Friday, June 26, 2009

I'm Back!!

So did you miss me? Did you even realize I was gone? At least you got a nice little vacation from me for a few days! I, on the other hand, did not have a vacation. I travelled to the lovely city of El Paso, Texas for training. Was beat up for a couple days and returned home. Beat up you ask?? Yes, I am a defensive tactics instructor at work. This was my training to continue being a trainer. Anyhoo, I only took one pic in El Paso. Here it is....




A palm tree at our hotel. Impressive, huh!



The travel home was the worst. The flight from El Paso to Dallas is suppose to be 1 hour and 45 minutes, however, there was a storm over DFW. So we were in a holding pattern for about 20 minutes before the pilot said we were low on fuel and had to go to Abilene. Abilene is a very small airport. They don't fly big airplanes in and out. So I had my questions about the runway length! We landed and they fueled us up. This was my view from the window.




As they fueled the jet, this lone firefighter sat patiently waiting for us to explode.


After getting enough gas to get us back to DFW, we took off. I swear we peeled out on the runway.


A very nice man from Kosovo sat next to me on the plane. He entertained me throughout the flight. Showed me every single picture he had ever taken on his digital camera. I swear there were HUNDREDS. I know all his family, his inlaws, how the wedding turned out for his SIL, saw the last two birthdays for his children, he loves casinos and standing in front of fountains for pictures, Kosovo is very lovely, and he has a relative that is single and if anyone knows of a man, let me know...


We finally made it to DFW just in time for me to catch my connecting flight home. I ran the terminal to the gate B8. Yea! Then right before the it was time to board, I noticed the city name on the gate had changed to Madison, WI?! So I went to the big departure board and saw that I was now 13 gates down the terminal. It's so nice that they told us, right! Geez. So everyone is making a mad dash to B21. Get there and it says our flight is delayed and oh yeah, now you need to go to B17! Get to B17, the flight was delayed even later on that board. OMG!! The flight had originally been set to depart at 8:35p and we managed to leave a little after 10p. The worst part about it....it's only a 20 minute flight!


So I made it home safe and somewhat sound! The husband and all the critters were happy to see me. And I was happy to be home again.

18 comments:

Paula said...

Well now . . . that was just crazy! But oooohhhh I want to hear more about the defensive tactics stuff!! Could probably use some of that knowledge!

threecollie said...

Poor you! What a nightmare. Remind me not to fly.

Dusty Devoe said...

Welcome Back! Can't wait to hear more!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Yup , missed you ,was just thinking about leaving a message on your last post saying "Helloo? where are you ?" and poof here you are ! rotten that your flights got so screwed up. Glad you made it home and found a friend on the flight!

Libby's Library said...

Sounds like some of my days flying.

On my trip back to Florida for a post op visit, my flight was delayed by about 4 hours. I'm sitting in a wheel chair with my leg propped up on a regular chair...and they change gates on me. The person at the desk is looking right at me as he makes the announcement that the plane has arrived at a different gate and that they will be boarding immediately... so I'm thinking "he'll come over and get me". FAT CHANCE. He looks right at me as I point down towards the new gate. The Jack ***turns around and pretends I'm not there. Everyone is high tailing it down to the new gate. I then try to pile my bags onto my lap, hold my crutches in one hand and try to steer with the other while trying to scoot forward with my good leg. Twice my purse and bag fall off my lap. Do you think that ANYONE stops to offer help - NADA, ZIP, NOBODY. I'm inching my way forward thinking that there is no way that I will get to the gate on time...when miraculously, a see tiny itty bitty little janitor/custodian (or whatever the politically correct term is)- who I swear couldn't be more than 12 - asks me if I need some help. Bless her, she was so little I couldn't believe that she was actually able to push me all the way down to the departing gate, but darn if she didn't get me there and then took me right to the jet way and then told the gate agent that he better take me down and make sure that I'm put in the front row closest to the lavatory. That girl had spunk - and she got a BIG tip!!!

Maria said...

don't know how far you live from El Paso but it almost sounds like you could have driven & got home sooner. Well at least you got a workout in the airport :)
My daughter moved to El Paso this year, haven't been yet but from the photos she has sent all I see is dirt, lots & lots of dirt.

RURAL said...

Love the horror story about the fellow passenger. So how was the wedding? Did he enjoy it? Don't you just find yourself wishing that the batteries would die on the camera.

Giggle......

Glad to hear that you are home safely.

Jen

Jocelyn said...

that why I HATE DFW. They are the worst about chaging gates at the last minute.

I cringe when I have to connect throuugh there!

Glad to hear you made it home safely!

CTG Ponies said...

Sounds like a crazy trip! Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound.

missy said...

we are also glad you are back!!!!!!
ugh....airports!!!!!

Unknown said...

I was wondering where you went. It's been quiet around.

Pony Girl said...

It's funny because I did notice you were gone, as you are one of those people that posts almost every day, and yes I missed ya!
"As they fueled the jet, this lone firefighter sat patiently waiting for us to explode." I was laughing out loud! This is exactly what I would have thought (I hate to fly.) Glad you made it back safe and that your critters were happy to see you!

Tatersmama said...

I'm just glad you're home safe and sound!
So tell us more about the defensive tactics thing. Is there anything I can use on my lazy-arse Old Guy to get his butt in gear before I get fired?
Dynamite maybe?

lisa said...

Yes! I did miss you, I always see if you have posted. Love your blog. I hate to fly, I get motion sick so needless to say when ever I fly I have to take dramamine the day before!! So, if I can drive it, I do. Glad to have you back.

Amy in Edmond said...

I'm glad you made it home safe and sound.

Being from WI originally, I can say that now is the best time of year to visit Madison. There is no snow and it is warm. Go Badgers!

Homestay Mama said...

Defensive tactics? Hmmm. Tell us more!

Shirley said...

Bless you for being so kind as to listen to your Kosovo seatmate! Flying is number one on my list of things I dislike, and stories like this reinforce that! Actually, I'm claustrophobic, and being in a tin can a mile above the earth scares the crap outa me!

City girl turned Country Girl said...

I was definitely missing you!!! I wondered where in the heck you were LOL!! Man that sounds like a disaster of plane rides!! Sounds like Kosovo kept you busy on the plane LOL!!

Glad your back!! I am playing catch up here LOL!!