SPEECHLESS

There have been 3 times in my entire life, I've been speechless

• The day my Husband asked me to Marry him
• The day my Son was placed in my arms, the day he was born
• My US Air flight I had today

What do you say, When the passenger sitting next to you, leans over whispers in your ear "I'm a passenger from the US Air "Miracle" flight 1549?

As I was boarding my flight today for New York, The US Air Flight Attendant asked me, "Are you the last one?"... I was.. being a Stand-By passenger we are usually last, that's okay...When trying to get to work, you'll take any seat...

The Flight Attendant leaned in & asked me, "Could you please sit here.." pointing to a First Class seat, I think "SCORE"... Oh no... She had a something up her sleeve...So I traded my row 15 to sit in First Class ......
What would you say to someone who just whispered that in your ear? A million things ran thru my mind & all that came out of my mouth was " I have no idea what to say to you"...Her next words were "Will you hold my hand on Take Off?"... Again, what do you say NO?

As, I held her hand, I thought to myself...Just how would I act, if I had been thru what she had been thru, .. I asked her "Where were you sitting?", She says "In the back" The hairs on the back of my neck were now standing at attention. Our flight was one hour and 20 minutes long & She spoke One hour and 19 minutes of them... She had my undivided attention.

99% of the time while commuting, I read a book or watch the movie and try my best to avoid conversations with passengers, Oh no, not her.. She wanted to talk & I was pretty interested in what she had to say, Think about it, How often do we get to speak to someone who has been in a"Crash" ...."Water Landing?"...

I am going to keep alot of what she told me private, to respect her and what she has been thru... Beside "The Book" is due out in November 2009. The one thing she said that I will share with you that I find very enlightening was: She informed me she went to the NTSB briefings... she was impressed that alot of the NTSB board reps came up and hugged them, I asked "Why did they do that" She said she asked them the same question, their response was: "They always are having to meet and speak with the Family Members of crash victims, It was rare they actually got to MEET with the passengers themselves. WOW, did that hit me right between the eyes...

If I don't remember anything else about US Air flight 1549, I will remember this special lady and her thoughts about being a survivor!

Welcome Back......You're furloughed....

Most of you know I've been away from flying for the past 3 years, Due to being mobilized for the U.S. Army....

1st flight back...A Turn, 0500 sign in, Compounded by the fact I arrived at my crashpad at 0220, 13 hours to get from CLT (Charlotte, NC) to LaGuardia (New York City) I pretty much think, I could of driven it that time, This was a True Welcome Back!!

This is also the day I received my "Furlough Notice", Nothing new to me, This will make my 3rd furlough with my company... Nothing like Welcome Back...You're furloughed! Wonder how long this one will last?


When I was hired I promised the company, "I'll cut my hair & I'll move anywhere" ...Not, "Cut my salary & Stand in the unemployment line" while flying over the past 5 days, I'd like to say I put the "Furlough" thoughts on back burner, This wasn't easy as every Flight Attendant I flew with was losing their job as well! Needless to say, We laughed, giggled & talked about our future plans, while we're grounded.. (Are you Hiring?)


Day 1, I swear my bags were light, by the 4th day they were heavier...What happens??? 50 Pounds, My bags need to go on a diet!


I had a great 4 days of flying.. On the 5th day, I actually felt like I had been hit by a Mack Truck You'd think the transformation from Soldier to Flight Attendant would be a breeze, I forget just how much twisting & turning & lifting & weird hours & walking & pulling & tugging there was.

My 5th day slapped me back into reality, No Pity Party for me!...No No.. I was now flying with 2 of the coolest TWA Flight Attendants, a 70 year old & a 62 year old who put me to shame with their "Perkyness" ...

I Promise I will enjoy my last days of flying, Even with a Smile on my face, just understand some days that smile my actually be fake!

My 1st day "Laviators" Welcome Back picture... Glading's Laviators...

Curaçao......What State is that in?????

Kon ta Bai?

In a recent call to MrBudgetRentACar, I inquired about a price for a car for our Mini-Holiday in Curaçao... His reply "Curaçao? What state is that in?"..

