Post It Notes From The Edge.....of Sheridan

[DoubleC]

Post It Notes from the Edge........

of Sheridan.

I promised I'd keep some friends updated about everything I did at Sheridan and the trip, classes, pictures, and of all the wonderful things. This has turned into a tutorial on “don't do anything the same way Cheryl did.”

Ok some where around Monday the 4th. I decided to go to Sheridan. So I zealously jumped into arrangements. Randi and I spent an entire day trying to get flights from Rutland VT. to Sheridan.

Day 2; we find out there are no flights going into Sheridan. Same day I called to tell my community action leader Shelly that I was going to need all my money to pay for classes and then buy supplies. What had happened on Sunday was Paypal gave me a line of credit AND Chase increased my limit on my card. I decided to use it to go to the most wonderful trade show in the world. So Shelly was excited, and so am I except. Randi AND Winterbear,were still trying to help me make arrangements. Shelly, came to the house, we signed papers and the CU was to send me a check at the house. Things looked up, except I couldn't schedule classes without the money. After a couple days I used my personal money and prayed Night 2; Having made 12,000 calls to still make arrangements I let my fingers do the Shopping with, Randi,at Walmart where I have a card. So 6 shirts and 6 pants, underwear, socks, luggage, and a new camera later I felt ready to deal with some of my anxiety I am paralyzed by at times. If I was going to have a panic attack, while onlookers thought I was actually dying, I was gonna do it in style. That night in chat, Barra came in and let us know we were looking for the wrong bus after the flight to Denver. Black Hills Stage Lines goes to Sheridan from Denver so we finally made arrangements. Flights, four of them would get me to Denver at 9PM their time and I would catch Black Hills the next morning at 8:45. Easy Peasy,

Day 3; contacted a ton more people I had to call and let know I would be gone and I was working on some leather projects to take with me, plus trying to change my hoarders 'award of the year' house into a semblance of a path through. Projects included a new collar for my dog Skadi, my service dog that goes every where with me, a belt for me and finishing a cool pouch I'd been working on, or not, for 3 months. I cut and glue Skadi’s, collar, two veg tanned layers. Cut one veg tanned strap for my belt, but not the second. When I sewed the first part of Skadi's collar I run off the end, seriously, and knocked the Cobra out of time. So everything had to come off, bobbin, race, that stuff to check for stray threads then time it. Nothing worked, I messed with it all day and said forget, I'll work more next day.

Day 4; I call my DR. to get an updated paper for Skadi to fly and the pharmacy to make sure everything was ready to go which they weren't. It took another call to both days later. Walmart sends me packages. I love packages. It's 3 shirts and 4 pants. Hmmmmmm. Well I am ok because one shirt matches one pair of pants, LOL. I continue to work on the Cobra all day in 89F weather and about the same humidity. I start seriously trying to get my landlord because Skadi needs a bath, and he took the hose off the reel and turned off the water when it started getting cold last year. We're having all the miserably hot days and I want to get her out in the yard where when she dries so I can brush and comb the hairy thing and let the birds have the ton of hair for nests. Landlord hasn't be home in days. Let me rephrase, our baby landlord that took over for his father comes home off and on but doesn't answer his door when he or his girlfriend are there. Al Bane, is helping me by now with the Cobra several times a day by phone and skype. And then it happens. I finally agree everything has to come off, including the feed dog, drop the screw and it bounces off the base into the never never land of my house. The Cobra feed dog has a 1mm long and 1 mm wide screw. Ok not seriously, but anyone with shaky hands that's tried to put one back knows how impossible it is. I kick the machine, stub my toe and say things no one should ever say even to an inanimate object.

Day 5 Still no luggage, check or clothes. However my camera came and I'm excited about that. No landlord in sight. Or feed dog screw.

Day 6 more of the same so I start whip stitching the dog's collar because she needs it to go. Find the landlord's girlfriend and she gets the hose out as it starts to pour rain. Talking to some people back and forth about Sheridan, meeting up, etc. Getting excited but exhausted from the stress. Getting up early and going to bed late. Looked at my schedule and I don't leave at 8 the next morning I leave at 4.30. Hallelujah I have another part of day to get ready (bathe dog, pack, minor stuff) Luggage there but no clothes.

Day 7, bathe the dog inside 'cause still raining. Get the trash out, stuff you do when leaving on a trip. Actually take a bath myself and almost fall asleep in the tub. And I started carrying my stuff down on the porch for the cab. Then I told her I'd be right back and take dog and second load out. She's so nice she doesn't get out of the taxi to help except tells me she has to be somewhere else in a hurry, I have a panic attack and can't move. Can't talk I'm breathing so hard.

Get to the airport ahead of time and slowly start to relax. A police officer is petting Skadi who is now finally dry and hair is flying every where. I ask if I can have my comb out of the checked bag I take her outside to potty and give her a good combing and now the airport birds can build furry nests.

Cape Air is a puddle jumper. That's what I took to Boston in the rain and wind. One time we dropped so fast I hit my head on the top of the plane. I am frozen with panic when we get there. I can't breathe, I can't carry my stuff, I just gasp out I'm catching the Boston to Denver flight. They get me a wheel chair, and tell me to calm down because I have plenty of time. Missed the Boston flight to Washington. Got to Boston and they have to arrange a different flight for me that accommodates the dog, HA. They kept telling me to calm down I wasn't going to miss the flight. Made me much calmer of course. The special accommodations they made for us was a three person seat filled and Skadi stretched out at all three of our feet.

Get to Denver finally at almost 12.00. The shuttle I prepaid 20 bucks for was long gone. Took a cab for 65.00 to my motel, the Ramada Inn in Midtown that I would not recommend to anyone unless they are interested in architecture. This place is so cool but run down. Staff in the day suck. But the elevator is still wood on the inside and there are still chair rails in some of the halls. And the reception area takes off in so many nooks and crannies I just got delighted with the place. They sell small microwaveable TV dinners and have a microwave. They sell loose sodas, not in a machine. Have ice cream and also snacks like cupcakes. And ants calmly munching away at a dropped piece of food in the lobby, LOL. I asked for a wake up call then The Drunk comes in behind me.

OK this is the kind of motel you are just going to find drunks, drug users, tourists and well a real mixed bag. 'The Drunk' came in behind me and was trying to 'help me check in. I went to look at the hot pockets, he said, get this Stouffers, that shit is good. For a drunk he was an absolute whirlwind. When I asked if they had diet coke, he beat me to the cooler. "How many ya want?' I decided on Ice cream, 'I'll get it for ya.' OK so he's a friendly if annoying drunk and it''s 1:30 in the morning and all I'm seeing is the annoying. He keeps asking me if he's annoying me. Finally I said yes. He left in a huff. The night manage (good staff) decides he better walk me out. We get outside, Drunk is sitting outside his room waiting on me, and lets his dog loose from his room. Dog is also a whirlwind, and is at Skadi with fur raised growling in 5 leaps. I crouch down by Skadi and tell the dog in a loud voice, 'NO, GET AWAY, GO' and then tell Drunk 'GET YOUR DAMN DOG.' Skadi's slips her new collar and takes off. I catch Skadi and tell him to get his dog before I kill it. For some reason this puts the friendly ole guy in a foul mood. H tells me to control my dog (which had been running in the opposite direction ahead of his dog, LOL' Funny now, not then.

I realize I don't have a microwave in my room so I go back to reception. WITH my wimpy protector dog. I am walking down the hall way and here comes the Drunk. He shouts at me, "I can be here, I'm allowed.' I give him my friendliest gape where my chin hits the floor as he passes.

Wake up call, no it can't be. I've only been asleep 8 seconds. I leap to my feet with over two hours to get ready and go straight for the panic. Hate putting that off. I'm finally dressed and wrapping up in here so call the front desk repeatedly to get me a cab. No one answers and I head over. I can't breathe, can't carry my stuff, have stopped in the hallway and a man goes by and I gasp, 'please get someone from the front desk here.' Instead a nice man takes all my stuff and I get there and gasp out, rather loudly, 'Where have you two been? I need a cab 10 minutes ago.'

