OK, I took another leap into the 21st century today by upgrading to the Droid Incredible 2 phone. It was slightly unplanned, but I was ready to move forward.
I picked this up after noon today and am working on learning how to navigate the phone.
I really want to get the airline app loaded on the phone so I can keep an eye on the gate agents. We've already learned from another couple at the gate when we were going to New Mexico the last time, that we nearly got passed over for seats. I've learned not to take what those gate agents say as gospel. So this phone will help us keep an eye on our non-rev status. They won't try to fool us again!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Self-Preservation, or Naivete?
I can remember the day that I made the decision on my life's philosophy, the credo by which I would operate.
I was 15 years old, living with an abusive aunt and drunk uncle in rural Georgia. While riding on the school bus one afternoon, on the way back home, dreading being back on the farm and in the chaos, I saw my reflection in the window of the bus.
I was surprised that there was a reflection to see. This may have been the first time that I acknowledged to myself that there was a "self". And I realized it was time to figure out who I was.
I remember knowing that this was a turning point for me, an important crossroads. Who am I, and who do I want to be? Who would the forever person be, what type of human being?
Certainly, I didn't want to model myself after those persons who had been in charge of Martin's & my own welfare up to this point.....
And my decision was this: I would not become a hardened person, I would not allow myself to view people with mistrust, that it would be too easy for me to hate, and I didn't want that.
So I stepped way back, and made a conscious decision to judge each person as who I see when I meet her/him at the moment of our meeting.
You can tell me whatever you wish about a person, I will make up my own mind.
Does this mean I face disappointment? Do I get fooled?
Oh, yes.
But this is the choice I made many years ago. I think I'm a much better person for my choice.
You may see me as naive. I see myself as kind.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Back Home & Not so Anxious for the Next Trip
I got home last night from Virginia. Here's what finally happened....
On Saturday, Jenna tried flight after flight, both from the Norfolk Airport and from the Newport News airport. Flight after flight was full.
So at the end of Saturday night, she called to announce she was giving up and going home, and she asked me to come stay with her in Norfolk for a couple of days.
My family knows that going to Denver doesn't thrill me much- my brother is no longer there and it hurts me to face the fact. So going to Norfolk instead was a great alternative.
On Saturday morning, Gil was able to catch his flight to Denver- yay! Much easier for 1 non-rev to catch a plane than for 3 to do so.
And on Monday morning, I took myself to the airport and got on a plane.
Jenn picked me up and we went to AJ Gators to eat. Had a nice lunch then went to her apt. to move in my little suitcase full of stuff.
Took a little nap on the floor over there, and then we went out to eat (again) this time at a terrible Mexican food restaurant since the one we were hoping for was closed for renovations.
Next day, she and I went out to the fancy mall so I could buy some mascara and I bought her a couple of outfits.
That night I met Nico, the young man she's dating, and she cooked dinner for us both.
Oh, I was the dishwasher while I was staying there.
Then yesterday morning, she took me back to the airport where the 1st flight was full. My S2 status allowed me to make the 2nd flight out. In Atlanta, a thunderstorm forced our airplane to circle for 45 minutes until we were able to land.
I was home by 7:30 pm.
Slept like a baby last night.
It was a nice little visit with my daughter, just the right amount of time and the price was right.
Gil is still fishing in Colorado and is due home some time tomorrow (Friday).
It's hot and dreadfully humid here in Georgia. Nasty.
On Saturday, Jenna tried flight after flight, both from the Norfolk Airport and from the Newport News airport. Flight after flight was full.
So at the end of Saturday night, she called to announce she was giving up and going home, and she asked me to come stay with her in Norfolk for a couple of days.
My family knows that going to Denver doesn't thrill me much- my brother is no longer there and it hurts me to face the fact. So going to Norfolk instead was a great alternative.
On Saturday morning, Gil was able to catch his flight to Denver- yay! Much easier for 1 non-rev to catch a plane than for 3 to do so.
And on Monday morning, I took myself to the airport and got on a plane.
Jenn picked me up and we went to AJ Gators to eat. Had a nice lunch then went to her apt. to move in my little suitcase full of stuff.
Took a little nap on the floor over there, and then we went out to eat (again) this time at a terrible Mexican food restaurant since the one we were hoping for was closed for renovations.
