My run of bad luck followed me home

I am so happy to be home. The return trip was just as eventful as the time in LA. Want to know what happened?

Before I get started, however, I must say I haven't watched Lost yet. Carl recorded it for me. I just haven't had the opportunity to watch. Once I do, I'll post my thoughts... I know you are DYING to know them!!

Anywhoo-

The trip home started OK. I got to the airport, posted my thoughts about the trip, called my buddy in VA to make sure she was OK and then boarded the plane.

I sat down in my window seat. There was an empty seat in between myself and another lady. As I got settled in I smelled something nasty. I couldn't figure out what it was and started subtly sniffing around. I took a peek at my seat mate and realized she was clutching her stomach and looking at the quickest routes to the bathroom. I thought to myself "Great. She is sick to her stomach. I hope she doesn't puke!"

But it was worse.

As I watched her out of the corner of my eye I saw her look down the front of her jeans. And then roll up her shirt... where there was something ON IT. She took a kleenex and tried to clean it up.

After doing a little more looking, I realized she had on a wig. That is when it hit me. She either had or has cancer and I think she had a colostomy bag that had leaked on her. She smelled sooo bad. She got up and went to the bathroom, but it didn't do any good. I had to ride for 2.5 hours to Denver with my jacket over my nose and mouth. I couldn't move seats -- it was a pretty full flight. I didn't want to embarrass her, and I couldn't smell anything as long as my nose was covered. She put a blanket over her which helped, too. But when we landed and she threw it off --- OMG -- the green cloud that descended over the cabin... it was horrifying. I don't know if anyone else was affected, but it was killing me.

My mom described the smell perfect -- it smelled like a septic tank.

Sorry if that made you sick... the rest isn't as bad.

Finally, we get to Denver. I rushed off the plane to clean air... and SNOW. I couldn't believe how hard it was snowing. To me it looked like white out conditions, but I'm a Georgia girl. My state shuts down with just an inch of snow... this was so much more than that.

Needless to say, we were stranded on the plane for well over an hour before we could be de-iced and take off. We finally landed in ATL 2 hours late... and the pilot said he was "speeding" to get us there. I looked at the inflight map at one point and we were going 550 knots per hour. WOW!

Once we landed I got my bag and headed to the shuttle to go to my car. I parked in a lot that was three traffic lights from the highway. Wouldn't you know the city was doing resurfacing of that street and had it shut down to one lane both ways. I needed to turn left, but NO. I had to turn right and go back to the airport to get on another highway to get home.

THEN I get in my little city and some kind of road work was going on. I was stuck in traffic with no one doing any kind of traffic control. I called Carl raising hell and he got someone to come and let ME through... it pays to "KNOW" people. Hee.

My plane was supposed to land at 8:01 and I was supposed to be home no later than 9:30. Well... We landed at 10 and I got home at 11:15.

I hope all my bad luck is said and done. I don't want anything to happen the rest of the week... or to mess up my vacation next week...

If you are still reading this... thank you! I'm glad to be home. I'll post pictures soon.

Des' night

I don't really like time travel shows but last night's Lost was awesome. The whole jumping back and forth in time was crazy and, at times, very confusing... but I loved it. Here are some thoughts:

• A Black Rock painting and journal that was purchased by Mr. Widmore? Why did he want it? And what secrets could it hold about the island?
• Poor Eloise
• Why did Des follow Mr. Widmore into the bathroom? And then to watch him pee? Ewwww... Was that another way of Widmore showing his superiority over Des?
• And what was up with leaving the water running? Do they not realize there is a water shortage? (oh... sorry... that is just here in the South)
• Why did he give Des the address to Penny's new place? Guess his plan backfired about keeping them apart!
• Is Faraday the one who wrote in the journal about Desmond being their "constant"? If so, does he have the same ability? Is that why he and the red head were practicing guessing games with the cards last week?
• Des looked damn good in uniform and with short hair!
• Who are these guys on the boat and who are they working for. They all seem so sinister.
• Could someone that we met last night be the mole for Ben? I'm willing to bet it is the doctor, but that is the obvious choice, huh?
• Loved the scene with Des and Penny on the phone. I was in tears! They will find one another again.
• There were a lot of numbers in this episode... I'll be curious to see what folks come up with... you know they have some sort of meaning. (they always do)
• I don't remember the creepy guy's name that was in the sick bay. Did he say he was on a ferris wheel? Does that have any significance?

