Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 10: That's a Wrap!

 When people ask me what my favorite things about the fair is, my answer is: the people. Not just watching people, but seeing people I know, and people I haven't seen in a long time. It's like a big family reunion. I've shed a few tears running into old friends and quickly catching up. Today I had the chance to chat with Mark and his son Jason, and meeting Jason's daughter. I was Jason's Sunday School teacher a few lifetimes ago. I also met up with Gary and Ellen. Ellen was one of my college teachers in early childhood education, and I learned so much from her. I still practice many of the techniques in the classroom that I learned from her.  I ran into my friend Resa for the 3rd time! Lol. I also had the chance to chat with Christy as I was picking up my ribbons. Christy enters several things every year, and she's quite talented. I won $12 for my two 2nd place ribbons, and I noticed I also had a check for my peanut butter cookies, in which I had not placed. I told one of the workers about it and she told me not to worry about it. It was a mistake, so I could enjoy it. So overall, I got $18! Maybe I'll take that and retire on it. Lol. I have a place in my kitchen where I display my ribbons, so I get to look at them every time I make goodies, and thank God He's given me a talent that sends me on amazing missions trips to amazing places. 

I took my final trips through the buildings today, and they had everything out for people to take. They don't want to have to pack it all up and cart to their office buildings, so they wanted it gone! The vendors seemed to be in a good mood today, probably because this was their last day. When the end is near, it can give you the last wind you need to push through. Some of these vendors have been here all day, every day. 

At the outset, I thought it would be incredibly hard to say "no" to eating a lot of fair food. Yes, there have been moments, but God has given special grace this week. allowing me to put that extra money toward my mission trip. #RobtoManila2024. I did have a few things today, such as the Bacon Mac N Cheese, which I thought was pretty bland. I got myself a New Years Cookie, and I tried the Pickle Lemonade. Not bad! And with several stands selling fairly inexpensive soda and water, it helped the dollar stretch even farther. 

I know that when tomorrow evening hits, I'm going to miss coming out to the fair. I will feel a bit lost for a few days. But in the meantime, my feet and body will have a chance to rest and recover. I'll be back to baking cookies tomorrow. Do  wish the fair went all year around? No. If it did go year-round, it would lose it's novelty. Besides, there are other community events within the next year that need to have the spotlight. It's been a great run. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Within the next week, I'll make a few trips out to take pictures of the teardown and clearing out, but this is that final blog post concerning the 2023 state fair. Thanks so much for reading. Can you please leave a like or comment to show me you were here? These likes and comments help me gauge whether or not to blog next year. If there's not enough interest, I won't bother with it. Thanks again, and God bless you!

***Rob, over and out***   

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 9

 Today was Mother's day at the fair, or at least it was for us. I like to treat my mom to a day at the fair and let her do what she wants to do. It didn't start off the greatest, as all of the handicapped spots were filled. So, I dropped her off at the gate and went to find a parking spot. The only spot I could find (that wasn't a mud pit) was about 25 miles away. OK, I'm exaggerating by about 10 miles. The point is, it was quite a distance away. When we went in to get the scooter I had reserved and paid for, they didn't have my info on file. Thankfully, the guy who had helped  me in the reservation was close by, and vouched that I had made the reservation and paid. However, he hadn't followed protocol, so he might be in a wee bit o' trouble. We got the scooter and we were on our way. My mom has issues with her legs, and can't walk long distances. She also needs to stop and rest often. I want her to be able to see all that she wants to see, so I rent her the scooter. The first people we saw who we knew were Jeff and his daughter Sierra. Jeff made it a point to come over to say hi, so that he might make the blog. You did it, guys!

My mom likes to woodcarve, so we visited the Oz Gallery to see the woodcarvings and to visit with the woodcarvers who were working there. From there, it was a trip through the Pride of Kansas building. I became aware of how rude people can be when an electric scooter comes along. I know that the scooters don't own the place, but I saw people not even step out of the way so mom could get through. I saw people look right at her and step right in front of her and stop. I told mom to run them down. The people were aware that she was there, so if they got run over, that was on them. Lol. Mom didn't take my advise, she was pretty polite as she tried to maneuver around.  

Mom is a pretty big Ron Diamond fan, so we headed that direction to take in his show. He did not disappoint. This is Ron's 20th year at the fair, and he still draws big crowds every show. Afterwards, mom was ready for one of her fair favorites: The Pulled Pork Parfait. That is something she looks forward to every year. They are so good. And somewhat healthy. Layers of BBQ pulled pork, mashed potatoes, baked beans...wow! 

Navigating through the crowded buildings was an adventure. Many stoppers and narrow passages to try to get through. We ran into our friends Brandon, Keta, and Levi and had to get some selfies. We also had the opportinity to see Shawn and Brandi. It's so much fun to run into friends. The people that kept stepping in front of my mom were getting ridiculous. At one point, my mom had to back up to get out of their way...and she backed up on top of my foot. Now let me tell you, those scooters are not light. Oh, that hurt like heck! I was able to summon an unhuman inner strength and lift the scooter off of my foot and push it forward. I can't tell you how much that hurt. My mom felt really bad, but as I told her, it was not her fault, it was people being rude. For a few minutes, I was worried that I might have a few broken bones on the top of my foot, but as time went by, the pain subsided, and it's merely a dull ache at this point. 

