just gotta do it

Well Dave's home, and it's SO good to have him back. I'm sleeping better now that he's back and today is our day off together! As an NOC employee I get some pretty good perks, one of them being getting into the Bilmore Estate FREE! So, that's what we're off to do today.
It's been REALLY hot here, and I've been working SO much, I haven't had a day off since mom and B left; I worked almost 60 hours last week! I almost got heat stroke the other day I was out in the sun so long, but water is the key for overexposure to the sun--so drink up!
I lead my first raft trip all by myself yesterday. Which means it was just me as a staff person on that trip. My boat, and one other self guide, which I had to lead. It was fun! It felt good to be trusted that much, when I'm not even a trip leader, but it could just be that we're majorly under-staffed right now, but whatever.
Another thing I did yesterday, was I FINALLY got back in a boat in whitewater. I mean, I've been here since the 3rd week in April, and I've only been in a boat twice (and once was in the lake)! I don't know why I've gone back to being so scared of tipping over when I KNOW I can roll! So, one of my friends finally dragged me out to the river and helped me conquer my fear of it....I even ran the falls, AND I DIDN'T FLIP! That was only the 3rd time I'd run them, the other 2 were w/ the LDP and I flipped over both times. So, it was good to get that off my chest, now I can just enjoy kyaking...cause I really missed it, I just was scared of it to! Well, that's all for now. I gotta go wake Dave up and take a shower before we head out. I miss you ALL! And Spicer, I deserve and E-MAIL...fully loaded that is :).

weekend w/ the girls

The weekend w/ my lil sis and my mom was GREAT! We had an awesome time on Saturday going down the big Nanty w/ our lil mini me raft, we even bought the picture! Then Sunday they really like our church, which is good, I was sorta nervous they wouldn't. Then we went tubing! It was a blast, tubing in Deep Creek is the most exciting tubing EVER! We laughed all the way down--twice! Then that night we played Monop0ly, and I KILLED them...I've never won so big in my life! I think I landed on Free Parking like THREE times! Yeah, they're bad losers...jeez...but I'm not good at losing at Monopoly either, or anything for that matter, guess it runs in the family. Monday I worked all day, but then we went to see "Herbie" that night. It was actually pretty good! We enjoyed going to the movies together. Then we took a trip to Wal-mart and all overspent a bit. But I got the new Harry Potter book!!!!!!!! So it was all good. Tuesday morning we rode the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad. It was a pretty nice ride, and we got to chat for a long time and see some stuff we hadn't before. Then they rode the train back to Bryson and I worked for half a day. By the time I got home, they had all my laundry done, the house cleaned, and supper was in the making! Mom, you guys should come over more often!!! That really helped out alot, THANX MOM AND B! We had coffee and ice cream at the lil coffee shop in front of our house, and just chatted for a long time. Then we watched "dear Frankie" which is a REALLY good movie, I highly recommend it. It was a really good night. Good stuff.
Today was a long day w/ "Camp Barney." Great name hey? We mountain biked all day and had an awesome time, until a kid fell off his bike and had to go to hospital and get stitches...ugh. But all in all it was good stuff, aLOT better than the last group they brought. Ok. I REALLY stink. I'm headed to the house and a shower. I might head to a Princess Bride PJ party in a bit! lol Goodnight!

splashes and squeals

Today, for the first time, I did three raft trips down the river. I barely had time to eat lunch! But it was fun. The water was REALLY high today, so it made it alot faster and some of the rapids (especially Nantahala Falls) aLOT bigger. Now I'm probably gonna go home, take a shower (for the second time in a week, ewww I know, but hey, ya just don't have the energy after work--I even had a joke made about me today; "how do you hide a 10 dollar bill from Leigh?....you put it under a bar of soap! lol), cook something for dinner, or not, maybe I'll just pop in a frozen pizza, and watch the 4th season of Dawson's Creek. I think that's the one Candice and I ended on last summer. Yes guys, I like Dawson's Creek, but hey, ya gotta get your drama fix from somewhere right? Maybe I'll even read some of my new Glamour. Should be a relaxing night. Well, I'm off! Soap suds here I come...Lord knows I NEED 'EM!

