Thursday, July 31, 2008

1st Official Dulcimer Lesson

My lesson was last night with Stephen Siebert who is an accomplished musical artist. I was pleased with the results of last night. I started learning to tune the dulcimer by ear and we strummed and played a few songs. Last night was more or less getting to know me and my knowledge of music, which is nothing other than I like to play the radio.

I found out what the notes meant on the Skip to my Lou song were, so I can pretty much play that one. I have homework! uck! Don't know what I expected but didn't expect homework. LOL Anyway, it will be a fun diversion from watching TV.

Grey Goose is working out very well. I've got a rattle that I can't pin point so am hoping it works itself out.

Somewhere will be finished and ready to be picked up tomorrow.

Later...

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Movie Review

In the last week I have actually gone to the movies twice. Cindy took me to see Mama Mia for my birthday. OMG, I loved it. I had seen the play but I liked the movie much better. TERRIFIC scenery! Pierce Brosnan CANNOT sing worth a hoot but the rest was just awesome. Meryl Streep was sensational and of course the music was so memorable. Just made one want to break out in song. I highly recommend the movie but it is probably more of a chick flick. Oh, I plan on buying this one. It's a keeper and I could watch it over & over.

The other I saw today was Batman, The Dark Knight. Well, what can I say that others haven't. The joker took the show. The movie itself was way too long and more violent than you can expect from a Batman movie. Christian Bales is such a hottie! Whew, so good looking. Totally predictable. Don't want to add this one to my DVD collection

Toad? Dinghy? Got it! Got it!

I had been at Becky's pool all day and was ready to get home. Great chocolate chips cookies, BTW. As I was leaving I asked Ron who his salesman was who sold him his Chevy truck. He told me it was David Nixon at Tom Bannen Chevrolet. SO I stopped by and David was there. I told him in 9 months I would be ready for a new to me car but it had to be towable 4-down. He said no problem and then began telling me about the Chevrolet cars. I reminded him I was JUST looking, soooooo, off we go to look at a few so he could show me a few things. Wellllll, one thing led to another and...

I did it! I purchased a 2006 Chevrolet HHR! It can be towed 4-down w/no modification! Chevrolet actually has three vehicles that fit the bill. A Cobalt, a Malibu and the HHR, I chose the HHR. It's very similar to my PT Cruiser. The model I got is the 2LT and it has a lot of extras I would not have been able to afford if I had bought a brand new one. Here are a few pix
Of course Sedona had to try it out too. She actually likes it. At least she didn't complain about it. I took her out for a little ride, she went right to sleep so I guess that's a yes!

I'm so set. I've got my Somewhere and now have a toad! I've got to get a baseplate installed and get the tow bar and I'll be ready to hit the road. Oh my, it will make me want it that much more.

Oh a funny thing. I knew I would have to call my financial planner, Chad, for the money but I was a little nervous, it was like I was asking my Daddy for MY money. Oh, but I got over that very soon, just a phone call.

I'm sure you were wondering if I had named her; well of course, probably will be the Grey Goose. I think it fits with it's 5 o'clock Somewhere, don't you. Gosh, do I see a theme developing here???

Later...

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Estelle Getty Dies from the Golden Girls

I love this show and it's too bad that Estelle Getty has died. However I had heard that she was in bad shape so sometimes things happen for the best. She was so funny on the Golden Girls

Songs for the Dulcimer

OMG, I think I'm gonna like this playing music. I pulled some songs off the Internet yesterday to play on the dulcimer. Last night, I practiced, practiced! I purchased a Korg C30 tuner for less than 1/2 price at the Nashville New & Used music store and can tune my borrowed Dulcimer.

The songs I played last night were, Boil them Cabbage...something that was played a long time ago but is one of the best songs to start out with, supposedly. Also, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Rocky Top and TN Waltz. I'm trying to get some good songs under my belt so when I go to the lake in Aug, I can play some of them.

I believe I am going to take a couple of lessons. I have some questions and that will probably be the best way to get them answered. At the club on Sunday our teacher was Steve Seibert. Evidently he is one of the nations best dulcimer player/teacher/writer ever. Well, with my limited knowledge I did not realize I was sitting at the feet of the master until after I came back home and read about him on the Internet. WoW, what a way to start out. The BEST! Actually he gave me his number(no, not what you all are thinking) and said I could schedule some lessons with him. He said about three would be all it would take. Just the basics. Need to do that but it won't be long till you will hear the melodious sounds of the dulcimer right here, so stay tuned.

Didn't know how expensive these instruments are. Am trying to find a good used one right now and will post pictures when I find the one for me.

