Be Inspired | Photography

Help Your Memory. Take Pictures.

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Be Inspired | Photography

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Happy Thursday! | Eastern NC Newborn Photographer

Happy Thursday!

I'm taking a long weekend because tomorrow is my birthday! :)

Hope it's a great one for all of you!

Be Inspired | Photography

Credit: Polyvore

Giving Back to our Troops: Tyrrell County 4H

Tyrrell County’s Tyrrell Tornadoes 4-H Club is Putting Together Solider Care Packages

North Carolina 4-H is proud to support active duty, reserve and guard troops who call our state home. Particularly during this time of global deployment, these soldiers need to know that their families here at home are surrounded by supportive citizens.

During this holiday season Tyrrell County’s Tyrrell Tornadoes 4-H Club has set up drop-boxes in different locations around the county to collect items that they will soon package and send to soldiers that are currently deployed. They are asking the community to come together to help them collect items by donating things they can package and send.

Items may include (and are not limited to):
• Food/Snack: beef jerky, slim jims, sunflower seeds, tuna in foil pouches, protein bars, hot chocolate packets, gum, individually wrapped hard candy, cereal bars, trail mix, nuts, popcorn
• Toiletries: travel size baby wipes, travel size liquid hand sanitizer, travel size deodorant, combs, brushes, sunblock, bug spray, cotton balls, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, baby powder
• Entertainment/Games: stationary, envelopes, blank cards to send home, double sided tape, pens, mechanical pencils, notepads, calendars, yo-yos, playing cards, dice, Frisbees, disposable cameras, itunes gift cards, board games, dominoes, game books (crosswords, Sudoku, etc.)
• Other Items: linens (pillow cases, twins sheets, towels – green or tan), patriotic knick-knacks, black or green duct tape, winter hats and blankets, coffee filters, holiday decorations, inspirational readings, dust masks, small alarm clocks

Boxes were delivered back on November 22nd to the following businesses in Tyrrell County: Cypress Cove Marina, Windy Rose- Attorney, Jones Insurance, Albemarle Service Center, Nationwide, and the temporary Cooperative Extension office at the Senior Citizen’s Building. Your donation of items can be dropped off at any of the following places of business. This is the last week to drop of items as boxes will be collected the morning of Monday, December 19th and the 4-Hers will package everything at their meeting that afternoon.

If you'd like to donate items and can't get to any of the Tyrrell County locations, please let me know, I'll be glad to help collect your donation.

Thanks for your support of Tyrrell County’s 4-H and our Troops!

Meredith College | Class Day

Today I'm celebrating my daughter's second birthday with family and friends. Her actual birthday isn't until tomorrow but today's the day we chose to celebrate.

Today, I'm also thinking about my alma mater, Meredith College. This week they have been celebrating commencement week and celebrating the Class of 2011. Meredith College was an amazing place to go to college. One of the best things about Meredith aside from class size and beautiful campus, were its many traditions. On the Saturday of commencement weekend. Sophomores honor their senior "big sisters", and the seniors highlight their College years in an event called "Class Day".


The little sisters spend the morning constructing two 75–100 foot daisy chains to be used for the afternoon’s Class Day exercises in the beautiful amphitheater. The white-clad sophomores hold two daisy chains and sing as their sister class marches through the chains. Class historians recall and depict key events of the graduating class’ four years at Meredith. The sophomore and alumnae sister classes sing traditional songs to the seniors. The members of the odd year classes wear black gloves on their left hands and give their little sisters wish bone charms for luck. The even classes give their little sisters bags of sticks and stones “to protect them from the Odd Spirit’s bones.”

At the conclusion of Class Day, the sophmores and the chains form the class numerals of the graduating class. The seniors then go onto the island, form a circle around the numerals, and celebrate with their classmates.

I was cleaning out a chest this week and found this photo of me and my family from my Class Day. I had to scan it in because I wasn't digital back then. :)



Congrats Meredith College Class of 2011!

Yearbook Yourself

Ever wonder what you might have looked like in the past? I found this really funny website: Yearbook Yourself, that took care of that for me. You upload an image of yourself and you can see yourself with classic hairdos and outfits through the decades. Here's what I came up with... whatcha think?

1952

1960

1966

1972

1976

1984

1986

1990

TOGETHER has power.

A few years ago I watched a very moving video during a professional development meeting at school. This particular meeting was one where you actually take something away from the session and enjoy the message being taught. It was about togetherness and how together we can make a difference. That's one thing that I've learned about being a teacher- you can't do it all on your own. The saying is true to me, "It takes a village to raise a child."

