Iowa

Iowa

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

A Mini-Reunion

I went to visit family over the weekend. It was an interesting visit.
The flight there was good and uneventful. Arrived at 4:30 and a big dinner party was planned for 5:00. Racing from airport to hotel, checking in, phone calls, picked up and had a wonderful dinner with extended family. Too much to drink.
Called Michele in Pittsburgh, who advised me to take some Advil and get some sleep.
Saturday was birthday for brother, Wacky Girl and Sara. Such fun to watch the kids build a tent in the living room and race around the yard. Nice party with old and new folks.
Sunday was quiet. Hockey God left to go home, then the AZ contingency left. We had a wonderful breakfast sitting outdoors. Lemon pancakes...mmmmmm. So good.
Monday went to free lunch to serve. Interesting. People come to eat for free...anyone can come, college students, people passing by. It made me sad, but happy. Quite a feast. Quite a group, both serving and being served. It was Labor Day. Here in Pittsburgh we have a parade. There we served free lunch.
I did the treadmill every morning, and my exercises. Got up early this AM and did them both, then prepared to leave for home. Checked out of the hotel, took back the rental car and checked in at the airport. I had to go through Chicago, which is always a challenge. Got to Chicago and had an hour or so for lunch, which was a salad listening to people and trying to follow their French conversation without much success. Boarded the plane and a gentleman got on racing up the aisle and said he was the middle of our three seats. Since he had on a Steeler shirt, I told him he could join our row. Lots of odd noises coming from the plane. A slight delay while they checked the hydraulic system. The Steeler fan and I just looked at one another. A bit more of a delay while they continued to check it out. Now the fan and I began to talk about the hydraulic system. They closed the door and told us we would be leaving....oh, wait. They had to get paperwork. The fan told me they were covering themselves. Twenty minutes later they said they had received the paperwork. I asked the fan how they received the paperwork and he said they put it in the black box so that when we crashed the airlines wouldn't be held responsible. After ten more minutes, we began our journey. When the wheels went up there was a collective sigh of relief. Then the fan stated that there was probably just enough hydraulic fuel to lift the wheels, not to put them down upon landing. The flight was uneventful after that, but there was some anxiety when the pilot stated that we were preparing to land. As we descended the fan was practicing "brace" with his hands over his neck. The attendant did not think this was funny. We heard the wheels come down, but not lock. Fan said we should be like the Flintstones and drag our feet. We landed safely. There was a crowd waiting to board since we were late. I think I heard the fan say "the hydraulic system is flawed". He was fun to sit beside. He and his friend had been on a fishing trip in Utah. His friend was a Brown's fan. I didn't hold it against him. He was nice, too.

20 comments:

Jen said...

I don't like to fly, but often it is the only way to go. Nice idea, the free lunch. Who sponsors it? We do that for Christmas and Thanksgiving at our church, but I don't know of any other program. Lemon pancakes sound----unusual! Glad to have you back and blogging, Mia.

Angela said...

Chicago has to be one of the worst airports, we avoid it at all costs! But at least you didn't get stuck there, which happened the one time, didn't it? It's nice to visit with family, for a very short time! Too much to drink Mia? Is that possible?

Jessica said...

So, did the advil work? Kids have such a great time building those tents, don't they? Sounds like an interesting weekend.

Lori said...

I admire your ability to get up every morning and do your exercises and the treadmill. I guess I should start doing something...need to move around more. Funny story about the plane, glad you got home okay.

Bill said...

Sounds like a fun ride home with some folks who didn't panic. Family time can be fun, but also stressful. Sounds like your weekend was fun and I'm glad you are back and blogging! Go Steelers.

Nate said...

Michele, was Mia really toasted?

Cathy said...

Families tend to do that to us, make us drink, hide, but then, there are the good times too. I remember building those tents when I was a kid. Such fun to take a book and hide in a cozy spot.

Ben said...

Hey Mia, welcome home. It's going to be a Steeler night in Pittsburgh. Am planning to go to Point and then to game. Tim, hope to see you there. Is everyone up late tonight????

Tim said...

I am. And I am ready to cheer. Watch for me. Rah, Rah, sis boom bah.

Michele said...

Mia - as always - maintained her ever present class and dignity. However, it was apparent to me that she had had a good time. I blame the long hours of travel, followed by good food and fun with family! I think (per her report) she had one more glass of wine than usual, which isn't much to begin with!

Mark said...

What a diplomat Michele is! And a wordsmith. Very good, Michele. It's okay to have an occasional "one more" than usual. Especially when with family, sometimes it's the only way to be with family!

Anonymous said...

I agree, as long as one doesn't get sloppy drunk. Nothing worse than a woman who has had too much to drink and makes a spectacle of herself.

SassySam said...

Nothing worse and ANYONE who is sloppy drunk, anonymous. I'm guessing you are a....man? I use that term loosely.
Do any shopping, Mia? Sometimes those airline magazines have some things that may be useful!

Tigger said...

I think Sam is getting Sassy! Good point though, drunks are obnoxious! Game is on national TV tonight, so I'll be watching. Go Steelers, since we aren't playing! Funny story about the airlines, Mia. Glad you had a safe trip.

Elizabeth said...

I don't even follow football, but that was quite a game. Good job, Steelers.

ginger said...

Sounds like another fun time with the family and the free food is great. We do that here too but it's more of a handout to the homeless.

Sorry anonymous, I have, in my time, had a few two many and made a spectacle of myself, I'm sure. But I had a heck of a good time doing it.

SassySam said...

Where's Mia? Did she get back on that plane?

Cathy said...

Yes, where is she? We miss you, Mia.

Ben said...

Does anyone know if Mia is okay?

Michele said...

Mia is alive and doing well, just BUSY apparently! I just sent her a text and asked her if she ever plans to blog again. :-) But she is okay!