The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[that's nice]

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Liesa!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi All,

Just a quick check-in to say hi. I am still pleasantly stuffed with turkey and cranberries, and am about to sit down to Thanksgiving Take 2. Ahhh, the life!!

Hope you all had/are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

 

[stitchaholic]

amazing, I am absolutly riveted by your report, I was lurking here waiting to see how the disney trip was with you all not having been friends in the past, but I have been unable to tear myseld away and amazed, mostly by how unspoiled your children seem and how seemingly calm you were through all the travel chaos and the family getting sick.
I can't wait for more updates, I'm in for the long haul, your a great writer!

 

[All7OfUs]

amazing, I am absolutly riveted by your report, I was lurking here waiting to see how the disney trip was with you all not having been friends in the past, but I have been unable to tear myseld away and amazed, mostly by how unspoiled your children seem and how seemingly calm you were through all the travel chaos and the family getting sick.
I can't wait for more updates, I'm in for the long haul, your a great writer!

Hello, my new DISFriend in Montreal, and !!!!! I LOVE the international perspectives on this thread- now you AND Jenbear can represent the Canadian contingient!!! WOOT!!


Thanks for your complements! I do love a good story and love writing one too. And thanks for hanging in there with me... next up is some hillbilly shenanigans from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, a FABULOUS DISMeet that most of my other readers have already seen pictures from- sooooo, that will be new and fun for you!! THEN...... ON TO DISNEY, where I laughed so hard I..... ???????

Welcome aboard!

 

[MEK]

Drive by Hi....from MEK!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi Liesa, sounds like you are really enjoying your holiday weekend back home in the USA this year!

I really love the idea of Thanksgiving, it seems like a wonderful holiday. When I was studying in London, one of my fellow students was from the US and she and some of her other American flatmates invited me to a Thanksgiving dinner. The food was delicious, but the highlight for me was when they explained that the holiday is about being thankful and said what they were thankful for. I think it is a great opportunity to look back and realize that besides every days problems there is something to be thankful for! We don't have any official occassion for that...

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you mention it.... Mine may take a while, but at least there are semi-regular updates.

well i was about 2 a week then it was down to 1 a week average, but im trying to get better, i did 2 updates last wednesday, and i dont think i saw you there yet.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Liessa !!!Like you I have been busy since Thanksgiving !!I was actually only OFF Thursday, worked second job Friday and Sunday and regular one Saturday !!!Christmas shopping and wrapping has been time consuming along with Kids med appts !!! So I am pleased to be free for the rest of the day other than PO and picking up girls !!Oh yes and laundry and cleaning and etc !!!!When do I get a break .. When I go to Disney SOLO is when !!!!

 

[jenbear123]

Hello, my new DISFriend in Montreal, and !!!!! I LOVE the international perspectives on this thread- now you AND Jenbear can represent the Canadian contingient!!! WOOT!!

*high five* or... should I say *thumbs up*

 

[All7OfUs]

When trains are on time, coffee is strong, and pastries abundant, all is well in my world. Even better is when the family arrives healthy, with plenty of time to spare, at the airport. So much time, in fact, that we have time to leisurely tank up on over-priced, semi-palatable food and use the bathroom. And to top it all off, when the bathrooms are clean and well-stocked with flush systems that are A-OK, we’re talking about a near letter perfect day! And today was one of those days. For a while.

We retrieved our luggage from the luggage storage room, where we paid far less than we had thought we going to have to (LOVE THAT!), and made our way through passport control and customs. Being subjected to a “pat down” that should have been preceded by a candlelight meal out, we made our merry way to the gate and waited. That was when my Sudokus and Crossword puzzles came in handy. I hate idly waiting with nothing to do. We were finally called to board, and off we went with dombra cases, rolling backpacks, and smiling but sleepy kiddos. Life was good.

I have no pictures of the next 24 hours. Not even one. I think all 6 of us immediately crashed…. Hard. Well, almost immediately. I stayed awake long enough to watch the first 15 minutes of Alice in Wonderland. That was enough to realize that A) It was done in perfect Tim Burtonesque style, B) Danny Elfman had come through once again, and C) There was absolutely NO way I was going to make it through the entire 2 hours without falling asleep. So I decided just about the time that Alice met Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum to turn it off and sleep, saving the majority of the zany movie for one viewing- which happened to be just last week. What did I think? I loved it! Like I do most anything with Johnny Depp. Moving on.