Okay, No Problem ... Alot of folks don't know where Curaçao is.. I didn't either...So, I can understand his frustration. In 1991 as a Travel Agent Trainee I had to do my final report on the Island of Curaçao, A short 18 years later The Better Half and I arrived!!

Facts: Curaçao is 44 miles off the coast of Venezuela, 2.5 hours by flight from Miami. It is one of the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean & is perfectly situated just outside of the hurricane belt! You can find all these facts online > My Favorite source is: http://www.wikitravel.org/

Curaçao not what I expected, I expected Lush & Tropical, What we got was Arid & Desert like!
We rented the car so we could see the Island, We are not ones to just Veg on the beach....Although we did to a bit of that as well!, I mean, When in Curacao...

Knowing we only had 4 days in Curaçao, We wanted to see as much as we could, I mean the island is only 171 total square miles, How long could it actually take? We didn't get to see it all!! One is because there are very few paved roads & Two because we found so many interesting places to stop & look at. Our favorite was the National Park Shete Boka. SEE Here: If you click on the Album, It will enlarge it!
http://

We also fell in love with all of the Old Military Forts they had built, Hundreds of years ago, We stayed near one of them at the Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino, At Rif Fort!

We dined in another at Fort Nassau! What splendid history!

http://

Last but not least, Food:

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We can't wait to return to Curacao, Our next trip will be entirely for Diving!

-Bon Bini

What are you looking at???

My Better Half says to me "People are staring at you",
I'm like...."AND?",,,

We are going thru security in the Charlotte International Airport...
I slip on my footies & march myself thru.....

Okay, I may not make the Ten Best Dressed list, That's not what
I'm going for here... I'm trying to keep Cooties off of the bottom
of my feet.. Ask yourself this question: Have you ever seen
anyone mop those floors or vacuum those carpets??

I'm just sayin...

You all look & point if you need to, I'm going to keep wearing my footies!


We make it to the hotel in Miami, We check in, We've been Upgraded..
(Thank You, Crowne Plaza)...
We are Upgraded to the Quiet Zone, Huh... ??
Okay, I'm all for being quiet in a Hotel...
Not a good picture, I will share with you the highlights of this sign...

• No Marching Bands
• No Circus Animals
• No Children (My Favorite)
• Ensure doors do not Slam
• No Loud Signing in the Shower
• Keep TV's & Radios turned down low
• Housekeeping doesn't even appear till 10AM

Tell me, You don't love this place!!??!!

They forgot to add to this sign for the Planes to keep it to a dull roar, being that we are in the direct flight line for Miami International Airport.

Time to eat, No room service for us.... We ran across the street to the Latin Cafe... for a"Cuban Sandwich",,, Deeeeelish...Time for dream land.... We have a flight to Curacao tomorrow...

To be continued......

When did this happen?

When did this happen, While The Better Half & I were cruising last month, one of our lunches came with French Fries, The waiter approaches & asks, "Care for American Sauce?".....

Whaaaaaaaaaaa...??? When did we change the name of Ketchup to American Sauce, it even says Ketchup on the label....

I'm all about "American" trust me,,, We were even married on the 4th of July!!!

This really threw me for a loop, I looked at the BH, giggled and said, Oh here is my next blog!!

I ate my French Fries with my American sauce, Remember when we tried to change the name to American Fries, (That didn't work)... Are other countries upset that Ketchup is not called Kiwi Sauce? Down Under Sauce? Thai Sauce? UAE Sauce? You get the idea!

I forgot to Blog about this till I got this email from my Mother today..Ahhhhh

Thanks, Momma....

***************A*Short*Funny*********************************

"A LITTLE THREE YEAR OLD BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET.

HIS MOTHER THINKS HE HAS BEEN IN THERE TOO LONG, SO
SHE GOES IN TO SEE WHAT'S UP.

THE LITTLE BOY IS GRIPPING ON TO THE TOILET SEAT WITH HIS LEFT HAND
AND HITTING HIMSELF ON TOP OF THE HEAD WITH HIS RIGHT HAND.

