Back east
Our trip eastward yesterday wasn't quite as smooth as our westward journey had been the week previous, but it could have been worse.
First, upon dutifully waking up at 4-something a.m, Will and I checked online and discovered our flight was delayed 1:22 due to "crew rest requirements". I presumed (correctly, as it later turned out) that some part of the crew had gotten in late in the night due to the rainstorm that blew through the area, and that FAA laws required a certain amount of sleep before the hopped on the next plane. We decided to get to the airport roughly on time anyway, so as to a) avoid the long lines which were certain to develop later in the morning and b) be better positioned for further news. So, we didn't rush to wake the girls, but they heard us and woke soon anyway, and we got to BART just one train (15 min) later than originally planned. Thankfully, it wasn't raining anymore by then, so we stayed dry on our trek to the station.
Checking in and security went smoothly enough, although we had to wait a bit at check-in for an attendant to actually come along and put tags on our bags. Will and the girls got two large hot breakfast plates for the four of us to share, and we generally just hung out at the gate until it was finally time to leave.
The plane pushed back at the designated (delayed) time, but then sat on the tarmac for a good 10 mins for undisclosed reasons, which was kind of annoying. The headwinds which had caused such a slowdown on our flight west shortened the easterly flight to the same degree, but the flight was much bumpier. Not to a white-knuckle degree or anything, but still annoying. They'd turn off the seat belt sign and then put it back on ten minutes later. :P
We landed at Philly at 6:05p; we were asked to let all the people-who-had-to-rush-for-connections to get off first, which we did. When we finally deplaned, we apparently left Two's lunchbox (which we were using to transport our sandwiches for inflight lunch) on the plane. Oops. What was more frustrating was that luggage didn't even *begin* to show up on the carousel until 6:45pm. We wanted to get out of there, darnit! Thankfully, our bags did, at least, show up in a reasonable period once everything finally arrived. But we still had to wait a bit for the economy parking bus. Will had been totally stressed that our car would be buried in snow, but this was, thankfully, not the case - apparently it had been sunny enough (and a shade above freezing) that a lot had melted already. We drove an hour to R&K's house and finally got in the door around 8:10pm.
This would, of course, normally be the girls' bedtimes, but we figured we'd be lenient since a) no one had eaten yet b) there were presents to open and c) jetlag felt like 5:10pm. For once, my inlaws' propensity to run late (and eat late) worked to our advantage because they were still just finishing getting food ready and it was nice and hot. So, we ate, the gifts which were to/from our family were exchanged, etc. My eldest niece (recently turned 17) got her nose pierced since I last saw her. Her sister (13) finally is getting some curves on her stick-thin frame. We coaxed our girls into bed around 10pm, and I came to read quietly in bed, too, but MiniPlu rolled around for quite some time before finally falling asleep.
Today's been a generally slow-moving lazy day for everyone, which is fine by us. Except for one thing: I ran 7 miles today for the first time! It was on my training schedule for last Sun, but that was the day we were pushed for time, and I'm not sure I would have made it then anyway. Today - I felt much better about trying for it. Slowly, at a gentle 11:30/mile pace, but I did it! I watched about 2/3 of Mamma Mia to keep myself entertained on the treadmill - cute fluff. Nice to know Meryl Streep still has what it takes to boogie with the best of them. Didn't get to see the end, though, so my SIL gave me a rough summary. Currently watching How to Train Your Dragon, which I got for Christmas but hadn't yet had a chance to see.
We'll drive home tonight after dinner. (Not nearly as happy about dinner running late tonight, sigh.) I'm looking forward to seeing my doggie again. My SIL and her daughters have two chihuahuas (one much friendlier than the other) and a sheltie, and they've made me miss my sweet girl. (Somehow, my mom's dog, sweet as he is, does not evoke that in me. I find him mostly spoiled and not that interesting. Sort of like my youngest niece.) It will also be nice for everyone to be in their own beds.
For those of you on the far reaches of the globe, I know it's New Year's Eve already. I hope you have a wonderful and safe celebration, whenever 2011 comes to your neighbo(u)rhood.
