Friday, November 14, 2008
Follow the Snowy Nikes... to the Driveway
This is more footage of Richard and Sarah's snowfall footage. Tunnel created by Richard.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Camera Recovery Leads to Lovely Memory of Summer
And there was a beautiful rain, and then a beautiful double-rainbow...
The last time Richard and Sarah used their Canon camera, they were cleaning out the garage in mid-August.
For some reason, that small Canon digital camera disappeared from thin air.
This was sad, since Richard purchased it for a wedding gift and he was the first to use it, at their wedding as a surprise....
The camera was in a pocket of the ski jacket. Sarah recovered it when getting out her thick ski jacket for the recent blizzard. But the photo of the double-rainbow was sure nice to see tonight, as plenty of snow is again falling in Lead, SD.
Friday, November 7, 2008
More Lead Deadwood Blizzard and Snow footage
Here's some photos from where Richard and Sarah live on Ridge Road in Lead.
Lead Deadwood Blizzard & Snow
Sarah and Richard have seen some interesting weather here in Lead and Deadwood... last weekend Sarah's parents Sue and Wayne came for another visit, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL... in the '70s. Sue and Sarah painted the front porch interior, while Wayne and Richard tinkered with the Jeep, mowed the yard, swept the back sidewalk and had son-in-law / father-in-law bonding time...
BUT NOW... Lead and Deadwood have received 45 inches of snow. There was no getting anywhere Thursday, and today (Friday) it's limited travel. Interstate 90 is still closed. Take a look at the videos:
BUT NOW... Lead and Deadwood have received 45 inches of snow. There was no getting anywhere Thursday, and today (Friday) it's limited travel. Interstate 90 is still closed. Take a look at the videos:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ridge Road old sign
One thing Sarah really appreciates in living out here in Lead and near Deadwood is all the history. The road that they live on used to lead to a town called "Terraville" which was purposely destroyed to make way for the mining of the Homestake Open Cut back in the 1970s. Or something like that.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Deadwood Jam Beer Tent
Although Sarah has no photos to show, she spent last night in Deadwood at the Deadwood Jam Beer Tent, popping tops for a rain-soaked but high-energy crowd - the music was fabulous, and her new favorite band is Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band... Great rain music.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=94687692
http://www.deadwoodjam.com
The 12 or so volunteers that helped out in the beer tent stood in the inch-high water until 10 pm, but had a super time regardless.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=94687692
http://www.deadwoodjam.com
The 12 or so volunteers that helped out in the beer tent stood in the inch-high water until 10 pm, but had a super time regardless.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Yet another Carlson in the Hills
Richard's son and Sarah's stepson, Ty, made the journey to Lead with a friend from Brookings, Paul, and they got a chance to hang out with their pal Dan from Spearfish, too.
It was an awesome weekend of laughs and seemed to go way too fast.
Richard, Sarah and Ty headed down to Wind Cave National Park { http://www.nps.gov/wica/ } and took a tour and saw some boxwork... http://www.nps.gov/wica/naturescience/speleothems-boxwork.htm
Did you know: Wind Cave goes for around 130 miles... just within ONE SQUARE MILE.
They drove back on Needles highway and took a couple shots, where there were tourists feeding Wheat Thins to about 20 chipmunks.
On their way back through, Sarah spotted the Bob Marshall Camp sign... and realized it was where she attended an SDREA Leadership camp when she was a freshman at Wakonda High School. So they stopped in for a photo and to check the place out. Very cool.
Whew, what a week... or two
So - a couple weeks have gone by. The weather has be GORGE-OUS. Except for that golf-ball-size hail spell for 3 minutes. Crazy.
Richard and Sarah were at the Pizza Lab in Central City {DELECTABLE!} and a huge dark ledge came over the area... fast. So they ran to the Jeep { yes, they paid, Jeff } and got home minutes before it started to pour. Then the hail started. Dented the Blazer hood a bit. Not much. Noticeable. And Sarah's plants weren't very happy. And the backyard patio was COVERED in a mudslide of guk.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sturgis, Bachelorettes and Sister Megan
Megan Whalen turned 30 on August 4th. So she drove from her home in Owatonna, MN to the Black Hills and visited her older sister Sarah Carlson in Lead, SD. The girls took a hike near Deadwood up to White Rocks, laid in the sun, had a beer and onion rings {DELECTABLE} at Lewie's Bar & Grill near Terry Peak, a couple drinks at the Top of the Ten Martini Bar in Deadwood... and Megan had "The Best Nacho plate I've ever had" at the Stampmill in Lead. Sarah's husband Richard joined them when he wasn't shooting baseball in Rapid City.
The Sturgis Bike Rally was going on its second weekend, and Sarah and Megan's cousin, Terri Vandersnick of Ft. Pierre, was going to have a bachelorette party in Sturgis. Sounds like trouble with a capital T? All was fun and plenty of laughs were had.
And the weather was absolutely beautiful.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Iron Creek Lake, SD is a Summertime Treat
Richard and Sarah took off on Friday afternoon and trekked to Iron Creek Lake, about 45 minutes west of Deadwood. The weather was the most perfect Friday afternoon summer day in the world. Sarah didn't catch any fish, once again. Richard doesn't even bring along a cooler for fish. He knows better. But they sure have fun. Check out how cute this place is: http://www.ironcreeklake.com/
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Photographer friends in the Hills
Sarah's friend Emily Spartz from Sioux Falls, formerly of Slayton, MN came out to visit during Deadwood's Days of '76 weekend (last weekend). The pair took a hike up to Mt. Roosevelt near Deadwood and also took in the '76 parade and rodeo. It was a gorgeous-weather weekend.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Hiking in Beautiful Deadwood
Sarah took the chance on a gorgeous Sunday night and hiked up to White Rocks, just beyond Mount Moriah cemetery and Seth Bullock's gravesite to catch a couple of shots.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Other Carlsons in the Hills
Darlene and William Carlson of Erwin, SD decided to make the trip to Montana to see a couple tractors William was interested in. Strong winds kept William white-knuckled, but they made it to Montana only to find that the man wasn't around.