Off to the Skyride! I used to ride this all the time with my dad. But since he's not been able to come out to the fair anymore, mom and I ride it in his honor. I kept a death grip on the bar except for the selfie I took. I think the reason it freaks me out is because I can't feel anything under my feet. I have no stability. That's why I am perfectly comfortable on the ferris wheel. I'm in a big bucket that has a floor, and I feel secure in that. Mom told me to kick my feet. That only caused vibrations that freaked me out even worse. To make a long story short, I survived, and I'll continue to ride the Skyride every year, because it's for my dad! 

We really enjoyed the iFlip acrobat show, We sat down on the bleachers next to some kiddos that attend my school. The 2nd grader asked if he could sit next to me, and that boy never.stopped.talking. Then during the show, he screamed in delight and excitement. After the show, his folks apologized for his talking my ear off and then making me deaf from his screaming, Lol. I was able to laugh it off. They are nice kids, and it's fun to see the kids outside of the school. I thoroughly enjoyed our chat and his excitement was fun to watch. Oh, to be a kid and see things like this for the first time. 

From there we went to the animal birthing center and saw some baby piggies and a calf that was 4 hours old. He looked worn out, Lol. The pigs were cute. They are cute as babies, then grow up and get ugly, Lol.  (As I'm typing this, there's a Dr. Pol episode playing, featuring a sow having pigs, Lol). Then, it was off to the Grandstand. Our main purpose was to test-drive the massage chairs. I'm telling you, it would be so nice to have one! In the past, those chairs have really hurt the bottoms of my feet, as they grind pretty intensely. The gal giving the demos put extra padding in the foot sections of my chair, and that helped immensely. If I could use that in my house every morning and every night, I would be a more pleasant person to be around, Lol. I felt like a new person! 

Our final event of the evening was a Pronto Pup. You just can't leave the fairgrounds without having a Pronto Pup. It's an iconic fair staple! People fix their Pronto Pup in many different ways. I like a stripe of ketchup and a stripe of ketchup on mine. Mom only likes mustard, and 4 stripes of it. Do you have a special way to doctor up your Pup? On our way out, we stopped by the Highway Patrol booth to see our friend Roy. We taught him as a preschooler, and now he's grown up to be on the Police force. We're quite proud of him.   

All in all it was a great day. With my knowledge of how the fair works, I was able to help mom navigate through the buildings in the most efficient way, as well as travel streets that were less populated. She was able to do all that she wanted to do.  I don't worry too much about the budget when I take mom out, because I want her to have fun. My mom is worth splurging on. Thanks again for reading, and please remember my disclaimer: I'm tired and I don't look for typos. Thanks for understanding if you see a spelling error or read a sentence that doesn't make sense, Lol. Good night and God bless! 

 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 8

 How is it already the 8th day? These past few days have just flown by. I'll bet the vendors would say different. For most of them, this fair has dragged on forever, and Sunday evening can't come soon enough.

Today was sibling day, my sister and I's annual day to check out the fair. It was slightly sprinkling when I went out, so I took umbrella with me, just in case. While I waited for my sister to arrive, I took in the celebration of Kansas City Chiefs Day. There were Chiefs shirts everywhere, many of them with "Mahomes" printed on the back. The Lombardi trophy was on hand for photo ops. There was high security around the trophy, 5 uniformed officers and several Chiefs executives keeping a close eye on the activities. I was able to get a close-up pic and a selfie with the trophy. It was pretty cool to see the trophy that I had seen on TV, being presented to the Kansas City Chiefs football team.  

When my sister arrived, we started by going through the buildings. I like to grab stuff and go, while my sister will ask questions there. We enjoyed sampling dips and and some wonderful gluten-free pizza samples. During our escapades, I was spotted by my friend Resa, and we posed for a selfie. For many people, I'm their Waldo, and they search for me. Finding me is kind of like their prize, and then they get a selfie with me. It's pretty fun, and there are a lot of laughs and smiles. I saw a lot of kiddos, including one that I hadn't seen in almost a year. He was one that I had a good rapport with, and then his family moved away. We had a happy reunion. We took advantage of 2 massage chairs and got to take a test drive on 2 different chairs. After our test runs, we talked about how much we'd like to have one. As much as I would love one, I can't run buy in the heat of the moment. I have a very special trip I'm saving for, and I need to be in a more secure financial situation. It's fun to dream, though. 

After traversing the buildings, we were hungry. We treated ourselves to Rotten Rodney's "Hawgs in a Blanket." We followed that by sharing Fried Oreos and Fried Cookie Dough. My sister walked over to talk to a friend, and that's when it started to rain. It was not a heavy, driving rain, but it was enough to be annoying. We walked over to a nearby gazebo with some dry benches, and chatted for a while. By this time we were getting very tired and ready to call it a night. We had such a good time. I enjoy spending time with my sister.

There are 2 days left. It's coming to an end all too soon. Tomorrow is Mother's Day, the day I take my mom to the fair. We always enjoy these fair days. We have such similar interests. I'll be sure to let you know about our adventures tomorrow evening. I'm totally exhausted right now, so I'm going to sign off and get some much-needed rest. Please excuse any typos. Thanks for the likes and comments, they help me know how many people are reading. Levi, thanks for your kind words. I enjoy blogging about my fair activities. Thanks for reading, and God bless!

 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 7

Afternoon fairgoers were greeted with a rain shower today. It must have been substantial, because there were quite a few puddles. A little girl walking near to me took a huge jump into a big puddle, and splashed quite a few passerbys. The horrified mother apologized to the people that got wet, but they waved it off with a laugh. Speaking of rain, it was 10 years ago today that a massive rainstorm opened up over the fairgrounds. It was the last day of the fair. If you were there that day, you will remember that we got hammered with rain and a bit of hail. This storm caused the entire fair to close down early. It was a ride wristband day, and those who were vigilant kept those wristbands, and were able to redeem them at the fair the following year. It was quite the experience. 

