Gender Party and Camping Out in the RV

We took a short vacation to Reed Bingham State Park and visited with our son and his family.

One day I got to go to the doctor with our son and daughter-in-law and watch as an ultrasound was done.  I had never seen one take place in person before... it was awesome watching the heart beat and the legs and arms flail about.

That evening was a Gender Party.  We are very dumb about what we see in the ultrasound, but pretty sure my feelings and Frank's were right-on... the feelings had been there since we knew a baby was on its way and we were correct :)

The hostess made two cakes. One had a blue-colored layer and the other had a pink-colored layer. The one sliced was the gender of the baby. The hostess made the layers ahead of time and froze them. On the day the gender of the baby was revealed she decorated the cakes. The tec after the ultrasound wrote the gender of the baby down and put it in an envelope... so the couple did not know the gender until the party. The hostess was waiting in the parking lot anxiously awaiting the envelope.


It is a girl!!!  Her name will be Carly Zaroga.  I am honored that she shares part of my name.  She is due the first part of March.  We are so excited!

 

Do you see the dill pickles wrapped in cream cheese and ham by the bag with the owl?  They were good.  I need to ask Laura how she made them.

Here is the happy couple, Dave and Laura.  The boy in the chair is the hostess's son, Cody.

The next Friday Mary and her friend Haley (hostess's daughter) came and spent the night with us in the travel trailer.    We did a haunted hayride and the haunted house.  The hayride was scary, but not as scary as the haunted house.   Frank and I were not too crazy about being that close to the strobe lights in the haunted house.  I think the girls weren't either.  They shivered just about the whole time in the haunted house.  Fortunately, no nightmares that night.

Saturday morning was jamb-packed with bike riding, pumpkin carving, putt putt and the playground.  Laura and Dave came out and we had a great lunch.  They took the girls back with them... whew!... one can only take so much of an almost 8 year old and an 8 1/2 year old.  After church Sunday they returned and brought us a nice lunch from Publix.  The girls rode their bikes and played at the playground.

Monday we did nothing... just needed to rest.  Well we did small walks around the campground and read and most importantly napped. 

Tuesday we took a walk to the river and tried our hand at fishing... nothing but minnows stealing worms.  I took a few pictures and maybe soon I will have time to look at them and post a few. 

Wednesday we cam home and I started on the mounds of laundry... still working on that.

We went to the doctor on Thursday.  My back is giving me a bit of trouble.  Hopefully it is just fussing a bit.  The doctor said we are treating it as inflammation right now... which meant a Toradol injection.  Hopefully within a few days my back will feel better.

We really did have a great time... we did not miss the internet much ;)

 

AUTUMN IS IN THE AIR

A slight bit of color has arrived around us in SW Georgia.  The grapevines are turning.  Some of the leaves from the dogwood trees have turned brown and fallen.. the same with the pecan trees.  The birds are few in numbers right now.  Even though the House Finches are here year-round I think some migrate.  In a few weeks the chipping sparrows will arrive and before you know it spring will be here and a family will occupy this box or another one.. this one looks a bit need of repair or replacing. (when clicked on the photos will open in a new window in Flickr to a slightly larger photo)

 

Oh my.... this is all the decorating I'm doing for Autumn.  She is all ready to give you a Welcome Hug.

Traveling is in the air for me when the weather becomes cooler.  We do not camp in a tent any more.  We hook up the travel trailer to the truck and go. I'm so ready to travel... even if it is nearby. 
  

Gecko and Flowers

This little critter has given me a startle a few times... it probably has a brother or sister in the house too.  It is a Mediterranean Gecko.  Not the greatest picture, but it is only about 2" long (a baby) and I cannot get down to its level very well right now.  You can almost see through its feet.

Pictures should open in a new window at Flickr.

  
Description: 4 - 5 in (10 - 13 cm). Unlike any native lizard, geckos have sticky toe pads, vertical pupils, and their large eyes lack eyelids. Indo-pacific geckos are generally light gray or almost white in color but may have some darker mottling. This species is most easily distinguished from the similar indo-pacific gecko by its bumpy or warty skin.
Prey: Geckos eat a wide variety of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates.
Reproduction: Female Mediterranean geckos lay several clutches of two eggs throughout the summer. Instances of communal nesting have been reported, with several females laying their eggs together under bark, in crevices, or in moist soil.
Abundance: The Mediterranean gecko is firmly established in Florida and is spreading northward. It is almost always associated with human development and is an abundant species in suburban and urban areas.
Notes: This species' adaptability has made it a very successful invader. It is unknown what impact the introduction of this and other species has and will have on native wildlife. Unlike most lizards, geckos are capable of vocalizing, often making squeaking or barking noises in territorial disputes or to deter a predator.

More info here: Mediterranean Gecko

The Angel Trumpet did not produce as many blossoms this year.... not sure what we did differently.  The blooms we did have were pretty.

 

I saw these along my walk the other day.  The red flower is a type of morning glory too.

 

 I had not seen these pretty little red flowers before last year.  They are called Turks Cap.  I did enhance the color slightly on this photo.  The flower on the left has fallen over and is beginning to wilt.  

 

Another Turks Cap.  I still need more practice.  I cannot seem to get everything in the focus I want.

Autumn is here.... at least it should feel like it next week.  I do love the change in lighting.  The change of flora.  The change of aromas.  The coolness in the morning air.  A time I can enjoy with windows up or enjoy the patio with a cup of coffee in one hand and a good book in the other hand.