#New Orleans in a "Nutshell"!

Been shy about posting since my first, wondering to myself, who would want to read this?

Good news is my husband has been sober since October 2, 2006.   Guess I should talk about life in New Orleans from 2007 until November, 2012.  Met so many colorful characters in our time there.  Always something happening in New Orleans, seemed like every day there was a parade for some occasion. When we first moved there, I had been diagnosed with #Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2005, only taking Plaquenil, folic acid and Lexapro.  Still felt OK...could maneuver pretty well at that point. Very hard financially since we lost everything,  and all I could do was worry, but we made it.    We busied ourselves with AA meetings every day, lingered in coffee shops and found our favorites in the neighborhood.  (in case you were wondering how we paid rent, we were living off of what was left of our 401k)  We both looked for jobs to no avail.  Dealing with depression, anxiety, shame and embarrassment were the daily chores for both of us. 

Magazine Street

"The Blues"...sold

Pat Conroy and me at book signing at Garden District Books

Pat (my husband driving buggy) and Red

Julie Smith (great New Orleans writer) and me

Amzie and me

Toni jamming on sidewalk in NOLA

Mr. Okra a New Orleans tradition

Danny and Dewain

St. Charles Streetcar

Mississippi River Bridge

Robert playing on the Square

Mardis Gras attire

Everyone walks their parrots?

Seems like everyone in New Orleans had a story, tales of hard lives, misunderstood individuals and colorful pasts.  I guess we fit in pretty well.

 My husband decided he would take the history courses at the Cabildo, since he is somewhat of a history buff.   He later admitted that every trip we took to New Orleans, he thought about driving a buggy and giving historical tours.  Well, on his job hunting he came across an ad for "buggy driver" and the rest is history.  He began working for Royal Carriage and found his niche.   I knew he would be a wonderful tour guide (one of the few who actually gave a historical tour, although he did throw in the not-so-historical view of New Orleans) not only because of his love of history, but his gift of gab!!!   It was very hard work....he was responsible for hitching up the mule and spent many long hours in the sweltering heat and freezing temps, not to mention the crazies on Jackson Square and the tourists.

Meanwhile, back at the house, I was still searching for a job.   Had been a legal secretary for many years and interviewed for a clerical position in the legal department at Tulane University, but didn't get the position.   In the meantime, I began working at a neighborhood coffee shop as a Barista.   Considering my plight of having a hideous disease known as #Rheumatoid Arthritis, I handled it.   Definitely could not work full-time, because for those of you who are also suffering from this disease, the more you use the joints that are affected, the more "flares" you have.   Considering our financial situation, we qualified for health care through LSU and after one year, was able to seek medical treatment from a wonderful #Rheumatologist.  God was watching over us and I am grateful.  The doctor kept me on the Plaquenil, folic acid regimen but added #Methotrexate (pills) and I have also been taking thyroid meds for years, and at last I had some relief.

And if this wasn't enough, I continued to play slot machines.  I used this addiction as a release, a self-medication, if you will.   I absolutely hate talking about this because we had enough on our plates without me throwing money away.  I used the slot machines, the monotonous rhythm of the sounds of a casino to escape.   I would catch myself looking around at the other idiots doing the same thing I was doing and I felt even worse.  It was like drugs, when a win would come, it was a huge high and then back into the depths of depression.   Believe me it only threw me directly

Pink Vase

"Dancing in New Orleans"...sold

"Flavor of New Orleans"...sold

into the depths of hell. 

I busied myself with painting again and through friends we had made there found myself painting again and showing my work at various venues.  Painting is a passion, but is hard work and dealing with the usual artistic slumps can be truly difficult.   I came across a book by #Julia Cameron, "#The Artist's Way"...a truly wonderful self'-help book.  It is not only a book for "blocked" artists, but for any professional, young or old, male or female who is having trouble focusing and healing deep set wounds.  I formed a small group at the coffee shop by putting a sign-sheet on the counter for anyone interested in studying the "Artist's Way" and lo and behold, found myself with a group.  We

"Sonny's Cher" - sold

scheduled our group meeting once a week and the rest is history.   Here was a group of strangers (I did know a few of the people), who bonded and set out on this journey of healing together.   What a wonderful time.   We were given weekly homework and our daily assignment was "Morning Pages".  Morning pages were such a fabulous spiritual journey for everyone.   Julia Cameron described the pages as "brain drain" and it truly was.   They must be hand-written (no computer), 3 pages and written the first thing in the morning....NO night-time pages.   There are no set rules for the content, in fact, let it GO.  NO ONE is allowed to read your pages, not even you!   You can (and should) say anything that is on your mind.   These pages are some of the best therapy I have had.  All I can say, is go pick up a copy and begin your journey.   In fact, it's time for me to bring out the well-worn, scribbled-in copy and start over. I NEED IT NOW.

Everyone in the group found themselves opening up at our sessions and feeling at ease talking about feelings that have been hidden for years.   What a relief to feel secure enough with a group of people, some of which you have never met and know you can speak freely and confidentially and discover old wounds and put them to rest.

I have rattled on and if you are still reading this, Bless your Heart (a favorite southern expression and it has several meanings!).   I promise when I am finished spilling the beans, we will go on to brighter topics, #painting, #crocheting, #decorating, #reading and some cooking.  

"Marilyn ?" hijacked by my daughter, Liz