Happy Birthday To Me!

 

granddaughter birthday quotes New Happy 55th Birthday and many more birthday wishes

Today I get to celebrate my 55th birthday…the “double nickel.” It’s also my daughter’s birthday, but if she wants to talk about hers, she better start blogging.  LOL

It is not lost on me that this is another milestone in my life and I’m very grateful to be able to see this day. Many of my friends didn’t get to see 55 years of age.  I may not have everything I’d like to have in this world, but I have to say for the most part, I’m very happy.

I never thought that the best times of my life would be in my 50’s yet here they are. My kids are grown and following their own paths in life. I have a beautiful and smart granddaughter who is so loving, she would melt your heart. A great career (even though I’m ready for something new), I’m a float lieutenant in thee best all-female Mardi Gras Krewe in all of New Orleans, and my partner for life is the most amazing man. He is the perfect man for me in every way.

I’ve always been a late bloomer so, I guess this puts me right on schedule.

I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life. I’m going to try to make it as interesting as humanly possible. Who knows, I may still be blogging and will be able to tell you all about it.

This year will be my 10th year blogiversary…never thought I’d make that one…yet here I am.  See y’all on the flip side…I’m going to celebrate with NOLA and all the people in town for the Essence Fest. Should be interesting…and crowded. 

Love y’all.

 

 

Happy Birthday Stanka

 

khloe bdayMy Stanka Doodle recently turned 3 years old and I really don’t know where the time is going. She is getting so big so fast…I can’t keep up.  This year we had her party at Chuck E. Cheese and  my goodness…I went through sensory overload! They had so many people in that place. And it seems like you need to acquire a zillion tickets to get something half way decent over the counter.  We still had an awesome time though.  I can’t wait until her fifth birthday, we’re taking her to Disney World to celebrate.

That’s the fun part of having a grandkid…all the fun, none of the work.

Happy Birthday Stanka! We love you to the moon and beyond!

khloe bday3
Team Stanka Doodle. She was mad at us though.

khloe bday4khloe bday6

blog1
My girls! Yellow Jacket and Stanka Doodle
blog4
My little fashionista!
blog3
Grandbaby and nephew!
khloe
The love of my life.

Happy 2nd Birthday Bayou Grandbaby!

Time is moving too fast. I can’t believe that she’s 2 years old already. Being a grandmother is the best thing ever.

She is the light of my life.

This year, her party was at Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East.We had a rainy day, but to be honest, I preferred the rain over that “hotter than Hades” summer heat.

The birthday girl pre-party time!
The Princess right before her guests arrived.
And this is what a successful ending to a baby party looks like! A too pooped to pop baby! With Purple Knight (uncle), Yellow Jacket (mom), BayouCreole(MiMi) holding the knocked out Princess, Maw-Maw Jan.  Paw-Paw Romi and Paw-Paw Navy Seal in the back. We are family!

 

50 and Fabulous and We Have a Winner!

Image

Happy Birthday to Me!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes.

I had a wonderful day!

I had racked my brain, trying to come up with something to do,when all I really wanted to do was spend the day with my family.

So that’s what I did.

I feel so blessed that I’m now 50 years old.

The fact that I have made it to this day is not lost on me.

As you all know, I share my birthday with my daughter.

birthdaypics 011

She was trying to steal my day!

We spent the early part of the day together then,I told her to skedaddle!

Her dad had a family reunion and all her aunts and uncles were in town so,  they  celebrated her birthday over there.

I had a wonderful birthday surrounded by family. I’m very happy that my dad was able to share the day with  me.

I’m the ultimate daddy’s girl (even at 50) so, the moments we spent together on my birthday laughing and reminiscing are priceless to me.

So many memories are in this house…

NavySeal made my day a truly special one.

It’s wonderful to have such a kind man who adores me in my life.

My cake was beautiful!

And it was delicious!

I say was because…it’s gone!

We tore that cake up!

birthdaypics 077

After the cake cutting,I opened my presents and then NavySeal and I headed out to dinner and a movie.