out and about w/ some amazing thing

Well, I fell out of the blogging world for a bit, sorry about that, but I'm back for a catch-up. Here's what's been going on the past week. Last Monday, the 4th of July, was really great. I had to work that morning, but when I came home there was the big 4th of July festival on the next street over! So, we spent that evening eating hot dogs from the street vendors, listening to the street band (country of course), practicing a little kyak rolls in the river that ran through town (we had an crowd watching us, it was a lil intimidating), and ended the night watching the fireworks. It was a really great night. Then on Thursday, I had to drop Dave off at the airport, and I wouldn't see him again for over 2 weeks. That was hard, but we got through it, and I even got home in the POURING rain without getting lost. Also that day was a lil worry-some because that was the day London was bombed and we were both worried about Helen and the rest of the family in London (they were all ok though, thank God). That afternoon at work, I had THE most inspiring day of work in my whole life. We had the ACT group there, which is an amputi group. Those kids were TOTALLY and COMPLETELY amazing. Most of them didn't have a leg or an arm, but some didn't have either hand, but they still CLIMBED the Alpine Tower AND the Ropes course! Those children were the biggest blessing I have had in SUCH a long time. They were just kids that day, surrounded by lots of other kids just like them, who were determined to do everything, and they did! By the end of the day, I was almost in tears just by their courage and positive outlook on life. I wanted to take a few of them home. The rest of the week pales in comparison with that, but I have been having a good time, even though I've missed Dave alot. Sunday one of my best friends got to come over--I'm SO glad I got to see you Sheena, I really needed to. Then Sunday night I spent w/ some of the staff girls. Last night a couple of the girls came over and we cooked and then watched Jaws, and just hung out. So, I've been having fun and working hard. Hope you have too! I'll try to keep ya updated more often, sorry. I'm off to work now! Maybe I'll play ultimate frisbee tonight...if it's not raining to hard...but then again, that might make it more fun!

when it rains it pours

Well, this week was my birthday, not that I would let your forget, but just in case ya did, it was on Tuesday. So, Tuesday I happened to be working, which I have known for some quite some time, so that was ok. Wednesday night we had planned to have a few people over for my birthday. I even cracked out a new recipe from my sister-n-law, her enchiladas (THANKS BRANDY!). Yep, I cleaned all morning, relaxed in the afternoon, and started cooking about 5:30. Well, it started to rain around the time I had put the enchiladas in the oven and cleaned up the mess. Rain is fine, it rains all the time here, but then it started to REALLY come down. Well, there's a drain outside our apartment, and it got backed up. So where does the water go when the drain is backed up? Straight through the kitchen! Yep, about an inch of water came in in less than 10 minutes. It actually came in in WAVE form, no lie. As I was screaming and yelling that we were 'takin on water', Dave had the sense to jump outta the shower and run outside (in a towel no less) and unclog the drain. Yes, my husband can think on his toes. So, our guests understood about the water, and we called it an early evening. I was extremely stressed over the situation by then, and Dave wonderfully said, "you go out to the pub w/ everyone, I'm gonna rent a 'Rug Doctor' and suck up all this water, go have fun." Isn't my husband WONDERFUL! He stayed there and sucked up the water for 2 hours, and let me get my heart rate back to normal and enjoy my evening. And even though our house is still quite muggy (we're borrowing a dehumidifier tonight), it's SO much better because Dave can think on his feet. I love you Baby, thanks for all you do for me.

my watering can--part of my birthday present from Dave. ISN'T HE CUTE!!! 

the joy of silence, beauty, and the stories of our lives

buckle up folks, you may be in for a long read.
Today as Dave and I were driving back from my parent’s house, I started noticing more of what surrounds me up here in the mountains. I turned off the radio, which I don't do often when I'm not here, considering we don't get radio here because of the mountains, and just pondered inwardly. Dave had dozed off, and I was now in my own little world. The sun was heading in for the evening, and the sky was turning pink, and the mountains were just coming in to view. It was beautiful, magnificent even. The mountain air flowing through the windows--I was speechless. It was nice just to sit there driving, and just enjoy the drive for once. I didn't talk for a couple of hours, even after Dave woke up, I just wanted to enjoy the peace surrounding me, just enjoy those moments of wonder at what God has created. Then I started to watch movies in my head. Do you ever do that? I have a great imagination, and memory, for the movies. I like to watch them again in my head, and then change the story line alot. I also like to put a soundtrack to life. Something will happen, and I'll just think of a song, and maybe I'll "hum" it in my head for the next hour. While driving I was thinking about the book I'm reading right now called "Damned if I do." It's a book of short stories, and I highly recommend it so far. It's so much like life. Our life is just a big book of short stories. How many times have you written stories, books, novels, in your head?! I know I must have written hundreds by now, but would anyone want to read them, I dunno. Anyway, the book has sad and happy, funny and helpful, and even mad stories. So do we. We're not happy all the time, alot of our stories are sad, but they're written anyway. Because, if we didn't have those sad or mad stories, we wouldn't enjoy the happy, helpful ones just as much! I guess this blog today is just about enjoying life. Take the time to look around you, to see the beauty in your town. Even if it's just the wild flowers/weeds growing in the cracks of the cement--stop--breath deeply--and remember that life is worth living, every moment, if only for those few minutes that you smile, or even grin and bear it.
My mom's birthday was today, and we (my mom, my 2 sisters and I) went out shopping and to lunch. It was great! I enjoyed their company so VERY much...even when the twins were screaming through lunch at Cracker Barrel. I love you 3 wonderful women. You three are what I hope to live up to. Mom, you have given me more strength than I could even have wished for. Shannon, you were that shoulder to cry on, and the one who told me when I needed to shape up. Bethany, if I can grow to half the girl you are at 16, wow, you bless me every time I think about you. Thank you, my wonder women, for being my inspiration to push forward and live life to the fullest. I love you all SO very much. Happy birthday Mom.