I got shouted at quite a bit this evening. Not in a bad way, most of them were kiddos trying to get my attention. Several times, people came up to talk to me, and I have no idea who they are. Evidently I made some sort of impact. If they address me as "Mr Rob," I know they are from church. If it's "Mr Rue," I know they're from school or BGC. I never let on that I don't know who they are, I don't want them to think I've forgotten them. I smile and carry on a conversation, and hope they drop a name or two that might give me a hint. Then I'll ask them what they're up to nowadays, and that usually clears it up. 

Tonight the Watusi cattle made their grand appearance. I always enjoy going to see there unique cattle with their long horns. Sometimes they bring in Longhorn cattle, and that's something to see. It's wise to tread carefully through the barns and respect the horns. You don't want to agitate them. I always try to stay on their good side.  

Other than the Watusi cattle, nothing of real signifigance took place, other than the fun of being at the fair, but you know I always love a day at the fair. Tomorrow will be a fun day, as it's Sibling Day. My sister and I started this a few years ago, and we like to hit the fair and have a good time. We'll probably get there around Noon or later, as I have errands to run in the morning. If you see us, be sure to say hello! Thanks for reading and God bless!

PS: As soon as I get this posted, I'm going to re-post those videos of the rainstorm 10 years ago so you can see how crazy it really was.... 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 6

 Today was the day I made the biggest haul as I went through the buildings. Many, many booths had goodies laying out, free for the taking. I have quite a collection of free stuff I've gathered over the years. Everyone has their collections, and this is my quirky collection. A few years ago, I posted pictures of the things I had collected over the years from the fair, and I got some not-so-nice comments, so I stopped posting pics. Funny, but I didn't recall criticizing the things and collections that they had. I'm not ranting, just saying. 

I broke down and got a cow patty this evening. It's been on my mind all week, and I decided that tonight would be the night. If you're grossed out by the idea of eating a cow patty, let me explain: It's pulled roast beef, BBQ sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and sour cream on top of a bed of hot french fries. It was sooo good! Be prepared to sit down and eat it with a fork, because it's not a walk-around, eating with your fingers sort of food. This booth is on the west end of the barns street. It's run by Jackson Meat, a well-respected and much-liked meat business here in town. Across the street, and also run by Jackson's, are $2 hot dogs. 

As I was eating, I heard the sound of a horn, like one of those plastic trumpets. It just kept going and going. I felt really bed for the parents of the child that was blowing it, and I wished they would shut it down. Some of the others at my table were getting irritated and trying to find out where it was coming from. Then, one of the guys began to laugh and point, and we followed his finger where it led to: It was a goose from the Poultry building. Buy, that girl really had us confused. We shared a chuckle, as we really thought it was some kid playing an annoying horn. 

Some interesting things seen/heard tonight: "You rode Ring of Fire? Did you barf?" Argument between 2 girls : Girl 1: (screaming) "I want to ride the Starship!" Girl 2: (screaming) "I want to ride Bullet Train!" Imagine this exchange going on a few more times...  Saw a guy test-driving his new bedroom slippers by jumping on one of the beds on the other side of the aisle...and the bed guys were letting him! Saw a few kids who were just plain done! They sat on the ground in defiance, refusing to get up. I love how the parents were like "OK, see you later," and then walking away. The kids little fit didn't last long when they saw they weren't getting their way. I saw a group of teens raising cain in one of the buildings, and were ordered by attendants to calm down or leave. I recognized one of the teens, and I threatened to call his mom. He straightened up right away. Funny, I don't know his mom's number, but he didn't know that, Lol.   

Tomorrow is Thursday. I'll be able to stay out a bit later, as there is no school on Friday. There are only 4  days left! Vendors are probably rejoicing in that, but people like me are not ready to see it end! Thanks for taking the time to read my adventures this evening. Good night and God bless!

  

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 5

 Today was Tasty Tuesday, where some food vendors offer $3 portions of their products. Every year, I get a $3 cow patty. Sadly, they were not offering $3 products this year. I was really hungry. I decided that if I was going to eat fair food, I might as well get something I've never had. I opted for a stuffed cucumber. Mine was stuffed with seafood crabmeat, but you can opt for something else, such as tuna or etc. It was amazing! And, it was a pretty healthy food as well. I've always been so-so on cucumbers, but I really liked this. They are in the Quesedilla stand by the Old Mill. 

I noticed a lot of kids on leashes this evening. I have nothing against leashes, just an observation. Some kids are prone to running, and leashes are needed. I noticed one kid that was wearing 2 leashes, both parents each holding a strap. Speaking of kiddos, I can see the fair taking its toll. Many kids are spending late nights at the fair, and then having to get up in the morning for school. I've seen a lot of tired kids at school this week. Laying their heads down on their desks, or just finding a place on the carpet and crashing. It's sad to see this, kids sleeping and not learning. 

