See that there? Nope, not from wielding my Edward Scissorhands around adoring little poochies. That, my friends, is the painful fruit of my labors...namely weed pulling between the cracks of the brickwork in our back yard over the past couple of days. Ahh, but it will be so worth it...already we are enjoying outdoor sits at dusk, happily sipping Abita and listening to the little night creatures come out to play.

This is one of the downsides of my latest career ambition:



Evil puppies biting. And I'm sure you are dying to see the ferocious beastie that tried to take off my limb:





Clearly if I am thumbs screwed in the garden, than I must be settled in, yes?

I have four words... happy, scared, relieved, overwhelmed.

We are slowly but surely coming together. Life changes are exciting, but don't think for a second that I'm going to tell you it's easy...it sure as hell ain't. They are totally hard too...and that is understatement of the year.

We got here two weeks ago as of tomorrow with our dogs, our computer, two plates, a frying pan and a sleeping bag. The highlight of the drive down was Miss Myra's BBQ Pit in Birmingham, Alabama:



We were more than happy to see the signs for New Orleans:







Our belongings didn't arrive until the following Friday. That's 9 days of sleeping on the floor, lots of rice and beans and general anxiety. I certainly now can begin to appreciate why people still talk about the storm here...I can't imagine being completely misplaced and losing everything..every. thing.

Relief came with having our "stuff"..it's cramped quarters right now as we are shoved into the little upstairs apartment, but at least it's getting closer to "home".

I started work two days (exhausting but hey - sho' me the money honey) after arriving and it's great but challenging at the same time. The dogs are not nearly as mean as the ones at school (apprx 30 dogs so far and only 1 biter), but working for an owner that has been there for 25 years and has clients almost as long can be ..errr...difficult. The upside is that I know she is interested in me, genuinely likes and appreciates me and is interested in helping me do well for myself. But she talks about other groomers having issues/insecurities and she's got her own...she needs to be the "teacher" and needs to feel that no one can do it as good as her.

Why, oh why, is this a recurring theme in my life??? I swear I know this lesson already dammit!!! She's lucky that I am coming straight from school and know I have some shit to learn; I can see where other pro groomers would say see ya later without giving her the benefit of the doubt. The light at the end of the tunnel is they are always busy and she's really got one foot into retirement...if I wanted that place, it could probably be mine in time.

I just don't know to be honest. Usually I'm so gun ho about an idea; initial excitement which then peters out...like a bake shop, or air hostess (Chaz talked me outa that one...apparently a cute uniform is not a good enough reason to have that job). With this, there isn't that wham bam excitement, but it's enjoyable enough. I just don't know if it's enough to want the hassle of being in business for myself...I guess time will tell.

I know one thing for sure: I do not at all miss the office. What little gratification I got from making people happy was drowned by all the bull crap. At least with grooming, when the door closes and the last dog is picked up, it's over.

We're in the city we love, but right now it's a little untouchable because I'm too stressed over money and Chaz not having work. I know it will come - it's just my sense of urgency is greater than the rest of the damn planet.

I'm a little sad about the fact that I was in the NYC area so long and never felt like I laid down any roots. In some ways I feel like an orphan again and can only hope that we have found a more welcoming place.

Scratch that...I know we have found a more welcoming place. We've been told we're almost family at our favorite locals restaurant/bar called Coops (OMG fried chicken - I shit you not) and got some nice french roast and apple pastry from Ms. Loretta - our neighbor at Loretta's Pralines. Hell, even our downstairs tenant gave us some cantaloupe and a cannister of Community coffee as a welcome sentiment!

I will say it's nice to come home and look at our giant fig tree and sip beer with hub while watching the puppies explore. It's nice to walk around and say hi to people and they don't cross the street to avoid you. I'm volunteering once a week at this place called the Green Project which recycles historic housing materials...fireplace mantles, banisters, pine and cypress flooring etc.. it's such a great organization and I get to meet some pretty nice people..locals and drifters alike.

We had a cajun/zydeco festival along with a creole tomato festival last Sunday which was cool. Oh and I found out the name of a chorus director for the NOLA Opera Chorus..I'm hoping to schedule an audition once we are a little more settled. And we see Zydepunks live this Saturday at DBA which is in our 'hood!! Now that is what I'm talking about! It's so thrilling to have such easy access to music. And it's pretty nice to think I could potentially be singing again.

On the weight front, my scale bounces daily between 206 and 210...can you gain 4 lbs of water and salt overnight? I may just need a new scale. However 210 is the red light/danger zone. I'm not climbing that slippery slope again..even if it means I have to boycott the Blue Bell!

Watch out world, 'm gearing up and getting ready for action on all fronts!

Welcome to the South! I'm delighted to hear you're enjoying your new life, even with the uncertainties. Also: I think I gained 4 lbs just from reading this post! LOL But it was totally worth it.