p.s. my birthday is tomorrow, the 28th :)
h

HI's and LOW's

So this week started out REALLY well. I had Sunday AND Monday off, which seems like an eternity after a 57 hour week. Sunday we went to church and I had a long nap in the afternoon---oh so nice. Monday we slept in and I went to the library in the morning. Then we painted our chairs some more and picked up some movies we had wanted to see for awhile. Tuesday was back to work as usual. Except we had a group 0f 92 come in, and that wouldn't be that bad if they weren't SUPPOSE to be a group of 52. Yup, they called on Sunday, TWO days before coming, and said, oh, by the way, we're bringing 40 extra people--see ya then! Yeah, so it was a lil hectic trying to get 32 people through the swing every 2 hours--but I did it anyway. Tuesday night however, was AWESOME. NOC hosts a Raft Guide Olympics every year, and Tuesday was the day. Different teams from all different companies compete. They have to go through a pretty complicated run down the river; hitting eddies, flipping and re-flipping the boat, and slalom through different rocks. Plus, they had to run Wesser Falls, deflate their boat, put it on the truck, and run back to the rentals area. It was pretty sweet to watch. After all the competing we had a big Togo party! It was awesome. We danced until 11 and we could dance no more. Wednesday, back to guiding a group of 92 down the river--8 guided boats, 6 self-guided boats = chaos. Thursday, my last day before I go home to see my parents, work is ok, but I wanna get home to clean the house before we leave the next day. So, I'm goin a lil fast, and sorta zoning out trying to remember all the things I need to do. I usually slow down after one particular bridge when I see the speed limit sign, but I was in my own lil world when I got pulled over. It was a highway patrol car, so obviously there was no getting out of it. Yes, I got my first speeding ticket, and there's a mandatory court appearance--ugh. Anyone have any advice for me? I need to get my speed reduced to, well, keep my license. That made my day definitely suck. But, now we're back at my parents house for a weekend of visa work (finger printing and the such), wedding receptions, and birthday lunches. So hopefully it will be better than my more-lows-than-highs week. PS--my birthday is this coming Tuesday!

How far would YOU go …to get out of using soap?

This is not a story to tell to the young. Viewer discretion is advised

Tonight I learned a new thing about my husband folks, and I jump at the chance to tell you. Yes folks, he has a foot fetish. Now before you recoil in horror, listen to the story I’m about to weave. Tonight we were about to head to bed, but quickly remembered we had just put clean sheets on the bed. Well, there’s little to nothing better than clean sheets….when you’re clean. However, our feet were pretty dirty from walkin around a bit in flip-flops today. SO, instead of going to bed dirty or having to take a full shower, we opt for just washing the feet. To Dave, “washing” as a term, is used lightly. If you can't SEE the dirt, it’s obviously clean (no matter how many times it’s been used). So, he turns on the water, rinses them off, and dries. I say, “aren’t you going to use soap? If you don’t use soap, they just LOOK clean.” He claims they are clean, “Look at them,” he says, “they’re clean!” So I say, “Well, if they’re clean, lick ‘em then.” Now, this wasn’t just a touch them with the tongue then quickly recoil thing. This was a, lick ‘em from heal to toe and in-between the toes type of deal. So, what does he do…he whips out the tongue and quickly obliges. All I can say between laughter and being grossed out is ‘ewww’. “They’re clean” he states again, and walks outta the bathroom.
For all Nelson family reading this, I'm sorry you had to find this out. It must be a great awakening. Or, you either knew he was like this, in that case....YOU NEVER TOLD ME???? Well, I will leave you to your nightmares of Dave licking his feet. Goodnight all.

