My New Look

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I'm not a regular poster on Camera Critters but when we were out early this morning I spotted these critters. One of our local shopping areas, Jerry's, always decks the halls, trees, sidewalks, and even bird cages for Christmas. Here are a few examples.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at our house was both traditional and non-traditional this year. First for the non-traditional. We usually transport patients to CROW on Thursday mornings but since there were no area Vets open today to accept patients awaiting our transport, we were the ones who had to spend the morning meeting finders and rescuing. As we were making one of our trips over the causeway, we spotted a guy on a motorcycle right in front of us, stop and pick up an injured bird. We pulled over and with his blessings, took the bird, put it in a carrier and took it to CROW. He was so happy since he had no towel, no way to carry the bird and had no idea other than "I couldn't let the bird just lay there and suffer" what he was going to do with it. We also went to the beach for a bird rescue too. Very busy but fulfilling morning.

Then in the afternoon, we went into Ft. Myers to our friends, Steve and Diana's. We have spent the last 5 Thanksgiving together so it has become very much a tradition. Diana made the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, dumplings and pie. I supplied the rest. Steve was designated as the Turkey Carver. It didn't take much carving since it literally fell off the bone. The dogs got their own Thanksgiving feast, complete with a little bit of turkey. Here are Robin, Fargo and my buddy, Cooper, watching and waiting. Apparently Commander was being more patient and didn't make it in the picture.After dinner, we all relaxed, each in our own way. The guys continued watching their James Bond marathon. Nope, no football for us! And Cooper or "Coopie" as I call him, relaxed with his mama. Me? I just enjoyed relaxing with friends, both the human and canine kind. Here's hoping all of you had a great Thanksgiving--traditional or non traditional. Now, it's time to get ready for the next big holiday at your/our house be it Christmas or Hanukkah. Some members of our family are lucky and celebrate both!

This Way Thurs-Way--Travel at Your Own Risk

This Way Thurs-Way is all about photos of signs, paths and things pertaining to being on the road. When you are done looking at my picture, why don't you hop on over to This Way Thurs-Way and check out some others.

I love the River Cruise in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. And of course, it is always fun to read the signs.

Ruby Tuesday-Epcot is Decking the Halls

Since we only live 3 1/2 hours away from Disney World, we are getting there fairly often now. We went last week hoping to see some of their Christmas decorations. We found the following in Epcot.OK, I know you are all busy checking out everyone's Ruby Tuesday but take the time to bookmark me and drop back to check out my blog. I am a retired Special Ed teacher who now lives in paradise on Sanibel Island, Florida which is a Sanctuary Island for wildlife. I volunteer for a wildlife hospital. I am also the proud grandma of 5 wonderful grandkids and brag about them often!! I also have a blog called Branches and Roots where I talk about genealogy and my ancestors. OK, enough about me. So if you really want to see red go to Work of the Poet

Noah is 7 Today!

Ok, when did this tiny little thing get to be a whopping big 7 years old? I'm not 7 years older--how can he be?

He's not this chubby little baby anymore.

He has grown into this remarkable 7 year old who is in 2nd grade!

I don't get to see Noah nearly enough now that we live clear across the country from each other. But, I would like him to know that I really really miss him and can't wait to see him when we visit him in January. Have a fantastic birthday. I love you and miss you!

What Do These Things Have in Common?

What do the following critters have in common?

Anhingha, Cormorant, Brown Pelican, White Pelican, Royal Tern, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Ring Bill Gull, Caspian Tern, Sanderling, Cardinal, Fish Crow, Boat tailed Grackle, Common Grackle, Piliated Woodpecker, Cooper's Hawk, Red Shouldered Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Blue Jay, Burrowing Owl, Blue Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Snowy Egret, Common Loon, Mocking Bird, Mallard Duck, various doves and pigeons, Black Racer Snake, Gopher Tortoise, Green Sea Turtle, Florida Soft Shelled Turtle, Florida Red Belly Cooter, Virginia Opossum, Raccoon, Red Fox, Eastern Ground Squirrel, and lots more than I can't think of.

What do they have in common? They have all had a ride in my little Escape.

This Way Thurs-Way--Tiger Tiger Shining Bright

This Way Thurs-Way is all about photos of signs, paths and things pertaining to being on the road. When you are done looking at my picture, why don't you hop on over to This Way Thurs-Way and check out some others.

We spent 3 days at Disney World this week. One of our days was spent in Animal Kingdom. I spotted these signs in Asia.

