Do you not know what causes that?

If Ada submitted a flight plan...

So you know my love of flying (NOT), well I'm tracking Hilary's flight to Japan.  One sight says, "Sorry. We are unable to determine the current location of this flight. It may be that the flight is temporarily beyond the range of our tracking network or over a large body of water."  So I looked elsewhere and got this flight path, looks like Ada submitted it to the FAA.  Last real info was that she was over the Bering Sea with about 2 hours left in the air...

Return from DC

I got a weather alert texted to my phone at like 4 a.m. on Monday.  I called the travel agent and paid over $100 to return 6 hours early.  My husband wasn't so sure it was worth it.  Then at 10 p.m., when he would have been picking me up we had about 6 inches of snow in our back yard and lots of ice - he was happy then...

Greetings from DC

The flight wasn't so horrible.  But a few bumps.  I only prayed a few times.  Though the fight between the flight attendant and one of the (three) passengers was a bit exciting and scary.  While I feel attendant was in the right, she never got friendly again.

Where do I start?

Well, it's been a wild couple of weeks to say the least.  It started off at the Lamaze International Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.  The good news is that I figured out how to fly and NOT drool on myself for days afterwards - Xanax!  I actually worked on a plane.  It was great to not have panic attacks.  And lest you believe it to be a one time trick - it worked every time. I rode four, count them, four airplanes in two weeks!

In AZ I gave two presentations and lead two special groups. They were fun and exciting. I also enjoyed just relaxing with my good friend, Pat. I also picked up some goodies for friends who are CBEs. My room was way far away and it felt like a real hike, but it had a nice view of the mountains.

I came home for about 40 hours.  In which I went to HS open house, had a dinner date, shopped like a mad woman, fixed dinner for 15 guests for Rosh Hashana, did a radio interview, and went to services. I left services to go to the airport, and changed my clothes in the parking lot.

ICEA was fun, though I was wiped out. I had a good time with my room mate, Teri Shilling, even though I think I drove her a bit nuts.  She did get some good laughs in, mostly at my expsense. We had dinner with Penny Simkin, Kathy McGrath and Rachel Miller one night which was so fun to just sit and talk. We also spent a lot of time talking to Debby Amis and Jeanne Green while at ICEA, though they had led a training seminar at Lamaze, but they were busy then and unavailable for converstaion. I did two more presentations and helped Teri lug her two 74lb (EACH!) suitcases to her sessions.

I made it home in time to spend some girl time with Laurie and Paula.  We stayed out until 2 a.m.  Then back on the road with the kids for school, brunch, our first book club and stamping!

Some memorable highlights from the week:

• Ada insists on telling me how to drive. If I go the "wrong" way she tells me all about it.
• Hilary apologized for a flare up she had - which was very mature of her.
• Grandy (my mom) had a birthday and I took grandma to see her.
• Grandma informed Mom that she wouldn't live much longer. (Grandma didn't know why we were laughing so hard.)
• Clara and Owen are loving soccer and ballet.
• Lilah has fallen and scrapped up her knees again!  Poor baby. Though she is pleased with her new shoes.
• Isaac is not liking homework, but glad to be back in Tae Kwon Do and chess.
• Benjamin, after a lengthy conversation about the role of electricity in the body, including the ability to pass that electricity on, concluded: "So if it's a lightening storm outside, don't walk around holding hands..."
• The fish is alive, even after I cleaned the tank, but the boys declare that the tank still smells.
• Kevin is very, very, very glad I'm home.

Ever had one of THOSE days?

I am. Benjamin left today for Orlando to visit my dear friend, April. He made this trip last year, but was a bit nervous after surgery, etc.  He'd also forgotten about the plan ride until today.  He was a nervous nelly all day. Check in was a breeze and the electric cart guy offered us all a ride - what a treat! So we finally get him to the airport and wait for two hours for him to board. (I planned to get there that early so that he wouldn't worry about traffic, security, etc.)  We actually had fun watching planes, playing trivia for Starbursts and riddly riddly ree.

  So then we finally get going. The girls wanted to go to the bathroom. First we couldn't find one open to the public. When we did we had to put all four of us in a stall, which totally messed up the automagic flusher. Isaac waited patiently outside. I know we looked like a bunch of clowns coming out of a VW! We all headed for the grocery. I've really been trying hard to make dinner at least twice a week, including one new dish.  So tonight we were going to try Peanut Butter Hummus.

The kids weren't the best at the grocery store. I think it was my frayed nerves, but they kept stepping on my shoes and blocking my cart.  I wasn't a happy camper.  I rented them a movie for some peace when I got home.