Cab comes, off we fly, literally and I race in the station without my stuff to try and let them know I'm there. The Black Hills has been gone for 2 minutes, I mean it, 2 freaking minutes.

Back to the Ramada, say, 'I'll just keep my same room' eat breakfast and go to bed.

This is meant to be a cautionary tale, not just one long whiny tirade against the fates. Of course it is a long tirade, but also I hope to help anyone who is going alone to Sheridan for the first time. I could have shown you some neat photos though if I had a camera. Along with the whining. The sunset from the plane was gorgeous. I've already mentioned the architecture here. They have a beautiful round layered pool, don't know what else to call it. Top round layer has a fountain that flows into second round layer into third then finally the baby pool. Unfortunately it's dirty and not opened yet

My tale is, I shouldn't have come. My friends know I can't handle hurrying, stress or lack of sleep. Several of us plan to go next year and I should have spent a year getting ready, not a week. I should have let some things go instead of obsessing. Oh lots of things I could have done different.

Front desk already has me down for a wake up call and cab. I'll will be in Sheridan tomorrow evening and probably too tired for the Kings Banquet but that's ok. I missed Bobby Parks class but I'll ask him if he plans to do it again. Until tomorrow, see ya from Post it notes from the edge. Cheryl

[broncobuster]

thats why i drive myself lol. cant rely on others especially cabs planes trains n buses

[DoubleC]

Wish I still drove

[billybopp]

Hey! Look at it this way. You've had an ADVENTURE, not just a trip or an excursion. Anybody can have those.

Bill

[DoubleC]

LOL, you're right Bill and it ain't over yet Cheryl

[DoubleC]

Post it notes from the edge 2. Thursday, 5/14, 2015

And she only sleeps when it's raining and she screams and her voice is straining, 'Baby, it's 3AM so I must be alone here.' © Matchbox 20

Yes it rained and it's 3 AM and for the first time since starting out I can't sleep. So I figured we might as well go back to Thursday morning.

At this point you're going to think i''m making this up but I'm not. First of all it's a gorgeous day in Denver, the kind you dream about. Sunshine, blue skies, and a beautiful view f the snow caped Rockies in the background. A day you are glad you're alive.

Well my sucky staff over went a change from yesterday. Got my wake up call. Got a call at 7:45 to see how I was dong because the cab was going to be there at 8. I asked in the could send someone to help with my stuff because since the time was getting close. I was breathing like a thoroughbred after the Preakness. They did. We left my two pieces of matching luggage outside for the cab and then I took my green tote in with me to check out. Cab came while i was doing that.

Immediately the day started to deteriorate. Driver got out on his side, afraid of Skadi. For those of you who know her or will meet her you'll realize how ridiculous it was, but fear is fear and I understood that. We get to the bus station, driver says, here you go, and I said, can you take my luggage to thee door please? He said, 'WHAT LUGGAGE????'

My chin is getting really tired of hitting he floor while i gape at someone. He had left it sitting there while he waited for me. It wasn't in my peripheral vision so I didn't notice. I said, 'we gotta go back.' While we were going back, a Ramada staff member was running them to the greyhound station, LOL I asked the front desk to call greyhound and tell them I might need assistance when I got back there. Panic was rampant. 15 minutes to make the bus. No one at door to assist me. Grabbed an official looking guy inside (had a gun and didn't take him for a terrorist since he wasn't shooting) tell him I need help, need to find my luggage and get to the Black Hills coach. Not that it was hard to find because there was a huge line.

I was in line,slamming a diet coke when thee bus got there. I assumed I should let the driver now I had the dog. Left the luggage in line then went out thee door to driver.

I said, 'I thought I shou.....' and he interrupted with 'go inside' and turned away. Bu I had Skadi with me so I think he noticed her. Got to the driver after the rest of the line moved through, found my boarding pass and my stowed luggage had Denver on it. He told me, go to check out and change it. I asked 'runner up for personality of the year' was he going to wait on me? He said forget it, get on the bus and go clear to the back with that dog.'

Someone is in the back seat. By himself. He won't move. Skadi ends up in the seat in front of him laying partially at my feet, partially under the seats in front of me.

We got to Cheyenne and I was amazed how close yet far under the circumstances my friend Cubby was from me. She lives in

Cheyenne and was trying to come and get me the night before after I missed the bus, figure it out with the lateness, travel time, work today, etc. i told her not to worry about it because of all he arrangements the front desk had made for me. We were allowed to get off a Cheyenne. I took the dog out, 3 drags on a cig ( yes recently started again, like Sheridan recent) an headed to Exxon to get a cup, bottled water for poor Skadi and a pop for me. As I passed the bus some people were getting on and I was certain I was going to get left. Mr. P had said 10 minutes and we leave without you. I walked in Exxon, hit the floor on one knee and proceeded to try and catch my breath. I can't and I'm sure I'm gonna die in an Exxon. This Little kid (maybe 18, young to me) came over and asked if he could help. I shook my head no. After I was able to get up the clerk gathered the things I went in for and three people went to the bus to tell them I needed assistance. Well I'm back on the bus but still waiting on the assistance. At the risk of getting thrown off I told Mr. P, 'thanks for the assistance, you're a real peach.' He told me I shoulda called 911. ( I could hear that conversation later from the hospital....No I'm not in Sheridan yet, I'm in the hospital. OMG are you ok? Sure,just had a panic attack. Then why are you in the hospital? The men bus driver made me, LOL.

I came to the back seat, no one in it, started to sit in it and saw the guy's bag. Already furious from the fear and lack of help, i flipped it over on my seat from before along with his iPod cord. he came back and just shook his head but din't say anything. Except he found my house key. So actually a nice man tha had every reason just to throw it on the floor.

After you leave Cheyenne the flat land turns into stunning rock buttes. The don't last long on the road we took but hills replaced them. Then I look and it was flat again. I think maybe Wyoming is more confused than I am.

The NEW nice bus driver told us we're going to be in Casper in so and so time, etc. Told us what time it was then. Then said we'd be eating at Arbys some place. I got the giggles and couldn't stop. Jon Stewart from the Daily Show makes a joke about Arbys usually once a day. He is my favorite comedian and is leaving the daily show after 17 years . OMG I think we're at Arbys, LOL. More later.)

Arbys stop over. Let dog out and got us a vanilla milkshake. Mr. P didn't have ANY air on the 1st of the trip and everyone was sweating like pigs. Mr. Nice has the air on but the shake sounded good anyway.

The Rockies are so close now it looks like a short walk would get you to them. Deceptive of course. I am so angry about my camera because I could have taken some excellent shots today. We just went through some buttes again Trees are changing, getting bigger and different types, but now back to the small pines.. We passes a wind farm a while ago and some how it made me feel better. Wyoming is so empty and wonderful. I know some of the hilly areas or even the mountains I saw have to be the black hills but I didn't get a tourist guide and feel my woefully lacking geography knowledge. I am filled with a longing i don't understand looking at the pine covered hills. It's just so empty here I can almost feel all my negative and stressful thoughts draining out being replaced by this longing. Longing to live where you can spin in circles and not hit anything? I'm not sure. More tonight after I get to Sheridan.

Oh a quick note. IF YOU ARE HANDICAPPED IN ANYWAY, EVEN A MILD HEARING LOSS, i RECOMMEND YOU TRAVEL WITH ANOTHER PERSON IF POSSIBLE.

OK I don't know if I mentioned I haven't had internet all day so I can't do any fact checking. Things I wanna check when I get to the Mill Inn include a beautiful black and white bird I saw, some deer like animals in the distance that I couldn't identify, and these weird fences I keep seeing. I just asked the guy in front f me about the fences, not realizing English wasn't his first language. He thinks they are to be pretty but they don't hold anything in or out. And those suckers are heavy duty. Not painted and 2x4s propping them up from one side. Will ask Cubby tomorrow when I see her.

