Monday, October 20, 2014

Smokey Mountains

Here are some photos from my day trip to the Smokey Mountains and Cherokee North Carolina.
Enjoy!


So I took a day trip with my friend Debbie to the Smokey Mountains.  The colors are so beautiful this time of year. 
 

 After stopping for some photos we dropped down into Cherokee North Carolina where I took a photo with this very nice Cherokee man.  It only cost me a dollar!  


 I helped him find Tiger Lily!


 There were these painted bears all over the town because they have lots of bears!  I got to feed them at the local zoo.


That moment when catching bear food in mid air looks likes a ferocious roar but really he's the fat kid of the group.


Last stop was at a historic farm.  It was so cool to see how the people used to live off the land...and there were mustaches EVERYWHERE!






Love Chels

Monday, October 6, 2014

Interview with Brett

Are you ready for more?

Well, hello there.  It's me again, Lindsey (LP).  As promised, I'm thrilled to post Brett's (BK) interview responses for you to read.  If you're just tuning in, you can read Chelsey's interview HERE or just keep on scrolling down, down, down...  It was fun for me to get a bit more insight into my wonderful brother-in-law.  He takes such great care of my sister; I'm blessed that he's part of the family.

No matter where you are, rain or shine or snow or wind, enjoy another stroll through Tennessee with me... come on y'all, it'll be fun!

1) So Brett, did you ever dream you would be living in the state of Tennessee? -LP

No never thought I would leave the state of California or Thousand oaks for that matter.  I always thought I was going to stay in California and open my own strength facility. -BK



2) What is a highlight about living in Tennessee? -LP

The highlight would have to be getting to coach college baseball and living with my wife. -BK



3) When you miss the California sunshine, what do you do to cope? -LP

Watch Calvary Chapel Godspeak to get a little reminder of the people we miss at home. -BK



4) What are you currently studying / specific courses / rotations / coaching? -LP

Getting a master's degree in business administration taking business ethics, operations management and managerial leadership.  As far as coaching [baseball], coaching the infielders and helping with hitting. -BK



5) What is something you like to do together when you're not doing those things? -LP

Sit on the couch cuddle up and watch our favorite TV shows. -BK



6) Southern hospitality and warmth.  Is it true? If yes, give a personal example. -LP  
{did you know the raccoon is Tennessee's state animal? -LP}

Yes it is true, everywhere you go you are always greeted with a smile and a 'how are you today' with the perception you are actually going to expand on your day not just give a "fine". -BK



7) What month would you tell people to visit Tennessee?  Why? -LP  {photo source}

October/November is probably best because it starts getting much cooler with minimal humidity as well as the leaves starting to change colors. -BK



8) Do you miss living in the mobile home?  Why / why not? -LP

No definitely not, much nicer have a house and don't have to worry about the dog running off now having a fenced backyard. -BK



9) What's your main mode of transportation? -LP

My truck, black dodge hemi, to and from school. -BK



10) Describe your experience in Tennessee in 3 words or less. -LP

God is good. -BK



I thought I'd end with this photo.  Chelsey shared it with the caption: "I have a HUGE crush on my gardener!"  Aren't they the cutest couple?  And Brett, I couldn't agree more with your response to question 10.

I hope all of you enjoyed these 2 interviews.  Again, if you missed Chelsey's, click HERE or just scroll down.  It's fun to see the similarities and differences in their responses.

Love Big Sis-in-Law, Linz

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Interview with Chelsey

Welcome back to Brett and Chelsey's blog !

I have taken it upon myself to interview this cute couple, and we'll start with my lovely sister (Chelsey Kahanowitch, CK).  I learned a lot, and I'm sure you will too.  Have a seat on the porch, sip some sweet tea and enjoy a stroll through Harrogate, Tennessee : North of Knoxville on the Kentucky border. (Lindsey Petrignani, LP)

1) Did you ever dream you would be living in the state of Tennessee (expound)? -LP

I honestly never thought I would leave California for any reason other than if I had joined the military.  California has always been my safe place, my comfort zone.  I never really saw myself living outside of the Conejo Valley (if I am being completely honest here).  However, when the prospect of moving came up I was excited and scared.  I knew it was what God wanted for me but I had NO IDEA how much He would bless me when I was obedient.  However, Tennessee is AWESOME and if our families weren't in California and I didn't love the beach so much, well, nope, still wouldn't live here...but it's still a great place to live.  Now pardon me as I got put on more anti-itch cream for my mosquito bites  and turn up the air conditioning due to the 90 degree 85% humidity outside :) -CK



2) What is a highlight about living in Tennessee? -LP

The people...hands down.  We have an AMAZING church family out here.  There are many people who genuinely love Jesus and want to encourage and uplift people as their passion.  Southern hospitality mixed with the love of Jesus is a pretty cool thing.  Also, Brett made two great friends, Ben Adelburg and Justin Haywood.  These two guys are a constant part of our every day lives and I don't know that Brett would have stuck around to coach and go to school if God hadn't brought these 2 gems into our lives.  By the way ladies...they are both tall, handsome, baseball players and single. -CK



3) When you miss the California sunshine, what do you do to cope? -LP

Haha...oh wow, this is a good one.  My coping will range from looking at Facebook photos of my times at the beach to calling Kari Lyman and having her blow some sunshine my way.  I also run every day outside and although the humidity can be suffocating, I am at least outside moving and getting some vitamin D.  Recently, I watched youtube videos of that crazy swell that came through and demolished Southern California. -CK



4) What are you currently studying / specific courses / rotations / coaching? -LP

