Travel Karma

Ever since I started working in our department, the joke has been the travel karma that exists for those of us working in the department.  I personally had never really been on the receiving end of this until now.  I travel for business twice (2) a year.  This would be spring for a convention and training and in the fall for a board of directors meeting.  I guess this is my time.

This year the conference is in Boston (Go Red Sox!).  I had a 9:45 flight from Fort Smith to Dallas and an 11:40 flight from Dallas to Boston.  The day started well.  I got to work out on the treadmill (*\0/*)!  I was packed and ready to leave by 8:00.  I have to run to the office to pick up business cards (another story).  Arrived at the airport by 8:45 to discover that my flight was delayed.  I'm not kidding.  We got off the ground after 10:00 and did not touch down until 11:00.  Okay.  I can still make it right.  Not when it takes 30 minutes to get to the gate and deplane  Missed that sucker.

Not to worry.  Get on the next flight right?  Wrong!  I'm on stand-by.  Oh yeah number 9.  I'm automatically bumped to the next standby list for the 3:55 flight.  I go to the counter and am like HELP!  There are no seats to be had at any airline out of Dallas to Boston for the next two days..  Okay...I'm like let's try any airport with connections to Boston.  No!  Okay any airport between NY and Maine that I can drive to Boston?!

So here I am on a flight to New York with a rental car waiting for the 4 hour drive to Boston.  Oh wait you haven't heard the best part:  I will be in the car for 4 hours with my boss!  Yes please be jealous of me or just pray for me.  Whatever works for you.

Duct Tape

As I walk the treadmill, I realize that in every relationship someone is the duct tape.  Stop laughing.  Seriously!  It can be either the husband or the wife.  Usually, it is the wife.  I know I'm the duct tape in this relationship.  Let's think about it.  Duct tape has the following qualities:

1.  Strong.  I don't know about you, but that crap can hold an airplane together.  How many of us feel like we are the only one holding it together?

2.  Durable.  Many of us don't wear out easily.  Maybe I should say even when we are worn out, we just keep right on holding together.

3.  Sticks to anything.  Even if we know the ship is sinking, we stick to it no matter what. How many times has that bitten us in the backside?

4.  Fixes everything.  Here we are.  We always have a solution or work around to any problem that comes up. 

5.  Comes in mood colors.  We've seen it.  Those cool to horrid prom dresses made from duct tape.  As I look at it, duct tape comes with moods of it own.  It can be blue, just like we can be.  It can be red or red faced as we are.

I'm sure I could go on, but let's not.  You get the picture.  There is always someone in a relationship that has all of these qualities and picks up the slack for everyone else.  Which ever one you are in the relationship, I salute you.

Kids Sale Shopping Day Part One

Since I am a consignor in the most recent kids sale, I get to shop tonight after work.  What is wrong with this picture.  Wednesdays are momma's quality time with Darling #2.  Since we will be purchasing clothing for said darling, it is hard to keep darling and shop.  My solution as other family members have other activites going on is to pick up dinner from the golden arches and take it with us.  Darling #2 has hit the jackpot since all her favorite items have been rolled into one evening.  Clothes shopping, Shoe Shoping, Toy Shopping, Video shopping while eating french fries, drinking milk, and being push around in the tub with all the purchases.  I should have gotten a picture,  It was funny to see us scoot down the aisle and drawing stares.  Not many big ticket items when we got there, but we did manage to make a spectacle of ourselves. 

You have to admit from the outsiding looking in on us those people got a high quality show for no price to them.  Next time I'm leaving a hat on the ground for donations.  Someone has to support the mini shopping queen!

My Morning View

I'm really trying to get back into the "fitness" swing.  While taking my morning stroll on the treadmill, I notice this is my view:



Yes...this is the side of our refrigerator...Yes...I do feel like a donkey chasing a carrot as I walk the treadmill, but that is another story.

Let's take a look at the items:

1. In the top left corner is a picture of our pre-darling #2 family.  The picture is several years old and about 45 pounds ago.  I would like to think we have all gained 45 pounds since the picture was taken and it was a family activity, but I know better.  
2. There are various magnets.  Servicemaster - a reminder of the washer that broke and flooded the house on a weekend.  University of Arkansas Fort Smith Contact Numbers - a reminder that darling #1 once went to college.  An outdated listing of area businesses.  The ped's number.  My favorite is the "Warning Signs of a Stroke".  This one is so when I have that stroke from walking the treadmill, my family members can recite the symptoms directly to the paramedics.
3. A couple of fly swatters for motivation.  You will be amazed how quickly you will walk when you think someone is going to smack you.  These also double as attitude adjustors.
4. My other favorite is the Betty Crocker calendar.  Not that the fridge is not a motivator of its own, but here I can see a picture of the said recipe of the month.  This month's recipe may be here longer than this month.

New Vending Machines at Work

Last Friday, all of the beverage vending machines in the building were removed with the promise of more options, healthier options, etc.  Monday new machines were installed.  The contents resembles the beverage selections at your local mini-mart.  I'm not kidding!  Milk, Energy Drinks, Juices, Gatorage, Diet Soda and Soda.  No non-alcoholic vendor has been missed in this new machine.  Shortly after loading the beverage machine, workers drift in, stare, comment, drift back out.  No real surprise.  They are making their mental inventory list to repeat to others.  While this is going on, my only thought is where do I swipe the card on this thing.  No place to swipe and only takes $1s and those silver coins that we mommies believe only exist in our dreams.  We recieve change back from purchases, but it always seens to grow legs and moves to nicer surrounds.  How can my quarters, nickels and dimes be uncomfortable in a designer bag is beyond me.  I'd like to think they are giving me a one fingered salute as they march off to find new homes.  What is facinating as that might be, they only seem to make it into the 2 yo's piggy bank.  Not a habit I intend on encouraging.  I digress.  Oh Vending Machines you curse us with your selections and taunt us with your prices and payment options.

Disclaimer Regarding About Me

Just to clarify....When I say "2 little darlings"  I really mean a 21 year old and a 2 year old.  Before you ask, here are a few answers:

• They are both genetically my husband's and mine
• They are both from the same marriage
• Neither of them were a surprise.  (If you are having sex, children are always an option)
• They were delivered by the same OB!

Now that that is off my chest, let the real questions begin.