Mardi Gras Mambo

It's Mardi Gras Time!

If you don't know, I live in Houma, Louisiana. It's about an hour away from New Orleans. Yesterday kicked off the Mardi Gras parade season and it will be going on until February 21st. People down here go CRAZY for this holiday. People start preparing for this holiday WAY before it even comes.

The riders start buying their loot of beads, doubloons, candy, stuffed animals and other items to throw. 

The floats are decorated.

Costumes are decorated or made.

LOTS of these are sold.

It was cold and rainy last night, not to mention my Momma's birthday, so I didn't go to the parade. Last year I went to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras with my boyfriend and his family for the major parades and parties. This year, I'm not sure I'll be going with him. I can't decide if I want to go or if I should just stay here, so maybe y'all can help me decide!! 

I'll set up the schedule first. 

Usually, Joshua (boyfriend) and I would travel up the Saturday before. This year that day is February 18th. We  come home on Fat Tuesday (Feb. 21), also known at Mardi Gras Day.

This year, I have to work overnight on the 18th. I am a nanny to 4 awesome kiddos. I am staying over Saturday night, the day we usually leave. I have no idea what time their parents will be home, but I wouldn't get to New Orleans until some time Sunday. I am technically not off on the Monday, but she left it up to me if I go in or not.

Pros: Mardi Gras is SO much fun in New Orleans and there are lots of things to see and do! Josh's sister that lives in Tennessee and her husband will be there and we haven't seen them in a while.

Cons: I am not sure if I really want to take off Monday. I would get paid either way, but I am one of those people that feels so bad and guilty for taking off for anything!! I wouldn't get there until some time Sunday. I would guess that I wouldn't get there until late afternoon, which leads me to the next con. TRAFFIC!! Mardi Gras traffic is horrible! New Orleans traffic is 16905 times worse than Mardi Gras traffic in Houma. I would be in the car by myself, no bueno. I would only be there for 2 nights. My momma will be out of town and we have 3 animals. I would have to ask her friend to come feed Duke (dog) and Jack (my mom's small bird). The third animal is my sweet boy Elliot.

Elliot cannot stay in his cage for as long as I'll be gone. He could, but it wouldn't be fair to him. I would have to send him to his babysitters. I can't trust just anyone to feed him and let him have some free time out of his cage. My mom's friend is a little scared of him, so I can't leave her in charge of my baby boy. I don't blame her for being scared of him though! He has an attitude like his momma and that beak can do damage. It's not expensive for me to have him boarded, but it is money that I would rather have in my wallet. 

So, in your opinion, does the pro outweigh the cons?

I am SO sorry that this is such a long post, but thank you to the ones that made it to the end! Ha!