 |
| Looking a bit weary? |
Day 5, May 24: Friday morning arrived and time to check out of the hotel. I had used the Hilton app to check in and get my digital key. The key was simply pressing a button on my phone. Checking out amounted to waving bye as I carried my belongings to the car. I headed straight to Beth's Bake Shoppe. I knew where it was located from previous experience, ie eating there! Best news was Kathy and Devon were meeting me to share lunch and a gab session. 
The food was deliciously fresh. The company made it all the better. Since Beth's has lots of decor for purchase, we did a bit of a walk through before going to Kathy's house for the rest of the afternoon. You would have thought we had not seen each other in almost 11 years as much as we gabbed. Grandkids, kids, even great grand kids. A bit of politics but not much as the verdict was not in at that time. It finally came time for Kathy to take one of the two dogs she was sitting at the time back to its owners. Devon was needing to get home to pack for her trip to visit her family in Kansas City and Colorado.
 |
| Devon has the best laugh ever! |
 |
Kathy, we've been through a lot
together thru the years. |
I did not purchase anything except a wee gift for my DIL. It was not the signs though. And why only the DIL, it is a girl's trip.
These two friends have shared so many holidays at our table in Springfield. There were tears shed at our parting. It cannot be another ten years before we visit again.
Once pooch was delivered to its home we headed back to Kathy's for more visiting and of course a meal. How did I not gain 10 pounds on this trip? Juicy, thick porkchops and slaw were delightful. We could tell the trip was catching up with me as I was dozing mid sentence by 10:30 PM.
Day 6, May 25: A lazy morning with no appointments till 5 PM. Did not even get dressed till after breakfast and at least 2 cups of coffee. Kathy and I have shopped together for so many years. I was with her on trips shopping for furniture for her home. It is so lovely. She is a collector of all things for holidays. As it is spring here are a few photos of her extensive bunny collection.
 |
Bunny quilt, lots of bunnies and other collections. Maybe my finger, too.
|
 |
| Kathy set this one up as a park complete with slide, hammock, see-saw, a painter, and a picnicking family as well. She has a beautiful collection of striking clocks including a grandfather clock |
 |
| Bev and Kathy |
After a relaxed day catching up on our lives, we met with three other of our sorority sisters (ladies meet, eat and drink). Again, more food as it was evening by now. Wonderful friends as we enjoyed more gabbing about our adventures over the last 8-10 years. A couple of the ladies and their husbands had visited us in Texas.
 |
| Bernie and Fran |
As with any reunion after several years, there had been losses. One lost a grown daughter to complications of MS. That left a 16 year old person to continue living in the care of the family that had cared for his mother.
Two ladies had lost their husbands. One just this year. Her husband and my Hubby shared the same hobby of amatuer radio. Jerry apparently never disposed of a single screw, bolt, nut, nail, piece of wire, etc for the last 2 decades.
In spite of the sadness, we found ourselves giggling like school girls over all of our escapades. Shopping trips, baby showers, meals, and movies. Good times. Well, the ones we could remember as we are all in our 70s and 80s. There were trips all over the world for Bev with Devon. Kathy just returned from a cruise in the Caribbean earlier this month. Fran and Bill would be attending his 60th high school reunion. Bernie was working to get her IDs in order for a trip with Bev, Devon and another sister later this year to Europe. BTW Bernie was an army nurse in Viet Nam. Again time to leave brought big hugs, tears, and smiles for being together one more time.
Back at Kathy's it was time for more visiting. Enjoyed looking at albums of Cason, her 30 something grandson. He and his mother lived with Kathy during the early stages of her MS. Saw those two frequently. It was Cason's mom that died earlier this year. His half sibling is the 16 year old person. Kathy keeps herself busy dog, cat, and even horse sitting for folks. Well, the horse stays in its stable. She goes to that location daily around 6 AM. Yep, Kathy is quite a woman. Again, I kept falling asleep as Kathy and I visited. Ugh. How rude but she understood. She sent me to bed.
Day 7, May 26: Up and at 'em as it was time to move back to Aurora. But not until Joy, another sorority sister brought her pooch for Kathy to sit for a few days. Joy's first husband passed in 2007 shortly after my Hubby had the near death lung hemorrhage. It is wonderful to see her happily married again. The sorority sisters do a lot of travelling and Joy is no exception. She and her hubby were on their way for a few days on a lake I think. I do not remember the location.
Once Joy left, it was time for me to load up and leave. More hugs, more wet eyes and waves goodbye. I took Republic road back to Hwy 60. That was the old road used by Hubby and his dad back in the day of Carl's Radio and TV. Like everywhere else, changes. Senior apartments less than 2 miles from our home. Guess we could have moved there. But, no, grandkids, son, even my mom before she passed.
 |
This was an empty intersection 10.5 years ago. Now home to Russell Cellular home offices. Our
home was 2 miles north of this building. |
Next stop Aurora's Hog Tide BBQ and, you guessed it, lunch with friends. The restaurant is owned and operated by the grandson of a long time family friend. The grandson was in school with our son. Connections everywhere. The barbeque process that is used by Drew was given to him by his grandfather.
 |
Judy, she used our son's baby bed for
her two children. |
Time to get with another long time BFF, Judy, who just returned from a trip to see her son's family in Colorado. Dingmans, Feers, Hiltons, and us would gather every year for Christmas. Our kids even remember the gathering. Unfortunately, Ed had passed in 2021. That was our last trip to Missouri.
For a real change I was the first to arrive. Next was Judy. She had changed her planned return date so we could see each other. A true friend. Feers and Hiltons arrived. Food ordered, eaten, more gabbing, and time to leave. The guys left for their homes. Us 'girls' headed for Judy's home out in the country north of Aurora. This gab session included updates on our grown children. The 'kids' are all settled successfully into their careers. An Army ranger that is now a commandant. Another ranger that is nearing retirement. An archivist, a human resources VP, and an investor executive. Last but not least is the doctor of political science that works in the University of California system as a manager.
To end the day we ladies drove to Judy's home and talked about whatever came to mind. It was so wonderful to catch up with these three very dear ladies. Then it was time to start the leg of the journey after spending the night with Feer.
I started a bit earlier than usual on Sunday. There were two more things I wanted to do before leaving for Oklahoma. A tornado had passed just south of Aurora very recently. I wanted to view the area. In that same direction was another couple to see, Penny and Ed. We had commuted together for a while as we all worked the same shift at ACD in Springfield. Ed was gone for the day but Penny recognized me even though from a distance. Quick hugs and a bit of visiting. I had to be on my was as 350+ miles still had to be driven that day.
 |
| One home damaged by the tornado |
I wrote this post on the above date. Now it is January 2026. Guess I should publish it.
I did finish the trip by going to my sister's home near Lawton, Oklahoma. I took her and hubby to a doctor visit the next morning. That trip took me back to Oklahoma City in a heavy downpour about 75% of the time. Dr. visit, lunch, and back to Lawton. That added an additional 200 miles to the trip odometer.
 |
| Oklahoma Sis and BIL |
After a couple of days I headed to younger sister's home near Dallas, TX. Again, the trip of 175 miles was made 95% in a heavy to blinding downpour. I was soooo glad to arrive at that Brooks Court home and Baby Sis. As it was then Youngest BIL's birthday, we met with niece, her children and celebrated!
 |
As you can see the kids were so excited. Lol |
I did finally make it back home. My Hubby was ready to see me. I rested with my swollen ankles raised up to help. Now 20 months later I can still remember the warmth with which I was welcomed in each home. BFFs for sure. I am blessed.
Hugs,
Janice
.png)
