There's no place like home, there's no place like home

I have always disliked "The Wizard of Oz." I thought it was scary when I was a child, and as an adult and an ex-Kansan, I hate being called Dorothy or in anyway likened to the ruby-red-slippered girl.
But there's one thing for sure, as she said in the movie, "there is NO place like home."
On my return from Kansas last week, I once again renewed my love of the Pacific Northwest and all things Olympia. My home city of Kansas City (really the suburbs on the Kansas side of the city) has sprawled out of control. It is a very very large metropolitan area these days and it literally took me 20-30 minutes to get anywhere I wanted to go. I used 2 entire tanks of gas, and I was only there 6 days!
So the long and the short of it is I may not have been born here, but I now call Olympia, WA my home and I feel blessed to do so.
While in KC, I was yelled at, honked at and maligned, and this only by my immediate family!
Strangers almost ran me off the road, were angry if I didn't speed and would stop short in front of me almost causing accidents.
I just realized I sound like an old fart in this post, but maybe being an old gaseous substance is ok in this instance.

A wonderful grown up woman

I went to my niece's wedding this last week. This is the same little red-headed girl who used to spend the night with me and giggle and talk until all hours. She also is the same young lady who still came to visit me even thought I moved far far away.
Ashley is now all grown up. She is in the Navy with a super secret clearance and she writes her own blog about cooking and family and love http://bakestravaganza.blogspot.com/ ... I can't tell her enough about the amazing young woman I see. I'm so happy for her and her new husband, and I look forward to great nieces and nephews as soon as they're ready to deliver them. Much love and appreciation to my sweet niece.