Samma Spot: Life of a Throw Girl

Hey Peeps!

I've been meaning to do this post for a few weeks ever since we got home from our amazing two week stay in the city of New Orleans. In case you're new around these parts we head out every year to attend Mardi Gras. Until 2023, Hubster was our only rider in the family but in lieu of a large family vacation that year we brought along all 3 kiddos and their spouses/significant others at the time. Side note: all of them have married since then so we are officially a family of 8 in every sense of the word! haha I've been riding with Hubster since then. At some point I'll go back and give you a general recap of what our 2 weeks looks like but today the plan is to show you how parade day goes.

We ride in the Krewe of Orpheus and not being biased or anything, the MOST beautiful of parades. To tell you a little about the Krewe I've swiped the information directly from their website.

The Krewe of Orpheus, derives its name from the mortal Orpheus, son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope. One of the city’s “super krewes”, Orpheus is consciously nonexclusive and New Orleans most diverse krewe boasting 1,300 members from all walks of life. The parade rolls on Lundi Gras and culminates with the Orpheuscapade, a black-tie party that draws thousands of revelers to welcome the floats through the convention center as they are entertained by world-renowned musicians.

Founded in 1993 by a small group including Harry Connick, Jr., Harry Connick, Sr. and Captain Sonny Borey, the Krewe of Orpheus is a Mardi Gras organization open to all men and women of good character and spirited personality.

You may have also seen my many posts about decorating tambourines, as that is our Krewe's signature throw but we also throw alllll the other things as well. Without any more fanfare here is what parade day looks like for us. One other note, my sweet Hubster is the Sergeant for our float (Smokey Mary caboose) and he gets to pre-load our throws on Sunday since he has other duties to assist the Lieutenant on parade day. This year Abogg was allowed in early as well, the Lieutenant had a knee replacement a few months prior and the young knees had to be called in to action. What does this mean you ask? It means AprilMayJune and I got to skip the back breaking work on Monday morning of loading our throws, which saves us several hours and a lot of energy. We also got Sunday morning to spend sipping adult beverages and shopping. Got to spend a little one on one time with my DIL 💕

Let's get the day rolling shall we?

We need to be over in the convention center by 9am so it's up and dressed for the day.

We will be in these clothes until about 2 or 3 in the morning so comfort is key. Our costumes go on over our clothing and we keep our costumes on at the ball. Those are compression socks pushed down around my ankles that I'll pull up before the parade starts, they really help with swelling because we are stuck in one standing position for several hours.

Now let's run down to the M club at our favorite Marriott hotel and grab some breakfast.

They usually have grits, which are incredible, but today was oatmeal. I took a hard pass and had some eggs, toast and bacon. Hubster was kind enough to hold my plate so I could grab a pic. While I finished up my coffee, Hubster ran back to the convention center and I made a quick trip back to the room to grab the bag of tambourines and Charlie the Chicken. We didn't preload those items for fear of someone accidentally crunching them.

You can see, I also grabbed a sweatshirt. It was overcast and a bit chilly out this morning. I'll run back to the hotel before the loading call to drop it off. (The hotel is across the street from the convention center but it's still a good little walk). Charlie and I have become big buddies, I hope the recipient loves him!

The big bag holds the tambourines.

(The recipient ended up being about a 6 year old girl...who sobbed when I gave him to her so Charlie is in good hands!)

That's our spots, Hubster sent a pic to tell me to hurry up and get over and get to unpacking.

You can see, it's a tiny space for a lot of stuff.

That's me in there, working away. Ripping everything out of plastic bags and tossing garbage over the sides. We do our best to minimize the trash on the float.

I'm not nearly done unpacking but you can see the tiny space we're confined to on the float.

Hey Charlie!! He's hanging out in the wagon until I'm ready for him on the float.

You can see behind Charlie the bags of throws awaiting pick up from other riders. That is a fraction of the bags you can see. We are a throw heavy parade for sure!

We have a designated entrance at the convention center and this is the view when you walk into the area. Fortunately, our float is right as you walk in on the left. The floats are in the order of which they will leave the convention center for the parade staging area. This is a well oiled machine.

Looking to the right as you come in, the floats are magnificent even in the fluorescent lighting.

We're on a signature float so we always know exactly where our float is in the parade, but they have a big poster with the entire float procession lineup posted as you come in.

Don't think we are working in silence either. There's always a brass band marching around the convention center getting everyone in the mood.

The party starts early for us!

Sergeant Hubster checking in on the Abogg and AprilMayJune to see if they are doing ok and need anything. I was probably over there yapping too. They were directly behind us on the float.

Here's some of the trash being tossed off the floats. This is only a fraction, but the convention center staff has that cleaned up in no time after we start pulling out. They are amazing workers!

Charlie and I have finished unpacking all the throws.

