It is now Florida time, 8:40AM on Saturday. San Francisco time is 5:41AM on Saturday and I have now officially been awake 24 hours!! Ok, so I caught a few cat-naps and maybe a good hour of sleep at the 24 hour Subway here at the airport!! Now I do not arrive in Sydney until 8PM Sunday night, (Sydney time, Monday morning Florida time.) instead of 8AM Sunday morning...and I will miss Stella's birthday party in the park!!LOL!! Are you following all that??
This story begins after all 365 people are all settled on the plane yesterday at 10:00PM (San Fran time). We were filling out our Australian Customs forms and the pilot said, "Just a slight problem with the entertainment system. We are 30 minutes ahead of schedule...no worries!!" Yeah, right!!! We sat on the plane 2 hours more and then they made us get off the plane, followed by another hour wait and finally, we are ready to re-board, only to hear that dreaded phrase. "The flight has been cancelled!!" The airline offered to put us all up in a hotel, give us 2 generous $7.00 vouchers for meals and we have a new flight at 10:30AM (San Fran time) Saturday morning. So, by the time they took each of the 365 people to the ticketing area, found hotels and shuttles, issued our new tickets for this morning...it was 3:00AM. Here's where I opted out of the hotel mess (there were lines still waiting for the shuttles when I went to 'bed' at Subway). Keeping in mind that this is still Thanksgiving week-end and they told us to expect long lines at security...which all 365 people have to go through AGAIN!! I think I made a good decision to not spend 2 hours in a hotel and worry about hearing my alarm, finding a shuttle, getting back to the airport and being in lines out the door. Yep, me and 6 other people are already re-checked in and waiting at our gate!!! No worries here!!!
I met a nice young couple who just got married last week and they are going to Australia and Fiji for their honeymoon. We sat next to each other from Newark to San Fran and keep running into each other as we are making the same decisions!! Reminds me of the Amazing Race!!! We are winning!!!
Jason and I have been in constant communication and he said he will be there Sunday 'night with bells on and not to worry because it will all be good when I get there!!' Wow...can't ask for a more wonderful son!!!!
Next post should be from Sydney!! Love and hugs to all!!!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Leavin' on a jet plane...then another jet plane...then another jet plane!!
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Thank you Janice and Perry for hosting a perfect day!! Wonderful food and oh my, Aimee, that fudge!!
Now we are talking hours!!! I am packed and ready! The only thing I am worried about it how much these suitcases weigh!! So, first thing in the morning I will take them to Publix and weigh them!! I figure I can shift things around much easier at home, than in the airport with an audience!! Next, I will drive to pick up Bette and she is dropping me at the airport, here in West Palm. Then, soon as I can sit down on that plane...I am relaxing!! What a whirlwind this last few months has been! That relaxing started yesterday with my massage, chiropractic appointment, manicure and pedicure!! Slowing down and smelling the roses! So, in that frame of mind, I took the advice of Mary Ann and upgraded my seats for more space!!!!! Now, that's what I'm talking about!!
Oh, I found out today that I could not get my boarding pass online as one usually does when you check-in, in advance. Not sure why, but must be cause I am traveling so far??? My itinerary says I am traveling 21,000 miles!!!! Don't over think it!!!!!!!
Anyway, just finished mopping the floors, cleaning out the fridge and taking care of paying a few bills. Must take some pictures of the changes I made around here to post. As Emory said, "it sounds serene!" And that it is!!
Once I get back from OZ....I will be ready for some PA visitors!! Hello, George and Mindy!! Cousin Barbara and family!! Cousin Jim?? I heard you when you said you would come see me!!!
OK folks, that's it for now...I need to watch this Steeler game or they could loose!!!
Love and hugs until my next update!!
Now we are talking hours!!! I am packed and ready! The only thing I am worried about it how much these suitcases weigh!! So, first thing in the morning I will take them to Publix and weigh them!! I figure I can shift things around much easier at home, than in the airport with an audience!! Next, I will drive to pick up Bette and she is dropping me at the airport, here in West Palm. Then, soon as I can sit down on that plane...I am relaxing!! What a whirlwind this last few months has been! That relaxing started yesterday with my massage, chiropractic appointment, manicure and pedicure!! Slowing down and smelling the roses! So, in that frame of mind, I took the advice of Mary Ann and upgraded my seats for more space!!!!! Now, that's what I'm talking about!!
