On a Roll in Reno 2

PALs Convention

The Story

Monday Oct. 1st 2001

I headed off to Karen U's from LaSalle Ontario, Canada.. and arrived at in Coldwater MI at 11am . I went to Karens work and we talked about what were were going to be doing until she got off at 12 noon. After a few stops and last minute packing we were in the car and headed towards Indianapolis IN. by 3:30 pm. Arriving there in the early evening we got a room, had supper and went to bed.

Tuesday Oct. 2nd 2001

A wake up call had us up at 4am and we were off to the airport. Arriving there we found a long line of about 200 people, but most of them were for the 2 planes leaving ahead of us.... by the time we got to the counter ( 1 hour later) there was only about 30 behind us and if we had arrived then.. we would not have had a long wait.. but it was best to be safe than sorry. Going through the Security.. I set the beeper off.. and told them I did have a metal knee.. and they did the wand sweep on me.. and it set it off again.. but I had my car keys in my pocket.. so I was cleared and off we went.

We boarded the plane and at 8:25 am we were off.. going east to Cincinatti the hub of Delta, arriving there.. we had a small wait of 1.5 hours.. but that turned out to be 3 hours.. because when they offered to give us $400 dollars of Delta vouchers.. we took them, we also got a voucher for $12 for lunch. Out next flight out.. got us to Salt Lake City at 5:30 the stand by flight we were trying to get was leaving at 6:25pm.. but it did not turn out.. as they were booked and everyone showed up.. our next flight was not going out till 10:51 that night.. so we asked if there was ANY other flight going to Reno before then.. and they said yea.. one at 6:35 so we said.. we would take it.. it had one stop before Reno.. in Elko Nevada.. and it turned out to be a prop plane.. we teased the two young men in front of us.. that they would have to get out and turn the props to get the plane going... ... We finally arrived in RENO at 7:55pm ... and after getting our luggage.. we caught the shuttle to the Peppermill.

After booking in.. picking up my mobi cart and getting settled in we went to the Lobby where we found Nancy Faris.. she and her roomies were on their way to bed.. so we went back up to our room.. I called Joanne at the Circus Circus .. but they were already gone out to dinner.. she returned our call when she got back.. and we talked for a bit.. and then hit the beds.

Wednesday Oct. 3rd 2001

We were up and downstairs in The Coffee Shop for breakfast at 8:30am. My breakfast was a whole $2.75 and I could not finish it.. and all I had was a bowl of porridge and an order of toast. but it was good.. Karen and I sat in the Lobby with... Nancy F, Linda Borders, Phyllis Crain waiting for the PALs to arrive. We watched Gayle Pounds, the Crandels, Darleen A, Anna B, Sherrie B, Carol D and Nancy g, Terri Jo and LeeRoy M, Diana F (see you have your OWN name) and Tish F and Angel J , Mildred M and Molly L and Janet G and Bonnie B, and many more of the PALs come in.. somewhere in here we also went for a walk to the Mall with Terri and Lee and had lunch.. coming back to wait and watch for more PALs.. we missed the Arrival of Joanne and her hubby.. but finally did get to meet them.

There was 1 table of 6 PALs and then a table of Seabee guys and 2 tables of 8 more PALs.. I told the single table to move over with us.. and drag the table.. but they were SCARED... so I asked the bartender if it would be okay to move the table.. he said.. just don't break it.. so we moved it over.. and we all sat together yakking, taking pictures and waiting for More PALS.

Some went off to the Sea Food Restaurant.. by Terri Jo and I are allergic to that.. so we went to the Food Court where we had a choice of getting American, Italian, Chinese or Mexican food.. it was great.. Some of us joined up again.. after eating and doing some gambling... love the pennies machines. you don't win a whole lot.. but it takes a long time to loose too.. and after all.. my money was waiting for the Vendors to get there..

Soon it was after midnight.. and everyone was heading off in different directions.. so we headed up to our beds again.. tired and ready to sleep.....

GEEEEEEEEEEEE all this fun so far.. the hugs and laughter.. and the Party had not even started yet.. ... officially that is.

Thursday Oct 4th 2001

Up early.. quick breakfast.. and waiting again for more Pals.. and in they poured.. Marty M, Irene M , Linda M, Ellie M, barb P, Charlotte P, Darlene S, Harry T, Barbara W, many many more... ( NOTE** I may have names mixed up on what days they came in too.. it is hard to remember .. so please forgive)

Lois J, Danna A and Alene A... showed up and we found out.. that registration was not till 3pm an hour later than we thought it would be.. but with a large sigh.. we accepted the change.. and waited for more PALs to arrive..