Currently I am rotating with an ophthalmologist in Middlesboro, KY.  It fulfills my surgery rotation requirement and I have learned so much about looking into the eyes in order to assess the level of a patient's diabetes or hypertension.  The eyes can be a great hint as to what is to come in an otherwise healthy looking patient.  I have also been able to watch many cataract surgeries, eyelid surgeries and removal of masses on our surgery days.  Before this rotation I was with a Family Medicine doctor and I loved that.  It was great to interact with patients and build a relationship with them. -CK



5) What is something you like to do together when you're not doing those things? -LP

Brett and I are on an adult softball team together.  It's pretty fun.  He's amazing and I try really hard :).  We also go to movies (for 4 dollars) and every weekend Brett grills and we have people over for Sunday football.  Our favorite times are hanging out on the couch after our long days and watching the Big Bang Theory. -CK



6) Southern hospitality and warmth.  Is it true? If yes, give a personal example. -LP

Absolutely.  People here will smile and wave at you when they drive by.  Do they know you...nope but they are going to say hi anyways.  As for a personal example, lets go back to last winter.  A bitter, nasty, snowy, cold winter.  At our old house there was a steep little hill that we had to drive up to get out onto the main road.  Well, I tried to take Brett's truck up that little hill and successfully got it stuck sideways on the side of the road.  And there it sat.  We tried to move it a few times but only moved it closer to crashing into the neighbors fence.  Then, one night, one of our neighbors knocked on the door and asked to help get the truck out.  Granted, the truck wasn't even stuck on his property...he has just seen us trying to get the truck out.  So, he had called the neighbor where the truck was stuck, got the gate opened and helped us get the truck out.  It was such a blessing. -CK



7) What month would you tell people to visit Tennessee?  Why? -LP

I would tell them to come in the fall (October-November) or in mid spring.  This helps you possible avoid the humid and hot summers and the bitter cold rainy/snowy winter.  The colors of the leaves in the fall are to beautiful so I would recommend the fall!  Aaaaaand it's football season!!! -CK



8) Do you miss living in the mobile home?  Why / why not? -LP

There are things about the trailer I miss.  I miss the land we lived on.  I miss having Matt, Aja, Max and Lucy across the street and I miss the master bedroom (it had a walk-in closet and a huge bathroom with double sinks)
HOWEVER...
I DO NOT miss all of the bugs getting inside through the poorly aligned and insulated doors and windows.  I do not miss freezing my California backside off in the winter.  I do not miss the whole place shaking when the washer was on it's spin cycle.  I do not miss every thing rolling to the back of the trailer due to it slowly sliding down the hill and I do not miss our slippery, gravel driveway. -CK



9) What's your main mode of transportation? -LP

I drive everywhere.  My little Toyota Matrix has been wonderful.  So far I am not driving too far but starting in January I will be commuting an hour to Harlan, KY so the low gas mileage will be awesome. -CK



10) Describe your experience in Tennessee in 3 words or less. -LP

Green, Seasons, Friends -CK




I hope you enjoyed getting to know my sister better =).  She's the best !  Love you li'l sissy pants !  I've asked these same questions to Brett, so stay tuned for his responses.

Love Big Sissy Pants, Linz

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Still here !

Hi, big sister Lindsey here to get this blog back up and running...  Sorry about the lull.

To catch up, I thought I'd do a quick overview of the past several months of Chelsey and Brett's life.  All commentary is mine unless otherwise indicated by quotation marks.  Enjoy ! 

February
When in Tennessee...

"So Much fun with friends!" -Rachel (far right)

  
"And now its time to warm up!" -Rachel
 

One of Chels and Brett's wedding photos was featured in this web article.  Click HERE to see it.




March
"I am so blessed to have these women in my life. Thank you Jesus for Pump Springs Baptist Church and the church family I have there =)." -Chels


April
"Chelsey and Gracie won the Doggie Dash 5K!" -Rachel

Doggie Dash



"Couldn't have made it through 2 years of medical school without these ladies!! LOVE YALL!!!" -Ashlin (right of Chelsey) 

"Tobi swung by on her way back to Georgia and took me to lunch for my birthday! So of course I had to show her the iconic and famous Cumberland Gap." -Chels (April 25th)



Horsies!



"What an amazing day with my BFF Kari Lyman at Rolex in Lexington, KY! I got to bury my face in the necks of many pretty ponies, got to make some new friends and I got a sunburn...best day!!" -Chels (April 27th)


May
"Happy cinco de mayo!" -Rachel (left of Chelsey)



"The Crew in our coats." -Chels



"Some of my favorite people...ever." -Rachel (far left)




June
"A year ago at this very spot." -Chels (June 7th)

"The grill master at work." -Chels

 
"Happy Father's Day Dad!!" -Chels




July
"Happy Independence Day! May God Bless you today as you spend time with family and friends. Never forget how blessed we are to live in this amazing country. Thank you to all of the men and women who have served selflessly so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today." -Chels&Brett

 "Best friends are hard to find." -Chels (with friends from high school)

Riding with Sara.

"You know how sometimes you just can't get comfortable?" -Gracie


August
"Mom! Get this THING off my bed!!!" -Gracie

 "Sticks...free entertainment!!!" -Harley

"Daddy wake up!" -Harley


September
Doggie love.


I hope you enjoyed a walk from February to September with Chels and Brett and the pups. 

Love from the big sister in France,
Lindsey
(Please forgive the annoying spacing irregularities... blog spot makes me so mad sometimes, but hey, you get what you pay for... it's free.)