Sorry for the long delay!
Jay and I have been pretty busy (as usual) since the holidays…so here’s the latest!
Christmas was a very quiet event for us, which was oddly kind of nice. We had a very nice day and were surprised by everything that was sent to us (special thanks to Mom, Jessy & Katy, Grandma, Aunt Laura, Aunt Janice, and Wayne & Kelly). We felt very special even though we weren’t anywhere near our families in Florida or Virginia. Hopefully we’ll be in one of those states for the holidays next year!
I gave Jay tickets to see the comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham (Jan. 29), and to see Eric Chruch in concert (Feb 3)! And, Jay gave me a new parka made by Columbia! It’s interchangeable, so it’s two jackets in one and it’s lined with their new technology called “omni-heat.” It has reflective circles lined in the jacket that reflects your body heat, making you stay 20% warmer. And it’s waterproof. So it’s pretty awesome.
Due to combining Bass Pro Gift Cards (thanks again Katy and Wayne & Kelly!), we were able to add another gun to our “arsenal,” a Ruger 10/22! It’s another super fun gun to shoot, great for target practice and it’s a rifle that Jay had on his mind for a while. If anyone wants to come target shooting with us, feel free! We’ve got quite a variety now!
In other news…the weather here has been so STRANGE this year! Firstly, it’s been raining A LOT. And for the most part, the temperatures have been relatively warm; 50s and 60s! This time last year we had a lot of snow, but so far this year we’ve had two extremely light dustings and that’s it. Jay and I were expecting more snow and ice since our new house is higher in elevation, but that hasn’t been the case. I’m almost thinking we’re going to get walloped in February or March since it’s been so quiet so far.
Yesterday, we woke up to thunder and lightning! And you know what the old Virginia wives tale is? “If it lightnings in winter, you’ll have snow within two weeks.” Now I thought that wasn’t going to be true, but the last two winters we’ve been in I counted the days from lightning to snow, and it snowed by day 13. So, we’ll have to wait and see!
In case you haven’t heard yet, I was offered a job in Pigeon Forge that I accepted about 2 weeks ago. However, it’s part-time and not at the rate I would like to make. The day I was offered this job, a lab in Knoxville called and asked me to interview! How’s that for timing? So I went to the interview last week, and they’ve called me back for a second interview! I’m going tomorrow, so wish me luck!
Yesterday, we had a bit of fun! Our friend Jeremy who works in the park with Jay wanted to get more experience firing rifles. So, Jay, Jeremy, his wife Tonya and I met our good friend Courtney at her family’s property in Pigeon Forge to go shooting! Her family owns 80 undeveloped acres, and it was really nice of her to let us come shoot. So we brought the guns, ammo and targets, and had a really nice time!
Jeremy with the 300 Winmag rifle
Courtney with the 300 Winmag
Me with the Marlin 7mm-08 rifle
My target at 100 yards!
Jay with the Springfield XD 9mm pistol
Tonya with the Benelli 12 gauge shotgun
Jay has been staying busy by with his new knife-making hobby! Remember the picture I posted in the beginning when he made it? It’s come a long way! It looks really good and I think Jay did a really nice job. He even custom-made it a leather sheath, he sewed it and everything! Well, here it is finished!
Ta da! The knife is made from a nicholson file
A closer look at the blade
Monogrammed
The handle is made from walnut
A picture to scale
The knife with its custom leather sheath
Good Luck today with your interview. The knife Jay made is incredible. He did a great job. And the sewing on the sheath is very nice. You’ve found a keeper. Love, Aunt Laura
By: Laura on January 23, 2012
at 1:34 pm