Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline

Sorry it took so long. Log in and I’ve posted photos!

This video is actually from the beginning of november but it’s too funny not to post. Claire fell asleep standing up.

falling asleep standing up

I’m back from my trudge into the okefenokee swamp on a plant enthusiast trip with my mother. I’m less enthused about plans but always enthused by being outside and enjoying wildlife. We left friday around midday (Kyle had Claire all weekend), and began our drive to Folkston, GA. It was a long and boring trip, passing through small towns that probably do not even show up on a map. We found “The getting place” in Alma, Georgia. Now I know where Kurt gets all of his things.  So now when I ask where he got something and he says “the getting place”, I know where that is! Sadly my mother wouldn’t let me go back and take a picture.  We got in a little after dark and began looking for the BBQ place that had been suggested. As described to us, it was a single wide next to an ice house. We found it!

Honestly, it may have been the best ribs I’ve ever had.

After grabbing ribs and a 1/4 boston butt roast, we made our way to the hotel. The best of the two hotels in town! While I can say it was clean, the Westin it was not. I’m pretty sure hard ground and a rock for a pillow would have been about as comfortable. We actually sought to buy a pillow the next day (it was that bad) but there wasn’t even a walmart! Only a dollar general and family dollar and it was closed by the time we got back. Lesson learned for next time: When driving always bring your own pillow.

Saturday, we spent the large part of the day on a motorized tour exploring the eastern region of the swamp, a landscape populated by vast prairies and pond cypress. We even had the privelege of using a privy in the middle of the swamp. Not the most glamorous but I’m glad I used it because we had been out for 2 hours and didn’t return for 4 more after the pit stop. Our guide, Chip, from Okefenokee Adventures was fantastic. He had an encyclopedic knowledge on not only the swamps plant and animal inhabitants but also the folklore and rich cultural history of the area. In the late afternoon, we enjoyed a stroll along the boardwalk and a climb up the Owl’s roost tower to enjoy breathtaking views of the swamp.

Sunday, we got an early start (leaving by 715) to travel an hour and a half to Stephen C Foster State Park and Western side of the swamp. We launched canoes, and travelled on to Billy’s Island. Now that I have experience the back of a canoe, I love my husband so much more and vow never to be a front-seat driver again! I love my mother but you will not find me sharing a canoe with her EVER again. From Billy’s Island we headed towards minnie’s lake but due to the need to leave and get home at a reasonable hour, mom and I turned back on our own facing the swamp, chomping alligators and a out of control pontoon on our own! We made it back in one piece and headed home. I’ve got some beautiful pictures from this weekend. Unfortunately on sunday, I wasn’t able to focus on photography as much (paddling a canoe) but I think Day 1 more than made up for it.

Today I am sore and tired. I should have probably taken the day off but oh well. I’m glad to be back home and with Claire and Kyle!

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I finally talked to Jen at daycare about the whole toddlers in the infant room thing. They’ve only got 4 babies now so they cut hours on one of the infant room teachers and are combining babies and toddlers (for what they say is before 8 and after 4). Every time I’m there they are combined. Claire got 15 minutes of sleep yesterday. Babies cannot sleep with 5 toddlers running around in their room. urgh. very frustrating. Not to mention that one took a flying leap and almost landed on her the other day so half the time Claire is up off the floor in Ms. Tina’s arms. I feel bad for the other full time baby as it seems he pretty much lives in the bouncy seat. The babies not only can’t stay on schedule, they don’t get to have their own curriculum and it is just nutty in there. I’m very frustrated but not sure what I can do. The economic downturn affects everyone, I guess. If I didn’t think it would cost me my job altogether, I would ask to go part time and try to work out something where Claire didn’t have to go. I know it’s only a few more months until she is 1 and then it is a moot point but still…

The weather is turning cold so i got a bundled up pic of miss claire today. I have added more pics to the slideshow posted yesterday but enjoy this pic by itself.