Ding. Ding. Ya’ll know that sound. The one that rings obnoxiously just about the time you master the art of dodging the seatbelt that has gouged you for the last 7 hours keeping sleep just beyond your reach; the one that tells you that you just slept through your “quick get up and get that last bathroom trip out of the way, but now it’s too late”; that fasten seatbelt sign that tells you that you’ve also missed ALL 3 meals, ALL chances at free booze; and the one that must be some sort of perverted magic signal to at least one of the family that it is now time to have……………………………….. a ralphing relapse.

Poor Mikki. Poor, poor Mikki! She was just reliving this horrible experience over the holiday with our extended family, recalling that this was the most awful experience she has literally EVER had in her whole life. Wave after wave of nausea attacked her, and once again the bags, that are normally filled with old gum and squashed down by the empty pop cans and inflight magazines where they are paid little attention to- until you need one, were reached for and filled. Over the course of the hour it took to descend and land, she became so weak, that we became very concerned that we would have a very difficult time running the American-side gauntlet of passport control, customs, luggage retrieval, and hike to our new gate. In fact, our concerns were very well justified. With MANY stops between the land that belongs to the DHS and land of free-America to sit and rest, things did not improve. Mikki continued to be very sick- so sick, in fact, that we finally gave up and called for a Skycap. You know those nice guys from all over the world who speak about 4 words of English. Our Skycap (I still have NO idea why they are called that) also knew 4 words- 4 phrases, actually: “Don’t worry!”, “I know da way.”, “Thank you.”, and “Here we are.” And there we were. In the handicapped loading area- all 6 of us. On one side of our miserable little group (remember, this had started off as a “Life is good” day) was a guy with a busted leg, and the other was a melancholy old lady obviously traveling alone- each with their private chariot, escorted by their own private Skycap.

Luckily, we had taken so much time getting from Point A to Point B (this was not the first time our family has been grateful for an extra long layover) that they were just beginning to board our flight. I used that last couple of minutes before that annoying Ding. Ding. sounded to quickly call my mom and warn her that we may need to NOT tackle the drive that night from Nashville to Bowling Green. By now a hotel was sounding pretty good- actually, by now, I was really sad I had missed the free booze on Lufthansa- my frazzled nerves needed a good stuff Mint Julep, but that would have to wait for a few more days.

The flight itself was pretty non-commentable, and we of course, were overjoyed to see family that we hadn’t seen in over 2 and a half years. They were waiting just past the Kingdom of the DHS armed with enough paraphernalia for the sick to represent a mini Walgreens; a barf bucket, an entire container of baby wipes, damp washcloths, anti-emetic syrup, and a wheelchair. My parents have never been the type to skimp on anything, but this was rather much. We were grateful nonetheless. Mikki said by now she was actually feeling a little better, but would still rather be in the wheelchair, as she was really lightheaded, but thankfully not going to toss any cookies in the new Lexus. I was a relieved parent, as I knew any clean up was going to rest my shoulders. Worst. Job. Ever!

The last hour driving home went by smoothly. First meal on American soil? None other than Taco Bell, of course! Hard shelled, mystery ground beef stuffed, sulfite-infused lettucy goodness. Around midnight, we rolled in, dropped our bags, fell into bed, and slept for a long, long time. And thus ends, the longest, toughest road to America that ever was. The next day would be a Magical Day of catching up with family-

And with that, I’ll wish you a Magical Day as well!!

 

[glennbo123]

Aw, I'll throw in a "Poor Mikki" as well. That sounds awful. But, welcome back to the U.S. at least. Taco Bell wouldn't have been my choice for a first meal back, but I'm glad you were happy with it.

 

[All7OfUs]

Phew. Clean bathrooms. Jordan would be pleased.



I would LOVE to come see it out there. I've never been on the west coast. Terrible, I know. All of those things sound amazing!!! Maybe next year sometime Bubba and I could swing over..... and by swing I mean fly!

Not sure if you'll see this before it's too late but.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!​

I miss Jordan so much!! Before long he'll be back with us and posting again- at least I hope so!

YES!! It would be great if you and Bubba could come out and hang out with us!!! Do think about it!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend too! I know you don't have the same Thanksgiving Day as we do, but hope it was a lovely weekend anyway!

I see you were just scoping the bags out just in case.

By the time you see this you will be back so
I hope you had a fabulous Thanskgiving with family and got back safely.

