I just wrapped up the best 24 hours I’ve had in a very long time. I needed it. I had come out of the terrible funk I was in 10 days prior, but yesterday and this morning were the first times I really had reasons to smile in awhile.

I was at Buffalo Wild Wings from 2 to 8:30 yesterday. I was hoping to see Tori behind the bar in the afternoon, but Lauren swapped with her. It was still a wonderful time with her, and then with Stephanie in the evening.

Ashley is almost ready to deliver. She looks really good for almost full-term. Molly, Jaclyn and Rue were all there too.

I feel really good I was there for Liz. And I also am very grateful that she came when she didn’t have to. Everyone should have a friend like her. I’m lucky I do.

After leaving Kansas City, I had to make a stop in Topeka to pick up some more food and get gas at Hy-Vee. Between Topeka and Kansas City, I picked up eight two-liter bottles of Dr. Pepper Ten. For some reason, the two-liter bottles are no longer sold in Hays and the rest of northwest Kansas.

The Coca-Cola distributor in Victoria bottles Dr. Pepper for the 18 counties in northwest Kansas, stretching from Russell, Osborne and Smith Center in the east to Sharon Springs, Goodland and St. Francis in the west. The Dr. Pepper two-liter bottles here are shaped like the Coca-Cola bottles, and apparently, they aren’t getting enough sales of Dr. Pepper Ten to continue to bottle it.

That means no more Dr. Pepper Ten two-liters in Wichita or Hutchinson, either. Same thing as it is here.

In Salina, Topeka and Kansas City, Dr. Pepper is bottled by either Pepsi or Cadbury-Schweppes, and the bottles are shaped like “normal” two-liter bottles, the ones you’ve seen since the late 1970s.

Also, since Coca-Cola bottles Dr. Pepper in Wichita and northwest Kansas, Pibb is not available, since it would be in direct competition with Dr. Pepper. I smuggled three 12-packs back (Pibb Zero, not the full strength).

Today’s therapy session with Crista was far more upbeat than last Tuesday. No crying, no screaming, just a calm discussion of what went on. Next session is Aug. 13, at which time I’ll also see Dr. Patriarca for an update on my medication.

Going to relax today. Thinking about a trip to Salina. Maybe not. I’ll think it over.