HIS MOTHER SAYS: 'BILLY, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? YOU'VE BEEN IN HERE FOR A
WHILE, BILLY SAYS: 'I'M FINE, MOMMY. I JUST HAVEN'T GONE 'DOODY' YET.'

MOTHER SAYS: 'OK, YOU CAN STAY HERE A FEW MORE MINUTES. BUT, BILLY, WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF ON THE HEAD?'

BILLY SAYS: 'WORKS FOR KETCHUP.'"

The Dragon

Memorial Day Weekend: We finally did it...

Tail of the Dragon!

What a wonderful way to spend a long weekend, For those of you reading this

who have never heard of Tail of the Dragon, It is an 11 Mile stretch of road with 318 Curves located on U.S. 129 in North Carolina. Motorcycles come to the "The Dragon" by the thousands yearly. It took us about 2 years to plan our trip there, & what a trip it was.

If you are up in that area Cherohola Skyway is a MUST, It is actually a prettier

drive than "The Dragon" & not nearly as curvy.. Ha Ha, Just look at the GPS

above that's not to curvy now is it? We thought we'd be bombarded by Memorial Day traffic, it was pretty much ..Non Existent.

The Better Half & The CouchRocket!!

Yes, American still has some fantastic "Off the beaten path" drives ...

This area is an A++ in our book, We can't wait to do it again...

What's the Difference?

I overheard a young girl today asking "What is Memorial Day" As, I strained to hear her Father reply...He said: "It's a day we thank Veterans".. "So, it's like Veterans Day" she said..

He giggled, & said "It's a 3 day Weekend"

Well, he's partially right...

It is more than a 3 day weekend Mr.Daddy. But... . . . . .

What is the Difference between Memorial & Veterans Day?

Many people confuse Memorial Day & Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering & honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. A complete history of Veterans Day, and why it is observed on November 11, can be found on the Veterans Day History Web page.

(Thank you, US Department of Veterans Affairs for this answer)

We passed a small country Cemetery today, from the road we could see 3 rows of White Crosses, We stopped, paid our respects with a prayer & a big Thank You.

In the past three years of my Military duty, I've had to participate in 4 Military funerals, I cried at everyone, Not because I knew them, or I would miss them. Because we shared a common bond & I saying goodbye to a Fellow Soldier. The only time I will not shed a tear when I hear TAPS, Is when I'm in the box!

ReeeeeeeeeeeCalculating... ARGH

This was my view for 212 Miles from Columbia, SC to Dillard, GA
It was a fantastic trip, Not to hot, Not to sunny,, Just Right...
Only problem was... My Better Half.. Mr. US Army, Halo, Pathfinder,
Airborne Ranger, feels his GPS on his Motorcycle is LYING TO HIM!

I promised my husband a Motorcycle if he came home alive from Iraq...
Two years ago, We purchased a Mack Daddy Honda Goldwing, We
lovingly call our "Couch Rocket".. This Couch Rocket has a GPS....
Nice lovely thing.. That says "Huffff...Reeee-Calculating"
every time my Better Half doesn't believe her!


Only reason I bring this up, It took us 7 hours to drive 212 miles from Columbia to
Dillard, SEVEN HOURS!,,, Longest trip we have taken on the Couch Rocket
to date as been about 2 hours... On a nice Sunday Drive!

Better Half's way is ---> "WE GO DUE WEST"

Good thing there was a sign for that (See Above) or we'd still be driving!

On his behalf, I programed the GPS (BH doesn't know how to) to stay off the Highways,
I am aware this adds time to your journey, we had calculated this ...
Had hubby believed Ms GPS we wouldn't of done the 100 U Turns we did,
We ended up in some Kuunn-Treeeee!!

Tomorrow we will attempt Tail of the Dragon , 11 Miles // 318 Turns
Wonder how long that will take us!

Wish us luck!

I Love Wine!

