We're not in Kansas anymore!

Yikes!  Almost time to shove off!

This last month has been full of good byes!  I've had one last get together with my bunco group, my GNO group, my bowling friends, my old friends from high school, old work friends, etc.  Last weekend was a great time with some of my dearest friends at Cher's house in Arrowrock, MO.  Beautiful time!  And two of my son's (Bryce and Marshall) and Marshall's fiance Alix were able to join us at LeBourgeois winery.   All of this has slightly dampered my excitement....but only slightly.  I think our greatest blessing is that we're genuinely going to miss (and hopefully be missed) by so many.  This makes our return visit in September even more exciting!

Our saddest good bye was, of course, to Matt's dad.  Russ died on October 14th and yesterday was his memorial service.  He was an incredible man.....one of the kindest sole's I have ever known.  When we would talk with Matt's parents about our plans to travel, Matt's mom was always saying "don't count on me to visit", but Russ was very quick to pipe up "well, I will!".  Matt believes that now his dad will always be traveling with us...in spirit.

Our retirement party is Thursday, so that likely will be very bitter sweet as well.  We'll be saying good bye to a lot of friends and family that we won't see for some time.  And this afternoon we're getting together with Bryce.  He has received a job offer with a company in North Carolina and leaves for that on Wednesday.  We do hope to see him in the DR though sometime this winter!

The apartment is starting to clear out.  We've already hauled off some furntiure and Matt has repainted our accent walls so it doesn't really look like home anymore.  Tomorrow we have friends picking up our sofa and entertainment center.  Tuesday we loose our bedroom furniture!  Tuesday night will be spent on an air mattress but we will be checking into the Sheraton Suites on the Plaza for Wednesday and Thursday night (shout out to Kevin for helping us get a great deal on that room!)

Today Matt is "test packing" the Mariner to make sure we have room for everything we're planning to take.  I'm wondering what the neighbors will think when they see him load up all our stuff.....and then unload it?