KC, Part 1

Last month, my mom and I decided to take a mini trip to Kansas City. It all started because my cousin had a gift certificate for a suite at a fancy Kansas City hotel that he wouldn't be able to use before it expired.

I hadn't attended a Royals game in awhile and mom was game. Later, I shockingly found out that this would be her first Royals or professional baseball game for that matter.

We headed out to Kansas City and stopped to shop at Legend's, a wonderful outlet mall, along the way. We, of course, stopped at T.J.Maxx, one of our favorite stores.

Next, we headed to the hotel that was in the Power and Light District, the Ambassador. It was beautiful and classy. Anyone headed to the Power and Light District should stay there, it's so convenient.

We went to get an early dinner before the game at the Power and Light District, since my mom had never been. We ate at Gordon Biersch. I had a terrific salad.

Next, we left for Kauffman Stadium which was a short drive away. Leaving early was the key and we were able to get in and parked in a decent about of time. We splurged for good seats.

What we hadn't expected was how cold it would get that night. Despite the fact that it was late April and had been sunny and warm during the day, the wind was insane. My mom ended up spending part of the game in the team store. Nevertheless, the Royals won and we made priceless memories.

Readers from 73 Countries

Welcome to my new readers from Namibia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Taiwan, Honduras, Chile, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Phillipines, São Tomé & Príncipe, Angola, Austria, Ecuador, Lebanon, Colombia, Egypt, and Benin. It blows my mind and humbles me that so many people from so many different countries have read my blog. I always enjoy pulling up a map and learning where each country is located.

I've previously had readers from these: Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, Cayman Islands, Ireland, Latvia, Australia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, China, Serbia, Netherlands, Venezuela, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Mongolia, France, Israel, Czech Republic, South Korea, Romania, Spain, India, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Canada, Cameroon, Slovakia, Hong Kong, and obviously the United States. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Andorra, Denmark, Bulgaria, Sweden, Philippines, Belgium, Moldova, Algeria, Singapore, Greece, Estonia, Portugal, Kenya, and Croatia!

Readers, what do you most enjoy reading from me? I want to better engage you. Funny stories, how-to tips, recipes, travel recaps, movie/music reviews, life stories, etc.?

Outgrowing Friendships

As we get older, life changes. Sometimes, we try to stay friends with people that it just doesn't work with anymore. I've known deep down for awhile that I need to step away from some one-sided friendships, but that's hard to do. It's not easy to step away from someone you've made memories and shared life with. At some point in time, the friendships are no longer beneficial.

The Why?
If you're really not sharing life together anymore, why still be friends?
I want more than to share major life happenings (weddings, baby showers, etc.). If all you're doing is sharing major life happenings and nothing more, what kind of friendship is that?
I realized that I was the one who made all the contact, minus the life happenings invites and that wasn't enough.

Hard Stuff
It's taken me so long to come to this decision, because I always want to be the better person.
Also, the thought of losing a friend is sad. I decided that wasn't a good enough reason and that quality friendships are better than the number of friendships.

What That Means
This doesn't mean that I'm deleting them from Facebook or blocking their calls/texts.
What it does mean is that I'm stepping away from these friendships.
They can make the effort or not. I'm okay losing these friendships. I know they love it when I remember their birthdays, but it sucks that they never remember mine.

I'm a firm believer that people make time for what's important to them. So, I'm making room in my life for people who value friendship.

Songs Stuck in My Head

Hello to my new Russian readers!

I'm embarrassed to say that I've had an Ariana Grande song stuck in my head for almost a week now. It's Dangerous Woman.

Rather randomly, I also have Steven Tyler's newer-ish country song stuck in my head. Love it! It was such a different song from that he normally does that I really came to like it.

What songs are stuck in your head?