ReeferMac

Welcome! Sevierville/Pigeon Forge is very tourist-y. Fine if that's what you're looking for, but worth a trip out here scouting before to commit. East TN. Tri-Cities area along Rt. 81 has pretty mountain views w/o all the riff-raff. - K

Yep, yep, 2 years and counting. And, errr, umm, Welcome! Bought land a year ago, working on the house plans w/ a builder now. When it's all done, I hope to have a modest house on the 15 acre's we bought, for about what you quoted. Having 3 kids, we found hunting for a school district to be the most important thing. If you have/plan on reproducing, and aren't into home-schooling, look very closely at the local district. We initially thought we wanted to live in one area, due to the affordable property and sweeping views. Barbed wire around the schools kinda gave us a hint that all wasn't well. We opted for another suburb, similar qualities, much better schools, and are quite happy. Do your research. The dog grooming thing is going to require you to be near(er) a city. Country folks don't groom their dogs. Heck, most of the time they don't even keep them on their own property! That being said, if you invested in a van/portable grooming facility, it would give you more flexibility. That is likely the key to success - flexibility. I have a Bachelor's and 20-years working in the printing biz. My first job down here was remodeling and landscaping with a local fellow. Then I got to working w/ a tree company (have a CDL license as well), now I'm the Transportation Supervisor and Sales Associate for the Knoxville area with a multi-national produce distributor. So much for the graphic arts! Take a trip out here, drive around, stop at local diners (don't eat at a chain restaurant, find the local hole-in-the-wall). The Eastern half of the state suited us best. Nashville and Memphis were simply 'too big city' for our taste, and there's a radius around each and every big city. We're just about on that bubble where we are, that's a 45-min. commute to downtown Knox. Nashville you're talking 1.5 hours... The corridor between Knox and Chattanooga is a really nice part of the country, as is the Eastern end of the state (Tri-Cities area - gorgeous mountain views, Johnson City is a lot bigger than it looks on the map, ETSU helps with that). Some great advice here, re-read it twice. I've found folks to be very warm and welcoming, even to a Yankee. Having the right attitude helps, and you seem to. - Kevin

Here in Roane County there has been a Sheriff's car and officer posted outside. I have stopped and introduced myself each week, handed them my carry permit, and told them I appreciate them coming by. - K

Had comcast for a year or two, service was fine, then they jacked the rates, we switched to U-Verse. When they jack the rates, will switch to someone else. Have reached the conclusion internet access is a utility, and frankly, I'm still glad there is competition. One day the Goobermint will declare 10-gig internet a basic human right, and it will be socialized like the electric grid, and you'll pay twice as much for even poorer service.

LOL! As a lifelong Buffalo Sports fan, it's called a "Rebuilding Year" (after year, after year, after year....) I'd say they're fighting for the first round draft pick, but alas this is college ball.

That seems like something that would be a 2-person job? Wouldn't want you to hurt your back or anything. - K

I'd agree... this season is toast. Let him finish, pay him less, gives time to find a new coach. Very practical way to do it.

Hahaha, now there's an endorsement no publisher wants!

"The Rock" this morning sayeth: Enough is enough Fire his Ass - K

http://wate.com/2017/10/29/sec-countrys-mike-griffith-sources-say-university-of-tennessee-officials-meeting-to-discuss-immediate-future-of-butch-jones/ Ruh Roh...

Amen! Thanks for sharing. I've often thought of this sort of thing, and how it must affect the children and families left behind. Thanks for sharing the organizations name, I made a donation this morning.

Welcome! As a transplant myself I have found Tennessee to be filled with friendly, warm, and welcoming people.

Methinks the situation here in Rocky Top will be muted. Other parts of the country (Kalifornia), possibly not so much. That being said, I'll probably violate my employers "no weapons at work" policy that day just because.

Try searching on Youtube for some reloading videos. There's a lot of good info on the web, and try your local library. Reloading ammo is enjoyable and affordable (you've got the press, that's the most expensive part), but can be a little tricky. Proper care and safety is important, but easy to achieve. I've been reloading for my 9mm for about a year and it allows me to shoot a lot more. Each 'recipe' will depend on the type of powder you use, and I've never reloaded for shotgun, so can't offer some specifics.