The South will RISE AGAIN!!!  

most EXCELLENT adventure

Well, I promised to tell you more about the tubing, so here's a short synopsis. On Monday, my day off this week, Dave and I decided to go tubing in Deep Creek. It was TONS of fun --till it started to storm and the rain started to hurt. Then we were trying to get the tubes back on the top of the car in the pouring rain w/o soaking the car INSIDE and needless to say we ended up getting soaked even more while laughing too hard to actually tie on the tubes. But it was fun. A church group was watching us w/ this ordeal from their dry van, guess we were a good show.

Yesterday I had THE most awesome raft trip group EVER. They were a couple of highschoolers and one or two college students. They were GREAT! We got stuck on THREE rocks AFTER the last rapid cause I was laughing so hard I couldn't even guide! GREAT day. Well, I gotta get outta here now, I gotta go do the same group on the Alpine tower, should be another good day, if the mosqitos would leave us alone and it doesn't pour too hard, lol

ps my shoulder is doing much better thanks to a friend in massage therapy.

cool shot of the side--ps dave took all these...GOOD HEY!!! 

the buddha painting 

the infamous chairs 

remember this Candice? 

what shall I do today>.....TUBE!

I LOVE TUBING IN DEEP CREEK!
more to follow, but most go host a group now, just thought i'd give ya a taster.

for Molly---i'm still here and kickin

This post is dedicated to Molly. Just so you know I'm still here, and I read your posts tri-weekly if not daily.
Well, since my last blog I've been trying fruitlessly to recover. The problem w/ my recovery program is that...well...I don't really have one. I've been working as normal and raft guiding even more. So, my shoulder has steadily declined. I woke the other morning (i use that term loosely, it was around 2 am) in great amounts of pain. I haven't been sleeping since then because my muscles seem to like to tighten alot during the night...I think they are playing tug of war. So, I finally called my boss and said "I'll take the workmens comp., thanks." So I'm hoping to go to a massage therapist soon. And that's all of my aches and pains we shall discuss.

Dave and I did finally end of strawberry picking. They are delicious...I especially like having them on waffles w/ whipcream...mmmmmmm. We're still painting our chairs too. I have tried to put things that mean alot to me on there. Buddha is a big part of my chair. About now my family and all Christian friends are freaking out thinking I have converted to Buddhism, but I have not. So...I will explain.

During the time Dave and I were on our honeymoon in Hawaii, we went to a Buddhist temple just to site see (they're VERY beautiful and elaborate). I was amazed at the quiet and reverence in which these temples were set! There was just an "awe" about the place. You were advised to take your shoes off at the door and light a stick of incense for a loved one at the feet of Buddha. My spirit was so quieted. I thought, "How different Christian churches would be, if we would just take ONE hour out of our week, and be THIS reverent to our God." I left there feeling very convicted to seek those quiet moments with God at all cost. And so, I have a picture of Buddha on my chair, and every time I see it, it reminds me to listen to the verse, "BE STILL and know that I AM God."

P.S. Chris---Dave and I went to see Star Wars III just because of your recommendation! I was a lil skeptical at first (because of the first one) but it was REALLY REALLY GOOD! Thanks Chris! Hope you had a great time in Bon Echo!!!

Bruises were immanent, death was assumed

This past Thursday we had a trip of 44 duckies. On these duckies were children in the 6th grade. If you calculate right...that means we had 44 6th graders...good job. Imagine, a sea of yellow w/ paddles flying everywhere, and trying to heard these masses off of ALL the rocks, trees, and rapid holes on the river. Yes folks, that was my day. I was assumed it would not be a fun filled day, because I was the sweep. I hate being in the back, you always get stuck w/ the teacher/kid that just CAN'T figure out how to paddle, no matter how many times you tell them they're hold their paddle backwards. Well, the day got even better when we got in the area of "turtle rock." Turtle rock is one of the most dangerous rocks on the Nanty. It looks all cute and shaped like a turtle, but it's undercut, which means the water goes under the rock. Several people have died under this rock, really. They float under it and can't float back out. Well a kid in a duckie gets stuck right ON this rock. So I go over to push him off before he tips over. I get him off, and then the current tips MY boat over and pins it on the rock. While trying to push my boat off and not get sucked under I'm banging around and it was just NOT nice. I finally get my boat un-stuck and get back into it. My left shin looks like a pinllata(sp? spell check just didn't have it!) it has so many colors, and my neck turns to the right...sometimes. So there's my saga...i have to go back to work now. Just thought I'd entertain you w/ my life for a few minutes. Sure sure...enjoy yourself while I'm in pain...thanx alot.

