I’m Still Here:

You may have been wondering why it has been so long since I have written a blog post.. I think this is my first bout of “blogger’s block.” Like “writer’s block,” but with a blog.

The one year anniversary for this blog came and went,

and I had to make a big decision to give up or continue on. I decided to continue on, but seem to have lost steam before I have really begun anything.

To be honest, I know something is missing.

I Need to Find My Ice Water:

Let me explain…

When we went to see my parents last summer (I wrote a bit about the experience in my post Roads & Reflections), I saw what must have been thousands of road signs for a place called “Wall Drug.”

I’ve never seen more effective billboard advertising (or any kind of advertising really). I mean, literally miles of sign after sign after sign. When there is nothing else but acres and acres of farm land, they seriously have the monopoly on advertising out there.

I had no clue what “Wall Drug” really had to offer but the signs peaked my interest.

It had to be something great!

On the way home, we decided that after driving for hours and hours it may be fine to finally give in, and check out what all the hoopla was about.

I was excited to take a break, eat a great lunch, and do something fun.

We stopped at a rest area where I picked up a pamphlet about Wall Drug. This is really where the chaos began, and probably the worst part of the trip.

My daughter wanted to see the brochure and, as I was trying to read it aloud, she began to scream at the top of her lungs. I ended up throwing a bit of a mommy tantrum and ripping the brochure in half.

Once everything calmed down, I carefully taped the brochure back together (yes I always have tape in my car for wrapping presents, etc. It’s weird, maybe, but I always need it).

Anyway, once I finally read the brochure I was totally perplexed. Why would they advertise free ice water?! I finally got to read the amazing story in the brochure, and it has stayed in my mind months and months later.

Wall Drug began as a little pharmacy off of the freeway in a small town called Wall in 1931. They were on their way to be a failing business and shutting down, when the woman owner, Dorothy, came up with a brilliant idea – to offer hot and tired travelers Free Ice Water. It not only saved their business and made it thrive, but turned it into the historical landmark it is today. The story is quite inspirational. They go even more in depth on their website, and I just loved reading this story.

Not a Great Time, but Great Life Lesson:

The story of these determined and ingenious folks has stuck with me, however, I must say that my personal experience going to wall drug on this trip was quite terrible from start to finish due only to specific circumstances.

Here’s what happened-

even though my daughter threw a fit and I was extremely upset, I was determined to check out Wall Drug. We pulled up in our mini van to testosterone-lined streets. There were about 1,000+ bikers parked everywhere (stopping on their way to Sturgis). When we finally got inside, we could barely navigate through the sea of people to look at cowgirl boots my daughter had been begging me for the whole trip or anything else for that matter. The boots were of course too expensive (I’m super cheapy keep in mind, but still).

The restaurant was packed so no homemade pie or donuts for us.

We ended up eating at a little side cafe they have in there. It was fine, nothing to write home about.

The Jackalope was too hot for my daughters to sit on to snap a picture 🙁 ,

and this chic was hitting on my husband… sheesh!

 I would have considered the whole thing a loss, but I did get my free ice water as promised (I think it is kinda funny it looks like it says hustle on the side of the cup, but I think it says Hustead).

Anyway, I left there feeling depressed (I took a picture of a dead bug on the sidewalk because that’s how I felt…haha),

but I have been thinking about that place ever since we’ve been there.

So Now What:

Since then, I have done a ton of home improvement projects that I have intended to post, but for some reason, I just haven’t been able to. I realized that for this blog to succeed, it needs more than just before and after pictures and DIY instructionals. I need to figure out the core thing that I have to offer my readers and offer it, but also have something that draws people in. I hope God will give it to me at just the right moment like he did for the Hustead’s. In the meantime, I will continue posting. Then when I figure out the icewater and people start making their way to this blog, I’ll have a lot here to offer them along with their drink.

God Bless,

Check out some of my other posts:

About Life:

Roads and Reflections

Light in the Mommy Battle

More on My Blogging Journey:

Bite the Elephant (Start a Blog)

So I Bit the Elephant (Started a Blog), Now What?

DIY/Projects:

How to Paint a Herringbone Pattern

How to Contact Paper the Back of A Shelf

Lyme Disease:

My Lyme Story (Part 1)

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