Nice picture Beth! Who's the little girl next to Missie?

Great picture, Beth! I've actually been to the Oak Alley Plantation - my Dad worked in Baton Rogue for a while during 1984 and we went to visit during the summer.

crazyone - I don't know the little girl
she is a cutie though
her mom and grandma were also touring the plantation with our group and she kind of latched on to Missie - so she is in our photo
It is hard to explain the beauty of those trees
this photo was taken by my husband from the balcony on the second floor of the home

Beth: I think the little girl wanted to join the "blondtourage". ;-)

Lovely pic Beth! Missie is lovely too. =)

Gorgeous trees!

Nice picture. Awww. :)

This is the first chance I have had to get a word in so early. I have a gripe with the tennis crowd and it concerns the amount of prize money won by the various players in any tournament. Golf goes to greatl lengths to include the prize money in their results of all tournaments yet in tennis it is sometimes even difficult to find out just what the winner got.
I think it would serve tennis well to follow golf's lead and do the same as the do. What say you.

Sam - welll she certainly fit right in with the look

Missie has grown up since that kitty pumpkin photo
that one actually looks like the little one in the present photo , kind of

They say those tress are more than 200 years old
You cannot tell from the picture but the make a path to the Mississippi River levee
at the end

beth - wonderful picture. You and Missie are smile central. Those trees got nothin' on me, age-wise. Oh, well, maybe a LITTLE. I would love to visit LA and NO again... Go Saints!!!

Beth,
Good pictures.

Beautiful picture, Beth. While I was in London, I saw a show on BBC TV that featured famous structures or buildings related to power, and they showed that famous plantation house outside NO with the twin winding staircases that lead from the front upstairs porch to the lawn. The scene from your picture of the long row of tress reminds me of that place.

I visited that plantation a few years ago when I went to a conference in NO, and I was thinking that I'd love to go back to NO and show my husband that place and all the other beautiful locations I'd visited -- instead of going to boring meetings about teaching reading and writing. :)

Your picture is encouraging me to make that return visit soon!

I would definitely encourage people to go and visit Louisiana , New Orleans in particular
they are open and ready for business
and I cannot tell you how hospitable the people are
and how eager they are for people to return

traffic is slow because of construction around town
and some areas are so depressing
but the main tourist places like the Quarter and the Garden District are alive and well

Ruth - I think that is Nottaway Plantation with the staircases
and it is in White Castle , not far from Baton Rouge

3 guesses where the town got the name
and the first 2 don't count

Hi Beth! Great pic. I still want to see the rest of your trip photos.

Just checking in briefly to see what is going on at TW... I am still buried with a trial starting next week.

Jenn
was wondering how you were doing with the big trial coming up
next time you are here I will show you the photos
they are ok - mostly Bourbon street stuff
I discovered a new "bar " called Huge Ass Beers
and they sell cups and t shirts and stuff to walk down the street with
full of huge ass beer
not even a hurricane can change New Orleans that much :)

Nice pic, now able to put a face to the posts. Meant to tell you after I read that you got married at The Columns...I worked there during college. How weird, small world. Used to work at the concierge and saw lots of weddings there. The same family still own it, and one of the rooms is supposed to be haunted. Looks like a great time was had by all.

izidane
that is a coincidence for sure
did you work there in 1985 by chance
I got married 5/11/85
maybe you were at my wedding !

I think I got dressed in the haunted room before the ceremony
it has a footed bathtub and a four poster bed

Beth: That's a great name for a bar! Hooray beer!

beth, happy belated wedding anniversary!

Sorry, wandering around.

No, worked there more recently. Moved right before Katrina.
I think it was either rm 13 or 14 that was supposed to be haunted. No one liked it for some reason and it stayed really cold in there. I'm sure they wouldn't let you dress in there. I never put any brides in there cause it wasn't the best rm. The funniest wedding was this one where the bride came downstairs with The Godfather theme music playing. It was 3rd wedding for both of them. There was a fountain of bloodlike liquid buubling under the cake. Well, they fought during the reception and she left wth some guy on a motorbike.