Finally it was Beginning.. REGISTRATION.. up to the second floor.. to the GOLD ROOM... Karen and I were helping out.. by collecting the Decorated Lunch Bags.. making sure everyone had put in a card with their name on it.. and giving them a ticket to bring to the dinner with them that night.. then they went over to the Registration Table where they received their ON A ROLL IN RENO 2 bags with the T- Shirts.. and inside it was packed with goodies.. coupons for the crafting stores about town, pages of hints and tips, a list of PALS names address and emails that were attending, agenda card.. (beautiful job on that Danna), sample paper from Kinko's, t shirt paper from Hanes ( I think that is who it was from), a beautiful book from Judy Crandel of Computer Hints and Tips, PC Create IT book, CD from HugWare, home made note pad, ruler, pen, laminated chart of Fraction to Decimal Chart, a map to all the crafting stores .. , papers on how to do the stuff that Anna B was going to be showing us in her presentation... page of instructions.. on How to Install Software by Dave Barry, Sample template for 5 X 7 journal, page of Computer Terminology, box Template, booklets from Paper Zone.. ........ whewwwwwwwww.. what a bag of goodies... GREAT JOB GIRLS

While you were in that room. you had a chance to go around and look at all the Contest Entries... WOW were they good.. I think they all deserved 1st prizes.... it was going to be hard to decide.. and I could see.. where some of mine that I thought were great.. were just mediocre.. compared to what was there... our ballot sheets were in our bags..and many did their voting them.. but we had till Friday night to get it done.

5:00 they kicked us out.. and told us to go get ready for dinner.. Cocktails were at 6 and dinner at 7 up on the 17th and 18th floors. Everyone gathered on the 17th floor in room #1748 the Sierra View Room... how appropriate.. eh.... :) there was a spiral staircase to ascend to get to the dinning room.. and a few of had to go down the hall to a special elevator to get up there..

As they entered the room.. Karen and I were there to take the tickets and hand them a different lunch bag than the one they brought in at registration.. and told them NOT to look into the bag just yet. At our table.. we found we were a very International group.. there was 3 Canadians, 4Americans and 2 from Denmark... But we got along very well. A buffet was set up.. with Salads, marinated vegis, chicken, salmon and beef... all was delicious and then there was a table of the most delicious looking desserts.. and it was going to be hard to decide which to have. Welcome was giving.. and a few speeches.. but not much... (not sure if this was before we ate or after) Now we had to get our bag ... and pass it to the person on the Right.... then we got to open our bags... and find out who it was that put it together.. and go find and thank that person.. it was a great ice breaker.. I got a bag from LONE from DENMARK and it was strips of foil and paper.. that you folded together and made a 3D star out of.. this is GREAT and I will be sending Lone or Kit money to buy me more of the strips.. they also did a DEMO on these.... now we were free to go..

Many headed off to the casino.. as did Karen, Terri Jo, Leeroy and myself.. Nickle and quarter machines. we went..

Friday Oct 5th 2001

9:15 found Karen and I up, dressed, breakfast eaten and down in the Convention hall OAK ROOM setting up to do our demo.. I was presenting and Make and Take it.. of PUNCH ART.. letting everyone choice from 5 items.. and they could do more than 1 if they wanted to.. or take punched out items home to make the rest. I had the sharpest scissors to work with thanks to Velda and her hubby.. they had sharpened all my scissors the night before.... Karen was my Demo buddy.. and as I did not need help she went over to help Bonnie Boyle set up.. :) By 10 everyone was ready and the PALs came pouring in.. and scattered throughout the room to try out different crafts.. I do not remember them all.. but off the list we had .. there was Star Book, Pottery Candy Dish, Wallpaper Box, Halloween Candy Cylinder, CD Pins, Post it note Covers, file folder Journals, Brown bag Ornament, Bow Tying and Santa Gift Tag, Thanksgiving Treat Box, Iron on Coasters, Punch Art, Decorative Votive Candles, Inclipz, Xyron, Journal and Pad Maker, folded Stars ... Around noon they put out a buffet lunch for us... again.. it was delicious and plenty of it.. we continued doing the Make and Takes till 4:30 or so... then it was clean up time.. as we had to be out of the room by 5pm. Also at this time.. we had the Vendors out and Epson showing us how their printers worked... Wish I had spent some time.. looking at the 2000.