All I can say right now that Wyoming is worth visiting. Mountains, hills, gullies, flat lands, mountains and odd fences LOL. Beautiful birds, and deer like animals. I swear that looked like gazelles to me but don't think we have those in America. We're about three more hours from Sheridan I think. A soldier came on and sat in the back right in front of me. I reached my hand out and thanked him for his service. He was grateful but that's the last time he acted normal. Is acting like the 'Drunk' LOL, can't sit still, shut up etc. I heard some things I know Kiwi and Squirrelly would understand. He told me it was 'men stuff.' ROFL. If that doesn't sound like that pair.

Oh I forgot to tell you about the poor crazy girl that was on earlier. Without her meds she told me. Hey when I can recognize a mental illness in the same space with me it's kinda serious. She kept asking everyone about her car, Douglas WY, abuse shelters, seriously a different topic a minute. It was sad and annoying in it's own way. I am trying so hard to relax for attending the banquet tonight, etc. and don't wanna be a care taker. Sounds harsh even as i type it but it's true. She left and the Drinking Soldier joined us. I'm in the last seat, can't escape, LOL.

Yet now that we're probably 100 miles past Douglas, I am worried about her. I'm already worried about the soldier. Much drunker and they'll probably throw him off. He's on his way to see his mama. Gonna be a long, sobering walk....assuming he doesn't go off on who removes him

Man I am so ready to be there. I've enjoyed Wyoming but I want to get on something that doesn't move. I should post this copy and give an award to whoever can figure out what I've typed while the bus has swayed and bounced. i have one foot up on tip toe to hold my other leg level to type. Skadi's sleeping in the seat beside me and i'm jealous of her

I have my mp3 player going, have since we started this morning. It's not blocking enough. Now soldier is talking about his child, and flashing 100.00 bills and CC cards. I told him maybe he might want to hide that stuff so he didn't get hurt. Told me to mind my own business and explained arrogantly that soldiers don't get hurt. If he hadn't been drunk and hateful I would have thought I'd just met my guys in chat . Turned head phones up.

​We're here. 123 PANIC. Like clockwork. What if I can't fine the Mill Inn (I can see it from the bus?) what if I can't walk there. What if I can't walk to Exxon to get a cab.

The man at Exxon told me he'd take me the 1/2 block to the Mill Inn and save me 10 bucks if I can wait a half an hour. I gratefully accepted. A woman stopped for gas and I knew her from the groups. I smiled and asked if she was here for Sheridan too? She said yes and walked right past me. OK . I have started practicing saying rocky mountain trade show. Because in Sheridan well everything is Sheridan. I asked a man at Exxon if he got tired of us being in town every year. He said he didn't know we were. I asked the man who took me to the Mill Inn. He said, "Oh yes that leather hobby group.' Yup we've taken Sheridan by storm.

The mill Inn, what can I say?

the lobby is breathtaking with all the leather covered furniture. The woman working is more nervous than I am and her hands shake as she gives me my key. I ask where the Kings Banquet is and she says she doesn't have a clue. Well it's already 6:30 and I still need a shirt to wear that didn't come from Walmart and feeling slightly overwhelmed and let down. I said, 'Don't you have an itinerary?' 'No they don't give us anything like that.' ell I probably had one once but who knows when. Go to my room and I'll admit I was nonplussed. It's small. My bedspread, what I call the buckaroo style would be more appropriate for a 4 YO. The sink is in the bedroom, won't fit in the bathroom. You have to shut the bathroom door to get to the fridge or microwave. BUT the curtains are a dark green suede with primitive object on them and I like them. Don't match a thing but I like them. And the air conditioner will freeze ya plumb out of the room, so I can live with it.

​I try and reach someone, anyone who will know about the banquet I am too tired to go to. Finally I called Ed (Bearman) Labarre because I have business with him anyway and he tells me it started at 5 and is over. Right now I'm not even upset I missed something else. I decided to call off the trip to Walmart for the night and went across the street for dog food, etc.

I can't say it's the warmest welcome I've ever received. I think the trade show could do more for stragglers and beginners like me. I've already figured out that anybody who is anyone is staying at the convention center. My first class tomorrow (today) is in a church about 2 miles away. How about a number to call to take folks there on a shuttle. Or at least explain it's a church two miles away. I thought it was the community college. Wouldn't hurt to explain to folks there are no planes here. Maybe even mention Black Hills Coach Lines. What about a list of thing to do and see while we're here? Not that I have the time or energy for extra stuff but I gotta eat. This is the 22nd Rocky Mountain Trade Show but my first. More post it notes from the edge tomorrow (today). Cheryl

Read through, see I have a couple of 'thees' and other mistakes. Especially the MEAN not man bus driver, LOL. I had to dit about 5 out of 7 words so bear with me. Cheryl

Edited May 15, 2015 by DoubleC

[Grey Drakkon]

Those antelope looking things you saw were likely pronghorns http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronghorn

Too bad about all the troubles plaguing you, although I'd add even if you don't have a handicap of some sort it's very helpful to have someone with you on your first time in a strange place (as long as they're a calming influence anyway).

[DoubleC]

That's true Grey, a very good idea. I have a friend arriving tonight so things will even out. Plus I had a blast at the convention center today. I was literally like a kid in a candy store (because all the vendors had bowls of candy too, lol). I met some people I've been dying to meet, just really nice folk. And I got some red roo lace, a new strap end cutter and a SP buckle set and conchos for my belt I'm going to make. I saw the things that won awards, and more leather stuff than I knew existed

[DoubleC]

Post it notes from the edge, Friday, 5/15/15

Ok first let's talk breakfast. The Mill advertised a continental breakfast including waffles. They should have said 'regular crappy hotel continental breakfast with waffles.' No eggs, no potatoes, just cereals, fruit, waffles ya made yourself as the only hot item. Won't go outta my way to go to breakfast tomorrow.

Well I got up and edited the other post it notes, stayed up around 2 hours and slept through my class wake up call. I got up at 5 til 8, a little late for an 8 am class. I started rushing around madly but then decided to wait and go in at noon. Hey 1/2 a class where you miss all the important info is better than none But then I found out the vendors are open from 8-5. Now wait a darn minute......You can't have classes from 8-5 and then have the vendors close. So a new plan came up. Blow off this class and go drool and wait for Cubby to get here to go and drool some more. So getting ready to take a bath, and put on part of my clothes for the awards ceremony tonight and go drool. So I'm off to the tub, then the convention center. More later.

Post it notes from the edge, Friday, 5/15/15 Continued.

Well have I go some catching up to do I got ready to go to the convention center and walked across the street to a convenience store for pop and cigarettes to take with me. Asked the Clerk where the convention center was and she said the oppostit direction from which I'd already been told. I head out and get about 1/2 a v

block and my old fiend panic shows up, "I'm going to wrong way, I'm not going to make it, I can't walk that far' you get it. Headed back to then Mill to get a cab for the center and was panting by the time I arrived., and I took a break walking back.

Cab comes when it wants to. I'm serious, staff told me so. I get in with my dog and tote bag and off we go a block and 1/2. It's $9.00, they start with a per person charge of $7.00. Won't mention chin or floor, handed her my credit card. she said 'I can't take that. " I said, Well I don't have any cash so I guess all I can do is go in and see if they have an ATM. (Why haven't you planned cash emergencies so far, grumble, argh, meh.) I find one, insert my card and mchine won't give me cash. Now I know the machine can't be out to get me so must be the wrong PIN. Insert it again and use other PIN. It won't give me cash. OK maybe A. I. has taken over the world and their first experiment is to mess with me. Try several times and nothing. I know I have 600.00 in there? I ask the Trade Show for a piece of paper and pen, write and IOU, seriously and go back out to the cab. I tell her I can't get cash and she calls the police. Hmmm, day is taking a real downhill turn. Bummer.

Well the police don't arrest me. She tells them I'm very honest just can't pay her. What should she do? I had some suggestions but didn't think that was the time to mention them. Eventually I got parole with a promise to pay her as soon as I get some cash.

I'm cranky now and go back in and attack the ATM with my debit card. I try over and over, nothing. I quit, defeated by an R2D2. But I head off to see some vendors I'm dying to see in person. First off? Ed Labarre.

