Good morning, y’all – I hope you’re having a good weekend so far! As you know, we’re traveling and today we’ll arrive in Colorado! Yeah!
Getting out of the house was the usual semi-controlled chaos.
By which I mean totally OUT of control chaos!
Finn was calm, cool and collected. And taking NO chances that we might be planning to leave him behind.
Ready to roll!
As we got underway – he settled into “ride” mode….
…guess all the toys and other STUFF in the back seat clued him in that this was no trip to the vet.
Yes – he got FOUR toys. I’m a pushover! 🤷♀️
When we stopped a few hours later – Wayne did a rock-check. We have new tires on the truck and they’d picked up a BUNCH!
We took a minute to sit and eat the sandwiches I’d brought – and Finn had HIS lunch-bone, too!
Usually when we go to my Mom’s – we take the South route – cuz it’s usually later in the year and we’re betting on weather further north. This time, though – we DID use the north route – up thru Nashville – thru St. Louis and all the way across on I-70.
There’s a LOT of “all the way across” on I-70. Just sayin’. And a LOT of that is in Kansas!
Crossing into Illinois – not far from our first overnight – we pulled off to fuel up.
Checking it out!
Our first night was spent in the home of Superman. Yes – METROPOLIS!
Now – lest you believe the hype (and ALL the movies, cartoons, tv shows….EVER!!) – there are no skyscrapers, honking traffic, telephone booths in Metropolis. Nope. The “REAL” home of Superman is…a little town of about 6000 folks in ….Illinois.
It IS home to The World’s Largest Superman Statue. Which we saw with our very own eyes! 😉
We did NOT see the statue of Lois Lane – but…thanks to the miracle of the internet – THIS is what we WOULD have seen if we hadn’t been too tired after dinner to hunt it up! Hmm – guess there WAS a Daily Planet. Sort of!
Anywho – it was pleasant enough – we had dinner at Sonic (don’t judge) – and went back to the hotel.
We finally got Finn to eat a little something….he wasn’t feeling the pumpkin so Wayne put some of his dinner in a hotel cereal bowl.
He tried out the bed…
…but ended up sleeping on the chilly tile. With his eggplant.
We woke up in the morning when Wayne heard something in the room!
We were a bit groggy but…there was for sure SOMETHING happening.
Turned out that mister Man had discovered that the bag of dog food – and bones! – was on the sofa. Within reach. And he….uhm…was helping himself to a VERY early LUNCH BONE! Neither one of us was awake enough to get a picture but…Wayne reports he was back in the bed with a Greenie sticking out of his mouth! 😳. Oh well – he’ll have extra shiny teefs!
The next morning – we had some breakfast. Ever seen one of these??
Me, neither! You push the button and it makes two pancakes – from BATTER! – in one minute. Very cool. I took a video and everything.
Well – I crouched in front of it with my camera held up for the minute – making sure to narrate the excitement and pan around so you could watch. Would have been a GREAT video. If only I’d actually PUSHED the “record” button!🤦♀️
We saddled up and hit the road for day 2 – headed to Junction City, KS – home to Ft. Riley!
A stop at Starbucks was FOR SURE necessary. For ALL of us!
Thru St. Louis we went.
And then it was drive – and drive – and DRIVE….till we finally reached Junction City and our hotel for the next couple of nights.
Unpacking was helped by Finn carrying some of his own things into the hotel.
To say that the folks at the desk were charmed is an understatement. He hammed it up – playing with the eggplant – pouncing on it and shaking the stink out of it like he does at home. I WISH I’d gotten a video -but..to be honest…I was doubled over laughing. It was SO stinkin’ cute, y’all!
For this stay – we set the kennel up – we’re going to be out for part of the day today and I think he’ll feel safer if things are normal.
Our efforts got the seal of approval.
…but cold tile is hard to pass up!
He spent the night “free range” in the hotel but…we DID put the bag of bones WAY out of his reach! 😉
TTFN
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HOST CODE FOR 25 SEP – 15 OCT: 32V4THZC
Use this host code when you order $50 or greater and receive a free gift (AND the Monthly Card Tutorial) from me! If your order is over $150, please do not use this code, but you’ll still get the free gift. The free gift is your choice of any item valued up to $10.00 in any active Catalog! That includes some of the Host Exclusive stamp sets! See my Customer Rewards page for full details.