On a different note, I just talked to Williams Body Shop in Hendersonville, TN where Somewhere went to be repaired. He didn't have a price just yet, waiting on parts prices, etc. He said he had about 40 MHs up there to be fixed. This place is where C&M takes all their MHs and my insurance co, Farm Bureau, said they were the best body shop around. So I'll be out of commission for a while but hey, it's too darned hot to camp anyway.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

What on earth is Carolyn doing now???

Latest idea...play a dulcimer! Yes, the one who has never played a musical instrument in her life! I had my first experience today at the Grand Old Dulcimer Club (GODC.) I played it and I thought I did quite well.

Why the dulcimer?? Several years ago when I worked for TN State Parks, I was introduced to this music and the melodious sound coming from the dulcimer. There were very excellent players in the park manager/ranger ranks. Carl, Kenny, Wayne (BO), and many others. In fact Kenny makes them. Instead of doing anything about my desire to learn to play, I was in lust, therefore, all my attention was focused elsewhere and Rick took all my time. But that was another story/chapter in my life and I have fastforwarded to 2008.

You see, I think this will be a great way to break the ice while sitting in a campground. Whether I am practicing or playing, it should get people to drop by for conversation. But BFF Debbie, says it's for me to showoff. Hum? could there be some fact in that statement? Oh, what the heck, probably so. I do like the spotlight occasionally!

I'll provide you feedback on my progress and who knows, I might post a little sample on this blog one day. Oh, BTW, this lady at the GODC loaned me a McSpadden dulcimer to practice with. Sure gives the arm a workout.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Weekend at Johnsonville State Historic Park

Randy and Debbie went with me to pick up Somewhere at Theda's park. They stayed all weekend and got to sleep in Somewhere. It worked out great because after Theda took them on a tour of her park, we all got ready and went to the boat. It's only about a 1/2 mile from the park at Pebble Isle Marina. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. We drove up and down the river and saw bunches of grey heron, osprey and their nests and lots of fish jumping. Why is it that the fish don't ever come around when you are fishing?

We ate a good dinner at the Pebble Isle Marina restaurant and then headed home before the storms started.

And start they did. Lightening, thunder, winds, and rain! After the first round was over, Theda and I went to drive through the park to pick up limbs on the road and clear debris. There were two huge oak trees knocked down and split just like they were toothpicks. Big mess on Monday to clean up. While we were gone, Randy & Debbie took showers at Theda's house instead of in Somewhere (wasn't cooled off enough for that just yet.)

When we returned it was time for bed. I walked w/Randy & Debbie to show them how everything worked and to make sure they felt safe staying in Somewhere during a storm because the radar showed more was on the way. They said they would be okay. See Debbie had NEVER stayed overnight in an RV, guess you could say she was an RV Virgin until July 12, 2008.

True to form, it lightened, thundered, rained. Never lost power though. Debbie said it was good sleeping. She thought she was in a cabin in the woods with a tin roof and in essence she was, sort of. I'm glad they enjoyed it.

Next morning, breakfast and pack'er up and get ready to head back home. I dropped Somewhere off at C&M so she could get her skin repaired. Remember my boo boo? Anyway Debbie rode back with me, Randy drove my car and Sedona rode w/him. It was a good weekend. I think they might go w/me again sometime, even if Somewhere doesn't have a bath tub!

Later...

Friday, July 11, 2008

Independence Day Celebration at Theda's

Just thought I would take a minute and post some photos of my mini vacation at Johnsonville State Historic Park at Theda's. We decorated her pontoon boat for the fireworks which I thought the lights turned out very well. Everyone on the other boats liked the lights.




Also there are pictures of some of the fireworks. I believe it may be almost time for me to look into getting a new camera. I have a Nikon Coolpix 775 that my son bought me about six years ago. Randy got one soon after I did and his has already died so it is just a matter of time before mine bites the bullet.








All of you know that I have been preparing Sedona for her swim adventure w/her lifejacket. Here she is. She seems perfectly comfortable in it and she even jumped up on the seat with the jacket on which she has been afraid to do. I think she is ready for the kayak sometime.


Sedona looks like she would make a good 1st mate, what do you think?



I think that just about covers that mini vacation so I'll catch you later. Oh, if you need to see a bigger picture, all you have to do is double click.

Later...

Finally Friday

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Have you missed me? Goodness gracious, this new computer implementation, Edison, is going to be the death of me! Well, not literally but it is keeping me hopping these days. Been in training all week and let me tell you, BORING! The unfortunate thing is I have to go to the sessions in order to be able to teach our employees throughout this great state of Tennessee! Whew, if only retirement could have occurred before Edison, I would have been one happy camper!

In Sunday's Tennessean was an article about full timers, Gary & Vicky, from Middle Tennessee. Read the full article at the Tennessean.com this address. I contacted them and have been typing back and forth on a few things. Their blog is quite interesting and you can read that at this address. Just can't wait to hit the road and share my travels with you all.