Ed is an attractive, funny and genuinely nice human being. Suddenly I feel the last days melting away while I bask in the warmth that is Ed Labarre. We joke, he shows me his stunning knives including Andrea's (ok secret is out now because she has it perfect specimen. It is inlayed with Malachite in the design of a bear paw. Ed and I are both excited about the surprise and joke about how she's going to be so surprised. I head off to see the rest of the trade show vendors. Next stop, Cobra Steve.

I wanted to see if he could mail me a feed dog screw for the one I can't find. I also just want to meet this wonderful man that made my Cobra possible. I've already heard what a nice man he is so looking forward to the interaction.

I shake his hand, introduce myself and he hugs me. OK this is my kind of welcome. This man who just knows me through business exudes warmth like a mini sun. And walks like a mini tornado. He is walking off while we're talking and I don't know why but I 1/2 trot to keep up with him and try and tell him about the screw. He said, "I have you one here, that's what I'm looking for.' So once again my friend Al Bane has taken care of a seemingly minor thing for me by telling Steve I need a feed dog screw. Al will never know what this means to me, no way to explain. It's not a small thing to me. Steve and I chat and I head off to see the 'exotics' man Ed told me about located in a room right behind Steve.

I walk into the whirlwind that is Jerry. Room isn't a bad size but it's stuffed with every exotic I can imagine, and some I can't. On the wall there is a pink and purple handpainted python skin. This sucker is huge and put off a light of it's own like the north star. I have to own it. While I looked at it, Jerry has waited on 3 people talked to me, rearranged hide, just truly a one man show although he has a really nice woman who is helping him. The air in the room was literally charged with electricity. Skins hanging on the wall sway as he passes. He moves at the speed of light and I stand and stare at the purple and pink python. She gets it down off the wall for me and it unrolls to be a couple miles or so. I had never seen a snake skin so big. She is Asian andd says it's 75 meters. I don't know what that means but sounds good to me. Then she says she thinks I can get it for $70.00.

Now all the time this experience is going on my mind, not the primitive Id part that wants this, is saying to me, 'Cheryl you don't even like pink and purple.' Shut up. 'But you never wear pink and purple.' Will you leave me alone here, I'm trying to buy something.' Well my rational brain won out when I found out it was priced $75.00 a meter and it's 3.4 meters. Which is ALMOST 2 miles long but I can't afford that. I went back three times to make sure it's still there though.

I go back to see if Ed has heard from Andrea yet and he hadn't. Off for more shopping. I find an Osborne round end punch I want. (I'm starting to find out I want a lot of things..) I see lace and head there. It's Y-Knot and what I spotted was some bright red. I want this because, uh, well, I'm sure it will go with something I have at home although what is escaping me at the moment. I tell her I want it and I walk away with it for the small price of $63.00.

Run by Ed's then back to front desk to see if they can get a hold of Joe Boyles at the church to let him know I'm not there. Can he meet me at the convention center. Then I ask them is Montana Silversmiths at the trade show. No but another Silversmith, get directions and head off. Bonnie had told me she got a nice buckle set and conchos to go with it for a belt. So I looked through their bargain things and find 1" buckle set and matching conchos. I decide the 1 & 1/2 just looks too big for me to wear although I have a beautiful set at home. I decide to make a ranger belt. The set is really gorgeous so I decide I deserve it. I realize I'm deciding I deserve a lot of things and may go broke spoiling myself. Maybe I should focus on work stuff. OH yeah I got the round end punch so I'm being responsible. Oh yeah but I'm making a belt for me, hmmmmm.

Back to Ed's and still no word. He sends Andrea a text and off I go again. I saw a girl sitting at a vendor's table who has rack after rack of stamps. My ears start to bleed just watching her go through every one of them, so I move on. Oh yes there's some hair on hide, too cool. I have hair on hide scraps at home but a whole calf hide would really make something nice. What? Oh shut up head I don't know, can't think of everything right now.

I'm started to get anxious about Andrea and hoped everything is alright. I was told Chyenne is around 2 and 1/2 hours from Sheridan. I later found out it's more like 5 and 1/2 hours so I realize she's not going to make it to the convention center on time for the surprise. I am deflated for a minute but there was just too much to look at to stay upset. I start looking at the people which I hadn't done before then. Some people are dressed like me, causal hick but most are blinged out. Pants pockets, shirts, a pair of high heels that made my feet hurt looking at them. Rhinestone bracelets, bangles, necklaces, ankle bracelets, ear rings, it is a dazzling array. Then I see Rusty and Kevin from Springfield Leather. To me it's like seeing Elvis in the building because I buy almost everything I get from Springfield. Why? Well in VT we don't have a leather store. And Springfield carries all kinds of wonderful stuff, most of which I don't know what it is or if I need it, but it's cool. I had just recieve a plastic beader, Lil Wizard, and a plasic bone folder from them along with normal hardware and leather. So I introduce myself.

Rusty? Kevin? I didn't expect to see you here. Oh I'm Cheryl, I get most everything from you. Hey, when are you bringing the Kevin Value Channel back? I miss you guys, you crack me up.

Kevin says, 'we were just talking about that. Oh Rusty cracks everyone up. But then again it's not all his fault. Rusty says, no they aren't really professionally scripted. Kevin laughs and say they aren't scripted at all. But then again we don't pay well for that. I leave happy.

OK It's almost 5 and I'm exhausted. So is Skadi. She has been every where I went and now immediately lays down as soon as I stop. Well there was that one incident with the people selling furs but I don't think they're going to file charges. I mean a dog will be a dog. I start panicing about how I'm going to get home. Not by the only cab in town I don't think. Andrea isn't going to make it. I don't know anyone well enough I feel comfortable asking for a ride when they close up. I call the Mill from the convention front desk. Nope no other means of travel. I see a shuttle outside. I am excited and ask the woman behind the desk where it goes and for who. Holiday Inn guests of course. She looks at my face and says 'where are you going?' I said, the Mill in. She says, 'I can have our driver take you, let me call him.' Just another example of people's humanity toward strangers. I have spent a lot of time talking about negative things in this but only so someone coming here could keep from making the same mistakes I did. So off we go in the shuttle.

I bring my treasures to my room, kick off my shoes pants, crawl under the covers after asking the front desk to let Andrea know where I am, and go to sleep. BUT not before the dog does.

An hour later Andrea is here. She says, 'I didn't get in town in time to go see Ed about my knife. I'll have to try to catch him tomorrow when we have lunch. I smile. I have the knife AND a little sheath for it Steve sewed up for me. I stuck it under a page of the Welcome to Sheridan phamlet in the room. I said, oh wait before we get off on something else I have something to show you. I pull the knife out from under the page and give it to her. She pulls it out of the sheath and says, 'wow, who do I owe for this?' I said, 'no one. Ed and I have been planning this for a week once you commited to a knife.' She said, 'well isn't he a stinker because he's been talking to me too and never let anything slip. And you're a stinker too.' I am happy.

She says, do you want to go to the Sheridan Outfitters for the party? I gaped (yes that means the chin drop) and I said, do you feel up to it? She explained she had laid off caffeine a while back but not coming here so she's wired for sound. I throw on some clothes and we head out. When we get there is packed. And it starts pouring rain. She gives me a poncho to put on over my soaked clothes while the dog shakes and shakes again. We make it inside and are looking around at things. Having a dog can be a handicap within itself in a crowd. Especially a drinking crowd but as usual Skadi adjusts. We walk through as best we can and I find out where the beer is. OK I'll admit it I like beer. I like it a lot more than a double Jack on an airplane. Food and beer is free but they people are working for tips. Should I drop a credit card in? Nah. Make it back in and still packed. We head out to the leather tent which isn't as packed and some grey and silver pull up yelled at me from across the room. But I decide to think about it. But tonight it's still calling my name. (Saturday).

I drink my beer, think about pull up leather I don't need which isn't relevant and look up at all the collectibles they have. I can't see straight ahead yet. I'm looking at the boot collection and I see them. A pair of steampunk looking boots. I show them to Andrea and ask her if she thinks they'll sell them. She says probably not. I head to the counter closest to them. I have to ask. Woman behind the counter says she doesn't think they can be sold but she'll ask the person she needs to when she sees them. Asks me to leave my name and number.

