Hi everybody! Just wanted to let you know, as most of you already do, that we're here in Ocean Springs, MS and in one piece. We already have an evacuation plan in place should Heir Hurricane Gustav come anywhere close to us. All is well for the most part--- still getting acclimated to flora, fauna, rich food, and very friendly people! I've already been called "M'am" multiple times, even by girls only a few years younger than me.
The picture to the left is what happens when you clean all your childhood possessions out of your parent's house and have wayyyyy too much time on your hands... my great Auntie Marian made all the featured Barbie clothes.
(Photo Caption Left: Hey Y'all. Wish you were here! Now, who's going to fix me a mint julep?...)
Brian and I have been renting a lovely condo that sits right on the Davis Bayou.
(Photo Caption Right: I GOT CRABS!)
Brian has nicknamed me Bubba Wojcik because of my success and preoccupation with preparing the crustacian varmin. Mmmm-mm! Tasty! I am not a crook. But boy, I felt guilty when they were all holding on to each other when I tried to pick out just one. It's sweet how they look out for each other. Alright then, in ye go.
The weather has been hot. And muggy. But we've had our share of gorgeous weather too. Once in a while, we even get a breeze!
(Photo Caption Left: Ooooh, it's windy!)
Plus, according to the locals, this has been the most mild summer of bugs. Little to no sign of the 'no-see-ums' but I guess I wouldn't see them either way. Even the mosquitoes haven't been that bad. All we really have to contend with, at least where we're living now, are ants and two-inch cockroaches, but they just come out at night and mostly stay outside.
Brian's been back to work almost a month now. I'm working on the back to work thing in between crab and shrimp cleaning and playing with my barbies. Cleaning shrimp is a pain in the ass! But they sure are scrumptious. In other foods, I had ribs two days in a row the first weekend we were here. Then I didn't feel so good. Now, no more ribs. Though I've had the food culture explained to me by a dear friend, I still have a hard time with how people can STILL eat such rich foods in such hot weather. As if I feel that motivated or move that fast in 90'F and 100% humidity before lunching on fried oyster po-boy and cajun fries. The way my pants are fitting these days, I better get myself a job in the cotton fields pretty soon to work off this new diet. Had a Katrina Burger at Huck's last night (all the debris from the kitchen. Very good with beer. Like everything).
I'm still sorting through 3 MB of digital pictures from our cross-continental road trip and will post more soon.
Hope all is well with you!! Lots more to share, but the Northwestern Football team is kicking off now, and the library doesn't have cable or a tv.
(Far left: Sunset over the Biloxi Bridge, which connects Biloxi to Ocean Springs, rebuilt after Katrina)
(House hunting poolside: Brian's reviewing the disclosure for a place we really like and were supposed to close on Tuesday. However, insurance companies won't issue insurance when there is a named storm in the area. And we want to make sure there's still a house there, so we're just going to reschedule for later in the week...)
(Gretchen is easily blossoming into a Southern Belle. She's a little overdressed for the occasion. I give her massages with the vacuum. Our new favorite past-time is grooming during 30 mph winds, aka the Remnants of Fay. With one stroke of the brush, the clumps of fur are effortlessly whisked into the breeze. "You're free!" I exclaim. Later, I usually find huge clumps of hair deposited on the second floor landing.)
