Great BUSY week !!

This week was one of those BUSY weeks that you meet yourself coming and going!!


Monday we got up early and headed down to Alliance, Nebr to get our pickup and boat out of storage. I hadn't taken it out the last two summers because the lakes were so low it was almost impossible to fish in them. But this year has been a WET one and I hear the fishing is GOOD. Pat and I are ones that don't like to pass up any good fishing!!!


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The Ole Pickup fired right up and we brought it the 140 miles up to our place in Custer. Now to get all the dust blown off, oil changed and ready to fish!!


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Tuesday morning early our great friends and the Pastor of our church called and ask if we would like to go fishing with them for the day!!! It looked like the makings of a BEAUTIFUL day. I have learned to NEVER pass up an invitation to go fishing. Pat told them "of course". It wasn't long before we were buying night crawlers and headed south about 40 miles to our FAVORITE fishing lake, ANGOSTURA Reservoir. Here is a picture of their neat fishing rig.......Let's get it in that water!!!!HOT DOG!!! I'm ready to fish!!


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Meet Neal and Deb Hughes. What FINE folks!! We had a WONDERFUL day fishing. Here we are at about 3:00pm, wore out!!


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I hadn't been fishing for so long I hardly remembered how! But we hadn't been out long when I tore into this NICE 24" Walleye. WOW!! That was fun,,,,,what a way to start the season. Pat caught a couple of nice 17" Walleyes and a small mouth Bass. Neal & Deb caught their share of nice Walleye, too. We even had to throw back a bunch of Walleye that didn't quite make the 14" length requirement.


Now that was a SUCCESSFUL day!!! Thanks Neal and Deb, boy you guys are FUN to fish with!!!



Wednesday we both had a dentist appointments in Deadwood, about 50 miles North of us. So it was up and at'em again early for that and on to Rapid City afterwards for a FULL day of shopping and getting supplies. While in town we stopped and talked to a contractor about building us a metal building at our property in Custer.....Humm, interesting..would sure be nice. Gotta think about this,,,$$$



Thursday we received a call from Allan and Jeanne Webster and they wanted a PressurePro Tire Monitoring System. They attended the RV Dreams Rally and are on their way to the Escapade in Gillette, WY. They were staying over near Hermosa, about 30 miles east of us in the Heartland RV park. So we ran the system over to them and helped them install it. More nice RV'n folks....we meet more neat people in this kind of lifestyle. Isn't it great!! They are/were from Alabama and have been full timing since May and loving it.......The system went on smooth and we were on our way. (forgot to get a picture of these folks,,,darn!:>(



Back up to Rapid City. Need to talk to this guy again about this building a little more......?????questions!!! When we got home we had orders for two more PressurePro systems and a Repeater to get in the mail....Got 'er done just in time for HAPPY HOUR!!!!:>) Whew!!!


Friday I spent a hard day getting my boat ready to go. It hadn't had any attention for a while, so it needed a lot. Put on 2 new tires and repainted the wheels, charged the batteries, serviced out the motor and actually got it to run for a spell. Everything I have is OLD, but it is GOOD!!!



Whew, now I was really wore out, even a little late for HAPPY HOUR. But its never too late!!


Later we watched the movie "Bucket List". What a great movie!!! Check it out if you haven't seen it. The cancer thing kinda struck home right at the moment, as it's a lot of what Scott went through. But it was a neat movie and I'm not a movie fan, but I enjoyed it.


Saturday we planned on a nice hike in the park, then a Motorcycle ride out to see Dick and Shirley Peer. They are our neighbors at Retama Village RV Park in Mission, TX and are out here in CUSTER STATE PARK campground hosting......

But, it was cool and windy and soon turned VERY smoky and we were beat from a long week, so we just hung out.......a lazy day!!!


Plus today(Saturday) June the 28Th, is Scott's birthday. He would have been 47 today. I had a little problem staying focused and had many, many flashbacks of him throughout the day. I guess there will be days like that and I need to learn to cope with it. But gee I miss him, can't get around that. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!!, love you man!! You will always be in my heart.


