Mid-week at Parksville Lake
On Wednesday we went into Cleveland, TN and did a little shopping (those of you who really know me I hate shopping) and then went to eat at Logan’s Steakhouse where Deborah & Mark and David & Jan met us. It was great to see Jan & David before the cruise and it’s always such fun for us to be around Deborah and Mark.
Jan had her neck surgery and her doc put her in a neck brace. She is assured that the brace will be off before the cruise in a couple of weeks.
After shopping and eating we headed back to Ocoee and found it had really rained but we missed all that and when we got to the boat, it was a nice ride back to the cabin. I got a call when I was off the island (on the island we have no cell service unless we are at the dock) from Carl Black Chevrolet telling me that Somewhere is ready to be picked up so when I return on Tuesday, I’ll pick her up and hope that she fits in Cindy’s driveway so I can begin to load my final belongings in her.
Thursday has been a day of rest so to speak. Sister Wanda had given me a book to read and that is about all I have done. The name is Only Obey and the author is Connie Baumgardner from Etowah, TN. Her book is fiction but when reading it one feels as if the writer experienced the events written about. It was a good read, very intense. I had to take a break every once in a while because of the intensity. The settings in the book are in Maryville, Chattanooga, Nashville, all places that I am very familiar with. This book is a great read and focuses on Christianity and one’s witness.
Sister Shirley fixed a big old pot of pinto beans today. Sis Wanda fixed cole slaw, garden fresh okra and someone fixed cornbread. By the way, I do dishes. No cooking for me. Doug & Don went fishing after dinner and us girls, exercised to some music I had. Man-o-man, did we work up a sweat!, but then again, when you have homemade icecream every night, we need to exercise. Guess you could say we were sweatin’ to the oldies, Kool & the Gang.
Today, I took my computer down to the dock to see if my new Verizon card would work better with the new antenna I got from Verizon. It does work better but not in the cabin. I got on line and answered a few emails and checked Facebook but when I went to pull anything complex up it would take too long and act like I was on dial up so I got to do very little on the computer but did make some phone calls from the deck.
As I reflect on my time down here I am learning from the best folks about retirement. Shirley, Doug, Wanda and Don are great at retirement and I’m beginning to get the hang of it. I called in today and learned that my insurance is going up 6% next year and then talked to someone else with some crazy news and I just think I need to stay on the island for the rest of my time. LOL Actually I cannot wait until I get out on the road.
I suppose I’ll rethink this reunion. The Etowah High School reunion has provided so much conversational topics for my sisters, it's funny to hear them discussing different people they grew up with and went to school with. See Shirley and Wanda were only a year apart in school age and know the same folks. Whereas I was several years behind them and knew very few of the people they were speaking. It should be good get reacquainted with my grade.
Later…
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday Night In the Park
One of the advantages of being retired is to be able to do whatever one desires and I did. I went to my hometown of Etowah, TN for the all classes Etowah High School reunion. I was the last freshman class of Etowah High School in 1966. I actually graduated from McMinn Central HS in 1969.
Our class was not included in the reunion but it didn’t matter because I wanted to go and try to get together with some classmates I had met on Facebook. Those who showed up were Susie Bledsoe & friend, Tom Reynolds, Joyce and me. We decided it was past time for us to have our 40th reunion.
It was time for me to pull out my tye dye shirt since it was my 40th year since graduation and it was the 40th year celebration of Woodstock. Oh yes, people were able to see me in my tye dye shirt but I think the effect was lost on this group. Yes, folks, I was celebrating 1969 and Woodstock. LOL
It was a wonderful night, weather was perfect, band was pretty good, however they didn’t play 50s & 60s music. The music was more or less big band, 40s, jazz and blues. Good music for a full moon night. It was fun getting to meet all these people who had gone to school with all my older sisters.
Joyce Arms Farley met me down there as we had grown up together, went to church together and kind of stayed in touch and when we saw each other, we didn’t miss a beat. It was like we picked up right where we left off. She has stayed in Etowah and raised her girls there so she knew just about everyone and I would have to say now who is that?
