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Beau's Journey » 2007 » November

Archive: November, 2007

 

November 27, 2007: Kirkland Lake…

 

  Hope you are enjoying your snow up there!  I am looking forward to seeing some snow myself around the Great Lakes in the coming days and weeks!  Sorry about not returning your email but the night you sent the email I lost all of my inbox contents!  So if you would send me another email I will put you in my address book!

  Enjoy the holidays and I understand that you are feeling much better!  Glad to hear that.

  Beau

 

 

  I believe I am more aware now…

   than ever before

  I believe there is more out there…

   and I will find it. 

  I believe you can not have it…

   unless you give it.

  I believe you can’t hear…

   until you listen

  You can not see it…

   until you believe in it.

  Sometimes you have to take all of the clay and put it back in the bowl.

 

photographer…unknown

 

 

 

Not one of my photos…but I feel like I am right in the middle of
that road.

 

November 24, 2007: Brrrr…it is cold outside!

 

  OK, I think I am going to have to break down and have the heat turned on here.  It is COLD this morning.  The space heater is just not getting it.  Sooooo I guess the gas company is coming on Monday!  🙂  Will make things a bit warmer.  It wasn’t this cold last week.  Brrrrr…there were even a few snowflakes around over the last 24 hours.  Flurries.

  Our family is having Thanksgiving this afternoon.  We are meeting at Olive Garden.  🙂  I think that sounds familiar.  We may go see a movie after we eat.  Tony and I also have to go measure some rooms in the Ashcreek House. 

  I am headed for Canada later this week and will be gone awhile.  I will be back for Christmas though.  That isn’t that far off either.  A few more weeks and Santa will be knocking at the chimney.  Assuming he can get through U.S. security – which isn’t a given anymore.  lol

  Otherwise all is well.  Kristy called and she is doing OK down in WARM Florida.  I am sure she is missing the cold weather of BIrmingham.  Not.

  We did NOT go to Sam’s Club yesterday.  They had a limit of one WII.  So that sort of took the wind out of that balloon.  🙂

  So anyway…I have been up and down the last few days.  I think the holidays will do that to a person.  I can’t ever put my finger on what causes those feelings.  I think the holidays are just an emotional time all the way around.  You miss people that are not here anymore.  You want to be around those who are here!  Lots of people shopping…lot of moody music…and well just the whole atmosphere. 

  There have been so many changes the last few weeks.  All good changes.  Don’t get me wrong.  Changes those can be stressful.  They say that moving is one of the top three most stressful things you can do.  I would believe that…I seem to have fun with it though.  It is something that I look at as a mission of sorts.  I am on a mission to find my view – somewhere out there.  I know it is out there.  I will find it.  🙂  Then I will enjoy the sunsets again.  Somehow I have a feeling that there could be a few weeks of sunset photos at the start.  lol

  I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday weekend!!!!!  I am sure there is still a lot of food to be eaten.

 

 

November 22, 2007: Union City, Tennessee

 

  Well I can now say that I have been to Union City, Tennessee.  I have never been there before!  Mother and I drove down to Tommy’s parents and spent the afternoon.  We had a great turkey dinner!  Lots and lots of food.  I think everyone had a great time!  We got back about the time it got dark outside.  I guess the ladies are going shopping tomorrow.  I will be in bed! 

  Saturday we are all getting together and meeting at Olive Garden.  Perhaps a movie afterwards.

 

November 22, 2007: New Kiva Sponsor…

  Fatmata is 48 years old and a widow. Her husband died during the civil war in Sierra Leone and she was left to bring up her three children and two adopted children. She sells palm oil, spices, plastic shoes and other items. Fatmata sells her goods in the villages and at the border of the Republic of Guinea. With her previous loans, she was able to purchase 60 gallons of palm oil a month. She would like to expand the stock of her spices.

Name:  Fatmata Kamara
Location:  Kabala, Sierra Leone – Africa
Primary Purpose:  General Store

 

 

November 22, 2007: THANKSGIVING 2007

 

  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I hope that each and everyone of you have a WONDERFUL and BLESSED DAY!!!!! 