I stopped in to see my good friends, the llamas. I just love llamas. They look so huggable. Llamas and praying mantises are my favorite animals. They had some beautiful llamas there, and the owners were letting the fairgoers gently pet their llamas. I've never been spit on by one, nor have I seen a llama spit on someone, but I guess there are warning signs. If you see a llama begin to get even slightly agitated, get the heck out of Dodge! Lol

I had mentioned earlier this week that the Dish/DirectTV people were pretty aggressive. Yes, they are, but I have noticed that there is another aggressive vendor. These are the people that sell the hot/cold gel packs. I've been on the other side of the aisle, and they've walked right out to me trying to get me to feel, then buy their hot/cold packs. I don't want any! I saw them walking toward me this evening, and I sped up and practically ran to get away from them. Also, if you see a vendor ahead that you don't want to be pestered by: Don't make eye contact. They see that as an opportunity to try to sell to you. I've gotten pretty experienced at avoiding vendors and their sales pitches.

The House of Capper has really been hopping this week. If you like to hear the sounds of the big bands, there is quite a variety of it coming from there. I've walked by there several times, and I like to take a few minutes just to enjoy the songs made famous by Glenn Miller and the like. It's really easy to lose yourself in the sounds of the bands of long ago. I'm glad that they're celebrating the new House Of Capper in this way. 

The clock on the wall is telling me that I need to get to bed, or I might end up like one of those tired kiddos I told of earlier. And with that, the state fair is officially half over! I want to thank you for reading tonight. I hope you're finding these posts interesting and not boring. Good night and God bless!

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 4

If you have followed the fair for many years, you know the joke that it always rains during the fair. Today was that day. It was also Dollar Day, where admission is $1 or free with a Dillons card. They were also selling a wristband for unlimited rides for $20. This was the cheapest wristband ticket price of the entire fair. Many kids were absent from school and at the fair with their parents, taking advantage of this deal. However, I'm not sure how much riding was happening, as it rained most of the day. By the time I arrived shortly after 6:00, it was barely drizzling. I opted to not take my umbrella in, and that was a wise choice, as it stopped a few minutes after I got in the gates. One less thing to carry around. 

The buildings were very empty, and I was able to navigate through in record time. I came upon a stand that was selling charms for croc shoes. One charm was $3! I sometimes buy some for the kiddos and for the croc bracelet I have, but not at that price. While in the Grandstand by the Old-Time Photo store, I saw a quarter on the floor! Jackpot! I reached down to pick it up....it was glued to the floor. There was another one a few feet away. I kicked at it with my foot, and it too was glued. I'll bet the people who put it there get a big kick out of watching people trying to pick up that quarter. If you see quarters on the floor in that area...don't fall for it! 

I enjoyed the chance to stop and chat with Shaun & Jessika and their family. I also saw my granddaughter there, and I saw lots of kiddos from club and school. That is my favorite part, seeing and chatting with people. I always run into people I haven't seen in ages. I also get compliments from strangers concerning my hat and Hawaiian shirts. It's fun. 

Tomorrow is Tasty Tuesday, where some local vendors sell $3 portions of their food offering. The past few years it has been $2, and I announced it as such, but my friend Lorraine caught that it was $3, and let me know.  Thanks, Lorraine!  

The Monday-Thursday blog posts will be a bit shorter due to the next day being a school day, and I don't want to be up too late. I also have responsibilities at home prior to blogging, such as supper, because yet again, I resisted the urge to buy food again. Yay, me! Thanks, Lord. Thanks for being understanding about the shorter posts.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to read about my fun fair adventures. Thanks also for the likes and comments. Again, please excuse my tired-related typos, Lol.  God bless you, and God bless America! 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 3

 I began my day at the fair after church. I began by walking through the buildings. It was kind of frustrating because of the "stoppers." Stoppers are those people who stop in the middle of the aisle to have a discussion about if they're going to go sample the dips or salsas or whatever. In a crowded building with people passing on both sides of the aisle, I ran into someone twice because they stopped so abruptly. There were about 5 of them, and I wasn't able to get around them. They were creating a dam of people behind them. I got stuck behind them for about 2 aisles. When they finally turned a corner and went in a different direction, someone behind me cheered, lol.  If you are one of these "stoppers," stop it!! Lol

Today would have been the day that my dad and I would have spent at the fair. We always had such fun together. He so enjoyed looking at the livestock especially thehorses. His mom loved horses, which is probably why he loves them so much. He also liked the Sky Ride. He'd sit and enjoy the ride, while I white-knuckled the bar, imagining every worst scenario. He was always entertained by Ron Diamond, and he loved the BBQ he got at the food court. His health has declined significantly over the past few years. During our last trip, he fell, and was getting confused. The following year, it was evident that a trip to the fair was out of the question, due to his physical and mental health. I am thankful that my dad is still with us, and that I get to see him often. However, today's trip to the fair is dedicated to those days that I spent with dad, looking over the horses and sharing smiles and laughter.

I had the opportunity to catch the iFlip show, an acrobatic show that featured talented acrobats doing trick jumps on a large trampoline, acts using multiple hula hoops, bungee cord  tricks, and a finale with one of the ladies jumping from a 55-foot perch onto a huge inflatable cushion below.  This was a fun, entertaining show. My friend Renee and her grandson, one of my BGC kiddos scored seats right next to me, so I had the chance to chat with them before the show started. 

I am holding true to limiting my food intake during the fair. I want to go to Manila next year, and nixing my fair food intake puts more money into the Manila fund. I actually didn't buy anything to eat today, except for a few 25 cent honey sticks. One booth was giving out small samples of pizza, so that helped. I thought that this would be hard, because you can smell and see fair food wherever you go. However, God has given me a special grace and willpower during this time. He knows how much I love to eat fair food, and He's getting me through. It's not always easy, but with God, all things are possible. 

