Autumn at Yates Mill

SmugMug Daily Link

Donnie took me to Yates Mill today so that I would have a chance to take some pics with good autumn color.  I am happy with the pics that I got and really enjoyed walking hand-in-hand with Donnie on the 1 mile mill pond trail.  The color was good, but Donnie and I agree that the color is not at peak yet.  It's always a good challenge to me in the fall to try to take pics from the far pond bank back over to the mill.  I usually try to find a colorful red sourwood tree but today I used a lovely maple.

SmugMug Link

Friends

SmugMug Daily Link

As seen on the way to Donnie's house yesterday.  Aren't they adorable?!?  There was another smaller pony to the right but not close enough to compose well in the shot.  Also, I used Manual exposure to try to get the white horse to not be over exposed.  I did that also to include the barn behind the horses but didn't underexpose enough as I would like to have used the shot that included the barn.

It's a Wrap!

SmugMug Daily Link

I went back and forth trying to decide on the daily I chose and the shot of Johnny as Spock below.  In case you are truly from another planet, I included a link to who Spock is:-)  Data and Nurse Chapel accompanied him.  For extra credit, you can give the names of the actors:-)

Donnie was a real good sport giving out candy while I walked with the kids around the neighborhood.  He normally doesn't 'Do Halloween' but it's hard to escape when you're around me and the kids.

The winds were calm even with the chilly air, and we enjoyed the evening except for the part about me walking so far in highish black boots to go with my Uhura costume. Oh well.  Crocs just were not going to cut it!

SmugMug Link

Earlier in the day I was at Joey's school for some Pumpkin Math fun.  The kids had to make predictions and observations about their pumpkins and then actually calculate things like circumference and # of seeds and weight of pumpkin.  The kids were divided into groups of about 4, and at the end, the kids got to carve their pumpkin.  I loved how Joey's group chose to do 4 faces on the 4 quarters of the pumpkin so that everyone got a turn carving.  Amazing too since some of them had never carved before.

SmugMug Link

The finished results.  Joey's group's pumpkin was on the end.

SmugMug Link

Happy Halloween!

SmugMug Daily Link

We drove past the house last night that has TONS of Christmas lights in their yard in December.  They always put up a few Halloween inflatables and lights too.  I thought this vampire which opens and closes his coffin lid as you watch interesting.

This hand/eyeball in the yard has to be the most unique and frightful Halloween inflatable I've ever seen!

SmugMug Link

Here's the front of the house.

SmugMug Link

Happyland Christmas Lights start going up in November!  Takes him a month to get the light show ready.

In other news, Donnie got a new Samsung Galaxy Note II.  He debated a new iPhone 5 like I got but decided on the Note instead.  He has an iPod Touch already and he really likes the Android operating system and the guy hand sized Note which is a mini tablet.   So far he's really liking it!  This picture shows Donnie working with Joey and the Note to check his math (4th grade division) homework.  The stylus is cool!  Since Joey has a Nintendo 3DS he knows all about how to use a stylus already.

SmugMug Link

I'll be in Joey's classroom later today for some Pumpkin Math:-)

Hungry

SmugMug Daily Link

A shot from earlier this month.  I continue to see and enjoy the cardinals at my kitchen window/back deck feeder.  Not only are they beautiful, but they chirp with such a joyful sound too.

Baseball tournament for Joey postponed until Thursday.  Just as well.  47 with a 20+mph wind is not conducive to a late evening game:-)  We should be a tad warmer on Thursday.

The Storm Out the Window

SmugMug Daily Link

I think a lot of us on the East Coast did a lot of looking out the window today wondering how bad Hurricane Sandy would get.  Here in Raleigh, we started getting some gusts up to 35mph and some light rain after lunchtime.  The back end of the storm is whipping over the top part of the state.  Maybe a few scattered power outages from fallen tree limbs and trees but nothing more serious here.  The Outerbanks looked like they took quite a pounding and the news out of NJ is grim.  I grew up in Trenton, NJ, and reading about the damage to the boardwalks makes me sad.  I hope the storm will pass quick, for no loss of life, and that towns can recover as quickly as possible.  My thoughts and prayers are with those affected.

Technically this shot is horrible.  Handheld in low light and between me moving and the trees moving nothing outside the window is in focus.  Oh well.  You get the idea.  the red is a Dogwood tree and the American Holly is looking ready for Christmas.  This is from my upstairs bonus room.

The boys and I had a wonderful time last night carving pumpkins. I didn't get a good in the dark shot, but I captured the joy of doing the carving. They designed and cut out all by themselves. I could have done fancier, but nothing can top their pride at doing it on their own.

SmugMug Link

Pink Warriors

SmugMug Daily Link

I am posting this image for the pink challenge in support of breast cancer awareness month.  We saw these pink warriors in Washington, DC.  I remember the guy in this shot saying he hoped he'd see the picture on Facebook.  Maybe he'll see my blog.

Here's a big thank you to everyone who supports this worthwhile cause whether it be the NFL wearing pink or the pink warriors running and walking to raise money to find a cure or those working to educate and bring awareness about the disease to save lives.  And, most especially, a big thank you to all the personal caregivers and supporters of the individuals facing this disease.  I know I have been truly blessed this past year with Donnie being there for me every step of the way.  Every test, every needle, every headache, every fever, every fear he was there giving me a smile and holding my hand.  It's just over a year since I was diagnosed and nearly a year since my first surgery.  We are so thankful that I am doing so well.  I encourage anyone getting a new diagnosis or still fighting the fight to stay strong and enjoy all life has to offer.  You can beat this!

I also created this image from a shot I took at Michael's craft store last year and a pink background I made last night.

SmugMug Daily

Here's me (middle) with  my new curly hair post chemo.  It was straight and long before.  You can see that I am doing well.  There is hope.

SmugMug Link