 

November 21, 2007: Severe weather looming…

 

  Severe thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and evening across portions of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and southward towards the Gulf of Mexico.  Isolated large hail and tornadoes are a threat.

 

EVENING UPDATE:

  Severe thunderstorms broke out across the region late this afternoon.  Hail and wind damage have been reported across portions of Southeast Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee.  Strong thunderstorms rolled through West Kentucky but nothing serious.

 

 

November 20, 2007: Thanksgiving is coming!

 

  OK, I hope everyone has their turkey bought by now?  Heating the over?  Getting ready to make pies?  Of course none of the above applies to me.  I am not a chef you know!  I am sure I will have plenty of turkey though.  Mother and I are heading down to Union City, Tennessee to be with Tommy’s family.  I have never been there so it should be fun.

  The weather has turned cloudy.  No snow though.  Rain and storms are on tap for Wednesday.  A few strong storms can’t be ruled out.

  So Tony and I were talking and we realized that Nintendo Wii’s are selling for nearly $600 on Ebay!  So we are going to try and buy some from Sam’s Club on Friday Morning at 5 a.m.  They are impossible to get around this area.  SOOOOO we will stand in line – hopefully the front of the line – and grab a few.  If we are lucky we can grab a bunch.  We will then sell them on E-bay!  So stay tuned to see how this turns out.  🙂

  Had a nice lunch with Sue on Monday.  We went to the Olive Garden.  It was nice to catch up on the latest and greatest news. 

  Everything is going well here in Mayfield.  We are slowly starting to get used to living in the apartment.  Daisy has adjusted.   She isn’t complaining at least.  We probably won’t go back out and look at property until 2008.  That isn’t that far off!  Ashcreek should be up on the market in a couple of weeks.  Hopefully no later than that.

 

November 16, 2007: Chilly day in Mayfield…

 

  A cold morning!  Beautiful day though.  Blue sky – light winds.  Fall!  Looks like another nice day on Sunday.  Rain could move in later this week though.  Hopefully we won’t see any severe weather out of it.  Nobody wants that for Thanksgiving.  Snow would be nice though!  No snow in the forecast though.  Guess we will just have to keep waiting.

  Spent most of today trying to clean up the apartment.  I did discover that Mayfield actually has some places to eat – they also have a Wal-Mart and Lowes.  Several other stores as well.  🙂  You have to venture over to the south side of the city in order to find all this.  That is what I did today.  I ran errands.  🙂  It was nice to see a Wal-Mart.  Less than five minutes away!

  Tired now.  It has been a LONG week.

 

Friday, November 16, 2007: Ummm it is Friday :)

  OK, so is Friday the most exciting day of the week or what?  We’ve made it to the middle of November.  I guess that is worth something.  Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  Amazing.  Didn’t we just cut the turkey a few months ago?  It would seem so!

  Actually, the turkey isn’t looking forward to Thursday.  But I am sure most of us are.  I wonder if we will manage to get some rain across our region next week?  What about snow!  OK, I doubt it snows.  It does look like rain though.  Snow and ice are possible further north and west.  If you are traveling you might want to keep an eye on the weather forecast.

  I guess the concept of snow would make some people around here upset.  Not me of course.  I know a few other friends that are wishing for snow as well.  You "warm" lovers have ALLLLL year to enjoy the snowless ground.  Let us winter folk have something!  We don’t ask for much.  Just a few months of WHITE and COLD!

  So anyway, I went to the movies tonight.  Beawolf?  I believe that is how you spell it.  It was good.  I didn’t realize it was animated though.  Tony and Deena went as well.  I think everyone enjoyed the show.

  No new news on the land or home search.  We are taking a break for awhile.  Perhaps until after the holidays.  I have major tests coming up.  I need to make good grades on those!  I say that every time.  It is true though!  Two more weeks left and these classes are FINISHED!  Another semester gone.