I had the chance to see my Christian brother Brad and his family. We always enjoy chatting and laughing. I also chatted with John and Lynette and Lorenzo about Korean Hot Dogs, Elephant ears, and bierocks. Funny how those are the food booths I am asked about the most. The Korean Hot Dog stand was a sad absence from the fair this year. The Elephant Ears are sold on the Midway in a booth promoting funnel cakes and fried Oreos. There are 2 bierock locations. One of them is north of the Channel 12 building in a booth that also sells turkey legs. The other booth (my personal favorite) is in the Pride of Kansas building in their little cafe. My friend Kristin wanted to know about the 25 cent game where the player rolls a bowling ball over a hump without the ball rolling back over the hump on its way back. I did not find this game last year or this one. It seemed to be a pretty popular game, so not sure why it's not here anymore. Maybe sitting somewhere with the Whitewater, Freak-Out, and Korean Hot Dog stand, perhaps. Lol

As I was nearing the exit, I was hit with an incredible thirst. There was a stand selling $3 bottles of water, but I decided to tough it out, at that cost. Outside the gate sat one of my church kiddos, who just so happened to be selling cold bottles of water for $1! Wow! God is good. God knew that I was going to be really thirsty, so He put it on the heart of this young man to sell inexpensive bottles of quality water to people who were coming out thirst. Just another example of how God works and blesses His children. 

My friends, I am pleased to inform you that a cool front is moving in tonight, and the forecast is in he 70s for the remainder of this week! Is that fair weather or what? It will be refreshing to enjoy the fair with a coolness in the air. Should be good for everyone.   I am going to sign out at this time, I'm really tired. Before I go, let me remind you that Monday is Dillons Dollar Day. Admission is $1, or free with a Dillons Card. That is the best admission deal of the week! Thanks for reading. Please drop a comment or like if you're enjoying this, it helps me gauge how many people are reading. God bless!  

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 2

 Today was friend day. For years now, my friend and I have been getting together one time during the year to enjoy the fair. We have worked together for years and have become good friends. We like a lot of the same things, and we have a lot of laughs along the way. We started our day by walking through some buildings. She likes grabbing free stuff as much as I do. If I saw a free goodie that she didn't see, I'd let her know, and vice versa. We made a pretty good team, helping each other out making our haul. We really enjoyed sampling the free dip mixes. As much as I wanted to load up and buy loads of these mixes, that just isn't in the budget this year. I bought a few, but really had to practice restraint. #RobtoManila2024

When we got hungry, we decided to eat in the food court building, where there is seating and air conditioning. She wanted catfish, and I opted for some Chinese food. She really liked the catfish. I had the catfish last year, and I agreed that is was very good. While we were eating, there was a guy a few tables away. He jumped on top of the table, gave a loud whistle for attention, and announced that it was his friend's birthday. He led the entire court in a round of "Happy birthday." I thought that it was pretty fun. It turns out that this guy was part of a prayer team that prayed healing upon people. I saw him and several other guys laying hands on people and praying over them. 

One fun aspect of our fair trip is to go in and see the quilts. She knows quilting, and she is able to tell me what kind of weave it is, if it's hand-stitched or machine, and how it's pieced together. She has made quilts in the past, and has even made one for me. We chatted about which quilts were our favorites. I was really excited to see that an afghan made by my friend Steve had received a first place AND champion purple ribbon! Yay! Then we went to the other side of the building and I showed her my cookies, and explained a few things about baking. My cookies don't have ribbons on them, but have been assured that they will be placed there soon.

From there, it was Ferris Wheel time. This is also a part of our tradition at the fair. I like to get a token annual "selfie from the top." I was also able to get some good pictures of the horizen of our city. After that, it was off to explore the Grandstand. While there, I saw my friend Vince who is a part of the Christian Motorcylists Association.  They were giving out free water. That was some good water. It was cold and clean, and hit the spot. They were so nice, and deserve a shout-out.  Our final stop on the grounds was the animal birthing center. We saw a couple of big pigs resting, and tomorrow is their due date. We saw some baby ewes and calves, and a cow in active labor, ready to deliver. However, there was a huge crowd in our way, and there wasn't much we could see. 

At 5:00, five hours after we started, my friend was ready to call it a day. We had a really good time, and we are already talking about doing this next year. After we said our good-byes, I realized I needed to reserve a motor scooter for my mom next Saturday. As I was there, I noticed that a crowd was gathering for the Family Variety Theater, which I posted a picture of yesterday. I decided to check it out. A give it 2 thumbs up for entertainment and family friendliness. The star of the show, Kenny Arhen, is very talented, and kind of silly. He is very good at engaging a crowd, and incorporating the kiddos into his act. The kids were loving it, and enjoyed being a part of his show. You can feel comfortable taking your kids to see him. In fact, I'd encourage it. You might think he's a bit silly, but your kids will love it!

While making my way around, I noticed the 4-H building. I always enjoy seeing what the kiddos across the state are doing. One area I avoid like the plague is the ornithology (bugs) exhibits. I am horrified to see praying mantises (my favorite insect) pinned onto bug exhibit boards. It's too much. I consider praying mantises as a little messenger from God, as they seem to show up when times get tough. I love them, and I can't bear to see them dead and pinned. 

My final impulse stop was the Lair White House, aka State Fair Museum. As I was going in, I saw Joe and his family yell at me. Yes, I saw you! Thanks for the shout!  The display in the Lair White House revolved around what's free at the fair. Sights, shows, entertainment, and etc. It also showed us what has been free in the past. It was quite interesting. The theme changes every year. Next year's theme will feature animals of the fair. 