The funny thing was when I went to Dr H recently and explained what I would be doing next year and trying to find out what I needed to do to prepare as far as medical records, etc. He said that he had four of his patients who were doing this and he just thought it was interesting, neat, etc. Well I was reading "we're winginit" blog the other night and he mentioned Dr H. Small, small world! They are two of the patients Dr H had talked about. I told Gary that it would be extremely strange if their dentist was Dr Winfree. Of course it wasn't. This is the beginning of a whole world that will be opening up for me. New peeps!!

Speaking of new peeps. My BFF, Debbie, has been anticipating a visit from her cousin Vickie who is travelling from Oregon. Vickie and Glenn are travelling in a Winnebago Adventurer, towing a Ford Edge. They have worked their way from Hood Lake in Oregon to visit Vickie's mother in Kingsport, TN. Anyway, they stopped to see Deb & Randy last night, Deb calls me about 8:30 p.m. and said they are leaving tomorrow, if you want to meet them, you will have to come tonight.

Now, you have to understand, I'm usually in bed watching TV by 9:00 p.m. Now my BFF is wanting me to get dressed and drive about 18 miles to her house in what must be the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT????? Of course I'll be there, no prob!

I hurriedly changed clothes and off I go to the Priest Lake area. I pulled in and there she was in all her glory, the Adventurer. I went in and met Glenn (w/2 n's) and we immediately began sharing stories. This was a first time for me in playing that male testosterone "mine's bigger than yours" game. And I'll have to say it was fun because in this case I was on top. It was fun and funny to get into a discussion of what features my Itasca had over his Winnebago. In case you don't know this, the Itasca is the Ford and the Winnebago is the Mercury of this class RV. They were the nicest people and it was good to meet them.

Melissa, BFFs darling daughter (dd), had made some delicious strawberry tarts so I was able to join in on the dessert. Yummy!

Glenn had almost traded for an Allegro Bus by Tiffin while coming through OK City. I think they didn't because Vicki is seriously interested in a Winnebago Vectra. I would be willing to bet that before this trip is over, they will have a new something to take back to Oregon.

I'm feeling a little jealous about this time in my life. Debbie, Becky and Cindy are all getting to take advantage of the State voluntary buyout program. I am just so happy for them but wish I was getting to do it too. I know, I know, nine months will be here before I know it.

Don't know if you all can tell but I'm having a little problems in getting some links to post so I'll have to go to the help center and figure out how to do it to save you all from having to cut and paste the URL into the box. Maybe I have it figured out now, feedback please?

Later...

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Happy Birthday to ME

It's been a great day. I started the day w/a great breakfast that Andy bought me. Andy works for Theda at her park and he took me to breakfast, very nice of him. Next we hit the pontoon boat. We cleaned it up a little (very little, well no actually a lot) and then took it out. We headed south on the Tennesse River of the Kentucky Lake and went under a huge railroad bridge that had to be drawn up because of the tug boats and barges passing underneath. That was fun because I had never seen a draw bridge go up by lifting up an entire section. I didn't go up like a "normal" drawbridge.

Yes, I'm at Johnsonville Historic Area. It seems that lots of locals are using their state parks to camp in this weekend. So I'm using my "local" park at Theda's driveway.

I'll post pictures next because we decorated the pontoon boat today for the 4th of July celebration and fireworks in the "creek" (that's what the locals call Trace Creek.) It looks good.

I'm going to be cleaning Somewhere for a few days, cleaning carpet and pressure washing the underside. Doesn't that sound fun! Yes it does. I hope you all have a wonderful July 4th celebration wherever you are.
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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

My Crafts




Someone asked to see some of my crafts I make. Here are a few pictures of the mosaics that I fool around with. Most are made up in my head so I hope you enjoy. I've got to get back to doing some things so I can get my supplies used up. They are a little heavy to be hauling around in Somewhere.


I have two projects started and need to mix up the messy grout to finish them. One is a flamingo and the other is a pumpkin. I also found a fold up table that will work perfectly in Somewhere but I have to decide what I want to put on it. It will either be a parrot or a sunshine, I'll post it when I get it finished.
This gazing ball used to be a bowling ball. I made it and gave it to my nephew Jerry, Roy's twin brother. He put it around his pond, where he said I could bring my MH into the mountains of Etowah and stay. He called me the other night and said he had added some goats to his family. Seems the goats liked the pond so well, they went down and ate the flowers and all the beautiful plants he had worked so hard to plant. They hit the stand the gazing ball was on and now the ball is in the pond. You will notice from the pictures that I had used broken mirrors as part of the design so I can only suppose that all his fish swim by the ball and check themselves out in the mirrors to see if they are lookin' good for their girl fish. When Jerry was telling me about this, I was ROTFLMAO. He tells a good story and you wouldn't believe all the BS I had to get through to hear the ball had been knocked into the pond.