Danny, class of ’58, came up to us and said we looked too young to have graduated during his era. Joyce and I looked at each other and said oh, but we were only 8 when you graduated. LOL Now don’t you know that he didn’t appreciate that at all?? Oh well, it was fun to be able to do.
I reconnected with Sara and Johnny Austin who was my sister Wanda’s bff in school. Sara had heard that I was going to be an RV full timer and she wanted to talk about it. She and Johnny extend time with their 5th wheel. We talked about all the trips they have taken and what my plans were and that made the evening just extremely exciting. Of course, you know that was what I loved to do. Maybe one day we will see each other down the road, Sara.
For those of you who don’t know about Etowah, you should make a trip over to the lovely mountains of east TN at the foothills of the Cherokee National Park. The Hiwassee River borders on the south and that is good for tubing, rafting and fishing.
Etowah is blessed with outlet stores and surplus stores. More and more folks are moving in and renovating the downtown area. Antique stores abound and while walking through the street on Saturday morning there looked like a good selection of antiques. I would highly recommend stopping by Etowah. Below town you can RV at the Black Bear Cove that you can read about on my blog on/around Memorial Day 2009. During this time of year they have a rail excursion which runs up through Ducktown and it’s a great trip when the colors change. Check it out sometime.
But I digress. I have agreed to assist with our 40th reunion on October 24, 2009. Yes, you read correctly. That is soon but we figured we would get just as many people there on this short notice than if we had given them 1 year to plan. We meet this week to plan. Everything is in jello right now. More to come on this. Yes, Becky, I know what I said about my reunion. It will be good to reconnect with some folks.
Saturday night I went up to Nephew Roy’s house and went to the pond. There we had a huge bond fire and fished. I caught 2 HUGE catfish. It was so much fun that I do believe those were the first fish I have caught. They ran like crazy but they were confined to the pond so they couldn’t run from me. It was exciting.
Later…
Our class was not included in the reunion but it didn’t matter because I wanted to go and try to get together with some classmates I had met on Facebook. Those who showed up were Susie Bledsoe & friend, Tom Reynolds, Joyce and me. We decided it was past time for us to have our 40th reunion.
It was time for me to pull out my tye dye shirt since it was my 40th year since graduation and it was the 40th year celebration of Woodstock. Oh yes, people were able to see me in my tye dye shirt but I think the effect was lost on this group. Yes, folks, I was celebrating 1969 and Woodstock. LOL
It was a wonderful night, weather was perfect, band was pretty good, however they didn’t play 50s & 60s music. The music was more or less big band, 40s, jazz and blues. Good music for a full moon night. It was fun getting to meet all these people who had gone to school with all my older sisters.
Joyce Arms Farley met me down there as we had grown up together, went to church together and kind of stayed in touch and when we saw each other, we didn’t miss a beat. It was like we picked up right where we left off. She has stayed in Etowah and raised her girls there so she knew just about everyone and I would have to say now who is that?
Danny, class of ’58, came up to us and said we looked too young to have graduated during his era. Joyce and I looked at each other and said oh, but we were only 8 when you graduated. LOL Now don’t you know that he didn’t appreciate that at all?? Oh well, it was fun to be able to do.
I reconnected with Sara and Johnny Austin who was my sister Wanda’s bff in school. Sara had heard that I was going to be an RV full timer and she wanted to talk about it. She and Johnny extend time with their 5th wheel. We talked about all the trips they have taken and what my plans were and that made the evening just extremely exciting. Of course, you know that was what I loved to do. Maybe one day we will see each other down the road, Sara.
For those of you who don’t know about Etowah, you should make a trip over to the lovely mountains of east TN at the foothills of the Cherokee National Park. The Hiwassee River borders on the south and that is good for tubing, rafting and fishing.
