Saturday and Sunday

We had a good night and headed across Nebraska following the North Platte for a long time. There are a lot of sunflowers so you know that we took pictures of that. We took a detour to Chimney Rock, Boot Hill in Ogallala, and drove and drove. Saturday night brought us to north of Oakley, Kansas to a great campground. A local organic farmer has a little garden there. He allows travelers to pick the veggies and you can donate whatever you want. I took pictures. As usual we enjoyed meeting the people who own the campgrounds. We ate a Kansas steak for dinner which I deserved after the drive. Sunday morning we drove on into Oakley after a good breakfast. There is a huge bronze of Buffalo Bill Cody shooting a buffalo. Awesome! Paulette dropped me off for church where I met some really nice folks. The ladies are scrapbookers and one is a Creative Memories consultant. We visited for a long time. We tried to visit a couple of other places but time was not right and the road to one place was too rough for the trailer. Late afternoon brought us to Guymon, Oklahoma. That is where Davida (Paulette’s daughter) lives. We will leave here early Monday morning and wander back by Abilene and then on the Corsicana for a trailer repair or redo for them. We should be home by Tuesday at the latest.

Friday

Saturday morning at the KOA is always Pancakes and bacon. Good! Packed up and headed for Rapid City and Prairie Edge. Prairie Edge is the ultimate in Pendleton, Native artifacts and new items and all to make things with. I tried my best to keep my wallet in my purse….not easy. Arriving in downtown with our little trailer was a bit of a challenge for parking. We discovered that the historical society or mayor or? Had decided to acquire a bronze statue of each of the presidents of the USA. There was one on each street corner so getting photographs of each one was a job. We did not get each on but there is “next time.” We pulled out of there around noon and headed to Pine Ridge. Following GPS and 3 different maps we headed south. The chosen road was through the Lakota Sioux reservation. It was a good choice for seeing and experiencing a wonderful tour of the Red Cloud Heritage Center. The counselor at the school showed us the language center; church with stained glass windows designed by the students, Red Clouds grave, and told us a ton of history. The agreement between Red Cloud and the Jesuits was for the good of the children. He realized the children needed an education in order to preserve their history, language, stories and ability to blend into society. The Jesuits were his answer. They found a way to blend Catholicism and Indian Religion. Going to the grocery store on the Rez was a new experience for Paulette. It is a lot different than going to a Pow Wow at Traders Village in Houston. We did go to the Pow Wow area thinking we would be able to camp there. We had been told it would be a good way to see and experience the event. A place to park was not as great as the ground was extremely rough and we should have gone early to get a better spot. I am use to blending in and no one knowing I don’t belong. Paulette was aprensive about being singled out and was not comfortable. I realized that we did have a lot of things in the truck that were valuable and I would hate for someone to breaking and take something while we were in the ceremony. It was really different that others I attended. We walked around and checked out the vendors and realized it would be another 2 hours before they began and it was dusty hot. We pulled out and headed toward Nebraska. The campground we found there was just lovely.

Destination for this evening was Rapid City, South Dakota. Sometimes it takes a while to find the destination. We pulled out of Pipestone fairly early and headed out for Sioux Falls to catch a glimpse of the falls there even though I was no that impressed the last time. Wow! With the 17 inches of rain this summer and a heavy rain the night before, the falls were running fast and high. Where I sat two years ago was covered by at least 4 feet of rushing water. Beautiful! …on the road again toward the Badlands. There is a scenic loop which would only take an hour or less. Grass was growing in some areas because of the rainfall and we enjoyed the drive. Some of the spires reminded us of places in Zion but with a change of colors. Zion is more vivid. All do not think it is beautiful but I let my imagination go to the mysteries of the bad guys of the past with horses hidden within the natural corrals. Interesting person of the day was my new friend Robby from New York by way of Florida. He was on vacation on his way to Sturgis to experience a couple of days as a biker. He asked if I would take a picture for him. I got one of him also which I will share later. He was a nice young man just out for a ride in places he had never been. After the loop we hit the world famous Wall Drug Store in Wall, SD. Okay, I can now say I have been there since it became so famous. For me it is a lot of junk and I do not have to go back. Seems like it took us forever to get to the KOA at Rushmore but we made it. Our neighbor is a cousin of Melanie Crowhurst of Hempstead and Carol Fry of Bellville. He and his wife are from Livingston. We hurried to the evening ceremony at Mt. Rushmore. It was just wonderful as it was 11 years ago. A group of Boy Scouts did the flag ceremony and pledge. At the end the ranger asked all Veterans to come to the stage. We honored them with cheers and applause. He specifically asked the Vietnam Vets to step forward as they did not receive their accolades when returning from war…. Lovely and heartwarming. We are back in the campgrounds for a shower and bed. Pancakes at the KOA in the morning. Yeah! Then it will be a day at Sioux ~ Pine Ridge Pow Wow. Now that will be a treat for me.

