Wednesday 2 April 2008

Here we go again

Sometimes I wonder if I create the dramas in my life. I am chronically punctual, always return phone calls, write thank you letters and rarely double book myself, so I couldn't ever be accused of "asking for it". Most of my friends think I'm actually very "stable" while giving a slight nod to the Thespian in me too. However it's days like today that have me questioning my own sanity; we are about to take a holiday/vacation and the uproar begins.

As a result of my convent education, my kids go to a non-religious school. Easter and Passover go un-remarked on the school calendar, and instead, we stick to a week off mid-February and a week off somewhere in April. (Our April break usually co-incides with my wedding anniversary, prompting an un-necessarily romantic celebration.) The April week occurs next week, and having spent the Xmas and February break skiing in Colorado, we are off to warmer climes - south Florida, to be exact. Given that it's already quite warm down there, I have to spend the next few days hunting for our summer clothes, figuring out what fits the kids, (probably nothing since they've all grown again) and making sure it's not stinky. Chicago has two climates - sub zero and sub Saharan, necessitating two completely different wardrobes, which are diligently stored in air tight containers under most people's beds. I seem to have made other arrangements as there's nothing under any of the beds. Now where can it all be?

I am also painstakingly ignoring the finger that I might have broken this morning as I just don't have time to fit in a trip to the emergency room. I was reaching into the drawer next to the fridge, talking to the little guy at the same time, not watching where my hand was going, and smacked my ring finger knuckle on the edge of the fridge. I know, I know. How on earth? I didn't hit it with much force, but it was extremely painful right away and started to swell alarmingly. I tried to take my rings off but since the diamond band is already a bit snug, I'd missed that boat. Six hours later the swelling has gone down a bit and the whole knuckle is dark red. I suspect I've just burst a blood vessel as I can move it, but this is just one example of things that conspire against me whenever we go anywhere. What was the medical emergency in February? Oh yes, my daughter "popped" her hip the day before we were leaving and we spent all morning with the orthopedic doctor.

More dramatically, my mother is flying over from England via Terminal 5 in London, and yes of course there are problems. Her domestic flight is on BA, and her translatlantic flight is on American Airlines. BA have now decided that due to the recent baggage fiasco, they won't check her bags all the way, oh and by the way, she now doesn't have time to collect her bags at T5, get over to T3 and check in within the 2 hour required time frame. Furthermore, it's going to cost us and arm and a leg to change the flight, and don't even bother just buying a new flight down to London because it will render the return portion of the original ticket invalid. And of course, now she has to go down the night before so as well as changing the flights, there's a hotel to be found.

And I still have four days before we go. Fingers crossed - well, not the purple one.

19 comments:

  1. Oh, your poor finger. Hope it isn't broken. Apparently, even if it is they usually just tape the broken one to the one next to it.
    Oh dear. terminal 5! What can I say. Hope your Mum's flight goes OK & baggage arrives too.
    Daughter's hip popped again. It never rains in your place, does it?

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  2. Hi Expat Mum - for a long time I thought that holidays were just not worth the effort - packing for five, thinking for five, planning for five - and then you arrive somewhere less convenient and less 'geared-up' for your own particular life so it is no relaxation whatsoever! It gets better, they pack for themselves now and if that means someone takes no pants, or shivers all week - well, it (probably) won't be me!
    x

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  3. You're right, it was a rant....hope my buddhist msg and peaceful photo calmed you down (so unlike me to be able to calm someone down...) Enjoy your holiday...Lx

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  4. It all sounds horribly familiar. :)

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  5. I hear you loud & clear! I just received an e-mail from BA offering cheap flights to the UK from most major cities. I swear that the airline industry is geting worse & more inconvenient yet more expensive at the same time!

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  6. Ouch on the finger, reminded me of my toe when I fell!

    Sorry to hear your Mum is going to get caught out by the T5 mess, sounds like the last thing you need is that right now.

    Ah well,just keep thinking BEACH!

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  7. Owowowowoweee! Sounds sore!

    T5...my grandparents, aged mid-80's are supposed to be flying through there soon. My grandfather hates flying anyway, so hasn't for about 10 years. Knowing the shock he's in for, I wish I could hire him a private jet! Freelancing doesn't stretch that far though!

    Good luck and enjoy the hols once you get there.

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  8. And breathe... and relax... and breathe...

    Hope it all sorts itself out.

    x

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  9. Sometimes it hardly seems worth it, just to go on vacation/holiday...!

    We're headed to the US later this month. I booked us on the new Continental Heathrow/Houston/Heathrow flights from T4. Of course the room for the Continental flights was to come from BA moving flights over to T5. Now I wouldn't want to bet on that actually happening.

    Hope everything works out for you and your family, though, and have a really good break!

    Janet

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  10. Do not talk to me about BA. We checked in 2 hours early for a flight recently - and the xxxxx on the check-in desk had the nerve to say that she wasn't sure there was going to be time for us to put our luggage in the hold. (And no - we were not flying through T5). All I can say is that I wish your mother luck...

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  11. Ooh, hope your finger's a bit better.

    Award over here for you from The Fixer to cheer you up.

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  12. Finger dark red, weird looking, painful when banged (as of course it always is) but seemingly not broken. Can't get the rings off but that's okay. Just another thing that I'd lose.
    Mother travelling to London the night before her flight to Miami, so hopefully the luggage thing will be averted. (I realise I have just completely jinxed that.) AND she gets to stay at the Hilton. Very nice.
    Now where are those summer clothes? Really - we only moved here four years ago and I still can't find anything.

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  13. Have a great break. Wish I was coming too. Enjoy the warmer weather!

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  14. T5 has turned into a complete fiasco. What a mess. I hope your mother gets over ok (WITH her baggage!) and that you all have a well deserved rest and holiday!

    Oh - and that your finger is NOT broken and the swelling and pain recedes.

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  15. Yikes.

    How about trying a leech on that finger...?

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  16. oh i hope all goes well...my thoughts go out to you!!!

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  17. Oh you do need a break, in every sense except the finger! My thoughts are with you.. M xx

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  18. Hope the travel preparations go well from here on in. I think the joy of not having to wear jackets and feeling the sun on your faces will be worth it. Have a great trip!

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  19. As a result of my convent education, my kids go to a non-religious school - I love this comment and can certainly relate - I attended an all girls convent school and swore never to inflict that regime on my own children!!

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