Hasta...

Tuesday afternoon the Williams family packed all their belongings in a large truck, got in their cars, and left KC. Boo hoo! The night before they left Kelsey and I went to Build a Bear. She made a monkey, I made a rabbit. We named our custom made stuffed animals Keri, a combination of our two names. I spent the night at their house. It was hard to leave in the morning. Kelsey and I had shared a bed. When I was getting ready to go, the crying started. I eventually made it to my car, she came running out of the house in tears, sobbing one of those deep from the gut cries. It was soooooooo hard to leave! I miss them already, but I'm not saying "good-bye" I'm saying "hasta." What's the difference? Hasta is Spanish for later. I fully intend to see them again. Hasta...I will see you later, hopefully soon.

St. Louis, MO

Last weekend I spent 24 hours in St. Louis, MO. Though I've lived a few short hours away for years, I'd never been there. Amtrack offers affordable vacation packages from KC to St. Louis; including hotel and some sightseeing like a tram to the top of the arch. If you are ever in St. Louis you must take the tram to the top of the arch, have dinner in the loft area of downtown (excellent restaurants), visit City Museum, and the zoo. City Museum was started by a man to amuse his children. It is located in a high rise building in the downtown area. The materials are recycled parts from buildings, mechanical systems, automobiles, airplanes, etc. My best description is a McDonald's playland on steroids. It is fun for all ages! There was a super fun three story slide - weeee! It also has a must see aquarium. I saw a couple of real sharks, played with turtles, and was amazed by other animals. The St. Louis zoo is said to be #1 in America. I'd agree with that assertion, it was amazing! Best zoo I've ever seen! They have mixed habitats. My favorite site was the giraffe, emu, ostrich exhibit. There was a mischievous ostrich, chasing the baby giraffe and pulling the large giraffe's tail. It was hilarious to watch! St. Louis also has some fascinating US history related to the development of the west. A number of the buildings along the river are simply beautiful. St. Louis is just one more reason I like living in KC - great weekend destinations!

First Friday's

Kansas City is a great place to be in the summer months. There is more to do than any one person can possibly do in a few short months. One of the summer traditions, started a few short years ago, is called First Friday's. Basically people go downtown and walk around. What do they see? Art, lots and lots of local art. I attended my first First Friday last weekend. It was great. We saw great photography and paintings. Interesting sculptures. And, of course, there is always the bizarre at these kind of exhibits. I think my favorite was titled, "Mexican Donut War." I'd try to explain it to you, but it wouldn't be possible, it's one of those things you must see for yourself. There are blocks and blocks of art exhibits, shopping and food samples. The best part of First Friday's...it's absolutely free!

After visiting downtown the group attended one of my annual KC traditions, the Prairie Village art fair. I moved to Prairie Village in 2001. I've attended the event each year with one exception, last year. Even though I am no longer a PV resident, I do like to visit the art fair. The friday night of the art fair opening is a street dance. We had fun dancing to the band. My friend Angela, her two kids (11 and 14 years old), I made Paul, the 14 year old boy dance with me a couple of times. I can get away with it because I'm not his mom. If his mom had tried to get him to dance, he would have acted like he was dying of embarrassment. We ate pizza and drank fresh squeezed lemonade. It was a wonderful summer night out in KC. Mark your calendars for next year!

Single women's small group

It has been nearly four years since I've been involved in a small group. Yikes! That is too long. With two of my closest friends leaving I knew I was in danger of filling up my time with business and not making the effort to really connect with people. Building friendships of that caliber takes a tremendous amount of work! I decided it was NOT in my best interest to take the path of least resistance and avoid the work. I decided instead to make the effort.

Last night I had three single, Christian women over to my place. We are going to start a small group. This summer we will do social activities and invite friends. In August we will begin a formal Bible study. When I made myself available to the possibility, God came through. In fact, I have four more women who are interested in the group and will likely join us for the next formal meeting in July.

I'm not sure what took me so long to get involved in small groups again. Those kinds of relationships, people to do life with, are critical to thriving in life (as opposed to just surviving). I'm looking forward to watching these relationships blossom. I hope to make life-long friends in this group. I'm looking forward to the journey - my first baby step was last night. I'm glad someone responded when I made myself available.

Zoom-zoom-zoom

I have officially sold my beloved Jeep. Boo-hoo! In it's place I am now the owner of a 2005 Chevy Aveo. Ever heard of it? That's okay, neither had I. It meets all my needs (not all my wants). It is fuel efficient, inexpensive to maintain, and has a warranty that should last until I graduate in a few years. Driving it is actually kind of fun. It's zippy! When I was test driving it I had that commercial stuck in my head - the one that goes zoom, zoom, zoom. I'll probably think that everytime I get in to the car, at least for the first couple months. I will likely pick up the car today. Selling my Jeep was the hardest sacrifice to do in returning to school. I loved that car! It fit me like a glove. Of course, I'm frugal by nature and will likely fall in love with this practical, zippy car too.