Disclaimer:
I should have flown the friendly skies, instead of being cared for on my life's journey, if you know what I mean. Hint: United Airlines verses American Airlines
This past Saturday I was scheduled to arrive in Raleigh by 5:17 PM. That clearly wasn't going to happen. Even though I had a full schedule of clients to get to on Sunday, with few spots to put them (in the next several weeks), it looked like I was going to need to work on normal days off. Difficulties arise, right? No problem.
As I move toward the line forming at the information desk, where I was told I'd have to go to get another flight booked, first-born daughter, Lindsey, was sitting at home in North Carolina (I think...she may have been getting groceries for all I know). She messaged me, to say no cars were available for me to rent, so she was going to book me a room at the Hilton. It was probably best since I was ready for the day to be over, AND I would have to drive in the dark. In the pouring rain. In the lightening filled atmosphere. She did all the virtual leg work; the least I could do was to obey and move forward by way of shuttle to the luxury bed awaiting me. I just want to acknowledge, right here, that my husband does worry about me. I didn't think he ever did. But he was clearly concerned about me walking outside the airport by myself. Even a bit nervous, I think, about my navigation skills. He really didn't need to be, but I found it endearing that he was. He wanted to take care of me, but couldn't, 'cause I left him back in Missouri, helping his sis with important things needing done. AND...we have a couple of daughter's that are always watching out for us.
So...ya want to know how to tell a country girl from a city girl? Hand her a bill for a sleep over with the price tag of $236.42. Country, and very conservative, girl says, "Say what? Does a dinner and breakfast come with that?" City girl just hands it over with a nice hefty tip. Oh well...they DID give me an awesome nights sleep. Which I desperately needed. No breakfast. Just bed. And TV. And, I did have a very awesome grilled cheese sandwich with fries, the night before, charged to my room...so all was good...
So...I'm now booked for a Sunday departure and should be home by noon! Whoop!!! I'm excited! EIGHT (8) MINUTES before boarding the plane, an announcement comes over the loud speaker. You couldn't really hear it because a siren had been going off for nigh on what seemed to be an hour. It was probably more like 15-20 minutes. It just seemed much longer because it was so loud, and I was pretty sure we were under a terrorist attack on the west end of the airport. Then, I saw an American Airlines attendant's mouth moving, so I knew she was making an announcement. I just didn't know what that announcement was. Neither did any of the other passengers. We just looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and sat wide eyed while waiting for our plane ride. Until...I saw people leaving that had been standing in line. So, I go up and ask what was going on. "FLIGHT 1894 HAS BEEN CANCELED," she yelled. Well, great!
Not willing (without having an alternative) to spend another $236, I asked Lindsey if she could see if there were any cars available to rent, while I stood in another line that circled the airport, to get yet another flight booked. While I waited, Lindsey was booking me a car rental. It took her all of 4 minutes to rescue her momma, once again. It was booked for pick up at12:44, but was ready for me by 11:30. I should be home within 3 hours, given good traffic movement and no crazies on the road.
MEMO: The night before, no cars at all were available. Out of the 7, or more, car rental businesses at the airport, NO ONE had a car to rent. Holy wow! I really doubt I would have tried driving in all that stormy weather, anyway, so it didn't really matter that there were no cars available. I just found it interesting...
The story gets better, now. *Whew...
I make it to the booth where my car was being held for me. Imagine, if you can, a young girl sitting behind a large plexiglass, wearing a mask (or 3...couldn't really tell), and using the lowest tone of voice possible when she spoke. Add to the mix, a hard hearing, emotionally bankrupt, (the last week had been excruciating), 74 year old woman, that was also wearing a mask. The girl seemed to be rattling off so many instructions, half of which I actually heard (didn't care, really, I just wanted a car). I have no idea how I was charged (but NOT charged), for a full tank of gas at the tune of $57. Alrighty. Just give me some keys or point me in the right direction. It's time for me to be home. Ugh! Can this day get any more complicated?
Turns out it was a really nice, smooth riding, Buick. I was able to travel at 80-85 miles per hour (shhhhh) most of the way. It was a straight shot, mostly. I did drive very carefully, always knowing the distance between me and any other car. It seemed like the road just opened up for me. And everyone else was traveling at the same speed. Well, most people. Not all, I suppose. It was a beautiful day outside and I was ready to be home. Past ready. I did have one small stretch of only going 60-65 miles per hour. Seemed like I was crawling. The car was mostly soundproof, and must have had great tires, because it felt like I was riding on a cloud, slowly drifting along, waving to cars filled with people as I slipped past them.
Just to be clear...I don't normally drive this fast. It could be a recipe for disaster. But so could driving 55-60 on an interstate where cars are moving much faster. Okay. I'm done with that news.