I head back to Andrea and she shows me a lacing chisel and I have to laugh because of an acquaintance on LW.net that bought 75 different chisels. But not lacing. Andrea thinks I should get it to use with my roo lace. It's a set, the first piece cuts the slots and the second one cuts one slot at a time to go around corners. I'm intrigue so I buy it. And head out for another beer. With my bubble wrapped set. Which is better than bubble wrapped leather but that's another story

As I drink my beer I notice the place is clearing out some, then a lot. I tell Andrea I think I'll get rhe grey leather. Unfortunately the leather tent has just finished closing up. So we're going to try and make it tomorrow (Sunday now).

I have to add a little more about today and then I'm hoping to turn this over to Andrea. she got a ton of pictures today which will explain so much more about today (the Saturday part, not the Sunday part I'm writing this in.) and will be much more interesting. But I think I need to think about getting some sleep for Ed Labarre's class tomorrow. I'll have plenty of time to catch everything up from the road, too. Cheryl

[leatherwytch]

So, your gazelles are prong horn antelope ( like in where the deer and the antelope play.) We have them in southern Alberta also. Sounds like some great stuff there. I hope you were able to access your money. What taxi does not take a credit card. Even if she got herself a Square she would be better off than none at all. You didn't say if you got to your class on Saturday or not. I hope you made your class today (Sunday) and had a good time.

[WinterBear]

Ok, so I had planned to leave a little earlier than I actually managed to on Friday. But I did eventually get on the road. Rain dogged me the entire way, but It really poured from Chugwater until I left Buffalo. The trip wasn't without its occasional perks though--It looks like there is a pair of bald eagles at a nest just off of I-25 near Glendo. The rainstorms were impressive though, sometimes a considerable amount of water standing on the road, and sometimes with hail floating on top, and lots of lighting. Made for some white-knuckled driving, but most of the truckers were careful of the little cars like what I drive.

The weather delayed me, I didn't reach Sheridan until after 6, and I was 17 different kinds of frazzled. I decided to find my hotel room, find C, and try to figure out where my brain was. I'd had enough caffeine by this point to send me into orbit,and it was pouring, as it seems the rain followed me into town. The Sheridan Leather Outfitter's Reception had already started, and I had only a vague idea of where that was anyway, so C and I decided to hop into my car and figure out where it was. Whoops, it was right next door. Silly me.

Wow, what a lot of neat stuff. They had a tent out front full of leather and all kinds of tools and boot lasts, there were various stitching horses outside in the tent and inside, chap leathers, stingray, shark, beavertails, and all kinds of sheepskins. A set of shelves inside had splitters and various other tools, link pinkers, punches, edgers, and a bunch of other things I wasn't sure what they were. Glass cases held slot punches, strap end punches, awls, rein rounders, concho punches, and lots more. There were also a couple of tool racks holding handmade stamps from nails and brass stock, a few McMillian and Bob Beard's stamps, and a bunch of the older craftools. There were all kinds of neat things on the walls and up near the ceiling as well. There were serving food and beer as well (apparently the rain ran nearly everyone inside!), and there were mobs of people talking and looking at tools.

Well, we didn't see people we knew, so we decided to try to find the Mint and see if we could find anyone. Lots of stuffed animals heads on the wall and a really big rattlesnake skin over the bar too. Back to the hotel. I was still wired, so I decided to grab some groceries at the Walmart and double check that I know where the convention center is.

And then back to the hotel to finally upload the car and find my own hotel room (I'll add pictures of the reception and describe Saturday tomorrow--I'm a bit out of steam...)

[leatherwytch]

I hope you have a great drive back with no weather issues. Hopefully you had fun and got some cool stuff. I can't wait for next year.

[Bob Blea]

Cheryl, sorry I didn't run into you in Sheridan but as you saw, there were a lot of people there and lots going on. Way too much to catch it all. Sounds like you pretty much has a nightmare getting there, and I hoping it goes much better getting home.

[DoubleC]

Yes Bob, a nightmare on the way, and maybe back but what a great time while I was there

[DoubleC]

Monday/5 18/15

Well on the road again and though I'd catch up my peeps about things since Andrea joined me, classes, etc. We just pulled into Buffalo, WY. Got a 10 minute break to get something to eat. I have my usual chocolate cupcakes with me so don't need anything to eat.

OK Friday night, a little more to finish. We left the outfitters and went to the Mint bar. A popular hangout for LWs. We rn into some people we knew from the forums and had a nice chat. I had a beer ( I couldn't finish it, I think my party hardy days are over). We stayed probably an hour, ran through Wendys on the way to the hotel and crashed.

Saturday 5/16/15.

Yes the hotel clerk assures me, it really is 6:30. But I know the clerk, computer and clock are lying. I think i sit up, and just stare. Finally reach for my ever present soda and down some. Then meds and more soda. Know I can get awake somehow.

Before I came to Wyoming I practiced being awake. Seriously. I don't have a schedule at home so either sleep late or take very long naps. So for a week I practiced staying up from round 9 until midnight. It worked to some degree. I would make it two days and sleep 16 hours the next. Not a total success but better than 16 hours everyday. However, even though 6:30 was 8:30 in VT I'll admit the practice didn't do much good. However with the practice i was using every muscle in my body and some I seemed to have grown just so they could ache. My feet hurt 24/7. I got used to it, was able to forget them most of the time. My legs and the soft bed fought a lot. I'd lean back against the headboard to do my computer stuff and we I needed to get up for some reason, my legs didn't go the direction I told them. That happened a lot. I tripped going up steps. I tripped over my power cord getting off the bed. At outfitters I tripped twice before I ever had a beer. Numb feet and sore legs don;'t seem to work well together. And my arms were sore from constantly carrying something. Pop from store across the street, supplies to class, things I bought from the vendors, but always something. My back was sore because it refused to be left out, lol.

I may have been contemplating this while I stared at 6:30 or I my have been contemplating why Wylie the Coyote never dies when he falls off cliffs. I took a bath. Baths are great for waking up. Of course they're also great for going to sleep. So that plan didn't work. Pop and meds were starting to kick in a little. Cubby called me all perky to see how I was coming along getting ready for class. Oh? I had to get up AND go to class?

Actually I was as fine as ever so off we head to Chan Geers exciting class of building billfold, checkbook and various other interiors. I woke up in class when Cubby stabbed me with the scissors. I was not asleep, I was meditating on Chan's words of wisdom. Easier with your eyes shut. After my second error that couldn't be fixed I told Chan, 'you'd think I'd never seen leather before.' Chan said, 'Have you ever seen leather before?' I would recommend a class with Chan anytime you can take it. He's hysterically funny and a wonderful teacher. However I flunked the class. I am the world's worst interior doer.

After that Cubby and I shopped. Oh yeah we shopped during lunch too. I showed her the purple and pink python I wanted for absolutely no reason and she reached in a box and came out with a piece of rust, brown and beige python I could use with some beautiful Italian Leather I have at home. I stayed and bought it while she went back to class. So of course I was late because I was at manic Jerry's, that I had to finally trip to pay. He wasn't injured to badly and I'm fairly sure he isn't going to file charges either. OK, let's see, it's Saturday so that means the awards ceremony. Cubby wants to go, I want off my feet we're both happy with that decision so I sleep while she takes picss at the ceremony. AND BOBBY PARKS won the Al Stoleman award for lifetime achievement as master leather worker or whatever that award is for. I was really happy for him.

So Cubby brought back food she had cooked for me in case I was hungry and went back to the Mint to meet up with people. I stayed up and did.......who can guess, Thursday's entry, Fridays, maybe next years, don't remember. But napped until 9:30 PM so couldn't sleep and went ahead and updated this some. At around 10 I put in for a wake up call on Sunday at 6 AM. Thought I'd try a new plan. However I stayed up until 2:30 doing an update.