First, upon dutifully waking up at 4-something a.m, Will and I checked online and discovered our flight was delayed 1:22 due to "crew rest requirements". I presumed (correctly, as it later turned out) that some part of the crew had gotten in late in the night due to the rainstorm that blew through the area, and that FAA laws required a certain amount of sleep before the hopped on the next plane. We decided to get to the airport roughly on time anyway, so as to a) avoid the long lines which were certain to develop later in the morning and b) be better positioned for further news. So, we didn't rush to wake the girls, but they heard us and woke soon anyway, and we got to BART just one train (15 min) later than originally planned. Thankfully, it wasn't raining anymore by then, so we stayed dry on our trek to the station.
Checking in and security went smoothly enough, although we had to wait a bit at check-in for an attendant to actually come along and put tags on our bags. Will and the girls got two large hot breakfast plates for the four of us to share, and we generally just hung out at the gate until it was finally time to leave.
The plane pushed back at the designated (delayed) time, but then sat on the tarmac for a good 10 mins for undisclosed reasons, which was kind of annoying. The headwinds which had caused such a slowdown on our flight west shortened the easterly flight to the same degree, but the flight was much bumpier. Not to a white-knuckle degree or anything, but still annoying. They'd turn off the seat belt sign and then put it back on ten minutes later. :P
We landed at Philly at 6:05p; we were asked to let all the people-who-had-to-rush-for-connections to get off first, which we did. When we finally deplaned, we apparently left Two's lunchbox (which we were using to transport our sandwiches for inflight lunch) on the plane. Oops. What was more frustrating was that luggage didn't even *begin* to show up on the carousel until 6:45pm. We wanted to get out of there, darnit! Thankfully, our bags did, at least, show up in a reasonable period once everything finally arrived. But we still had to wait a bit for the economy parking bus. Will had been totally stressed that our car would be buried in snow, but this was, thankfully, not the case - apparently it had been sunny enough (and a shade above freezing) that a lot had melted already. We drove an hour to R&K's house and finally got in the door around 8:10pm.
This would, of course, normally be the girls' bedtimes, but we figured we'd be lenient since a) no one had eaten yet b) there were presents to open and c) jetlag felt like 5:10pm. For once, my inlaws' propensity to run late (and eat late) worked to our advantage because they were still just finishing getting food ready and it was nice and hot. So, we ate, the gifts which were to/from our family were exchanged, etc. My eldest niece (recently turned 17) got her nose pierced since I last saw her. Her sister (13) finally is getting some curves on her stick-thin frame. We coaxed our girls into bed around 10pm, and I came to read quietly in bed, too, but MiniPlu rolled around for quite some time before finally falling asleep.
Today's been a generally slow-moving lazy day for everyone, which is fine by us. Except for one thing: I ran 7 miles today for the first time! It was on my training schedule for last Sun, but that was the day we were pushed for time, and I'm not sure I would have made it then anyway. Today - I felt much better about trying for it. Slowly, at a gentle 11:30/mile pace, but I did it! I watched about 2/3 of Mamma Mia to keep myself entertained on the treadmill - cute fluff. Nice to know Meryl Streep still has what it takes to boogie with the best of them. Didn't get to see the end, though, so my SIL gave me a rough summary. Currently watching How to Train Your Dragon, which I got for Christmas but hadn't yet had a chance to see.
We'll drive home tonight after dinner. (Not nearly as happy about dinner running late tonight, sigh.) I'm looking forward to seeing my doggie again. My SIL and her daughters have two chihuahuas (one much friendlier than the other) and a sheltie, and they've made me miss my sweet girl. (Somehow, my mom's dog, sweet as he is, does not evoke that in me. I find him mostly spoiled and not that interesting. Sort of like my youngest niece.) It will also be nice for everyone to be in their own beds.
For those of you on the far reaches of the globe, I know it's New Year's Eve already. I hope you have a wonderful and safe celebration, whenever 2011 comes to your neighbo(u)rhood.