update post
17 Jul 2013 06:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jennickelsSeems like forever since I wrote a post about anything important. My poor journal is neglected without me writing fanfic.
There's been a lot going on and I don't remember what I talked about last. I think Meagan's birthday.
Well, our vacation kind of got waylaid. We got about half way across the state and the transmission decided to act up. We suddenly lost 4th gear so we turned around and drove home. I was really looking forward to the drive despite the long hours cooped in the car. I was going to visit 5 new states and maybe see Mt. Rushmore.
Instead, Meagan and I flew to Chicago which was an adventure. It's the first time I've flown without Patrick, first time in PDX (Portland Airport), first time using passes on my own. Between the two of us and our anxieties it was a crazy trip.
I was actually pretty calm for the most part. We had to take two buses and a train to get to the airport since the truck was in the shop. That was my first time riding the bus into Portland and the first time on the MAX (light rail). The train takes you right to the airport so that was nice. We ended up being super early because of the bus schedule. I planned for in case we missed the 2nd bus because 1 arrived as the other left but we made it on.
Then we almost got bumped from the flight. It went right down to the line. Everyone was on the plane, they called for some missing people that never showed up and we got on but had to sit in different rows (she was right in front of me). The guy sitting next to her showed her how to buckle up and talked to her so she wouldn't be nervous. Then the old lady switched seats so she could see out the window. She had a great time for her first plane ride ever.
We had a stopover in Phoenix (my first time ever in Arizona, although I'm not sure it counts if all I saw was 20 feet of the airport, lol). We were so early they let use get off and get snacks before they boarded for the flight to Chicago. I switched seats so we were together for that part.
Got to the airport early and my dad picked us up. He had our favorite pizza waiting.
The trip was nice. I was supposed to be helping my dad sort and pack for his move but it was the first time I was without kids and a husband in 13 years (Meagan took off on day 2 to visit her old best friend, Hailey). My dad told me to relax. He even cooked for me. Meagan ended up spending the whole time at Hailey's house just like she did when we lived there, lol. We saw her like 2 1/2 days.
We drove up to Michigan and stayed 2 nights with my Aunt Nora. I really wanted to see her. She's the closest thing to a mom I have. God it felt good. Almost like having my mom hug me. I really needed that. I just wanted to sit around and talk to her all day. But my dad was there and Uncle Mark and my Aunt Kitty (another of my mom's sisters--right in between my mom and Nora). And they had the grandkids over (the boys the first day, some of the girls the next day). I did get to go swimming and got horribly sunburned. I love my bathing suit, though. It was the first time I wore it.
Then we drove home on Friday because our flight was at 6am on Saturday. We picked Meagan up at her friend's grandmother's house. I've known this woman (Cindy) since I was 12, they used to live next door to us. I was best friends with her daughter, Kelly, and when we both had kids they became best friends. Well, Cindy's new house was amazing. It was my first time there. She ordered more pizza and we sat there talking until like 2am. I spent time with Meagan and Hailey and they are just hilarious together. Like a day never passed since they last saw each other.
Me and my dad had discussed (Patrick suggested it) that Meagan stay in Chicago for awhile longer so my dad could actually see her and she could spend more time with Hailey. So I talked to Meagan about it and she was all for it. So she's in Chicago. I never went to bed that night and left for the airport around 4:30am.
Of course, my flight was fully booked so I had to wait and see. I made sure to get there early so I'd be one of the first on the stand-by list (which was much longer this time). Luckily I made the flight which was going to Denver (another airport I've never been in, although I've driven through Denver). I had an hour long layover in Denver and easily made that flight to Portland. As soon as I checked in I got a boarding pass instead of having to wait. Patrick was waiting at the gate for me--ahh the perks of working at the airport with a security pass.
So now I'm home trying to not be depressed about that (my home life is definitely what's making me feel so crappy most of the time).
I did no work while in Chicago and took no pictures (sadly). It was a lot of fun, though. I also got to visit with my friend Crystal and see her girls. It was the first time seeing her youngest, Maddie, who just turned 2--what a cutie.
Meagan is staying with my dad either until she gets sick of him or until school starts. He's either going to buy her a ticket home (so she doesn't have to do the stand-by shuffle on her own) or he's going to do his move in August and she'll ride with him.
Hmm, this got pretty long just talking about one thing. I'll make the rest of my updates in other posts, I think.
There's been a lot going on and I don't remember what I talked about last. I think Meagan's birthday.
