It was an early August morning in New Orleans and my friend Myra and I had just left a business meeting. We decided to take the short walk down Canal Street to Magazine Street  to a local restaurant to have another cup of coffee or two and catch up. I’m a country girl come to town, but I like cute shoes just as much as the next gal. So I was wearing shoes that I hoped were both cute and comfortable for the walk. Continue Reading

It was really a spur of the moment decision. We didn’t plan for it; we certainly didn’t budget for it. My family’s decision to take off for a 10-day California vacation was one of those “carpe diem” moments. But one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for our family. Continue Reading

In South Louisiana we often use the term “Lagniappe”. If you’re not quite sure what this term means, “Lagniappe” is a term that actually has Spanish and French roots. (Remember, Louisiana has been under both Spanish and French rule, so many of our terms are derivatives of those languages.) ‘Lagniappe’ refers to a little something extra that a friendly shop keeper might add to a customer’s purchase. Continue Reading

There are some people who are content with the status quo. Well, maybe they’re not exactly “content” but they are just not willing to take the action necessary to create a different outcome. Continue Reading

Here in South Louisiana the summer heat is in full force, and you can tell just by looking at my yard. With severe drought and daily temps in the 90′s , my grass looks, well, a little piqued. Since I’ve begun a daily watering campaign, though, the grass has perked up a bit and I’m seeing less brown and more green every day. (And green contributions – towards my water bill, that is – are welcome!) Continue Reading

Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I am a control freak. There, I’ve said it. It’s true. I’m not proud to say it out loud, but I know I have half the battle won, just because I’ve recognized it and admitted it. Continue Reading

This old Cajun adage is often quoted but maybe less often understood. A modern-day translation might read something like, “Hang in there!” or “Finish strong!” Continue Reading

Legend has it that back in the mid-19^th century in New Orleans a division developed between the French, who lived in the French Quarter, and the Americans who lived on the Uptown side of Canal Street. The median on Canal Street separated the two groups, and it became like a “neutral area” between two armies that was controlled by neither side. Eventually farmers set up stands there and residents from both sides were able to peacefully buy fruits, vegetables and coffee in the neutral ground.   Continue Reading

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives…

Is your workplace culture more like that of a daytime soap opera? Do new workplace dramas unfold every Monday morning? Are spats and tiffs between co-workers the norm? (Do you often hear music crescendo in the background and then cut to a commercial break?) Continue Reading

It’s no great comfort for the flying public that air traffic controllers have been nodding off on the job and pilots have been forced to land unassisted. As scary as that may be, personally, I don’t blame the controllers. They were set up for failure. Continue Reading