 

 

 

November 15, 2007: Thursday! Time is flying…

 

  WOW one week until Thanksgiving???  NEXT WILL BE CHRISTMAS!  How did this happen?  It was JUST Christmas a few months ago.  Wasn’t it?  🙂  I think someone is messing with the calendar.  We have missed some months or something.  I don’t know!  I do know that I am not ready for the holidays.  Heck I am not ready for any other day for that matter.  🙂

  Someone told me I was crazy for giving up that huge house.  I think that they don’t understand that a big house is worth less than a beautiful view or sunset!  I am always telling people that if they are not happy then they should fix it or change the situation.  Do what you can to be happy.  I was happy at the house.  No doubt about that.  It was a dream house…a dream weather center!  That doesn’t make up for the view or the sunsets.  The most peaceful I have ever been is when I am watching an awesome sunset.  So if I can get that sunset then why shouldn’t I?  Seems to fit what I am always telling everyone.  Pursue your dream.  So yes it is giving up one thing in order to get another. 

  At the end of the day this comes down to one thing…the pursuit of something that I literally dream about 4 or 5 times a week! 

  Thank you to those who have sent me "well wishes" and even a few cards!  I appreciate that.  I am sure we will find what we are looking for.  It may take some time…but it will be worth it!  I am hoping that some of my Canadian friends will come down more…I think some of them like lakes as well!  If we don’t find something on Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley then hopefully we will at least find a hill!  We will get there.  We will get there!

 

 

November 14, 2007: Catastrophic event heading for India/Bangladesh – Sidr

 

  Tropical Cyclone Sidr is heading for India and Bangladesh.  This is one of the stronger cyclones ever recorded in that region of the world.  Unfortunately it is heading for an area that could sustain unimaginable damage.  Events similiar to this in the past have killed tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of people.  This could be a major news event in the coming days.  Landfall is expected tomorrow evening.  I am sure that Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross will be needing donations in the coming days.

 

 

November 14, 2007: Long day…

 

  Wellllll today started out about 6 a.m.  I had to take my mother to the dentist.  Then it was off the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.  We visited about 8 different sites.  In the end we didn’t find what we were looking for.  We found some nice views.  One house was too expensive – $850,000.  If I am going to spend that much money on a house I would just build what I want!  lol  So we didn’t have any luck today.

  We did have some ummm backroads to take in order to find some of the properties.  Tony was our driver and did a great job.  We thought we were going to have to kick the four-wheel drive into gear a few times.  We never did get stuck though!

  I am not sure when we are going out again.  It might be awhile.  Holidays are almost here…we are taking a break.  Ashcreek should be up for sale in about 2 weeks.  Hopefully not much longer than that.  We shall see!

  It is sort of weird living at the apartment here.  It is so small.  I think I forgot what it was like to live in a small apartment.  It has been awhile.  I think it is probably harder because the house had so much space.  So we are adjusting to the differences.  Daisy seems to be adjusting well.  She hasn’t complained at least.

  We had a lot of heavy rain today across the region.  We ran into several heavy thunderstorms on the Purchase Parkway.  Beautiful trees though with orange and yellow leaves blowing through the air.  Pretty cool!

Some pictures from our adventures this afternoon.

 


We managed to make our way through this area


Tony got us lost.  Well okay so maybe it wasn’t Tony.  Something like that.

 

  We did have a lot of fun today looking for land and houses.  We ended up eating at Crackle Barrel.  We actually went to the Iron Kettle but didn’t care for what they had on the menu – buffet.  So then we went to Pattie’s and ended up a C.B.  🙂  A plate of Roast Beef later and I was happy.

  They are turning on the internet tomorrow – along with the phone and cable.  Exciting!  Jason is also coming and hooking up one of my antennas so I can talk to McCracken County in case of severe weather.

 

 

November 14, 2007: Happy Tuesday

 

  Well the transition into the apartment has gone smoothly.  It is certainly different living here than in the big house on Ashcreek.  I think we have about as much square footage here in the apartment as the living room and kitchen was at 465.  🙂  So trying to find room for everything has been difficult.  I think we need another closet!  It is going well though.  Just a change of pace…it will be nice once the cable and internet is working at full speed again.  I can do my homework then!

