Flying Home

 We were two of those 1.5 million travelers today flying.  We have decided that we really don't care for Frontier airlines.  Nothing to do with the employees at all.  Just a bunch of little things....like the most uncomfortable seats on a plane.  And no snack/beverage service but you can buy a bottle of water for $3.  This after we paid for our ticket and it wasn't cheap and we paid to take our carry ons on.  Methinks Alaska will see us more often.

So the airport at Indy was extremely quiet.  That is not where 1.5 million travelers were.  When we arrived in Portland it was quiet.  That is not where 1.5 million travelers were.  But when we spent our long layover in Denver... we found a good number of those travelers.  And dogs.  I must have seen over 30 dogs and one cat.  I wonder if all those pets were included in the  number of travelers.  ;p

The most amazing thing is whenever I have a layover I always try to have at least an hour because it never fails...my next gate is as far away from the arriving gate as it can get.  So today we arrived at gate 42, have a four hour layover and leave at gate 44.  That never happens.  Too funny.  

Just a Day

 Pat did not want to learn how to play Fortnite on a game system.  So he ordered himself a gaming laptop from BestBuy.  Said he would be able to use that when he goes to Hawaii also.  Those games are a good time killer sometimes.  

I took the little woman shopping looking for a dino mask.  We did not have any luck.  So I did order her one off Ebay.  While we were out we went back to Walmart.  I had forgotten to look at bikes when we were there with Cassie.  Found a bike for the littlest man for his birthday in a week and a half. She also picked out a few snacks.  There is lots of food at the house, but sometimes it is nice to get to pick.  

The babies spent the night with us.  Again somehow I never got to hold one.  Those babies get passed around like candy.  It got late by the time Cassie got back from picking them up so we just had Little Caesar's pizza for dinner.  Always goes over with children.  

Christmas 2020

 That big pile of gifts got unwrapped pretty quickly.  I hit it big with the littlest girl.  I even got her things she wanted but she hadn't told anyone...like orange converse shoes.  They all got new coats, shoes, blankets, clothes and a few toys.  When the unwrapping was done it didn't look so overboard as it did when it was a nice pile around the tree.  Every one seemed pleased.

Cassie made prime rib for dinner.  We gave her helpful advice on how to cook that.

The littlest man and I went out to see how cold it was.  Only 16 degrees.  We didn't stay out too long, but we did get out.  

It really was a nice day.  Totally nontraditional for us, but good anyway.  We knew this year would be different than all those that came before.  And that is why we traveled to be with the littles for the holiday.  It is one thing we have learned this year.  You can't let fear stand in the way of love because tomorrow is NOT promised.  We only have today.  

Christmas Eve

 Pat and I flew to Indiana today.  We had a brief layover in Chicago and actually saw people in the airport.  You can tell that Chicago is a bigger airport.  We picked up the rental car and arrived at Cassie's about 6:30, just in time for dinner.  Pat had turkey and the rest of us had spaghetti.  Cassie was trying to be very considerate of his diet.  

I went in first and when the littlest man realized I was there he gave me a super big hug and then went running to share "his" news with his big sister.  All the kids were surprised and happy.  It is really nice to be loved that much.  Then Pat came in and both big kids ran to him.  First words out of the little woman's mouth was "did you bring the dogs"? No, no he did not.  

After the kids went to bed we watched Cassie put together all the stockings.  The big kids are going to love that.  And they have not seen a pile of gifts that big ever.  It is different when there are four kids.  

Cassie made a comment about she should just have a room for me.  And when people would comment about her guest room she would say no, that is Dawn's room.  Sure feels like part of me has moved in.  I have a coffee cup, toothbrush and paste, shampoo and conditioner and soap.  All the things I need.  And I just make myself at home now.  Maybe that means we need to look for a five bedroom house when they are ready for a mortgage.  

It is good to be here with my heart.  I feel content.  

Christmas at Home

 

We did our traditional thing tonight.  We had Chinese take out.  We opened our gifts to each other.  Becca got earrings, towels and new pink Lugs.  She was very happy.  Pat got tools and a picture for the wall.  I got earrings, a t-shirt and my cat hat.  A nice quiet little evening at home.  It won't be so quiet in Indiana.  

Snow Boots

 Naturally the snow boots I bought the kids last year no longer fit.  Totally to be expected.  Cassie had already bought one pair for child number 3 but those ones are staying at school.  So then she needed a pair for home and there is no way she is even close to wearing a hand me down from my little woman.  

It's Christmas time which is already a difficult time money wise for families.  Cassie commented on dipping into their small savings and then asked if I could help.  So I went online and found a pair for my little woman and my little man.  They will arrive next week.  None to soon as it is cold back there.

