Did you ever wonder how to eat a crawfish? At a crawfish boil, everything is cooked in one big pot with the crawfish and seasoning and dumped on a table for everyone to stand around and eat. You twist it, suck the head for the juice (not shown in video) squeeze it to break the shell a bit, peel away some of the segments and pinch the tail to pull the meat out. Other things often in the boil are: oranges, lemon, potatoes, corn, mushrooms, sausage, garlic, artichoke. Anything goes. I must tell you, I am not a natural at it after living here for 4 years. Still amazed how fast the locals can peel it and get all the great meat. My kids seem to have picked it up as second nature.

When I got wind of the potential budget cut in Louisianan that would directly impact our Veterans and their families, I was very upset. Yes, times are tight and budgets need to be cut, that is understandable. There is so much pork spending out there that needs to go away. But, when it comes to our very patriotic state with 304,889 veterans who have served honorably and selflessly, this is where budget cuts need to draw the line. They have made brave sacrifices and are entitled to services above and beyond the average citizen (in my honest opinion). Not only will this impact the veterans of today, but those from previous generations that honorably served. I am also very concerned about the mental and physical well-being of today’s returning war heroes and believe cutting any service that may potentially help them is unjust.

Fact: May 17th House Bill 1 (HB1) was passed by the House Appropriations Committee and in it was a cut of $932,124 for the LDVA
Fact: Earlier in the year the LDVA reduced its’ budget from $7,780,946 to $5,471,734, a reduction of $2,309,212
Fact: Department’s overall budget calls for a modest increase, up from $49,760,550 to $53,879,388. This is due to increases in Federal and Self-Generated funds secured by the Department through a strategic plan which was successfully implemented in 2008.
Fact: If the revisions are accepted $932,124 will be cut
Fact: Veterans Service Offices are in place to assist veterans in getting the services they are entitled to, including: getting help with bills, long term care solutions, and navigating the health and mental health VA system and alternate resources.
Fact: If HB1 passes, 22 Veterans Parish Service Offices would be closed, with a direct impact on 30,734 Louisiana Veterans and their families: Allen, Beauregard, Bienville, Cameron, Catahoula, Desoto, East Carroll, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Red River, Richard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. Martin, Tensas, Union, West Baton Rouge, and West Carroll.
Fact: If HB1 passes it would delay the opening of the CENLA Veterans Cemetery in Leesville
Fact: If HB1 passes burial operations at its NWLA Veterans Cemetery in Keithville would cease.
Fact: If HB1 passes the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal program would shut down

Call to action: Secretary of the LDVA, Lane Carson is encouraging all Louisiana Veterans and their supporters to contact their area Legislators and voice their opposition to the revisions passed by the House Appropriations Committee.

The link for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is here
To find out who your local legislators are click here

This story about a Louisiana nursery called, Teche Nursery, and how they want to give a tree to all Louisiana Gold Star families, got me all choked up today. There is a special place reserved for people like Joe Romero! Hooah!

Influx in Puppies Results in an LA/SPCA Puppy Party

New Orleans (February 14, 2011) – The Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) will be hosting a Puppy Party on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 10am-2pm at the Animal Rescue and Care Center at 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd. Following an influx in dogs under 4 months of age the LA/SPCA decided to approach these puppy adoptions in a festive way.

All puppies will be showcased at the Animal Rescue and Care Center. Volunteers will be on hand to assist with interactions and adoptions. Special puppy adoption sessions will be held every half hour starting at 10:20am to educate new pet owners on the joys and challenges of bringing a puppy home.

Standard adoption procedures apply. Renters are required to produce proof of pet friendly housing. A family with another dog will have to bring their dog in for a meet and greet with the new puppy. All family members should be present when picking out a puppy, including children. The LA/SPCA will not hold any puppies during this time period.

“We are so excited to throw this Puppy Party,” says Ana Zorrilla, LA/SPCA CEO, “we want these puppies to find loving forever homes as quickly as possible.”

Dogs under six months of age find homes much faster than any other animal in the Animal Rescue and Care Center. Armed with this knowledge and the irresistible cute factor of puppies, the LA/SPCA is confident all of the puppies will be in new homes by the end of the party.