When I pulled into our driveway, our neighbor across the way, waved and shouted, as he clapped his hands. He was glad to see I had made it back safely. I strolled across our newly paved street and went to fill him in on the latest happenings in our family and a tad about the trip. Still asking when Dennis is coming home. I think he's missing his shootin' the breeze buddy.
I returned the Buick that evening, after Meg and Reagan watched Bray's ballgame. Happy to have a couple of girls watching out for their momma, there was no problem waiting. AND, I was HOME!!! Super glad that part of my journey was over. Once I actually got to The Raleigh Hertz drop-off, the attendant informed me, because I had not refilled the 1/4 of a tank of gas I used, she was going to have to charge me $9.99 per gallon to fill that baby back up. The multi-protected person at the Hertz counter in CHARLOTTE had told me I wouldn't have to fill the car back up because I had pre-paid for the gas (remember the $57 charge?) The Raleigh attendant decided some compassion was due me, and (hopefully...I'll know in a couple days), she corrected the mistake and only charged me $15 for the gas I used. Again...*whew
Are you up for a little back story?
The day Dennis flew out of Raleigh, NC to Springfield, Missouri (3rd time in 2 months), I dropped him off at the airport at 4 AM, came home, ate some breakfast, and headed to the salon for a full day of clients. As soon as I was finished there, I decided to go shopping for a shelf needed for some new spa products I was adding to the salon's retail line. After securing my find, I headed home. While waiting in a merge lane for traffic to slow, a car across the median came flying out of nowhere, rammed the backside of another car heading the same way I would be going, consequentially catapulting her car into mine. Took me out in a matter of seconds. I was unharmed, just couldn't get out of my car, since the driver's door was bashed in at the hinged part and shoved into the front fender.
Lindsey closed down her photo shoot in Raleigh, to come get her mother. I just can't believe how much our girls are willing to sacrifice for their momma. They worry about me I think. This was the first wreck I can remember being involved in since 1996. The one in Texas, where 3 young, and very drunk boys slammed into the back of our vacationing van full of people, ended a bit differently that this one. Yet, neither that accident, nor the most recent one, was my fault. I really am a good driver, despite that earlier account of driving from Charlotte to Cary. 😁
Side Note: There WAS that one time my back up beeper (that warns when I am getting too close to something), went off, and I just kept backing up. The tires were barely moving. Really. I was just trying to turn my car around on Meghan's narrow street that was lined with large plastic trash cans. I bumped one over. Don't believe anyone telling you any different. I just bumped it. That's it. Anyway...
Back to that day when the car hit the car that hit me. That was a Saturday to remember. Still working on getting my car back, or a new one...2 weeks later. But, I've been in Missouri. Soooo many wrong reports circling that accident. From the onset, the police officer got 2 of the insurances written out wrong, got my phone number wrong, then the middle car's driver, was suing MY insurance instead of the perps, etc. etc. Guess since the perps insurance was wrong, she'd take her chances with MINE! What the what?! Took me 2 days to find out the perps real insurance. But I did it! I've given my statement to 3 different insurances, but yet the one that is having to pay for this mess thinks I was hurt and needs "more information to send to Medicare" before they can process my claim. WHAT????!!! I wasn't hurt, and I don't think Medicare is going to care about your report.
Well....there is so much more that has happened in the last couple of months, actually the last year, but I'm thinking it was about time. Seems like life has been so very good to us, for such a long time. Not that it isn't still. Oh my! I (we) have so much to be thankful for. To be grateful for. These happenings were just little bumps in our road. True, there may have been a couple of mountains to move, recently, but mostly, just bumps. My sister used to say to me, "Mary, is this just a bump in your road? Or is it a mountain that needs your total attention?" They're just bumps, Beck. Just bumps. Mostly...
Except that time Walmart fired the wrong guy (my husband) and caused us to be without insurance and sent us a check to clear out all his PTO time. He didn't even KNOW he had been fired. He went to work, as usual, and wasn't allowed to clock in. So he went to the office to find out why. What a shocker. They had meant to fire another guy, but instead fired the best employe they may have ever had. Thirty plus years in and they fired him. Accidentally...How does one mix that up??? Anyway, everything was reinstated, and all is well. That was a few years ago. But, that's another story.
Okay...I'm needing to get ready for Enterprise to take me to the rental I will use until a verdict comes down on my abused Equinox. Wondering what this day will bring, I am at total peace and looking forward to seeing my Dennis tonight (hopefully). He is also flying with American. And boy, do I have a story about that initial trip! 😂 Can't say our lives are boring! Enough for today!
With grit and gumption, as always, here you'll find me...in Mary's World