I think the kids will actually wear their boots this year.  Last winter the little man refused to wear them.  Course he had to be coaxed to wear pants.  I have noticed he has adapted to the different seasons there and now just wears pants.  ;p

Buying the boots reminded me of my grandma helping out my mom when it was necessary.  She bought our winter wear when we lived in MN.  It's part of being a family and part of the village.  

Phone Call

 The little man calls me quite frequently.  Even 2300 miles isn't breaking our bond.  Anyway he knows I am coming out there for his little sister's birthday.  And he has decided that is too long between visits.  So he called to ask me to come sooner than that.  

Then of course we went through all the effects on his ipad.  And I got to see the whole family.  I love when I hear the littlest one in the background.  

Haha

 So Pat must have made a comment to his friend in Hawaii.  His friend told him to just change his ticket and come then.  My comment must have been a small catalyst and Mike gave great advice.  Now the ticket he had bought was not changeable....and yet they still allow you to change if the price is right. So he did that and will now be spending a week in Hawaii instead of a long weekend.  

Part of Pat's and Becca's trips overlap.  So I am going to be here with just the dogs for a few days.  I'm kind of looking forward to that.  And I know they will be having good times. 

Plant Shut Down

 Pat texted me from work to say his plant is shutting down for two weeks in January.  Vacation days without having to use vacation days.  Got to like that.  I commented that too bad he wasn't going to Hawaii then.  He has a ticket to go see his friend in Feb.  

A Trip

 When I scheduled my trip to Indiana in May I got a really good deal on the flight.  I had a wild hair and wanted to get a ticket for Becca also, but without her input it seemed a bad idea.  These sales I catch are very short lived.

So Alaska Air is still doing the extra off flights whenever Russell Wilson of the Seahawks makes a TD.  Yesterday he made four.  That cuts a ticket almost in half.  So I asked Becca if she wanted to go...duh.  She made sure it was all good on the other end.  Afterall the people she plans to see need to be available and someone has to pick her up at the airport.  

All went according to Hoyle and she will be off to see her sister in January.  Merry Christmas Becca.  

A Little Sadness

 

Terri texted me to ask if I had a copy of Granny's rolled out cookies that are made with sour cream.  I don't recall Mom ever making rolled out cookies.  Must be a take on sugar cookies.  We always made spritz and put them through the cookie press.  I told her I doubted it, but I would look.  

I found Mom's recipe box, which is amazing considering I usually have to search and search for stuff.  I start going through it and I'm just struck with how sad I am.  Mom wrote out most of the recipes in her box.  So it is like a little piece of her.  Way in the back I found this recipe.  Snapped a picture of it and sent it to Terri. She said that is the recipe.  

Now I need to make a notation on the recipe that it is Granny's recipe.  

Monsta Got Groomed

 I'm a bad quarantiner.  Monsta had an appointment today for grooming.  So I took her and then I went to Betty's.  I did wear my mask while I was there and stayed away from her.  I walked in and she asked if it was dog grooming day.  I'm too predictable.  

Betty had finished her t-shirt quilt made from t-shirts of places she has been.  It's pretty cool looking.  

She wanted to know what I do during my days.  Well right now...not much.  And when not much gets old I may look at doing something different.  A hobby, a job, volunteering.  The world is wide open once covid is under control.  She commented about it being alone.  And she is probably right.  

Picked Monsta up and she looks beautiful.  She doesn't get too shaggy when we keep her on a good grooming schedule.  

Back to the Eye Doctor

 That pressure check sure rolls around quickly.  This time I got my eyes dilated.  He took a good look in each eye and everything appears to be under control.  My scar hasn't changed.  My pressure is under control.  Now I'm good until the middle of June.  

A Cooking Anomaly

 Came home on Wednesday.  I have cooked every day except two.  And one of those is because I ate leftovers.  This whole year it seems like I have cooked on average about twice a week.  I know Pat has enjoyed the plates when he comes home from work.  

Anyway I didn't try to make anything new.  Just the old standbys.  I'm sure next week I will be back to normal and then the following week is Christmas week so it is already all messed up.  Wednesday will be Chinese take-out as is tradition on Christmas Eve, it's just this year it is a day early.  The house will celebrate the holiday on Wednesday.

It Starts

 Nothing like a battery draining and needing a jump or charge every time you want to use the car to make you appreciate a nice new working battery. Pat changed it out for me.  At the parts store the computer told them professional installation was recommended so they could not do it.  Took Pat all of five minutes and most of that was finding the tools.  Unclamped it and unscrewed one screw that was attached to a piece that holds the battery in the car.  Swapped them out and replaced the screw and the clamps.  Easy peasey.  I'm not sure I would have been able to do the swap out because of how heavy the batteries are, but still.  

Took the old battery back to the parts store to get my core money back.  Battery tipped over and leaked a bit of battery acid on the floor.  Joy.  Hopefully I got it cleaned up well enough.  Doused it in baking soda after I soaked up what I could.  At least it wasn't a lot.  