Well, our vacation kind of got waylaid. We got about half way across the state and the transmission decided to act up. We suddenly lost 4th gear so we turned around and drove home. I was really looking forward to the drive despite the long hours cooped in the car. I was going to visit 5 new states and maybe see Mt. Rushmore.
Instead, Meagan and I flew to Chicago which was an adventure. It's the first time I've flown without Patrick, first time in PDX (Portland Airport), first time using passes on my own. Between the two of us and our anxieties it was a crazy trip.
I was actually pretty calm for the most part. We had to take two buses and a train to get to the airport since the truck was in the shop. That was my first time riding the bus into Portland and the first time on the MAX (light rail). The train takes you right to the airport so that was nice. We ended up being super early because of the bus schedule. I planned for in case we missed the 2nd bus because 1 arrived as the other left but we made it on.
Then we almost got bumped from the flight. It went right down to the line. Everyone was on the plane, they called for some missing people that never showed up and we got on but had to sit in different rows (she was right in front of me). The guy sitting next to her showed her how to buckle up and talked to her so she wouldn't be nervous. Then the old lady switched seats so she could see out the window. She had a great time for her first plane ride ever.
We had a stopover in Phoenix (my first time ever in Arizona, although I'm not sure it counts if all I saw was 20 feet of the airport, lol). We were so early they let use get off and get snacks before they boarded for the flight to Chicago. I switched seats so we were together for that part.
Got to the airport early and my dad picked us up. He had our favorite pizza waiting.
The trip was nice. I was supposed to be helping my dad sort and pack for his move but it was the first time I was without kids and a husband in 13 years (Meagan took off on day 2 to visit her old best friend, Hailey). My dad told me to relax. He even cooked for me. Meagan ended up spending the whole time at Hailey's house just like she did when we lived there, lol. We saw her like 2 1/2 days.
We drove up to Michigan and stayed 2 nights with my Aunt Nora. I really wanted to see her. She's the closest thing to a mom I have. God it felt good. Almost like having my mom hug me. I really needed that. I just wanted to sit around and talk to her all day. But my dad was there and Uncle Mark and my Aunt Kitty (another of my mom's sisters--right in between my mom and Nora). And they had the grandkids over (the boys the first day, some of the girls the next day). I did get to go swimming and got horribly sunburned. I love my bathing suit, though. It was the first time I wore it.
Then we drove home on Friday because our flight was at 6am on Saturday. We picked Meagan up at her friend's grandmother's house. I've known this woman (Cindy) since I was 12, they used to live next door to us. I was best friends with her daughter, Kelly, and when we both had kids they became best friends. Well, Cindy's new house was amazing. It was my first time there. She ordered more pizza and we sat there talking until like 2am. I spent time with Meagan and Hailey and they are just hilarious together. Like a day never passed since they last saw each other.
Me and my dad had discussed (Patrick suggested it) that Meagan stay in Chicago for awhile longer so my dad could actually see her and she could spend more time with Hailey. So I talked to Meagan about it and she was all for it. So she's in Chicago. I never went to bed that night and left for the airport around 4:30am.
Of course, my flight was fully booked so I had to wait and see. I made sure to get there early so I'd be one of the first on the stand-by list (which was much longer this time). Luckily I made the flight which was going to Denver (another airport I've never been in, although I've driven through Denver). I had an hour long layover in Denver and easily made that flight to Portland. As soon as I checked in I got a boarding pass instead of having to wait. Patrick was waiting at the gate for me--ahh the perks of working at the airport with a security pass.
So now I'm home trying to not be depressed about that (my home life is definitely what's making me feel so crappy most of the time).
I did no work while in Chicago and took no pictures (sadly). It was a lot of fun, though. I also got to visit with my friend Crystal and see her girls. It was the first time seeing her youngest, Maddie, who just turned 2--what a cutie.
Meagan is staying with my dad either until she gets sick of him or until school starts. He's either going to buy her a ticket home (so she doesn't have to do the stand-by shuffle on her own) or he's going to do his move in August and she'll ride with him.
Hmm, this got pretty long just talking about one thing. I'll make the rest of my updates in other posts, I think.
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Date: 23 Jul 2013 04:19 pm (UTC)And lovely that Patrick could meet you at the gate since he works at the airport. I don't fly often, but unless I'm traveling with D, I always miss having someone there waiting for me when I get off the plane. Usually whoever is picking me up just circles outside the airport to avoid parking fees, and while it absolutely makes more sense not to spend that money, it definitely changes the travel experience...
I hope things go well with your dad's move!