Mardi Gras on Valentine's Day

After an eventful Friday night, I had big plans for Saturday as well which included an oil change, tire rotation and alignment for Bertha.

When I got my new tires back in the fall, I also got the three year warranty for alignments and some other warranty for tire rotation meaning I can have it done however often I want during that time period. I asked the guy how often those things needed to be done and he said around 6,000 miles so I basically decided that every other oil change I would get my tires rotated and an alignment. I may as well get my money's worth. (I realize this is all so very intriguing.)

So, I dropped the car off at Goodyear and walked to the gym where I did some cycling and then took a Zumba class and then walked back to Goodyear where my car was all ready to go. It was a good way to spend Saturday morning. 

Once I picked up my car, I headed out to University Drive to get my free birthday burger at Steak and Shake (yes, I realize the irony of working out for almost two hours and then eating a cheeseburger) and then I stopped by Sam's Club. I have actually never been to the Sam's on University Drive probably because I loathe University Drive and typically avoid it at all costs. I usually go to the Sam's off of South Parkway because it's close to work and convenient. Anyway, I walked in and literally turned right around and walked right back out. There were so many people there that every line was probably 10 people deep. I haven't seen lines that long since a snowstorm came to Tuscaloosa in 1996. 

So, I walked back to the car and drove to the produce pickup location and just waited for about 30 minuted until they were ready for me to get my basket for the week. This week's basket was filled with goodness -strawberries, red leaf lettuce, avocados, halos, apples, bananas, onions, red peppers and probably something else that I'm forgetting. 

I went home and rested for a short time before it was time to take a shower and get ready for the Mardi Gras parade. I was meeting my co-worker Maria at 3:00 p.m. the parade was to start 30 minutes later. Not only did I meet up with Maria, but also some of my cousins showed up and stood with us too. Greer (the four-year old) got a ton of beads but they must have gotten heavy because he didn't want to wear them after a while. We decided that next year instead of standing along the road, we would be in the parade instead. 

When the parade was over I was supposed to hang out with Maria, but after the morning workout, my knee was bothering me and I really just was ready to go home, so I parted ways from Maria and my family and went home and snuggled up with my Valentine, Pippa. 

It wasn't a bad way to spend Valentine's Day and it was nice to have some time outdoors before the really cold temperatures came to town. 

Downtown Huntsville Mardi Gras Parade

I'm alive!  It might be hard to believe, but it is true. I've had a busy week with work during the day and then Bible study or the gym in the evenings. Tonight I've got church, but I have managed to find a minute to do some writing before heading out.

This past weekend was full of fun and most importantly, laughter. Friday night I hosted my friends Paul and Leah and Jonathan and Caley for dinner. Jackie helped me host and brought a delicious salad. We played a hilarious game and spent the evening laughing and talking. It was such a fun night.

Most of Saturday was lazy as I caught up on the DVR and managed to get some laundry done. Jackie came over around 4:30 and we headed downtown for Huntsville's first ever Mardi Gras parade. Yall, it was so much fun! The streets were packed with people - a lot more people than show up for the Christmas parade. We ran into my co-worker Maria and hung out with her and her friends. After the parade passed us by, we walked up to Washington Street and watched it pass again. The floats and people in the parade were decked out in all manner of Mardi Gras costume. We managed to catch a few beads and Jackie even scored a t-shirt.

After the parade, we decided to grab some dinner. We figured the Po-Boy Factory would be packed but we drove by anyway and indeed it was. So, we turned around and went to Ted's instead. It was a big night for Ted's as they got all the Po-Boy Factory overflow or it least that's what we thought. Everyone had one beads and were dressed in purple, gold and green, It was almost like being in New Orleans except without all the drunkards.

The evening and weekend was so much fun and I really hope whoever organized the parade will keep up the tradition because everyone that went had a fantastic time!

 The Army band opened up the parade

 Mayor Battle waving to the crowd!

J.O. Johnson High Band - Always entertaining!

Jackie scored a t-shirt!

Me and my co-worker Maria