Day 126....It's Fall!

Had to take a drive today up into the hills and all around to take some pics of the beautiful fall color

That is abundant everywhere! The pic above, I think, wound up being my favorite one, and the

one I use as a background on my phone, just because of the sheer number of colors I managed

to capture in it. All of these pics, by the way, may LOOK like they were taken as I was driving. Let me be quick to assure you that although I may have been behind the wheel, I was NOT actually driving. I was very cautious to choose times to take my shots when there were no other drivers on the road behind me. That enabled me to actually stop in the road long enough to get the shot.

This pic was actually taken at the north end of Lake Watauga. The weather was absolutely perfect....look at that gorgeous October sky! Deep blue, and not a cloud in it. Who could ask for more?

These final two pics were actually taken on I-40, heading east toward NC through the Great Smoky Mountains. Confession: You can't stop to take a pic in the middle of the interstate, so I just pointed and clicked as I was driving...and I got lucky. Twice.

I had to take these pics to try to capture the snow that was blanketing the tops of the highest peaks. Sadly, that's not too evident here, but if you blow up the pics, they are still very beautiful, and you actually can see the snow.

Day 133....Kota's Birthday!

Today was an awesome day....the day we celebrated my grandson Dakota's birthday. It's actually not until next week, but since it falls on a weekday this year, the girls decided to throw his party today, while it was beautiful weather. So I hopped in the truck and headed down to spend the day with them.

I had intended to get an early start so I could spend the whole day, but I got up late, and then tried a new way to go down which...although truly breathtaking...lost me about an hour's travel time. Going across the mountains via I-40 was a real treat, though, I have to say. But the moment that took the cake was when a geezer got on the freeway in his white caddy that was piled bumper to bumper with about 3 inches of snow. Yes....the tops of the mountains were covered with it.

Regardless, we had a really great afternoon catching up and visiting, after which we all headed to Mickey D's for Dakota's party. There were quite a few of Katrina's family there, as you could probably imagine. I was the only one on Jes' side...but that's ok. Poppy was there in spirit!

We started by letting Kota cut his cake and singing happy birthday to him. He actually did a great job, even though he had to get a little push with the plastic knife from mom...

Before we knew it, it was time to open all his presents...including a star projector for his room, so he can lie in bed at night and watch all the constellations revolve around the ceiling. He's very into space stuff at the moment...among other things....and it's very obvious that he's growing up SO fast...and becoming SUCH a little man!

Kota, Nana's so proud of you, and Poppy and I love you very, very much.

Day 142...Potential!

Ever since we found out last April that the plant I work at (and thought I'd be permanently hired by) was going to be shutting down next year, I've been looking for a job...a place I could hang my hat...a place I could call home. Something similar to what I had at Maverick. The economy being what it currently is, I haven't been having much luck, but the temp service that I work for, Randstad, has also been helping me look. Last week, they called me to let me know that they had lined me up for an interview that looked to be a really good opportunity. So, with hat in hand, and loaded with coffee, I went. The interview went well, I thought, but they weren't looking to make a decision until about the 12th of Oct., and so, knowing that I was one of many, I settled in for a wait.
It didn't take as long as I thought for a call-back. The message on the phone two days after the first interview startled me, but they were looking to schedule me for round two. Today being the appointed day, I showed up at 2:oopm, spit-shined and primed with a well-edited answer to an essay question I had been provided with the first time, in case I were to make it this far.
Things seemed to go well today. I was asked a lot of the same questions as the first time, and given a couple of very rudimentary tests on Word and Excel, which I had no trouble with. And now, the wait...once again...begins. I'm hoping to hear back by the end of this week, or Monday at the latest. If I should get good news, have no fear that I will post details, but until then, I feel as though to say too much would be to jinx it...so mum's the word for now.
You'd think with as much practice as I've had with the waiting thing, that this would be a walk in the park for me. Apparently, my skill in that department still leaves something to be desired.

Day 143...Catch-up

I'm running so far behind with my posting that I thought I'd just try to do a blanket post to hit some high spots...

Sept 10th was a great day. That was the day my daughter Shanna flew in to town to bring my grandson, Keith to visit his Nana. They stayed until Monday, and we had such a wonderful visit. Friday, they spent with my in-laws while I was at work. Saturday morning, I had a 10k to run, (which was my worst one yet, btw...equal parts bad weather conditions, very poor event organization, and lack of adequate preparation on my part... :P) but that afternoon the weather cleared enough for us to attend the Elizabethton Celtic Festival. It was small, but still great fun. There were a lot of craftspeople there, showing off their skills, a few clan tents and vendors, even a band or two! But the absolute best part was when we found the House of Douglas tent...fresh scones topped with strawberries and whipped cream! Mmmmmm.... Life doesn't get any better than that, people. It was worth the price of admission all by itself.

Sunday morning, we went to church, and afterward, my mother in law offered to babysit so Shanna and I could have a little time to explore. Naturally, I took her to my two favorite places...Backbone Rock, and Roan Mtn. It was a really beautiful day, perfect for a drive through the mountains. When I took her up to the falls, she was speechless. No amount of pictures does this place justice, it's like a cathedral made of trees. The canopy is easily more than 100 feet overhead, and the reverence of the place defies description. I never fail to be moved, it's one of the places up here where I feel closest to God, and I can not wait to share it with Alan when he comes home. I know he will feel the same.

As reluctant as we were to leave, I really wanted to get her to Roan Mtn in time to see the view before the sun set. It took some fancy driving, but we did get there in time enough to get up the mountain and get settled right as the sun was setting. Normally, I'm down before then, because there are a couple of patches of woods you have to go through, and it gets dark in there. Moreover, it gets dark as pitch up there, period, when the sun goes down due to the lack of big city lights. Having made the climb, though, it was unthinkable not to take in the view...especially since it was her first trip up there, so I just sat back and enjoyed her taking it all in. Not moving, not...breathing, for fear that she might blink and that incredible...awesome...view would be gone.

We hadn't been there long, though, before we started losing our light, for real. I was snapping pics like crazy, thinking that it might be a while before I could get any more, and that I was sure Shanna'd want to have as many pics as possible to remember this. Just at the last possible second, I snapped one final pic in the last rays of the dying sun, and as soon as I did, I knew what I had....this was IT. See for yourself...

I can't believe how truly awesome this shot turned out to be. I wanted to send out for reprints immediately (which I did), and this is now officially my favorite pic. :)

It was a real challenge to get back down the mountain through the pitch black woods with no flashlight, but we made it in record time, and had such a great time in the process. I was so glad to have been able to share my favorite spots with her, and am looking forward to sharing them soon with Jes and Ian's families, too....just as soon as I can get them up here, that is. Probably February.