The "Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip" Trip - Thread 1 About This Page:

[SharonK0527]

Hope you're having a wonderful time! Can't wait to hear all about it when you return! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[BabieeMelly]

Another Marnie trip report! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] You'e already gone, and I hope you're having a great time. I always LOVE your reports so I can't wait to get started on this one [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[SHEANA1226]

Great start Marnie!! Where is the report? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/questionicon.gif[/img]

[bsblady01]

can't wait to hear how your trip was.

[debsta922]

So... um Marnie...you've been back for a while now, and I know that there was that little thing called Christmas taking up some of your time.... but is your tr coming soon? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Okay folks, sorry for the delay [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/sorry.gif[/img] Between coming home, getting ready for Christmas, and Dad's heart emergency [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I've been a little busy. Plus there's tons of good reports to read here [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

I have resized all my pictures today [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] and wrote a little more, so hopefully tomorrow I will post the first update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]

How unlike me to wait so long [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img]

[Nala]

Can't wait to read all about it! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry for the delay folks [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/sorry.gif[/img] It's been quite a bit busy since we got back. Hopefully this will get me back on the right track! We had a great time, and it really was a relaxing and laid back trip this time around! Of course, it was a rocky start [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Hold on to your hats, because here we go............

Travel Day, Friday December 9th – We’ll Get There Eventually

Traveling in the winter (although not officially yet) can be tricky. Last year we didn’t have any issues. This year we were going to make up for that, and then some. At the beginning of the week, it called for Friday to be nice and sunny, a balmy 35 degrees. That changed on Tuesday to snow flurries, and then on Wednesday to measurable snow. By Thursday, it was significant snow, and storm warnings had been posted for our area (up to 12” of possible snow). Just great. Now what do we do……….Do we try to change our flights, or stay the course (they were calling for the storm to end by early afternoon on Friday, and since we were flying late, we might be okay)? We (or Matt rather) decided to just stay the course, and we’d leave Friday night. This decision left me a bundle of nerves for both Thursday and Friday, and sleep was a few hours at best.

I woke up early Friday morning around 3, after hearing Matt up at 2 AM. He decided he would finish packing [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] The word QUIET and this man do not mix, and he must have gone up and down the stairs 10 times before I got up and asked what the heck he was doing??? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] He headed back to bed, and I headed downstairs and turned on the TV. A quick glance out the window and the first flakes were starting to fall! I got to see the reruns of Jay and Conan, which I’m rarely ever awake to see. Thankfully around 4 I fell back to sleep, and Matt didn’t come back downstairs until 6:30, so I got a couple more hours.

Of course, Matt had decided that he would not be going to work today, since he drives 75 miles one way, and it just wasn’t worth it. Alexa ended up not having school, so we could have taken the earlier flight [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] I headed into work, sat at my desk, and just kept checking the Southwest website to see if and when our plane was departing. First it was on time, then delayed, then showing on time again. Hopefully it would stay that way. I also finally got my exit date from the boss’ boss. Not really what I was hoping for. It was for December 2006. I was hoping for August 2006 since there won’t be many people here after July, and I’m really not sure what I’m supposed to be doing (neither do they but they won’t admit it)! We’ll have to see if I can negotiate a better deal, but that will have to wait until I return from vacation. I was also asked to take on some of my boss’ responsibilities since he’s moved on to another position. I said no thanks, I want out of here, not more responsibility. It wouldn’t mean more money, so why bother with the aggravation! So I sat there at work and watched the snow fall. And fall. And fall. Finally, the skies brightened at about 12:30, but that was after more than 12 inches of snow had fallen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I decided to leave work around 2:30 and I think the guys were glad to see me go [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I’m sure they missed their 10 minute updates on my flight status and a view of the local radar [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

I managed to get home (the main roads were clear but not the side streets) and Matt was outside snow blowing the driveway. He came inside, we did some last minute packing and weighing of the bags, and decided to leave for the airport at 4. Better early than late is my motto! There were no traffic or road issues, although it was slick in some spots, and we were inside the terminal by 5! We got the tags for the checked luggage, and headed thru security. Dinner consisted of McDonald’s for Matt and the kids, and a wrap from Fresh City for me (I love their wraps)! Tummies full, we headed to the gate. They were all backed up, so we sat across and waited. And waited. And waited [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] A little boy had just gotten off the plane that landed, and was running around our area. They walked away, and I spied his tattered red dinosaur on the chair. I could still see them off in the distance, so I ran them down and returned the dinosaur. Having been in that situation myself, I know what happens when you lose those precious comfort toys! They were very appreciative, and I did my good deed for the day!