We took some food to grandma's and put our groceries away at home. I started the movie, hoping Owen and Clara would nap.  I fixed dinner and a dessert (Yogurt pie).  Then April calls. I'm assuming she's calling to say Benjamin is on the ground. Nope, after circling for 45 minutes the plane got diverted to Palm Beach because it was low on fuel. I sent Benjamin a text message to tell him we knew what was going on and that April was not leaving him. He didn't call or return the text.

So I just kept working while we all watched the movie. Finally Kevin brought Ada home and we sat down to dinner. It was one disaster after another. Spilled this, whiney that... you get the picture. Even after I finally did scream (I'm really working on that one!), Kevin still didn't offer to take anyone with him to Tae Kwon Do. April called, Benjamin finally made it in after flying for almost 5 hours.  Poor kid, he said he was mad, but the threat level hasn't been raised and no planes were diverted, so it couldn't have been that bad.  Way to go, Benjamin!

So now I'm sitting here eating the left over Cool Whip and Ada, Owen and Clara are in bed at 6:20 p.m.  No one is yelling now...

I made it home!

The weather was frigid in Arizona once again. Remind me never to go in the winter.  Though no snow this year. Jeannette and I wound up wearing the hats I made for Owen and Clara as we walked around the resort with our bed spreads on.  I'm telling you it was cold!

Poor Me

Okay, so I was pleasantly surprised by the flight, despite the nasty turbulence at the end of the FOUR HOUR flight.  Can I just say, "Thanks Dramamine!"

The hotel and spa are very, very nice.  The bathroom wins the second place prize, next to the Luxor's Tower bathroom.  Though Kevin argues for the bathroom at the B & B, but I say that's a different category.

I wish we could have gotten to the spa, but the days are jam packed and I have so little time to even breathe!  We're going from 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.  Argh!  But I'm hanging in there with all the great food and all the Diet Pepsi I could drink.  (I did eat veggies, but I need more water!)  The only realy problem, other than the lack of time is the weather.  It's beautiful but it is 28 degree (!!!) in Arizona!  (For those who remember, the last time I came to Arizona it snowed, so I suppoed it's my fault.)

Anyway, I'll be home tomorrow.  I hear that there are sighting of my newest book!

Have I mentioned I hate to fly?

It's 5:40 a.m. and I'm off to the airport - oh joy.  And now that I have figured how just how much Dramamine I need for a two hour flight, I'm having to fly for four hours!  Oh goodness help me! 

Going Home

I'm heading home today from New York City.  I've been at an About.com event.  It's been a load of fun, but also just incredibly stressful, both in terms of doing a ton of stuff and in missing my family. 

I really enjoyed meeting lots of guides like Rich, the heart disease guide, Paige, the exercise guide, Donna, the entertaining guide, Vince, the pediatrics guide, Aaron, the cars guide, Nino, the portable electronics guide, and Marie, the gardening guide.

I even got to meet Danielle from the Celebrity Baby Blog and her daughter, Anya.

Now I'm anxious to be home with my own family.  I can't wait to snuggle up on the couch after dinner tonight and read stories.  I know Lilah will want to play her violin for me - after a whole lesson!  Owen and Clara will want me to read with them.  Isaac and Benjamin will bombard me as I walk in the door both for hugs and presents. Ada will just wave and then go back to sucking her two fingers.  Hilary might even surface to yell at me for something - it's always nice to know she cares.  :-)

So I'm 5/6 of the way done with my flights for the rest of the year.  When I land today I'm done flying until JANUARY!  I like that.

L'shana tova!

To Fly

I was standing on the moving walkway in the airport composing this post in my mind. I was trying to sum up what I hate about flying. Do I hate the airport? No, not really.  Do I hate the planes? No.  I really hate to fly.  You know, the verb.

My flight is delayed. My head hurts. I don't know how to time my Dramamine now. *sigh*  Think of me...

Updated 10:46 a.m.: My plane is at the gate. I downed a chewable Dramamine.  I'm being brave and only taking one.  Is that a mistake?  I really hate being sleepy all damned day. Any advice?

Updated 6:20 p.m.: Plane rides: 5/6 done. The 1/2 Dramamine kept me calm and I didn't sleep, but wound up being bored one the flight. I can deal with that, the sleepiness is still here. I've been in the room awhile, waiting for a friend to call.  She and I talked about doing something today since I was so close. She just let me know her plans changed, so I'm going out now.