Not Ready

I'm not trying to be a downer, but I am not ready for the Christmas season! Other than the fact that my classes are almost over, I just don't want it to be that time.  It is just because I love fall, and I don't want the leaves or the perfect 60's and 70's temps to go away.  I feel like time just goes by so fast, and fall only seems like a second.  Before we know it, January will be here.  I try to actively enjoy this time and savor all the things I love, but I still feel like it just flies by. 

Fall Break

This week is our fall break from school, and I must say, it is a welcome break. School (both work and graduate school) have been quite stressful.  I don't get a break from grad school, but at least I get to sleep in.  Here are some photos from the week, so far:

 Bella, playing with her ball in Andy's backyard.  It is much (much) bigger than mine. 

 

 

 A peacock at Washington Farms

Pig Races! The red team won! They were pretty cute, I must say.

Early Fall

Unfortunately, August and September turned out to be more stressful than fun, but there were a few highlights.  Andy and I took a trip to St. Simons, and I got to see my friend Stacey who is a pharmacist in Savannah.  And September brought football season, which is always fun.  So, hopefully October will be better.  The leaves are starting to change and the pumpkins are out.  I'm training for a 1/2 marathon in January so more exercise should alleviate some of the stress. I am trying to enjoy the things I love, like lavender candles and cuddles with Bella.  Here are a few cool pictures I've taken recently:

 This butterfly was in our backyard.  He spent a lot of time on Bella's poop but I did not want a picture of that so I "encouraged" him to find a new location.  He did, just long enough for me to get a few photos, then he moved back where he started--which is gross, but he sure is pretty!

Me and Stacey eating before the UGA game in St. Simons. 

Pretty blooms from my otherwise mangy mum.  He is from last year and did not come back like a normal mum, but he is blooming so we will go with it.  Plants are still an enigma to me.

Frog love

Most of my plants are wilting away in this July heat, but the frogs seem to like the dying plants.  This one has been hanging out for several days.  He (She?) had a buddy for a few days, but they left. 

Dominican Republic

Last week I went to the Dominican Republic.  We stayed at the Hard Rock resort, so it was not the real DR, although it was very nice.  The beach is beautiful, and the people were all very nice.  Plus, I got to practice some Spanish!

This is part of the town we passed as we drove to the resort. 

 The beautiful Caribbean! Although it now has my prescription sunglasses : (

 

A very cool palm tree.  I have never seen ones like this! 

We had a free photography session in our package, so we did it. It was a little weird, but fun too.  I like this one because you can see the clouds in my sunglasses. 

Mountains Trip

This week we went to Helen for the day. The weather was great, and I really enjoy being in the mountains.  I think it is a peaceful, beautiful place. 

A baby goose! I am not sure what his proper name is, but he was very cute.  He was snacking alongside his sibling and mama. 

These photos are all from our hike to Anna Ruby Falls.  I have been there a few times before, but I enjoy it every time!

Flower Mysteries

I really like gardening and taking care of flowers.  I have decided that flowers have personalities.  For example:

African Violets.  This one has decided to split in 2, like Siamese twins.  Do I split it up in 2 pots? 

This is my dying succulent.  I have never tried to raise succulents before, so I don't know much about them. The other one is not dying, and they are right next to each other.  But this little guy is quite sad. 

And this is our mystery plant.  We were given bulbs last fall, and I had no idea what it was.  It survived the winter, and now the first one is blooming.  It's pretty different, and cool, I think.