The free evening ahead .. was great.. we did some more gambling.. it was okay now.. we had seen all the vendors.. and spent all we were going to.. ohhh NO.. we had to save some for the Stores in town.. .. well it was back to the penny machines .. so we wouldn't loose to much.. We (Karen, Terri Jo, LeeRoy and Me) found Harry wondering about.. so we told him where we were headed.. and he soon joined us.... Harry thinks the Slot machines are female... cause they kept saying.. please insert another bill :) Terri won 100 dollars.. and the rest of us lost our $5 to $10 bucks that we played. :) big spenders that we are :) By 2 am.. Karen and I were back in our room and sound asleep.

Saturday Oct. 6th 2001

9:00 am found everyone back in the Convention Center room.. for Breakfast and Presentations... Again.. a great buffet style breakfast .. with lots of choices and plenty for all.. everything was great. The presentation were given.. Scanning and PSP, Beginning and Intermediate Micrografx Draw, Organizing your Desktop, Get creative with Digital Photos, and of Course Sierra with PA 15 and Disney Print Creations .. Thank you all for the wonderful new Ideas and ways to do things... I learnt a lot at these presentations.. PA did a 12 question and answer contest... and those that were the first to answer the questions got PA Disney Mickey and Friends. To me.. it seems.. we KNOW HOW TO RUN PA.. but not many of us know who runs it and makes it.. guess we better shape up on that :) except for Gayle of course.. who knows the people of PA.. or is that.. the people of PA KNOW Gayle.. heee eheee heeee.. Also at these presentions we got a CD with some great graphics on it.. that were done by a few of the PALS especially for this Convention..

Hugware... did their presentation to the Winner of their contest... and the Winner was,............ Karen Underwood.. for a Calendar magnet with pictures for each season.. that are interchangeable.. with velcro... great job Karen.. her prize was a BIG basket with all the Hugware products.. 25 CDs value of $500 dollars.. Also.. everyone that entered the Hugware Contest will be getting a CD for their entry.. all of the them were GREAT..

2:00 and Free time... okay PALS lets go out and see these Craft Stores.. Karen Leeroy and Terri and I got a Handi Cap.. and took of .. to Kelly PAPERS.... why we thought there was one there.. when it was NOT on the list.. I am not sure.. but someone had mentioned it was there.. so we got in the cab.. he called his dispatcher who said.. ohh yea.. Kellys Papers.. we just dropped off someone on there.. and proceeded to tell him .. where it was.. well we got there.. and the cab tab was at 15 dollars.. but the time we drove around looking for it.. and the dispatcher.. trying to say where it was.. the tab was now at 30 dollars.. so we said forget this.. lets head back... well on the way.. we seen a Scrape book store.. and stopped in there.. and although none of us had our coupons.. Karen and I did have our PA Reno Shirts on.. so she gave us our discount. great ladies in there.. they helped us out alot.. and also told us.. there was NO Kellys paper in Reno.. and told us to call the cab place and complain.. she let us use her phone and we called. When the cab driver came back.. it was the same one.. he drove us home.. did not charge us.. and gave us 10 dollars back.. he also told us that the company was blaming him.. well we did not like that at all.. although he should have turned off the meter when we could not find the place.. it was the dispatcher.. who said he looked it up.. and had dropped off someone there earlier.. .. but all worked out.. and we some some of the back roads.. :) it was an Adventure

Now it was time to get ready for the Banquet... 6:00 cocktails in the downstairs room on the 17th floor and then at 7:00 up to the 18th floor to the dinning room.. ohhhhhhhhh was it set up nice... no Buffet tonight.. this was a sit down meal.. at each of the table settings.. there was a CD and a pen.... the CD was from Sierra and I was told to mention to those that got it.. it had graphics on it.. at a value of $150 Dollars.... THANK YOU SIERRA!!!! Our table again we had the International look,, Canada, USA and Denmark.. this time Harry joined us.. :) After a delicious meal of chicken, asparagus carrots and wild rice.. we were ready and waiting and anxious .. who was going to win the categories.. who was going to win the best of show... ... Danna and Lois and Alene... started.. giving out some thank you gifts.. and then it was TIME... who would be the first.. one... and Danna was at the podium... she called out... Embellished cards.. 3rd place winner... Danna Atkins... .... fixed.. fixed. was the call from the crowd........ we all laughed.. and through the night.. as she called out 3rd, 2nd and 1st place.. she called her name out 4 times.. getting lower and lower as she did.. till the last one.. where she covered the mic and all we say.. was the gifts and trophy being put on the podium.. with her other ones.. more and more laughter... .. as Danna was calling off the categories.. and the winners.. I was starting to get worried... ohh there is another category I did not win in... .. but all the winners were the best... and I was happy for them.. then she called it... Name Tag categories.. 2nd place... Maggie Vail.... whewwwwwwww I had won one... I was happy... and ready to go home.. :) all was great with me.. then she did it again... Category.. sets.. 1st Place.. Maggie Vail.... wow.. i was over the moon... by now all the categories are done.. and it is time for the big winners...

