Holiday bloat

Here it comes again. Holiday bloat. Whether it be Christmas or Thanksgiving the temptation is always there, always the same, too much of everything. Looks like I got an early start on the Holiday bloat in the days prior to pantyhose. Never wear short skirts with knee socks. Never wear tight dresses if you are in jeopardy of Holiday bloat.

Shoes Can Make You or Break You (Apparently)

I came upon an article titled "Land your dream job!" which says that in a new recent survey of head hunters, more than 70% of all interviewers admitted to checking out a job applicant's shoes to find out more about them. The preferred shoe according to the poll was closed toe with a small heel. I wonder if I would qualify? Mine are definately a closed toe style with a small heel. Might be too dressy, though.

Downtown Christmas

Why is it in a small town you go "downtown" and in a large city you go "uptown"? In the Village of Grand Rivers, we go uptown in downtown with lights abundant. Patti's 1880's Settlement and the town of Grand Rivers lit up for the holidays in mid-November. We were there for the big event, the singing in the rain, Santa and Mrs. Claus were there too. Spark! The lights came on amidst the rain and the halo of the shine on the wet walkways was spectacular.

Bears bobbin' for apples

This wasn't the actual bear that tore up our hot tub cover three days in a row, but it is a pretty good facsimile. Actually, there were three bears in our cabin yard the first night we were in Gatlinburg. The next morning we found the hot tub cover torn to stuffin's. The rental company brought a new cover, but the bears tore it up too. And the next one. We thought we might get some apples and load the hot tub up to see if we could get them to bob for the fruit.

By the looks of this cover, I don't think I would advise leaving any food out for bears.

Adventures in Gatlinburg

We took off in the company truck Wednesday for Gatlinburg for work and adventure at the annual Smokey Mountain Gift Show. All was good until we hit I-40 in Nashville. I looked down and saw that the temperature gauge was "pegged" to hot. We pulled off and opened the hood and Wendy, who has some mechanical experience decided we probably blew a coolant hose as fluid was all over the inside of the hood.

After some discussion Lori decided to walk across the street to the auto place and I called our friend and head of GTB maintenance, Tom. Tom got right it and found a Dodge dealership in Nashville. The dealership called a tow truck and a cab to come and get us.

The tow truck showed up and began hooking us up and a few minutes later the cab came. I gotta tell you that cab smelled horrible! I think the man must have worn diapers and they were well past time for a change. Awful. He got us to the dealership at the same time the tow truck (who left after we did) showed up. I'm pretty sure the cab driver took us around the block the long way for the extra fare. The trip cost about $30.

After waiting approximately 45 minutes we were told that our problem was definately repairable and they could get us going right away. Seems they thought the radiator cap had come loose, spewing out the coolant. $134.00 for that bill. Hummm. We thought not. The girls think it was a thermostat that stuck and I tend to agree with them.

OK, off we go to Gatlinburg. But now we are late and must check in after hours. We called them and they will leave the key and map for us in the overnight box at the office.

hi ho hi ho

It's off to Gatlinburg I go. We're headed to the annual Gift Show in the Smokies tomorrow and I'm lookin' forward to the break. Notice I am taking only the most important necessities, the camera and the money. Harrah's casino sent me coupons for early November, wonder how they knew I was coming to the area?

chili and politic'n

Rosie O'Leary is anticipating guests this evening. It's going to be a chili party around her dad's outdoor fireplace.

Many of the townspeople stopped by to greet BCD who is running for city council. Several candidates who are also running for this prestigious office came by to sample the chili and press the flesh. The anticipation is mounting, the race is tightening and the heat is on.

Will BCD win one of the 6 seats on the city council this year? It won't be for lack of trying or chili I can tell you that for certain.

fall back into spring

Tonight is turn back the clock night. But today we fell back into spring with warm breezes coming in at 75 degrees. Kentucky Lake Sailing Club had an annual sailing on Kentucky Lake. The sailors were out in force and what a beautiful fleet they were on the glistening waters.