Ode to Oh'leven

There were several hellos, friendships so new...

One day wonders with old friends, tried and true.

There were handsome new additions to both sides of the family crew.

Also a few goodbyes, sad it's true.

Road trips to Rome, Athens, and Jekyll too for cheering on the Blue, breaking in shoes, witnessing "I do's" and sea turtle views.

And oh so much fun while working at the Atlanta Zoo.

Ending with a move to the State of the Sun...

Oh, 2011~ you've been a fun one.

MQD's Christmas Surprise

Holiday Highlights

A super Halloween in Downtown Melbourne...

A yummy Thanksgiving with these fine folks...

and a delightful Christmas by the sea :-]

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

45-7

Damn, it's good to be a Dawg!! 45-7... don't pinch me :-]

Sticks

Look at the time...

Dr. Norton Says It Best

Remember how honey is awesome? Hear Doctor Norton from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center talk more about it in this news cast. Help out sea turtles and buy some honey today!

Side By Side Since SPED 2000

Happiest of Birthdays (25th to be exact) to my dear buddy, RMP. I am thankful to have you in my life and to also be in yours. Here is to many more adventures, pancakes, Scrabble games, miles traveled, heart to hearts and laughter together!

Rainy Day(s)

I don't think the ocean is going to have any water left after these storms...

Can't help but have this lovely song stuck in my head.

Happy (and soaking) Fall Break to me :-]

Panda Cuteness x 12

A-dor-a-ble!!!! Wow, I am really missing these guys.

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs

‎"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on." ~Steve Jobs

Georgia's Jewell

(photo credit)

To think that was once my backyard... Jekyll Island, oh how I miss you. Dekmar duo, your photography is brilliantly delightful (and it just might have convinced me to drive four hours for some shrimp & grits next weekend).

Cats & Dawgs

Remember those cute newborn tiger cubs at Zoo Atlanta? My have they grown! Totally wishing I could teleport myself to Atlanta for the weekend to see them and these guys too...

Happy Honey Month!!

September is National Honey Month! Did you know that the use of honey and honeycomb significantly aids in the treatment of injured turtles? In light of honeybees and sea turtles both being an endangered species, the Savannah Bee Company and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center have partnered together to highlight and help both species. You can help too! Three dollars from every purchase of the Savannah Bee Company's "Turtle Honey" goes to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to assist in the rehabilitation of injured turtles. Go get yah some honey :-]

(photo credit)

Welcome to the World!!

Is there a baby animal more adorable? Didn't think so. Happy Birthday, little buddy :-] Cannot wait to get back to the Animal Kingdom to celebrate your birthday!

(photo credit)

3:35 minutes of Chattahoochee calmness

Remember the canoe trip I was talking about? Enjoy!

Midmorning nap, perhaps?

Quarter to five in the a.m.~ not my typical wake up time. One can only flip over so many times without hope of going back to sleep before the inevitable starting of the day begins. But hey, insomnia is not so bad when the shore is only two blocks away.

By the looks of it, I was not the only one up early this morning...

Life as of late:

*Was awarded and accepted an amazing academic scholarship

*Drove the longest stretch of nonstop mileage solo

*Moved to another state

*Got a library card for aforementioned new state of residence

*Started Grad School

*Kayaked with giraffes

*Dodged a hurricane

*Saved a hatchling sea turtle

*Watched season one of Big Bang Theory

*Learned how to cut grass with a riding lawnmower

*Ate my first mango

....whew! Hopefully life will slow down a bit~ nah!

Canoe Trip!

As a salute to our successful summer, my coworkers and I took a canoe trip with the Chattahoochee Nature Center. The Chattahoochee provided a wonderfully relaxing educational getaway once again.

Week in Review

Sunday: Spend the last day of being three years old playing frisbee

Monday: Mom turns fifty-three, Conner turns four, and Mike & Emily come to visit

Tuesday: Atlanta adventures to The World of Coca-Cola and The Varsity with Mike & Emily

Wednesday: Breakfast at Panera with my RMP before she sets out for grad school

Thursday: Celebrate a successful and stress-free zoo interview with a wonderful "DMoney & SandyMac" concert at Eddie's Attic where this shout out was taken up by surprise :-]

Friday: Zoo Camp comes to a triumphant, bittersweet close. Eleven weeks + 1250 campers (including eighty-seven Exciting Elephants) + eighteen amazing coworkers = one crazy awesome summer!!