Sam - yeah I thought so
the beers are cheap , too $5 for a huge ass beer
which is about 2 bottle worth
course, they only sell beer and well , it is your choice of Coors, Bud or Miller , I believe
it is just a novelty place with a big tv and really sexy bartender
and you buy your beer and move on down the street to hear the music

Crazyone , thanks - this year my anniversary got pushed aside for Mother's Day
but well, I celebrated both

izidane
ok that was not the room - I got dressed in the room right at the top of the stairs
all I remember about it was that bathtub - and my dad knocking on the door to see if I was ready
I do not remember walking down those steps at all
somehow, obviously , I made it
I also remember that it was incredibly hot that night
and the groomsmen all changed into shorts with their tuxedo jackets once the formal portraits were finished
My dress weighed what seemed like 100 pounds with all the seed pearls and I wished I could have changed , as well

sounds like a party. They redecorated all the rms into different colour schemes, some are really beatiful. The family that owns it are strange, but the Dad is a nice person. His wife and 2 of the kids were something, but he loves that place.

I can't imagine that heavy a dress on hot New Orleans night, it must have been your dream dress though.

Beth,

Did you just write "huge ass beer?"

Lovely picture, of course! But did you really just write "huge ass beer?" And Tennisesq gives me a hard time for writing "skanky!"

--Liron

izidane
I thought it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen at the time
wedding dress styles are different now
when I got married , no one wore a sleeveless or strapless gown
now you are hard pressed to find one with any covering on the shoulders at all
needless to say , I would pick something much different now , knowing what i do about that heat
still , it was an incredibly stylish dress for that time and place
so I loved it
It was fine for a short while , but once the dancing started ,it was really reallly hot!

Liron
yep - I wrote that
It is the actual name of the bar

and while the bartender would be considered hott by some standards - she could also probably be thought of as a bit skanky

Beth,

Hee hee!

Night, all.

--Liron

beth - long time no chat! Great pic of you and Missy. Did you cut your hair? Because you look fabulous chica!

Did your roadtrip help missy narrow down any choices? she's got another year, doesn't she?

Beth - You and Missie are just gorgeous! What a great pic. :)

Beth
I know! Wedding dresses are so different now. My sister-in-law wanted sleeves on her dress a few years ago, couldn't find one. I haven't gotten married yet so haven't had to make that decision. San Fran feels like New Orleans today and we are not used to this heat, sheesh.

hi, jb
yes I cut my hair
of course , in the heat and humidity of Louisiana it did not hold the style very well
It is supposed to be a Reese Witherspoon - Sweet Home Alabama look
but well, the heat kind of flattened it
Missie has not narrowed down much
she just got back her ACT scores
and did fabulously - so with that score she got a few interest letters from the schools she sent her scores to
Most notably USC, SMU and Univ of Texas
she is excited about all three prospects and we plan a trip to Austin in the near future to tour campus - of course, in Louisiana we also looked at LSU which she thought looked like a fun place
but I am not so sure he dad was quite as impressed academically as some of her other choices

I am late to the Deuce Club! Nice picture Beth! You and Missie look so pretty!

Jackie- thanks !
izidane - that would be unbearable heat for San Fran
It was hot here in LA today - but very dry

I have always wanted to go to New Orleans - my mom went about 10 years ago and it remains one of her favorite places she's ever visted.

having lived in New Orleans
and gotten married there , it will always be special for me
but , it is a different place
and you either love it or you hate it
there is no middle ground

Totally second that. Going to college there was the best. Probably partied more than I should have but I loved it all. It is sad to see it now but the city'll be back. I still go nutty when I can't go to Jazzfest, which btw I think is the best time for a firsttimer in New Orleans...music and good food galore.

Beth - I have also had the Reese Witherspoon haircut! I finally let it grow out and be natural but I used dye it blonde and had it cut like hers. Now its just brown and straight.

beth, I love the photo!

Having just visited New Orleans in April, I can definitely say that it's ready for visitors. I had a wonderful time while I was there.

Whitney - I tried to let mine grow out
( when I was young my hair was really long like Missie's )
but , I could not stand that in between look and it never held the style
my hair is very fine - so it would look right for about 1/2 hour after I finished blowing it dry
and then is just went limp
this way it holds the look , well , when I am not in 95% humidity :)
izidane - love Jazzfest
so envious that the Neville's were back this year - used to see them on a monthly basis at Tiptitina's - and I agree Jazzfest is the time to go , if you only have one chance
much better feel for the city than Mardi Gras , IMO

well beth - good job on the cut - as its very flattering, even if the NO heat did anumber on it!

Its tough to narrow down schools. Nice to have choices though. Austin is supposed to be a way cool town, that mite be fun to go visit.