I'm really gonna miss ole' Charlie

Charlie is going to watch out for everything because it's 1 pm and we need to go eat our Buffett lunch.

Here's my plate, apparently we are carbo loading! That was jambalaya, Mac & cheese, and potato salad. There was also fried chicken but I'm not really a fried chicken fan so I skipped that part. Hubster and gang thought it was really good though. Honestly, lunch is always delicious, not what you'd expect. I'm pretty sure I went back and grabbed a second helping of jambalaya though.

Let's take a quick walk around the convention center and look at the floats. I'm sorry I didn't do a video because by this time the tractors are getting hooked up with the generators so the hall is filled with music, laughter and general revelry.

Photo dump commencing & these pics have not been edited and they were taken rather quickly because we are running behind to get dressed.

I've tried to put the title to the float but sometimes the concept drawings and the actual final float design change. Mistakes on labeling are mine alone.

This is the lead float containing the theme for the parade this year. All the World's A Stage

Our esteemed Monarch's float Mr Noah Wyle

The full view from the front of the Monarch float

Another signature float: The Trojan Horse

The engine to our Smokey Mary train

I loved this one!

And All the Men and Women Merely Players

Domingo

Stunning work done by our float builders.

Come Not Between a Dragon and His Wrath

Padian II

These pieces are hand painted, each single piece.

The Devil Can Site Scripture for his Purpose

Mullany

One more signature float, The Captain's Galleon

They had the lights working, just waiting on the tractor

The Rhythm of Orpheus float

Another incredible float.

Love Looks Not With The Eyes, But With the Mind

Feichter

This is Very Midsummer Mandness

Fletcher

I thought these bats were so stinking cute!

Lord What Fools These Mortals Be

Franklin

Leviathan, an incredible signature float

This float is so incredible at night, he breathes smoke and the lights and his head turns.

Truly beautiful coming down the street.

Winter Comes Can Spring Be Far Behind

Cheramie

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Mason

A quick pass by our float to make sure Charlie is hanging in there.

I've found my costume, we were the last of our float to get dressed, whoops.

I'm going to stop here and tell you that the people who work hard to make our lives easy are amazing. Our costumes are pressed and hanging for us, separated by float/lieutenant. There is an attendant available to help you get dressed, make sure you have all parts of your costume, do any minor alterations you may need and they have drinks available for you. And most of all, there's a big smile on all their faces even though I know they are exhausted too.

I'm all dressed! I'll be wearing this for a LONG time. This is a polyester satin material that does not breathe. I'll be a sweat bomb in no time.

LOOOOOK! It's our Monarch, Noah Wyle getting a ride to his float!

Shortly after this pic, Joey Fatone jumped on the back. There was much fun being had in that cart.

We're on the float and ready to roll.

A kiss for the Hubster for not making fun of me for all the extra beads I grabbed last minute and for pre-loading all those bags.

And look, the Abogg and AprilMayJune are ready to roll too!

They usually ride on the top level but I'm so glad they were down on the lower level with us this year!

I'm smiling because I actually have my feet on the floor of the float already.

Usually I'm about halfway through the parade route before I get a solid place to stand.

Don't worry, we are required to wear a harness the whole time, so no one is falling out

It's a little inside joke for our sweet friend Heap.

The lady on the floor behind Hubster was so nervous. It was her first ride ever and she was about to make herself sick. She had a blast by the way!! Once that parade starts, your nerves go out the window when you see all those people screaming and waiting for throws. It's like being a rock star! Plus the music is blaring and the atmosphere is electric.

And this is what our dear friends were doing while they were killing time before they had to get ready for the ball. We'll see you folks soon!

Here we are at the staging area. Couple of things to note, it is approximately 5:15 pm, we've been busy as bees since 9 am. We have just finished our pre-parade snack at the staging area. We always have sandwiches, chips and a dessert. Let's just say they do a good job keeping food in everyone because the adult beverages are plentiful and we don't want anyone getting over served. It's also our last chance to walk around, stretch our legs before we climb on for the ride. We start at 6:30 and we roll into the convention center around 9:30-10:00 so it's a long stretch standing in one spot.

It's 6:30 and we're rolling!

Meanwhile, our friends have gotten dressed up and have made their way to the ball.

The ladies are looking lovely!!

Big H and sweet S and looking mighty fine!

The pics end for awhile here, I'm horrible about stopping and taking the parade in because I'm throwing like a crazy woman. When we arrive in the convention center, we clear the float and then I make a beeline for a real bathroom then hit the table for some food while the rest of the parade rolls in. I'm absolutely famished when I get off the float then I'm ready to roll again as soon as Harry takes the stage.

As you can see, no fun is had at the ball.

I should also note that Noah Wyle's wife Sara, is a doll.

Then the dancing and general foolishness continues!

We're dancing and singing and having the best time and lo and behold the Hubster comes back from the men's room and has met a new friend.