Monique’s Blog
Art, Pets, Gardening, Design, and Southern Living
Archive for 'Daily Life'
Hurricane Gustav Evacuation
Posted on September 6th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Plants, Travel.
As I make this blog entry, I am still decompressing from the last week+ that I have been through dealing with my first hurricane, Gustav.
Having moved here in 2006 post Katrina-land, I really didn’t think I would ever have to go through anything like that. And I have not, because Katrina was a real bitch. Luckily, my experience was very watered down (no pun intended) compared to what they went through for Katrina. On the flip side, we didn’t get nice fema payments and red cross money like they did in 2005, but I wouldn’t want to go through anything like that so no big deal. Those things are for those in need.
I am rather pleased with my experience, it could have been ten times worse, and I hope that the next couple months while we prepare to move aren’t plagued with anymore “5 day cones.”
So as I attempted to make some lemonade with the sour fruit I was given, I decided to take some pictures and capture some images to bring my experiences to the internet, even as the dry nature of text and images lack to convey what it is really like. It’s the best I can do.
Here is where my camera started, snapping a picture of little 9 lb Penny the miniature pinscher as she prepared for an adventure. It was easily 100 degrees F, we had lots of water, and Penny was excited and well behaved as always. Tongue hanging out, ready for some fun, safe with her human friends.
On the highway we would see dozens of other dogs, all kinds of animal pets, even a ferret. I tried to take pics of them all, and in the craziness I got off a couple of shots. (more…)
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The Mystery Plant
Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Gardening, Photography, Plants.
So there was a spot on the chain link fence where the blackberry vines grow that was bare from the dog shoving his head in the leaves to peek at the dogs next door. Yes my dog Max is like a nosy old man. An entire yard to play in, and he wants to know what the dogs next door are doing instead. What are the dogs next door doing? Laying in the sun, sleeping, enjoying themselves and oblivious to my peeping tom dog. SO… there was a bare spot on the fence, so I placed a large potted tomato plant that was dying in front of it. Months later, it appeared. It was the mystery plant.
I needed the pot, the tomato was long dead and winter was coming to an end. However, I noticed this interesting little plant springing up, and I did not want to kill it thinking it might be something cool. So I planted some provence lavender in the pot, and left this thing.
Months later, it is completely out of control. Does anyone know what this thing is? Its pretty crazy!
The wind will not knock it over, nothing seems to phase this funky looking thing. It hasn’t flowered or anything, and it does not seem to be a harmful plant.
I would be ever so gracious to anyone who knows what this plant is called. We are in South Louisiana, so its native to here.
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New Weezer - The Red Album
Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by Monique, under Art, Daily Life, Friends, Music, Videos, Weblog.
A band that I have enjoyed ever since I saw them play the Universal Ampitheatre in either 94 or 95, Weezer
Now its 2008 and bands are hating their record labels more than ever, and turning to the internet for their fan bases as can be seen with Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor and Radiohead. It looks as though Weezer is on their way to doing the same. I am adoring the new red album.
And this guy Rivers Cuomo, the frontman of the band Weezer, can write a song. Just amazing. I watched all of the songwriting project videos he has on youtube and was quite captivated. He is so talented, and makes it seem so easy.
And if you haven’t heard the first single from the album, Pork and Beans, you have to watch the video. If you’re not a net head, you probably won’t understand too much of the characters and things in the video. But if you’re like me and have spent thousands of hours on the internet since 95, you will appreciate Pork and Beans. Check it out:
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Pictures I took while I was really high
Posted on June 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Weblog.
…in the air that is. 
I took some lovely pictures while on a flight to and from MSY and LAX. I flew non-stop United “TED” and had a great experience. The pictures came out much better than I thought they would! Click the image for more full sized pics.
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Growing Cherry Tomatoes
Posted on May 20th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Gardening, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Vegetarian, Weblog.
We have about 10×30 feet in the backyard of fended off garden area, and are growing lots of tomatoes. Here is a picture of the cherry tomatoes. This plant has tripled in size and already making tomatoes within a month of planting it in the ground. It had a little bit of yellowing leaves at the base of the plant, but looks like it is taking off and should make us lots of salad tomatoes. Yum.
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McDonalds Caramel Sundaes on Sunday
Posted on May 18th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Friends, Kitchen, New Orleans, Photography, Weblog.
On a beautiful springtime sunday in May, we went to McDonalds for sundaes. Caramel sundaes with apples pies on the side.
I want more just looking at the pics!
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Nissan Titan
Posted on May 18th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Vehicles, Weblog.
I see these Nissan Titan trucks all over the place! A truck is really an important vehicle to have here in South Louisiana, and there are lots of family people here. So these roomy luxury trucks are all over. They actually look pretty cool, here is a pic I snapped of one:
I like black nissan titans best. With silver rims!
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What the dentist did to me
Posted on May 14th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Weblog.
The dentist pulled out my wisdom tooth, thankfully. It was long overdue.
I felt relief as soon as he pulled it. Even with the discomfort, I could tell it was gone and it felt so good. Well, that and the laughing gas. Now I cannot eat solid food for a day or so, time to take it easy. At least they gave me vicodin!
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My female Miniature Pinscher Penny
Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Friends, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Videos, Weblog.
This is a quick video (no audio) that I took with the movie setting of my olympus digital camera.
Penny is my 2 year old miniature pinscher who loves to chase, bark, and play in the backyard. There is a glimpse of our male mini pin Max eating some greens on the side of the fish pond in the background. He grazes like a cow and watches the fish like the old dog he is.
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Morning Sunrise in South Louisiana
Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Weblog.
This morning I found myself in my backyard being showered by sparkly sunbeams swirling in the sky. The sky in south Louisiana is beautiful. It was cool and the sunshine was plentiful.