I Love Wine, Anyone who knows me...Knows I love wine..
I'm not shy about it... I don't claim to be any sort of expert in the matter,
My saying is:

I'm not a Wine Connoisseur,

I'm a Wino!!

I don't act pretentious, with the swilling & swirling & spitting...
and speaking of it's eloquent bouquet of wildflowers & French Oak...
That is all good & fine, "Whatever floats your boat"...

I crack that bottle open ... Pour some in my glass, let it breath a second
and down the first sip goes, I like it or I don't like it..... I always use a rule
my Momma gave me long long ago, she said .. "Give it three sips"

Sometimes that 1st sip of wine can be quite an eye opener...

I love hardy Red's you can cut with a knife & fork....
I love whites on a hot summer day, that smell like a great basket of fruit..

In all of my travels, I've enjoyed some of the greatest wines
from the wonderful Malbec's of the Mendoza region of Argentina...
to the great mountains of Casablanca Valley of Chile..
to the small and wonderful wineries of San Luis Obisbo...
To the Home Sweet Home Wineries of The Great State of Texas!
(Yes, Texas makes Wine, & They're Grrrrrrrrrrreat)

I started drinking Wine very, very young as a matter of fact,
I was in the womb....Thanks MOM! This is your fault!
My Mother was ordered to drink Red Wine while pregnant with me!
For medical reasons of course..... It was very official...

I have had wine from expensive bottles, plastic bottles, a can & a box!!!
but today's find at Sam's Club was a unique treat! A Mini-Barrel from Red Truck!

CHEERS!

Martha Stewart says "With left over wine, I freeze it & use it later in recipes"

I say "What left over Wine???""

Packing 101

As, a Flight Attendant people always assume I know how to pack.... NOT!!! I'd like to think I do okay, Yet, I overpack just like a good percentage of you all... As seen in this past blog called Tick Tock.
So I thought I'd share the best advise I could find on the internet!

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." ~Susan Heller

Besides, You can always buy more clothes!!
Good Luck

U'swaia

What is U'swaia? That is Spanish for Ushuaia, Argentina!!

One of the best things about cruising is you get to wake up every morning to a new and exciting city. This cruise included: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta Del Este, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; (Cruising Chilean Fjords & Glacier)
Puerto Montt, Chile and ended in Valparaiso, Chile.

Ushuaia, "Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia" Argentina was day 9 of our latest Royal Caribbean cruise, & while we have seen some of the greatest cities on our planet, Ushuaia is one city we can't wait to get back too. While it is considered to be "Fin Del Muendo" (End of the World) Ushuaia is one of those hidden gems that you can't believe you've never heard of...Well, I'd never heard of it...Nor, could I pronounce it for a few days, had it not been for this cruise I doubt I would of ever heard about this city at all. It's rich with history, but I'm not going to bore you with those details, You can go to Wikipedia and look that info up...

If you are an "adrenalin enthusiast" & enjoy practising Nature-related sports, you have reached the right place. Trekking? Fishing? While watching? Rafting to a Glacier? (Don't even get me started on the Food & Wine..I'm just sayin)

Skiing... Yes!! The reason for our return.. Marisol, our tour guide & aka: Ski Instructor invited us to return to the wonderful slopes of Ushuaia... SURE, we said,,, When?

I'm glad we've been blessed with the opportunity to travel & see this great world we live in..

Ushuaia, We'll be back....Soon!

The Ultimate Travel Find

When I say I've been searching for a Travel blow dryer for awhile is an understatement, I've been searching for a few years......

When I travel overseas or go on a cruise, This small item becomes a challenge ....., I have been blessed with a head full of thick thick hair (Thank You, Momma)!! I might as well stand on the balcony and wait for a good gust of wind to dry my hair... I'd have better odds.. Especially when you consider that big bulky box they have hanging on the wall on most cruise ships & hotels wouldn't dry your hair if you stood their the entire week.... You gals know what I'm talking about... You stand in the bathroom screaming like a character on Star Trek, "I need MORE POWER"
Now I have it: While shopping this weekend at Beauty Brands, I ran across this precious jewel by BaByliss Pro. 1000 Watts of sheer joy!