The Happiest Place on Earth

I remember back when my kids were little, we used to take Easter vacation and go to Disney World. I never dreamed back then that I would some day live 3 1/2 hours away from WDW and be enjoying it as much now as I did with the kids.

We have stayed at several of the WDW resorts over the years--the Polynesian, Animal Kingdom, Port Orleans Riverside and this time the Caribbean Beach Resort. We stayed in Jamaica. We have discovered, though, that each of the resorts pretty much have the same room layout--just different decor.
We arrived on Sunday afternoon, checked in and then hopped on the bus and headed over to Epcot. We had a delicious dinner at the Rose and Crown Pub which included my all time favorite dessert--Sticky Toffee Pudding. After dinner, we walked around a bit, took the boat over to the Boardwalk and back, then staked out our spot for Illuminations which started at 9:00. On Monday we decided to go to the Magic Kingdom. We knew that the Space Shuttle was launching in the afternoon and since we had seen a launch from there before, we decided that we would do it again. The launch went off on time and without a hitch and we watched it as it took off over Tomorrow Land. I really wanted to see the Hall of Presidents since they had added the President Obama figure. Pretty neat!We also took in two parades and the fireworks--one of the most fantastic fireworks displays I have ever seen. But wouldn't you know, my camera battery died and the spare was back in the hotel room! I did get a rather fuzzy picture of Cinderella's Castle bathed in it's lighted Christmas finery before the battery died completely.On Tuesday we started out in the Animal Kingdom. I love it there because it is so lush and shady. We took the train ride and the trails in Africa and Asia. I love seeing all of the animals. Since we took the Safari Ride last time we were there, we decided not to take it this time. And of course, we had to take in my all time favorite show--The Lion King-- where Chuck actually was pulled out of the audience to help with the Wart Hog group. From there we went back to the hotel to rest up the sore feet and legs before heading to Hollywood Studios for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. I don't know why, but I had never heard of this display before. Believe me, we will go back again next Christmas to see it again. What an amazing way to begin the Christmas season! It even snowed--probably the only snow I will see this Christmas. We had a great time on our short vacation. I love the fact that we have season tickets so we can go back whenever we want--and believe me--we plan to make good use of those tickets!

Hangin' With Mickey

We decided to take advantage of our 15 month pass to Disney World. Since the trip is only 3 1/2 hours, we may be doing this quite often over the next 15 (well 14 now) months. As Florida residents, we could buy a 15 month pass to WDW. And being a Florida passholder, we also get a few other perks such as cut rate rooms at some of the WDW resorts from time to time. So we are staying at the Caribbean Beach Club for 3 nights. When we got here yesterday, we unpacked then headed to Epcot for the rest of the day. Today we are heading to the Magic Kingdom and hope to see the Shuttle launch from there. We actually saw John Glenn's return to space launch from there. Anyway, catch me on Facebook or more here later.

Facebook Friending

I have discovered that I haven't been blogging much lately. I have also discovered that I am spending more and more time on Facebook. I think the two are related! If any of you are on Facebook and haven't already friended me I am listed as Nancy Brooks Runta. Come find me and friend me.

Grandkid's Halloween Costumes

I posted a picture of my grandson, Ethan, in his Halloween costume on Camera Critters. A friend asked what the other kids dressed as. Of course all of my pictures came to me by way of my daughter and son but I am going to post them here just the same.

This is my daughter's oldest, Noah in his Ghost Buster's outfit. He has become a Ghost Busters fan. None of his friends knew who or what he was but the adults got a kick out of it.

Ethan, the oldest of the twins, opted to be the cutest little puppy ever!

Luka, the youngest of the twins is REALLY into Thomas the Train. He went as Thomas' friend, James.

My son works for Progressive Insurance so obviously my granddaughter decided to go as Flo the Progressive Spokesperson.
Sam is apparently getting a bit too old for Trick or Treat so he just went out with his friends sans costume. So, sorry Sam, you don't get your picture here!!

But, even though I posted it before, I have to post this picture again. I just think it is so doggone (pun intended) cute!

Camera Critters-Doggone

It's been awhile since I have posted on Camera Critters.And I guess I am probably taking a few liberties here but I thought that this picture my daughter took of one of her twins at Halloween was just too priceless not to post here. Critters don't get much cuter than this.

This Way Thurs-Way

This Way Thurs-Way is all about photos of signs, paths and things pertaining to being on the road. When you are done looking at my picture, why don't you hop on over to This Way Thurs-Way and check out some others.

A sign I saw in Ireland.