So, they came to Deadwood to see their son and his wife! YEE-HAW!
Sunday they arrived at Sarah and Richard's house for the first time, and got reacquainted with the kitties (Erwin is named for their hometown.)
Then the group took off to Spearfish Canyon and the Latchstring Restaurant, where they had a couple { DELECTABLE } BLT sandwiches, Buffalo Stew and stopped to check out the Spearfish Falls near the restaurant.
Highlands Ranchers in the Hills
Richard met Tim Salmi met and became friends in Aberdeen, SD some handfuls of years ago. Tim and Beckie live in Highlands Ranch, CO, and have three great kids. They all stayed with us on their way to Minnesota for vacation. We stopped at the Spearfish Falls and Latchstring Restaurant, where Haley drew some awesome caricatures of Richard and Sarah.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Celebrating 1.5 years
Apparently, Richard and Sarah have a full fridge in Brandon, SD.
And a full freezer.
So, Richard realized that the wrapped-up cylinder in the back of the freezer was...
the top of their wedding cake.
From October 2006.
Which they had forgotten to eat on their first year anniversary.
So, Richard put the cake in a cooler and brought it out to Lead so Sarah could investigate.
Apparently, Betty Barto-Smith of Sioux Falls makes one heck of a good cake.
The fondant had to go... but MAN... Grand Marnier rocks.
Sarah grilled steaks for the first time on the deck... and the couple ate their wedding cake.
Susie and Wayner in the Hills
For some reason, Wayne Beatty keeps torturing himself by towing trailers across SD, only to arrive and inclement weather hits.
It poured and poured and poured the night that Sarah's parents arrived to assist in moving the last of her stuff from Brandon, SD. So, they unloaded the next day, which started with a beautiful morning.
That night, the three took a hike out behind Sarah and Richard's place and saw a couple of young deer - one with a large rack - which made Wayne comment, "Man, that's a hunter's dream right there."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
How Many Cats Can You Keep in a Jeep Wrangler?
Erwin, shown here snuggled up on a chair, made the trek to the Hills with his brother, O.C. {Other Cat} in Richard's Jeep...
and although he looks a little nervous here both cats have adjusted quite well to the new house. There's even a cat door to the entryway.
and although he looks a little nervous here both cats have adjusted quite well to the new house. There's even a cat door to the entryway.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Kitty Jeepers
Sarah and Richard's kitties had their last session in their Brandon, SD backyard...
Little do they know they're going to be in the Jeep for 5.5 hours today, headed to the Hills...
Erwin (named for the town Richard grew up near DeSmet, SD) is in the first two photos; O.C. (Other Cat) is in the second two photos. O.C. can catch toy mice in midair then land on his feet.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Fun with Fiddler Friends on the Fourth
An unbelievable fireworks show took place out over the Open Cut at the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD.
Unfortunately, Richard was still in Brandon, but Sarah met up with friends who acted in "Fiddler On the Roof" and had a great time. Attending was Dick Ashley, Hope Foster and her 8-yr. old daughter Ashlyn { AN AMAZING SWING-ER }, Rick Losey { WHO BROKE HIS ARM} and Grant Bellet. There was music early by the Northern Hills Community Band, and then later under the tent by talented Ricky Jacobsen, who plays for a ton of groups around the area.
Ashlyn took Sarah on the swings around 10:30 pm and Sarah won't soon forget how she herself turned back into an 8-yr. old with the help of Ashlyn... they laughed and laughed and swang as high as they could... barefeet reaching up into the gorgeous starry night. Thanks Ashlyn....
Unfortunately, Richard was still in Brandon, but Sarah met up with friends who acted in "Fiddler On the Roof" and had a great time. Attending was Dick Ashley, Hope Foster and her 8-yr. old daughter Ashlyn { AN AMAZING SWING-ER }, Rick Losey { WHO BROKE HIS ARM} and Grant Bellet. There was music early by the Northern Hills Community Band, and then later under the tent by talented Ricky Jacobsen, who plays for a ton of groups around the area.
Ashlyn took Sarah on the swings around 10:30 pm and Sarah won't soon forget how she herself turned back into an 8-yr. old with the help of Ashlyn... they laughed and laughed and swang as high as they could... barefeet reaching up into the gorgeous starry night. Thanks Ashlyn....
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Rush for More Fireworks
Sarah has no humongous, crazy plans for the fourth of this month.
However, Sarah heard that somewhere nearby Deadwood and Lead is a huge mountain with carvings on it, and it's somehow patriotic - so she may head there to listen to bands and have food and watch the United States' best show of fireworks...
Have a safe weekend!
Sarah is just loving it here - L O V I N G I T !
Richard is arriving tomorrow (Friday, July 4th!) with yet another trailer-load of our stuff.
Sarah's mom and dad are coming out on Sunday, and other friends of Richard's from college (Tim and Becki Salmi) from CO at the end of the week. So, Sarah will be painting and cleaning in Lead, and Richard will be doing the same in Brandon...
A recap:
Monday of last week Sarah took off and headed back to Brandon, SD
where she and Richard cleaned out their townhome to put it up for sale.
