First Person: Crazy Weather Hits Wichita, Kan.

WICHITA, Kan. -- Kansas has seen a week of weather extremes. Last week, the kids were out of school for spring break. Part of their break was "Springy." Just a few days ago, our temperatures were in the 70 degree range. We dug our summer clothes out of storage, and were happily wearing T-shirts, shorts, Capri pants and flip flops.

The kids, my husband and I were out on our bicycles, walking the dogs and enjoying the spring-like temperatures. We did yard work, cleaned and detailed our cars and got the garden ready for planting. I spent three glorious days riding around town in my recently-purchased 1988 Mustang LX 5.0 convertible with the top down and the wind in my hair. We all began to think that winter had left us for good and summer was on the way.

The joy was short-lived, however. This past weekend brought temperatures in the 30s. Out came the jeans, sweatshirts and heavy winter coats. And the mustang was put back in the garage with its top all buttoned up, to wait for warmer weather again. I spent the weekend in hibernation in my house in front of the fireplace. We had snow on Saturday, and temperatures around freezing over the weekend.

Monday and Tuesday were again bitterly cold. We got sleet and snow flurries on Tuesday evening, but not enough to cause any major traffic issues or cancel schools. Wednesday dawned chilly and overcast and brought temperatures in the upper 40s. It is supposed to steadily warm up over the next couple of days, and the weekend will bring temperatures that are back in the 70s.

This will be great traveling weather for my trip back home to Illinois. But, I get to travel with a nice head cold -- it seems the crazy changes in the weather have affected everyone's sinuses and most of us have colds or sniffly noses. I think I can speak for the entire Wichita area when I say we are all ready for the summertime and warmer weather.