Before & After

This fall we decided to re-do the yard! The crab grass had overtaken our yard and grass from last year so we decided to kill it all, till up the yard and start from scratch!  We also decided to put plastic around the mulch beds to help keep it in there since the dog likes to kick it out! We have a few bare spots but I think it has turned out very nice- a heck of a lot better than when we moved in! 


Before: First you till! Thanks to my in-laws for helping!

our little garden: 

The yard as one big mud pit! no more grass!

Finishing touches...

Spread seed, water daily, spread more seed, water some more and wait 4-6 weeks and TADAAAA:

 So proud of my husband for finding his green thumb! I helped too! 

Charlotte's Eviction Notice

So our good friend Charlotte the spider has taken up residence in the corner of our sliding glass door.  Charlotte, you have until we return from VA Beach on Sunday to find a new spot, otherwise your home will be destroyed. <3 The Hooper's

Although this normally would give me the hebeejebeez - how beautiful is this web?! I know 2 posting on spiders, we need more friends!

Happy Birthday!

Dad and I during his birthday one year at Durham Creek

Today should have been my Dad's 60th birthday! It should have been a time where he would have another 'mid life crisis' and perm his hair like he did when he turned 30, or buy a crazy sports car like he did in his late 40s.  It should have been a celebration where we made fun of him for getting old. Instead - I am raising money in his memory.  I reached my goal last week thanks to all of you and thanks to a very sweet donation from my brother's racing team (Glenwood Clinical Racing).  Together, our team has funded over a week of lung cancer research!   

As I think about reaching goals, it was never a question that my dad thought we could reach any goal we set out to achieve.  He always supported anything we did, now that didn't mean he didn't give his two cents worth but ultimately we always knew he had our back.  I am thankful my parents were always so supportive.  They worked hard to make sure we had the opportunities they never had.  So what do you do when you reach your goal?  Set a new one of course! We are at $1,125.. The new goal - $1,500! 


To donate or join my team please visit my team page: Nothin' Fancy 

Here is what your money goes toward:

$10- allows 5 lung cancer patients to receive our free education materials, giving them the information, inspiration and hope they need to fight this disease.

$50- keeps our website running for a month, enabling 10,000 patients, their families and healthcare providers to access important information.

$150-funds one day of critical lung cancer research to help all lung cancer patients live longer and better

$500 – allows 50 lung cancer patients to receive our free education materials, giving them the information, inspiration and hope they need to fight this disease. 

THANK you for your help! 

Meet Charlotte

Monday evening I was outside seeing if we had a bell pepper I could pick to make in a stir fry - we didn't have one quite big enough. My husband started knocking on the window above our little garden.  I thought he was being annoying so I ignored him a little while - when I looked up he pointed above my head - a HUGE spider.  This my friends is Charlotte the spider and her web. She spins her web at night over our little garden - Also a note - I am loving my new camera - I promise I did not get that up close and personal with Charlotte... and if anyone can tell me what type of species she/It is that would be great! 

and finally - Charlotte's feast last night: (gross, but awesome photo) 

Let's see if she is back tonight! 

"There's an app for that. It's called compassion''

'Tis that time of year again! The time where my nagging skills come out and I ask you all to spend (at least) $10 on lung cancer research in support of my Free to Breathe Raleigh team - Nothin' Fancy  - In memory of my dad, Don Gill.

Why this cause?!
I was a college sophomore at North Carolina State University.  I loved school, I was active on campus and I was embracing college life.  Then the train hit, my dad had not been feeling well and the doctors did a basic chest x-ray and found a 14cm in-operable mass on his lung—lung cancer. The day they told me is one of the worst days of my life.  My daddy, the strongest man I knew, had lung cancer and they only gave him 8 months to a year.  My world was turned upside down.  He fought hard but passed away only 3 short months after diagnosis.  I knew I had to make a difference, not only for lung cancer patients like my father, but for their daughters. So they have their fathers there to see them graduate college, walk them down the aisle at their wedding or be a grandfather to their children.  No one deserves lung cancer and no one deserves to lose a parent from lung cancer. 


That is why you can join me in making a difference for all those affected by lung cancer in coming out or supporting the Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk & Rally on November 5 at North Hills in Raleigh.  My goal is to raise $1,000.  Won't you consider donating $10, $20 or even more? 


My team page: Nothin' Fancy 
___ 
**PS This article came out recently and it is excellent - thought I would share. Really puts an interesting perspective on things. 


The Last Refrigerator by Rob Densen
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-densen/the-last-refrigerator_b_941286.html?ref=fb&src=sp

My Best Friend's Wedding!

What a year!  My best friend is also getting married this year! (Hello Ashley!) 
I don't think it hit me until yesterday at a shower in Fayetteville (photos soon) that she is actually getting married.  When did we grow up?  We have been friends since 1st or 2nd grade - we have been through all of life's big events together and I am so excited for her wedding!  We hosted a couple's shower/cookout for her at our place last weekend and it was a lot of fun - although I think their new puppy, Lilly, stole the show! So darn cute!   
The Bride & Groom and Lilly

Most of the girls:
 
Lilly Helping with Cornhole

Ashley and her Sister In Law, Helen

and her Brother too! 



Can't wait for September 17!  :)

NYC 2011

 A little late in updating but I had a GREAT time in NYC with my friends!  The adventure home was a little ... crazy but overall we had a great time!  It was nice to not have a real plan and just explore the city and do what we want!  A few highlights! 
Getting to see Oiane and Ludi!