Wednesday, Sarah met her high school friend Val Boggs at the Alcester, SD
Steakhouse and I had an DELECTABLE strawberry shake while making best
friends with Val's daughter, Alice, age 1 (she likes beads by the way)
and time was way too short, as always.
Sarah then headed over to Wakonda, met up with old friend Dolores
Haver at her home (she turned 90 in May) then on to Yankton where she
spent time camping at Lewis and Clark Lake with her parents, Sue and
Wayne and her sister Megan and brother Chris... she had a FABULOUS
time all day Thursday in the sun, and the rest of the time drank
plenty of wine, played Bocce ball with family, watched a scary
thunderstorm take over Yankton, and had numerous Cheez-Whiz sandwiches
and Hostess Cupcakes... Ahh, tradition!
Friday night Sarah drove back to Brandon, got to see her husband for a bit and Saturday drove to Butte, NE for Cameron Johnsen's wedding to a beautiful and sweet girl named Stephanie. Sarah hung out with old high school friends Jeremey Christensen, Tom Williams, Barry Peterson, plus their significant others... had an awesome time. PHOTOS COMING!!
Monday of last week Sarah took off and headed back to Brandon, SD
where she and Richard cleaned out their townhome to put it up for sale.
Wednesday, Sarah met her high school friend Val Boggs at the Alcester, SD
Steakhouse and I had an DELECTABLE strawberry shake while making best
friends with Val's daughter, Alice, age 1 (she likes beads by the way)
and time was way too short, as always.
Sarah then headed over to Wakonda, met up with old friend Dolores
Haver at her home (she turned 90 in May) then on to Yankton where she
spent time camping at Lewis and Clark Lake with her parents, Sue and
Wayne and her sister Megan and brother Chris... she had a FABULOUS
time all day Thursday in the sun, and the rest of the time drank
plenty of wine, played Bocce ball with family, watched a scary
thunderstorm take over Yankton, and had numerous Cheez-Whiz sandwiches
and Hostess Cupcakes... Ahh, tradition!
Friday night Sarah drove back to Brandon, got to see her husband for a bit and Saturday drove to Butte, NE for Cameron Johnsen's wedding to a beautiful and sweet girl named Stephanie. Sarah hung out with old high school friends Jeremey Christensen, Tom Williams, Barry Peterson, plus their significant others... had an awesome time. PHOTOS COMING!!
You Know You're a Graphic Designer When...
You've almost rear-ended the car in front of you because you were
analyzing a font on a billboard.
You get pissed when a free Photoshop brush you download is less
than 1000px in size.
You'd rather study the paisley pattern on your
boyfriend/girlfriend's shirt than listen to what he/she has to say.
You can use keyboard shortcuts at light speed, blindfolded, but you
can't type a paragraph of text without staring at the keyboard.
You've had "Software Nightmares," when you've been working way too much.
You consider meals interruptions.
You've learned your lesson and stopped using the word "final" in
any file name when saving.
You clean your keyboard more often than you wash your car.
You've intentionally given up trying to explain your projects to
non-designers.
You see CMYK and RGB like Neo sees the Matrix.
You'd rather organize your desktop than your sock drawer.
When you look at album art all you see are grunge Photoshop
Brushes. (Then you see the album art a couple minutes later)
You've Photoshopped out a watermark for a comp or mock-up.
You've actually paid for a font.
You've totally slaughtered a great design concept because the
client thinks he/she knows best. (everyone thinks they are a designer)
The amount of words you've written with a Sharpie labeling burned
discs total more than the amount of words you've read in novels.
You've had to explain to a client that a layered file wasn't part
of the deal.
You've kept a ragged concert ticket just so you could scan it.
You've nicknamed the OSX spinning wheel. (and not affectionately)
You bookmark a resource more often than you have a fun night out
on the town.
You've intentionally overbid a project because you can sniff out a
bad client from a mile away.
You can't go to a restaurant without secretly critiquing the menu design.
You have an amazingly huge font collection, and an amazingly short temper.
If you had a penny for every mouse click, you would have been a
trillionaire 3 years ago.
analyzing a font on a billboard.
You get pissed when a free Photoshop brush you download is less
than 1000px in size.
You'd rather study the paisley pattern on your
boyfriend/girlfriend's shirt than listen to what he/she has to say.
You can use keyboard shortcuts at light speed, blindfolded, but you
can't type a paragraph of text without staring at the keyboard.
You've had "Software Nightmares," when you've been working way too much.
You consider meals interruptions.
You've learned your lesson and stopped using the word "final" in
any file name when saving.
You clean your keyboard more often than you wash your car.
You've intentionally given up trying to explain your projects to
non-designers.
You see CMYK and RGB like Neo sees the Matrix.
You'd rather organize your desktop than your sock drawer.
When you look at album art all you see are grunge Photoshop
Brushes. (Then you see the album art a couple minutes later)
You've Photoshopped out a watermark for a comp or mock-up.
You've actually paid for a font.
You've totally slaughtered a great design concept because the
client thinks he/she knows best. (everyone thinks they are a designer)
The amount of words you've written with a Sharpie labeling burned
discs total more than the amount of words you've read in novels.
You've had to explain to a client that a layered file wasn't part
of the deal.
You've kept a ragged concert ticket just so you could scan it.
You've nicknamed the OSX spinning wheel. (and not affectionately)
You bookmark a resource more often than you have a fun night out
on the town.
You've intentionally overbid a project because you can sniff out a
bad client from a mile away.
You can't go to a restaurant without secretly critiquing the menu design.
You have an amazingly huge font collection, and an amazingly short temper.
