after, just the during.

Goal Accomplished - Bicycle Balance

Lucky for me, Derrick got me the perfect purple beach cruiser for Christmas. Well, thank you Dear for making my goal of riding a bicycle even easier to accomplish. It started by doing a skateboard scoot to get moving, which moved in to a bit of a drunk cycle. I did managed to bump into a garage door, thankfully I didn't crash as I feared I would. I look forward to getting more practice so that Derrick feels comfortable enough to let me get a child seat so Vivian and I can bike to our friend's house, the grocery store or even the library.

Goal Accomplished - Drive a Stick

My mom came in town yesterday which allowed Derrick and I a perfect opportunity to not have Vivian in Derrick's beater car while he teaches me how to drive a manual. It went pretty well. Of course, as anyone knows who has learned how to drive a manual, the trickiest part is getting out of first gear. Surprisingly I only stalled twice and I managed to get up to 3rd gear. We even practiced going backwards. Thankfully, there are no hills in Houma. The trick now is for me to take the car out by myself. I got the hang of the basics but now I have to put it into practice. Wish me luck!

 

 

My First Homemade Decoration

Vivian made her first Christmas tree decoration today. She painted a Christmas tree and decorated it with rhinestones. It came out so perfect!

Goal in the Works - Act of Kindness #9

At the grocery store this morning there was a man in front of me trying to get cash back. He was just going to buy a soda and ask for however much he wanted. I've done this plenty of times. Why pay an ATM fee when you can pay the same amount and get something. I usually get a candy bar. Anyhow, so the cashier rang up his soda and when he went to pay he was not given the option for cash back. Well, silly man, he was using a credit card not a debit card. So he got frustrated and just left without paying for or taking the soda. Well now the cashier had to void the silly $2 soda but there was nobody around so it was going to be a little wait for a manager. I didn't want the nice cashier worried about making me wait and I didn't want to wait so I paid for the soda. I don't drink soda so I told the bag-boy to go choose whatever kind of soda he wanted and keep it for himself. Here is the grateful friendly bag-boy.

Christmas Shopping Fashion

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

During the fall I started doing sensory themed bins for Vivian but I had so much stuff for winter that it wouldn't fit so I turned her bath into a giant Winter Wonderland.

 

My little Polar Bear is ready for fun!

A special Penguin and Snowflake made by my Picasso-in-training.

 Balloons with ice inside.

Warm up baby girl!

Potty!

After bath tonight Vivian did her usual naked run. She made her loop around the living room but then she ran back into the bathroom. What was this? She climbed on top of the toilet (luckily the lid was down) and started peeing! What!?! Did my baby just pee-pee in the potty? Unfortunately I can't show you her happy face on the potty because she's fresh out of the bath and stark naked. Time to get a little potty seat for the big potty.

Music

As most people do, we have been playing lots of Christmas music. Vivian loves it! She started to point to the computer or iPad when she wanted to hear it. Being the smart mommy that I am, a couple of days ago I thought I would show her the sign for music. She picked up on it right away. This morning she immediately asked for music before I could get her out of her bed. She wouldn't let up until I put it on. At least she knows what she wants.

Bath Time Friend

Vivian has made a new friend....herself. She found her reflection in the tub overflow drain. She went on and on like this for about 15 minutes. They were having a serious conversation so I'm only sharing a little of it with you. I can't give away all of her secrets....☺

Go Navy! Beat Army!

We've got spirit yes we do! We've got spirit how 'bout you?

Navy has now won the last 11 matches against Army.

Detour Before Going Home

Vivian and I took a detour before going back home to Louisiana. We met Derrick in Siesta Key (apparently the #1 beach in America) to cheer him on at his first Tough Mudder. My grandparents volunteered to drive us over. I think they wanted a mini vacay.

 
I have always loved Florida's Gulf Coast. It's so beautiful -- white sandy beaches, crystal blue water, crisp air. I especially like it because the water isn't too salty. As I've mentioned before, that is the one thing I dislike about the beach, getting out of the water and feeling sticky. Of course there is also the sand dollars and starfish found buried just under the sand. Everything about that area I have always found to be very relaxing and beautiful.
Well we all arrived Saturday around lunch. Derrick drove down from Louisiana and we drove over from Miami. It was a nice reunion since we hadn't seen him in a week.

 


Our bugalow was right in the heart of Siesta Key so we were actually able to walk to lots of dining, shops and of course the beach. We walked to the beach with Vivian a few times while we were there. She actually went in the water, all the way! This was a first for her. It was very exciting and she loved it. She kept running in and out.




     

 

Yesterday was the Tough Mudder, a 12 mile obstacle course in the mud of course. Unfortunately we were unable to watch but I got a picture of Derrick before and after. We also found a couple pictures online. Derrick said he enjoyed himself and had fun. He had huge gnarly bruises and a mark from where he was shocked by the hanging electrified wires. Hey, whatever gets you goin' dear.

Before

clean shirt, numbers on his forehead, acting tough

A Death Waiver? Really?

During

getting muddy

After

lost shirt, sweatband on head, numbers?, Tough Mudder

 
It was a quick stay in Siesta Key but very relaxing and enjoyable. And we are finally on our way home with a 14 hour drive and a 16 month old. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for driving us and staying with us!