The flight at the gate went out, 2 hours late. I checked the board, and we were now delayed until 8:15 (or so we thought). Only 15 minutes. Not too bad. We made our way to the preboard area and lined up against the window. Then it happened [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] The “whir whir whir” of the alarm in the terminal, and a notice saying we needed to evacuate the terminal. Flashing lights everywhere, security whizzing by on Segways, and constant announcements to evacuate the terminal [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] The kids were frantic, mostly from the noise and lights. People were hanging around, but we decided to leave. There was still plenty of time before our flight, we should be okay. We only went just outside the ticketing area, not out into the cold. They never did seem to evacuate the terminal completely [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I guess we know better for next time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] The lights and announcements finally stopped, and we headed back inside. Of course, this meant we had to go thru security again.

I opened my wallet to look for my license, and it’s not there [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] I can’t find it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I go sit down, and start going thru my entire pocketbook (which is not all that big, I might add). It finally shows itself, it somehow got placed in a zipped pocket that was unzipped. Ugh. Haven’t I had enough stress today already???? We got back thru security without issue, and headed back to the gate, with the kids on edge asking the noise was going to happen again [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img] As we’re almost at the gate, I hear a “MARNIE” and it didn’t come from someone in my family! I turned around, and standing there is one of Matt’s and my co-workers from almost 10 years ago :hello: What a reunion. I gave him a big hug, and introduced him to the kids! He showed me pictures of his little ones and we tried to catch up while hoards of people were passing by. Apparently since the terminal was in supposed lock down, the planes had to circle and they were all coming in at once [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] As I’m talking to him, 3 of my current co-workers come walking by, on their way back from OH. Sing it with me …………..”It’s a Small World After All”! How fitting we’re headed to Disney! We said our hellos and goodbyes to everyone (they didn’t know I was going on vacation [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/bye.gif[/img] ) as the kids were getting antsy and wanted to get to the gate. We finally made it back, sat down in the pre-board area again, only to be told that our flight would be coming in from BWI, and it hadn’t even left the ground yet [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] Ugh. And then it happened again………a worker came thru the gate door, but it didn’t lock behind him, and the door alarm went off [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] For at least 5 minutes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] Security had to come reset it, and take the worker’s badge number (they must get in trouble for that)! The kids were frazzled, as was I by this point.

Finally the plane showed up just after 9, and we were on our way by 9:30. It was thankfully an uneventful flight, not that crowded, and a long 3 hours later we were touching down at MCO. Both kids slept on the plane, but not me because I had a coughing fit about 10:30. Who needs sleep anyway! We retrieved the luggage, found the rental car, and left MCO at 1:00 AM. We were staying offsite at the Hampton Inn Maingate West the first night so we headed in that direction. Except I took a wrong turn, and ended up on I4 further west that I thought. And we got stuck in traffic. For 30 minutes. At 1:30 AM! I was about ready to cry. The kids had woke up, asking when we were going to be at the hotel [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] We finally made it at 2:15 [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] We checked in, headed upstairs with the sleeping kids and carry on bag, and finally collapsed on the bed. I’d never been so happy to see a bed!

Coming up next: A rough start, a long afternoon, but it’s worth it in the end

[DrDolphin]

Marnie - I am so glad to see that you started your report -- but OMG what a beginning!!!

[CRCrazy]

Yikes!!! What a start! I hope things look up from here~

[wheatenwalker]

Marnie, I was thinking about on your departure day because our weather was rotten here too- glad yougot there safe and sound!

[debsta922]

Yay you made it to Orlando!

[disneymom9092]

I was thinking of you on that day Marni-the weather was not that great here in CT [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]. Glad you at least made it out and arrived safely [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. More Please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

What an awful start to your trip Marnie!! I would have needed a big nerve pill by the end of the evening!! I'm glad that it gets better for you guys! Can't wait to read more!!

[Tara O'Hara]

Wow! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] What a yucky start, Marnie! I sure hope the rest of the trip is great!!