If you had a penny for every mouse click, you would have been a
trillionaire 3 years ago.
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Office
TDG Communications is where Sarah works as an associate creative director.Tom Griffith, owner of TDG, turned 50 years old last week, so he was visited by his long-lost twin sister, Myrtle. She stopped by with her walker and made a surprise visit during the TDG Monday morning staff meeting in Deadwood. She recited a short poem about her twin brother. How nice!
Also, the whole advertising firm got together and painted half a house in Deadwood with the help of other businesses around the area to assist people who need help upgrading their homes. And it makes for a really fun afternoon. On a slanted roof. Dodging power lines. Holding paint buckets. Calling life insurance agents...
One reason we live here
Lake Pactola in the Black Hills is breathtaking... it's so nice to see GREEN again!This photo was taken by Sarah and Richard's friend Jay Kirschenmann while he and his wife Jane were out visiting over Father's Day weekend in June. Thanks Jay!
Friday, June 20, 2008
East River friends in West River lands
Jay and Jane Kirschenmann of Sioux Falls, SD { Jay and Richard know each other from their days at the Aberdeen American News } drove out to the Hills for a little rest and relaxation over Father's Day weekend, and they called Sarah and Richard to go out for some food at Sanford's in Spearfish { DELECTABLE GRUB } and had a great time laughing and catching up and taking a drive through Spearfish Canyon and stopped here to take a look at Bridal Veil Falls ... Thanks Jay for the photos and the cigars!
Sarah and Richard's friends Jen and Darren Lee and their two boys { cutest ones on Earth} camped near Hill City with Jen's parents, and the Lees called Sarah up to come down and join them for some really good food and a couple beers at the Bumpin' Buffalo (used to be the Mangy Moose long ago) in downtown Hill City. Thanks for dinner, Darren!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Susie and Wayne in Deadwood
In mid-May 2008, Sarah's parents helped move their entire townhome-load from Brandon, SD to Lead, SD. They were awesome. Hire them!It seemed that every time a trailer came West it was white-knuckle driving all the way – but whether through blizzard or downpour, they've helped Sarah and Richard.
While walking downtown Deadwood, they were approached by a small group of Wakonda, SD natives: Lyle Vogel, Mike Girard, Nick Halverson and others - who were celebrating a bachelor party.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sarah & Richard's first visitors
Sarah's cousin Terri Vandersnick was graduating with her masters degree from BHSU in Spearfish, so Sarah's other cousin Shawn Frewaldt and daughter Kelbi (both stood up for Sarah and Richard at their wedding) and Shawn's youngest daughter Lucie came out to the Hills and stayed overnight. Thanks gals!
I'll have the "Two Months in Deadwood", please...
I arrived with Richard on a Thursday in April. I dropped off my bags and headed to rehearsal in Lead for Fiddler On the Roof. I had not met with any of these people selected as the cast and crew yet - and was excited and also felt a little nervous, as it
was my first time showing someone else some dance steps - but mainly because I was deciphering a choreography book. But it went just fine and I had a great time... we made up our own dances too since our cast size was much smaller - and the show was fantastic and the community supported it wholly - it made news on Rapid City stations, 2 newspapers and the Black Hills Pioneer also wrote a lengthy cover story on it - it was quite a historic thing - the first community theatre to take place in the Historic Homestake Opera House for 25 years, due a to a devastating fire that almost took the "Jewel of the Black Hills" - it's an amazing but sad story ...
We set up a production guy to record the last show (was Sunday May 11). He works for a company that I do freelance design for. He's now produced the video and it's a 2-disc set - and he's making over 100 copies for all the cast and whoever wants to but a copy for 10 bucks. It was the best theatre experience I've ever had. Plus, it has given me a handful of really great friends, whom I've spent more time with than I knew I would - and feel like a million dollars because I have no where to be, no things that I'm scheduled to do... the people I have made friends with have given back in laughter and pats on the back and stories and food and have shared their families with me and assisted me in moving my belongings ... here it's like they are just around all the time - it's very comforting to be able to have that kind of 'family' when you move away from your real family and friends -
God is again watching out for me.
The results of my selection of places to live in the Hills, paired with the acceptance of the good people i work with everyday - for the last month and few days - has given me a true sense of contentment and I'm forever glad that I took the chance of moving across the state to finding out what it's like. I know the shiny excitement of living near Deadwood will fade, but I'm surely going to hang on to that as long as I can.
Richard is coming out when he can - Spring and Fall are really busy for Inertia's schedule - He was gone for 2 1/2 weeks - longest we've not been together since we started dating - and then came out for 10 days, then went back. I drove back for Mem.Day weekend/ and his birthday... and he'll be coming out again next weekend.
I got lonely sometimes but have a couple friends who are always up for a burger/beer or hang out. Apparently Nintendo Wii is pretty popular here too - it's in 3 bars in Lead - but I've not done that yet. I might even go bowling sometime with the Homestake Opera House director - he's attended national bowling events, I guess. Maybe he can get my mind out of the gutter... ha ha ha.
Much of the Fiddler gang (dubbed "Fiddler Alumi Assoc") is attending the Crazy Horse Volksmarch this coming Saturday morning... I can't wait. Then we're all going out for pizza and then going to the No. 10 Charlie Utter Theatre to watch one of the Fiddler guys and his 3-member bluegrass group have their opening night. I've been hired on to the group to do tickets/hostess... sound/lighting, merchandise ... it's every Wed. and Sunday night thru Labor Day. I think it's going to be a blast.