  I attended the "Customer Service Workshop" hosted by the Paducah, National Weather Service, yesterday in Princeton, Kentucky.  It was informative – as they always all.  Mike York talked about the upcoming winter.  It appears that we will have another La Nina winter for this region.  That usually means above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation.  My experience has shown that ice storms are more frequent during La Nina winters.  I guess we will have to wait and see how that works out.

  We did have thunderstorms and rain yesterday and we might have some more showers and storms today.  We still need the rainfall.

  We are going to look at houses and land, with Tony, later this morning and afternoon.

 

November 12, 2007: In the new apartment…

 

  Silly me…I forgot I could tether to my blackberry and get online.  Where there is a will there is a way!  lol 

  So anyway…we managed to get moved into the apartment.  There is stuff everyone.  Such a mess.  I did manage to get the computer set up (of course – priorities you know).  So then I remembered I could connect online through my cell phone.  So here I am listening to Paul Potts and his opera singing!  I should be unpacking I suppose.

  Kristy called today.  She is alive and well down in Florida.  She informs me that Lucy has lost 40 pounds!  I think she has to lose 5 more pounds according to the vet.  She will blow away if a hurricane comes anywhere near the coast.

Few pics from this evening


Daisy is not so sure about all of this tonight…


The weather center is not as large right now…eek


We need to get some groceries…this will be supper!

 

 

 

Shutting down…off the air :)

 

  No more posts for a few days.  Shutting down and moving out.

 

November 12, 2007: Workers have arrived…

 

  Pretty boring right now.  Waiting on a plumber!  Daisy is enjoying herself though with all the empty space.  She is running around wild.  I think she has figured out that something is up…just not what though!

  The workers have pulled the carpets out of two rooms…to make way for new carpets.  All very exciting.  lol

 

 

November 12, 2007: Moving out today…

 

  Cloudy morning.  We are moving out today. 

  Looks like I will not be going to Canada for the time being.

  My friend Gail sent me a picture of her new dog.  Cute!

 

 

November 11, 2007: Evening at Ashcreek…

 

  Looks like the sun is starting to set again.  One more day passes by!  Time sure does fly.  It is already the MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER!  Good GRIEF!  I don’t know where the time goes.

  The house is now 99% finished – empty I should say.  We have two computers, some towells, two telephones, and some blankets – and pillows!  That is it outside of some bathroom items.  Daisy of course is still here with her dog food and toys.  My car is filled tonight with the remaining items that we need to move.  Tonight will be the last night that I sleep at 465 Ashcreek Road.  Tomorrow night I will fall asleep in Mayfield!  C-R-A-Z-Y

  Okay back to work…

November 11, 2007: Sunday! Rain and storms.

 

  We did not find anything at all yesterday.  So we shall try again on Wednesday.  We did drive around a lot though and did see some nice views.  We just didn’t find what we were looking for. 

  Rain and storms this morning across the area.  We had several heavy thunderstorms here in Lone Oak!  Some much needed rainfall. 

  We will completely move out of the house this afternoon and evening.  Tomorrow night we will be staying at the apartment in Mayfield.  

 

November 10, 2007: Looking at land and houses…

 

  We are headed out this morning to Lake Barkley to look at land and homes.  Hopefully we will find something nice.  If not then we will look again on Monday!

  Sleeping on the floor was fun.  I think I woke up every 30 minutes!  Not such a good idea perhaps!!!!

 

November 9, 2007: Keeping me going…

 

  This will do it 🙂  Some of my photos – keeping my eye on the prize 🙂

www.weatherphotography.net/BeauDodsonSunsetPhotographs/Album1.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 9, 2007: Canada :)

 

  I will be heading to Canada next weekend or the beginning of the following week.  MAYBE IT WILL ACTUALLY SNOW WHILE I AM THERE!  More likely it will warm up and rain!  🙂  I will keep my fingers crossed for some snow though.