Funny, I've only been to New Orleans once - for business. I just completely loved it. Friends have organized trips for the jazz festival, but its never worked with my schedule. :(

Beth - I have always wanted long hair like Missies. I have never let it get that long before I get tired of it and cut it, but this time I have been determined to see how long I can get it.

thanks, jb - you should definitely go to Jazz fest
it is a wonderful event
food, drink and good music - more than you can possibly see in one weekend
but if you go - book early and get your restaurant reservations early
I have an extensive list of recommendations when anyone goes that way
so be sure to let me know
We are excited about the trip to Austn - have heard many good things , even though we will have to deal with that excruciating BCS bowl loss at every turn :(
Missie really liked SMU as well - but not as much as Jake liked it - I thought he might bypass SC for the place he referred to as supermodel university !
Whitney - she has been growing her hair for so long - dance teachers want the girls to have that long hair - for buns, braids and ponytails - so she has not had it short since she was about 8 years old

I'm floving the hair beth! hot hot hot!

jbrad!
thanks
i told you I was gonna cut it
and i finally did
it looks better here in Cali
without the blasted humidity weighing it down and frizzing it up !

Night all, it's been great. I've to get some work done.
I'll dream of a turkeyleg at Jazzfest, oh and tennis.
Sally's meatpies, jambalaya and a hurricane.
And Irma Thomas

:))

beth- did you see the Rafa match? I have only seen the scoreline and I'm drinking a Sugar Free Rockstar in an effort to stay awake for the reshow on Tennis Channel... did Rafa just bring the "A" game or what?

Uhh the South... I had my hair fixed with all these curls flowing down my back and looking great graduation night to go out to the bars and the moment I walked outside they went flat - so in all my pictures my hair is not looking its best. ;) So I feel your pain Beth!

beth, cool picture. Thanks for sharing. You and Missie look so much alike, imo.

oh whoops-- feel free not to answer my OT tennis question of course-- hee!

I still haven't been back to New orleans since Katrina though my Mother jets over there with her sisters and their Mother to shop every now and then and they have a ball-- course the casinos in Mississippi that are sorta on the way help too!
I think my Grandma plays the nickel slots or something like that-- sits and plays for hours

lol - and when i go to the south, my hair curls up and i become a furball! SOOOO attractive. definately keeps me in the northeast!

hey frizzy hair seems to be getting a bad name- my fav Sarah Jessica Sex in the City hair was when she'd just have it all wild and poofy

jbrad - there's a difference between that and looking like a dang wookie. trust me, this was NOT artfully disarrayed and curling and wild. Much more Rosan Rosanadana than Carrie Bradshaw...

jbrad - on tennis - it was a combo , IMO , of Rafa playing well and Andy not being at his best
izidane - sweet dreams - umm - jambalaya
I could really get into a good bowl of gumbo right about now
I miss that stuff
I can make a decent gumbo - but my boyfriend in college's housekeeper made the best - she would cook for hours on end - making that stuff
It is best left to simmer and watch very carefully
absolutely divine
Whitney - by some miracle - my hair stayed smooth for my wedding - those many years ago - course it helped that I tried to keep the style simple and let the veil cover most of it
jb - i know what you mean - my best friend had really curly hair and she hated going out in NO
jbrad - really? - I am just not a SJP fan - curly or straight - I don't know why I don't just love her - still dying to see that movie though

a wookie :)
oh , jb ,you are killing me

Tennis Esq
I know we almost look like clones don't we
except for the body type
she has - well damn it - she has bigger ...
you know

"there's a difference between that and looking like a dang wookie"

LOL jb!!

so is your game over , Sam ?

beth, true different body types. But, from what I can tell you have that edgy high fashion figure that is tailor made for haute couture.

Tennis Esq - well thanks
that is good to hear
there are some styles she just cannot wear
the newer high waisted slacks and skirts do not work on Missie at all
now if I could just afford more Haute couture

Beth: Yeah, the hockey game was done about 2 hours ago, and the basketball game has been done for a while.

Beth: What is Haute couture?

Sam,Sam, Sam "shakes head"
your fashion education is not complete
haute couture is high fashion -very high fashion
it is the super expensive stuff on in the magazines
not the stuff you buy off the rack
in a department store

haute couture - when the guys on the red carpet ask
who are you wearing?
they are not looking for the jacques Penny answer
they mean Chanel, Valentino, Dior
that is haute couture

Sam: It's the stuff Federer buys for Mirka at fashion shows :-P

Thanks Beth.