We are renting a salmon-colored 4-bedroom house with teal trim on the center hill of Lead ... the owner is the director for the Historic Deadwood-Lead Arts Council - her name is Karen and she is a complete blast. I've really enjoyed her... The house has a humongous deck in the back... the 2 main roads through Lead are on both sides of the hill we're on - We are planning to buy the house when we sell our townhome in Brandon - which goes up for sale July 1.
We are both in love with this house - built in 1937 - and our lot (close to an acre) butts up to forest/Homestake land ... Filled with deer, by the way. And the all neighbors' little kids, too. We could not have met neater people - they are all in their 30s with kids, and brought over a 'welcome to the neighborhood' card and talked for a while. They introduced their dogs, who have been over looking to be petted and given treats - so we'll have to stock up - luckily our cats are the indoor type.
Speaking of cats, there has been a mountain lion hanging around up on our hill - I've not seen it yet, thank God - but I'm told that it's been near a house nearby - the owners aren't currently living there - a friend down the street has seen it twice in the last 5 months or so. So I don't walk up the hill to see if the view is good or not - will have to wait until someone can go with me.
I almost got hit by 6 deer as I prepared to walk up the 32 steps to our front door one day. I set my basket and things down on the first step near the garage and prepared to gather up more things from the Blazer. As I straightened up I heard a clicking noice, and as I turned around, 5 deer in a single line bounced fast right past me about 3 feet away, up the lawn and through over bushes near the house. My mouth was still hanging open as 1 more bounced up and over the edge of Ridge Road (aptly named because there are houses right below the road ya know) and he didn't see me right away - and he approached and did
a bounce-pivot thing as he saw me and went completely the other direction. It was really cool and I laughed out loud to myself...
I've selected my paint colors for the living room and hallway - will start as soon as the belongings are all put away that are lingering in the living room. That could be tonight - but we'll see.
I hope all is right and good in your world. I couldn't be happier right now - I have God to thank and my very supportive family.
And, know that if you head West, you've always got a place to crash, and we'd love to see you.
was my first time showing someone else some dance steps - but mainly because I was deciphering a choreography book. But it went just fine and I had a great time... we made up our own dances too since our cast size was much smaller - and the show was fantastic and the community supported it wholly - it made news on Rapid City stations, 2 newspapers and the Black Hills Pioneer also wrote a lengthy cover story on it - it was quite a historic thing - the first community theatre to take place in the Historic Homestake Opera House for 25 years, due a to a devastating fire that almost took the "Jewel of the Black Hills" - it's an amazing but sad story ...
We set up a production guy to record the last show (was Sunday May 11). He works for a company that I do freelance design for. He's now produced the video and it's a 2-disc set - and he's making over 100 copies for all the cast and whoever wants to but a copy for 10 bucks. It was the best theatre experience I've ever had. Plus, it has given me a handful of really great friends, whom I've spent more time with than I knew I would - and feel like a million dollars because I have no where to be, no things that I'm scheduled to do... the people I have made friends with have given back in laughter and pats on the back and stories and food and have shared their families with me and assisted me in moving my belongings ... here it's like they are just around all the time - it's very comforting to be able to have that kind of 'family' when you move away from your real family and friends -
God is again watching out for me.
The results of my selection of places to live in the Hills, paired with the acceptance of the good people i work with everyday - for the last month and few days - has given me a true sense of contentment and I'm forever glad that I took the chance of moving across the state to finding out what it's like. I know the shiny excitement of living near Deadwood will fade, but I'm surely going to hang on to that as long as I can.
Richard is coming out when he can - Spring and Fall are really busy for Inertia's schedule - He was gone for 2 1/2 weeks - longest we've not been together since we started dating - and then came out for 10 days, then went back. I drove back for Mem.Day weekend/ and his birthday... and he'll be coming out again next weekend.
I got lonely sometimes but have a couple friends who are always up for a burger/beer or hang out. Apparently Nintendo Wii is pretty popular here too - it's in 3 bars in Lead - but I've not done that yet. I might even go bowling sometime with the Homestake Opera House director - he's attended national bowling events, I guess. Maybe he can get my mind out of the gutter... ha ha ha.
Much of the Fiddler gang (dubbed "Fiddler Alumi Assoc") is attending the Crazy Horse Volksmarch this coming Saturday morning... I can't wait. Then we're all going out for pizza and then going to the No. 10 Charlie Utter Theatre to watch one of the Fiddler guys and his 3-member bluegrass group have their opening night. I've been hired on to the group to do tickets/hostess... sound/lighting, merchandise ... it's every Wed. and Sunday night thru Labor Day. I think it's going to be a blast.
We are renting a salmon-colored 4-bedroom house with teal trim on the center hill of Lead ... the owner is the director for the Historic Deadwood-Lead Arts Council - her name is Karen and she is a complete blast. I've really enjoyed her... The house has a humongous deck in the back... the 2 main roads through Lead are on both sides of the hill we're on - We are planning to buy the house when we sell our townhome in Brandon - which goes up for sale July 1.
We are both in love with this house - built in 1937 - and our lot (close to an acre) butts up to forest/Homestake land ... Filled with deer, by the way. And the all neighbors' little kids, too. We could not have met neater people - they are all in their 30s with kids, and brought over a 'welcome to the neighborhood' card and talked for a while. They introduced their dogs, who have been over looking to be petted and given treats - so we'll have to stock up - luckily our cats are the indoor type.
Speaking of cats, there has been a mountain lion hanging around up on our hill - I've not seen it yet, thank God - but I'm told that it's been near a house nearby - the owners aren't currently living there - a friend down the street has seen it twice in the last 5 months or so. So I don't walk up the hill to see if the view is good or not - will have to wait until someone can go with me.