Birthday Dinner with Katie, Ludi & Oine at Haveli in East Village! YUM!



CUPCAKES at Magnolia Bakery with Brandon and Ludi! 





Top of the Rock! - View of the Empire State Building! I got a good chance to play with my new camera - but here is one of my favorites! 

New York, here I come!

Happy Birthday to me!  I seriously have the best husband ever!  We realized a few weeks ago we couldn't afford our mini vaca to the big apple.  SO he is 'letting' me go by myself Wednesday and Thursday. I wish he could go but we just couldn't afford two plane tickets, hotel for a few nights, baseball games, food etc.  SO my friend Katie is putting me up on her couch! (THANKS KATIE!)   I am going to see my good friend Ludi!  Ludi and I were exchange students when we were in high school and have remained close friends! She is from France but currently lives in Italy via Reunion Island. I can't believe we have known each other for over 10 years! She is in NY for a Beach Tennis Tournament! I need to brush up on my French!


I don't have a photo of the first time I went because I don't have them digitally! 
Let's see, I went in 2001, She came in 03 (don't know where those photos are either right at the moment).  
So here are a few photos of us over the years
Ludi and Baptiste came 05! -- Photo of me, Ludi, Baptiste and my cousin Amber.

Amber, Chad, Ludi, momma, Baptiste @ the beach in 05:

She came to NYC for NYE with a friend in 07: 



In 2008, I went to Reunion  to visit her! 



Two pictures here because that place is paradise!



Can't wait for our next adventure together! New York City 2011! 

I.Hate.Lung.Cancer.

What a week this has been!  Busy to say the least.  On Monday I went to visit a good friend Renee, one of our organizations lung cancer survivors. I remember the first time I met her, barely any hair but her eyes and smile lit up the room. She always looked so good!  She became active with the NC Lung Cancer Partnership and a part of our close knit circle.  She walked in the Free to Breathe Raleigh and was a great inspiration. Unfortunately her cancer returned around Christmas but boy talk about a fighter. I have gone to see her regularly but I learned this morning she lost her battle with lung cancer last night. I am so glad I went on Monday. 
Renee with other Survivors leading the pack, she is the one with the red gloves. 





Unfortunately stories like this are far too common. My heart is heavy this morning but I am so glad to have had Renee in my life. She is a special lady.  Thank you Renee for touching my heart and being an inspiration.  You were a fighter and I appreciate your friendship. Love you! 
Tomma, Renee, Me and Amy with Santa Bob at Christmas! 

Kahlua's Photo Shoot

I have a new toy! I have been wanting a DSLR camera for quite a while.  My point and shoot is okay but it doesn't zoom far and the quality is just ok.  I wanted something to take better photos as we travel, eventually have kids etc and I wanted one with 'real' video capabilities. Not to mention for my work at the Partnership we needed someone with a nicer camera because there is always an occasion to take a photo! So being on a 'budget' we got the Cannon Rebel T2i.  It's a good 'beginner' DSLR camera and does real HD video which will be great for Focused Videography.  We decided to use the money we got from our recent wedding booking deposits to purchase the camera.  


Now learning how to use it.. .
Here are a few photos of Kahlua dog -- my first 'good' photos. 

My favorite:

Sad puppy: 

a little cross-eyed but i think it's cute (i think i had the flash on on this one) 

Thanks to my beautiful model!

Garden to Plate

Bo & I got a late start on our garden due to wedding festivities but we are pretty proud of the progress it is making!  We have a tomato plant, bell pepper plant and about 7 or 8 jalapeno plants...Bo 'raised' the jalapenos from little seeds so the fact that we almost have peppers is pretty cool. 


Our tomato plant - looking a little droopy but doing well - 

We even have a tomatoes!

Our Bell pepper plant! 

Our Pepper and Jalapeno Plants!  No Jalapenos yet but I think we will have a 

ton pretty soon!

Saturday we picked the bell pepper: 

We had gone to the farmers market earlier that day and I decided to make shrimp and veggie

 stir fry for dinner! YUM! We ate our little bell pepper! 

Tada! 

It was very yummy!  Can't wait for more veggies from our little Garden!

#5 - Washington Nationals & DC Trip

We spent July 4th hitting up our 5th Major League Baseball stadium.  The Washington Nationals!

 Our goal is to go to ALL of them.  No real timeline for this but the goal is to go all 30 together. 

Washington Nationals Stadium Highlights: 

- Free Washington Nationals Hat! (their 4th of July Promo)

- Happy Hour - the Miller Light booth had $5 16 oz beers until the first pitch!  Being that most beers are $8 each that is a great deal! 

- Easy to get to from the metro station - about a 5 min walk. 

- Lots of family friendly entertainment including a kids batting cage and playground (Bo with the Giant Bobble-Head Abe Lincoln) 

- There are huge over-sized presidents that race around the bases. 

Some other photos from our DC trip!

Dinner out in Georgetown

The National Zoo - Mini Review: Although hearing the Tiger roar/meow? and seeing the giant Panda were both very cool I was not overly impressed with the National Zoo - BUT after going to the San Diego Zoo this just couldn't compare.  The first 5 animals we tried to see were not in there and their habitats were not as 'natural' as San Diego. HOWEVER it was FREE so at least there was nothing to loose - Great family cost efficient activity and you can even bring your own picnic into the park! 

The Natural History Museum - apparently the entire city of Washington thought this was also a good idea - again FREE!- but go on a weekday if possible! 

What trip to DC would be complete without a photo or two of some monuments?!