Pioneer Day, Web Sale, Camping & more!

I've been busy. First, I just took a 1 night camping trip up Mount Monroe (11,000+ ft). It was awesome. I drove my car up the mountain and over some roads I swear I'll never try to take again (we were a little worried about being able to get out) to an awesome little pond called Hunts Reservoir (9300 ft). We set up camp next to the water (thank goodness I stashed bug spray in my car however many months ago) and spent the rest of the day fishing. I haven't been fishing since I was really little when I freaked out because I caught a fish and then there I was with a wiggling, dying, slimy fish I was afraid of. This time went much better. I didn't put the worm on the hook or take the fish off (which is probably why it was better) but I did have some fun learning to watching the bobber move and reel in the fish once it bit. I caught three fish (one a little bigger than the other). It was officially fun. And the stars were outrageous. It was good camping.

And right before I went camping I got a huge sale ready and loaded on to my website. And I decided to let the lucky folks find the bargains while I was camping and then advertise the sale to everyone when I got back. Well. It seems there are a lot of lucky people out there. I sold way more than I would have anticipated while I was gone. I'm so glad to see everyone scooping up the awesome deals!!!! WOOOT! Savings for you and some fund raising for me! So... Last night I added more beads to the sale (I mean I sold more than half of what was there while I was gone... I had to add some new goodies!) and told everyone all about it. Be sure to check it out! Even if you happened upon it before... there's new stuff! www.jcherrell.com

AND!!! Today is July 24th! In Utah, I've discovered, July 24th is a way bigger deal than July 4th. You see... on July 24th, 1847 Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and declared to all that the Mormons would settle and make Utah "bloom". And so they have. They've also named today Pioneer Day and the whole state basically stops to have parades, barbecues, fireworks, picnics, dances, book sales, rodeos, bakes sales and other general fun. But, most impressive to me, here in Monroe you know today is special because the whole town wakes up at 6 am. Yup. The whole town. How does that happen? Well.... If you can sleep through the few dozen canons that go off for 10 minutes at 6 am (BIG CANNONS that shook the whole town and rattled me off my bed)... if you sleep through those I wonder if you really live in Monroe. So... because it's time to head to the book and bake sale and catch the parade, I'll conclude this by giving a big ole Pioneer Day shout out to everyone who wishes they were here (that's you)!