Oh, I found out today that I could not get my boarding pass online as one usually does when you check-in, in advance. Not sure why, but must be cause I am traveling so far??? My itinerary says I am traveling 21,000 miles!!!! Don't over think it!!!!!!!
Anyway, just finished mopping the floors, cleaning out the fridge and taking care of paying a few bills. Must take some pictures of the changes I made around here to post. As Emory said, "it sounds serene!" And that it is!!
Once I get back from OZ....I will be ready for some PA visitors!! Hello, George and Mindy!! Cousin Barbara and family!! Cousin Jim?? I heard you when you said you would come see me!!!
OK folks, that's it for now...I need to watch this Steeler game or they could loose!!!
Love and hugs until my next update!!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
I am almost ready!
Oh boy, oh boy! It is almost here! I must take my suitcases to Publix and weigh them! It looks like I am taking the kitchen sink...just kidding! Good thing it is summer down under...at least the clothes are light!
I started getting a bit jittery today! Absolutley getting so excited to get to my sweet son! Jason tells me we are going to a birthday party in a beautiful park when I arrive on Sunday! For Stella and her friends! Sounds like my grand-dog is quite the social butterfly.
Tomorrow is Cindy's personal day...mani-pedi, massage and chiropractor! Hoping that will stop my jitters.
I started getting a bit jittery today! Absolutley getting so excited to get to my sweet son! Jason tells me we are going to a birthday party in a beautiful park when I arrive on Sunday! For Stella and her friends! Sounds like my grand-dog is quite the social butterfly.
Tomorrow is Cindy's personal day...mani-pedi, massage and chiropractor! Hoping that will stop my jitters.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Four days and a wake-up!!
What a week it has been! I sure did not mean to wait so long to post another update on my trip preparations! Did not even turn my computer on for 3 days!! Just had to focus on one thing at a time. Oh my, the days of multi-tasking are in the past!!! However, the good news is I am finished with all apartment renovations and cleaning...until spring!! The painting is done and turned out so pretty! Closets and dressers are cleaned up, kitchen cabinets relined and reorganized. My home office/guest room has become a great place to 'go to work!' It's all good and quite serene!! Now I feel ready to leave my nest for a bit!!
So, yes, the suitcases are out, clothes sorted and packed!! Hold on...have too much stuff!!!! Ok, over the next few days I will unpack and repack!!! Don't laugh...it keeps the jitters in check!!! 27 hours is how long it will take me to get to Sydney Australia and when I think about that...well, you know it is better not to think too much!!
Jason tells me he is getting excited, too!! However, he has been very busy with his regular job and taping the first shows for the summer season of SYTYCD, Australia. (So You Think You Can Dance is quite popular here in the US, but just getting some exposure down under.) Maybe I will be able to see the next show in person!!!!
On Friday, I went to the Library in Vero Beach to research in Delaware and Maryland for a client. I just love spending time in those old books and microfilm records! The only thing I wish is that those people in the 1700 and 1800's wrote more stuff down!!! What do you think they will say about us in 200 years?? Anyway, I got to hug my dear friend Pam live and in person!! She sure could use lots of good energy and prayers during the next few weeks!!! Send it on, friends!!
This afternoon I am having a little cocktail party with my neighbors from 4:00 to 6:00...since I won't be seeing anyone around here for the holidays I thought I would celebrate a little early.
Think that is about it for today...Take care, my friends!
So, yes, the suitcases are out, clothes sorted and packed!! Hold on...have too much stuff!!!! Ok, over the next few days I will unpack and repack!!! Don't laugh...it keeps the jitters in check!!! 27 hours is how long it will take me to get to Sydney Australia and when I think about that...well, you know it is better not to think too much!!
Jason tells me he is getting excited, too!! However, he has been very busy with his regular job and taping the first shows for the summer season of SYTYCD, Australia. (So You Think You Can Dance is quite popular here in the US, but just getting some exposure down under.) Maybe I will be able to see the next show in person!!!!
On Friday, I went to the Library in Vero Beach to research in Delaware and Maryland for a client. I just love spending time in those old books and microfilm records! The only thing I wish is that those people in the 1700 and 1800's wrote more stuff down!!! What do you think they will say about us in 200 years?? Anyway, I got to hug my dear friend Pam live and in person!! She sure could use lots of good energy and prayers during the next few weeks!!! Send it on, friends!!