I am back! It was a long weekend full of cooking, cleaning, and socializing, am glad to be back in my own house (?) and routine.

Happy Thanksgiving !!

Love your Mickey Pilgrim! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Katarina's story of the roast mouse !!! Reminded me of a story!! Several years ago I heard a loud thumping noise coming from the cellar , upon investigating I found our cat leaping at the furnaceAt first I thought the cat might be Rabid but then saw feathers protruding from the furnace !! A bird had fallen down the chimney!!!Panic stricken I called the Gas company who told me not to worry if the Bird caught on fire all that would happen is a HORRID smell Now that prospect did not delight me !!So when my ex arrived home I told him , he said WHY didn't you let the bird out ??Yea Right .. so he did and what followed should have made Funniest home videos IF we had taped it !! The Bird flew out and the cat FLEW around the cellar after it !!! There were feathers and debri all over the cellar as the cat, the bird and the EX careered around the cellarOf course I couldn't resist saying "And you thought I should let the bird out ??

This is a hilarious comedy of errors. Too bad you didn't have cell phones back then.

Happy Thanksgiving Liesa!

I know you won't read it until Monday, but I am thinking of you and I hope you have a wonderful time with family, including the baptism on Sunday!

It is finally Monday afternoon, and I'm ready to be back on the Boards. It was a long weekend with a LOT going on- and the baptism was really very special!! I'm glad we waited to have it done here rather than have them do it in Kazland. Even though it was a BIG part of their lives up til now, I'm glad we had our local body be able to be a part of it.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Liesa!

Thanks, Tim. By now you may actually be gone- going to your thread now...

 

[All7OfUs]

Drive by Hi....from MEK!

Hi Mary Ellen!! Glad you stopped by.... probably looking for an update- you are in luck now.

Hi Liesa, sounds like you are really enjoying your holiday weekend back home in the USA this year!

I really love the idea of Thanksgiving, it seems like a wonderful holiday. When I was studying in London, one of my fellow students was from the US and she and some of her other American flatmates invited me to a Thanksgiving dinner. The food was delicious, but the highlight for me was when they explained that the holiday is about being thankful and said what they were thankful for. I think it is a great opportunity to look back and realize that besides every days problems there is something to be thankful for! We don't have any official occassion for that...

I think there are a lot of cultures that do have some sort of "harvest celebration". I do know that most Central Asian countries celebrate it around fall, but not on any particular day. It is a loose holiday that is celebrated around villages on a day that the local councils decide on, but always in late fall, after the harvests come in.

well i was about 2 a week then it was down to 1 a week average, but im trying to get better, i did 2 updates last wednesday, and i dont think i saw you there yet.

I confess, I took a mini-sabbatical from the Boards for a few days. I'll be over very soon!!

Hi Liessa !!!Like you I have been busy since Thanksgiving !!I was actually only OFF Thursday, worked second job Friday and Sunday and regular one Saturday !!!Christmas shopping and wrapping has been time consuming along with Kids med appts !!! So I am pleased to be free for the rest of the day other than PO and picking up girls !!Oh yes and laundry and cleaning and etc !!!!When do I get a break .. When I go to Disney SOLO is when !!!!

You sound insanely busy, Rosie!!!1

YES!!!!! Disney solo is VERY, VERY cool!!

 

[jedijill]

Welcome Home! What a trip. Your kids are troopers to deal with such a long journey especially when they didn't feel well. I hate the "Welcome to America" gauntlet......its such a poor representation of what lies beyond Customs and Security. Atlanta isn't as bad as JFK. Ugh!

Jill in CO

 

[that's nice]

When trains are on time, coffee is strong, and pastries abundant, all is well in my world. Even better is when the family arrives healthy, with plenty of time to spare, at the airport. So much time, in fact, that we have time to leisurely tank up on over-priced, semi-palatable food and use the bathroom. And to top it all off, when the bathrooms are clean and well-stocked with flush systems that are A-OK, we’re talking about a near letter perfect day! And today was one of those days.

Sounds perfect to me!

For a while.

DUH dun dun dun DUUUUUHHHHHHHH

We retrieved our luggage from the luggage storage room, where we paid far less than we had thought we going to have to (LOVE THAT!), and made our way through passport control and customs.

SCORE!

Being subjected to a “pat down” that should have been preceded by a candlelight meal out, we made our merry way to the gate and waited.

Sounds like another score? For someone anyway.

I have no pictures of the next 24 hours.