Next day, she and I went out to the fancy mall so I could buy some mascara and I bought her a couple of outfits.
That night I met Nico, the young man she's dating, and she cooked dinner for us both.
Oh, I was the dishwasher while I was staying there.
Then yesterday morning, she took me back to the airport where the 1st flight was full. My S2 status allowed me to make the 2nd flight out. In Atlanta, a thunderstorm forced our airplane to circle for 45 minutes until we were able to land.
I was home by 7:30 pm.
Slept like a baby last night.
It was a nice little visit with my daughter, just the right amount of time and the price was right.
Gil is still fishing in Colorado and is due home some time tomorrow (Friday).
It's hot and dreadfully humid here in Georgia. Nasty.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Oh, The Travails of Travel. Part Deux.
Today we're flying to Denver. OR ARE WE?
That's right, the planes are full again.
Last night at 10 p.m., there were 34 open seats, this morning at 5 a.m., there are more than 50 people overbooked on the flight.
Does a person just wake up in the middle of the night to decide "I have GOT to go to Denver tomorrow morning!"- is this what's happening? If it is, what a great way to live your life.
Me? I have to plan at least 2 days in advance before hopping on a plane to go somewhere. I like to line up a hotel and rental car, kind of scope out the attractions that the place has to offer, you know?
So now the plan is to go to the airport and hope for a flight later this morning. We have a BBQ out in Brighton CO to attend tonight.
Gil will be heading to the mountains for several days of fishing with his brother, Jenn & I plan to stay in a hotel in Westminster- somewhat centrally located in relation to various family members so we can slingshot out in all directions to visit. I do like to stay in a hotel rather than with family members.
So, we will leave for the airport shortly and begin the "gate shuffle" where we are prepared to move from gate to gate and hope to get on a flight.
But for all this complaining, remember this: WE FLY FOR FREE!
That's right, the planes are full again.
Last night at 10 p.m., there were 34 open seats, this morning at 5 a.m., there are more than 50 people overbooked on the flight.
Does a person just wake up in the middle of the night to decide "I have GOT to go to Denver tomorrow morning!"- is this what's happening? If it is, what a great way to live your life.
Me? I have to plan at least 2 days in advance before hopping on a plane to go somewhere. I like to line up a hotel and rental car, kind of scope out the attractions that the place has to offer, you know?
So now the plan is to go to the airport and hope for a flight later this morning. We have a BBQ out in Brighton CO to attend tonight.
Gil will be heading to the mountains for several days of fishing with his brother, Jenn & I plan to stay in a hotel in Westminster- somewhat centrally located in relation to various family members so we can slingshot out in all directions to visit. I do like to stay in a hotel rather than with family members.
So, we will leave for the airport shortly and begin the "gate shuffle" where we are prepared to move from gate to gate and hope to get on a flight.
But for all this complaining, remember this: WE FLY FOR FREE!
 |
| The lake at Washington Park in Denver |
The difficulty comes in to this whole scenario because first our daughter flies in from Norfolk VA, we meet her at the airport here in Atlanta and we all then fly from here to Denver together. And now we're seeing that we can't get her on a plane from Norfolk.
It's 5pm, and our daughter had to go out to Newport News to try the airport there. At this point she just got the very last seat. So if this pans out, she will get here to Georgia tonight.
So Gil will drive up to the Atlanta Airport to bring her home tonight, and then we will go to the airport early tomorrow morning and start trying to get out on the 1st flight to Denver.
Unreal......
But still, as I said, WE FLY FOR FREE!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
It's too humid outside- I hate it.
I'm an outdoors lover. I like the feel of the sun on my skin. I like to listen to the birds. I like to wander my yard and look at the flowers, pull a few weeds, enjoy a light breeze.
A small slice of Heaven, in my world.
But here we are in middle Georgia, where the temperature is in the high 90's, and the humidity tries it's best to match that number.
By 10 am, it's difficult to be outside for long. It's just too stifling.
So, I have to return indoors and cool down and dry off.
And I look out my windows at the beautiful sunshine, and wish I could spend the entire day out there soaking it up.
Stupid Georgia summers.
A small slice of Heaven, in my world.
But here we are in middle Georgia, where the temperature is in the high 90's, and the humidity tries it's best to match that number.
