Home Again!

We've been on the road the past week visiting our oldest son and DIL in Kansas. I miss JD and Janel so much during the year and enjoy every moment we're able to spend with them.

We left last Tuesday afternoon to try to outrun the moisture from Odile, which never materialized in our part of the state. We arrived in Manhattan, KS mid afternoon on Thursday. The purpose of our trip, besides spending time with the kids, was to lay flooring in their home.

Dan and JD got started on Friday morning and finished the job on Sunday around lunch time. It looks beautiful! It's amazing how changing your flooring can change the entire look of your home.

Duke attempting to make friends with Piper

Dan laying the new floor in the entry 

JD working on the kitchen floor 

Part of Janel's container garden,

she has quite the green thumb!  

Me and Janel!

Janel and JD 

Piper, our new grand-cat 

Nym

Me and my son!

Duke, Dan, JD

While the boys were busy working, Janel and I were busy having fun!! Having our priorities straight, the first thing we did on Friday was head to Picture This Plus in Abilene, KS. In case you've never been there in person, you may not know that PTP is on the basement floor of the building and a new and used bookstore is on the street level. The bookstore accepts donations and gives a store credit that can be used at either the bookstore or PTP. Of course, Janel used her credit at PTP! Next time we go I'm going to take our books and see what credit I can get.

Marilyn and her staff are all terrific and available to help in any way needed. I bought four fabrics and one pattern. We'll back there again next July and of course, will stop in again. We also visited a couple of antique shops in Abilene and had a delightful lunch at Mr. K's Farmhouse. Then we ran up to Salina to Sam's Club and then back home.

On Saturday morning, I attended Janel's card club and actually made some cards! I was so nervous about this because I've not really used stamps before (Janel sells Stampin Up products). But Janel walked me through it and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!!

My first attempt at stamping

After lunch, we headed down to Aggieville for the 125th year celebration. Then Janel took me over to the mall.

On Sunday morning, we sat outside and stitched while the boys were finishing up the floor. It was glorious weather, and a nice change from stitching in the air conditioning in Phoenix!! We also got to stitch outside on the deck that afternoon after the boys were through using the saw out there.

Sunday night we went to The Little Grill for dinner. It's a Jamaican place with live music almost every night. We went there last time we were in town and loved it. It's on our list of places to definitely go every time we visit!

I came home inspired to speed up my stitching! It's hard to leave them; Dan and I agreed that we start missing them as soon as we pull out of their driveway. But this year they're coming home for Thanksgiving so I will see them soon. Since JD and Dan worked so hard while we were out there, I want to be sure to have lots of down time for them to spend together here. Jessica, Janel, and I are planning a lunch at The Spicery which will include stitching time for all three of us. I can't wait to see them again!!