Tuesday and Wednesday

It was up early in Two Harbors headed north to Betty’s for breakfast. The bill of fare for me was Bread Pudding Toast, real maple syrup, eggs and bacon. Desert was two pieces of pie to go. During the summer months they make in the vicinity of 350 pies a day. I did my best to help them. My Mimi made much better pies but Betty has been doing this a long time. Stuffed to the gills it took a little effort to get hooked up and on the road. On the road through Duluth we spotted three of the tall masts of the schooners remaining in the Duluth harbor. It is difficult to hook a left with the baby egg trailing. Did it anyway…right through the hoards of people. Paulette jumped out of the car to get some pictures as I slowly went around the circle and then back on the road. Pretty slick! It is across the state to Pipestone National Monument. We never get where we are going very fast because I am easily lured off the road by a mere sign saying something like “Ojibwa Museum.” Luckily I had only a few minutes before they closed. Paulette went nuts over the cool barns. None are painted with quilt square as in Iowa. Silos and barns really have a draw. As usual we pulled into Pipestone at 10:30 at night. The mosquitoes were so bad that we set up in record time and quickly ran to the shower. Sleep was good.
We were up pretty early, had breakfast in camper and off to the monument. We were greeted by the most delightful young woman. She is working on a master’s degree in history while working as National Park Ranger. She is Oglala Sioux who loves her family. Her family is heading to Pine Ridge Pow Wow on Friday. This is her first time to miss this because of her new job. We had a long wonderful conversation about her grandmother. She is not bitter about the treatment of her grandmother during the days when children were taken from the parents on the reservation and placed in schools. She shared a lot of information about the pow wow and gave me dates of the Sun Dance to be held at Pipestone next year. We walked the trail and observed the quarries where only American Indians can dig for pipestone. It was as beautiful as before. In the distance I could see the main pole of this year’s Sun Dance. We took as many photos as we could being so far away. A walking tour of the town was next. A large number of the buildings in town are made of Sioux quartzite which is red and resembles the pipestone.
We had our dried fish tonight with mustard and crackers. Yummy! It is off to bed and ready for an early rise tomorrow and off to Mt. Rushmore and a few other stops like Sioux Falls. Loving what I am doing….got a new tiny cedar flute today. Mama you will love it. Hugs and blessings, Mary Alice