Etowah is blessed with outlet stores and surplus stores. More and more folks are moving in and renovating the downtown area. Antique stores abound and while walking through the street on Saturday morning there looked like a good selection of antiques. I would highly recommend stopping by Etowah. Below town you can RV at the Black Bear Cove that you can read about on my blog on/around Memorial Day 2009. During this time of year they have a rail excursion which runs up through Ducktown and it’s a great trip when the colors change. Check it out sometime.
But I digress. I have agreed to assist with our 40th reunion on October 24, 2009. Yes, you read correctly. That is soon but we figured we would get just as many people there on this short notice than if we had given them 1 year to plan. We meet this week to plan. Everything is in jello right now. More to come on this. Yes, Becky, I know what I said about my reunion. It will be good to reconnect with some folks.
Saturday night I went up to Nephew Roy’s house and went to the pond. There we had a huge bond fire and fished. I caught 2 HUGE catfish. It was so much fun that I do believe those were the first fish I have caught. They ran like crazy but they were confined to the pond so they couldn’t run from me. It was exciting.
Later…
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
1st Official Retirement Day
Wow, was it exciting! LOL I went to see Dr Holmes for my quarterly blood work and to get my mammogram done for the year. I know, I know, calm down, that is exciting stuff. Anyway, had a chat with Lanny (Dr Holmes) about routine blood work and he wrote me script which included everything to ask for from the clinic I would use for blood work and the clinic could fax him the results. I'm thinking this will only occur every 6 monhs rather than quarterly. I'm on a limited income budget now that I'm retired. I use Walgreens so it's no problem getting my prescriptions filled through them. If they are like they are in Nashville, there is a Walgreens oln every corner of major cities/towns.
Then I went to Cracker Barrel and had a leisurely breakfast (in the middle of the day.) I didn't have to rush, no crowds with which to contend. Life is good.
I also went to a laundromat. Why you might ask? My wheel covers were dirty and I wanted them washed before I put them back on my new tires. I have a place in Somewhere to put a washer/dryer, now I'm thinking that might be a good thing. I didn't like being at the laundromat. I have to weigh Somewhere to see if I can afford the weight in her. Maybe the laundromats won't be so bad in campgrounds. Who knows? Oh, and 1 washer was $2.00 in quarters. I remember the day a washer was .25 and the dryer was .10. Oh, I guess those days have been gone for a long time and I just dated myself.
That's just a quick update and since I don't have to get up so early in the mornings now, it is 10:54 central time as I am writing this. Unheard of a couple of days ago. tee hee
Later...
Then I went to Cracker Barrel and had a leisurely breakfast (in the middle of the day.) I didn't have to rush, no crowds with which to contend. Life is good.
I also went to a laundromat. Why you might ask? My wheel covers were dirty and I wanted them washed before I put them back on my new tires. I have a place in Somewhere to put a washer/dryer, now I'm thinking that might be a good thing. I didn't like being at the laundromat. I have to weigh Somewhere to see if I can afford the weight in her. Maybe the laundromats won't be so bad in campgrounds. Who knows? Oh, and 1 washer was $2.00 in quarters. I remember the day a washer was .25 and the dryer was .10. Oh, I guess those days have been gone for a long time and I just dated myself.
That's just a quick update and since I don't have to get up so early in the mornings now, it is 10:54 central time as I am writing this. Unheard of a couple of days ago. tee hee
Later...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Where is Carolyn going?
I have been asked so many times what/where I'm going, I'll just tell you. Of course I won't reveal the exact RV resort I'll be in but the general vicintiy so if you happen to be in the neighborhood send me a message and we can make arrangements to meet. Wasn't successful with Google Maps so here is how I'll do this.
September: October:
Parksville Lake TN TN GTG Nash
Cruise-Western Caribbean Pigeon Forge TN
Etowah, TN
November: December:
New Johnsonville, TN
Townsend TN Etowah TN
Columbus, TX Orlando/Crystal River FL
January: February:
St Mary's GA St Augustine FL
March: April, May, June:
Hobe Sound FL Key West FL
Titusville FL
July:
Key West FL
Parksville Lake TN
Louisville KY
Later...
