One Wild Weekend
Okay.
So.
Last Thursday night I was lying in bed thinking about the next day’s travel to Pittsburgh for a Time Out for Women. I said a little prayer in my heart, asking Heavenly Father if it was going to be a good trip?
He answered back with silence. I interpreted that to mean…not exactly, no, negatory.
Correct interpretation.
Don’t get me wrong, the trip wasn’t horrible by any stretch of the imagination. It was actually really fantastic in a lot of ways and I made some good memories and met wonderful people. But it wasn’t what I would call…smooth.
If I were to share each experience in detail…not only would this be an extrememly long blog, but you would most surely get bored. We can’t have that. We’re too good of friends. So, I will share the highlights (if you can call them that).
1. Friday morning, 5:45 am…at the airport with my friend and fellow presenter, Kris Belcher. Kris lost her eyesight about six years ago and so when we travel to TOFW together, I have the privilege of assisting her. Typically we giggle more than we should, eat more than we should and have a generally wonderful time together. Pittsburgh was no exception. But, as we were checking in we realized she had left something at home that she really needed. With help from our husbands I made in onto the flight with the item in hand and a few minutes to spare.
2. Because of the forgotten item, I had to go through security twice. On the second time through while removing my shoes and liquids, a woman in front of me complained about how slow the line was moving. I said, “Well, at least you have really cute, red glasses – that should make it a little better.” She replied, “What are you? Pollyanna?” (I wouldn’t consider this something that “went wrong”, it is just a funny side note.)
3. Our flight to Pittsburgh went through Detroit. The captain came on the overhead speakers no less than 12 times talking about the turbulence. (I couldn’t feel any. It didn’t feel any bumpier than any other plane ride…but everytime he came on, Kris and I paused our iPod and listened to what he had to say. He was more captivating than our audio book.) At one point the flight attendent told us that only “emergency passengers” would be allowed to use the restroom and no food or drink would be served on the flight. She said if we had to use the restroom, we did so at our own risk. (Kind of made me want to, just to see if I could survive that kind of risk!) Then she told us to walk with our feet shoulder width apart and bend our knees to absorb the turbulence. Again, I ask…”What turbulence?”
4. I lost my jacket while boarding the Detroit to Pittsburgh flight. Don’t worry. They called my name over the speakers. It was awesome. Like being a winner on the Price is Right.
5. 1:30 am on Friday night…I stubbed my toe. It killed!!! I woke up in the morning and it had been bleeding. It is still sore – 5 days later…and I have a high pain tolerance. (How do you really know something like that? Do you have to go to pain tolerance testing? Count me out.)
6. Our flight home Saturday night was cancelled so we didn’t leave until Sunday morning. But, that did allow us to eat at a YUMMY restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh and order a second brownie from room service. We ordered this decadent warm double chocolate brownie with carmel sauce, pecans, powdered sugar and vanilla ice cream Friday night and it was so scrumptious, we ordered it again! When the waiter brought the brownies in, I noticed it was the same guy that served us the night before. So, in order to “cover my tracks” I said, “Oh, these look good…I can’t wait to try them.” He suspected nothing.
Here are a couple of pictures of us all at the yummy restaurant…
(Can you stand to read one more complaint? Oh, just indulge me…I’ll keep it short…)
7. Our flight from Cincinnati to SLC was delayed for 30 minutes while we sat on the airplane.
There – I’m done. And there ya have it – forgotten items, turbulence, stubbed toe, cancelled flight, delays and all. However in true “Polyanna” fashion, I’d like to focus on the brownie. That warm, double chocolate brownie.
Ya. Now I feel better.
Blog to you soon,
Hilary
April 28th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Well I for one LOVE “Polyanna”. In fact, I dare say the world could use more of them. The world could also use more delicious chocolate brownies. I mean think about it…if that cranky lady at the airport had just finished eating a delicious brownie, it may have changed her mood. She may have graciously accepted your cheerful compliment in the spirit it was given and not had a snarky comment.
April 28th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I want some really cute, red glasses!
April 28th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
So sorry you had a tough time, there are SOOOOO many of us here in Toronto who are wishing you (and your husband) were coming to Toronto TOFW next week! We realize you can’t be everywhere all of the time, but it would be nice:) I am a stay at home mom of two little babies, and can I just say your “If I Only had Today” album playing in my in my kitchen gets me through some tough days. When you sang that song at Toronto TOFW I couldn’t wait for you to record it because it is exactly how I feel about my husband too. Now that I have rambled like a crazed fan, I’ll wrap it up, but enjoy the rest of your TOFW’s this summer
April 28th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
I’m sorry that you did not have the best trip of your life…I was there. We drove the 15 hours collectively and I am still sore (being six months prego doesn’t help)! I can relate to the unfun travel adventures.
