I have stuff to say

I had a three hour class on photographing nature on Thursday at UGA, then they set us loose at the botanical gardens on Saturday to try out our new skillz. Here is one result of the shoot:

So much going on, that this will be bulleted.
- Got new camera! Camera awesome! Still learning how to use it, though. That will take a while. See some photos taken with new camera here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizebeth_joy/
- Went camping! I successfully survived the camping trip this weekend and Tyme got to go caving with Erin. Even though I didn’t get to go in this time, I still had a lot of fun hanging out with them and enjoying life and the great outdoors. Carmen also did awesomely in her own tiny tent.
- Had BBQ! We went straight from the TAG Cave In to Tyme’s job in Murfreesboro, TN. I guess he did work stuff, but what’s really important is that we had some killer BBQ at the end of the trip.
- Carmen’s naked! Well, she’s learned how to consistently take off her clothes, anyways. Always fun!
- Mattress upgrade! We have a king-sized mattress now… yay! Last night we found some flannel and 500 thread count sheets at TJ Maxx, and today we’re building onto our bed-frame to accommodate the extra 16 inches. Sweeeeeet.
- Feeling better! Not best, but tolerable now. I have found the right combination of foods, eating schedules, nightly nausea meds, B6 vitamins, and polar ice chewing gum, and now I can actually go a whole day without throwing up! My “Cannot Eat” list is also shrinking. AND my energy levels and overall mood are coming back up!
- Doing stuff! We’re making commitments to making ourselves more active. We’re going to try out a weekly YMCA schedule, and a semi-monthly caving excursion (open to all friends who are interested in climbing around underground…. more info to come).
- Enjoying company! This weekend we’re going to Blue Ridge with Andrea and Caitlyn to visit an apiary and buy some honey, then to the apple festival to pick up cider, apples, and to stuff ourselves silly with fried pies. Erin and family, as well as my Dad, may be joining us for the trip. Then we’ll be coming back here, where James will join us, to brew up the mead and cider from the honey and cider. 
- Total geekery! Also this Saturday and Sunday, we’re having a crazy LOTR extended version marathon. Multiple friends will be joining us for that, too. And I’ll be making apple muffins.
- Even more projects! We’ve gotten a quote for bulldozing and plowing a good chunk of land for a huge veggie garden, and now we just need to set a date. Then it’s time to plan the madness.
- Gorgeous freaking weather! Man I love this time of year. Now that we have the retractable screens on the doors, we leave the doors wide open at night, then close them in the day for our AC. We haven’t used heat or AC in nearly two months now! Carmen and I spend at least an hour a day outside swinging, reading, and just playing with the goats or dog. She spends even more time out on the back deck, entertaining herself, while I’m able to get some stuff done indoors. It’s fantastic.
- First real Halloween! After a short debate, we finally decided on a Halloween celebratory plan that satisfies everyone. Tyme is, unfortunately, going out of town just after work on the 31st, so I’ll be taking Carmen to her Basia and GrandMaria’s house so that they can take her out. Then we can give her spoils (minus my favorite bits, of course) to them to do with as they please. :) Win win!
- Tyme’s been promoted! His promotion is now in full-swing, and he’s enjoying it much more than he thought he would. But I’ll leave him to fill in the details.
- Baby details! Our due date is now set at April 18th, but I’ll be having a C-Section a week before that. We had an ultrasound and physical a few weeks ago and everything looks great! “Murphy” was crazy active and had all the right numbers of limbs and features. I’m currently 13.5 weeks along. We’ll be able to find out the sex at the end of November or the start of December.