The adoption fee for puppies under six months is $150. This fee includes spay/neuter, all vaccinations, microchipping, a bag of puppy food, two month supply of heartworm medication, and one month supply of flea medication, an over $400 value. Dogs over 6 months and over 20 lbs, and all cats and kittens are available as well. The adoption fee for these animals is $80.

The LA/SPCA plans to showcase at least 30 puppies under 4 months of age. Breeds range from Rottweiler to Louisiana Special (mutt).

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2010

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES NEW “SUPPORT OUR VETERANS” LICENSE PLATE NOW ON SALE

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) announced today that the “Support Our Veterans” Louisiana License Plate is available for purchase through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Created with the passage of House Bill 1204 in the 2010 LA Legislative Session, the plate was designed to patriotically honor the men and women who have served our country through their military service.

“Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce the new “Support Our Veterans” license plates are ready for sale,” says LDVA Secretary Lane A. Carson. “LDVA is always looking for more ways to honor our Veterans. This new specialty plate gives everyone who owns a vehicle in Louisiana a way to show their support for our country’s heroes.”

Now available for purchase at all Louisiana State Office of Motor Vehicle locations, online at www.expresslane.org , or by calling (225) 925-6146, costs for the plates include a one-time $25 fee in addition to regular license plate fees. Proceeds from the sale of these plates will be dedicated to the Military Family Assistance (MFA) fund for various Veterans programs. MFA is managed by LDVA and provides assistance to members of Louisiana National Guard or Louisiana Reservists who experience financial hardships as a result of being placed on active-duty status.

The license plate design, created by LDVA staff and Jane Thomas of Thomas Graphics, features the silhouettes of military personnel in a traditional combat uniform as well as a female in dress uniform on the left side of the plate. A lightly colored background image of the United States flag serves as a backdrop and a bold red bar featuring the words “SUPPORT OUR VETERANS” in white lettering runs along the bottom portion of the plate.

The mission of LDVA is to provide comprehensive care and quality service to Louisiana’s Veterans and families with regard to health care, education, disability benefits, long term care and burial honors. For more information about LDVA programs and services, please call toll free 1-877-GEAUX-VA (1-877-432-8982) or visit www.vetaffairs.la.gov .

For more information on LDVA, contact Robin Keller at Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs at 225-281-7833 or robin.keller@la.gov .

Every once in a while a feel good story like this will comes along like this one. Thank you for your brave service Mr. Bond!

I report…you decide…

Landrieu statement: Oil Spill Commission Findings Show Drilling Moratorium Unjustified
January 6, 2011

WASHINGTON — United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today issued the following statement in response to the National Oil Spill Commission’s advance partial release of findings from its upcoming full report on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Landrieu said:

“These findings seem to support what we’ve said all along: that the blowout was caused mainly by human error among the companies managing and servicing that particular rig, not by any faulty mechanical system or equipment failure. The administration’s response to this tragedy—to impose a moratorium on all other deepwater drilling in the Gulf—was excessive, over-reactive and uncalled for, in much the same way as if the government were to ground all commercial flights pending investigation of a single plane crash. Nothing in these findings justifies the shutdown of an entire industry because of one mishap. I eagerly look forward to reading the Commission’s full report.”

President Obama established the Commission on May 22nd, 2010 to investigate the root causes of the spill and provide recommendations on how to prevent and mitigate the impact of any future spills that result from offshore drilling .

The findings released today as well as other materials on the Commission’s investigation into the root causes of the BP Gulf rig blowout can be found at www.OilSpillCommission.gov.

The Commissioners will hold a press conference on the release of their full report and recommendations on Jan. 11th at 11am at the National Press Club in Washington DC. The Commission’s press conference will be streamed live for public viewing on its website.

I am passionate about anything military and military support. I love social media and still have trouble calling Yatmedia work. So when I we get a client who wants to do military outreach stuff – bingo! On Veteran’s Day, hubby and I will will be heading to the Old State Capital for a ceremony, followed by the unveiling of a shirt made by My Fleur De Tee that will benefit the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana. You can read all about the event here. I feel honored to have pulled this company and great group of ladies together! Woot wot!

