Back to the Land of Oz

Sorry I haven't written in a while. Life has been buuuusy! This past weekend I went to Kansas to visit family. Kyle booked me a ticket last minute, since I wasn't going to be able to make it to my totally awesome family reunion that happens every other year with my mom's side of the family. He was sad too because he loves them equally but wanted me to see some of my family so off I went.

The Williams side of the family is awfully large since my grandmother had 7 brothers and sisters and then each of them had at least 2-3 kids a piece and so on and so forth. So, needless to say it's a pretty big family reunion when we all get together at Holiday Island, Arkansas. But, because Kyle and I will be in New Orleans and Baton Rouge this week for a campus tour, looking for a place to live and a second round job interview for Kyle - we won't be able to make it. I am soooo bummed about not going. I have loved going since I went on my first one the summer I turned 8. They were a blast each time for different reasons given my age and I love seeing family and my cousins as we all age. I told myself I would never miss a family reunion because I think they're so important and the fact that we can get that many people together is pretty rare for families these days.

So, I didn't take many pictures at all because I just realize I get so caught up in what I'm doing and excited about doing it that I forget to capture it. I did take a couple that I wanted to share with you. I got in Wednesday evening and my best friend Lacie picked me up. It was pretty late when I got in so we just went to her house and got in our jammies, stayed up for an hour or so talking and then went to sleep. Lace and I met during sorority recruitment our freshman year of college, and despite our many many differences it is our core values and respect for one another that bond us together.Thursday morning we woke up and discussed what we wanted for breakfast. I said donuts and asked Lace to find just some "whole in the wall-type of place around here". She whipped out her smartphone, spoke a few voice commands and voila, it pulls up The Donut Whole how funny right? The first review we read about the place says they have vegan options, and Lace, knowing I've been a vegetarian for almost two years now informs me and we set off looking for this place just a couple miles away in the Old Town looking for a building with a huge rooster on top. We pull up and upon entering and reviewing the very vintage and eclectic decor, Lace announces, "Oh, this is so your kind of place." Which it was. I'm a huge advocate for supporting small business and local places that are making it amidst all the corporate big shots. I loved it. And they had like the most donut topping variations I've ever come across. Though, I'm a simple kind of gal and despite the like 25+ toppings to choose from I went with coconut and chocolate sprinkles and English breakfast tea. Lacie also go a coconut and I discovered one more of the very few things we have in common! Unfortunately, I did not get a shot of me and Lace, but I did get one of the donuts. They were good! I mean really good, but not the best ones I've ever had. You all will probably think I'm nuts for saying this, but honestly the best donuts I've ever had were the ones that came from Dillons on Saturday mornings. I usually like just cake donuts, which these were, but they were just a wee, tiny bit on the dry side for me. Still, I would HIGHLY recommend this place. The ambiance was just wonderful and Lacie and I really enjoyed sitting outside gabbin' before it started to sprinkle, rain of course, and we headed back to her house to crawl back into our jammies, watch Kim and Kloe Take New York, play on our computers and talk about simplier times. I had a great time with her and wish we lived closer. Perhaps we will some day if she moves to the South somewhere.

The rest of the trip I spent time with my family. My dad picked me up and we went to go check out a house he needed to do a repair on. Two hours later he had it fixed, I was bored to death but we were on our way home. Though I do know where I get my diligence and work ethic from. My dad will not give up until he's got it figured out! I stayed with my grandma the next three nights and Friday morning when I woke up she knocked on my door and asked me what kind of donuts I liked. I thought, "Oh lord, should I really have donuts aaagain?" Well I mean, what can a girl do? Say "no" to her grandma that she hasn't seen in six months when you know she just wants to take care of you like she used to. Of course I said Blueberry and 20 mins later she returns. Gosh I love that lady. Friday night I had dinner with my brother and his girlfriend Patrice, whom I absolutely ADORE. She is so wonderful, caring and smart. We get a long fabulously and I hope she'll be my sister-in-law some day soon. I also met her sister that I liked really well, too. Saturday my mom, grandma, Aunt Kim and I drove my grandmother to Bartlesville to meet my Aunt Julie for the hand off of my grandma for the week and we all had lunch along with my cousin Kala and Uncle Bob. So, I got to see a good portion of my immediate family and felt content leaving on Sunday but still very sad that I was going to miss the rest and have to wait another two years before I see them. Well, I'll just count this one towards the very few I intend to miss in the future. I can't wait to have and take my own kids someday.

Well, I'm off to New Orleans and Baton Rouge on Wednesday. Wish me luck. I'll have pix to share with you all after I get back. I PROMISE!