What a morning…
I feel as if I had just settled in to sleep when the alarm went off. I slept for maybe 2 hours before I was awake and finding my way downstairs to the kitchen. My mind was skimming over an imaginary checklist. Don’t forget to pack your shoes, remember to grab your jewelry. I know I had some photocopies of vintage text for the class up in the office that I can’t forget.
I think I managed to get most of it.
I made a cup of instant coffee, as there was no time to brew a fresh pot. It was okay as far as coffee goes. I went into the spare bedroom and turned on the hot curlers and gathered together my clothes I had set out, Out of my tee shirt and pajama pants and into a dress and snow boots. I rushed around a bit getting the rest of my things put away. Open and shut and then open again, I checked the luggage for space. It was tight. The boy woke up and got dressed and assisted me in weighing in. I was 10 pounds over in my checked piece. So I opened it up and jettisoned several hammers, some paint and extra tools. I took out my work jeans and replaced them into my carry on along with some other clothes. I came in a few pounds under 50. It was reaching 4:30am and we needed to go. Into the cold dark morning air we went. Stopping to get gas, we then went onto Philly. I watched the clock and the highway signs. “Philly-74 miles.” We seemed to be doing okay on time. Then, as we approached the airport my bladder gave out and I had to go to the bathroom. There was no time to stop anywhere and there was no way I was going on the side of the road. Goodness I hate to admit this, but there was a big sturdy cup on the floor of the car and it seemed like my hold grail. I said to the boy, “I can’t wait, I gotta go now. I am going to shoot for this cup and hope for the best”. Even though he smiled I could tell he was not thrilled at the possibility of missing my target! I assured him that I was going to treat this as an Olympic sport and do it like my career depended on it.
I held the cup, balanced myself perfectly and the heavens gave way. Thanks to that damn cup of coffee and a case of nerves, I managed to fill the entire cup. May I just say that I did not make a mess! We headed into the airport terminal however we miss the turn for parking and had to go around again. This might have been the error of my morning, as when we parked and walked up to the check in, we were informed that my plane was boarding and that I could not check my luggage. This meant either I hop the next flight out missing my shuttle and paying a lot of money in fees or I just go without it. I looked at the boy who looked very upset. He didn’t realized that he had cut it too close and with the error in parking- I had missed checking in by only 10 minutes.
I pulled my things to the side and he said- your going. I thought- how can I managed this when my supplies are in that bag along with my toiletries, He said the he was just going to over night it to the cabin, using Fed Ex. I had my doubts. I though it would be very difficult to arrange all of this, but he seemed sure it could be done.
We reached the gate for my security check. All this time I had been thinking about my long goodbye and how I was going to sit and get situated when I got past the security check point. Heck even gets a little bite to eat or some more coffee to refill my tiny bladder, but the line was slow and my flight was already boarding. I kissed him quickly and he seemed consumed with frustration. He could only apologize and barely look my in the eye. I turned to go and wandered my way though the line. Slowly. TOO slowly. A woman with a baby carriage was holding things up and I found myself tapping my foot. I checked my watch and realized that it was 6:30 and my plane was set to leave at 6:55am. I finally got all my things through the screening, put back on my boots, and rushed to my gate.
When I got to Gate A6 no one was there. My heart sank. I went up to the first available counter and asked about my flight. The woman responded that my gate had changed to A13. In a most annoyed voice I may add. Lucky for me that A13 was right behind me and I went up to the counter. As I approached I head my name being called on the overhead. I WAS EBBARRASED! I was THAT late person. I am never late for a flight. Never. Not once, and here I am on my very first flight alone to Utah, I am late. At least the girl checking me in was nice. She said, “Good morning, how are you today?” and I said, “I have had better mornings” and smiled a most pathetic sad smile. She assured me I was fine and that I could go on ahead.
As I reached the plane I was happy to see others waiting to merge onto the plane. It was as if I snuck in line and was just the last person, instead of being the douche who was making everything run late.
I finally reached my seat and the lovely steward helped my get my heavy bag up into the overhead compartment. I sank into my seat next to the window. I was sharing a row with one other man who was very quiet. We had a seat between us and shared it easily like we had known each other for many years. I called the boy to tell him I had made it to my seat and that all was fine. He seemed relieved. I can understand that considering the morning we had.
I finally am sitting here in my seat, calming down and taking a deep breath. Thinking about the next few days. Knowing that there is not need in worrying about too much as these things will just have to work out in their own way. I do hope the Fed Ex truck can make it to the cabin tomorrow. I have some things in that luggage which was important to my class and would hate to think of the sound and dance I would have to do if it doesn’t show up… But at this point, what good will worrying do?
SO I am here now- I am beyond tired and I am not sure what this will read like- as I am too blurry eyed to proof-read it. SO please give me some freedom with my spelling and sentence structure... haaa...
More later...
xoxo
(*and photos of course...)
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