Monday

August 2

Sunday night in the forest at Eckeback State Campground was great. The open windows allowed a sweet breeze to flow through the camper. A few little night friends sang their chorus and I slept like a baby. It rained most of the night which made good sleeping. I rolled over and my knee touched the area under the window. Wet! Windows went down and we took care of the dampness. Upon awakening at daylight in the forest I could hear rushing water. The night before, you could walk across the Baptism River on the rocks. This morning, the water was rushing and deep. We jumped up to take pictures before hooking up and heading out. The idea of sunrise at Split Rock Light house was a myth. We were there by 7:30 and wandered around the grounds. A gentleman and his daughter were there. His great-grandmother use to sit a specific rock on the shore and paint the light house in various seasons and weathers. He had many of her paintings. When each child is old enough to appreciate the thought, he brings them there to see the lighthouse and to sit on the rock where she painted. I was honored to take their picture at the lighthouse.
We hiked down to the shore on the trail and returned following the steps near the location of the tram. The tram was used to bring supplies and guests from the ships on Lake Superior up to the lighthouse. There were 170 steps to climb ~ little tough on my bum knee. Paulette toured the light house ~ I had done it 2 years ago. The fog was so heavy and made for some great pictures. We took lots of pictures of us and others at the rugged rocks on the shore line. This is the 100th Birthday of Split Rock Lighthouse. We zipped down to Two Harbors to acquire a camping spot with at least water. We got a good spot with water and electricity. Then we were off to Betty’s Pies. Yummy and it was worth the wait for a table. I had Betty’s Beef Passtie and then RHUBARB/STRAWBERRY pie. Just as I had remembered! Gooseberry Falls was the next stop for a nice hike up to the Upper Falls, Middle and Lower Falls. We were fortunate to be at Upper Falls with not a sole around. It got hot while we were there. We took a break at the Quilt Shop where we had a fabulous visit with the ladies there. “You Betcha” we did. They invited us to come park our trailer at their house next year. We visited Agate Bay Light House in Two Harbors. It still sends its beam into the night. There were lots of Canadian geese around. Fog began to roll in and we headed for the house. A quick shower, light supper in the camper and it was lights out for these girls. Check you again tomorrow after breakfast with Betty. Blessings to all, Mary Alice

This was Sunday ~ New destinations on a new day. This was a reorganize day. Paulette washed clothes and I hooked up the trailer. The dress clothes are packed out of the way except for something to wear to church and I am hunting a UPS store so I can ship home the wonderful jewels I got at Showcase. Some of my friends have been asking for the punch with a palm tree and I got a few. I placed my order this morning for the new things that just came off the press. I know some of you don’t know nor could care but the new Cricut Cartridges that are exclusive to CM are must haves.
We pulled out of Minneapolis heading for Duluth. Roads under construction are painful for me. We took the low road to avoid it and got it again in Duluth. The tall sailboats came into Duluth on Friday and Saturday with tours scheduled for today. There were no parking places for Jr and the little red truck so we had to pass on tours today. Up the shore we drove hunting a campground…not to be found until we entered the National Forest only 100 miles south of the Canadian border. We have ditched that plan but will stay in Minnesota another day. The light houses are lovely on the shore. I have seen them before but this is the 100th Anniversary of Split Rock Lighthouse and sometime soon they will shine it’s beam one more time. We plan to leave the campground early enough to see the sunrise over Lake Superior at the lighthouse. Paulette wants to take the tour and then I plan to eat a piece of rhubarb pie at Betty’s Pies. A good meal might be in order. Tonight I made grilled cheese sandwiches in the trailer and they were jummy. It is raining ever so slightly on the baby trailer and with no electricity in the forest I am grateful for butane cooking and a full battery on my laptop. This will be posted tomorrow as there is no internet or telephone service in the North Woods. Listening for bear in the woods, I remain Mary Alice the wanderer.

Everyday I have driven into Minneapolis for Showcase I have been a bit challenged. Miss GPS tells me how to travel except she does not know that the entrance to the road I need to go down is closed construction. I managed and got there. Thinking I was crazy, Paulette rode with me this morning to help me find the turn. Well we never made it to the turn because another section was closed. Paulette had a fun day planned - jumping out of her comfort zone and striking out on her own and alone. She made her own walking tour of the center of Minneapolis. She found a wonderful museum in an old flour mill right on the river.

We will be pulling out tomorrow if all goes well. You won't believe it but we have several ideas for the next destination on this journey. Northeast or northwest - flip a coin? will it by Green Bay and on up to Mackinac Island or will it be to Duluth and up the shore of Lake Superior to the Canadian border and then head west to Pipestone, Minnesota. Decisions will be revealed. I have to get home in about 10 days as I have to schedule a "Photo Solutions Party" and a 50th high school reunion to finalize.

