More cool stuff from Louisville!

I love observing the sunrises/sunsets in this area. Air pollution makes for some awesome colors. I like to keep my camera with me most of the time, just in case I see something picture worthy.

A couple weeks ago, a storm was moving through, and I captured the first 4 pictures. A couple of days later, I was walking through my living room and noticed that the wall was orange where the sunrise was shining through the windows... so I snatched the camera and shot a few pictures of the sun rising. Of course, it looked much better IRL. The next 2 pics were taken as I was leaving for work that same morning.

The TARC building pics were taken when I was on my way back from picking up some packages at the FedEx building. Louisville has some really cool architectural buildings. I don't always get to take pictures as I am usually either driving through, or the passenger that can't get the driver to stop for a photo opportunity. :-)

Enjoy the scenes from my small part of the world!

Thunder Over Louisville 04-21-07

OK - forgive me for my stupidity, but I never realized what a big deal the Kentucky Derby is! I mean, I know it's the biggest horse race in the world, and it's an international event, but...

Well, now that we LIVE here, and all eyes are on Louisville at this time of the year, I am starting to realize just what a major event this is. All of the festivities actually start a little over 2 weeks before the KY Derby with the KY Derby Festival. They start with a huge ball where the Queen of the Festival is elected. The real festivities start with Thunder Over Louisville. This includes an air show, then the "THUNDER." Below are some pictures that I took of the day.

Chris was not able to go with me right away due to work, so I went over with a group from our church/college. Chris met up with us after work. The air show lasts for about 5&1/2 hours, with a certain group of aircraft every 15-20 minutes or so. It's pretty cool, but nothing like the Blue Angels! Apparently, the Blue Angels are involved with the Thunder Air Show some years, but this year was not one of them.

The Thunder Fireworks are (according to Louisville) the largest display in North America. Of course, people that are associated with the Derby and horse racing on that scale have a lot of money to spend! :-) They are choreographed to music, but we were far enough away on the other side of the bridge that we didn't hear that part. The little bit that we did hear was not really the type of music we would listen to, so maybe that was a good thing. :-) You know a fireworks show is going to be good when the starting fireworks look like a Grand Finale anywhere else! At the end of the show, they shoot off a bunch of fireworks that make a HUGE noise, shaking the ground... hence the name "Thunder."

We had a great time, in spite of dealing with little girls screaming in our ears behind us during the fireworks, and having to breathe in other people's second hand smoke. We walked a TON, and I was sore the next day. It was well worth it, though. Enjoy the show! :-)

Spring is here!!

Last Wednesday, March 21, officially marked the first day of spring. This tree was right on time... Tuesday night the branches were bare (seriously, I noticed, because I was so anxious for signs of spring!) and Wednesday morning, it looked like this! Literally, overnight, the tree burst into bloom!

I managed to take a couple seconds on my way to work one morning to capture this sunrise on film... well digitally, anyway. I love the flag in the picture, as well.


So - today, it is 82 degrees out! I'm lovin' this weather, but unfortunately, our apt. complex doesn't really have much of a nice spot to be outside, so I am wasting this beautiful day indoors, blogging! :-) I am so thankful for the beautiful weather!

Chris made it home from his sales conference, and was very encouraged. He has done so well (please forgive my bragging!), that the company that did the conference interviewed and videotaped Chris as a testimonial to their sales training. The speaker at the conference "took to" Chris pretty well. When he found out how well Chris was doing, he told Chris that if Chris implemented the things that he learned at the conference, in 3-5 years he should never have to take another "up" (customer coming on the lot at the dealership that does not have a salesman to work with). He should be busy with all repeat customers and referrals from his customers. The speaker also told Chris that by that point, Chris should have so many of his own customers that the dealership should have to hire a secretary and finance person just to work with Chris' customers! That is very encouraging! Now, of course, we don't know if that will happen, or what God has in store for us in the future. It is encouraging to see my husband so successful, though, and all the praise and glory go to the Lord for bringing in to Chris the people that will buy the cars. We are so thankful that the Lord led Chris to this job, and don't want to lose sight of that!

Yesterday, we were able to join another couple and their 4 kiddos for lunch after church. It was fun getting to know them better. We have been able to do this for the last couple of weeks, and it has been nice getting to know the couples with whom we attend church. Thursday, I was able to have lunch with a friend, and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with her, as well. It is nice to be making friends now.
Chris also started playing basketball with some of the men/college students after church on Sunday nights. He has really enjoyed being able to PLAY sports, rather than be coaching or in charge of refereeing the games. It's good for him to meet the guys that way, as well, just as I get to meet the ladies at stamping parties!

On a totally different note, my brother, Nathan, and his fiancee, Caroline, have made the decision to complete this semester of school, rather than sit out the rest of the semester due to Caroline's father's sudden passing. Please continue to keep them in your prayers, as I'm sure this will be difficult for them. Nathan will have one week to make up, Caroline, 2 weeks. Please also continue to pray for the LaChance family as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved one.

More scenes of Kentuckiana

I don't know how much you all will appreciate these, but I'm going to post them anyway. I took most of these pictures a couple weeks ago on a walk I took around our neighborhood. The weather was beautiful (82 degrees), and I just couldn't stay inside. The "lakes" are part of the "lake view" of our apt. complex, however, we can't see them from our building, nor would I consider them "lakes!" There are tons of geese that were on the one pond (and goose "grease" all over the ground that I was stepping very carefully on!) I have a new found fascination with things of which I would not normally take notice, i.e., the fenceline and the old dock. I guess this kind of comes in response to my friend, Jodi, who has a photo blog. She tries to take pictures for every day of the year. I thought this was a really cool idea, but have not done it myself. The idea now keeps me looking for "photo ops" in the mundane of my life. I hope you enjoy them as I have!

The other thing that I have noticed is the sky around here. They tell me that we have a lot of pollution in the air due to being located in a valley. Not real healthy for all of us breathing the air, but it makes for some GREAT sunrises and sunsets! I love the way the sky looks around here... it's beautiful. Of course, the pictures don't do God's beautiful paintings on the sky justice, but you get the idea!