Back in the Land of Oz

I'm back in Wichita. You know, it is odd that the three hour drive between KC and Wichita seems as long as the eleven hour drive from NM to W. Part of it is my own "issue." I just don't like Kansas. Shhh. Don't tell anyone from KS! But it has to be the most, or certainly one of the most boring states to drive through! While I lived in KC my parents were in the Denver area most of that 30 years, so I drove back and forth more times than I can guess, and it never got any better. I hate that drive across I-70, and the one from NM to Wichita (US 54) isn't much different.

I give you proof....

You see a lot of this:



And this:

And this:

I mean no offense to the people of Kansas, but it is what it is. And it is b.o.r.i.n.g! These pictures were taken on the way here last week, and it was actually better because the skies were fairly clear and mostly sunny.

As I drove to KC on Saturday, the sky became more and more cloudy as I drove. By the time I arrived, it was pretty much grey everywhere. About thirty miles out, I thought, "Geez, I hate this kind of weather." And I do! It depresses me. And when I'm driving, it makes the trip seem s.......o.......m.....u.....c......h......l.....o.....n.....g.....e.....r.

Then on my return today, it was completely overcast, almost misty, and there seemed to be no color to anything. I was reminded again of the reasons that I love NM so much. Sorry, folks, but the Midwest just ain't my cuppa tea!!

The time between the two drives, however, was super! Caroline and I didn't do too much special. In fact, we spent much of the time just sitting on the couch, watching TV, blogging and talking, walking the dogs, and just soaking up the good feelings of being together. We did a little bit of shopping (I walked out of S & C's house without any socks and my feet were freezing!), got dinner at Panda Express and took it home, then today we had lunch with Caroline's good, good friend at our favorite Mexican restaurant. It was a lazy kind of visit, and that's the best of all!

I love the fact that with Caroline, it seems that we haven't missed a moment in life when we get together. Although I miss having her next door, we talk on the phone pretty often, we email, and, of course (!!) we keep up with the other's life on our blogs. That helps us to be able to just start talking as if nothing were different than it was five years ago when we saw each other almost daily, if only for a few minutes of chatting over the fence. I love that kind of friendship! Thanks, Caroline, for being that kind of friend!

This afternoon, I ran by another friend's house to pick up some things that we just couldn't get into the truck when I left KC last year. Two rototillers, some big power tools, and a table for the tools to sit on. While we were loading it all into the bed of my truck, it began raining lightly, then quickly turned to sleet! Miserable weather! We managed to get it all on, covered it with a tarp, bungee-d it in place and then topped it off with a cargo net. I'm leaving one of the tillers with Scott, at least for now, and the rest will go home with me.

I'd hoped to swing through Oklahoma City and pick up my parents' grandfather clock, too, but that will have to wait for another trip. Just no room. My nephew has been caring for that since I left KC. He actually lived in KC at the time, but moved to OKC since then. I thought I might save myself another trip, especially with gas prices going up as they are, but no.

I'm spending a couple days with Connie and Kylee who are both on spring break, then I will head back to my hacienda on Wednesday. I love spending time with family and friends, but it is always good to be home, too.

Well, I'm tired, so I suppose I should quit this and get some sleep. My two little dogs are already completely crashed. I think the time with Caroline and her mini-zoo went well, but it was still stressful for them. As soon as we got here, Ali went downstairs and curled up to sleep beside "my" bed!

Life is beautiful!!!

(but it's best with wide azure skies and an abundance of sunshine!!!)