By 10 am, it's difficult to be outside for long. It's just too stifling.
So, I have to return indoors and cool down and dry off.
And I look out my windows at the beautiful sunshine, and wish I could spend the entire day out there soaking it up.
Stupid Georgia summers.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ready to fly! Dammit!
The husband and I are flying to Santa Fe for 4 days. Santa Fe is one of my favorite destinations. It has that quirky vibe and "live and let live" mentality that I love. Like Denver used to be, before it grew too big and filled up with transplanted Californians.
So, the husband works for Delta Airlines which means we fly FOR FREE! Can you imagine how great it is to fly FOR FREE? Yeah? Well guess what? It's even better than that.
BUT.... since the airline industry has had to cut back just like everyone else, Delta has cut the number of flights so the planes are flying full. And for us freebies, that means sometimes we don't get on the flight we'd hoped for.
And that happened this morning. At the last minute, our intended flight filled up, and we now have to wait 6 hours for the next flight to Albuquerque. No biggie, right?
Except, I'm ready to get out to "The City Different". I'm ready for fab Mexican food with green chile, margaritas, beer, Native American artwork, the sound of Spanish voices, and clear blue skies and dry air.
So right now I'm mentally adjusting to arriving in Santa Fe at night instead of in the early afternoon. I won't be going to the Flamenco Club for dinner and a drink while the dancers work their magic.
I will have to start my exploration of my favorite American city tomorrow morning instead of this afternoon.
But with the money we save on airfare, perhaps an Acoman pot for my fireplace mantle will make up for 6 lost hours in The City Different.
So, the husband works for Delta Airlines which means we fly FOR FREE! Can you imagine how great it is to fly FOR FREE? Yeah? Well guess what? It's even better than that.
BUT.... since the airline industry has had to cut back just like everyone else, Delta has cut the number of flights so the planes are flying full. And for us freebies, that means sometimes we don't get on the flight we'd hoped for.
And that happened this morning. At the last minute, our intended flight filled up, and we now have to wait 6 hours for the next flight to Albuquerque. No biggie, right?
Except, I'm ready to get out to "The City Different". I'm ready for fab Mexican food with green chile, margaritas, beer, Native American artwork, the sound of Spanish voices, and clear blue skies and dry air.
So right now I'm mentally adjusting to arriving in Santa Fe at night instead of in the early afternoon. I won't be going to the Flamenco Club for dinner and a drink while the dancers work their magic.
I will have to start my exploration of my favorite American city tomorrow morning instead of this afternoon.
But with the money we save on airfare, perhaps an Acoman pot for my fireplace mantle will make up for 6 lost hours in The City Different.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Search for inner peace
I have been on a search for as long as I can remember.
As a child, the chaos of my so-called family made me alternately lash out or curl up within myself.
As a teen, I honestly wondered if living was even worth the heartache it caused me.
As a young 20 something, I spent some time escaping reality, although I have always had a strong sense of self-preservation and did my best to be in control and to be safe.
Then along came my husband and children, who took me out of myself and gave me a purpose. Maybe that is what I was lacking the entire time- a way to get my mind off myself.
Now the kids are launched and again, I'm looking for the answer, the WHY? of my existence.
Now I go to church every Sunday morning if I can, and read a bit of the Bible every day and pray in the morning.
My prayer is clunky and not at all eloquent. After all, who can be good at something that's new to her?
But I hope God knows my intention, and I hope He cuts me some slack for at least trying.
As a child, the chaos of my so-called family made me alternately lash out or curl up within myself.
As a teen, I honestly wondered if living was even worth the heartache it caused me.
As a young 20 something, I spent some time escaping reality, although I have always had a strong sense of self-preservation and did my best to be in control and to be safe.
Then along came my husband and children, who took me out of myself and gave me a purpose. Maybe that is what I was lacking the entire time- a way to get my mind off myself.
Now the kids are launched and again, I'm looking for the answer, the WHY? of my existence.
Now I go to church every Sunday morning if I can, and read a bit of the Bible every day and pray in the morning.
My prayer is clunky and not at all eloquent. After all, who can be good at something that's new to her?
But I hope God knows my intention, and I hope He cuts me some slack for at least trying.
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