This afternoon I am having a little cocktail party with my neighbors from 4:00 to 6:00...since I won't be seeing anyone around here for the holidays I thought I would celebrate a little early.
Think that is about it for today...Take care, my friends!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Stopping the services
Well, today is the day to check my list and stop services while I am gone. Since I will be gone about 90 days, I had to get a special waiver for my prescriptions to be filled early. That only took 30 minutes on the phone!! Then I tried to hold my newspaper until February. Hold on, can't do that!! Must cancel the subscription and sign up when I get back! Oh well, maybe I will get a better deal when they want me back!!
Next, notify the Post Office to forward my mail to a friend. The last time I sent an online request to USPS to hold my mail, the carrier never got the notice. So, now I must send the online notice AND write a note to my mailman...just to be sure! I wonder why the Post Office is in financial trouble? Does everything have to be done twice?
Another thing to do is to anticipate what is going to occur while I am gone. For instance, my HOA Annual meeting will be held, so I filled out my proxy form!! Good girl! Christmas!! Please do not mail me cards this year...let's do online greetings! Valentine's day? All those wonderful men who want to send me a love note, please wait until I get home!! Yeah, right!!! Bills?? Just forget about it!! Already taken care of by online bill pay!!
So, have I forgotten anything??
Next, notify the Post Office to forward my mail to a friend. The last time I sent an online request to USPS to hold my mail, the carrier never got the notice. So, now I must send the online notice AND write a note to my mailman...just to be sure! I wonder why the Post Office is in financial trouble? Does everything have to be done twice?
Another thing to do is to anticipate what is going to occur while I am gone. For instance, my HOA Annual meeting will be held, so I filled out my proxy form!! Good girl! Christmas!! Please do not mail me cards this year...let's do online greetings! Valentine's day? All those wonderful men who want to send me a love note, please wait until I get home!! Yeah, right!!! Bills?? Just forget about it!! Already taken care of by online bill pay!!
So, have I forgotten anything??
Monday, November 18, 2013
The time is almost here to leave!
Hi everyone,
At long last the time has come for Jason and I to see each other live and in person!! It has been almost 6 years (in December) since we have been able to really spend some time together!! They say it is a small world, but when one lives on the other side of that world, it is not so easy to have 'face-time'! I miss my sweet son so very much and from the sound of it...Jason is ready for some 'Mom" time!! and Mom is ready to meet Stella, my little grand-dog!! We will have such lovely walks while Jason is working!!!
Here are the numbers:
At long last the time has come for Jason and I to see each other live and in person!! It has been almost 6 years (in December) since we have been able to really spend some time together!! They say it is a small world, but when one lives on the other side of that world, it is not so easy to have 'face-time'! I miss my sweet son so very much and from the sound of it...Jason is ready for some 'Mom" time!! and Mom is ready to meet Stella, my little grand-dog!! We will have such lovely walks while Jason is working!!!
Here are the numbers:
- 11 days from today until I begin my 27 hour trip from Palm Beach Int'l to Sydney, Australia (Leaving on November 29th, at 12:45 PM)
- Arriving on Dec 1st in Sydney at 8:10AM...somewhere there is a day lost!!
- I will be staying at Jason's for 87 days!! That is right, almost 90 days!! Which is the maximum time one can visit with a Australian Visa!!
- It is summer 'down unda' and there will be no Winter season for Cindy this year!!
- Return on Feb 23rd, 2014 at 10:41PM (At this point I am sure I will not know my own name, much less what day it is!!)
Aahhh, the 'to do' details are beginning to decline as the 'finished' list grows!! I got my US Passport, Australian Visa, an International Driver's License (Jason suggested this as we may take a road trip or two! He does not have a car since he lives downtown, but we can rent one if we want and it will help if I can drive, too!! OMG...on the wrong side of the road!!). Packing is ongoing!!! Don't want to forget the good old DeLand Stetson Baptist Church Cookbook that Jason grew up on...he can't wait to pick out recipes for Mom to cook!!!!
Have had to make advance arrangements for extra medications to cover the time away, notify the banks of my travel plans, forward the mail, stop the newspaper, notify my neighbors, clean up the condo and prepare it for my guest...and on and on!!
Soooo, can anyone think of something I missed??
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