We found out all the heavy smoke that filled the hills today blew in all the way from either Calif or Canada. Who knows, just glad it wasn't any local fires!! So far its been quite wet and the fire danger is moderate to low in the area.......That's good!!!



Sunday. So today its off to Church and maybe we'll get that bike ride in today....who knows?

It looks like a super day!!



See ya all next week. Thanks for dropping by.



It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!



Stay SAFE!!!
(and love those kids)


Mike

STORM-STORM-STORM, rain-rain-rain !!

WOW!!!, we are enjoying the Black Hills, but this year has been something else. Some days we have had 3 storms in one day!! Hard winds and hard rain each time. Yes and HAIL also!! Each time it seems to hail a little. So far, we have been lucky and just "marble" and "nickle" size and not big or hard enough to damage anything....Thank GOD!!! Each time it starts to hail, it brings Pat and I to our knees! Back in 1995, we had $8,000.00 damage to our BRAND NEW 1 ton tow truck. It only had 6000 miles on it.......It made us sick!!! So HAIL scares the HAIL out of us!!!








This was taken on the First Day of Summer, 2008. Hail was a couple inches deep in places. Temperature that morning was 39 deg when we got up, but soon it got up to 77 . Perfect weather,,,for me,,,,,minus the HAIL!!!

The GOOD NEWS is, the Drought seems to be over. The streams, creeks and lakes are almost full. We haven't seen that for several years.........Fish HERE WE COME!!!!

PressurePro systems sold like HOT CAKES last week!!!! WOW, thanks folks!!!! Keep telling your friends and neighbors how neat it is to know the pressure in your tires at ALL TIMES. We shipped out 10 systems to addresses all over the US and Canada. Calif to NY.





Bob and Molly Pinner called and told us they were coming to our area and they wanted a PressurePro system for their Monaco Coach and toad. We had met these folks at Nick's Gypsy Journal Rally in Casa Grande, AZ last Feb. They had decided to get a system from us at the RV-Dreams rally in Branson, MO. this month and we weren't able to be there. So they came on up here to get it. When you come to us, let me tell you we will bring it to you and SHOW YOU how to install it. It was great meeting and spending some time with these neat folks. They are just starting the Full timing thing and having a ball. They also got a contract on their house while they were in the area.....CONGRATULATION'S guys, lets hope it goes through!! They were impressed with the Black Hills,,, hope they come back soon.....they are on their way to the Escapade....Enjoy that new PressurePro system!!
Here is Bob and Molly's Blog


We received another PressurePro order yesterday that will go out Monday, from our good friends and fellow HDT'ers and Retama Village neighbors Jim and Hazel Brumfield. (HOGRYDR on the SKP forum) Jim has had the Smart Tire pressure monitoring system for a while and decided to go with the BEST !!! What a NICE order that was,,,,,,,,Jim has 16 tires to monitor. Thanks MUCH Jim, you will enjoy the system and we will be right here 24/7 for any problems, help or assistance you might need..........Mighty nice talking to you....

Here is: Jim's Photo Album Looking forward to seeing you at the HDT rally, Jim & Hazel.

Molly and Bob Pinner came out to see our little spot on the hill while they were here and they loved the view. Molly suggested I stand in my Teton doorway and take a picture of it and put it on the Blog. So here it is Molly!! The view is much better than the picture.


Click on picture to enlarge it....

Most of you know that I was raised on my folks cattle ranch just 140 miles south of here. During my younger years, I used to get up here once in a while and it was always my dream to have a little spot up here and live on it... This is a DREAM come true!!! The Lord has been good to me!

This is probably the GREATEST place we could be. Especially right now during this hard and trying time. I used to dream of Scott owning this property one day and sitting here just as I am, enjoying it. I had discussed that with him....

Well I believe he is already here. I talk to him many times a day. I know he is in a better place now and enjoying it, I just miss him and it's so hard to believe he is gone. Sometimes I break up or choke up, but I understand that's part of the natural process of grieving a loved one. Time will help, but if I choke up when talking with you, don't be surprised and don't feel bad about it. I need to talk about him and it comforts me/us when you give us your support and understanding. Thank you all so much!!