I almost got hit by 6 deer as I prepared to walk up the 32 steps to our front door one day. I set my basket and things down on the first step near the garage and prepared to gather up more things from the Blazer. As I straightened up I heard a clicking noice, and as I turned around, 5 deer in a single line bounced fast right past me about 3 feet away, up the lawn and through over bushes near the house. My mouth was still hanging open as 1 more bounced up and over the edge of Ridge Road (aptly named because there are houses right below the road ya know) and he didn't see me right away - and he approached and did
a bounce-pivot thing as he saw me and went completely the other direction. It was really cool and I laughed out loud to myself...
I've selected my paint colors for the living room and hallway - will start as soon as the belongings are all put away that are lingering in the living room. That could be tonight - but we'll see.
I hope all is right and good in your world. I couldn't be happier right now - I have God to thank and my very supportive family.
And, know that if you head West, you've always got a place to crash, and we'd love to see you.
Westward, ho!
March 2008
On Wednesday, March 27, 2008, Sarah went downtown after work to Sushi Masa to meet up with her old college friend Juanita Larson (who owns Home Porch Gifts on Phillips Avenue) and had a great time trying to figure out why they waited so long to actually go out together... but then they headed down to Latitude 44, where friends and Argus co-workers Jay Kirschenmann, Emily Spartz and Laura Brosius were getting started with Open Mike Night. Other friends also attending were pianist/wine aficinado John Thuringer who played for Sarah and Richard's wedding and also singer Kristin Matuska, who sang for the wedding too. Sarah, Kristin, Laura and Jay found a fun little spot in Latitude 44, and really enjoyed getting to play together there and meet other musicians too. The leather couch was filled with acquaintances who are now friends...
Friday, March 29, 2008
Sarah had her last day at the Argus Leader and said goodbye to many friends. The Life department made a run for lunch to the Wild Flour Baking Co. and had one last lunch date with Sarah. { Delectable grub!}
Sarah had her last day at the Argus Leader and said goodbye to many friends. The Life department made a run for lunch to the Wild Flour Baking Co. and had one last lunch date with Sarah. { Delectable grub!}
Friday night Sarah met with Richard after he shot SF Skyforce basketball game, and met up with Richard's photographer friends Lloyd Cunningham, Dave Eggen and Gene Smith at Buffalo Wild Wings in Sioux Falls. Beers, lots of laughs and good conversation with chicken tenders and teriyaki were had until late.
Saturday, March 30, 2008
In the early morning, Richard drove into Brandon and stopped at Casey's where he bought one donut and an orange juice and came back and made eggs for Sarah, and even used the blender by taking it down to the basement and blending the eggs so the sound wouldn't wake Sarah up. Awwwwwww...
Then Sarah drove to St. James, MN at 3:00 to meet high school classmate Stacey Loen at the Super 8, where they shared a very tasty Lemon Drop martini in their room as they got spruced up for classmate Patty Stockland's wedding reception. Patty was married to Randy Helget in Cancun in February. The girls showed up at the reception at the St. James Legion Hall and Patty and Randy were FABULOUS. Was also fun to see Patty's new sister-in-law, Denise "DeeDee", who spent time with Patty and Sarah and classmate Becky when they visited Chicago over St. Patrick's Day to see Stacey. It was great to see Chad Olsen and his fiance, Amy and also Aaron Leesch, all from Vermillion, there at the dance too. Lots and lots of laughs. Aaron is a sea kayaker. Well, he did it recently near Seattle and now Sarah wants to try it too. The gang stayed up late talking and laughing, watching Dane Cook on Comedy Central in Chad and Amy's room, trying to stay up. Plenty of laughs were had.
Sunday, March 31, 2008
Sarah and Stacey somehow got up and ready with checkout at 11 a.m. Aaron and Patty stopped by to say goodbye, Patty looking FABULOUS again.
Hugs, then Sarah left at 11 to make it to Slayton, MN to see friend Emily Spartz at her parents' home and 85-yr. old grandpa Vin Crowley and wish him a happy birthday. Emily and Sarah became friends when Sarah met Emily a year ago when Emily started working as a photographer at the Argus Leader. There's just something about those photographers. Without the assistance of Denny Spartz, Sarah probably wouldn't have found their home. Sarah stayed for a couple hours and had coffee with the Spartz' and got a tour of their large home. It was great seeing old photos of Emily as a little girl. And, Pat Spartz makes great chocolate chip cookies. Vin had received about 200 cards for his birthday open house on Saturday. A lot of laughs were had again.
At 2:30, Sarah took off from Slayton and headed home to Brandon to get ready for another Stampede game to start at 5 p.m. She thought it would be her last game, due to the move to Deadwood, but the owners asked her to stay for the last home game of the season on Wed. night.
Sarah's parents, Sue and Wayne came to the Stampede game, and afterward Chris and mom and dad met Sarah and Richard for supper at Ruby Tuesday, or Ruby Tuesdee as Wayne calls it. Very tasty salad bar and steaks!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sarah slept in until 9:30, and was not excited for a day of going through her belongings, trying to separate the good from the bad, what to keep, what to throw, what to donate, what to take along on the first trip, what to pack away for future use, etc. Laying in bed seemed too attractive.
When 10 a.m. came along, she showered and got ready for running errands in SF. Richard had been up since 7 a.m., doing his errands like taking the Jeep in for servicing. Sarah made her list and headed in to eat lunch with friend and ex-Argus-coworker Karen Hagerty who she's known since 1996. They met at Chili's for soup and salad, and of course, coffee. Karen planned on taking her son Dylan to the Tuesday night Harlem Globetrotters game at the Arena. Cool mom. Sarah left and headed to Barnes N Noble to buy a couple books, then to Stampede office to leave the gang there a token of appreciation: An old book titled "Trail of the Buffalo" and a card. She will miss her "job" as promotional entertainer "Miss Conduct".