I can’t believe I have truly bitten my blogging tongue so much on the oil disaster. It is day 63 and I finally am writing a blog post. Basically, I have been micro-blogging about it on Twitter and Facebook a bunch, but never took the time to truly gather my thoughts for a post. I refuse call it the “gulf oil spill” because this infinite amount being dumped into our ecosystem is no longer “spill-worthy.” No – this is a disaster! One of the reasons I sat back so much is because is because I did not want politicize this. Like many Americans, especially those from Louisiana, I just wanted it fixed. I could care less who did it, JUST FIX IT! It is personal on many levels for me, so I will take a stab at writing about it the best I can. I apologize to those of you who are looking at a definitive “hit piece” from this normally very opinionated blogger. But I think a large part about growing as a person, is stepping back and thinking about different angles of a situation. Maybe I am not alone with my political struggles with this situation.

In the blogging world of New Orleans, I love all the bloggers, even though 90% are not on the same political page with me. I thought it more productive to share our common ground, our love for the environment and love of Louisiana without having to point and blame politicians because they have an (R) or (D) attached to their name. My friend and business partner Ed, are polar political opposites, yet I truly embrace his thoughts on remembering the 11 that died when the oil rig blew up. These 11 men have been grossly neglected in the whole scheme of this catastrophe and it is a crying shame. We all want it fixed, just the angles about how we go about it is certainly not in tune for the most part. The oil disaster has become a very easy political moving target.

The Louisiana politicians are against a moratorium on drilling because it will bankrupt Louisiana and drive the proverbial knife in our backs even more. I have been struggling with this one. You see, in my youth, trying to “find my way politically” days, I also was drawn to the environment and animals. I belonged to Greenpeace, save the whales etc…, WWF and I’ve been a vegetarian for 30 years now. How does that fit into the Conservative mold? Even though I have distanced myself from some of those wacky agenda groups, I still have a heart for all the living and breathing creatures who are effected by the sea and on this planet. I almost threw up a little in my mouth learning about sea turtles being burned alive just yesterday.

Who cares if drilling stops? It actually makes perfectly good sense. If you are doing something and not sure what you are doing, you better stop and figure it out before you do it any more. In other words, if we don’t know how to fix a disaster, why would we possibly want to create more disasters? Then I think of those who are impacted negatively and my state as a whole and say to myself, “We are the USA – we can certainly help a state in need and all those who lose their jobs.” But then it does not make sense either, because we have a nation that needs oil. Why not drill for it in our own back yards? Or maybe it is better to let others drill in our back yards, drill in their back yards, or just let others deal with all of that and we buy it? It makes my head spin and I wish I had the answer. I know many of you will have a deep-rooted opinion on this one and I look forward to hearing about it, without being hateful. I think that is the problem – passion and being hateful become a blurred line in this discussion.

As for President Obama, yes, he fits into the equation of the oil disaster. He is not involved in it because it is his fault or because he welcomes it to further his agenda, the anger from some directed at him initially was appalling to this Conservatarian. But has he done enough? From someone who does not want the Federal Government involved in my life so much, I will say what I wrote on Facebook the other day. ” My son asked what should be done differently withe the oil mess. I told him if our house was on fire, I would grab every garden hose and use every resource necessary to stop it before the fire department showed up. Maybe not the
perfect scenario – but you get what I was trying to say. Maybe shoot first, ask questions later. Or get to the closest ER and worry about sorting the bill out later.” I’m sorry folks, but that is the attitude that should have been in place earlier on and should be there now. I’m not feeling it! I tried not to be that way for a long time – making this partisan – blaming Obama and I can’t regarding some of it. Regardless of your political party affiliation, have you stepped back and thought about if there is enough being done by our current administration? After all, this now will have impact on the entire US – not just a small part of a coast line as we initially thought. Help me here folks!

Here is a current map of where oil has washed ashore on beaches. I’m locked into a Destin vacation in a couple of weeks. Looks like we will be washing off oil after getting out of the water.

I made the video below at the beginning of the oil disaster. I regretted what I said as soon as it got worse, but unfortunately still have to stand behind, “drill baby drill” because as much as I would love to see alternative energy magically pop up and fill all our cars, it is not realistic. Now do I want to drill even more before we fix the current mess? My jury is still out. I’m not much of a gambler and that is what this is – gambling with the environment. You can talk about solar panels and wind power until you are blue in the face, but it does not change our need for oil AT THIS VERY MOMENT. Would you rather have a foreign dependency or oil or have it yourself? Hmmm…..