Ahhhh, Monday ...

As many of you know, this past week has been a challenging one in my life. It brought to light what is good and what isn't. Yes, the "what isn't" things have been staring me in the face for quite some time and I've been holding on to some unrealistic hope that maybe - just maybe - someone loved me enough to make it all better. I often wonder if I ever listen to the things that people say. I claim to be a good listener, yet am still somewhat surprised when I finally get it - when the words come flooding in and actually make emotional sense. Yes, this week I came to the realization that there is enough love, but that I must quit looking for it from others and find it within myself. How many times have I heard those words? How many times have I acknowledged them without feeling them?

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I want to thank those of you stopped by and offered comments this past week. Your kind, funny and sarcastic words offered more comfort than you might imagine. Although taking the laptop earned me a strong scolding, it was the one thing that offered me a bit of sanity and routine during an otherwise chaotic week. A special thanks to Matt-Man for his daily coded messages - I just wish he'd have sent the decoder ring before I left (and it wasn't in the Cracker Jack box)! I mean, just what do you do with "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, of my crotch. Watch out for the roosters, and be careful whilst oiling up your epiglottis." other than scratch your head and hope it is good??

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Overall, the kids had a fabulous time this past week and you know what? That's what it is all about - creating memories - good ones for the most part - so that when they stumble upon difficult times, they have something think back on that brings a smile to their face!

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One last funny vacation story ...

This should come as no surprise as most of the trip was filled with these little comedic challenges. First, road construction in San Antonio is CRAZY! I Googled directions to Dollar Rent-a-Car so that we could return our minivan (don't even get me started) prior to getting on the plane. Guess what? The exit I needed to take was closed due to construction ... and so was the one after that. I had to take an exit, cross my fingers, and hope that I could find my way! Fortunately, I have a fairly good sense of direction and made it there ... eventually.

This, of course, was just the first of many more challenges to come on the return trip. We eventually got to the airport and waited ... and waited ... and waited to check in for the first leg of our flight. I got really snarky with one of the Northwest Airlines employees, but after a few fistfuls of humble pie moments of deep breathing, I went back to the employee and apologized. She was only doing her job and I did not make it easier in that moment.

We finally got checked in and had 25 minutes to get through security and to the gate for our departure to Memphis. We made it with 10 minutes to spare! On the plane, all is well, we are leaving on time and will have no issues with catching our connection in Memphis. Or so it seemed.

Out on the runway, the pilot announces that the plane is too heavy for takeoff. Someone made some sort of calculation error and we will have to spend the next 30 minutes sitting there on the 100+ degree runway, burning off fuel so that we can get off the ground. In the back of my head I'm hoping the same person wasn't tasked with making this calculation. Once in the air, they assure us that we will make our connection.

We land in Memphis with 10 minutes to get from gate B38 to gate B11. Fortunately, Memphis' airport wasn't terribly crowded, nor is it terribly big. We made it, but were the last passengers on the plane. Whew!! Finally headed home.

Great flight - no tornadoes in Chicago - plane arrives on time. Off to the baggage carousel (why do they call it a carousel if I can't ride it?) to pick up our luggage. Bags come out - people pick them up and leave. Pretty soon it's just the six of us staring at an empty carousel that is no longer moving. Remember that short amount of time between flights? Well, our bags decided to stay in Memphis.

We got to spend and extra 30 minutes at the Northwest baggage claim area filling out our "Luggage Irregularity Receipt" - ummmm ... yeah ... that is what they call it when they lose your luggage ... an irregularity!

We eventually made it home and I got to sleep in my own bed. Today is another off day for me - all praises to the 4-day work week gods!! Back to my comforting routine of work and family tomorrow!

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