Rod's Ramblings !!!

Fall has now arrived in North Carolina, and I guess almost all the rest of the country as well.  Temperatures in the 40’s this morning; a pleasant change.  Has been quite rainy here.  Seems we have not been able to string together more that a couple of days of sunshine in a row.  That’s alright though, keeps everything nice and green until the leaves start changing.  Weatherman is reporting that the leaves are just starting to change in the higher elevations, (Grandfather Mtn. and such) so I guess it will be a couple or 3 weeks to get to this area. 

Installed a new headliner in my pickup a couple of weeks ago.  It was completely falling down and I finally got up the nerve to try to put on a new one.  It was not too bad of a job to do, and after 2 weeks it is still staying up there so I am keeping my fingers crossed. 

I am starting to plan a trip to Texas for November.  Jen invited me to come for Thanksgiving, so I thought I would take her up on it.  I have not been that way since last October, so I am really looking forward to it.  According to plans, Jen and Chris will be moved into their new house in another week or so and ought to be settled by the time I get there.  Hard to believe that it is getting that time of the year again. 

Mark said he will be arriving here (Charlotte) on November 29th.  He is not going back over there to work any more; the year contract will be up.  He said he will be going to Germany to visit before he gets back to the states; as it would be too soon for him to get here after he leaves Pakistan on the date he is scheduled to leave.  Will be heading to Austin soon after as he has a test with APD soon after.

I need to schedule Blossom for her shots here soon.  She needs her an annual check and boosters as well as a 3 year shot is due this year.  Her and Chelsea are going to travel with me to Texas.  I am going to rent a car for the trip.  I really don’t want to put up with the hassles of flying.  I’ll just take my time and the girls and I should have fun.

That is about all that is happening around here.

TTFN

Here it is almost half way thru August before I’m getting to my journal.  Time just seems to be whizzing by.

  Weatherman reported that the month of July was the hottest on record;  they will get no argument from me.  Have been getting quite a bit of rain this summer, though.  That’s a good thing and keeping us out of drought conditions here.  Fall will be here before you know it.  Kids already making plans to go back to school.

Changing jobs at my work; doing away with the line of business that I have been in for about the past year.  That’s ok, just take a little re-adjusting.  Hope I can keep my schedule I have.

Time for football again.  Getting the pre-season under way.  GO PACK !!!  Just a few more races before the chase starts in NASCAR.  Glad to see the #48 Lowes team running nicely and all but assured a spot in the dozen spots.  The Longhorns enter the season with a 15th place ranking.  Am told by those in Austin that the defense will be very formidable, just need McCoy or Ash to step up and lead the offense.  HOOK ‘EM !! 

Everything has been going well.  Saw my doctor a couple of weeks ago and everything seems to be going well, except for his fixation with wanting me to lose some weight.  I swear, something is wrong with that guy !!

TTFN

Missed last month’s entry as was gone on my trip so I will try to catch things up.

Had a great trip with Mark to Pennsylvania last month.  Really enjoyed seeing the sights at Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Philly, and of course the great race at Pocono Raceway.  If you didn’t see my daily journal or my pictures, check them out here:

penntrip2012.blogspot.com

kohlinsofnc.shutterfly.com/775

Mark is getting ready to leave again for Pakistan.  Back from his visit to Texas and getting things straightened around.

The weather for the last week was absolutely beautiful until a couple of days ago when the scorching heat moved in from the Midwest.   Had a couple of days of over 100 and even set some new records.  A storm moved through last night and soaked things down and I think the temp will “cool” things down to in the 90’s.

Not much happening around here.  Just keeping busy working and such.  Don’t have anything planned for a while, so will just try to make it through the summer !!

TTFN

Well, here I am at the last month of another year at this apartment.  Hard to believe that I have been here three years.  I did sign another year, because even though the rent went up some, it is still cheaper that moving would be.  I also have not seen any area that I would actually rather live at either.

Mark and I are getting out plans firmed up for our trip to Pennsylvania.  Plan on spending a day in Gettysburg and the Pennsylvania Dutch area, a day and a couple of nights in the Philly area and then on to the Poconos for the Race on Sunday.  Really looking forward to it.  Be nice to get away for a few days.

Dogs doing well and job going fine.  Summer seems to be getting here in a big way; but I guess that is how it goes in the South; go directly to summer, do not pass spring.

TTFN

(AM)A blessed and joyous Easter to all.  With the entry of April, Mom Nature still wants to remind us that it is still not too late in the year for a few nights of cool weather.  Temperatures getting down in the 30’s for a few nights to keep that chill in the air.  Days are warming nice, so  that is alright, I am sure that summer will be here soon enough.

I am writing this on Easter Day; looks to be a beautiful day coming up.  I think I may go to K&W for dinner; they have an Easter special and I have a gift card from Christmas that I got from work that I have not used.  No race today, so I am not sure what to do !!  I think there may be a baseball game on the TV to watch.  Intimidators started their season the other day and are playing a game this evening, but I think I may wait and go tomorrow evening for my season opener.

Area gearing up for the drag racing next weekend at the Z-Max drag strip.  It is NHRA’s only 4-wide that is held each year.  Drags not as popular as NASCAR, but is quite popular and draws quite well for only being here a couple of years.

