Superhero 5K

Jane sent me some great pictures that she took from the 5K. Some people really went all out...and well, then there is me and my sister...

The ones to beat.

In action--watch out!!

Soup-er Man.

Medley of superheros.

Sisters and Chawcapaws

No, it's not an indian tribe. It's just a pet name we came up with for each other. Luci is the bawg chawcapaw and I'm the leetle cheekipoo, or something along those lines. I remember where we were in our old yard on Ave. C when we came up with this and how we couldn't stop laughing, but that's about it. It's evolved over the years, just like us though. My sister came down from Baltimore at the beginning of Nov. to see us. She stayed for a long weekend and spoiled us like always. She paid for many a good meal and made sure that we were doing okay--like the big sister she is!

We had the opportunity to take part in a local 5K. It had a superhero theme. Unfortunately, there is no picture of us in our sweet costumes, but basically we looked a little something like the Hamburglar with black masks on our face. Anyway, it was pretty entertaining to see everyone in their costumes, even though it was freezing. I really do need to post a picture of Jane in her wonder woman outfit (stay tuned).

We made it! So glad for this sister.

Going Home

This happened back in the middle of Oct., but I went home to Austin for a few days to see my folks. At the time, my mother wasn't feeling so well, so I hoped to spend some time taking care of her. As soon as I got my ticket though, she started feeling better and we ended up having a good ol' time. Here are some pictures from my time in Austin and Temple.

So, my mom became this incredible artist at the ripe age of 50, right around the same time she discovered that she has chronic lymphatic leukemia. I definitely think there was a correlation between the two things. I think that her artwork has allowed her to express some of the feelings and tangible evidences that have allowed her to deal with the prospect and reality of death as well as the value and preciousness of life. We have several of her pictures hanging in our house. They are a reminder of the beauty that this world has to offer, but also the hope, wonder, and expectancy of heaven. As gorgeous as things on earth can be, they will pass away and be replaced with a beauty, the beauty that never fades and cannot help but awe the beholder. Thank you Mother for showing us that there is more, and that this is not the end for those who trust in a mighty Savior.

We went to see my brother's new home in Temple, TX (about an hour north of Austin). He just got his first "real job" at Scott and White Hosipital in their pediatric oncology division. In some ways, it's like he just graduated from college. Woo hoo--10 years later! In other ways, he's this big scientific nerd that makes big decisions about life and death and does reserach that the average person needs a medical dictionary to understand (and even then....). Either way, he's smart and I'm glad he's doing what he is doing. He has an amazing moral sense about him that not many people have these days. He has a deep understanding of not only what is right and what must be done about a situation, but also a compassion and sensitivity for children and families dealing with such tradgedy. Ladies, this man is a keeper.

The Lunsford/McGlade Family Visit

In an effort to continue catching you up on our life this fall, Chris' family visited us the first week of October (everyone except April and Pete and Grandma Bonnie). This was the second time I've met Crystal, the first being our wedding. We were so excited that they all made the decision to come out for Crystal's birthday weekend!

First up was the Biltmore Estate. Chris and I were working, but they found their way around the place without our help. Jay brought us back some wine from the winery. And I think Crystal scored a shirt for her birthday!

The classic Biltmore garden shot...already framed.Another great shot of the area. What a cute couple! (They're called the Smokies for a reason. It looks like they are on fire quite often.)


I'm not exactly sure where this is other than off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's no fourteener either--just a few feet shy! I think this was on the way to Cherokee.

Apple-picking turned pumpkin-picking this year. You should have seen the effort we gave it though! I'm pretty sure we found every last apple remaining on the trees here. After I fell off Chris' shoulder trying to get an apple, I think we gave in and bought the rest to fill our peck.


The fresh apple cider slushies at this place are incredible!

Asheville's finest new BBQ establishment, the Fiddlin' Pig (or Piddlin' Fig). We went here to celebrate Crystal's birthday, hush puppies, fried pickles, and the local phenomenon of clogging for all ages.

We had a great time with you all. Please come back soon...although hopefully we'll be out your direction before another 2 years passes us by! Thanks again for making the effort to travel all that way, take time off work, save the money, and spend the time with us that we've been missing.

We love you!

Caroline and Louise

I want to introduce you to Caroline (on right) and Louise (on left) and Caroline Louise (center). These precious girls are kin to my friend Jane. Caroline is her niece and Louise is a cousin. This picture was taken at the annual Coon Dog Day Festival in Saluda this last summer. It was a lot of fun with some street dancing, lake swimming, and good eating. (This is about as patriotic as I get.)

