I hate mosquitos

For some reason since I moved to Tennessee it seems that I am more prone to mosquito bites than when I lived in other parts of the country. Having lived in Illinois, Florida, and Colorado.

Growing up in 'the cornfield' in Illinois,  yes I got bit but nothing like here.

It seems like they are a different type of mosquito here than anywhere else. Maybe it is just living on the plateau.  The Cumberland Plateau is one of the most diverse biospheres in the world.

But what I personally have noticed is when I get bit it is like a hot match being poked on me. And yes, I go have scars on my legs from terrible reactions.  I have many a times come into the house with tears from the pain. I do have a high pain tolerance.

I try to spray with a repellent but doesn't always work.  I keep a supply on hand of Benedryl spray to help with the pain.

So alas, I am limited to what I can do outside, and when I can do it.

Price I pay for living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

New adventure with MTPS

Saturday morning I found myself randomly surfing the internet looking for local information on hauntings.  Decided to search to see if there was an organized group closer than Knoxville or Nashville. 
Low and behold I came across Middle Tennessee Paranormal Society based out of Cookeville. Upon reading through the website, I liked what they had to say. I filled out the online membership application, hoping to hear back.

Later that very afternoon, I received a phone call from Jennifer, one of the lead investigators/founder.  Due to a very poor cell phone reception, all I got out of the call was "meeting" "6 o'clock" and an address.  Upon arriving I find out they/we are doing a training/investigation in Sparta Tn that night.    I had several forms to fill out before leaving, as a new member.  I also had to text my boyfriend, Burt, not to expect me home anytime soon. I volunteered to drive myself and two other team members to Sparta, Lauren and Julie.  Had a very nice conversation with them both on the way.  Everyone seems very nice, and easy to get along with. My observation of the organization: good group of people; professional but also very easy going.  

http://www.middletennesseeparanormalsociety.com/

Waverly Hills thoughts/insight

The Waverly Hills adventure is done and over.  I had a very enjoyable time, though I now know how to make my next ghost hunting adventure better next time.
We were told going in that we were to use flashlights strictly for use on the stairwells.  Our eyes would adjust to the darkness in no time, and we would "see" more without the flashlights.
One couple in the group had brought some profession equipment and so they went off by themselves.  Towards the end of the night, I started to tag along with them.  This was not their first rodeo.  It was alot more enjoyable.
The place was originally a TB hospital and then a nursing home, so there is alot of 'history' in the place.
We were split up in large groups, to go with a volunteer.  Then this group was split.  Our group first did floors 4 and 5.  The 4th floor has the most activity and "residents".  The 5th floor was the open air deck area.
The 5th floor is notorious for room 502.  "Supposedly" an unmarried nurse hung herself either in the room, or just outside the doorway because she was pregnant by a hospital doctor.  That was an unheard of thing during that time period.  Or that she had an abortion by THE doctor, and it went bad; so they hung her up to make it look like a suicide.
On the 4th floor, a couple of the "residents" - Mr Black - a large black entity that starts small and will soon engulf the whole hallway and will approach you.  We were warned if we saw, "RUN".   The 2nd "resident" is called the "creeper".  Think ghost from The Grudge.  An entity crawling on ground, pulling with arms.  According to guide, the Creeper had just been seen a few weeks prior to us arriving.
At one time they did very bad experimental surgeries in hopes of trying to make people better.  One of these surgeries was to slice the patients open down the back, and remove 1/2 of the person's ribs.  They thought this would help the patients breath easier.  Many people died.  Electric shock therapy was very common also.
During our walking around, it seemed like I was always in the back. The only time I was uncomfortable was when we were on the 4th floor.  It just felt different there.  Can't explain it.  Just different.
When we rotated down to the first floor, we were able to go down to the Body Chute.  This was a tunnel that they used to transport bodies out of the hospital to keep other patients from seeing the bodies.  This was put into use when a person an hour was dying.  The chute ends down behind the building, behind timber where a hearse or if they were from out of town, a train car was waiting for the bodies.  It is pitch black and 458 steps.  Since we did not get to this until towards the end of the tour, I didn't get a chance to go down.  I was completely exhausted by then.
At certain points, and certainly towards end of tour, I was getting more adventurous.  I would go off by myself, but always knowing where my group was.  I would not do it on the 4th floor.  Just didn't feel right.
I saw and heard a few things that I could not explain.  I was disappointed about a few things, but overall, I had a great time.   There was several in our group that said they were touched and had a few things happen to them.
I used the voice recorder on my cell phone at a few different places.  I personally didn't hear anything while doing it.  Listening to those this morning, I did pick something up on the recording.  While I was alone in the electric shock room, I was asking questions.  At one point there is a very strange sound OVER my voice.  I did not hear it, thus would have stopped if I had.  Guide said several EVPs are picked up in there, especially cussing.  It is very cool.
I am hoping that we all can gather in a few weeks to share what we experienced, photos, EVPs.
My 17 year old daughter is so jealous.  But for this 8 hour tour, you have to be 18.  We will be going back maybe next year.  There is one place on the 1st floor that I want to hit.  I had overheard some girls talking to the guide as we were leaving about the experience they had in a vault area.
This was a very physically demanding thing, especially with the heat and humidity.  There was ALOT of walking, including a ton of stairs.  I was horribly sore/hurting when we left.  But worth it all.
We are already planning a trip this fall to Pittsburgh Tennesee to a haunted hospital there.
I am sure I have forgotten a few things, so I may through some thoughts on here later.


http://www.therealwaverlyhills.com/

OMG

Had a great night.  A lot more to it than expected.  We are all utterly exhausted.

Upon a shower and a nap, I am hoping to go into more detail. Brain too tired now.

Leading up the adventure

So we get into Louisville abt 1pm-ish local time, with a few stops. The 2 lane roads most of the way had absolutely beautiful scenery.

We try to find WH in daylight.  They post no signs. I reckon not to advertise to punks to try to get in. After wandering for a bit, and not following my suggestion the first time, the gate was found. Could not see anything from there.

Checked into nice hotel. And yes, we received a discount because we were going to WH. Then off to early dinner.

With 4 hours to sleep before needing to get ready, I can not sleep. Not my bed, unfamiliar territory.  Going to be a very tiring Sunday.

Until later....

Night before trip

Not too excited yet. Packed bag of misc stuff. I am like a boy scout, "always be prepared".  2 different cell phone chargers, bug spray, bug itch spray,  etc etc.

Leaving early for some reason.  Early night.

Adventure starts tomorrow. 

Adventure this weekend

So if you know me, you know my daughter and I love watching ghost hunting shows.

So when a friend said she was going to Waverly Hills sanitarium in Louisville, I said I wanted to go. So I called and booked my spot.

As expensive as it is I am glad the chance came when my tax return came in.

So I am hoping it lives up to the hype.
Plus I haven't been out of the area in 2 years.  Time to get away, though I love this area and hate leaving.

That is all for now.