At this point, I was quite spent. My feet were tired, and my pedometer was reading 19,000+ steps. It was time to call it a day. I had such fun today. Day 2 is in the books, and there are 8 amazing days left! I will go out tomorrow after church. No, I will not, nor will I ever ditch church to go to the fair. The same goes for my jobs at the school and club. I have responsibilities, and they take precedent over the fair. 

Thanks for taking the time to read what has been a longer post than usual. Please like or comment to help me determine how many people are reading. God bless you! 

PS: It's late, I'm tired, and not checking for typos. If you see a typo, have a little grace, LOL.

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 1!!!!!

 Arriving at the fair on the first day is like a welcome home, or like the first day of a vacation. I don't normally take a vacation, so this is mine, except that I still work my jobs and then go to the fair after, My emotions as I enter are a mixture of nerves and excitement. Did my cookies place? Do I have any ribbons? My first stop is the Domestic Arts building to see how my cookies fared. I had a 2nd place on my Monster cookies, which is what I had last year. I also had a 2nd on my Oatmeal Raisin cookies. This is my first red ribbon on these, I've also received a first and a third on the Oatmeal Raisin. No, there are no blues, but at least I placed, and have some ribbons to show for it! I'm happy. 

Missing this year is the iconic Freak-Out ride. I'm wondering why, as this ride is one of the most popular rides on the Midway. It also seemed a bit sparse where the kids' rides are. Some of the small businesses I used last year are also gone. The wax hand-dipping, and the Mini-Me creators were not there. And the guy in the Meadowlark building who sold knives for years and years...his booth was not there. And the most disappointing absence of all...The Korean Hot Dog stand, one of my must-haves for fair food. However, Chunky Chet's is making a grand appearance this year. Also back is Lori the Dip Lady, who sells the best dips on the grounds. 

I had the chance to walk through all of the buildings and collect free stuff. I got a good stash of pens and pencils and a few cups and some magnetic clips. The DirectTv people are in your face, so unless you want to get roped into hearing a sales pitch, make a wide berth around their booth. The Eisenhower building was very empty this year. Usually they have a wide array of booths in there, but not this year.    During my traversal of the fairgrounds, I received phone calls and texts from people wanting to know where something was. From the elephant ear stand to bierocks, I was able to answer most questions. Why not all questions? On the first Friday, until I get the lay of the land, I'm not quite sure where everything is. Some of the booths move every year.

My  favorite part was seeing the people. That is the most fun thing about being at the fair. I love seeing my kiddos from school, the club, and church. They get so excited to see me, as I am to see them. I ran into my friend Pat, who was thrilled that the Sweeper game had returned. It was absent last year after the owner retired. It was purchased by a new owner this past year, cleaned up, and brought back. Pat is a pretty skilled player. It took her several dollars before she got back into the swing of things. I also ran into my sister, who was there to see "Need To Breathe." I got to hear snatches of the concert as I walked around and through the Grandstand. My sister and I are going to have a "siblings day" next Friday at the fair. Tomorrow, a friend of mine and I are going to have a day at the fair, and we'll take our annual spin and selfie on the Ferris Wheel. It's going to be a fun day, and surely a wonderful fair altogether. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Whether you're reading this late at night or in the morning, I appreciate it. Please comment or like if you are reading, and it helps me gauge how many people are reading. I'll share Saturday's adventures with you tomorrow night! God bless!!

1 week left!

 A lot has gone on at the fairgrounds since last week. There are about 5 rides already put together, and food trucks are setting up shop. I stopped by the Cow Patty stand and had a nice conversation with Butch and Jenny. They are very friendly. The Cow Patty is basically loaded nachos with your choice of tortilla chips or fries as the base. They're great! I'll probably be hitting them up on Tasty Tuesday for a $2 serving. Jackson Meat is the business behind this food truck. 

Bad news for the fans of the Whitewater ride. Whitewater will not be making an appearance this year. The two biggest rides are Bullet Train and Whitewater. Due to their size, the Midway cannot accommodate both rides. It's either one or the other. Bullet Train (formerly Crazy Mouse) is in the location normally occupied by Whitewater, so no Whitewater. Sorry, Whitewater fans. 

 As I was walking around, I came upon Kathie B's food stand. They sell fried gizzards, liver, BBQ etc and more. This building has undergone a makeover1 There are flames painted on the sides, and it looks good. I was able to visit with the gentleman who was doing the painting. He asked me what I thought, and I told him how good it looked. This guy does little painting jobs here and there to make some extra money. He was a pretty nice guy. 

It was fun and exciting to walk the grounds. Although it was very quiet, there was excitement in the air. I'm looking forward to walking through the gates for the first time next Friday. My first stop will be the Domestic Arts Building to see how my cookies fared. I'm hoping for a few ribbons. Even if I only get one, even if it's a white (3rd Place), I'll be happy. Wish me good luck!

It's time to get off and get some things done. I want to thank you for reading. My next blog post will be on Friday, the 1st day of the fair! I can't wait! God bless you!

2 weeks out!

