2 out of 4

Yesterday was a day for journeying home. It reminds me of a collector's plate I bought long ago painted by Vel Miller. It was titled "Journey Home" and it always reminded me of me and the rugratz. Wherever I go, they follow right behind....big sister and little brother. This journey in the sky represents us going home in both directions. One to our former and future home and second to our current adobe.

Well, the flight home was interesting. Let's start with the flight from Cleveland to Minneapolis. We were suppose to leave at 7:00 a.m. promptly. We boarded the plane like we were leaving at 7:00 a.m., but that didn't happen. I noticed after getting on the plane that it was dark and cold. After a little while the captain announced that we had no auxillary power. He said the people who flew thw plane the night before did not inform maintenance of this issue. It was ok for now, but that we would have no heat, cold air, lights, and some small systems were not running. He said he would get things going soon as we started the engines and could move over to have our wings defrosted. That was all he said. It was about 7 a.m. that time. During this time, a sound like a car horn was going non-stop. I wondered if this was a warning that we had no auxillary power. As we sat there with over a hundred people, we listened to the luggage people scream and yell and bang beneath us. Then, there were some really big bangs and some quietness outside. The car horn sound still blaring. As the airplane began to get stuffy, the captain spoke again. He informed us that an airport truck backed into the plane and hit the luggage door which would no longer close. He said maintenance was working on it and we would be ready soon. About 7:45 a.m., we heard alot of banging going on outside near the jet engines by the rear of the plane. We heard clanking and some beat up engine sound. Five minutes later, we hear the same thing again, all while the car horn is still blaring. At about 7:55 a.m., the captain announces that this machine which is like a vacuum hose and is used to start the engines is broken. He said a new guy did not put it on right and it flew off. The second time he tried, it broke off and can no longer be used. He said this was an outsourced crew that did this. He said that they were calling around to get another one. He said looking out of his window was like looking at the keystone cops with everyone running around all over the place. Meanwhile, the stupid horn is still blaring and the plane is hot and dark. People are starting to panic. Luckily, calmness reigns or maybe it was sleep. Most had somehow started to doze off. Not me....that horn sound is still driving me crazy. Finally at 8:15 a.m., we leave Cleveland. We are only 1 hour and 15 minutes behind schedule.

Arrival to Minneapolis was not joyous. Our delay caused us to miss our connecting flight to Too Cold. They rebooked us on the 1 p.m. flight out and gave us discount coupons for our next flight. Fine! We decided to head to a foodcourt and eat breakfast. We had 3 1/2 hours to burn somehow. We settled on brunch at various restaurants in the foodcourt. After eating and resting a few, we heading to our new terminal. We figured we could crash there since it was only 10:30 in the morning. We found it quickly. My son and I decided to catch a few zzz's as my daughter sat and read her magazines. We were up at 12:30 p.m. to get water before they began boarding instructions. We watched at the pilots went on board and waited to be called. At 12:45 p.m., the captain came out and spoke with the woman at the counter. She annouced that there was a mechanical problem and it would take 30 minutes to fix. She said the flight was delayed until 1:30 p.m. as many people groaned. A few minutes later the other pilot came out and sat down with the captain in the waiting area. At 1:oo p.m., the mechanic comes out and speaks to the pilots and the woman at the counter. She makes another announcement. The mechanical issue is worse than thought and would not be fixed for over an hour or more. People are getting upset. A few minutes later she anounces that we are being transferred to a new plane at another gate on another concourse. Everyone picks up their stuff and starts walking. Upon our arrival to our new gate, we learn that we are scheduled to leave at 1:35 p.m. for Too Cold. I am feeling grouchy and tired. I just want to go home. Take-off was really wobbly. It felt like we were going to crash. I started to say every prayer I could think of. Landing was the same way. It felt like we were out of control, but somehow we made it safely.

The van was still there and it started immediately. We were all happy. After a pitstop for dinner, we headed home. We munched on BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, veggies and garlic bread. After a few minutes of tv, it was off to bed.

It wasn't smooth or easy, but the van was there and started so we are running 2 out of 4. I guess 50% is better that 25% anyday.

Thanks for all the warm wishes.

Stay sweet 'n smile............................Mz.