Days with the Cormier's

Ahh....the stories we can tell. I have a new one:. LJ and I departed Tuscaloosa, AL refreshed after what was, most likely, our best off-season EVER. Mr. Willard, a friend of ours, (about 70 years old, awesome grand-father figure), was our transportation. We started our journey a good 2 1/2 hours before our flight with MORE than enough time to get to the airport, even with traffic. We are making great time, when 6 miles from the airport, we hit a standstill. Not an inch of movement for an hour. After sitting, biting our nails and becoming pretty sure that there's no hope, Mr. Willard decides some movement is better than none at all.

The reason for our detour: a high-speed chase that ended in a shoot-out. who knew? You plan your flight around city traffic and hit the "story of the year" in the process. Six miles of stand-still after making perfect time up to that point. Mr. Willard, our friendly driver, says, "Anything's better than sitting still". LJ and I agree, (and we are an hour from take-off), so we begin our trek around the city trying to find an alternate route. In the process, I'm on hold with Southwest, trying to save two spots for the next flight with LJ, (who has to potty badly at this point, begging for relief in the background...) They finally pick up and ask, "OK, ma'am, can I get your name?" Call dropped. Thirteen minute "hold" wait to get back on, (the irony of the announced "hold time" is not lost on me), so I give up and just enjoy the scenery. Smelling the roses, and all that. Heck! I've got time!

So, Mr. Willard...the BEST, by the way, routes us to the exit from another direction. We get to the "AIRPORT EXIT 3/4 MILE " sign, and it's a standstill again. By this point, he and I are both almost laughing so hard that we are crying, and LJ is crying so hard he's laughing...kind of. I give up, but he says, "We didn't get this close to give up"...totally Hollywood style. Drives on the curb and exits, getting me to the counter with my 68 lb. bag, a travel car seat, over-filled purse and LJ in his stroller...22 minutes before take-off. I get to the counter, (LJ has rehearsed and mastered the, " Can you please let me on the plane"...puppy dog face and all). I beg the woman at the counter: "I think I missed my plane! Please, can you just let me know if I can make it?" Her response, " You are going to have to wait in line like everyone else"...not even an opportunity for LJ"s show-stopping line. I do what any mom would do when faced with possibly making it or spending 5 hours in the Birmingham airport. I BEG the man in front, and he hesitantly lets me in. I get my boarding passes, RUN like heck to the security. I'm told, almost word-for-word, the same thing by the Security officer. I "wait my turn" and SPRINT to our gate. NO shoes, (on either of us), no jackets, stuff just flung over my arm, and LJ yelling "Go, Mom, Go!" I am full out high school track meet sprinting at this point. The stroller almost can't handle the speed. Arrival to gate C10: 4 minutes before take-off...just in time, according to the lovely ticket lady.

We get on the plane, looking harried, but thankful. There are lots of empty single seats, but no two together. The flight attendant gets on the intercom, (LJ and I next to her, front of plane) and asks, "Will anyone please move over, etc. so that these two can sit together?"

Silence. I heard crickets.

So, LJ and I are at the "front of the class", no one budging and she says, " Aren't we in Alabama? I thought people were nice here...."

Still, nothing.

So, then she starts offering a "free adult beverage" if someone will move. silence.

Finally, " whoever moves gets as many drinks as they want."

We have a winner! Thank you, sir! We are seated, with 30 seconds to spare before take-off...and LJ has yet to pee...

THAT was my day :)

Signing off from Port Charlotte, FL. We are unharmed, tired, TRULY blessed and happy to be here! Hope this made you smile! I thought you could use some comic relief. True story.

P.S. LJ did eventually get to "relieve himself", (took him a full minute and a half) and is currently sleeping with the high dollar, ($13) Mac the Truck for his troubles. What a trooper!

Please disregard the horrible grammar and weird type. (don't know what that's about?)...had to get this one down!