We depart on our cruise in 6 days,
I can't wait to pack my new travel find. I know as a Flight Attendant, space is so very precious.. & with my new BaByliss Nano, I know I'll still have room for lots of souvenirs.

Confession of a Flight Attendant

Don't get overly excited, this is more of a frustration than a confession... Let me explain!

As a Flight Attendant I'm trained for various events from how to: Evacuate an aircraft in less than 90 seconds.. (A great job you saw just a few weeks ago on US Air Flight 1549)
I've been trained to put out a fire, Use an AED (Defibrillator), CPR, pour coffee @ 35,000 feet even with turbulence ...

My Airline thought I was smart enough to do all of this....

So where do I find my frustration? When I get to the Layover Hotel...and the hotel

Alarm Clock...!!!! YES, I said Alarm Clock...

In the various hotels we stay @ the alarm clocks range from Mickey Mouse easy to you need to have a PHD from VMI to program it!

Hotels try, they do try to have the newest gadgetry alarm clocks. Some have pictures on them, some you can plug-in your IPod, Some hotels even toss in a CD to play soothing sounds to help you fall asleep.. Yet every layover you have to question: Is the time right? Will the power go off? Is the time on PM, Is the alarm on AM... Is it set 5 minutes early from the last person that was in your room or right on the nose. Trust me, I was in the lobby one time 30 minutes early, come to find out the clock in the room was set 15 minutes ahead... and I'm always in the lobby 15 minutes early...

USE your Cell Phone: Most Flight Attendants use their cell phone as an alarm clock, sure that is doable .. UNTIL you are sound asleep all snuggled up in New York, when a friend calls you from

Portland, Oregon & you get that apologetic voice on the other side saying "Oh did I wake you up?" It's okay I have to get up in 3 hours...

Get a wake up call: Do you like to play craps? That is always a gamble.

Knock on wood, I've never missed the crew van because I woke up late..

Happy Valentines Day

What's the best way to spend Valentine's Day? With your honey of course....OR

An amazing trip?, Dinner & a Movie?, Hot Tub & Candles, A wedding, like is going on right now in our hotel !

We decided to run down the road a couple of hours, to the mountians of North Carolina, we decided we'd like to see some snow..Only way we are going to see snow is.. If we actually drive to it!!

We headed to Trader Joes to pick up a few goodies for our hotel room picnic,,,, we picked up a wine we've never tried before it's called Valdiguie (Val-de-gay) The best thing about "Two Buck Chuck" wine is, If you don't like it you are not out that much, WE DID LIKE IT, so on the way home we'll pick up some more.... What else goes with wine,,,Three Layer hummus, Goat cheese with herbs, crackers & for dessert Dark chocolate bing cherries!>!>!>!

I hope you are enjoying your Valentines Day...
Whatever it is you decided to do to,
I say we celebrate everyday,,,,life is short!!!

"It ain't going to do any good on the floor"

"It ain't going to do any good on the floor"

Those were the words uttered by a recent US Army soldier who crossed my path on his way to being reactivated from the IRR* back on to Active Duty, Most soldiers return to Active Duty with long hair (Long hair for the Military)... But this SGT took the cake.. He was actually growing his hair to donate to Locks of Love when he was called up:

Locks of Love (Story Attached)

I applaud SGT Jason Hallisey for his dedication to his country & his donation to Locks of Love...


*IRR: (IWP) Individual Ready Reserve: Soldiers with a remaining Mandatory Service Obligation (MSO) to solicit their voluntary transfer from the IRR to Army Reserve Troop Program Units (TPU). In conjunction with a screening of the IRR population by HRC-St. Louis, this effort was intended to match the skills of IRR Soldiers with units in their local areas, thereby enhancing the readiness of the Army Reserve

Who do you Travel like?

I took the quiz, I travel like: Jack Kerouac

Travel Quiz

I travel like Jack Kerouac !
Being on the road is a major component of your life, and you'll never be happy in just one place. Your thoughts sometimes make you sound insane, but the guys sharing your next freight car will totally get it.
What type of traveler are you? Take BootsnAll's Travel Quiz to find out.

