I mentioned in an earlier blog post that our daughter is moving to New Orleans for a year. My husband and I had gone to New Orleans to find an apartment for her. Now, the time for her move is very near. In fact, the movers will be picking up her furniture tomorrow and driving them out to New Orleans. Unfortunately, since our daughter has another week of work in her old job, that’s where my husband and I come in.
Yesterday was a rather long day, made even longer by the fact that I refused to drive through major cities. Major cities being any towns with more than two exits/entrances on the freeway. (Anyway – that’s the story my husband is sticking with!)
Our son is taking care of our house, which always makes traveling a lot less worrisome for us. We drove to New Orleans, Louisiana (thus the “NOLA”) so that we can meet the movers when they get here on Sunday. There was no way our daughter could be at both sites, since she will have only a weekend off between jobs.
I am writing this from our hotel room. Today we headed over to her apartment, and started the process of getting her somewhat organized before she arrives in town next weekend. Growing up as military dependent and then marrying back into the military, moving is old hat to me.
This is going to be an extremely quick trip because we are planning to visit our daughter in New Orleans several times, and that’s when we will be exploring New Orleans. Plus, it’s almost as hot here as it is in San Antonio at this time of year. Certainly it is not an optimal time to vacation in ether place!
Suzanne says
My suggestion for hot muggy days is just stay in the air conditioning and read (I’m not a pool sitter) and relax. Have fun!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, well, your day’s schedule sounds “terrifically” great. However, my day’s schedule, not so much! We’re off to get her keys, clean the apartment (Reynolds Wrap the oven/stove, etc), stock a few items in her pantry/refridge, and I’m sure there’s more…
However, I do like your idea >>> a whole lot!
Kim says
Parenting has no expiration date….as long as we are capable, we will be there to help our adult children. Sounds like you are a wonderful mom, kudos to you. Of course once all the rooms are cleaned of toys, clutter, the empty nest is perfect as never before, along come the grand kids to liven things up a bit. We would never have it any other way, right? Remember that old saying, ‘ the worse burden is no burden at all.” Enjoy NOLA….fun to explore new places via our adult kids…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kim, so true about the “expiration date”! We are so lucky to be able to do things like this. Before my husband took early retirement, we had to plan all of our times away from home.
We truly enjoy that our son lives in San Antonio. We aren’t able to do things for our daughter very often, because she has been living far away from us. (We pretty much have to insist that she let us help her.)
MJ says
There was an interesting story this morning on NPR’s Morning Edition (Fri.) about self publishing and ebooks. In the beginning, they mentioned the romance novel writers’ convention in San Antonio.
Aw shucks, Danna, you missed it by going to New Orleans!!!
I thought it was somewhat informative. Here’s the link if anyone wants to listen to it.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/07/25/334484331/unknown-authors-make-a-living-self-publishing
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, doggone it! I don’t know what conventions they have going on now in New Orleans, but the city seems full of tour buses and lots of people with matching tee-shirts.
MJ says
In New Orleans they probably hold the paranormal/psychic writers’ convention!! All that ‘woo-woo’ stuff.
Rose says
Just got home from meeting my future daughter-in-law for the first time. We drove 4 hours one way to watch her in a play and spoke to her about 5 minutes and left. Seems like a really nice girl. Oh the things we do for our kids…….
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rose, how exciting for you! To know that your son has met someone he loves and wants to spend the rest of his life with must be a wonderful comfort to you. (I’m not sure “comfort” is the right word, so I hope you get my gist…)
I’m sure both of them will look back and cherish the fact that you drove eight hours for a five minute visit. And, it’s great that you came away liking her!
You are so right: “the things we do for our kids….”
reginav says
Danna I read your preparations for your daughter’s move. It is hard to see them leave the nest. Right now Sunday I am sitting here feeling so sad. My daughter and her children just left to fly back home to Denver.I will miss them so much because of school schedules and work I have not seen the children for a couple of years. I used to fly out there but my health has made such trips impossible. They grew up so fast in that time. Now they will be able to fly to me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, I’m really sorry your health has stopped you from visiting your daughter and your grandchildren. (I remember you used to go on trips quite often.) Not seeing them for a couple of years must be terribly difficult. It’s hard to schedule things around school and work, I know! That’s one of the good things about my husband being able to take early retirement – it frees us up a whole lot. (Unfortunately, taking early retirement for health reasons is the huge draw-back in that equation.)
Teressa says
I always like to read books that are set in the places that I’ve visited. I love NOLA! Barbara Colley and Laura Childs (Scrapbooking series) really depict NOLA. By the way, two restaurants I would recommend are Deanies’s Seafood (moderately priced) and K Paul’s (more expensive). Both are in the French Quarter!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Teressa, thank you for the restaurant recommendations. Is K Pauls Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant? I remember him from way back before there were 1,000 and 1 food shows on television. I will definitely seek his restaurant out. And I’ll try to remember Deanie’s Seafood.
Teressa says
Yes, it is Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant. He can be seen there on occasion, as well. Of course, you will have to get a beignet at Café du Monde!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Teressa, Café du Monde sounds like it will be another something/something to look forward to!