Best of Show... 2nd Place.... .. Karen Underwood... what a shocked PAL that was.. as was I... I was sooooooooooooo happy for her.. I was crying... and laughing.. and hugging her... in shocked she went over.. and got her clock.. and shook hands... ..... ........ ...........

Best of Show... 1st Place.... Danna Atk.... no... Maggie Vail.... talk about shock... talk about falling off a chair... I just sat there.. my hands over my mouth., YOUR JOKING I said........... no I am not Danna replied.. i still just sat there.. tears now... I looked at Karen.. and she was grinning.. and still in shock... and .. and I said again... YOUR JOKING.... nope I wish I were.. Danna replied.... I was shaking so bad... I don't think I ever did get up off my chair... everyone was coming over congratulating me... and hugging me.. and I just sat there.. .. in shock.... I remember saying something like... OHMS MY GOD... the picture I put up on the net a month ago..... it came true.... and Karen.. were in the same clothes too...

the Gifts for the Winners...were

1st place a silver picture fram & Trophy

2nd place a silver 24 CD holder & Trophy

3rd place. I am not sure .. I never got one.. and did not see one.. & Trophy

Best of Show 2nd place Epson 890 Printer

Best of Show 1st place Epson 2000 Photo Printer

hank you again.. Sierra for the great Gifts...

We stayed a bit longer for pictures.. ... and then after getting our Contest Entries.. which were down stairs room..... I thought when we got there.. everyone would be there.. and they would say.. it was a joke.... you did not win...... but they did not and we headed up to our rooms.. Karen and I taped up the printers.... still not believing this had happened.. I also taped up 2 other boxes... for shipping.. and we took them down to the Bell Desk to be shipped home..

Karen thought since we had been so lucky today.. we should try our luck at the slots again.. so we headed in there.. Lee and Terri Jo went up to the penny machines.. and Karen and I stayed at the nickle machines.. i lost in a short while.. but she was lucky.. getting up to 30 dollars ahead.. but ended up playing it all out.. we had to be at the airport by 7:30.. so we finished our packing and went to bed..

Sunday Oct 7th 2000

Up and out of our room, to the Coffee Shop, booked out.... and waiting for our shuttle by 7:30.. oops.. missed that one.. we had to wait for the 8:00.. ... Going through the security lines in Reno.. this time Karen set off the Alarms... and when she was Wand.. she kept set it off.. in front of her.. and behind her... she told the lady.. she had no metal on.. except for her under wire bra... and the lady called over a super and he laughed.. and said.. let her go... the lady.. said.. no .. we have to do something.. Karen offered to take it off.. the super and other guards.. laughed... but the lady was very stern faced and refused to budge.. the super.. said... She Can Go...and we left.. from Reno.. to Salt Lake City.. to Cincinnati.. to Indianapolis.. we had no problems.. We found my car.. and started the 3 hour ride home.. a stop at a Steak and Shake for a very late supper.. and then back on the highway again... but around 1:30 am Karen was to tired to drive.. and said she would not be able to even stay awake if I drove.. and I was not sure if I would be able to stay awake.. if she was not talking with me.. so we stopped and got a room. It was the safest thing to do. No alarm was set... no wake up call was left.. we just crawled into bed.. and slept.

Monday Oct 8th 2001

We woke up at 10am and we were off... when we were about 1 hour away from her home.. the cell phone rang.. and it was her son.. he was not feeling well.. and wanted to go to the doctors.. and if HE wants that.. he is not well.. Karen told him she would be there within the hour.. and would take him... We got to her house and I just made a quick stop there.. then headed off for my home.. another 3 hours drive.. Karen took her boy to the docs.. and he ended up in the hospital there.. so she will have a busy week, as the hospital is about an hours drive from her place to there.. :( I got home safe and sound about 3:30 pm... and after reading some emails.. and answering a few.. went and put up my legs and rested..

Thank you Danna... Losi.... and Alene for all the work you did.. and Judy and Ralph to... for the help you gave them... The Convention was a GREAT success and lots of new friends were made.. friends re seen... hugs and laughter abounded.. make and take it... presentations.. all were fantastic... thank you.. thank you.. thank you...

It was great to see and meet you all... and I wish those that did not get there could have.. and I hope you can make it for the next one.. Thanks Barb and Alice for hosting the 2003 ... I know I will see you there..