the LDP way....

today was my day off, something I had looked forward to since I found out I would have a full day off. I had it all planned out. We would sleep late, make a full Southern breakfast of eggs, grits, and bacon, biscuts on the side (and throw in a good cup 'o tea for Dave)and then painting and strawberry picking in the afternoon. Sounds glorious huh? Yes, it would have been. But at 10:00 this morning, while the grits were simmering and the biscuts were burning, my wonderful boss Cindy calls. She wants to know if I can guide this afternoon because a huge group is showing up and they're short a few guides (try 5). At first I think, "No, I'm not giving up my wonderful day w/ my husband"...but then the money starts to talk, "You're not getting many hours this week, and last month's start up phone bill still has to be paid!" So, what do I say? Yes, I would love to, I need the hours. I sorrowfully smile and my wonderful husband, who is completely understanding, and says it was a choice he understands, and that there is plenty of time for strawberry picking later. So, we have till 1 pm to spend time together. We ditch the dishes (which are already 3 days old but stacked neatly in a huge, dirty pile...so sorry mom), and go to ACE Hardware to buy some paint. See, we got these old wooden chairs from my grandmother, and the only restraint was that we MUST NOT bring them back. Then we got this funky idea to make them chairs that resembled what our fun side, or what we really liked, would be like. So, we're both painting them bright colors w/ lots of pictures, then adding our favorite magazine cut-outs. Dave's will probably have lots of rock climbing and kyaking involvment, and mine will be a lot of Glamour magazine and hippie stuff (along w/ some kyaking and rock climbing, lol). After the painting, off to work I went, and he came along and rock climbed while I guided some Puerto Ricans and Floridians down the river. It was a mulitguided trip, as my co-worker Stephan would say, because the Puerto Rican man in front of me kept trying to steer the boat, but what can ya do, he's on his vacation and you can only tell him politely once that you can't steer when he is doing that. It was a good afternoon all in all; then we hung out at the Paddler's Pub and watched "Absolutely Fabulous" (a show which you BBC lovers would probably appreciate). So that's my day. Sorry I didn't fill ya in on the last week, since it's been since then since I wrote, but hey, I'm married now, I gotta have a FEW secrets. ~off into the mystery I ride....on my raft~

High as a kite...but not on Hokah

Well, today I FINALLY got to do the famed NOC ropes course. I have been helping run groups through, but I actually got officially trained today. So, I conquered the ropes course...although I have to say, the swing at the end still took my heartbeat up a couple of notches. I had to count to three and then just close my eyes and go...scary stuff, but cool I could still get the rush. I also scalded my shoulders and neck, so now I'm a redneck...it only took 21 and 3/4 years, but it finally happened (my younger brother has been waiting for this day).
So, for all of you who like me are nieve and don't know what Hokah is, I shall tell you (because I didn't know till, oh...Sunday afternoon). But I must tell you the story that preceedes it first, it's only fair. So we walk into this shop in Asheville, a very cool shop I must say, and just start browsing. I immediately started looking at the really cool throw pillows (the housewife in me is kickin in). Then I noticed the "drug" parafanellia (sp?)...or at least that's what it LOOKED like. There were these MASSIVE water bongs. However (or at least this is what my obviously very 'in the know' husband tells me) they would not actually work on pot. Hokah (you get to find out now...excited???) is an instrament in which you smoke very wet (sometimes flavoured) tobacco. This store actually had tons of different flavors, including: grape, apple, margarita, taquilla...etc etc. The guy even said he could mix the flavours so you could get an Apple Margarita! So downstairs from this shop was the actual Hokah bar. And there ya have it folks, now ya know. There was also some cool mullet shampoo that I thought Shawn Pyle would love to have had, and a cool mullet care kit...I still may send it up to him, but he would have LOVED to see it...here's to you Shawn, one who is always infinately fascinated w/ mullets.
tomorrow I clean life jackets in the morning because the dam on the river is still not fixed...fun stuff. sianara! I know that's misspelled, give me a break, I was homeschooled! lol WARNING!: the previous joke is only to be replicated by homeschoolers. If otherwised stated by another party, aforementioned homeschooler will turn into mad, defensive, homeschool monster and claw eyes out.