Sarah headed back to the Argus to pick up a box she left on her desk and then to the courthouse to get a new drivers' license ... lost the last one somewhere during trip to Erwin, SD at Easter. Still haven't found it. At driver's license room, Stampede intern Alex Jensen was trying to get his 21st birthday plans in order by getting his driver's license early, but SD doesn't allow that anymore. Sarah gave him a bunch of guff, which Alex is good at giving right back. He's going to college through USD at University Center at the Southeast Tech campus and staying with his parents. Sarah then met Richard at home and they packed into the night with the help of crescent rolls from mom and some healthy mini corn dogs at 10 pm.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sarah slept in until 8:30. Mom called and said that one of the cows had triplets, and that she couldn't believe it! Sarah was thinking, wow, they had triplets last year too... and then mom said "April Fools!" Sarah was going to have lunch with Emily Spartz but both the girls forgot about the lunch in the midst of a busy week. Sarah agreed that it wouldn't be long until she was back in SF and would meet up with her then.
Richard went to Benson Road Auto to check on the old Chevy S-10 that a guy was going to buy, but no luck. ... Richard got a couple of calls on the 1995 Buick that Sarah listed in the paper for sale. Sarah and Richard hustled over to Wells Fargo for cash and quarters and said a quick goodbye to ex-Argus-coworker Scott Carmody who works there, then washed Buick inside and out, then left and got boxes at Sunshine in Brandon, and packed up more stuff. Sarah went through her clothes and did a couple loads of laundry. She called for the assistance of mom Sue and Sue scheduled herself to arrive Wed. at 12:30.
Sarah and Richard went into Sioux Falls late afternoon and tried Benson Road Auto again, but no luck. Then they headed to the Banquet and dropped off the rest of a DVD system they donated previously.
Then at 5:30 met friends and ex-Argus-coworkers Darrell Thomas and Angie West and her husband Randy at Ground Round, and friends and ex-Argus-coworkers Nancy Johnson and Martin Valdez also showed up, and the group had supper together and listened to a couple of Nancy's hilarious stories and Darrell's quick comments... our stomachs and faces always hurt after we get to be around them. So funny. Sarah got Martin and Randy mixed up and that was the end of that.
Karen Hagerty and son Dylan showed up too, but only for a few minutes as they were headed to the Arena for Globetrotter game - and Ground Round doesn't allow kids to be in the bar area. Sarah and Richard said goodbye to the gang at 8:30 and headed home for more packing.
Sarah was completely delighted that her longtime friend David Downs was in Sioux Falls for work. Dave lives in Wichita, KS and teaches there... and also DANCES ... apparently like a rock star. Well, actual salsa, rumba, ballroom... but Sarah's sure he can do rock star! They met downtown at the Paramount Studio Piano and Wine Bar... they had a cheese plate and salmon with wine. It was wonderful and a great way to see a friend off on a new journey.
Easter occured early this year, and once again Sarah's family on her mom's side {Vandersnicks} celebrated with {DELECTABLE} egg bake at Jude and Jerry Klaus' in Sioux Falls like always... and this year Mark and Brenda and kids Alexia, Ariana and Mark John came from Rapid City to hang out. The weather was cold and rainy but it didn't dampen anyone's day. Sarah's friend Dave Downs even came for some of the famous egg bake and caramel rolls on his way back to Wichita.
Sarah also was able to meet up with Stampede fan Kristin Willey, whom Sarah has known since 1999 when the Stampede Hockey Club first started up. Sarah and Kristin had lunch at Applebee's and it went too fast! Sarah also met up with highschool friend Keeley Pollman and recently-moved-from-the-Hills Sara Horner at Old Chicago, where Sarah had a man nearby take this photo and the man happened to be a longtime regular of the old Homer's Bar & Grill near the Arena which now houses Nutty's North. Keeley and Sara and Sarah knew they'd be seeing more of each other soon and so it was a short but sweet night.
Then Sarah drove to St. James, MN at 3:00 to meet high school classmate Stacey Loen at the Super 8, where they shared a very tasty Lemon Drop martini in their room as they got spruced up for classmate Patty Stockland's wedding reception. Patty was married to Randy Helget in Cancun in February. The girls showed up at the reception at the St. James Legion Hall and Patty and Randy were FABULOUS. Was also fun to see Patty's new sister-in-law, Denise "DeeDee", who spent time with Patty and Sarah and classmate Becky when they visited Chicago over St. Patrick's Day to see Stacey. It was great to see Chad Olsen and his fiance, Amy and also Aaron Leesch, all from Vermillion, there at the dance too. Lots and lots of laughs. Aaron is a sea kayaker. Well, he did it recently near Seattle and now Sarah wants to try it too. The gang stayed up late talking and laughing, watching Dane Cook on Comedy Central in Chad and Amy's room, trying to stay up. Plenty of laughs were had.
Sunday, March 31, 2008
Sarah and Stacey somehow got up and ready with checkout at 11 a.m. Aaron and Patty stopped by to say goodbye, Patty looking FABULOUS again.