It's been a GREAT WEEK !!!!!

Travel Safe. Stop and see us!!!!

See ya next week!
Mike

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY to Ms Terry Russell of the Gypsy Journal ! I know another guy that has a birthday on this very same DAY!!! His name is Mike,,,,,,,, ;-) . June 22, a GREAT day !!

A lot to be THANKFUL for !

I wish I had a way with words like my friend Nick Russell, who publishes the GYPSY JOURNAL http://www.gypsyjournal.net/NicksBlog.htm

But I don't and I'm really at a loss for words today. Last week I couldn't even think and I simply published Scott's obituary. It was a tough past few weeks, but my memories of Scott keep telling me that I know he would want us to carry on. So, we will do our best to do that.

Yesterday, as I drove for 4 hours West from Lincoln to North Platte on our way to our place in the Black Hills of South Dakota, I was thinking. .......I have a LOT to be thankful for.

I'm thankful I had the privilege of knowing Scott for nearly 47 years !

I'm thankful we decided to go to Lincoln and visit with him this last few weeks... truly God's Blessing. Pat and I were right there by his side during all of this unexpected terrible turn for the worse....and there by his side when he left us for a better place.

I'm thankful I have Pat to help me through this. She loved Scott as one of her own, and Scott loved her like a Mom.

I'm thankful I have my two other boys, Mikel and Patrick.

I'm just so thankful of so many things, I could go on for hours. But one thing that I'm especially thankful for is all our friends and family.......Wow !!! , I want to thank each and every one of you from my heart. The emails, cards, calls, flowers, contributions, and super support was really something.........Thank you all very much, it means so much to us.

We want to get an early start this morning, so we can get on up to the beautiful Black Hills....They have been getting lots of moisture and I understand that the hills are extra green and real pretty!!!

Come on up and see us !!!

It was a GREAT (thankful) DAY!!!!

God Bless,
Mike

Goodbye Scott, We love you!

Scott A. "Scooter" McFall

Scott A. "Scooter" McFall 46, Lincoln, lost his battle with Leukemia Thursday (06/05/08). Born June 28, 1961 at York. Scott was the youngest of threes sons born to Mike McFall and Jean (Johnson) Krull. Scott attended Lincoln East High School; Southeast Community College; University of Utah; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Concordia University and Bellevue University. As an Information Technology professional, Scott worked for the State of Nebraska, Dept. of Roads, State Patrol, Dept. on Aging, and Natural Resources Commission. Member, St. Joseph's Catholic Church; former member, St. Mark's United Methodist Church; former member, Lincoln Jaycees; State Troopers Assn. of Nebraska; former member, International Chief's of Police; Great Plains Trails, and a Lifetime Achievement (27 gallon) Community Blood Bank Donor. Scott enjoyed running his side business, PM-WebWorx; being with friends and family,; remodeling the house; working in the yard, bike riding; RV'ing; exercise and life. Those left to cherish his memory: wife, Ann (Youngberg) McFall; father and step-mom, Mike and Pat McFall; mother, Jean Krull; brothers, sisters-in-law and families, Michael and Karen McFall; Pat and Michelle McFall; uncle and aunt Larry and Judie Johnson; cousins; good friends and co-workers. Preceded in death by his step-father, Chuck Krull; grandparents, Fred and Esther McFall; and Martin and Lucille Johnson. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday (06/10/08), St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th St., Lincoln. Internment: Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Wake and Rosary: 7 p.m. Monday (06/09/08)at the funeral home, 4040 "A" St., Lincoln. Visitation: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Sunday (06/08/08); and 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Monday. Memorials in care of the family. Condolences at http://www.bmlfh.com/. Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Lincoln Journal Star from 6/7/2008 - 6/8/2008.
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Pancake Feed--------Great day!!!

Yesterday was the BIG Pancake feed. It was a SUPER success!!! We were at the church at 5:30 am and the weather was perfect. It wasn't long until we had the coffee pots perking and the BIG Pancake Grill heating....We're in Business!!