On one of my most recent trips back and forth between Columbia and Raleigh I noticed a billboard that had a picture of this man and his son with "Team Hoyt" and I thought of this video that I had watched at that particular professional development meeting. I searched on the internet to find it, and there it was!

I wanted to share it with you because I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Get a kleenex- everytime I watch it I need one!

Team Hoyt

Beginning Today...

I know we all receive forwarded emails. Some days we have time to stop and read and some we don't. But today this one caught my eye....

Beginning Today
by Unknown

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person who is worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value his gift given to me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and revel in the mysteries that I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to cloud my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith inhuman kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes and I will applaud the attempt in making amends with the past.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy like listening to my favorite music, taking a warm shower, laughing with friends. Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.
Beginning today I will learn something new. I will try something different. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to be the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning today and everyday.


I really liked the message it shares, so I wanted to share it with you! Since I can't (we'll don't like) to post without an image... here's one from this past weekend. Thank goodness for the rain. We certainly needed it! But even more how can you not like rain when you see this afterwards!

“The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.”

-John Vance Cheney

Hugs,
Megan

D-money

Today I got to spend a few hours with my adorable nephew Dawson. Yes, I know it was a random Tuesday, and I know I have lots to do, but I don't do this often and I really needed a day like this! He sure is growing up way too fast! He'll be in the third grade next year and is so very smart! Here are just a few images of us from hanging out on the pier this afternoon!

*You should be able to click on the image to enlarge it.

By the way, yesterday I had one of the biggest days for hits/visitors in one day to my blog, since I began tracking. Just wanted to say thanks for visiting! Please come back often, and feel free to leave a comment! Hugs!

Baby Shower

I'm expecting a new nephew next month! This past Sunday we showered my sister-in-law with lots of gifts! It was at my parents house in the back yard. We were concerned that the heat and possibly the smoke would be overbearing, but it turned out to be a really nice time.

Crewe's room will have a sort of a sailboat theme, so we brought that to the shower!

Brooke opened lots of gifts!

We played a game where guests had to cut off a strip of ribbon to see if they could come as close to how big Brooke's belly is. My mom was the winner.



That is until Ellyn, Brooke's sister-in-law, was right on the dot!

Can't wait for Baby Crewe to arrive!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my parent's wedding anniversary! You can tell from my Mother's Day blog and my Father's Day blog how *AbSoLuTeLy WoNdErFuL* I think they are, but I just wanted to give them a shout out today!

Thanks for setting a wonderful example! Love you guys!

#29... check!

I can now check off #29 from my 101 list of things to do in 1001 days!

I spent the entire day with my friend, Bridget! I got to sleep in a little because it was a Sunday and then I went to her house around 10:30. We started with some wedding talk (she's getting married in October) and I got to see some of the adorable things she's already picked out for her big day!

Next it was time to get the pool out of the box and set it up. It wasn't as bad as we thought. Once the pool was out of the box and a few things were done it was time to add the water!

We left the water to fill up the pool while we took Stephen, Bridget's fiance, lunch and went to town to run a few errands. We stopped by her grandparents and had lunch! It was like we were in high school again, raiding her Granny's fridge! :) We spent a few minutes chatting with her grandparents then we were off to the Dollar General for another pool float! We got worried because we had been away from her house for quite a while so we hurried back to check on the running water.

When we got back to her house, the pool wasn't even 1/2 way full. Did I mentioned that it was like 100 degrees?? So... we set off to Stephen's shop to check out the chickens that I gave him after my Easter Sessions. If you don't remember my Easter Sessions, I had baby chickens and two rabbits. Stephen was kind enough to take the baby chicks. Click here to see them during our Easter sessions. I had three in all- a white one, a black one, and a yellow one. Take a look at them now...

Ok, well they wouldn't come out of hiding when we were around, this was the best photo we could get. Bridget gets on me that I started something because now they currently have many more! We transferred these babies into a different holding area. Just call us the chicken ladies!



After getting the chickens fed and watered we went back to the house to check on the pool. Even though it wasn't nearly full we got in anyway because it was so darn hot outside!

Even when the smoke came rolling in we weren't ready to go inside just yet!

Our friend, Krys, and Bridget's sister came to join us too!

I don't think I made it home until 11 pm. It was a great day with a great friend! Love ya Bridge!

Nights in Rodanthe

I've always been a fan of Nicolas Sparks books! Well... I got to watch the movie Sex & the City this week (its awesome, if you haven't seen it already) and one of the previews they showed before the movie was for Nights in Rodanthe. This book was another one of Sparks' classic love stories and one of my favorites that he's written. Here's a taste of the movie...