Blessings and keep on making memories to keep in your heart and in your albums. I am passionate about the company I am associated with. Mary Alice

Making our way to Minneapolis

Did we ever have fun on Wednesday. We pulled out of Manhattan around 8 am heading for Minneapolis. Some could get there in the allotted hours as designated by the annoying voice of the GPS lady. It took a bit for us to navigate through Kansas City. I have never made it straight through KC without ending up traveling on some road that goes through cornfields that are growing up to the steps of the houses. There is little of interest to me from there until I get near Limoni, Iowa….home of many Amish families, a visitors center run by the students of the local college where wares of the Amish are sold, and perhaps horse drawn carriages traveling on the road. Yes, I bought a basket which I needed for the garbage in the trailer. Checking to see if Paulette might be interested in the covered bridges of Madison County, I peeked her interest. Truck and trailer hooked a left headed west? To Wintersett. Winterset is the birthplace of “The Duke.” Since I was there last, a statue has been erected and many bricks are laid in the sidewalk with donor names. A real deal. The names of the contributors make a very interesting group. While in the area we visited 3 of the bridges that are still standing or have been restored. Flat Donna liked having her picture made. Two little girls from Oklahoma held her at the bridge for a photo-op. Off we went for the final leg of our trip. Miss GPS is now saying arrival time will be 11:15. Book of CD and a steady foot on the pedal brought us to Apple Valley, Minnesota to the Lebanon Hills Dakota Campgrounds at 11:30 pm. We are fast at setting up this little Jr. Egg. We took a fast shower and hit the bed. I have a big day ahead. I know you are afraid that we did not drink enough water or eat enough…do not worry about that.

Traveling Fast in the Slow Lane

Meet "Flat Donna" who will be traveling with me. She is my friend Donna Whitecotten.
Days fly by when you are having fun. I did not get in a hurry this morning and could hardly wait for coffee. I headed out on I-35 for Oklahoma City. Paulette was in Waco when I left Gainsville. About that time the phone rang and Nick was wondering when I would be getting into Manhattan. I was so excited because I was not sure I would get to see him this trip. The rest of the day was spent in anticipation of seeing him so the miles were long. While I waited to meet up with Paulette, I visited the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial and State Firefighters Museum. Much of it was the history of firefighting equipment. The most impressive part to me was the tribute to those who assisted in the bombing at the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Having visited the memorial on site just a year ago brought it all to my attention again….we are so vulnerable in our country of free thinkers. The parking lot at the zoo and science center had one shady area and I claimed it for myself. The soft breeze in the shade gave me a nice place to wait. We left Oklahoma City at 3pm headed to Junction City, Kansas. Sweet GPS directed us down a different road that turned out to be such a good road and straight through the corn and grain fields of Kansas. We only saw one field of sunflowers..salute Sue Paben. We set up the trailer very quickly and hurried to meet Nick for dinner. He brought Giles Bell with him and we were delighted. They have become good friends and I hope they take good care of each other when they deploy. It will be different this time and I fear more dangerous. I hated to say good bye to him but he will come home on leave before he goes. I look forward to that. Well these two old broads are settling in for the night. The baby egg traveled very well today. We boogied down the road and hardly knocked anything off in the floor. Tomorrow will take us through Kansas and Iowa where the barns and silos are waiting for grain and into Minneapolis for 3 days of Creative Memories hoop-la. Blessings to all who are following. Days may get more exciting come Sunday.