September: October:
Parksville Lake TN TN GTG Nash
Cruise-Western Caribbean Pigeon Forge TN
Etowah, TN
November: December:
New Johnsonville, TN
Townsend TN Etowah TN
Columbus, TX Orlando/Crystal River FL
January: February:
St Mary's GA St Augustine FL
March: April, May, June:
Hobe Sound FL Key West FL
Titusville FL
July:
Key West FL
Parksville Lake TN
Louisville KY
Later...
The After Party
Some of us girls, Cindy Saladin, Cindy Walker, Ann Candler, Patricia Ferrell, Sandra Williams and I went to Jonny's Sports Bar for a couple of drinks and to download on the past and everything we had gone through in our careers. We all worked for state government. Cindy W took the retirement buyout last year and got another job. Cindy Saladin left HR and moved into another postion in HR for the courts. Sandra and Pat will continue to work, however they can both leave whenever they want. Ann, my caretaker, will remain in TWRA until she decides she can afford to hit the road. It was fun talking about the past, sharing stories and trying to one-upsmanship on stories. tee hee
Pat & Sandra
All of us!
Cindy W & Carolyn.JPG)
Carolyn & Cindy S
Carolyn & Ann
Pat & Sandra
All of us!
Cindy W & Carolyn.JPG)
Carolyn & Cindy S
Carolyn & AnnLater...
1st Day of Retirement
I'm officially off the payroll. I am officially unemployed. I am officially a free woman. Free to wander, wonder and do what ever I well please.
Yesterday was a great day. I had many well wishers come, some from other agencies. It was good to see Chad, my financial advisor there. Stan (my boss) had a couple of good things to say to me. Ed (the executive Director) said a few words and assured me he knows someone in every state if I ever need him, he can get me help. That's good to know.
Ann made me a poster with a 3D RV on it that was stuffed with money, you know I love that.Great presents! Patsy from TDOT brought me 50 road maps one from each state in the union, how cool was that?? 
Wonderful spread of food and the decorations were so appropriate.
Ann and Karen were responsible for the hard work that was put into planning, setting up and tearing down. Thanks girls. Oh forgot, Angela made her great poppy bread, uummmgood.
Some snapshots of folks in attendance:
Barbara, Doris, Bonnie
Patsy, me, Bill, Debbie
Linda's
Gayle danny
Eddie Brabara Robbie Jack
Yesterday was a great day. I had many well wishers come, some from other agencies. It was good to see Chad, my financial advisor there. Stan (my boss) had a couple of good things to say to me. Ed (the executive Director) said a few words and assured me he knows someone in every state if I ever need him, he can get me help. That's good to know.
Ann made me a poster with a 3D RV on it that was stuffed with money, you know I love that.Great presents! Patsy from TDOT brought me 50 road maps one from each state in the union, how cool was that?? 
You have already seen my boots. Bill gave me a retirement pillow. HR gave me binoculars. On and on so I won't bore you with details.
Wonderful spread of food and the decorations were so appropriate.
Ann and Karen were responsible for the hard work that was put into planning, setting up and tearing down. Thanks girls. Oh forgot, Angela made her great poppy bread, uummmgood.Some snapshots of folks in attendance:
Doug & Bruce
Barbara, Doris, Bonnie
Patsy, me, Bill, Debbie
Linda'sGayle danny
Eddie Brabara Robbie JackDecorations were quite creative, 
What else could they find? 
And then there were palm trees, margarita glasses, and can't forget the countdown calendar.
It was a great party and I appreciated each and everyone coming by. I won't miss the place but I will miss some of the people. Can't wait for my next journey to begin.
Later...
It was a great party and I appreciated each and everyone coming by. I won't miss the place but I will miss some of the people. Can't wait for my next journey to begin.Monday, August 31, 2009
Rubber Boots to the Rescue
Here are my rubber boots which were for my RV life, however to get out of today, I'm gonna have to wear them 'cause it's going to get very deep around here. They are Rocket Dogs and Karen and I saw all kinds at a recruitment fair in University Of TN Martin. Karen thought I needed a pair too.Later...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Retirement Eve
This is the evening of my retirement day. Believe it or not, I've been getting a little teary! Don't know where it is coming from because it's what I have worked and planned for for low these many years. It's all good.
