DAMN!DAMN!DAMN!DAMN!DAMN! (did you guess its a rant?) DAMN!

[Rowdyboy]

DAMN!DAMN!DAMN!DAMN! SONUVABITCH!

Just finished canceling reservations for next week in New Orleans. Four nights in a romantic guest-house in the Garden District

We had booked Ms LuLu White's Mahogany Hall in the Bordello annex of 1415 Creole Gardens (top bedroom in the link) http://www.creolegardens.com/

Its just a block from the streetcar and a mile from the French Quarter.

Everything has been set since April. Already decided on some restaurants and had the money set aside to do it right.

My partner's 84 year old mom has been visiting us. Two nights ago she got out of bed to go to the bathroom and her legs gave out. Diagnoses: kidney infection, small patch of pneumonia in one long, and bad blood levels. She'll be hospitalized until Monday and then unable to travel for awhile. He's an only child and doesn't resume teaching until August 8th. You figure out how the rest of the summer will go.

I'm just disappointed. She's a very sweet lady, and no trouble at all. We had to really twist her arm to get her to visit at all. Its just a bitch because I had REALLY dreamed about this trip for a long time and now, just days before, its canceled.

I feel like I'm 5 and someone stole my only cookie.... :cry:

Poor, poor,pitiful me.....

[Dookus]

1. sorry to hear that...

but family comes first. You're doing a good thing.

If it's any comfort, New Orleans in the summer is unbearably steamy. Find some time in the fall to go.

[Rowdyboy]

2. I've been during Labor Day before (Southern Decadence) and it

truly is miserable. However, if you sleep all day.....

We'll probably do a week in October or November and enjoy it much more. I was just mentally revved up and ready!

[pacalo]

4. Dookus is so correct

I'm from New Orleans & I can assure you that summertime is not the ideal time to visit. You'd be a lot better off coming in November or December (as far into the cooler months as possible). I hope I've helped to ease your disappointment; it seems to have worked out for the best.

[Rowdyboy]

6. Logically, I know you're right

but, Hell, I live in central Mississippi. New Orleans isn't THAT much worse!

Still, fall will be MUCH better. I've always wanted to do part of Christmas/New Years in New Orleans.

BTW, welcome to DU. Always glad to see a new southerner here!

:thumbsup:

[pacalo]

12. Thanks! I'm glad to have found this forum. The people here make me

proud to be a Democrat -- common sense makes the world a better place.:)

[LeighAnn]

3. HOLD THOSE RESERVATIONS!

I'll come watch his ole mom, and the two of you can slip a way for a couple of days. She'll understand...I promise to be very entertaining.

[Rowdyboy]

5. Don't tempt me!

We'll probably lose our deposit for canceling so late, but some things just can't be helped. We canceled right after lunch, but thanks for the kind offer....

[pagerbear]

8. I wonder if telling them about your partner's mother

....would soften their hearts where the deposit is concerned.

[Rowdyboy]

9. I sent them an e-mail and explained the situation

They seem like nice people (we've e-mailed before) and I think they'll probably go light on us. We really do intend to stay there someday. It looks really nice.

[pagerbear]

13. In that case

...if they don't refund the deposit, maybe they'll let you apply it toward a future reservation.

[Zookeeper]

7. Ouch! That's disappointing...

you are doing the right thing, though. ('Just think of all the good karma you're earning...)

I hope you are able to reschedule the vacation for the autumn. :hug:

[Rowdyboy]

10. Thanks...

A little good karma comes in very handy now and again!

[Swamp Rat]

11. Aww... sorry to hear this Rowdyboy

New Orleans is fun anytime of the year, but it is pretty hot from July to September. Late October and November is the best time (besides Mard Gras, Jazz fest in the Spring). Though, last night I had my anthropology class outside by the lake and the weather was just fine... but the mosquitos were so bad I felt as if I gave a blood transfusion.

I know how you feel, except I felt like someone stole my praline.

:hug:

[Red State Rebel]

14. Look, I know I'm female, but I've shared hotel rooms

with my gay friends before - I've been DYING to go to New Orleans!! Ok, so it won't be romantic, we can still drink hurricanes till we pass out on a sidewalk somewhere!!

[Rowdyboy]

16. Have you ever been? If not, do yourself a big favor

go, preferably in the spring or fall. My best trip ever was in March a few years back. Spring flowers were blooming and the Quarter, in spite of the horse manure etc., smelled wonderful!

Get a room in the Quarter and you never have to pass out on a sidewalk! Some good hotels are really not that expensive-you just have to know where to look. The food, the music, the history-its indescribable.

The bars...well, the bars are absolutely incredible. One year we met the nicest male stripper named Rocky....but thats another story, altogether.

My favorite memory: sitting in my 3rd floor room in the Provincial, window open, listening to jazz from the French Market below and watching boats pass on the Mississippi. We could smell the beignets and watch the sweating tourists pass below. Everything is amplified theresex is better, drinks are stronger and the food, my God, the food-barbecued shrimp, deep fried softshell crab, eggplant pirogue, shrimp and asparagus crepes at Petunias....ehhhhhh...Dream on...

[Red State Rebel]

21. Oh that sounds heavenly!

I'm going to try to go this fall.

[newyawker99]

24. I hope she gets better soon Rowdy!

:hug:

[a kennedy]

15. *hugs* and I'm sorry, it will be ok.....

Fall is better anyway like others have said. You will be rewarded in other way.

[Lisa]

17. perhaps you could cook a New Orleans themed dish next week?

Seafood, or something? Get a little treat for yourself with a bit of that money you'd been putting by. Just to keep your spirits up.

A guy I know at work had to cancel a planned romantic getaway in Paris because one of the kids got sick at the last minute -- the children who still needed supervision would be staying at Grandma's, and things likely would have turned out okay but the parents decided they just couldn't leave in case things became more serious. Anyway, his wife and family surprised him by setting up a fake French bistro on their lawn with borrowed lawn furniture, and frozen quiche etc. from Safeway.

Sorry to hear about your disappointment, but maybe doing something fun will take everyone's minds off all that.

[Rowdyboy]

18. That is an excellent idea! I make a pretty damn good gumbo,

among other Cajun dishes. Maybe I'll try out something from Paul Prudhomme or Emeril. I love to experiment with cooking, and excellent fresh shellfish is available only 30 minutes away.

Thanks for an fine suggestion! I need to start looking for recipes tonight!

[Swamp Rat]

25. Geaux with the Paul Prudhomme recipes

I'm hungry now. An oyster po-boy sounds pretty good.

[Skittles]

19. you and your partner are wonderful people

ust dream for the next time you can go. :)

[Rowdyboy]

20. Just a coupla "mama's boys"...

He helped me support my mom through her final years. Now I'm doing the same for him.

Thanks, sweet...

on edit: He's back from the hospital. She's doing very well and starting to get testy (always a good sign).

[pagerbear]

22. Hey Rowdybud

How about a pic of the two mama's boys? Checked the gallery and you're not there!

[Rowdyboy]

23. Check your inbox Pager!

[Michigander4Dean]

26. I hope you can go sometime.

Sometimes things happen, huh?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

27. When I saw that headline, my first thought was...

"If I click on this thread, I'm going to find the lyrics to 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.'" :-)

But seriously, what a disappointment. If the B&B really is family owned, maybe they'll give you a raincheck.