Time marches on

I think I thought of a good blog-post-title yesterday when I was driving but have since forgotten it.

Anyway, I'm in City #2 of my big Midwest Tour and so far the trip has been pretty good. I'm liking the relaxed atmosphere. However, I'm realizing that I didn't pack as well as I should have. I only packed like, three, t-shirts, and the rest are all kinda dressy and I don't want to wear them for the more casual things I've been doing. I actually had to get a t-shirt from Branson on Tuesday. It's not bad looking, but I had begun trying to "weed out" t-shirts from my wardrobe. *sigh* oh well.

Sunday's drive to Branson went pretty well. Saturday was a lot of fun with the National Day of the American Cowboy, and I managed to get done early enough to make a Saturday evening Mass service and leave earlier on Sunday for my trip. I was on the road by 8am and drove and drove and drove.

I really like driving through OK, and I'm proud of myself for being rather cheap on my trek. Usually I feel guilty going in gas stations just to use their bathroom that I end up buying even a pack of gum to feel better. Sunday, however, I thought, "screw it," and would just go in and out. I felt like a very independent woman, put on my "don't mess with me" face, and got 'er done. None of those creepy truckers stood a chance. ;)

I got to Branson by about 5pm, checked in to my hotel, showered, and then went to dinner and a show. Branson's so cute and I think it'd be fun for any HC grad to check out. It's a very very conservative area, and totally family friendly. It's so cute how their shows tone everything down for the kiddies. Like, that Zac Brown Band song "Chicken Fried" was used in a show and the song uses the phrase, "Cold beer on a Friday night" and the show I saw changed it to "Cold drinks on a Friday night." hahaha

The visit with Will was nice, but I don't feel like re-capping much right now. I hate thinking about this kind of stuff. All I want to say is boys are so weird, and I don't really feel attracted to him. And part of me really wants to be, because he is a very nice guy, but I can't tell if it's more him or me that doesn't work. And I think moreso now than ever how important timing can be. If anything, on these drives, I really LOVE being on my own and am quite content to stay this way. It's like, something's missing, and I can't put my finger on it. And I don't really know if I would recognize it if it came along. I'm a pretty rational thinker, so I don't know if love can really be something that sweeps me off my feet. I don't know. Anyone? This isn't making any sense.

So on a more logical note, I'll just say that I drove to Carbondale yesterday from Branson, so that's where I am now. I got caught in some construction traffic just east of Saint Louis, but was able to talk to Brenna for a good time and then got to drive in some adorable towns on my way here. I LOVE the Midwest! It was funny because I definitely did the waving-to-townspeople-thing and realized how much I miss it in Texas. I couldn't figure out why I hadn't done that much lately, and then remembered, "oh yeah. people don't sit out on front porches in the evening in Texas because it's still 100-freaking-DEGREES." ;) ahh I am loving this 70-degree weather of the "north".

Liz and I are going to check out a winery and do some hiking, and then we're going to a Minor League baseball game. The team here? The Miners. heh heh heh Carbon-dale used to be a big mine town. :) (eat your heart out, Jess!)

last night we grilled shiskabobs (sp?) and enjoyed some wine I brought up from Texas. tomorrow I head up to central Illinois to see more of the fam, including my parents. It feels weird how up in the air my schedule is; this is so unlike me. I apologize to those of you that I want to see and haven't gotten a definite plan figured out. soon! soon! :)

ciao