 We are officially 2 weeks out from the beginning of the state fair! Yes, for those of you who know me, I am a fair nut!  I enjoy walking through the buildings, picking up free stuff (I have quite a collection), enjoying fair food and seeing people. Every time the fair comes to town, I run into people I haven't seen in quite a long time. It's fun to stop and catch up with these friends. As far as fair food is concerned, I'll be limiting my intake to save money for my trip next July. There are a few "gotta have its" I'll be enjoying. First of all, there's the Pronto Pup, the famous "banquet on a stick." These are legendary corn dogs that are available at several yellow booths around the fairgrounds. Second on the list are a favorite that I discovered last year. The Korean Hot Dog. This is a corn dog as well, but very different from the Pronto Pup. It's cooked differently, with a different kind of batter. Very good! I'm going to try to limit myself to these 2 items, but if something new and exciting shows up, I might have to give it a go. 

When selecting a fried food item, I always try to get a look at the oil that they are using. Most of the vendors change the oil out on a regular basis, but some don't. If the oil is light tan to medium brown, I know that the oil has been changed out recently, and I'll select that item. However, if the oil is dark, I'll pass on that item. Dark oil will adversely affect the taste of the food. I have worked in foodservice establishments before and have used oil fryers. I know for a fact that oil that is changed consistently will produce a better product. Just a friendly tip from me. 

The fair can be costly! While there's nothing I can do to help that, here are a few money-saving tips concerning admission costs: A typical admission ticket is $10 for an adult, $6 for a child aged 6-12, $6 for seniors, and $4 for military personnel (with ID). You shave off a few bucks by buying advanced tickets at Dillons through Sept. 7. Seniors can get in for $2 on the first day (55 and older). On Tuesday and Thursday, the entrance fee is $4 after 4:00. Get in for $5 after 9:00pm every day. On Monday, admission is $1, or free with a Dillons card.  

If you're a fan of fair food, but are overwhelmed by the prices, there is a special on Tuesday. Participating vendors will offer $3 portions of their products. I might indulge a bit on that day, but with moderation. As far as prices for other things, and what businesses are going to be there at the fair this year, I don't know. I'll be making a few more trips out to the grounds in the next couple of weeks, and I'll see what's out there and keep you informed. 

You can pick up a state fair visitors guide, complete with a daily itinerary and other info, at the state fair office or at customer service at Dillons. I try to give you as much info in the blog, but I can't fit it all in. If you have questions, you can ask in the comments or via messenger. I'll answer as many questions as I have time and the info. 

It's time for me to close and and get some stuff done. I want to thank you for taking the time to read my post. Keep following my blog and Facebook posts for all things fair-related. God bless you!

(((Sigh)))

 That collective sigh is mine. Another Summer has come to an end. I've had a few meetings peppered here and there in the past couple of weeks, but tomorrow, I hit things full throttle as I begin my first full week of back-to-school. Monday and Tuesday are meeting/inservice/prep days, and then the kids arrive on Wednesday, ready or not! Please pray for the kiddos and teachers this year as they take on more than you can imagine. Thanks.

The summer of 2023 was different, to say the least. I had the opportunity to work a few camps and a fun VBS. I had a great group of kids at Boys & Girls Club. It was also during this past Summer that I felt called to take a mission trip to the Philippines, and it feels as though God is laying everything out for that to happen. It's a nervous excitement as I inch closer to the July 2024 date. On the flip side, I had to say "see you later" to some friends who were promoted to Heaven, one friend in particular who was like a brother to me. I'm thankful that these friends knew Jesus, and are whole on the other side, but there are still some empty, gaping holes that will definitely take time to heal. Grief and loss are difficult emotions, and everyone handles them in different ways. 

 We are 26 days out from the start of the fair. If you're new to the scene, this is the spot to watch for all info concerning the fair, September 8-17. I go every day, and then bring you a daily report of what I saw, and where the deals are. I can tell you where something is located, and when people see me at the fair, they know I can answer their questions. The only difference this year is that I'm not going to eat fair food like I have in the past. That pains me, but I have to save my money for my mission trip. Instead, I'll pick a few food places that I've had in the past, let you know my thoughts on that food, and give it a rating, depending on taste, cost, value, and customer service. 

Here's your first helpful hint: Use cash if at all possible. Some booths are cash-only. Also, think about how many people are using wi-fi at the fair. That makes for slow processing times for cards to be read. I've stood at windows for long periods of time while waiting for someone's card to go through. I use cash when I go, and I've had vendors thank me for using cash. I know that having the plastic can be handy, but at the fair, it might be more of a headache.

I'll be posting several more times during the next few weeks with helpful hints to help make your fair experience less stressful and more enjoyable. Keep it tuned here! Thanks so much for tuning in to read and hear my heart. I pray that God will bless you this week,

Rolling along...

 The summer is quickly coming to an end for me. The BGC summer program has come to an end, and boy, I sure do miss those kiddos. I have already started some trainings that entail what I'll be teaching in the school this year. I will have a few days between now and the start of school to take it easy a bit. I have been pushing myself to keep going, and I desperately need some down time before school starts.

I have been doing a lot of baking these past couple of weeks. When I put it out there that I was baking cookies to raise money for my Manila trip, people reached out! I have been approached with orders, donations, and pledges of support. This tells me one thing: God is definitely in this. If He were not, I don't believe He would be blessing me for the financial part of this life-changing adventure. I also feel God is working in my heart and preparing me for what He wants to show me while I am there. I have adopted the hashtag #RobtoManila2024 as the name of my campaign. My campaign runs as follows:  

1. That God would move in my heart and in the hearts of the people He brings across my path.

2. For safe journeys to and from Manila, and while I am there.

3. That I would be fully funded in a timely fashion. 

When you pray for the #RobtoManila2024 campaign, those are the three things you can pray for. 