After reading this installment, I'm glad you don't!

that fasten seatbelt sign that tells you that you’ve also missed ALL 3 meals, ALL chances at free booze;

Did I read this correctly? Free Booze?

and the one that must be some sort of perverted magic signal to at least one of the family that it is now time to have……………………………….. a ralphing relapse.

Oh no! Not again.... poor Mikki is right.

This sounded horrible... glad she is able to look back on it now and laugh(?) about it.

The flight itself was pretty non-commentable, and we of course, were overjoyed to see family that we hadn’t seen in over 2 and a half years. They were waiting just past the Kingdom of the DHS armed with enough paraphernalia for the sick to represent a mini Walgreens; a barf bucket, an entire container of baby wipes, damp washcloths, anti-emetic syrup, and a wheelchair. My parents have never been the type to skimp on anything, but this was rather much. We were grateful nonetheless.

LOL This is great! They were looking out for Mikki... or looking out for the car.

The last hour driving home went by smoothly. First meal on American soil? None other than Taco Bell, of course! Hard shelled, mystery ground beef stuffed, sulfite-infused lettucy goodness. Around midnight, we rolled in, dropped our bags, fell into bed, and slept for a long, long time. And thus ends, the longest, toughest road to America that ever was. The next day would be a Magical Day of catching up with family-

And with that, I’ll wish you a Magical Day as well!!

Taco Bell??????? I love it!!!!!

HOME TO THE USA!!!!!!! (there is an A in there... it is just WHITE!




Man, what a journey. Makes for great stories around the campfire or to tell your grandkids about.

 

[All7OfUs]

Aw, I'll throw in a "Poor Mikki" as well. That sounds awful. But, welcome back to the U.S. at least. Taco Bell wouldn't have been my choice for a first meal back, but I'm glad you were happy with it.

Well, you are certainly doing a better job than the INS agent who was pretty curt at best. It would have been lovely to hear a "Welcome Home" from him as well.

No, Taco Bell, wasn't my first choice, but 10:45 PM offers few opportunities for quality noshing. If I had gotten my druthers, it might have looked like this:

Alaskan halibut grilled with a variety of veggies; creme brulee, garlic mashed potatoes, shrimp cocktail and and Irish coffee.

Taco Bell is my comfort anytime go-to food for cheap eats.

 

[glennbo123]

Oh, by the way....based on your recommendation, I bought "Settlers of Catan" today as a family Christmas gift.

 

[All7OfUs]

Welcome Home! What a trip. Your kids are troopers to deal with such a long journey especially when they didn't feel well. I hate the "Welcome to America" gauntlet......its such a poor representation of what lies beyond Customs and Security. Atlanta isn't as bad as JFK. Ugh!

Jill in CO

Thanks, Jill!!

They are amazing kids with quite a resiliant fortitude- but even they have a limit.

It really is- I think the thing that bummed me out the most was how un-friendly they seemed to be. No "welcome home", not even hardly a smile. Kind of a killjoy sort of moment.

Sounds perfect to me!

It really takes very little to make me happy.

Sounds like another score? For someone anyway.

I always wondered if those folks LOVE their jobs.

After reading this installment, I'm glad you don't!

Never thought of it that way, Tim.

Did I read this correctly? Free Booze?

Lufthansa is VERY generous with their liquor! At least 3 rounds of free wine- red or white, and an after dinner either port of Baileys. Normally, I never refuse.

Oh no! Not again.... poor Mikki is right.

It was like again, and again, and again, and again.

This sounded horrible... glad she is able to look back on it now and laugh(?) about it.

She still can't laugh- even still she shudders in memory.

LOL This is great! They were looking out for Mikki... or looking out for the car.

Yeah, that'd be more like it.

Taco Bell??????? I love it!!!!!

HOME TO THE USA!!!!!!! (there is an A in there... it is just WHITE!

Taco Bell is so reprsentative of the Good Ol U S of A! Cheap, excessive food.

Man, what a journey. Makes for great stories around the campfire or to tell your grandkids about.

Glad I"m writing it out; I really should print it into a book someday.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh, by the way....based on your recommendation, I bought "Settlers of Catan" today as a family Christmas gift.

GET OUT!!! Are you serious?! You are going to LOVE it!!!! We played MANY games over the holiday weekend.

 

[Poolrat]

I will echo the "Poor Mikki".

What a way to make an entrance back to the US.

As for Taco Bell as your first meal. Well, as long as you kept it down it ...