Smell the change

  There was a change in the air that came upon us sometime last week.  You could just feel it. The smell of school starting, the smell of football coming and the smell of the changing of seasons. I like this change.  I noticed on my way home from work today, some leaves are starting to turn.

  Autumn is my favorite time of the year because God paints so many beautiful colors for us to take in. 

  But it is a love/hate thing for me also.  When those leaves start to change, I know too that they will eventually fall.  That I do not like. I actually despise them falling because where we live we can not burn.  It is a major pain.  But yet another thing I deal with for living in such a beautiful place.

Welcome to the real world

So my soon to be 18 year old finally started her first job Tuesday.  And it is really strange not having her here during the evenings. She was a hermit prior to this.

So first day of work she comes home just tired. No problem.  Day two and day three was a completely different story. She was dragging her butt and complaining her feet hurt.  They were hurting so bad that she couldn't even stand to take a shower until the next morning. 

I suggest to her to wear the cushioned tennis shoes that she has but Nooooo that wouldn't make any difference to the no-cushion Chuck Taylor Converses she wears. Mom knows nothing about being on her feet after being a waitress for 4+years, many moons ago.

So she will learn the hard way,  and I hope to hear the "You were right" phrase from her more sooner than later.

Times be a changing

Time sure does fly fast.

My daughter is going to be a Senior this year and she just got her first job.  I wish at times she could go back and be a baby and I could relive all those years (though I don't know if I would survive them at my age).   There are many things I would do different to make her a stronger person but hopefully she will pick those up on her own.  I, personally, became stronger from life's experiences. They were not always good but you have to learn something from each situation that is placed in front of you.

Another chapter in her life is starting and I hope to give her sound advice and support to make it a great time.
And she knows I will always be there for her always, as my parents have been for me.

Change is not always good

Up until March 31st, I had a job that I overall liked. I enjoyed the work, pay was great and so was the benefits.  As with every job, there were the few employees that I could not stand. For the past 20 years or so, I have always worked in an office.

As of April 1st, my world went into an uproar.  Yeah, I knew the job was ending but knowing that did not help the situation. 

I am a creature of habitat.  I got up same time every day, had my coffee watched the news, got ready and walked out the door.  After work I usually came straight home except for the occasional stop at the store. I liked that. You can call me a fuddy duddy, but that is the way I like it.

Having started applying for jobs at least 6 months prior to the end, and no hope for anything, I took a job working for a friend.

I thought maybe this would be a change in career for the better. Thus it has not turned out that way.  My daily schedule can change at the drop of a hat. And it has. Not good for a creature of habit.  And I am working a fraction of what I used to making substantially less than I used to.

I can't comment about work on Facebook so I use Twitter to vent sometimes. My friend is not on Twitter, so it is my safe haven.

I have continuously been searching for that office job, even applying for jobs that I am overqualifed for.  Nothing yet.  Still plugging away daily looking.

Working this job has been humbling in ways and I feel like a lost lamb looking for her flock.

I know God has a plan for me, and everything is done in His time, but I sure wish he would put some octain in it to speed it up.

Things that make you go hmmm

My step sister was in town from Minnesota.  We had lunch yesterday before her heading back today. She brought up a great topic about blogging and getting paid.

Her step daughter does blogging/Twitter/Facebook for an insurance company in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. The company is run by older folks that have no clue about social media.  That is where this arose from.

My step sister, Kim, lives part time on one of the largest lakes in Minnesota, and will eventually live there permanently when her husband retires.  She thought why can't she do that too. They are huge boaters during warm weather and huge snowmobilers during cold.

I woke up this morning with a million things going through my head...why can't I do it too? I live and love living in a vacation/retirement destination.  Being in my 40's, people my age are socially connected via these outlets of Twitter, blogging, etc and we are the ones that golf, vacation, and eventually retire. Why can't I be the one connecting them to this destination? 

Definitely something to look into....

Keep you posted.

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.