I am back working at the Alley, which helps the campaign. The money I make there pays for the ingredients needed to bake goodies, so that I can stick every penny into the Manila fund, without having to use any money as overhead. 

The State Fair blog will look a little different this year. While I still plan on going everyday and blogging the day's activities, I will not be eating there every day. I'm putting that money towards Manila. Rather, I'll post about what I've had in the past, and what the cost is. I'm also cutting out most frills like entertainments and souvenirs, etc. I want to be sure that I'm not being frivilous with my money. There are a few things that I'll indulge in. There are a few "gotta have it" items. But, for the most part, I'll be packing some snacks to take with me. I'm sure you understand, thanks! 

I have to get going, I have some things to get accomplished yet today. I just wanted to get an update out to you since many of you have been asking. Thanks for reading, and God bless you.

PS: I apologize for any typos, I'm pretty tired!   

  

Mission Trip 2024

 I am now in a position where I can give you a general idea of where I'd like to travel to in the Summer of 2024. God has put the Philippines on my heart within the past year, and it seems like that's where He is directing me to go. 

About a week ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with a missionary to the Philippines. The funny thing is that I had had no idea he was even  in the country. He took time out of his busy schedule to visit with me about the ministries he is involved in down in Manila, and some of the things he'd like to see me experience while I am there. As I learn more about what I will be doing, I will post that here. I promise, I'll keep you better updated this time around. He answered a lot of my questions, and my apprehension has turned into excitement. The plan (in pencil) is to travel to Manila at the end of July, when I have time between the end of the summer program at BGC and the start of the school year. I'm planning on a 2-week stay. Part of that 2-week stretch includes a couple of days travel tacked onto each end. 

Here's where we go from here:  We are going to be keeping our eyes open for sales on plane tickets. As you may guess, a plane ticket to Manila (about 8,000 miles) is not cheap. I'm also planning on leaving in the middle of the week as opposed to a weekend, to keep costs down. I am also praying the God will prepare my heart to His leading. I have already had people ask me what I will do if I find that this is the work God wants me to do, and wants me to reWturn full-time? How can I say "no" to God? Jonah in the Bible did that, and look where he ended up! As hard as it would be to say good-bye to my life here, where He leads me, I must follow. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Here's how you can help: I am asking that you pray for me and for this trip. I know that many of you are already praying about this, and I appreciate it. Please pray that God would prepare my heart for this trip, and that my heart would be open and tender to His promptings. Please pray for safety during the travels, and while I am down there. I'm also praying for the hearts and souls of the people I have the chance to meet while I am there, and that God would direct my speech while I share my faith with them.  Another was you could help is to donate, if God so leads you to. I have a fund set up at my church that people can donate to. You could also buy baked goods from me. I bake cookies and other etc, and those funds go directly to support my mission trips. The costs of this trip include: Plane ticket to Manila, renewal of my passport, room and board while I am there, money for extra expenses while I am there, and to cover the costs here at home while I am away. 

So, that's where things stand right now. Everything is in the very early planning stages, and as things develop, this will be my platform to let you know how things are progressing. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. Thank also for considering my prayer needs. I could not do it without you and your prayers. I have a year to get my ducks in a row, but I know that is not a really long time. God will provide, I am certain. God bless you! 

 

Wheels in Motion

It has been waaay too long since my last blog post. For those that enjoy this, I do apologize, I will try to do better. Life just seems to get so busy. I've just decided that it's time to sit down and update you all on what's going on in my crazy world. 

We are 9 days away from the last day of school in our district. These past few months have gone by very quickly. In January, I changed positions within the school, and now I get to travel around the school more and work with more kiddos. I love it.  I get to interact with all of the grades, from Pre-K up to 6th grade. Now that we are looming closer to the final day, the minds of the kids are focused on one thing: Summer Break! It can be challenging working with kids who can't focus on their work, but God has given us all patience as we transition from school-time to summertime.  This summer, I'll again be back at our local Boys & Girls club. We have a jam-packed summer full of fun activities, and I'm looking forward to this time. I'll certainly miss my school kiddos this summer, but I think we all need a break. Mentally and physically. 

The garden is back up and running. The only thing flourishing is the tomatoes. I'm currently planning to have my garden soil analyzed, to see what nutrients are needed. Where I lived before, I had things practically jumping out of the ground. At my current address, where I have lived for 10 years now, it's like pulling teeth to try and coax anything out of the ground, Hopefully after a soil analysis, they can tell me what additives can be raked into the soil to help my garden flourish. For a person who likes to garden, it's discouraging to see it struggle along. 

The wheels for summer 2024 are beginning to turn as far as my mission trip is concerned. I am not publicizing any details yet. I have shared some details with a few people, but until all is set into stone, nothing is common knowledge. I need to finalize details with the missionaries on the other end, and get all of my support in. I am very close to having all that I need for the plane ticket. Good grief, last Christmas found me slammed with baking orders, and I made a huge dent in my plane ticket fund. I've had several people place orders since then, and many of my customers gave and give above and beyond the price of their order. I'm really excited about next summer, and if next Christmas brings the same response as last Christmas, I'll have what I need to go on my trip! Once I have the plane ticket money in, I'll begin saving toward expenses over there, and to cover the costs of expenses that will still occur here in the states; rent, utilities, etc. Please pray that God will guide and direct as He always does. This would be the most extensive mission trip I have ever taken. Nervous excitement! 

That' just a sneak peek into the busy world of Rob. Thanks for taking a few minutes of your time to check in with me. I wish you all the best. Thanks for reading, and God bless!!