from my journal

I arrived back at home just after 10pm.
I'll share more photos tomorrow, but for this evening - I thought I'd share a few bits from my journal.  I like to keep a little notebook with me on trips.  I enjoy jotting down notes, thoughts, bits of inspiration and details, such as..... (in the order they were written)

• I wasn't expecting to feel so strange leaving the hubby and kids. It probably didn't help that both Brian and Mark were practically sobbing 'please don't leave, mom' as they dropped my off at the airport
• It's a good thing I kept my belt handy - it would have been hard to walk without one.  I don't know how those low riding pants guys do it - that can't be good for their backs
• I had a Charlie's sub: chicken bacon swiss, at the airport and it was surprisingly good
• They have these things now called cell phone lots where people wait until the people they are picking up call to let them know they arrived.  Who knew?  They didn't have those 8 years ago when I last flew
• I could watch people all day long
• There were two empty seats on the plane to Denver, and one was the seat beside me.  Me and the gal in seat 23D pumped our fists
• I wonder why they don't load the planes from the window seats in - it seems like it would be more practical
• I'll never get tired of the window seat.  I enjoyed a clear view of the Big Dipper the entire flight out.
• I tried to get my friend Melissa a photography job on my way out.   The gal next to me was planning a May wedding in Grand Rapids.  But she already had a photographer, and her name wasn't Melissa.
• When the loudspeaker comes over the tram in Denver and says 'hold on'.  They mean it.
• When we got near the last stop on the tram, the mayor of Denver came on the speaker and said, "Hello - I'm Mayor Hickenlooper, Welcome to Denver"  I leaned over to the lady next to me and asked, "Mayor WHO?"  She got the giggles so bad, she couldn't answer my question. I had to Google it when I got home.
• It was an odd feeling to walk into the waiting area and try to scan a sea of faces while remaining somewhat nonchalant and try to find my hostess, who I'd never met
• Tina took one look at my light fleece jacket and pretty much declared me a Colorado coat packing failure.
• I like Tina
• Sleep!  Sweet!!!
• I met Houston in Colorado
• They have sun in Colorado!  Who knew??  I had to buy sunglasses.
• I love putting names to faces - I enjoyed a breakfast with fellow scrapbookers and had a lot of fun and laughs
• I really like Tina
• I love the mountains.  Darn we didn't see a moose, but it was fun to see the elk.  I'll have to come again.
• My brothers wide angle lens is SO cool.  I need one.
• There are very few tens in this world
• There was a guy in the security line on the way back home, and when he took off his belt, his pants fell to his knees.
• I packed very light - I didn't have to check luggage either way, and I did do some shopping
• I sat next to a pilot on my flight home and he ordered two beers.  I decided I don't like the smell of beer.
• I keep putting this journal away and then recalling another thought
• Behind me, on the ramp to the plane, was a boy of about 10-12 years old with his family of four.  He was concerned because one of them would have to sit separate on the plane. His dad, joking, points at me and says - yeah, you might have to sit by that lady.  And I said, yeah - and I've been away from my kids for three whole days and am going through serious mothering withdrawals.  It was funny.  He looked scared.
• The Lions won, apparently. The flight attendant did a cheer and got everyone fired up just before take off.
• What?  None of the kids came with dad to pick me up at the airport??  Didn't they miss me???

There's more - but that'll do. ;)

More photos tomorrow.  MONDAY!  woot! 

Comments

[Juliana]

How fun! thanks for sharing. It was strange on Fri. night - I got a call from Tina, and just heard some talking and laughing in the background. Wasn't sure if you guys were trying to call. (I tried to holler to ya:)) and then it happened again. i was trying to give a massage. figgered tina must have an open face phone and it somehow hit redial. Anyway, sounded like you were havin a good time! Looking forward to more details, what a perfect mom vacation, hey?!

[tania]

sounds like it was a perfect getaway! can't wait to read (and see) more about it. that photo is fantastic! up late snuggling a croupy kiddo was worth getting a sneak peek into your adventure. welcome home!

[Mom]

That was a fun read in the night of an insomniac.

[Brita]

That was fun to read in the night of insomniac kids.

[Jan C.]

Funny about the boy who was scared at the thought of having to sit next to you. My 17-year-old nephew/godson is scared because I keep offering to let him live with us next year if he goes to college at U. of Cincinnati. :-)

Is it our claws, our roar, or what?

[Houston]

It was so much fun to meet you! I love the photo and your hilarious recount of the tram... it is the silliest name in the world :)

[ablemabel]

Yes, Colorado has sun! A whole lot of it!! It's quite lovely especially during those winter months.

[sue]

I had to reread the part about sitting by a pilot and not sitting by "the" pilot and he ordered two beers. lol Sounds like a wonderful vacation, I'm glad you got to go.

[Tina Cockburn]

Very funny! Thanks for a laugh on a Monday.

Meeting Houston in Colorado was my favorite, but the beer-drinking pilot and bumping fists with the other gal were a close second.

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

[Kim FAucher]

Hey, sometimes just listing things gets it off your chest and mind.. hope it did... Glad you enjoyed your trip!!

[Janell]

Don't you love our bright sunshine??!! 350 days/year! I have a friend who moved here from California...she said the first thing she did was stop and buy some super-dark sunglasses! Glad you enjoyed your trip.

Where all did you go?