Stumbling for Sure to Showcase and Beyond

Not sure anyone wants to know the details of this day but here goes. Wanting to have a nice leisurely drive leaving my home and arriving somewhere north of Ft. Worth by night. The baby egg “Edwina Jr.” was hitched to my little Toyota and time left to say good bye to a few friends, delivering a get well present and wishing success to a friend who is having surgery on Tuesday. In my attempt to do something properly, I FELL ON MY KNEES! OUCH my new pants now have a small hole in the knee and my knee is bleeding and hurts like a big bulldog. Okay, I cleaned up the knee, locked up the house and pulled out at 12:02 just as planned. Off I go just as happy as “a pig in slop.” Pulling into a service station in College Station gave me my next revelation….NO PURSE. In the process of delivering the lovely gift to my friend, I took my purse with me in the car which is the law. The knee injury followed the gift delivery so upon returning to the house to fix the knee, I left the purse IN THE CAR. Being very fortunate, I am Richeys very good friend. He went to my house, got the purse, and met me half way back. The rest of the day was a piece of cake. I had planned to see a former student Monday afternoon but with running a little late we had to postpone the visit for another day. This all puts me at the south edge of Ft. Worth and the clock says 5:02. Yes, I could pull over and eat dinner and wait for the traffic to die down but I really had no trouble until downtown. All were in such awe of “Jr. Egg” that I had no trouble getting through town on I-35W. I found the loveliest state campground north of Denton. It is Lake Ray Roberts State Park. Now I am grateful to our state for posting good signs because the very expensive GPS could not find the lake nor the KOA that I know is on I-35 just over the Oklahoma line. I have now had an egg sandwich, watched 3 episodes of last year’s season of the Closer and writing for my blog of this trip. These will be my first writings in my blog of the 3rd trip to Minneapolis. Wow, looking back to the first driving trip…..this is great. That time I was in a tent and it was hot. I am sleeping tonight in “Jr.” with the air conditioner running and I dinner cooked in the microwave. Just like the good Bulldog puppies would say, “woof woof woof.”
Traveling along with me is my friend “Flat Donna, a real Girly Girl.” She was created by one of my friends Donna Whitecotten. She created this cutie using Storybook CreatorPlus3.0. Consultants etc., who could not attend Showcase, are going by proxy in the suitcases of those of us who are attending. Most will fly their guests to Minneapolis but Donna is traveling by auto and seeing very interesting sites.

When people ask me what I do since I retired, I fume. It is sometimes what I don't do now: I don't mow the lawn for 2 hours in the dark and wonder the next afternoon which spots I missed since I left home before daylight; I don't pack breakfast and a lunch to carry with me when I leave the house for bus and teaching duties; I don't go back to school after getting off my bus route to finish the paper work for school or plan for the field day, President's Fitness test, and everything else needed for training those cute Bulldog Puppies of Waller; I don't have as much money but I am still having fun; and I don't have to squeeze my album making into the little spots of my like; and I don't have to make sure that I can manage a camping trip during the three summer months. I actually took a trip when school started, I just finished mowing lawn in the morning, sat in a chair in my living room while I ate breakfast and lunch, answered emails and planned on going to a meeting in Houston tonight. Tomorrow I may finish posting business figures and clean the office. Life is Good.

Spent time with another part of my extended family. Adrianne Ambrosy graduated today from St. Pius X High School. The graduate is the granddaughter of our beloved "Bookwalter and Daddy Bookwalter," as my children called them. Adriannes mom Toni was Meredith and Nick's baby sitter. I am pictured with Toni and brother Ray. The grad is Adrianne. Group photo is her family: Ray and Susie Bookwalter (uncle and aunt), Toni and George Ambrosy (parents), brother Jay and sister Michelle. It was a lovely graduation which was preceded by Mass. I always appreciate a graduation which is reverent and a celebration without horns and yelling. We enjoyed lunch together following the ceremony.

Good Bye Edwina

Made the trip to Abilene and got Mother home on Mother's Day. She was beat and has had a hard time recovering. I gave her the album in progress "Scripture Challenge 2010." She loved it. Came home and Paulette and I worked on final touches on Edwina. A lovely lady came on Monday and Edwina of Yellowstone left my driveway behind the same lovely lady. That made two happy ladies. That little trailer gave me many smiles. This past Monday I shopped for a few more additions I wanted for the new trailer (still no name but I am thinking of "Junior" as in Edwina Junior.) Got to do some thinking. Maybe "Ed Jr." I really like my old tag from teaching "Puppytrainer." Folks ask what kind of puppies I train. They think all bulldog puppies have 4 legs and do not understand my lovable puppies have 2 legs and grow up, graduate, marry and have babies that I also got to teach. Some do well in life and some have obsticles. I love them everyone, take pride in their successes and wonder what signals I missed when they have hit bumps in life's road.

How many turns can one person make in a week? Paulette and I worked very hard on Edwina of Yellowstone (Casita Egg Camper) in preparation for selling to some lucky person. I already have several people who want to look at her, but, I am no longer at home to show her off.