Sunday, 6:00 Am. 5/17/15

6 AM is so blissful. Especially when you're asleep because no one gives you your wake up call. Andrea called and I answered, 'good morning.' Until she told me it was 7:40 and all I did was say ACK like some kind of parrot. I tell her to go ahead and I'll get ready and she can come and get me on break. I'm in the lobby by 9:30 pacing and drinking coffee. I talk to the registrar, express my displeasure at not being called. She put down right then to wake me at 6 today (Monday). I drank coffee, I paced, I asked the time. Finally at 10:40 she calls the Holiday Inn for me so I can send someone back for Andrea. I guess Ed Labarre isn't big on breaks Or lunch, lol).

Andrea comes to the phone and I tell her if she waits until lunch I'm gonna have 2 hours of class. Andrea said, 'he hasn't taken a break yet and I've told him twice I have to come and get you. I'll go back and just say I'm leaving.'

So I get to Ed's class after 11 but all they've done is case the leather and draw the pattern on. So I am pretty caught up. And I can case leather and draw patterns on it so feeling pretty comfortable after giving Ed a hard time. OK now time to carve. I ask Ed which of my swivel knives I should use and start. What is wrong with my right hand? I'm telling it one thing and it doing something completely different. I can't follow a single line. And it's cased right and my knife is sharp. Ed comes over, sees I'm struggling and explains part of the problem. My knives are not adjustable and are too short for me. And I'm holding it wrong, beyond the death grip I always have on my tools. My carving looks like a 6YOs and I am really discouraged. I haven't picked up a swivel knife probably in a year but I didn't expect things to be this bad. Worse than the people who have never held a swivel knife because I have the wrong tool I'm trying to learn to hold right.

Everyone finally leaves around 1. Some people are leaving to go home. Some are starving and tired from being in class 5 hours straight. Me....I'm just discouraged. I was however glad to have a taken a class from Ed who carves beautifully. And is so nice. You think of 'Bearman' as a tool maker but he can do it all. And I noticed Sunday as I passed Ed's booth, his son was carving a picture on a piece of leather free hand.

But hey there is still shopping we can do. that perks me up. And we're going back to Sheridan Leather Outfitters so I can get my grey leather. And we do, and I can't find it. I start asking people who work there because they've packed up most of the leather in the tent already. One woman tells me she saw it waving bye bye earlier as it left with it's new owner.

Then I see a woman with a piece of green Mili... whatever leather I wanted, but a much smaller piece. So I go back to where i saw it Friday and all they have is the big piece i saw. Over 200 bucks worth. OK so I start looking at deer and other hides.And need a bank loan for those. They won't sell me my boots and I'm ready to run through the building committing mayhem. Instead I settle for a nap and a knot lesson from Cubby later.

As always, Skadi made more friends than I did Well except maybe Pat in Chan's class who sat behind me. For some reason Skadi kept scooting back to lay on his foot. He limped outta class from lack of blood flow to his feet but I'm pretty sure he's not filing charges So Sheridan has come and gone and again I feel that longing as the bus goes along the wide open spaces. While writing this I've seen about 100 prong horn does. The last one a few minutes ago was down in a gully crossing a little steam. We are 8 miles from Casper and I'm realizing we're getting closer and closer to civilization with each mile. Not that Sheridan wasn't quite civilized and modern on the surface. But you get to their small town ways after a couple of days. One taxi, no hotel shuttle services, almost a completely dry town. You don't just run into an Exxon station and come out with beer. You go find a liquor store just like it was in the small town I grew up in. And I found I loved it. I wanted to keep my bronco Billy bed spread. I thought it was fun after a while shutting the bathroom door to get to the microwave. And it had a nice meeting table and two chairs that i immediately covered with junk so couldn't use it. And what's wrong with a sink in the living room? Saves you a few steps.

So now I'm actually up to Monday 5/18/15

They did call me at 6. I did my fair share of staring straight ahead and comprehending nothing. I was dressed and that was about it when Cubby called at 7. I asked if she minded lending me a hand packing. We had everything done and downstairs by 7:40 I think and bus came at 8:10. I still had to walk Skadi though and get pop at the Exxon when we got there, etc. We got lost and was still over at the Exxon by 8. well not real lost, Exxon was only a block and 1/2.

I didn't want to say goodbye to Cubby. Our time together had been too interesting and fun. I have a new knot I learned from her last night and i hope to have a new one to teach her next year out of the knot book she gave me.

Today Wyoming is grey and cold. The day I showed up it was grey and as hot as VT had been when I left it. I'm wondering if VT will be as cold and grey as Wyoming as I leave it.

Did I miss VT? No. Did I miss my downtime? Oh yeah. I didn't have any downtime on this trip. I was either sleeping, writing this, or some where spending money All three fun activities but can be really tiring, well except sleeping. I'll probably add more to this from the motel tonight, or at least edit it and gt it online.

I think we're in CO but I wouldn't swear to it. Much more congested than the rest of the trip. Lights, cars, houses, grass, trucks. I have sat so long so uncomfortably that my left hip feels like it's coming out of my skin. I think we just reached Greely or getting close. A woman getting ready to get off.

Greely was a mixed bag like all of America these days I guess. I'm starting to get a little nervous because we're coming into Denver and I don't have a plan. If I stay at the Ramada it's going to cost me about 80 bucks in fess and I'll have to get up at 5 to catch my plane. If I take this shuttle the bus drivers are telling me about it goes to the airport but I don't have a hotel reserved. Anywhere. Looks like it's going to pour rain and it's windy and cold and I'm without a plan. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Just kinda dawned on me again since last night. Was too tired to look after we did the lacing and too tired to wake up and look this morning. And I've en without internet all day and pretty close to the greyhound station. Well no sense worrying about it until I get there I guess.

I have been through so much in such a short time I may have just completed a crash course in desensitization. Or maybe I'm too tired to worry.

I think I hate Denver. I can't breathe, there's no O2 in the air, LOL. And I seem to find a lot of nutty people wandering around like they actually live here so I guess they do. One came leaping at the bus and it looked like he was cursing it? I thought he was gonna go under the bus but he didn't. Then I get to the Greyhound station. Of course the seriousness of my situation has kinda sunk into my foggy brain. I need to find this shuttle some where and make a reservation for a room. I'm standing in the ticket line because I know the shuttle doesn't come for another 1/2 hour. I'm hoping to get some help finding reservations someplace. Suddenly something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention. It's a pit bull service dog that's trying very hard to get away from it's owner and at Skadi. He asks me if Skadi is friendly. I ell him, 'well yes but less so on a leash with other dogs.' He tells me his dog doesn't like other female dogs and I tell him Skadi is female. I start to turn back around and he's coming at me with the dog. It starts snarling from 3 feet away and I tell the idiot to stop. He doesn't and the dog is snapping and snarling at Skadi who is in reverse and squealing paws. I tell him to leave and he does but comes right back over and reaches to pet Skadi while he holds his dog away with the other. I ell him to stop, he's just making his dog jealous and at this point everyone in line has taken up the good fight and is telling him to sit down and stay away from us. He is angered by this, still doesn't see that he's done anything wrong. The woman behind the desk comes out and asks what is going on and I have 5 people answering for me, and I'm glad because I'm on one knee trying to breathe and shaking all over. The woman asks me if what was said was true and I nod, still trying to catch my breath. And then he starts over AGAIN to talk to the woman who is next to me. I tell her to stop him, she does and security is called. And the police. I take Skadi outside to go to the bathroom and try to light a cigarette and it takes me a minute. I lean against a wall out there while Skadi is pointing the pigeons for me. She loves anything that moves, well not in a good way, wants to chase them but she's completely forgotten about the incident at this time. When I get back in security is escorting the dumbest man I've ever met out of the station. I have had some annoying incidents on the trip but this was scary. I'm about to ask the woman about a motel and here he comes again with the police. He wants a refund. There is a man at the counter filling out his luggage tags and the stupid man walks around him so he can get closer to me to get his refund. I am screaming hysterically by now, 'GET HIM AWAY FROM ME.' The police make him move on the other side of the man at the counter.

I'm calling the hotel the woman tells me about and they don't have a room at the one she told me about, but they have several hotels so he checks the next one, and they have a room, but not smoking. He checks the next place and is about to book me when I find out it's 30 miles from the airport. I just thank him for his time and hang up. I know a Ramada a mile from me that's getting me again. I'm so tired I could cry. Woman wants me to talk to the police and I agree. Same story he's heard from everyone else when I ask him if he can walk out with me while I get a cab. When I get outside they are tying to get him into a police car and down on one knee I go again. I'm gasping and a guy asks me if I'm OK and I nod. He says he'll call me a cab plus there is one at the curb who tells the officer he'll be right back for me. We pull up at the Ramada and my cab driver takes my luggage in which no one has ever done before. I give him my card for his payment, he goes out and gets all his payment info while I talk to the front desk. They don't have any rooms available. Convention in town. Then she says I have a queen but it's smoking. I said I'll take it. $159.00. Cabby returns, and I pay and tip him then tell the girl I need help with my luggage. They have me in a the furthest room from the hotel on the second floor. It's like an alcove that you can't even see from the door and was probably once a laundry, or meeting room or who knows what. I have to stop and catch my breath on the way there. The room is disgusting. The carpet looks like multitudes of people have had unprotected sex on it. The bedspreads appear to be around 20 years old and the curtains even worse. And I just don't care. It has wifi and I have it locked along with the dog. She barks at anyone who knocks and sounds quite ferocious. Later I go back for food and snacks and have to rest on the way although it's pouring rain. I can't make myself breathe, I'm just too tired and anxious. I know I'm going to be staying another day because I know at this point there's no way I'll get up at 5 AM to get to my plane. I talk to some friends in chat and fall into bed.

I wake up at 11:30 this morning. Housekeeping comes along even though I have a do not disturb sign on the door. I am not awake yet and grouchy. Even grouchier when the woman's first language wasn't English. 'You leave?' No. You stay" No ( I really hadn't planned to but since it was so late I changed my mind a little later) 'Oh you leave.' I leave later. 'Oh you leave.' Not now. later. 'Oh you stay?' I said, yes I stay some where and shut the door.

I call my bank to get my PIN number I left in VT. Doesn't do me any good/. I call the front desk and tell them I'm staying another night. She said, 'that's fine just bring your card down for us.' I say, I'll be sure and do that later.' She says, 'within a 1/2 an hour, it's almost 1.' I flip off the phone.

When I went to the front desk I tell the girl I need to be closer and on the first floor because of my disability. She gets me on the first floor but still as far away. But the room is nicer and I'm quite content to sit here the rest of Tuesday while I straighten out my flights I missed.

[WinterBear]

Well, hell. I was hoping you'd have a somewhat better trip back.

[groovytech]

Sounds like 'Fear and Loathing in Sheridan'..... I hope you can rest when you make it home.

[DoubleC]

No Groovy, maybe it didn't quite come across but I had a great time while I was there. I started this to help somebody next year or anytime that goes to the trade show know how to get around and tried to show the ins and outs. But I'm glad you came on the journey with me.

[DoubleC]

Post it notes from the edge 5/20/15

Say what? you got home on the 19th didn't you? Well not exactly. Well not even close, as you read I missed my plane Tuesday. So after making all the arrangements to change the flight to today and paying my 'bad girl' fees, I stayed up all night Tuesday. I had the desk clerk at the hotel come and help me over with my luggage. That was about 4:30 AM. I just hung out in the lobby and played on my computer until about 5:30, then asked the clerk to call me a cab. In the meantime a man had opened the door for me when I went in to the main hotel. We smiled, and did all the greeting stuff and then I went on. 2 secs later so did he. I had just tied the dog to a chair leg when I hear this, 'can I get you a cup of coffee?' I look up and think damn, I'm going to have to try to be polite on no sleep. I said, 'no, I have pop here.'

So Tex (seriously don't know his name, and was wearing a Texas shirt and cowboy hat) plopped down into the lobby area with me and asked me some questions, you know stuff strangers ask each other. Finally to shut him up, I asked him if he liked to fish. 'Oh yes ma'am' Well good, let me show you this cool fishing game i have on the computer. do you know how to use a computer? He does and as I lean a little closer to show him how to play the game, he says, ' we oughtta keep in touch.' Sure Mr. Married Tex whose wife is in Las Vegas with their two dogs. 'If I give you my info can you get a hold of me on here?' He asks. Nope, uh no I can't. My computer doesn't have that function. Whatever function he's talking about, email, chat, skype, all of mine are broke. He went to put his clothes in the dryer and my cab came and oh my I didn't get to say bye bye to Tex. One more Denver weirdo.

Hey I know weirdos. Most of my friends are weird. Just not creepy weird.

The trip was ONLY 58.00 this time. Gas prices must have dropped. I have been screwed so many times without a kiss on this trip I'm kinda in a rage about it. At every turn a tax, rate increase, non refundable, added charges, hidden fees, the list goes on and on. Of course I'm not talking about the trade show, don't think there could be a much more honest bunch as a whole. I mean all the 'hospitality (that aren't very) industry. For example I got to Newark a while ago. I asked them to have a chair waiting on me (forgot I was back in normal country that has o2 in the air, LOL and I could probably walk. But Newark is huge so I just let the man do his thing. Said I needed to go to the bathroom and then needed to take Skadi out. He went 14 kinds of ways around the airport, and of course English was not his first language so I had no idea what he was saying. Until we got Skadi out to the pet park and I turned her loose to go. He explains to me several times that he has done a good job and things that weren't his job so what was I going to give him. 'A fat lip ran through my mind.' I handed him my credit card and he said, 'no credit. Need cash. What you give me?' I explain to him I have no cash and can't get any. No PIN. PIN he seems to not understand because he says 3 times, 'I will take you to ATM.' Amazing how his speech improved after we got to money. Anyway he reluctantly took me to the TSA check point and after I got through he was gone. Language I definitely understood by this point. United wanted his name. It was something like Zgwlsheirkufoml. Right like I knew his name.

I get on the plane to Newark and I'm in the last row by myself. Ahhh, sweet silence plus room for Skadi. I don't believe it but in a few minutes I'm asleep. In a few more minutes the attendants wake me to see if I want anything to drink. No more napping on that flight. But I did relax and was glad Skadi was comfortable. I got off at Newark and told you the story above so beyond that, no big deal. Since United had told me they gave me an upgrade on the the phone when I switched flights (for the 75.00) I was expecting a similar ride into Burlington. Of course I forgot it was a puddle jumper. No it was full so I couldn't have the bulkhead area. No couldn't sit in the middle area with more space. NO NO NO.

Got Skadi squeezed under my feet and seat in front of me and after the flight took off I couldn't believe it but I dozed off again. And Skadi tolerated her situation maybe 10 minutes and tried to crawl out. So awake again, I try to drag, push, lift, and pull her back into the torture chamber they gave us. She wasn't having it. The woman across the aisle from me asked if I wanted to try her there. She put her feet on her husband, leaving a little more room and petted Skadi the rest of the trip. Skadi modified the sweet woman's behavior very fast. When the woman would quit petting her, Skadi would move just her head like she was going to get up, which caused the woman to start petting her again. Demon dog.

We get to Burlington, Vermont and my friend, Patti Jo is waiting for me and I hug her so tight I mighta killed her. I was so glad to be back in Vermont with someone who wasn't going to make me and the dog ride in the trunk, LOL. Which is about how much room we'd had on the plane, or maybe less.

Patti takes Skadi outside to bathroom and I wait on my checked luggage. OK again I have to tell you you will think I'm lying but this really happened LOL. Neither of us made plans to meet up. My luggage comes out, Patti isn't back so I go outside and sit on a bench where cars are driving up to load passengers. I sit. I sit some more. After a good 1/2 hour goes by Patti comes around the corner and says, 'Where have you been?' I said, 'Where the hell you been? I've been sitting right here watching people get picked up.' She says, 'I was in the parking garage, where else would I be?'