Here is the grill we picked up the day before and got it all set up at the church. It's HEAVY!!! They loaded it in the pickup with at fork loader, no problem.

Now UNLOADING it and reloading it was something else!!! Here is Larry Johnson, Scott's uncle who has been gallantly involved in setting up this affair. The grill guy told us "two guys can handle it"!! Ya, I'd like to see those TWO guys, it certainly wasn't Larry and I. That round turntable is solid steel and about an inch thick. UGH!!! Larry says "We need help"! I agree!!!

Help soon appeared and it wasn't long until we had it unloaded and carried about 75 yards into the kitchen of the church. Here it is all set up. Neat deal!!

Time to light the fire!!!

It wasn't long until it was up and running. After a few practice runs, we had it figured out. We think! ?,,,,,,, Here we have from left to right, Jan Clark, Ms Pat, Larry Johnson, Shannon Patrick and Bob Patrick. I hadn't seen Jan, Shannon or Bob for probably 30 years or more. Shannon, Bob and Jan's son, was just a small boy last I knew. What a fine young gentlemen now,,,,,,My, my,,,life does fly by!! Bob was a Game Warden and a good friend.......We had fun remembering the good ole days!!



Lots and lots of Scott and Ann's friends came.......The pancakes were GOOD, the sausages were GREAT and the coffee and orange juice was excellent.

There were a TON of items up for silent auction and folks were bidding like wild!!!




There were Footballs, Basketballs, Baseballs,

Volley Balls and MUCH, MUCH more!!!


GREAT NEWS was recieved early the morning of the Pancake Feed and the announcement was made and signs were posted:

The Insurance Co. had approved the second Transplant.... CHEERS went up all around the room!!! Hallelujah!!!!! What GOOD news!

Now all they have to do is get him well enough for it to happen....





This is Karen Fish and Pat after we were all done and things cleaned up. Great Job!!!! It took a LOT of coordination and HARD work, but we all enjoyed it!!! Karen and I were co-workers at Dairyland Ins CO. for 14 years. We have a LOT of great (and a few not so great) memories that we share together. She was a great co-worker and is a good friend.... It was so good to see her again.

I think we all went home "dog" tired, but happy of the success!!! WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!

We sure wish Scott and Ann could have been there, but that wasn't going to happen. Scott continued to have a tough week and Thursday he was hospitalized in Omaha. Something was wrong and the Dr wanted to find out what it was. They scheduled a Colonoscopy but after running some pre-op tests, they found out Scott's blood platelets were VERY LOW....they were down to 15 and should be in the 50 range. They can't do any kind of surgical procedure until the platelets are normal.

We talked to Scott and Ann after the Pancake Feed and it sounds like the diagnosis now is "Graft vs Host". I will try to explain it with the info I have but it is complicated and I may not have all the details correct. "Graft vs Host" means that Scott has a war going on inside. The stem cells he received from his older brother Michael in the bone marrow transplant are fighting to take over Scott's DNA, blood type and immune system but it's not working as fast as they hoped it would. That is the reason he needs the second bone marrow transplant to get more "warriors" to help win the battle. They are treating Scott with steroids to try to get everything under control so we can proceed with the second transplant. Like I told you, this is complicated and I hope I haven't totally messed this up but it's the best I can do with my limited medical knowledge.

We can't make any plans to bring Michael up here for the second transplant until Scott is ready for it so everything is on hold for now. Ann thinks they will get to come home from the hospital around the middle of next week so maybe we will have more news by then. Scott doesn't have his computer with him so he doesn't have any way to update his CaringBridge journal but please continue to send him words of encouragement. Your comments, support and prayers are what keep him going.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall

We can't thank all the fine folks enough that assisted with and came to the Pancake Feed in Scotts honor. Thank You, Thank you!!!! God Bless all that have contributed to his extreme out of pocket expenses, they are staggering.

Until next time,,,,,,It was a GREAT DAY!!!!!

Mike