 

November 9, 2007: The Journey….

 

  You know life is always an adventure – if you make it an adventure.  Otherwise life is just boring.  Nothing ever changes.  You never grow.  You never have new experiences.  You never see anything.  Isn’t that boring?  🙂  I don’t think I will ever grow out of liking change or liking an adventure.  I always won’t ever give up on my pursuit of happiness and to fulfill my own dreams!   So here we are doing just that!  I keep thinking about those sunsets and those views!!!  That is keeping me going.

  So today started at 5 a.m.  Now I usually do not get up at 5 a.m.  Who does?  Okay well I guess some people do.  Most people don’t though.  5 a.m. – the chickens are not even up.  Daisy is certainly not up!  I think the last time I did a 5 a.m. trip was coming back from Canada and before that perhaps along the Gulf Coast after Katrina and Rita.  🙂

  So I arrived in Mayfield at 5:30 a.m. and beat the trucks by a few minutes.  The movers arrived though shortly after that and started unloading.  Tony and I decided we should go have breakfast.  Then during breakfast we got the bright idea to go ahead and move all of my stuff out of the house – mattress – television sets – everything.  So at the last minute we rented a U-Haul and headed to Paducah!  By 4 p.m. this evening we had completely stored all of my stuff on the other two trucks in a storage building AND we managed to move 99% of my belongings out of the Ashcreek House.  So I am sitting on the floor now…with Daisy here on my computer.  We did keep Joey’s computer on his old desk – and we have a couple of covers downstairs – will sleep on the floor tonight and tomorrow night.  Perhaps go stay at the apartment on Monday.

  We still have to finish cleaning the house.  The workers should be here next week to put new carpets down and pain.  We will then list the house.  I hope it sells quickly but you just never know about these type of things.  Takes the right person to come along and snatch it up.  Crossing fingers that happens soon!

  Meanwhile last night we discovered that the toilet was leaking from the main floor into the basement.  $900 later we had cleaned up the damage below.  So that made for a bad evening.  Blah!

  Looks like I have lots of homework to catch up on now.  We are heading to Kentucky Lake tomorrow to look at property – both land and homes.  Maybe we will find something nice!

  BIG THANK YOU TO TONY AND JOEY TODAY FOR HELPING ME GET EVERYTHING OUT OF THE HOUSE!  GREAT JOB!!!!!

 


The EMPTY HOUSE!  Basement – looks bare now.

 


The wet carpet last night 🙁

 


The new apartment in Mayfield that we are moving into – errr have moved into!

 


The kitchen at the new apartment we are living in

 


The living room

 


Tony helping to unload the U-Haul that we rented today

 

 

 


My new living room!!!!! 

 

November 8, 2007: Evening…

 

  Sun appears to be setting out there.  I think the day is gone!  Looks like we are making the end move on Tuesday.  We are going to Mayfield!  So Tuesday will be the last day here at the house.  I am sure we will be entertained in Mayberry!  I mean Mayfield!  Same difference right?  🙂

  On another note…where is Kristy?  KRISTY you out there?  Our smoke signal machine appears to be broken.

 

 

November 8, 2007: Here is your laugh for the day…

 

  So I am on the phone for 1 hour and 15 minutes with Comcast Cable to disconnect my service.  I was on hold that long.  So I called on my cell phone to their "NEW SERVICE" department.  They answered in less than 1 minutes.  I told them I wanted to cancel my service and they did it.  Took 2 minutes total.  Moral of the story – they don’t want to turn off your service and don’t call the "disconnect" line!  Call the "ADD NEW SERVICE" phone number. 

 

 

November 8, 2007: Comcast…

 

  Almost 10:30 a.m. – going on one hour of being on hold with Comcast Cable.  Why do they make it so hard to turn off a service?  Hmmmmm I wonder.  They make it easy to turn on though.  lol

 

November 8, 2007: They are gone…

 

  Movers are gone.  Finished.  A near empty house…other than the stuff we are taking to the apartment.