Hiking on the AT

Chris and I went for a hike awhile back and it was a gorgeous fall day. We hiked up to an old fire tower near Hot Springs. Here are some pictures from it...

There were tons of wildflowers and the sky was so blue.

A good hiker.

Asleep in the car on the way home, tuckered out from all the hiking. Homer and I ran down the trail together.

Paula's Birthday

Paula Pound had a birthday a few days later. We decided to check out a new place, the Fiddlin' Pig. It's mantra is "Bluegrass and Barbeque". We found both to be delish! Paula got a sweet grill for her birthday.

Complete with lollipop.

The Girls.

The girl in all of us.

Long Time No Post

Here is an attempt to check you up on the life and times of the McGlades during the months of Sept. and Oct. So, in chronological order, things that I've wanted to post about include:

my birthday, Paula's birthday, hiking, Chris' family visit, my trip to Austin, and Halloween. Without further ado...

If you are reading this, you probably know that I turned 30 not too long ago. Not quite as exciting as I'd always hoped (but maybe it's just yet to be seen). For at least a decade now, I've thought and said out loud that I believed turning 30 would (magically) allow one the freedom to really be themselves and worry less about what other think of them. I think of this is true, at least I've tried to let it be true. Here are some pictures of a wonderful night out that my friends Sarah and Jane coordinated. Indian food and dueling piano bars--the perfect combination! Mary Stuart, Jane, & Sarah

The other side of the table: Chris, me, and Robin on point

Pianos--duking it out!

One of my favorite people, Jane Bohannon Carter, ladies and gentlemen.

Busyness

Hi friendly readers. Sorry that I'm way behind. Sometime there is so much to say and not enough time to form the post as is the case with me these days. There has been a lot going on in my heart and in my head but not nearly enough time or energy to put in down in type...BUT seeing as it's 1:45 in the morning and I'm still awake, I figure if not now, when?

Tonight I went to see Kelly Willis at the Grey Eagle with friends Rita (longtime friend from Texas) and Sarah (fast friend as of a year). Kelly Willis is ingrained in my high school years like band practice and curly bangs. It was a lot of fun and very nostalgic for me in a lot of ways. I might as well face it, I'm a sentimental sucker. I love to reminisce and talk about the ways things were (all of 20 years ago! I'm not super sentimental about the first 10 years of my life). Anyway, I've been thinking about Austin lately, maybe because I'm going there in Oct., maybe because Chrissy is there this weekend, maybe because I loved living there after college, maybe because I'm missing the familiarity of a place to call home (the kind of place where you know the best places to eat, you know short cuts through a neighborhood to get around a traffic jam, you know the best place to run in town, the best views, the best hikes, you know the lingo, the news anchors, etc.). There is a history there and I guess the common denominator is the know-factor. I'm going on year 5 of life in Western North Carolina and still waiting for know-factor consistency. Every once and awhile I feel sentimental about this place (and I'm sure the grass would be so green if we ever move) like when we come back from a vacation or trip or when I'm able to give someone directions or when I'm at a restaurant and I think about how many times I've eaten there with different people. But all in all, it doesn't totally feel like home. Not yet. Should it? Will it? Give it time? I feel frustrated with myself sometimes about even feeling this way. Truth is, God has given us more than we could ever ask for or imagine in a short period of time with a cherry on top. Do you ever feel this way?

I'm getting a Mountain Xpress (local paper) and actually reading it this weekend.

Here's one thing I love about life here--the seasons! And it's almost time for apple-picking!!

Pinnacle Point

Chris and I went camping last weekend. We didn't want to risk going to a campground where we had a ton of neighbors and lots of noise, so we opted for a night at a "new" Young Life camp about 1 1/2 hours away. It's a camp that was given to YL several years ago. Unfortunately, YL camping hit a slump along with the rest of the economy a few years ago and building was halted until there was funding. Now the word on the street is that construction will start up again and supposedly Pinnacle Point will open summer of 2009. There is certainly a lot to be done! We camped at their Pond Shelter. There is a nearby trout pond with a 2-story shelter, fireplace, and a perfect place to camp. Here are some pictures...

Homer's Home

So, this is how our dog is often found in the morning--still alseep! Does Homer need a bigger crate? Some people say they enjoy the cozy feeling of their own cave, but it sure looks like he is trying stretch out, huh? Either way, he looks real cute!