The best one is the one that the shooter performs best with, and is most comfortable using. Whether for sport, protection, or whatever, a handgun should act and feel like an extension of your body. If you are not comfortable with it, it's not the best one for you. Now if you're equally comfortable with multiple pistols and have a specific use in mind, there is room to debate the technical features or other merits of a particular platform, but it's a bit like asking "Ford or Chevy". That being said, the poster hasn't shared their reason for asking. When I got my permit and decided to carry, I went to my LGS and tried everything in the rental case (they had an indoor range at this store). I'm a big fan of German engineering and Glock carries a well earned reputation. However I shot my best group with the M&P, and it felt good in my hands. I use an M&P 9C for my EDC (v 1.0 mind you... don't have the cake for a 2.0 right now).

Only place on this side of the state I know of is Oak Ridge. You need to be a member of their high-power rifle club to fire on the 1000 yd. range, but any member can go out to 200 yds. Standing invite for you if you're not a member! - K

It was a beautiful and peaceful morning out at ORSA today... Then some Bastard started sending 5.56 downrange! @jpx2rk Helped me try sighting in my AR @ 200 yds w/ a variety of manufacturers ammo (including WInchester match grade at $1.35 a pop!) Did OK for me, but today helped convince me I need to hand-load for this thing if I want to get tighter groups at that range. Still, for an AR @ 200 yds, I thought it was pretty good (given the shooter... )

I've got the 9-compact V 1.0 for my EDC and love it. Fondled a full size .45 version of the 2.0 at the LGS today. Have to admit, me likey (and they DO have a trade-in program!)

That's Awesome! Thanks for sharing. - K

Curious how you do, keep us updated.

That, and the way poor behaviour is tolerated! One guy got caught w/ drugs, and an inebriated minor on his way back to the dorms driving the wrong way down a one-way street?! Charges? Dropped. What does that say about the organization?: I don't care how fast your 40-time is, it's clearly not helping the team's win-record, and these kinds of actions do more to hurt the University and community, than anything that individual does on the field. Conversely you get players like Dobbs, who are a shining example of the kind of talent we should be trying to recruit. FWIW, "The Rock" had a tombstone w/ "RIP BUTCH" painted on it this morning, but it was too dark for me to take a picture.

Hahaha! I've nearly broken a few machines tugging on the 'slot' to make sure there isn't anything attached as well! - K

I understand feeling that way and respect your opinion, but I see these kids just about every day of the week. Some exude the maturity and attitude you would like them to have, and other's swagger around like their s*** doesn't stink. You're not going to 'correct' this individual's attitude by giving them time to think about their actions. You're contributing to the entitled society known as the National Felon's League. Were I a booster, I would demand nothing less than their removal from the team. It's an embarrassment to the University, the Athletic Program, and the rest of this State. Particularly given their poor performance! Some kid gets fired from the team because he got injured in a game, they run a tox-screen at the hospital, and find out he smoked a J at a party. He doesn't get a second chance to think about the repercussions of his actions, despite the fact that his actions harmed nobody. Makes no sense. Each of these students are given the opportunity of a lifetime, no doubt, some more so than others, but in my opinion that still does not excuse behaviour such as this in front of a national audience. I wouldn't allow my 14-year old to act that way! They've been 'coached' on what behaviour is acceptable, they're told to follow certain rules, especially when the TV camera's are on. Fire the bum, and make room for another individual to have the 'opportunity of a lifetime', that is more mature, appreciative, and will benefit more so from the rewards. This punk should go back to the gutter they dragged him out of. Just my 2-cents, no offense meant to anyone. - K

If I were coach, that would qualify as "conduct unbecoming of a Student Athlete", you're off the team, goodbye scholarship. First thing Monday morning.

I was trying to figure that out w/ the kids when we were there for the gamecocks.... We sat in the nose-bleeds, $40-a-pop. The lower seats were $70/ea. 100,000+ seats in the stadium, split about half-n-half. 50,000 x $40 = $2,000,000 50,000 x $70 = 3,500,000 $5.5 million in tickets (not counting skyboxes (+), season tix (-), etc.), and at 6 clams for a bottle of water, they probably made a jillion on concessions... Still a couple games worth of ticket sales to get rid of the guy. It's gotta hurt (whether they can afford it or not is still debatable). I'd wager he finishes the season, but think that might be it. Wonder if the new guy will park his 550 over by the dumpsters, too? - K