It was really cool to know this movie was actually filmed in Rodanthe. Being so close to "home" for me i've been through there many of times on the way to Cape Hatteras or Ocracoke. My aunt and uncle once lived in Rodanthe before making a home in Manteo, however they still own & run a pizza restaurant in Rodanthe called Leonardo's. If you're ever there, check 'em out! ;) So excited about this movie... I think another girls night is in order!

Spinal Cord Society - Raleigh Chapter

The Spinal Cord Society (SCS)-Raleigh Chapter is hosting their 10th annual golf tournament, with auction, to raise money for medical research to CURE chronic spinal cord injury paralysis. This year's event will be held September 8, 2008.

You can help by teaming with us and becoming a Sponsor or a Donor. An August 1st deadline is imposed for Sponsorships. If you decide to join in playing golf, understand there is a September 1st deadline for reservations. Tickets will be mailed one week before the event. Please don’t delay!

If sponsorship isn’t something you’re up for, please consider making a donation. For your contribution, you and/or your company will be promoted in all publications and verbally announced during the banquet ceremony.

Here are two images of two very dear friends of mine that would benefit from your help...

1. Meet Stephanie, she's the one in the middle of the photograph. This woman is full of spunk and is great to be around. She always knows how you make you laugh! Stephanie is a quadriplegic and is the main person behind this event. She pours her heart and soul into it for months before and months after the actual event! She amazes me with everything she does! Her side kick Steve is pretty great too!



#2. Meet Jason. He's my boyfriend's brother. Jason was injured about 7 years ago in a snow boarding accident and has lost feeling from his belly button down. However Jason is still able to drive and do many things people wouldn't think are possible. He is one of the most loving people I have ever known (his entire family has lots of love) and most of the time you see him he has a smile on his face. Love you J!


SCS, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization receives no government funds; instead it relies upon its volunteer chapters who raise money through community involvement. 100% of the money donated to the SCS research fund goes to research only.

This year, SCS made additional advancements with the development of a cellular delivery system that produces neurotrophins within the transplants. Additionally, a culture of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC’s) has been produced. The second master combination trial begins this summer and will include these original contributions. Your contribution will help to raise the necessary dollars needed to finance this expensive medical research, allowing people who live with paralysis, realize their dream of walking again.

For more information about the event, including sponsorship packages, or how you can help send me your email and I'll be glad to send you an event brochure!

Father's Day '08

He's a special man whose love and caring seem to have no end-
He's a teacher and supporter, he's my lifelong friend.

Dad, I can't thank you enough for your friendship, love, and everything you do for me! Your gentle heart, quiet wisdom, and great love make you a wonderful father. You're the most caring and thoughful man I've ever met. I love watching you look at Mom with that light in your eye seeing just how much you love her. Every girl should be as lucky as me to have a father like you! With gratitude for the values you teach, the encouragement you give, the dreams you believe, the legacy of love you pass along... Happy Father's Day Daddy! I love you!

Day 12 of Wildfire

It's day 12 of the Wildfire.

Click here to see the previous post.

Photo from WITNTV.com

"The Evans Road blaze now covers about 40 thousand acres in Hyde, Washington, and Tyrrell Counties. They say containment remains at 40 percent. There are now about 450 people working to contain and put out the wildfire." (Source WITN-TV)

For an interactive map of the wildfire click here.

Even places as far as Raleigh are currently under a blanket of smoky haze as winds push smoke inland from the wildfire. This wildfire is the largest wildfire to hit North Carolina in 22 years.

June 12, 1929

...was a great day because my grandfather was born. So, that means today is his birthday. He's an adorable man that cares very deeply for his family. He and my grandmother are the rock that helps keep our family together! Just thought I'd share a few pictures of him! He sure is adorable and I sure do love him! :)

Happy Birthday Grandaddy!

Notes

I LOVE getting notes and yesterday when I got home I had 2 in my mailbox! Just thought I'd share them with you. Thanks Shan & Velvet. I must say they have 3 of the most adorable kids! Being a photographer is easy when you have such adorable subjects! :)

Remember them...

Here's a shot of Shannon's pride & joy...

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Photo from www.witntv.com

A massive forest (Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge) in Hyde County continues to burn. Authorities believe that the Evans Road Wildland Fire started Sunday, June 1st due to lightning. Currently the fire has burned just over 35,000 acres and the showers and thunderstorms in the forecast are not predicted to help dampen this wildfire. As of yesterday WITN-TV News stated "there are now 337 personnel supporting this massive fire and more resources continue to arrive. That includes personnel and equipment from Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee."

Here is a satellite image of Eastern North Carolina that I received in an email yesterday, thought I would share it.

The weather here for the past few days has been right at or over 100 degrees! Can you imagine how hot it is for those out there fighting this fire? I wanted to say THANK YOU to those men and women who are out there trying to get this fire under control! Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers!