Stormy Sunday

I realize I have trouble finishing the blog.  Two years ago, I left the last two day unfinished.  This year life got ~very~ busy right after the fair, with work, Randy having back surgery and Stella back to school for senior year!  Since I cracked my iPad screen, I need to get all the photos off before I take it in for repair....I am forced to finally get this done.  Don't let the blog date fool you.  It is actually September 26th as I finish day eleven,  The last day may not get done until October!

Severe weather was predicted for the day.  Hopefully holding off until after the Talent Show Finals in the grandstand.

I did not go to the fair until close to my shift. The fair was drawing to a close and I was honestly getting tired!  This was supposed to be my last day volunteering, taking Labor Day off to spend it with the family.  I decided to add my name to the last (late) shift on Monday since I wanted to see it through!

One of my goals was to fill up my State fair Alphabet game card with all food items found at the fair.  I cheated a little and did some online research using the State Fair "food finder"  and I found the last few I was looking for.  Yaki Soba noodles for "Y" and Mexican Horchata for "X"  I may have cheated using "Ultimate Confections" which is technically a vendor that sells candy...not candy itself.  I will do better next year.  But I did earn my Blue Ribbon!

A few friends topped to say hello,

And family!  

Once I was done volunteering I raced down to the Grandstand to find my family and friends who already had seats in the Grandstand for the Big Show!

Well I guess I did not...race...

I checked out the VAPOR special OPS supercar that was parked on Judson today.

I got in line ( again) for toothpaste, and this time, I got a toothbrush too and was able to brush my teeth ...at the fair!  They felt so good :)

 (This was my something new for the day)

The Nutella truck was giving away free samples

and as I walked, I texted the gang in the seats to see if they needed  anything.  They were all set, so I told them I was going to stop for something for dinner....or CORN..

 I was thirsty for a beer, so I found a spot in the Grandstand Beer vendors that has Budweiser....my beer of (not) choice ...due to allergies.  As I walked past the "Stroller Parking" lot, I noticed that in one of the strollers there was a baby!   

Neither fo the kids working the lot looked old enough to be a parent....so I snapped a picture from the back and then on my way back, I asked if this was allowed????  They looked at me funny and then it dawned on the young man what I was asking...and he said...Oh this belongs to a coworker...  Seriously, if it were to get out that you can park your baby along with the stroller in the grandstand....

When I arrived at my seat, Fairchild was slinging t-shirts with the cannon.  David got one and kindly gave it to the kid sitting near us! :)  He was thrilled!  Pam & Cindy in the background :)

The whole gang was in attendance, Carol B. and Jim O.

David L and his brother & nephew...I seriously can never remember ther names!

Mom, David & I.  David was off getting food!  He has a list that amazes me!  He is an accountant so it should not be surprising, but it is a spread sheet of beauty with his food & beverage purchase plan and prices comparing year to year including budget and actual costs. 

Michael & Kathleen were joining us in a bit.

I made a french fry run, using my awesome plate with cup holder from the Taste this year.  

I forgot that I joined the group later this year so I was unaware of the time slipping away for actual food.  I was told the show would start in 10 minutes.  I needed something besides carbs.  I knew that I really wanted to to eat Axel's Bull bites...I also knew they were now being sold under the name of Lulu's in the West End Market.  I knew, too  that the lines might be long, but I ran anyway!  I ducked out of the west end of the Grandstand, ran through the woods behind Sweet Martha's, snuck through the patio and stage of Famous Dave's cut through the building across the empty dance floor..and ran down the street to the far end of the West End.  The lines were long heading straight out, but I walked up to the side corner and was third in line!.  I wanted the the beef and chicken cajun bites, but I saw a tray of them sitting...and sitting...and sitting as I waited for my turn.  When I ordered, I asked if I could please have fresh ones since I had to run them back to the Grandstand.  They did as I asked and I winded my way back the same path to return.  I walked up the stairs into the grandstand and realized I needed a beer.  This end of the Grandstand did NOT sell Budweiser and as I tried to make my way across to the other side I was stopped by security asking people to please stay put as the show was starting. (YES!  I made it back before the first act!)   They were asking people to wait until between the acts to move to their seats.  This was a nice change....but I was thirsty!  LOL   As I waited I was eyeing the cajun bites, but I knew I had better wait until I had a beverage to actually eat them!   I was right.  Michael, Kathleen & I shared them.  

As we watched the show and ate our bites, I got a text from Randy letting us know that some severe weather was in fact moving in.  I brought some little plastic bag type ponchos along, just in case,  I offered the extras up to Michael and Kathleen and they gladly accepted.  They wanted to see a little bit of the fair before the rains came...which they almost did.

There were a couple acts remaining, but Mom & I bailed shortly after my brother did. I wanted to check on Stella, since it was almost the end of her shift.  As we made our way down the stairs, the clouds opened up, lightening stared striking and the thunder rolled!  We were shortly joined in our under grandstand shelter by Michael & Kathleen.  

Kathleen told me, just before the rain started she was wearing her poncho and people were looking at her funny, not convinced that it was actually going to rain....until it did...and then they offered her big money for it!  It was lucky she did put it on prematurely, as she tested the liquid- proof nature of the poncho with half a glass of red wine shorty after donning it!  (It worked!)

Leaving Mom & Michael under the shelter of the Grandstand, Kathleen and I ran down to check on Stella.  Once again the ramp leading up toward the plaza was a rushing river and the entire plaza was under 4-6 inches of water!  There were random, single, abandoned, flip flops left by people running for buses, floating on the surface of the West End Lake...Minnesota land of 10,001 lakes.  

Stella was soaked, but relieved from duty, so she gathered her belongings one last time, donned dry socks and a fresh un-ripped poncho and we rejoined Mom & Micheal.

They had opened the lower portion of the Grandstand as a storm shelter, but as we approached on return, they were closing it down again, so we were thwarted in our attempts to find a restroom!  We found out the next day that people actually looted the Grandstand when they were allowed in.  Not sure who did not think that through.

We stopped in the rain at Spaghetti Eddies for a couple slices of pizza.  

Seeking a dry place to eat we entered the awning of the Merchandise mart...only to find the rest of the Grandstand crew!  

We were all a bit wet, but since we saw the announcement on the grandstand signs that the Talent Show was continuing on the Leinie Lodge stage, we made our way there (after a bathroom stop) to catch the final two acts!

The ponchos helped some, but I was still quite soaked.  I was wearing my sandals again.and I don't even want to think of what was swimming under my feet inside those shoes... I walked most of th way home barefoot, risking broken glass and rocks, but hoping the torrential rains would have washed the sidewalks mostly clean.

Once back at Mom's we peeled off the wet stuff and headed home.  We needed to get some rest to prep for family fun day with Dad on Monday!


 

So. Many. People.

I arrived at Mom's after dropping Stella at the Park & Ride lot.  It took me 20 minutes to drive from University and Lexington to Hamline and Como.  Just. Breathe.

When I arrived at the Simpson Street Lot, there was one space open and another departing...I filled them both in less than 10 minutes for ~top~ state fair rates.  Mom & dad arrived home, we both slid our cars into the garage and I gave up my VIP parking for another paying customer.

People were coming and going, and just before Mom filled the last space my mom's cousin John arrived!  He was lucky to get a spot!

The parking scenario told me just how it would be over on the grounds.  As I walked towards the Asbury rain garden, I heard my water guy!   I stopped and I told him that I missed him the other night.  He told me he has such a sore throat and could not talk at all for two days!  I was relieved to see him...he is not young, and I would miss him!  I had no plans and did not need food, so I headed straight for work and checked in a little early.

Walking up Cosgrove Street I turned to take a picture.  Dan Patch looks like this, Judson (near the Dairy Building) always looks like this, but RARELY does the street that runs in front of the Education Building look like this!

 I was in the "Welcome to the Alphabet Forest" job today.  I love that job!  I got to meet and greet these find folks who stopped by to say Hi!

I worked a little later than usual since we were a little shorthanded at the booth.  Cindy & Pam, stopped by and said hello on their way to the County Fair Talent Show Finals.  They would save me a seat!

I was hungry after working and before the show started so I decided to try the Gyro that is a favorite of The Heavy Table a foodie magazine that did a taste tour of the new foods last year.  It is up on the north end of the fair at G&G Concessions.

The line was long, but I had a coupon for $4 off a $10 Mega Gyro.  It was mega!  The meat was very good, and there was a lot of it!  But I do prefer the tzatziki sauce that my guys at Dimitri's make.

We watched a show full of talent and I realized that many nights when we did not stay to find out the winners, I had already picked them!   Even tonight, I picked the winners!  The girl who won in the teen division, Mom actually picked, but I thought she was in the open.  I picked the other two.  I am excited for tomorrow night and the finals in the Grandstand, if we don't get rained out.  Cindy told us the Minnesota weather forecast for Sunday made the national news!  UH-OH!

It started to rain a little bit...again, so Mom & I decided to just head home.  I would get some blogging done as I waited for Stella.  Mom made a restroom stop and I made my nightly visit to the d'marie wine booth for my one ounce sample cup!

The same lady I see every day is there and she asked if I needed the big one tonight...I did not know there was a big one.  (must just be for the regulars)  I will buy myself some before the fair is over!

I met Stella at the rain garden and it was a crazy busy day for her too.  People, drunk people, crabby people, happy people, sad people, people who cannot follow directions, people who have trouble giving directions...just lots and lots of people.  Stella has just one more day to go at work, and then she was granted Labor Day off...so we can do our family tradition one last year before she goes off to college!

Distance: 9877. I am slacking!

Freebies: my jumbo 5 oz. wine sample!

Food: G&G Gyro. I wanted a Rutana hot apple dumpling, but ran out of room in my tummy.

Something new: Picked all the county talent show finalists!

Rainy Day

Raining on and off all morning, settled in my chair, avoiding the blog and drinking coffee.  Stella slept soundly until noon.

We headed to the fair, prepared for rain, and it came. Stella took the park & ride bus and I drove to Mom's

As I walked over, the rain had stopped for a bit, I snapped a picture of my parent's neighbors tree.

I forgot the coupon book today...bought a foot long anyway.  I ate my dog as a lady serenaded us on the piano in the park.  This "Piano on Parade" brought to us by Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet school.

I had a little time before work and the rain started again so I headed into the Eco Technology Building. There is an awesome new playground for kids made from all recycled and natural materials.  I picked up a pamphlet from "Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood" with 25 easy nature play ideas.

 I watched the Veggie Grand Prix, (vegetables strapped to little race cars) this race ended in mashed potatoes.

I got to try some delicious white cheddar cheese.

 Picked up my chick seed pack.  I asked if they had lots of them because I thought they would be so fun to do with my kids.  They only have 300/day to hand out.  so I was given a contact and maybe I can buy some.

There is a cute little car display about car pollution, but you can't play with the cars...

I like this workroom, created from all recycled/reused materials.  This is one of those Pinterest things, I only dream about.

They do have a great kids craft station using all re-purposed stuff.

I picked up screen cleaners from the battery recycle center.

and checked out the almost world record ball of paper.  This is the amount of paper Minnesotans throw out every 30 seconds.....yikes.

I arrived at work and today I got to be the "greeter".  Favorite job so far!  I get to welcome people the forest and tell them all about what they can do.  I also got to see lots of fun people today!  Stella's friend Gana stopped by, and was sad Stella was not there, so she sent a greeting.

I was surprised by a visit from one of my "old" kids...Olivia and family!  She remembered me and was happy to give hugs!  We chatted about how it is easy for me to be at the air since my folks just live three blocks out on Simpson Street.  Olivia's dad said, "Wait, Simpson?"  Apparently they parked at Bart's house, two doors down.  They came one day and Bart kindly reserved a spot for them the next day!    ......small, small, small....world.

 My cousins stopped by!  The whole Rachac clan!

And then my little buddy Luke & family arrived just as the rain really started coming down.  Luke was happy to see me and jumped in my arms.  Apparently he has wanted to be at the fair with me instead of school.  I would LOVE to see the fair with this little guy!  "Wat dat Ms. Heder?!?!"  Love him!

We had another visitor today using the Braille books.  This make Debra Frasier so happy!!!

Sara joined me today as a volunteer....she manned the Alphabet necklace booth.  The rains really started to get heavy and we were battening down all the hatches. As we were starting to cover everything up, my friend Carol and her family stopped by to say Hello!  I am happy that I have a "home base" at the fair where people can come and find me!  Sadly, we were working fast and furiously to get things covered up so I did not get a picture!  The rains really started to come down.... I was drenched and trying to keep the books and paper supplies dry as the water poured off my sleeves.  I reported to our fearless shift leader Dan that it was starting to rain inside the alphabet necklace tent...and he said, surprised, "they are still open?!?....Close it up!"  Sara (and Mike joined her) had been keeping wet kids and parents busy throughout the downpour!  Mike brought her walleye bites and a beer!
         ******RAIN
              ******RAIN
                   ******RAIN
                       ******RAIN
                                          *****no iPad use, no pictures....
The reports of lightening required us to depart our little cabin and head for shelter in the 4H building.  Our shift was almost over, so we were relived from duty and the three of us headed down to the West End in search of stuff made with waffles!   Sara wanted to try the Chicken 'n' gravy in a waffle and I needed the hot waffle ice cream sandwich!

We stopped to see Stella in the flooded out West End Plaza.  They had gates, pumps and sweeping crews trying to put it all back together.  The "slope" of the plaza is a little off.  Stella told us they had a pump that may have not been grounded very well, so they put up gates and she guarded it to keep people out to avoid a mild shock at the fair.  That would be something new!

Despite the rain the fair was CROWDED!  Long lines for food and drink everywhere.  Mike & Sara got the chicken in a waffle at the Blue Barn.  It had a little spice to it and an ironic twist...a malted milk ball in the bottom of the cone.  For ice cream maybe....but chicken????  I am trying to think of what else they could use as a plug.

I wandered to find the West End Creamery and my waffle ice cream sandwich.  Oh it was SO good. Service with a smile too!

Axels' is no longer set up on the south east corner of the food building.  The Gas Station has moved in (from up in the old Gloria Dei location)  I asked them the other night where I could find Bull Bites and they could not or would not tell me.  (not sure which)

We saw the lines for Lulu's Public House, which I learned is Axel's.  They have Cajun Bites on the menu (chicken or beef)  my guess, these are the old bull bites.  The lines were too long to inquire and/or order some.

The rain had abated for a bit.  Mike told us we were in the eye of the storm!  LOL  We debated if we should head back to Mom-s and Sara's house to get dry clothes before the Buckwheat Zydeco concert.

Mike wanted a London Broil, so we were making our way eastward.

As they sat and enjoyed the beefy, cheesy, oniony goodness, we decided it was best to maybe try and get a seat as close to the front (under the point) of the bandshell and just wait it out.  We were already wet and why get dry....to get wet again.

We had to make a stop at the salted nut roll place.  I failed to follow my food protocol this year.  Protein first, then sweet things alternated with savory.  I ate the waffle ice cream sandwich and then I ate the nut roll.... uff da.

We did manage to get fifth row center seats, somewhat under the awning and made some food & beer runs as we waited.  I turned to Sara and said it was a good thing we did not go home...we might not have made it back in the rain.  She quoted from the movie Finding Nemo.." (we) think (we) can do these things, but (we) can't!"  LOL  Feeling older every year!

The concert was great!  Mom joined us for a bit, but it was pretty loud and everyone was standing in front of us, dancing.  She left and the concert rolled on until 10:15!

We met a soggy Stella near the gate, and we all walked back to Mom's so I could give Quinn's a ride home....Sara in her bare feet since she could not put soggy socks and shoes back on!

Another night with no water guy.....

Distance: 15,018

Freebies: chicken seeds, device screen cleaners and hugs, lots of hugs!

Food: chicken in a waffle, ice cream in waffles, salted nut roll, French fries, more curds (not for me) beer, London broil, walleye bites, foot long (before work)

Something new: checked out the new kids nature play yard.

Fine Art & Ferris Wheels

Becky & clan headed to the fair early, and I was suffering from the final stretch.  It was a cool, almost cold day with a little rain.

Stella hopped on the bus and I headed over  and went to the Fine Art Building, just beating a quick rain shower around 2:30.  The art is fabulous, again.

I was able to watch one of the studio artists working.

Took a few pictures of my favorites.

This is art imitating life!

This is the Fairy Mountain and reading corner bookshelf at my forest.

Before too long, my friend Gayle arrived ( the one who missed the Coke booth) and she brought me a present too!

Next came my cousin Becky, Stella's Godmother and her kids and my Aunt Kathy.

 It was so fun to see all the kids and they had a blast in the Alphabet Forest!  Eli was pretty much done for the day, They had been walking for eight hours and they were all headed to another cousins swim meet!  This picture is my favorite where you can just see Eli's shoes!

The kids were so sad to miss Stella so Camden had a great idea!

After work I stopped at the Sensodyne booth and got my toothpaste.  

They were out of toothbrushes, but I was good from my haul the other night! I wandered back down through Creative Activities and found new funny and beautiful things.

I met Mom at Leinie Lodge and caught the tail end of one talent show and we walked back up to catch the county show.  I was not thrilled with the show and decided to see what my new friends tom & Dan were up to back at the Forest.  Debra had invited them to see her digs out in the State Fair Campground and they invited me along!  I was so excited, this was somewhere I have never been before!

We had to get special wristbands as guests and then she took us on a tour of the area.  This is looking up from directly under the water tower!  I got to go potty IN the water tower!  A first for me!

Her camper is cute, small and does the job.  It is surprisingly quiet and she was a great hostess, bringing an extra chair for me all the way from the Forest., and providing us with snacks and refreshments!  I have always wondered what it would be like to camp at the fair and Debra shared lots of fun stories of traditions and crazy things she has seen over the years!

We parted ways and I wandered down to see if Stella wanted some company on her way home. The laser light show in front of the Eco Tech Building is still going on this year.  Lots of new vingettes, including a Lego Movie Segment!  "Everything is Awesome!"

 I sat and watched the Ferris wheel in the Kidway and was mesmerized by the color changing wheel!

I waited for Stella to climb up the Dan Patch hill and she stopped for some cheese curds. I do not eat battered and fried food....and there is a reason for that.  I never feel well after doing so.   Tonight was no different.  I broke my rule and those curds will forever be known as "curds of regret".  

Stella enjoyed them very much!  

I like the "M" all lit up outside the U of MN booth.

I decided what would help me feel better after the curds....

They are better during the day, late at night they are a little dry around the edges, but still tasty!

We ran out water, Stella drained what I had left after the salty/sweet combo. I pulled out my buck for the water guy.....I had my buck, but I was out of luck.  My mouth way dry, but where was my water guy???  

I hope he is OK

Distance: 10,677 steps

Freebies:  toothpaste

Food: curds of regret, brownies, snacks in the campground

Something new: I peed in the water tower!