LOL crazyone!!

right - Mirka and Fed are rolling in haute couture !

Beth, Austin is great, but you better hurry up that visit, its about to get hot in Tx, and it won't cool off till late october. See the campus by day and 6th street by night. Can't beat the music or the nachos.
UT is a great school. i probably write 12 recs a year to UT, its a favorite of our seniors. SMU, very rich and a little snotty for my taste, but academics are top notch.

Having been to NO 1000's of times, i do have one fav story...

On a performance trip with the kids, they wanted to go to Bourbon street. So after breakfast beignets at Cafe du Monde, I took said kiddos to the famous Bourbon St.
Now, Bourbon at 10:00 AM is nothing but trash, winos, vomit and pee...salved that problem, didn't here about Bourbon St. one more time. the House of Blues was as racy as it got.

Sam, thanks for asking the question. :) I hadn't the foggiest idea either.

Congrats on the Flyers. They live to see another day. You never know!

Beth, thanks for all the New Orleans/LA info. I would love to get down there at some point; there's even some research I could do down there.

rudy3- thanks for the advice on Austin - wil remember 6th street
think the heat is when Missie should go though really - to see if she could deal with living there -
just a thought
SMU - definitely had some snooty vibes going on
hard to say that it was anymore uppity than USC,just it was southern money not so cal money - in reality

boubon street in the early am - nothing like watching those guys hose out the concrete floors of the bars to get that vomit odor cleaned out to get you ready for a new day on the town

Sherlock - what are we going to do with you guys
I think it may be time for another quiz

Heidi- that "research" is what makes NO the great convention city that it is :)
I always recommend going for a visit
great place to be young and single

Beth,
great picture. You guys are one lovely family.
Last pictue I saw, you had longer hair,but this one looks great on you too.

Beth, I know, it's hopeless. I keep counting on Sam, but he's letting me down. :)

zola- thanks,just cut my hair before we left on the trip
about a month ago

hehe, USC, University of Spoiled Children...

Before I get pounced on, it's a great university, actually one of the best in my field...the wealth helps contribute to a lot of great faculty and research...

Sam, Sherlock - we are going to have to make you flip through the pages of Vogue - it will answer all your fashion questions. ;)

crazyone - I know - I have heard that one many times
and in more than a few cases it is not far from the truth
jake could tell you lots of stories about high maintenance SC women
and more than a few guys who fit in the same category
( course, my kids are not spoiled at all - cough, cough)

Sherlock , maybe for christmas we could get you and Sam a subscription to Ms Wintour's magazine

all right
now that another disappointing episode of Grey's Anatomy has come to an end
I am gonna sign out
I seriously question my sanity watching that show
it is just not very good any more

talk to you all tomorrow

Great pic. Powerful color contrasts.

Beth, you and Missie both look magnificent. natural beautiful blondes, I love it :)

"Sherlock - what are we going to do with you guys "

Beth: Give us beer and put on a football game? ;-)

"Sam, Sherlock - we are going to have to make you flip through the pages of Vogue - it will answer all your fashion questions. ;)"

LOL Whitney

Sam: Hockey and Vogue together!

http://www.wwd.com/memopad/article/124973

I DONT GET IT... WHAT DOES THIS PAGE HAVE TO DO WITH TENNIS???

No need to shout, LBS. The weekly Deuce Club thread is devoted to non-tennis talk among Twibe regulars and anyone else who would like to join in. OK?

crazyone: LOL

Sam - hey , how long is it until football season?
I feel like basketball and hockey always go on too long
I am ready for some football ( to paraphrase )

Beth: Football starts in September. ;-)

Sam - too long to wait
can we count the preseason games ?
and minicamps ?
although I am not desperate enough to watch the NFL network show me the combine or repeated games

LOL Beth. Minicamp is pushing it, I think.

Beth and Sam,

You two are just looking forward to the return of NFL Tangi. Part 2. :)

Sam - yeah it smacks of desperation
I agree
and tangi - we are definitely waiting for that return
NFL tangi , part deux
I am just so over the NBA - they have been playing since what October
and they still have 2 rounds of playoffs to go
I say go away
basketball is over with march madness as far as I am concerned
and I have never really gotten into hockey
baseball is ok - for the hot dogs, beer and peanuts
but really to slow to keep me all that excited
so except for tennis , right now there is a huge sports void for me :(

tangi: ;-)

Beth: I have been watching some NFL Network stuff - the America's Game series, and some of their top 10 list shows.