All in all it was a good episode. I don't know what impact it has on the rest of the story except that now Penny knows Des is alive and will come find him. BTW - how surreal was it to see a Christmas tree after watching these guys on a hot island all this time. It was kind of a jolt...

Your thoughts and/or observations?

Quick thought

Survivor and Lost on the same night...

Gosh I am a happy girl.

Pictures

Wanna see a handsome kid? (Ignore the proud mama standing behind him) This was taken right before his first band concert. He did an excellent job!

Here's a question... can you get your tongue to do this?

Crazy kid.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas ornaments... you know you want to see 'em.

Many of you know my nickname is Mouse. It is what my Pawpaw called me when I was little - actually it was Mouse of the House - and to this day I collect mice. There are A LOT on my tree... isn't she adorable?


This little guy just makes me smile.


Tinkerbell is just beautiful. Wind her up and she twirls on the genie bottle.

My tree topper is a Santa... doesn't he look high and mighty perched up there?

Here is my whole tree. Sorry the picture is so dark... don't have excellent photography skillz -- yet.

Finally --- this is what my brain feels like right now...

Have NO idea how that picture happened... I was trying to take pictures of the tree and this came out... cool, no?

Merry Christmas

Jumbled thoughts

I'm sitting here strumming my fingers on my desk trying to think of something to write about. Nothing is really coming to mind. Or maybe there is a lot going on -- I just can't pick out one thing.

Let me brainstorm for a minute and see if anything interesting pops up:

• It is the kids last day of school. What am I going to do with them next week?
• Why am I at work? Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - is going on. My projects are on hold until after the holidays. No one is here; it is like a tomb.
• Well, there is one thing to do. My review. Think I can stretch that out over the next two days?
• I'm ready for vacation next week. Even though we aren't travelling anywhere it will be nice to be off!!
• My kids totally rock.
• J-man is passing all of his classes, and if he works really hard he could end this year with ALL As and Bs!!! He only has ONE C right now. How flippen awesome is that?
• I need to hire someone to clean my house. That is on my to-do list next year. Somehow, some way, I will find the extra cash to pay for that. I can't do it. I can't keep up with it along with working all day long and running around with the kiddos. We do the best we can, but it isn't good enough. I need help.
• I thought I had all my wrapping done. Not so much. Found a couple of items that still need it; I may just buy a bag or two and shove 'em in that instead.
• I do love wrapping presents though. It is fun to see the item disappear into the wrapping and then imagining the smile that will come on the recipient's face when it is open. Makes me happy.
• My puppers are awesome. They have been real snuggle bugs lately. Dozer especially. He doesn't like the cold weather so when he comes in from being outside, he will lay on your lap and shiver just to get some extra attention. Pitiful.
• We've been in counseling for about a month now, and Carl has really taken it to heart. I love him so much for that. I can see a change in him. I love how he loves us and is willing to listen and work to make our lives better. I married a great guy.
• Is it Christmas yet?
• I can't believe it is almost 2008! I wonder what next year holds for us?
• My car still isn't acting right. I know we are going to wind up plunking down some money for a new one... I just hope it can hold out until after our trip.
• Speaking of our trip... we have GOT to get our passports. That is what our Christmas money is going to buy this year. Exciting? I think it is.
• Once we get the passports we can go anywhere in the world we want to go! That gives us so many options!
• One thing I reeeaaalllyyy want to do is go back to Halifax and explore that town without a hurricane blowing through.
• The kids have been trying to talk me into getting a kitten. I'm on the fence. It is hard enough keeping up with two dogs and two guinea pigs. We are such an animal loving family, but when is it too much. (I can see my mom cringing now, shaking her head, and saying "NO!!" HA!)
• My Dunkin Donuts coffee is rockin' this morning!
• Just when I thought my family situation was disfunctional -- bump it up against the Spears' fiasco and we are all doing JUST fine. Sheesh!!!!!

OK -- that's enough.

I think - no, I know - there are more things running around up there, but I don't want to keep on. I've held back on some things... really, I have!

Off to read blogs, play games on my cell phone, look at a few websites... basically try to look busy. I've got to make this day go faster!