It’s pretty much official, I’m too old for New Orleans. Or maybe I’m just out of practice.

I spent 4 fabulous full days there with friends, both old and new, at Mom 2.0 Summit. I went to some amazing sessions and heard some very powerful words from people in the blogosphere who influence myself and so many others. I had the best roomies ever, and except for an unfortunate incident involving baby powder, the terlet and a phone, we managed to stay out of trouble. World’s collided. Chef John Besh cooked and served me and some of my best girls a fabulous lunch, sponsored my a staple in my pantry, Zatarain’s. I met a guy from Community Coffee who was best friends in high school with the son of my old police chief. And I befriended a cabbie who was a native and remembered all the good things about the city before the storm came. I was in my element, and man did it feel good!

I also drank copious amounts of alcohol, ate way too much food, bought too much local art and danced and laughed with friends until the wee hours of the morning.

In short, I had a blast. And I am exhausted. My blood alcohol content probably still exceeds the legal limit.

I was in a city that I call home with people that I love. I never wanted it to end. My liver and my bank account begged to differ.

It took me hours to peel myself away. I stopped at all of my little haunts, took pictures, picked up real estate magazines, da paper, drove around. I begrudgingly made it back to my home now, in Alabama, and felt again like I had left a huge piece of me somewhere along the Gulf Coast that I love. All the way back I kept thinking, I am going too far from home. Stop. Stop. But when I got here and got my doggies, I felt ok again. For a while.

For four days I knew where I was and it felt like I belonged. And now, I’m drifting again.

But towards what?

My heart will soon be back on the Gulf Coast, where it belongs. : ) The fact that I’m seeing my friends, both old and new, is just lagniappe. I drug out an oldie by Poco. It was “our song” and I think it’s mighty fitting. Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler…….

It’s getting to be about that time …………… this gulf coast girl is ready to go home !