 

It was raining terribly, so  there was no way I was wearing shoes out there!

Give me my sneakers and let’s roll!

My hair was banging, but after the weather got to it, I had an afro puff.

birthdaypics 060

 

I had my ribbon on that said, “50 The Big One”   and spent most of the day saying,

Yes, I’m REALLY 50. 

I AM…trust me, I’m 50.

I  fully embrace this second chapter of my life.  I love that  I am a seasoned woman.

I wouldn’t want to return to my 20’s again for anything.

I thank God that  I’ve been blessed to age gracefully.

I was not always appreciative of the gift.

Being 29 and looking like a pregnant teen, I didn’t feel joyous about not looking my age back then.

I’m grateful the gift has remained with me.

It showed me that God is patient with me,

even when I’m not patient with myself.

I’m grateful to have come across such wonderful people as you all.

Even though I’ve yet to meet some of you,

your words have gotten me through some dreary days.

And for that, I thank you.

Oh, we have a winner for the birthday giveaway!!!!

Y’all had some really great odds!   Every time you posted a comment, I put your name in the basket,

birthdaypics 108

 

birthdaypics 109

Yeah, I know it’s an easter basket!

I had to improvise!

birthdaypics 110

 

And since I had some handy hands hanging around me, I decided to put them to work and let him pick the winner.

birthdaypics 111

birthdaypics 114

 

 

birthdaypics 115

 

IDA, YOU GOT IT CHICK!!!!

You won the $50 gift card from Walmart!

YAY!!!!

You have one week to get me your address before it goes to the runner-up.

birthdaypics 119

That would be VAL!

Val, you must have good energy around you because, you’re two for two. You hit on my last giveaway.

Ida, send your information to  Bayoucreole63@yahoo.com so you can receive your card.

My 5th anniversary as a blogger will be in October  and I think I’ll do another giveaway around that time.

The number five is all around me this year.

Five represents change and freedom.

I’m gonna have to think of something to get my lurkers out for the next one.

In the meantime,

y’all stay safe and have a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Birthday Girls…My Daughter and Me

My daughter, Yellow Jacket and I just celebrated our birthdays…yep, she was born on my birthday. She tried to jack my day from me 16 years ago and has been trying to jack stuff from me ever since.

Yellow Jacket is sweet 16 and I’m  tangy sweet 47.

We started the day at Cafe du Monde on Vets. Blvd and got some beignets. Being the “beignet connoisseur” that I am, I gotta tell ya…the best beignets are on Vets…not in the French Quarters.  They make them too spongy out there so if ya ever want some really great ones and can head out to Metairie…go there.

YellowJacket and PurpleKnight@Cafe du Monde

uhh, I don’t know how Purple Knight ended up in the car…getting our birthday beignets.  A  mouth full of ’em too!

I think I’ve been going to this place just a tad too much though. When the lady saw us walk through the door, she yelled   “three orders and three  large chocolate milks coming up.”

Imma need to take a break from that joint…yeah, right.

I need to own stock in it, I go there so much.

For dinner,  Navy Seal and I went to Copelands. YellowJacket went to  drain her dad’s pockets dry dinner and then shopping with her dad.

The thing I hate most about Copelands (yep, you read hate) is that, I love every darn thing on the menu…that makes it hard for me to pick something to eat.

I decided on:

Appetizer-Crawfish Bread (never had it before…will be eating it every chance I get now)

Main Course-Stuffed Shrimp with  Tasso butter cream

Dessert-Strawberry Cheesecake (which I got for free since it was my birthday!)

Good lawd! That food is great over there!!  I’ve yet to have a bad experience at Copelands.  After we were rolled out on our big bellies had eaten dinner, NavySeal and I went to a Latin Club and listened to some great music.

Next month, we’re taking Salsa lessons with the New Orleans Salsa Dancers on Magazine St.  Should be fun…I know it’ll be interesting.  I’ll be posting updates about the lessons.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and YellowJacket is a happy camper with all of her gifts.

YellowJacket..@mardi gras time

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL… I hope you are always as happy as you were, the day you took this picture.