My trip to Kansas. Day Four

This day started like every other.. with Amy's cats waiting for me to come up from the basement. I don't know why this amused me, but it totally did.

We took NAC Yaz out for a run in the back yard.

and Amy took me out to the area of her yard that she has set aside as a memorial for Sebastian
.

Our plans for this day was a tour around the Hallmark headquarters that Lisa works at and then a meeting up with some women who volunteer at the local shelters to watch "The Paw Project". We drove down to Crown Plaza, a shopping mall which is part of the Hallmark complex and then went to the Hallmark Visitors Center. It was really nice to have someone who knows so much of the history of Hallmark being the guide.

In the Mall.
Did you really think I'd get through a trip to Kansas with out a Dorothy reference?

Lisa's office and two of her many many awards

We then went out for lunch.. it was yummy.  We did a little shopping where I picked up a few souvenirs and gifts

We then headed over to Lisa's house to watch the show.. and I fell in love with her kitties all over again

and then we went back to Amy's where I fell in love all over again with Harvey and Lowenstein.. (yup, I'm so fickle)

The next day was a pure travel day.. Despite a big storm brewing over home, there were no delays and I got home at a decent hour. Of course as soon as I got off the plane we went right over to the e-clinic to pick Jack up and bring him home. In the short time we were there the truck got completely covered with snow, and the drive home was a little tricky.

I am totally scared to leave home again, as I can not help but wonder if the stress of my leaving caused problems with Jack causing him such trouble. If I weren't so afraid, I would totally visit Amy and Lisa again in a heart beat - not that I have been invited.  They were so warm and gracious and it was an absolute blessing to be there. I have bought a ticket to Barkworld this October and look forward to meeting up with both of them there - that is if I can get over my fear of leaving Jack..

My trip to Kansas, Day Two: Part Two

So, as we left things, I was at Lisa's house fangirling over her kitties.. because... kitties!!

No I mean seriously.. although when Lisa brought out the cat toy I not only found myself wishing I had a better flash, but that I had a better camera.. You know those super professional ones that they use on the side lines of football..

Now you are just being silly

Isn't that the point?

All too soon play time was over and we were headed back to Amy's house.. where Dottie got her photo taken..

NAC* Dottie.. 

and I attempted to get some good photos of  Evelyn

What are you talking about woman.. I ALWAYS look good.. 

and Harvey Monster explored the new cat tree..

I so want to inverse this photo and make Harvey "Ceiling Cat"
but who has a carpeted ceiling??

And about this time Lee (Amy's Husband) stated "You sure do take a lot of photos".. well yeah.. I do..

I think this is my favorite of the trip... mostly because it is VERY Amy with out Amy being in the photo..

I think this is enough for now.. I can't believe there is going to be a part three!!
*NAC = not a cat

About my trip to Kansas and Day One

So at the end of 2013 my boss reminded me how many vacation days I had left to take before the end of the year. It was a lot and I posted on Facebook that I had a boat load of vacation time to take..

Amy from http://www.seabasscat.com/ said I should visit Kansas during my vacation time, to which I replied I had not been invited. So she invited me. ;)

Well I am not one for traveling. I am a horrid introvert, I'm shy, and I am basically a cat.. but the chance to spend time with cat people, and the opportunity to meet Harvey, Lowenstein and Evelyn was just something I could not pass up. I also had hopes that I would get to touch Faraday, Maxwell and Allie from http://www.atonkstail.com/ and I knew that this would be a once in a life time opportunity (well OK, it isn't. I'm sure they'd be happy to have me come back and visit.. but it felt like one at the time I got the invite.

So after a bit of negotiating with Amy about dates and with the airlines about the prices, I booked a flight and waited.

Now I have to tell you, being a horrid introvert and horribly shy and basically a cat I can't tell you how many times I wanted to back out. I adore Amy and Lisa.. I met them in person for the first time when I went to Kansas to visit Hills and I spent a great deal of time with them at BlogPaws this past year. I knew I would enjoy my visit.. but would Amy like me for an entire weekend?? I mean come on..

I soothed the annoying little voice in the back of my head with "well if it doesn't work out there is a hotel near the airport, you can rent a room and get room service for the remainder of your stay.. and that seemed to shut it up.

On the way to the airport, as we rounded the corner and saw the airplane up close that voice inside my head once again balked at going.. Only the thought of never meeting Harvey, Lowenstein, Evelyn, Faraday, Maxwell and Allie made me pull up my bootstraps and continue on. (again as much as I adore Amy and Lisa, they can come to me.. or we can meet up again at blogpaws - which I am probably not going to this year or barkworld, etc.. )

So I got on the plane.. I flew Southwest. I confirmed my flight early so I was able to board pretty quickly on the way out and sat in the first row. I listened to "Cat Daddy" on the way out (and on the way back) and kept myself entertained with games on my kindle and with free wifi at the layover airport.

I landed, found Amy pretty quickly, and we headed to her house. I actually unpacked my suitcase (which I never do) and got the once over from Lowenstein and Harvey..

We had a nice dinner, and I met Yaz - Amy's parent's dog, and Dottie - Amy's guinea pig. I also learned that Amy's dishwasher is used as her breadbox. This amused me to no end since my father fixes appliances and has my entire life so the fact that it leaks so she doesn't use it just wouldn't stand in 'my world'..

I was lucky enough to be visited by the boys after I went to bed. I was afraid I wouldn't get company and thus never be able to fall asleep, but the boys were willing to accommodate me long enough for the sandman to find me.

Day two: Lowenstein goes to PetSmart to see Santa..