Your turn, What type of traveler are you???

Vom Fass

Vom Fass: literally translated means "From the Barrel" While the hubby & I were in Christchurch, New Zealand we accidentally happened across this great store called Vom Fass .... We spent entirely to much time in here, enjoying tastes of goodies from Liqueurs ~ Whiskies ~ Spirits ~ Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars. When we got home I decided, I am going to open up

one of these cool stores:

Vom Fass is internationally successful with over 140 stores worldwide the unique VOM FASS offers natural and fresh products in loose format. Culinary oils, wellness oils, vinegars, liqueurs, spirits, whisky's, and wine's are displayed and sold straight from wooden casks, clay jugs or glass balloons.

If you ever get a chance to visit one of these stores I highly reccomend it,,,,,

Any time you can find a place where you can refill your own Wine bottle ,, i'm all about it!

SPARKLEBERRY...

When can you officially say you are moved in?
When you've moved out of the old residence? When you can actually sleep in the new house?When you can make a meal in the new kitchen? When you can walk thru your new house in the dark & not trip over any boxes... Okay ... Let's go with that one..

As of today all the boxes are officially unpacked.... This was not a big move, we just moved 4 doors down.. You'd think this would make it even easier,,, NOT SO! Frustrating was the fact we were going from a 3 bedroom to a 2. Shoving 2 rooms into 1, is always so much fun...
We have way to much JUNK!

The hubby didn't want to stay in this Apartment complex... Why you ask.. Well, that is the reason for this blog: Would you not stay at a location because of the name in your mailing address...?

We live on a street called "SPARKLEBERRY" & no matter how hard my hubby tries he can't lower his voice enough to make this name sound manly.. You just can't butch this name up.. What upsets him is...We live between..."BOMBING RANGE" & "SCREAMING EAGLE" ... Cool names ...huh He will refuse to call customer service places he says "I can hear them laughing" when he gives our address... What's in a name? Does it really matter?

In 1991 we didn't purchase a house because it was located on "SALISBURY".. Would you be able to think of anything but Salisbury Steak when you pulled into your driveway?

The joy in all of this? We get to do it all again in 7 months...When we move back home.

At least we have clean closets... For now~~

Well? What do you call it....

I don't even want to tell you how the subject came up..

Suffice it to say it just did...

So? What do you call it.?

• Bathroom
• Restroom
• Ladies/Men's Room
• Loo
• Lavatory
• Latrine
• Head
• WC
• Bano
• Pissoir
• Privy
• Bad
• These are off of the top of my head

As we were sitting around discussing this "During Lunch" no less, I had to giggle, Just how many names does this one little room have? Now, maybe I'm the only one that finds humor in this... Being a soldier & a Flight Attendant I do have to check my vocabulary occasionally...on a plane it's a lavatory, on a military base Army at least it is a Latrine..

While in Copenhagen we took this picture, We thought it was funny! A passerby whispered in my ear, "Love, you know you are standing in front of the Loo" I didn't want to hurt her feelings..I just said "Yes, Ma'am" I'm guessing she didn't see the humor. (Bless her heart)

Wait we found another one, How about Port-a-potty, The next picture is from Sydney, Australia it was a gift from France. I don't even wanna know why France gave Australia a Port-a-potty, I think the USA made out better with the Statue of Liberty!

Come on leave me a comment... What do you call the John?

The prettiest Sunset I've seen this year....

Happy New Year!!!!

Isn't this the prettiest sunset? I took this today on the way to Tybee Island, Georgia..

Now, I know what you are saying,, We just got home..

3 weeks in Australia & New Zealand wasn't enough?

That was last year...It's 2009 now..

Well, that and I had a coupon that was about to expire...

for Marriott..

We HAD to use it!!

So where do ya go,,, I wanted snow..

No Snow...

okay, I'll take water...

We were headed to Hilton Head, South Carolina

We ended up in Savahanna, Georgia

It is beautiful here...

So historic...

More to follow...