Kansas Sweet Memories

6-30-18
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Nope but there are things to do in OKC first. A friend of mine from High School lives here and we are meeting for breakfast and then the OKC Memorial Museum. Yes I know I should see it at night but single woman traveling alone must practice safety.

Beckie arrive a little before 9am and we head to a place in downtown Edmond, Around the Corner restaurant. It was really good and fresh squeezed OJ!! The downtown has all these little statues and fun places to shop. I can and will come back as my friend and I have discovered we can talk in circles and still know what we are leading up to. We sat for an hour talking. I miss that in my life.

She guided me to downtown OKC next for the memorial. Luckily it was early enough it was still cool and not very crowded. We found a quick parking space and walked onto the grounds. All I can say is wow. The peace and tranquility they have created is so deserving for the 168. We then toured the museum. I can only say it is something you MUST experience for yourself. I lived in Wichita, KS when this happened and all the memories it brought back. My brain could only handle so much of it so I hope to return some day to find things I didn’t process. The children are where my heart immediately went. I was a newlywed and two weeks later I got pregnant with my daughter. It wasn’t planned but it’s seemed fate. It makes me want to understand the incomprehensible. I will just say take the trip. It’s worth it!!

 

 

After two hours we got back in the car and drive the nine miles back to Edmond for lunch at this cute little bistro and talked and talked and talked. 35 years and we discovered we were in some of the same places at the same time!! Thank you Facebook and the interwebs.

It was time for me to head north. I wasn’t necessarily dreading driving through KS but it wasn’t what I deemed a highlight. I was surprised as  all the memories came flooding back and all of the changes. I was gawking when I reached Wichita so I missed my exit. It worked out and took me on a memory lane tour of my first husband, our first date spot, our wedding spot. Oh you know, all gone know because of road expansion. It was fitting I guess as things are still there but change happens.
I made my way north with my trusty cooler and Siri. I have her set to take the fastest route for my job. It was nice to take some back roads except small town KS and the great potty ride make me anxious. Yes I’m prepared for emergencies. I stumbled upon a replica of the Statue of Liberty outside Gaylord, KS. Beautiful!!

I finally found a Sonic and Great Potty Ride in Phillipsburg, KS.  This little town took me back to my childhood memories of spending summers in Western KS with my grandma. Same brick streets and small town feel. I miss her so much. I know she would pick me up and love me forward no matter what.

Found the Nebraska state line and watched a storm develop. I have been listening to Janet Evonavich on my audible downloads and wow does this make this trip easier. I made it to I80 and drove straight into the storm. It was 9pm, I couldn’t see so I pulled off for about 20 minutes. The storm finally let up and off I went for bed in North Platte, Nebraska. It’s time for today’s journey to our final destination. I think I need to take some Advil after the 515 miles yesterday!!

Being Brave; Living a Solo Life

BEING BRAVE

LIVING A SOLO LIFE

6/29/18

A PLAN

WHERE SHOULD I GO

Several months ago I decided I needed to just be me. I’m tired of people treating me like I’m an option and not a priority. We as a society treat people as options if they don’t conform to your ways. I have some fabulous supportive people in my life but on the days I can’t do life they back away. I’m generally a positive person but my life is not always a fun place to be. I’m trying to cope. I get out of bed everyday. I go to work and I make plans. Over the years I’ve done things, been places, explored the world. I’ve had company but somehow when the plans come to things I wanted to do I’m the bad one for being upset that I spend thousands of dollars and don’t get to see Hatchards book shop in London because someone else wasn’t happy with the agenda but told me to make the plans. In my world I’m tired of being an option instead of a priority. Scott used to plan with me. We each got to do things but that’s not been the case. I plan for family trips everyone gets to do their thing but when it’s my turn they rearrange the plans. So this became something I needed to do for me. I lost my partner in love and life. I make a new life even when I don’t want to. I’m done bending for people who won’t bend for me. So here we go!!

Where do you say? How do you know where to go? A suggestion from a patient and his wife. An idea was born six months ago. You can go to Mt Rushmore and they have bus tours. You can see the world alone and still be around people. Checking flights, too expensive. Okay let’s drive and see what ever I want. So I mapped a route on the Roadtrippers app.

I ordered the South Dakota State visitors guide. I discovered my patients care that I live. I have used that guide with a patient who used to travel the country. He has helped me map a route. He can’t wait for me to return to see it all since he can’t go. The car is loaded, the snacks are riding shotgun and books on audio are ready to go!! I have my camera and I'm armed with a general plan. I off to be me. I'm off to see me and a bunch of wonderful things along the way. Road Trip!! Deadwood, South Dakota here we come!

RoadTrip

I received the Solo Dice from a fellow SLP as a reminder that I can do this. It is in my power to make my life happen. I do care about the people I'm not good enough for but I am good enough for me. It's taking me a lot of prayer, internal power, meditation and just doing it to make all of this happen. I must keep living. No matter what happens in this life I have been given it I have to keep going. It may not be what I want it's what I have to do. So let's get this motor running. I hope Moose enjoys his cat sitter and doesn't ask for too much Moose time in the middle of the night..