(PM) I did go for dinner at K&W.  I think the only reason I like to go there is their coconut pie; absolutely out of this world.  I was thinking about using that gift card for pie ($10), but decided my doctor might not be too impressed with me, so I did suffer through a meal complete with veggies and ham before I got to the pie.  I do admire my self control, even with no one there to scold me, I did not eat the pie first.

Rangers are playing the White Sox on ESPN tonight, so I guess I’ll kick back with Blossom and Chelsie and watch that.  Also got a Netflix movie to watch this evening.  Another action packed day in Concord,North Carolina.

TTFN

Well, after hibernating for the winter, I decided to get back at it with the beautiful spring-like weather here.  Actually, I will not complain about the winter at all, as the weather was very nice this year with only a few exceptions.

Nice to have NASCAR back running and the March Madness of college hoops is always exciting.  Only a month to the first pitch; all is good.

I’m keeping Chelsea for Mark while is is vacationing overseas.  Blossom and her are getting along very nicely now.  Occasionally they do have a spat like any sisters would; but I really think they enjoy each others company.

Mark and I are planning a trip to Pennsylvania this summer when he comes back if all goes well.  Planning to take in the Pocono race and visit Philly for a cheesesteak and such.  Will see how it goes; think it would be a lot of fun.

Happy St. Patty’s day to all !!!

TTFN

I do believe I feel fall arriving.  The last week or so the overnight temperatures have been dipping down to the low to mid 60’s around here.  Really makes a nice difference even tho the days are still getting to the mid to upper 80’s.  The Charlotte area missed the major effects of both Hurricane Irene and TS Lee.  Lee did not give us much of anything right here in Charlotte, although a couple of days prior to the effects of Lee reaching here, we did get get a storm that moved thru and knocked down trees and knocked out power.

Planning a trip to  Texas for the end of the month to visit the kids.  I have planned to leave on the 30th and stay for a week.  I think I will travel to the mountains on I-40 and see a little different scenery; haven’t been that way for quite a while.  I hope to take an extra day or 2 to enjoy the trip.  Blossom will be traveling with me, of course, she is getting excited to see Jacob and McKenzie.  I’ll probably write a blog as I’m traveling to keep up with my events.  I just hope that that weather is a little cooler and everything is not burned away.  Really said about the devastation around Bastrop and Magnolia.

Exciting time of the year for sports followers; baseball getting ready for playoffs, NASCAR going into the Chase, football for college and pro starting:  too much to keep up with.  Hope for another great year for the Packers, and I know that the Longhorns will be back this year !!

TTFN

PS-Let’s always remember 9-11

Here we are at the start of a new month again.  Thanks to all for the birthday wishes.  Summer still continuing hot here, however it has not been dry.  We have been fortunate to have been getting rain regularly to keep everything looking nice and green.  Another month or so and maybe the temps will ease down a little.  Thanks to all for the birthday wishes.  Got my new drivers license a couple of weeks ago with no problems thanks to my eye surgery.  If I could only do something with my hearing as simply.

The apartment complex finished with the outdoor spruce-up of my apartment.  The had the outside power washed last month and the other day the painting crew stained my porch.  Really improved the appearance to the place; at least on the outside.

Glad to see the NFL has things back together to begin play.  Give the Pack a chance at another one !!!  I do feel sorry for the rookies with the new CBA that was negotiated.  Poor Cam signed a contract for 22 mil over 4 years.  Probably need public assistance to get by.  BTW, Sam Bradford’s contract last year was a record $86m over 6 years, $50m guarantee.  It still seems to me that everyone came out alright in new settlement; except the fan, of course !!

Going down the stretch to the Chase for NASCAR.  Would love to see the #48 team get another win or 2 before the start of it.  Has been a very interesting season, though.

TTFN

Well, here we are past the 4th of July already.  Hard to believe time is going by so rapidly.  I know I mentioned this last month, but good Lord, what a summer !!  It seems that all over the country the temps have been very warm.  I guess one thing to be thankful for around here is that we have been getting plenty of rain.  The weather has been very tropical with the heat of the day cooking up afternoon and evening rain and thunderstorms on a pretty regular basis.

My apartment complex has pressure cleaned the apartments on the outside, and are in the midst of staining the steps and stairs.  Looking very nice, although the cleaners are done and the painters aren’t keeping up, so it will be a while yet before my painting gets done.

Only a couple more days of taking drops for my last eye (left) that I had surgery on and all will be completed (except paying the doctors, of course).  Very happy with the outcome.  I have to get my driver’s license before my birthday, and I think I can pass the vision test now.

Blossom is doing well, just mostly staying inside out of the heat with me.  Haven’t been going anywhere lately except to work and the grocery store.  Thank God for Tivo and Netflix !!

TTFN

I know I shouldn’t complain about the heat, but it sure seems that winter was only followed by a couple days of spring before summer arrived.  Temps have been in the 90”s since the raise weekend, and other than a couple of days of reprieve, it has stayed there !!  I don’t know what to do when summer comes.

I have my surgery scheduled on my left eye for next week, ( the 15th ) and I will be glad to get it done.  I sure want to thank Dr. Handler and the staff of the Cabarrus Eye Center for improving my vision so painlessly and easily.  I am really looking forward to having them both done.

Haven’t had a chance to do any traveling this year yet.  I think maybe now I will be waiting until fall before I get to Texas this year.

TTFN

I