Tuesday Mom and Dad were here by 7:00 a.m. so we could head out to Kansas City (Overland Park) for Dennis' funeral which was at 11:00 a.m. It was gloomy and grey out so that didn't help wake me up any - and I was the driver.
We stopped at the rest area just over the Missouri line that Mike and I watched being built a couple of years ago but never stopped at - why - because we would almost be at Mike's dad's house by then so why stop? So this was my first time at the rest area/Missouri welcome center. Mom and Dad have both told me that they think all they are "up" for any more are trips to Des Moines and Newton (for doctor appointments) so they won't be going to Branson with me this year. At the rest area/welcome center they had Missouri maps so I thought I'd get a new one and something told me to ask Dad if he'd want one - I don't know why since he wouldn't be visiting Missouri supposedly but I asked. Dad's reply was, "sure" and he takes the map out of my hand. I'm like, "ok....." so I walk back over to the map display and get me a map thinking I know I asked but why would Dad want a Missouri map. Oh well.
The drive was ok until we hit Cameron (sp?), Missouri and then it started to rain. Of course it got worse when we hit KC and traffic along with the rain that made it harder to see through the windshield but we found our exit ok. I had Mapquested directions and they seemed pretty easy to follow....... We turned right at 96th Street into what looked like a parking lot - but there was a street sign on the corner. We all thought that was weird and of course the "street" ended. I worked my way out and up to 95th Street which looked like a very busy street and could see a church back to our right in a neighborhood. Seeing the church and getting to the church were two different things - but we made our way through the winding neighborhood to the church. And who pulled up behind us but Ma and Pa D with Jim (my younger "big bro") driving them.
The service was nice and there was an awesome picture of Dennis in the front in his Marine uniform with all his medals. Rhonda (Dennis' wife) had asked us to stay for the meal afterwards so we sat with Ma, Pa D and Jim and visited with them. Mom, Dad and I were also able to meet Jim's wife and three grown children. Then I was able to visit with Rhonda some - widow to widow.
The drive home was kind of long for me - the sky was grey and I drove in rain or rain/snow all the way home so I was pretty fried when we hit WDM and my eyes were really tired from dealing with rain thrown on the windshield as I was passing semi after semi after semi. Mom and Dad stayed over night and we had a good visit and some Papa Murphy pizza - with extra pepperoni that Dad had brought with him. They headed home between 1-1:30 Wednesday. I was still pretty fried Wednesday afternoon so took a nap and when I woke up felt fairly human again.
I had a friend I worked with at the WDM Police Department - who has retired - come over to let Butler out Tuesday while we were gone. And unless Chris cleaned up a mess that she didn't tell me about - Butler was accident free Tuesday! Do the dance of joy!
The sun FINALLY is out - it came out within the last half hour or so. It has been very gloomy for about a week. Sunshine really makes a difference.
I'm starting to send my resume out and found a job that I would really like - so said a prayer as I hit the submit button. We'll see.