Hugs, then Sarah left at 11 to make it to Slayton, MN to see friend Emily Spartz at her parents' home and 85-yr. old grandpa Vin Crowley and wish him a happy birthday. Emily and Sarah became friends when Sarah met Emily a year ago when Emily started working as a photographer at the Argus Leader. There's just something about those photographers. Without the assistance of Denny Spartz, Sarah probably wouldn't have found their home. Sarah stayed for a couple hours and had coffee with the Spartz' and got a tour of their large home. It was great seeing old photos of Emily as a little girl. And, Pat Spartz makes great chocolate chip cookies. Vin had received about 200 cards for his birthday open house on Saturday. A lot of laughs were had again.
At 2:30, Sarah took off from Slayton and headed home to Brandon to get ready for another Stampede game to start at 5 p.m. She thought it would be her last game, due to the move to Deadwood, but the owners asked her to stay for the last home game of the season on Wed. night.
Sarah's parents, Sue and Wayne came to the Stampede game, and afterward Chris and mom and dad met Sarah and Richard for supper at Ruby Tuesday, or Ruby Tuesdee as Wayne calls it. Very tasty salad bar and steaks!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sarah slept in until 9:30, and was not excited for a day of going through her belongings, trying to separate the good from the bad, what to keep, what to throw, what to donate, what to take along on the first trip, what to pack away for future use, etc. Laying in bed seemed too attractive.
When 10 a.m. came along, she showered and got ready for running errands in SF. Richard had been up since 7 a.m., doing his errands like taking the Jeep in for servicing. Sarah made her list and headed in to eat lunch with friend and ex-Argus-coworker Karen Hagerty who she's known since 1996. They met at Chili's for soup and salad, and of course, coffee. Karen planned on taking her son Dylan to the Tuesday night Harlem Globetrotters game at the Arena. Cool mom. Sarah left and headed to Barnes N Noble to buy a couple books, then to Stampede office to leave the gang there a token of appreciation: An old book titled "Trail of the Buffalo" and a card. She will miss her "job" as promotional entertainer "Miss Conduct".
Sarah headed back to the Argus to pick up a box she left on her desk and then to the courthouse to get a new drivers' license ... lost the last one somewhere during trip to Erwin, SD at Easter. Still haven't found it. At driver's license room, Stampede intern Alex Jensen was trying to get his 21st birthday plans in order by getting his driver's license early, but SD doesn't allow that anymore. Sarah gave him a bunch of guff, which Alex is good at giving right back. He's going to college through USD at University Center at the Southeast Tech campus and staying with his parents. Sarah then met Richard at home and they packed into the night with the help of crescent rolls from mom and some healthy mini corn dogs at 10 pm.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sarah slept in until 8:30. Mom called and said that one of the cows had triplets, and that she couldn't believe it! Sarah was thinking, wow, they had triplets last year too... and then mom said "April Fools!" Sarah was going to have lunch with Emily Spartz but both the girls forgot about the lunch in the midst of a busy week. Sarah agreed that it wouldn't be long until she was back in SF and would meet up with her then.
Richard went to Benson Road Auto to check on the old Chevy S-10 that a guy was going to buy, but no luck. ... Richard got a couple of calls on the 1995 Buick that Sarah listed in the paper for sale. Sarah and Richard hustled over to Wells Fargo for cash and quarters and said a quick goodbye to ex-Argus-coworker Scott Carmody who works there, then washed Buick inside and out, then left and got boxes at Sunshine in Brandon, and packed up more stuff. Sarah went through her clothes and did a couple loads of laundry. She called for the assistance of mom Sue and Sue scheduled herself to arrive Wed. at 12:30.
Sarah and Richard went into Sioux Falls late afternoon and tried Benson Road Auto again, but no luck. Then they headed to the Banquet and dropped off the rest of a DVD system they donated previously.
Then at 5:30 met friends and ex-Argus-coworkers Darrell Thomas and Angie West and her husband Randy at Ground Round, and friends and ex-Argus-coworkers Nancy Johnson and Martin Valdez also showed up, and the group had supper together and listened to a couple of Nancy's hilarious stories and Darrell's quick comments... our stomachs and faces always hurt after we get to be around them. So funny. Sarah got Martin and Randy mixed up and that was the end of that.
Karen Hagerty and son Dylan showed up too, but only for a few minutes as they were headed to the Arena for Globetrotter game - and Ground Round doesn't allow kids to be in the bar area. Sarah and Richard said goodbye to the gang at 8:30 and headed home for more packing.
Sarah was completely delighted that her longtime friend David Downs was in Sioux Falls for work. Dave lives in Wichita, KS and teaches there... and also DANCES ... apparently like a rock star. Well, actual salsa, rumba, ballroom... but Sarah's sure he can do rock star! They met downtown at the Paramount Studio Piano and Wine Bar... they had a cheese plate and salmon with wine. It was wonderful and a great way to see a friend off on a new journey.
Easter occured early this year, and once again Sarah's family on her mom's side {Vandersnicks} celebrated with {DELECTABLE} egg bake at Jude and Jerry Klaus' in Sioux Falls like always... and this year Mark and Brenda and kids Alexia, Ariana and Mark John came from Rapid City to hang out. The weather was cold and rainy but it didn't dampen anyone's day. Sarah's friend Dave Downs even came for some of the famous egg bake and caramel rolls on his way back to Wichita.
Sarah also was able to meet up with Stampede fan Kristin Willey, whom Sarah has known since 1999 when the Stampede Hockey Club first started up. Sarah and Kristin had lunch at Applebee's and it went too fast! Sarah also met up with highschool friend Keeley Pollman and recently-moved-from-the-Hills Sara Horner at Old Chicago, where Sarah had a man nearby take this photo and the man happened to be a longtime regular of the old Homer's Bar & Grill near the Arena which now houses Nutty's North. Keeley and Sara and Sarah knew they'd be seeing more of each other soon and so it was a short but sweet night.
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