Note: Make sure that you can see my name on the final checkout page listed as your Demonstrator when you order so that you know that you’re ordering with me and you’ll get my rewards!
You’ll also be getting a link to my ZOOM The Craftroom (an exclusive TWICE-A-WEEK online event for my customers) and the monthly Online Tutorial – featuring More Than Autumn for October orders.
Do you find yourself staring at multiple stamp sets and can’t decide which one to get? Well, we’ve got news for you! From October 7–9, you can get those sets you’ve been wanting from the 2024-2025 Annual Catalog at a 15% discount. This stamp-tacular sale only lasts for 3 days!
Here are the promotion details:
- Sales Period: October 7, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. to October 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (MT)
- This stamp sale only happens once a year!
- The sale will run for three days.
- The 15% off discount will apply to all stamp sets (photopolymer and cling) from the 2024–2025 Annual Catalog.
- Bundles are not included in this sale.
- Stamp sets are available while supplies last.
Whoo-hoo! Everybody loves a stamp set sale! Head over to the online store right here from October 7-9 to get 15% off all of those Annual Catalog stamp sets that you’ve been looking at!!
JOIN IN OCTOBER – AND GET AN EXTRA $30 in FREE PRODUCT!
When you join the Stampin’ Up! team between October 1–31 can get $125 $155 worth of products for just $99!!
That’s MORE product for EVEN MORE fun! WHOO-HOO!
This promotion start NOW and runs thru the end of the month!
What are the Perks of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator?
– 20% discount on all purchases immediately after joining (and for as long as you are an active demonstrator). What an amazeballs benefit!
– Early peeks at new release items and preorders for new items for about a month before they are available to purchase!
– NOTE: You can REALLY cash in this month if you do ALL the things in the RIGHT order:
FIRST – Join and get your Demo ID
SECOND – Buy kits and get them with the 30% savings AND your new 20% Demonstrator Discount!!
THIRD – Join me in PRE-ORDERING brand new Online Exclusives ONE FULL MONTH before anyone else! BOOM-chaca-la-ca!!

– The ability to attend Demonstrator exclusive Stampin’ Up! events!
– No pressure to sell to anyone, hold classes or workshops or run a business. You can simply order for yourself and get the discount! And as long as you have at least $300 in sales per quarter, you’ll continue as an active Demonstrator and continue to get the discount. If you aren’t able to maintain the $300 per quarter minimums, you simply go back to being a customer, no commitment required and no penalty if decide that being a Demonstrator isn’t right for you.
– If you DO want a side-hustle – then Stampin’ Up! has an extensive library of class and project ideas for those wanting to jump into hosting classes as well as training to help start your business!
And…what are the perks of joining with me?
– You’ll be a part of my Critters-N-Creatin’ Krew team!
– Whether you’d like to start a business or simply get that great discount, I’m here to support you in any way I can!
– Monthly team meetings via video conference where we talk about the latest happenings at Stampin’ Up! and share project ideas. We’re scattered all over the United States, but we get together in person online and have lots of fun chatting!
– Access to my ZOOM The Craftroom virtual stamping get-togethers each week!
– Free access to my online class tutorials.
– When you join the Critters (that’s what we call ourselves!) today, you’re going to find tons of fun and inspiration from our team – our CNCK FB group is always sharing amazing, inspirational projects, and you’re going to get lots of ideas!
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– Monthly team trainings and meetings for those interested in learning more about the business side of Stampin’ Up!.
– There’s no obligation to sell or share the products or hold workshops or blog or anything! Just enjoy that discount, baby!
– We also have fun challenges – just post pictures of what you’re working on – and you’re entered to win free SU product from me!
– And – not gonna lie. We’re really pretty cool!

I’d love to have you on my team and help you get all the discounts, and early goodies, and…ALL THE THINGS! 🙂
If you have any questions about joining, please drop me a note at mary@stampsnlingers.com! I’d love to chat with you!
You can also see additional information on my Stampin’ Up! site here!
KIT SALE ALL MONTH LONG!
Sales Period: October 1–31
Ordering Deadline: October 31 at 11:59 p.m. (MT)
Here’s the Deets!
- ALL kits from our collection qualify for the discount.
- There is no limit on how many kits you can order, as long as product is available.
- Orders must be opened and placed during the promotion dates. Orders opened before October 1 will not qualify for the sale.