Chin is so sore by now from hitting the ground, I try to grab it but miss. She takes the dog to pee, I get my luggage and some how know she goes on to the parking garage AND which the level and spot. So I have to carry my luggage about 1/4th of a mile to the garage while she walks Skadi. I am too tired to be mad. Tell her I wanna stop for a beer and to buy us both something to eat. She ate on the way up. She has worked 8 hours before coming after me and I know she is tired but you would think she pulled the car to Burlington. I told her I'll settle for stopping for some beer to take home because everything is hurting. She says she doesn't care if I drink one as long as I'm careful and look before raising it. So off we go. A block and a convenience store. Not yet she says, need to get out of traffic. So we follow her GPS and she doesn't have a clue where we are. In places no cell service. Phone battery is low and it's dying. All of the trip except last 5 minutes is out in the country. I get to buy my beer the last 5 minutes, LOL but don't care, almost home now.

She takes the dog up and the pop I bought at the same store, and I try and carry a 12 pack, and three pieces of luggage, LOL. Way too tired for that so take the beer and the heaviest piece. Walk back down gasping for the other two pieces. Drag myself upstairs and Patti says, 'that's disgusting.' I look where she points and I forgot to empty my coffee pot. I look at the rest of the house and think, that one's a quick fix, LOL. just vinegar.

Silence. Patty Jo is gone after a big hug and thank you from me. I know being tired has made us both grouchy and I am not upset, just so very happy to be home. I do 'home things.' Find my meds. Feed and water the dog. Change clothes. Lights on, windows open to get some of the 'stale' out. Kick a path through to the living room and set up the computer and head to see if anyone is on Skype or in LW chat. Chat for a while and drink two beers, take my meds and hit the sack. Sleep for 20 hours and here I am.

I need to clear up some misconceptions I had while writing this. The most important one is there was no info available at Leathercrafters site for people like me. It just wasn't available before I left. When Cubby comes she has a huge printout of info she has folded like a book and brought with her. And when we go to class the next day there are the exact same things on the conference table except the outsides are made of card stock or something stronger than printer paper. They had been professionally done.

I guess if I was to offer some suggestions for them the first would be to put on the workshop site to stop by the Holiday Inn first thing and pick up pertinent materials and get your questions answered. That way they wouldn't have to have everything done way ahead of time, because there is tons to be done. But newcomers that are totally lost on the process would know where to get the information they need.

I asked the Mill Inn if they had any info and they said, 'no, they never give us anything like that.' I would suggest to Leathercrafters that they get a bare bones info sheet out to the close by motels and hotels.

Maybe part of the info available to these places to stay could be a map and a brief description of how things will work. Or not work. OK one cab in town, and classes at the Bethesda Church which is two miles out. A shuttle that stopped a couple places to ride out on would be nice. The cab driver told me it was going to be I think 15.00 to go that two miles. I have nothing against anyone making a living but convention people being taken advantage of is another thing. It's no different than paying 10.00 for a Big Mac in airports simply because they can charge that. Well I can't change all the airports or Amtrak stations (food the same way) or even bus stations (3.00 can of pop) but we can change this trade show. I had a wonderful time at the actual trade show and learned so much but still came away with a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth.

And this is the most important thing to me of everything else. Change the class times or the vendor times. When classes run from 8-5 and the vendors are available 8-5 how is that supposed to work? I missed one class on Thursday because of the plane connection but didn't go to my next one because I was trying to work out that surprise before Andrea arrived plus I wanted more than an hour lunch to shop. I guess this has been an ongoing problem for both attendees and vendors. I work at our local Farmers Market and it's a much smaller scale but I would be furious if every Saturday I worked the Farmers Market also had another event they were putting on some where else at the exact same time. I would find another venue. But there is no other venue quite like the Rocky Mountain Trade Show. Even if there was one afternoon where no classes were offered it would be better. And schedule all the 8-5 classes on the other 3 days. I'm sure it can be worked out.

I am going to offer this to the Leathercrafters and Saddlers Journal. I don't want you to think in any way I was asked to critique the event. I did it to help other newbies. They can consider the suggestions I made or not. I'm keeping a copy of this and will post it again next year before the event. I'm still hoping Andrea will find some time in her inhuman schedule to write some more from her perspective and add some pictures. Mostly I hope you enjoyed at least parts of this. I'm not leaving the edge just signing off from Post It Notes From the Edge........of Sheridan. Cheryl

[leatherwytch]

This is great Cheryl and Andrea and parts of it are hilarious. I had a better time reading it then you did living it.

[DoubleC]

Thanks Randi. Actually I had fun writing it, not so much living it at times, LOL. I had forgotten how much I enjoy writing. And of course sharing this journey along with my friends was a good feeling. We'll know what to do next year Cheryl

[dirtclod]

What classes did you take ?

[DoubleC]

I took making interiors with Chan Geer and beginning tooling with Ed (Bearman) Labarre. I didn't realize how fast you lose that ability when you aren't using it. First time I held a swivel knife in over a year. And the results WEREN'T pretty. But taking a swivel knife with me tomorrow to the farmer's market and some scrap and just gonna practice while I'm there in between people. Chan's class was easier in concept but harder than even tooling for me because of my shaky hands. But I'm looking forward to putting the knowledge to use, good use I hope. Thanks for asking. Cheryl

[WinterBear]

Well, obviously work "ate my lunch" and I didn't get the pictures uploaded. I'll try to address that tonight.

As I said before, it rained pretty much for the entirety of the drive. There was a brief respite just before I got to Sheridan, but it didn't last long.

So, the Mill Inn is a former flouring mill. The rooms are on the long, low wing, while the "tower" portion consists of the hotel laundry on the lowest floor, and offices for the rest, excluding a small exercise room for hotel guests on the top floor consisting of a basic weight bench, a treadmill and some sort of exercise bike. It was remodeled into a hotel in the mid-70s or so, and it shows in the quirky layout of the rooms--it very much has a "roadside motor hotel" vibe going on. I had one of their single rooms, and it was very small--good thing I wasn't there much. The rooms have a small microwave and a teeny dorm-room refrigerator, but I had to unplug the lamp to plug in the microwave--older motels just don't have much in the way of plugs. That being said, it is super clean and pretty quiet. I've paid a lot more for accommodation that was a lot worse, to be honest. I'd happily stay there again because it is clean, it's pretty close to the convention center without being smack-dab in the middle of things, and I bet the views would have been nice if it had ever stopped raining!

I don't have a lot of pictures from the Sheridan Leather Outfitter's Reception--it was raining and the light wasn't very good, so most of my pictures didn't turn out, and they're pretty blurry. But I think enough did so I can at least give you all some idea of the neat stuff. Not shown are the rows of glass cases with the tools (rein rounders, pinking punches, bag punches, strap end punches, awls, etc.), all of the leather in bins along the back wall, and the tent of leather they had set up outside.

[WinterBear]

Saturday dawns, and C and I scramble over to the convention center and find the room where we both will be taking the Billfold Interiors class with Chan Geer. Cannot say enough nice things about Chan, or about Chan's work that he has for us to look at. Once class started, we all find out that the list of suggested tools on the web wasn't accurate, so there aren't enough scissors--we pass them around and get our patterns traced onto some beautiful W&C leather, and get all of our parts cut out--the first part of the class is an interior for a checkbook-type or clutch-type cover with card slots on either side. We learn how to fold ribbon to make the card pockets and how to glue everything down. Skadi spends most of her time on the feet of the man behind us--Pat. Pat lets me look at and try out his Knipshield pull knife. Oh mama, I'm impressed by that blade (I get one of my own before the end of day). Once we have our interior built, Chan brings out some russet W&C, and we build a second one while he's available to help with any difficulties, but we all are pretty much doing the whole thing on our own. We break for lunch (Note--the Holiday Inn Convention Center does not have a microwave--it you bring a sack lunch, you have to take it to the restaurant staff and have them heat it for you), gobble it down, and try to take in some of the trade show before return for the second part of the class. This time, we'll be making the insides of a billfold, and this one has a sort of sliding hinge that will allow the wallet inside to be fitted to a wallet back.We also make a second of that style in the russet leather for a second attempt on our own.

The first style of interior, as made by Chan.

Oh look, you can make it out of ostrich too...

Traced pattern and the ribbon pockets.

Both sides finished.

My classmates.

Pat and Chan.

Well, there's a familiar face! Look who wandered in...