I have now landed in Cameron to get Mother ready for a trip to Abilene for my brothers graduation at ACU. He is 72 and getting a Masters Degree from the Center of Conflict Resolution. We are all going ~ Meredith is meeting us there as well as most of Johns children. Who would have guessed that Mother would actually make this trip? What was I thinking? In the meaqn time I will be meeting with several high school classmates to start planning our 50th high school reunion. 50 YEARS ~ wow!!!

I am also uploading a picture of one page of my scripture challenge for 2010. I have the first 6 pages in a book for Mother's gift album for Mother's Day. Enjoy my page.

Casita Baby is off on its maiden voyage. Pulled her out of the barn Tuesday with Daddys red Tacoma pickup. we traveled as far as Cameron. Mama got in it today so she could take a good look. Ebby and Porter came to our "open house." The trip will actually begin on Thursday morning on my way to the Texas Bluebonnet Casita Rally in Bandera. I am hoping to learn all the little tricks and modifications that others have done to make life easy when traveling. Doubt I will do any modifications since she is so new. I did mount a hook for my keys on the inside of the door. Now to name her. Edwina of Yellowstone was so perfect for Egg #1 and I think this one should just carry on the name. Paulette will be joining me on Friday evening. Maybe between the two of us, we can remember all the things we will learn.
Enjoying the view as I go down the road. Mary Alice

Home and Hope

Two more pages for my challenge. I am almost caught up with the group. Home and Hope are the latest. The photo on the page of Home is the dining room table, set for Sunday lunch at the Big House ~ Mama and Papa Duncum set a good table when John and I were children.

2010 Scripture Challenge

Though I started late, I thought I might be up to the challenge. So far I have done a few of the pages. I chose to use a 7x5 paper album using some of the predesigned pages adapted and my own designs. I am using Creative Memories Storybook Creator 3.0. I have used Creative Memories digital paper and embellishments so could be duplicated traditionally. Photographs used will include my family through the years. My scriptures will come from New King James, New International and Messages versions of the Bible. Enjoy, join me, comment or whatever makes you happy.

StoryBook Creator Plus Helps and Hints

StoryBook Creator Plus Helps and Hints

Team Mackalicious Training Blog - Digital, Traditional and Hybrid Scrapbooking

Team Mackalicious Training Blog - Digital, Traditional and Hybrid Scrapbooking

The Rest of the StoryBook

The Rest of the StoryBook

Monday Madness

This has been a day full of changes. Sunshine, hail, rain, wind and calm. So glad I got out while the sun was shining. Michelle, a down-line in Creative Memories had a couple of her friends out in the studio saving memories in albums and making cards. I did some running around town taking care of business and visiting school friends. Hopefully what I have done to get my taxes information will be sufficient for my accountant. Can't finish Mothers until next week. I hate this time of year but must get it done before I can leave town for any reason. Since retirement, doubt anyone withheld enough that I will get anything back ~ just brace myself for paying in around the 15 th of April.
I took a challenge this afternoon with a sketch on a website for creating cards. I used the sketch and created a digital card which I will print on a card. Who knows, I make actually create the same thing using the identical paper and a real ribbon. Enjoy!
Mrs. Turlington brought me the cards the children wrote in to send the USA Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have a few address of Nicks friends that I can send to.
Must get busy and make a few little boy cards before going to Texas Children's NICU on Wednesday.
Stumbling along having fun.

Nick has a birthday

It is 42 years since I was preparing to go to the hospital to deliver a beautiful baby boy into the world. Dr. Bill Knight instructed to go home, rest and be at Methodist Hospital next morning very early. Gilford Nicholas did not take all day. Now he is a soldier in the US Army and serving his country. He is also freezing his buns off in Kansas this February 5th. So much better than his 41st in Iraq.
I have made a pack with myself that all figures will be ready to deliver to my accountant by February 10. I am almost ready including my mothers business. I think I will make it if I will just get off the computer and get on the one with the information that is pertinent.
I will be having a Flexible Crop on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I only have 4 ladies committed to attend and I will do all I can to see they get their memories recorded. One group will be receiving instructions on digital scrapbooking. I know they will be making cards, calendars, and books telling their stories.

It is your story, make sure you are the one who tells it ~ your way.