- Kits on sale will NOT qualify for the Stampin’ Rewards 50% off.
- Kits can be added to a Starter Kit at their discounted rate.
- Coupon codes can also be used with discounted kits.
If you need any stamping supplies, I’d be very happy to be your Demonstrator. Just click on the Order Stampin’ Up! Online Now button on the right side of the screen to go directly to my online store or drop me an email if you have any questions. Happy Stamping!
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Hi Mary, Wayne and Finn,
I so enjoyed your Travel Day adventure story! I love how your travels with Finn are all around him! I definitely understand because we travel with only Meeko in mind! She had her own carrier on wheels through the airport, her pillow came with her and she had her own suitcase! Continue to have a wonderful vacation! Safe travels and a hug for Finn! Meeko sends her little kisses!
Finn sends back LARGE tongue kisses back! Yes – when traveling with the Man – nearly every decision is made with him in mind, for sure! Thanks, Kathryn! 🙂
Thank you so much for the pics of the Deatherage travels. I enjoyed them so much. Made me feel less sad that I won’t see you tonight. Finn is quite the man and a smart one at that. I thought you were driving straight through so I was pleasantly surprised to see the Superman stuffs. I watched that show faithfully! Can’t wait for the next installment of your adventures. Continued safe travels.
Thank you, Karen – I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos! Our days of driving straight thru are over – I just can’t sit that long anymore! 🙂
Hey, Mary –
You folks crossed through my new stomping grounds – as I live just short of 50 north of Metropolis! Who knew?? Southern Illinois is quite the place – 4 full seasons but milder winters than New England – but probably colder than GA.
But I’m glad that you had a good trip!! Long, long roads…neverending cornfields…though… Love to all three of you! Susan
Yes indeed. Kansas simply never ends. And then you hit Colorado and have to do THEIR version of Kansas before you get to Denver!🤦♀️ But – we’ll get there! Sounds like you’re enjoying your new digs! :). Thanks, Susan! 🙂
Mary,
Thanks for sharing your adventures. I enjoy coming along for the ride. Finn is such a good dog.
Glad you’re enjoying our meanderings! Thank you! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your travel adventures and how Mr. Finn charmed the hotel employees, that can’t hurt at all. Maybe, y’all got a better room?
I am a native Texan who lived in Colorado for 10 years, and made the trip to Georgetown Texas twice a year. Two days travel and acrosswest Texas and northern New Mexico, its a trip and I still do it to visit my friends in Colorado now.
Prayers and blessings for safe travel. (I feel your pain across Kansas)
Yes – any travels across TX – NM – are….loooong and pretty….boring! Bet you don’t miss those trips! Thank you so much, Mary Katherine! 🙂
Glad that it’s been fairly smooth sailing so far! Hope that your final day in the car goes quickly! 🙂 Thanks for sharing all of the photos!
Thanks so much, Amy! 🙂
Love the travel & Finn stories. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Maureen! Glad you’re enjoying them! 🙂
Hey Mary….thanks SO much for sharing how the travel is going. You could write a book of the adventures of Finn, and I’m sure it would be a best seller! I’m just glad to know that you are all ok….prayers follow you….
Faith
LOL – maybe in my next life I’ll be a writer! Thank you so much, Faith! 🙂
Thank you for taking me on your trip with Wayne and Finn. It’s so much fun reading about your excursion and the pictures to enhance it. I live in Canada so it’s interesting following you through the different states. They are so much smaller than the Provinces in Canada. I’ve visited Michigan and Florida, but that’s about it. Safe travels and looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you so much, Patricia! I’m glad you’re enjoying the “tour”! And yes – compared to the vastness of Canada…we’re pretty small!! :). Thank you! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I love your dialogue of your travels! You and Finn are priceless! So glad your trip is going well so far. I spent two and a half years, yes years, in Junction City, KS. It wasn’t much of a place in the mid 70’s. My ex-husband was in the army at Ft. Riley and I went to school at K State. My son was also born in Junction City. It was an interesting time in my life. I was very happy to come home to California. It was a lot different then than it is now. I am secretly trying to figure out how to get my friends to move to a better state with me.
Have a safe and wonderful vacation with your mom!
Thanks so much, Susan! I wasn’t really sorry to leave JC – it’s not my cup of tea. Although we had some very excellent BBQ!! 🙂