BUT-thank you for being there. You are always one of my favorite TOFW presenters and it meant a lot to me to see you there to hear your fun stories and beautiful music. I needed you to be there. Thank you for showing up!
April 29th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Hi Hilary…
Sound like you had just the BEST weekend! You know, Satan works REALLY hard when something GREAT is about to happen, so just be ready for ALL the amazing things that will happen shortly!
Can I share my last two days? But ONLY if you can handle it and NOT laugh too much!! I bet I can give you a run for your money as far as ‘things happening’!
I came home to Norway after a loooong trip away, only to find my front car window cracked from one side to the other. (Yikes a quick us$400 out the window – literally!) Then, after charging the flat battery, the car would NOT move without smoke coming from the wheels as the handbreak I had left on for 7months(!!!) had rusted to the backwheels so I left it on the sidewalk 100yards from my house.
I called my insurance company for help and they turned around and told me I wasn’t covered because I had failed to pay the last bill since I had been gone! I wanted to cry. He told me: “Pay your bill today, leave the car for 2 days, and then call me! Then I can help you!” So it’s +7c and raining (about 45F) I have NO food in my house and riding my bike in that weather didn’t interest me. I laughed again and called someone desperately to borrow a car!
I contacted a friend this morning to help me with the car because I wanted to save the us$100 to call roadside assistance… Well, he got the car started, YAY, however I saw this little note on my cracked car window – Hmmmmm a parking ticket!!! us$100!! Well, I just laughed as they claimed that I had parked in the wrong place for the past 36hrs! If they only knew….
So, Hilary… this happened all in 48hrs – did that match your successful weekend?? I now have a car to drive, bills to pay and a cracked front car window!!! But you know what… I really don’t worry about it. Satan really worked hard to get me down, however I know that there are such FANTASTIC things in store so I chose to take it with a smile. So glad you did the same…… We will be Blessed!!! The Lord is ALWAYS there to help us!!
Anyway…. love you lots, send my love to your family!! Hope to see you next month! We are coming in to SLC for a few days!!
Hugs, CC
April 29th, 2010 at 2:33 am
PS: Hilary…
I LOVE your new single ‘Hope On The Horizon’. Wish I could hear you sing it live…..
Hugs CC
April 29th, 2010 at 8:13 am
I am still laughing about the lady with the red glasses and calling you Pollyanna! Aren’t you glad you always prepare by being to the airport early? What a blessing in this case!
Since CC shared her story… (and by the way CC soooo sorry about your 48 hour ordeal…. love those days!) A couple weeks ago when Brad and I went to Colorado we got to the airport a bit later than expected and the security line was almost to the doors where you enter the airport. We had 30 min before our flight left (I know we cut it way to short) and by the time we asked several people, super nicely, to let us go ahead of them we missed our flight by 2 min! Nothing like spending 3 hours on those comfortable chairs at the airport, 6 months pregnant, as we waited for the next flight. And to top it all off, we DID have turbulence that we could feel and they told us as well – no going to the restroom or getting up at all. Luckily, they had mercy on the pregnant lady and allowed me to go! Good memories though! We still laugh about it and had a great time! I would rather be a Pollyanna and not a grouch. Life is too short to be irritated all the time.
Thanks for making me smile this morning! The brownie sounds divine, we may have to make that this weekend.
April 29th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Ok, a few little bumps in the road… mostly involving the airlines, which is one of the many reasons I don’t fly. I think I probably would have been cracking up the entire time… one of those “what’s going to happen next?” situations.
The stubbed toe would not be fun – but the brownie, oh, the brownie… my mouth is watering!
April 29th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Truly, how could a weekend be terrible when you and Kris are around? I will kill for that kind of company!
The description of the brownie was definitely the best part of your post!! Sounds awesome!!
What book on tape were your listening to?
May 1st, 2010 at 9:45 am
This is Nicole and JaDee Moncur just checking in. I found your blog and have to just let you know we are LOVING your homestate of Alaska! If family was a little closer this place would be darn near perfect. Anyway, we think about you guys a lot and hope all is well for the family. It doesn’t sound like you have any trouble keeping busy! And I copied your crepes recipe…that was like an answer to prayers (or at least an answer to a serious dessert junkies cravings). My mom used to make them for us all the time and has since lost the recipe so I have been keeping an eye out for one.
Thanks and take care you guys!
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:27 am
You stink at complaining. Even your complaints have a positive spin. You should take some complaining lessons. Maybe from me?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:19 am
Pollyannas of the world unite!! Thanks for the example Hilary! What a great trip…sounds like you made some memories. I do believe there is a scripture verse somewhere that says “if you know no bad traveling, you can experience no good”. Something like that anyway…I’ll look it up. HA!
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I think that is hillarious that someone asked if you were pollyanna!! Hopefully your next TOFW trips go better.