December 23, 2008

  • I SMELL & So Does Uncle Tom...

    Ok, actually it is my clothes that smell.  But I have to wear them, cause it isn't ok to just go naked in public, even if one does wear a jacket.  I have had even more showers than usual do to feeling so unclean when I dress.... now for the explanation.

      We left Virginia on Sunday very, very early.  We got out of bed at 4:15AM, flew off to Atlanta but due to a light that didn't work on the plane, and our gate in Atlanta being unavailable to disembark the plane when we got there, we missed our connecting flight.  So we became "standby groupies" awaiting flight after flight (with dozens of others) only experiencing rejections until finally we got on a plane at 9:54PM... yeah.... oh not so fast!!!  That plane got diverted to Salt Lake City due to Seattle running out of de-icer, then the flight was officially CANCELED!  Ok, at about 2 something in the morning, we decided we need to do something so we left the secure area and got a room at the Holiday Inn.  We have no luggage.... they are somewhere, who knows where???  BUT they are "secure" wherever they are, of this, we have been assured.

    The first confirmed flight we could get is for tonight at 9:07PM.  We went back yesterday to the airport and got a seat request to try to get on a flight using standby methods again.... but we, along with a bunch of other "standby groupies", were not successful.  So back to the hotel.  This is day three in the same clothes and underwear! 

    NOW I must say the say at the airport and being up for around 25-27 hours gave us much laughter.  We met a couple from NY and had a ball hanging out with them.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  We even exchanged information so we can stay in contact.  They are both school teachers.  They made everything better.  She and I could even complete each others sentences.  (I LOST MY CELL PHONE AT THE AIRPORT OR IN THE CAB ON THE WAY TO THE HOTEL)   You just gotta smile!

    So now we only have about 9 hours until we try again to fly away from here.  We already decided, if we are unable to get out tonight, we are gonna rent a car and go buy new clothes and a new BIG suitcase with a motor on it. 

    Will keep you posted.  BTW - fortunately the hotel gave us toothbrushes, shavers, etc.

     Uncle Tom in Jamestown

    Hampton VA 12-2008 103

    Hampton VA 12-2008 122

    Hampton VA 12-2008 060

    Notice anything familiar about anything in the above picture?

    Uncle Tom jogging

    Uncle Tom & I were both jogging while in Jamestown, when I called his name, he turned, and I snapped his picture.  (I had the camera on sports participant setting) 

     DSCN8415

    Here are we both before the ripe smell began!!!

Comments (10)

  • Praying!!! Hopefully you will have clean clothes by Christmas!.........In Christ's Love.....Monic

  • All that makes me not want to fly but you do what you have to do. Love, Mom

  • @magvoice - Thanks so much.  We agreed to rent a car and go to the store and buy new clothes even underwear if we don't get this next flight out!  We have charge cards and we know how to use them!!!    MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and once again thanks for all your wonderful inspirational posts throughout the year. 

  • Wow! What a nightmare! The thing in the picture does look a lot like an armored car.

  • so you joined the ranks of the homeless or I know that is what we have felt like when that happens to us

  • You poor dear!  New Yorkers are a hoot!  We have a couple of them here in FL and I tell John that he must feel right at 'home'!  Wishing you could have visted us over here where there is NO SNOW and it is warm!!!!  Next time forgo the history tour to meet us at the beach!  I will pray that Seattle gets some more de-icer so you can be home for Christmas!  I am so glad I decided not to ask for a plane ticket home for Christmas.  YIKES!  OXOXOX  

    Theresa

  • Once when I was coming home to San Antonio from DC just for the weekend, Continental stranded me in Houston.  Staying there would sort of defeated the purpose of coming home for the weekend at all.  There were seven of us men in line who missed the last flight to San Antonio.  We huddled, then walked over to the car rental area and started a low-bidding war between them.  For twenty bucks a piece we rented a van and drove ourselves home to San Antonio.  Other times, I’ve just patiently waited at the airport. 

    Whatever the situation and frustration, flying is still one of the miracles of our time.  To get on a plane and be virtually anywhere else in the world in the same day is something that for millennia people could only dream about.  When it doesn’t work out, it still sucks. And I hate it.  However, I’ve been stranded on a desolate road in a broken car and I’ve been stranded in an airport away from home looking for a flight. The airport is better.

    We trust you’ll be safe and sound at home real soon.

  • hope you make it back home soon and have a Merry Christmas!

  • I hope that you are now both home safe and warm in time for Christmas!  Guess there are a lot of people in the same position you were/are.  Wherever you are, I know the two of you will make the best of the situation!!  Hugs and Merry Christmas!   Nancy

  • thanks for sharing in our excitement!  I hope we can come and visit you guys soon.  I really want to make the WA-family teck with Jon and introduce him to everybody.  hope you guys had a merry christmas in spite of the troubles!  thanks especially for being there for the Belveal side of the family of late.  it means a lot. 

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