Settlers of Catan

Have any of you ever played this game?

I have to say the first time I played was way confusing, but the second time I started to think this could be a new favorite game in the very near future.

Some of my Favorite Girls

This was a picture we took out on the town at Early Girl Eatery with this last session's summer staff in the snack bar, store, and crafts. Aren't they sweet?!

Farmer Chris

This is just one thing that Chris did this summer. This week he's back to school with kids coming on Thursday. I went to work today for the first time since "summer" ended on Saturday. It was a little lonely, I have to say. Now that I have more time though you can look forward to more posts!

Bear

I just thought I'd share a picture of the bear print on our back step. (Sorry there's nothing for scale.) On Wed. morning we were woken up by a call on Chris' cell phone from our neighbors across the street. They wanted to make sure that Homer was inside because there was a bear in our back yard. Thank goodness, he was! We looked outside and saw our trashcan knocked over with trash spilling out. Then we saw that he was eating apples under our apple tree. Next, he bent a fence to our neighbor's yard and walked on over. It was unreal. I mean, it's not the first time we've seen a bear nearby, but it was SO close. After he was out of sight, Chris could hear him going through other people's trash and later a car alarm went off. Needless to say, we were awake!

Independence Day

Backyard of the Troyer's home. This is a tradition they've had for years. It's always a guaranteed good time with friends, babies, food, and fireworks.

Here's the two of us since it seems that we rarely get pictures of us together these days.

Gotcha! Lucy Sloan and Knox Troyer kicking back on the 4th together.

Just taking a break from the routine of the work week.

"Say, um, nice stripes there, Knox."

Congrats to Jenn Wisecarver and Kyle Murphy who finally got engaged!!

They've only been dating for 7 years, with a small break in the middle.

I Know He's Just a Dog

...but sometimes he's almost as good as our firstborn, probably better actually for the simple fact that we can leave him outside all day if we want! So, forgive me when I go on and on as if we were from the same gene pool. He's just so darn cute to us!

Mini College Reunion

Here we are in Baltimore, actually Towson, at Carey's house. She was so great to host us all for the day. From left to right we have Lisa Garnett (whose adorable baby Richard was napping at the time of this picture), Robyn Vining (who has Jackson featured on the bottom left of this shot and also Belle, in the pool with the boys below), myself, and Carey Cooper (who also has a Jackson, red hat in pool picture, and Mia, playing with Belle in bottom photo, AND you'd never guess in this picture is 5 months prego). It was so much fun these friends who, for some, I hadn't seen in almost 5 years. All of them are the sweetest moms in the world. It's so great to see their kids as an extension of themselves and also the product of much love and nurturing.


I'm sad I didn't get a picture of Amber Gardner, who I met on the way home in Staunton, VA. She was also a member of the West View crowd and is living in Charlottesville. We had a quick, early dinner at Cracker Barrel and just enough time to catch up on the basics.


So many memories came flooding back as I drove up through Harrisonburg on 81. I was able to stop for some Kline's ice cream, where they were featuring Mint Cookies and Cream--delish! I feel like even though I'm relatively close to this part of the country, I have managed to somehow compartmentalize this part of my life and past. I so want to take advantage of the fact that we are fairly close in proximity at this point in life! (Carey lives 15 minutes max from my sister!)

I was also able to see my sister and dad in Baltimore. There's something so great and relaxing about being with family. We took my dad out for a belated Father's Day dinner. Great food, great weather, and lots of that being known feeling. Ahh.


West View Ladies unable to make it: YOU WERE MISSED!! I say we need to plan a real reunion where everyone is able to be together. I'm offering up Asheville as a possible destination. If we can secure Windy Gap for free or inexpensive lodging, there would be loads of things to do and also plenty of room. If anyone is interested, let me know!

Action Shot

Here's our pup playing with his friend Moses. He's a few weeks younger and they are so funny together. We get them together to wear them out, it's a non-stop, crazy wrestling match.

I'm still very busy with work, so I haven't had a lot to write about...except that my intern and summer staff are amazing this month. Yeah! I have off Fridays and Saturdays, so today I went to Chris' school for the first time. It's really a cute school. It's more of a small community college campus then the elementary school that I went to. He's got his own office and everything. This means that Chris got to clean out his car for the first time in a year! He's been toting everything around from school to school.

Anyways, enjoy some more pictures of Homer...