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March 20, 2009
IT'S FRIDAY, MY FAVORITE DAY!!
The continuing saga of my trip to Arizona:
After Dave filled me up at Sweet Tomatoes (one of my favorite places), he dropped me off at the airport around 2 PM. The plane was to leave at 4:30, so I was plenty early. We had done a web check-in so all I had to do was go to drop my luggage off and head for security and the gate. No problems. Since I had a good book, I settled down to read for a while. At 4:00, we all boarded the plane and after we were all settled in and buckled up, they announced that there was a mechanical problem and there would be a delay. About a half an hour later, they decided that it was going to be longer than they expected so everyone was allowed back off the plane to get a bite to eat. While back inside the terminal, they announced that we were taking another plane at another gate and everyone was to hurry and get aboard so we could leave around 6:30. So we were all aboard once more, buckled in and ready for take-off when they discovered that they didn’t have any pilots to fly the plane! The next flight in from San Diego would have pilots to fly us to Phoenix and they weren't expected in until 8:00! So it was off the plane and into the terminal once more. About this time, I was ready to reschedule my flight and leave two days later on Saturday when Dave was coming down, but they couldn't guarantee that they could retrieve my luggage, so I decided to wait it out. Meanwhile, we got shuffled back to the original gate that we started from. By then, they had fixed the mechanical problem on the plane, the pilots arrived and off we went. I guess the third time is a charm! I had been so excited to be able to view all the mountains and the Grand Canyon from the air as I had a window seat, but of course it was dark by the time we flew over those sights. My sister, Jeanne and her husband Bob met me when I arrived in Phoenix around 11 PM, but it was after midnight before we got back to their place. What a day. The airline felt real bad about the inconvenience, but only offered compensation of a thousand free miles. And that was good only if you belong to their mileage club, which of course, I don't.
We have had unbelievable weather and I have been soaking up the 90-degree sun as much as I can. It feels so good after all the cold weather up north. The climate has affected my allergies a little bit because all of the cactus and other flowers are starting to bloom. Of course I didn't think to bring anything for that so had to get something at the store.
Dave arrived on Saturday night and after we met him at the airport we had dinner at another one of my favorite places, Cracker Barrel before we arrived home. I just love that home-style cooking! Dave was on the same flight I was on - just two days later - and didn't have any problems at all with his flight. He had to rub it in because he got to see all the sights that I missed.
It is great visiting with my sister. Jeannie and I could talk the ears off an elephant; we pretty much endeavor to fill every quiet space with chatter. Clothes, kids, food, we figure things out - really important things and we are pretty much equipped to solve all of the world's ills. We "Skyped" her two oldest sons that live abroad, one in Ukraine and the other in China, so I got a chance to visit with them by computer video. We have done some shopping, which is always fun for me as the only shopping I ever get to do is on the computer. We have been taking her two basset hounds, Stanley and Stella for walks each morning before it gets too hot. While we were walking one morning, we saw several hot air balloons in the sky.
All in all this week, we've just been kicking back and relaxing. As I said, I did go shopping one day with Jeannie and the same day, Dave ventured out to get a new battery and more memory for this laptop, but other than that, all we've done is go out and sit in the sun! Dave and I did take in a movie one day this week, we saw "Gran Torino" with Clint Eastwood. I know it's been out for a couple of months, but two months late is pretty good for us. We see more of them on TV than we do in theaters! We caught the "old folks" matinee and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Well, except for one group. Why is it when people come in after the movie has already started, they come sit right in front of where you're sitting - especially when they have about a thousand other seats to choose from?
Dave will be leaving to go back home on Sunday morning. He'll work a few Blazer broadcasts and then fly down to Las Vegas with our friend Stan on April 1st. Terrie is going to fly down here on March 28th and stay with me in Phoenix for a couple of days before we rent a car and drive to Vegas to meet the guys. From there we will continue on to Mesquite, Nevada for the rest of our vacation.