Battery

 Jodi and I wanted to go to the Farmer's Market.  Went to pick her  up, but my battery was dead.  So she drove.  We loved the market.  The day was great and there was a lot of different things to look at.

Once we got back I put the charger on the battery.  Once the car started I took it to AutoZone.  They put  the tester on it.  It was fully charged but it threw a bad battery code.  So the alternator was working fine.  There is a bad cell in the battery and hence it won't hold a charge very long.  AutoZone didn't have a battery for my car, so the gal sent me to O'Reilly's.  There I found a battery.  They do install unless it is professionally recommended....well guess what my car says.  Paid my core charge and brought the battery home. 

Pat said he would change it out tomorrow.  Be glad to have that issue resolved.  

Indiana

 I have now made four trips to Indiana this year.  I made one other trip when the kids were younger.  There was a little strife at that time that kept me from spending the money to go again.  Instead Cassie and family came here.  A couple of times I paid for that or part of it.  Once they drove.  

We've come a long way in our relationships.  We've all grown a lot in the last eleven years.  There have been times I have been angry, disappointed, sad, confused and I'm sure it showed.  Time and growth have a way of putting thing into perspective.  I'm probably never going to understand Cassie moving to Indiana and leaving her children.  But, in the end, since she managed to get away from overdoses and all that life entails, it was the right decision for her.  And it is what allows her to parent now.  

We had a conversation this trip about how people who don't see you, don't see your growth.  In their minds nothing has changed since they knew you.  And it's not just about addiction.  I have done that with some younger relatives who grew up but not in my mind.  It was quite an epiphany.  I'm glad that I have been able to see the growth for her and for me.  I don't know what her label is in my family as there isn't really one.  But she is a part of my family.  She has given me four grandchildren (because I count all four of her  children) that I adore beyond belief.  And if I don't have a label for her, it is double for David.  But, he too, is a part of my family.  

So as long as my heart resides in Indiana, I see many more trips there.  This year will have five by the time it ends.  It may taper off after that a bit.  Never know.  And you never know that I might get a wild hair and make a home there.  

Didn't Go Away

 No, that is wrong.  The check engine light resolved itself...at least for now.  Changed the air filter as the internet said it was the most common reason for the error code.  

The battery though was dead when I got home.  So it is time to do something about that.  I didn't want to deal with it at all before I went to Indiana.  Now that I am back, I have to.  

Here is hoping it is just in need of a new battery.  The one in the car is original. 

Home Again, Home Again

 It has been a long day.  My original flights would have put me at PDX at 9:45, but somewhere along that line that flight got cancelled.  So then I was scheduled for a late flight out of SEA and would not get in till 11:30.  Our flight to SEA was an hour early.  I was not looking forward to a three hour layover.  So I stopped at customer service and got on the next earlier flight which got me in at 10:30.  Had to wait for LYFT and finally got home about 11:30.  Tired and hungry.  And now it is time for bed.  Happy to be home and see the girls and sleeping in my own bed.

Damn Chris

 Almost a year ago.  Chris died on my driveway of a drug overdose and then Mike revived him with Narcan. Here is the link to the blog post at the time.  What a Week  At the time I felt like something was watching out for him.  Something gave him another chance to make different decisions.  I say this about Mike all the time. Lost opportunities.  

Today we got word that Chris died of a heroin overdose.  Mike wasn't there with him this time.  I don't know any of the details other than this was the last time.  No more opportunities.  No more different decisions.  No more life.  No more struggles with the demons.  

Chris is survived by his son and his daughter.  He has parents and a sibling.  I send them all light and love and hope that those of his loved ones still in the throes of addiction make different choices.  

When Mike is incarcerated I tend to be completely out of the loop on this world.  I like to reside there...oblivious.  I can't change things for anybody.  But I can feel sadness for all of them.  Addiction only leads three ways.  Death, incarceration or recovery.  It doesn't only affect the addict.  I was rereading the blog post and wondering how I survived some of those weeks.  

Boy Night

 This trip went by so fast and it didn't even feel like we did as much as we did the last one.  For my last night I went to karate with the little man and his gal pal.  That is quite a work out that they get.  They end the class with a long stretch of calisthenics.  I explained to him that it is to gain stamina and then I had to explain stamina.  That gave him a bit of a different perspective since he wants to play basketball.  

After the class was over he and I went out for a late supper.  We went to Applebee's since he really likes it there.  He decided that their chicken was too spicy, but he really enjoyed the shrimp and the brownie dessert. 

My little man is just growing.  He is sad that I have to go home.  He is looking forward to me coming back for his little sister's birthday.  He doesn't know I'm coming for Christmas and bringing a BIG surprise.