I thought I would have so much time before I really hit the road but my 2 months are filling up quickly.
Theda, Cindy and I went boating yesterday on Ky Lake and the TN River. It was such a beautiful day. We decided that on Sept 19 we would pack a picnic lunch and head up river to Paris Landing State Park from Johnsonville State Historic Park and follow the route of the Navy during the Civil War. Should be pretty cool.
I'm about 27 days out from leaving on my cruise. I'm going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ochos Rios Jamaica for 7 days. There are about 22 of us going so it should be a fun trip to get me started doing nothing. LOL
Gee I don't think I'm gonna miss working, in fact, good bye state government, it's been a good ride.
Later...
I thought I would have so much time before I really hit the road but my 2 months are filling up quickly.
Theda, Cindy and I went boating yesterday on Ky Lake and the TN River. It was such a beautiful day. We decided that on Sept 19 we would pack a picnic lunch and head up river to Paris Landing State Park from Johnsonville State Historic Park and follow the route of the Navy during the Civil War. Should be pretty cool.
I'm about 27 days out from leaving on my cruise. I'm going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ochos Rios Jamaica for 7 days. There are about 22 of us going so it should be a fun trip to get me started doing nothing. LOL
Gee I don't think I'm gonna miss working, in fact, good bye state government, it's been a good ride.
Later...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Julie and Julia
Cindy, Debbie and I went to dinner and a movie tonight. I had heard that Julie & Julia was a good movie and it was. Meryl Streep was an exceptional Julia Child. Is there anything that woman can't play? I highly recommend this movie. It's fun and light hearted and just a hoot. +++++
Julie is going to go through Julia's cookbook recipes and write a blog based on those recipes and do it in 365 days. It's a great process. And like this blog, Julie really doesn't know how many followers she has, like who reads it, and when she gets her first comment, it's so funny.
I often wonder who reads my blog. It's not rocket science stuff and probably only interesting to me and my close friends and family but that's okay. I want to be able to journal my life. I have fixed it so that you don't have to belong to google to post so, let me her how you like it or to just say hello or better yet, tell me some places I can't miss when I'm around your part of the country. That would be cool.
Later...
Julie is going to go through Julia's cookbook recipes and write a blog based on those recipes and do it in 365 days. It's a great process. And like this blog, Julie really doesn't know how many followers she has, like who reads it, and when she gets her first comment, it's so funny.
I often wonder who reads my blog. It's not rocket science stuff and probably only interesting to me and my close friends and family but that's okay. I want to be able to journal my life. I have fixed it so that you don't have to belong to google to post so, let me her how you like it or to just say hello or better yet, tell me some places I can't miss when I'm around your part of the country. That would be cool.
Later...
Riding in the Pace Car
Sunday evening clients of Chad Richards, Waddell & Reed,(my financial advisor) were invited to attend the Nashville Raceway at the fairgrounds in the party deck. Me and several friends of mine (all clients of Chad) went to enjoy the free hamburgers, hotdogs, beer and soft drinks and luscious fried chocolate pies. mmmmm good!
Chad came by and asked me if I wanted to ride in the Pace Car for one of the races. Sure I exclaimed! 
So off I go with two other ladies. I saw the 2 door car and immediately call shotgun. I didn't want to be in the backseat. We were in there for the 30 lap race and we went out about four times because of accidents. We didn't go very fast until about the last 1/4 of the track and then the driver sped up very fast to get ahead of the pack then ducked down into pit road. Whew, what a ride on the last 1/4 of the track! Weeeeeeee!
Always a seat belt.
Kyle Bush (yuck) raced as did Bill Elliott's 13 year old son. Can you believe 13 years old racing. It was a 150 mile race and he did fairly well. There was also a 17 yo girl from FL racing. It was a good race.
Later...
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