The end of the road...

So, today is the last day of my 3-Day season. (I just realized that right this minute!). It's been a long season. The longest I have ever had. It was long because I started at the beginning and am ending at the end of 15. But in those weeks spent on the road, there have been some really incredible moments. I have the pleasure of driving each of the routes and really seeing the people and places we impact.

Here are just a few of my highlights---

- The two ladies with a thank you sign who likely have other things to do on a Friday morning, but make it important to cheer on these walkers

- It's the young lady carrying the "my mother" flag and is walking with only her dad by her side

- The smiles at 7am when the walkers are told to wait and the walkers are patient, kind and pleasnt while waiting

- It's witnessing moments like a co-worker taking the time to care for a stranger at their most vulnerable moment

- It's conversation with a man;y-man about the tender moments we are priveleged to witness

- It's getting thanks from someone whom I should be thanking

- It's watching a woman be stronger than she ever thought she could be

- It's the families that wake-up at 7am on a Sunday to hand out popsicles on a very hot morning

- It's watching the unexpected joy on someone's face when they realize they have made it!

- It's the moments we laugh so hard and for so long that we have forgotten why we started laughing in the first place

I am lucky to have a job that allows me to witness triumphs, help someone in their weakest moment, and work with an incredibly talented group of folks who share in the same values I do. Althought the work we do is for a serious cause, we definately have a good time!

Here are some of my favorite moments in photos---

Thanks to everyone who has made this long, long season super fun (most of the time)!

Random thoughts in an airport terminal

On Sunday when I departed for Phoenix, I had more travel drama. (I didn't post about this, but it took me 15 hours and a unexpected stop in Billings, MT before I got home from Atlanta last week. ugh). So, after that travel debacle, I assumed I was done for a bit. Yep- so not true! My scheduled flight from SEA to PHX was delayed due to mechanical issues and then ultimately cancelled. The good news, I am an Elite traveler so was able to be booked onto another airline for a simialr arrival time (gold star bonus!). The non-Elite travelers were stuck (I did feel bad for them).
Anyway, regardless of my re-book, I was at the gate for about 3 hours. In that time, I was situated in front of the TSA screening area. Amazing People-watching! As I sat there, I took some notes about the random thoughts that went through my head and decided to share with you (don't you feel lucky?).
So here we go...

• High heels don't make sweat pants fancy.
• Guys in tank tops are not okay. I don't want to see your armpit hair in an airport terminal! (and PS- it's 80 in Phoenix, not 112. You can survive in a tee shirt!)
• Socks and sandals are not okay! I have come to understand this is some kind of Pacific-Northwest thing, but flip-flops and tube socks ARE never okay. (same as tube socks and pumps! Maybe we should just say tube socks with anything other than an athletic shoe are not okay. Perhaps we make this law? I'm just saying...)
• Is Sunday the new Monday in travel world? There are sooooooooo many people here!
• Are fanny packs making a comeback? Did I somehow miss that memo? Let's be honest as easy- access as they may be, they are just not cute.
• I love when parents have clearly let their child dress themselves- rainbow tights, polka-dot skirt, flowered shirt, and a ladybug raincoat to top it all off. Oh and a tiara! I'd like to think if I were ever a parent I would be cool enough to let my kid be who they are and allow them to dress fantastically foolish!
• Skinny jeans are really not for everyone--yikes!

And those were my random thoughts while watching people through security. Use your imagination and I am sure you will laugh out loud when you picture these things in your head.
Happy trails...

Loves...

Travel is what I love to do. Adventures are things I like to take in everyday situations. Flights and rental cars are how I get my job completed. All of these things make up part of who I am. The rest of me is made up of people I love. These people are near and far. And some days it is harder than others for there to be so many miles between me and the people who I hold in my heart. Today is one of those days. A new love of my life was born- Margaret Clare Bedolla:

Happy parents Erica and Lou welcomed her at 4:30am. I am sure by now big sister Christine has met her and is in love (and won't "bonk" her as previously stated) , along with the friends and family that surround this lovely little unit.
So, today I may be in Arizona but my heart is in Grand Rapids with those that I gladly let take up so much space in my heart.
Welcome to the world, Margaret Clare! I can't wait to meet you.

Travel Pet Peeves

Well hello there! Yes, I know it's been awhile. Did you miss me? ;) It's been a a busy week or so--lots of travel (and some definate travel drama) and then no access to internet....thus a long time away.

So here we go--Before my hiatus, a friend sent a note to share some of her sister's travel drama. It was so funny that I decided to try and have a guest spot here and it inspired today's topic: Travel Pet Peeves.
(guest spot)Pet Peeve #1: Didn't know someone yawning could gross me out, but it can. When I was waiting for my flight from Newark, the woman two feet from me charging her phone at the same little station I was let out a big one. Fine. We're all tired. Then two seconds later she belts out another huge one and I was like, eww, I think I'm going to smell her breath. The next yawn was so intense and wide-jawed it ended with this crazy hairball-in-your-throat sound, and by then I'd had it.
PP#2: The night before on the NJ Transit train home, the guy next to me in the window seat had his elbow propped up on the rounded barely-there windowsill. He went through this painful routine perhaps 20 times in a row:
1. Fall into a deep sleep
2. Have elbow slide off into his lap
3. Have head slam into chest, then neck snap back and eyes fly open
4. Place elbow back on windowsill
It was so fucking jarring and annoying that finally I jabbed him in the side while saying "Ohsorryaboutthat!" and woke him up for good.

(thank you, friend, for your hilarious contribution)

And a few of my own....

PP#3- People sleeping in the airport terminal. You are NOT at home, please do not remove your shoes. Now an early, early, early flight could be an excuse...yet this flight is scheduled for 10am. This (see photo) is not EVER going to be okay!

And while we're at it--if the terminal is full, please do not take up more than one seat. That means your belongings, too! Although we are going to be seated for the next 4 hours, it should not be mandatory to eat while standing.
And enough for today....

Happy Fall!

Although it is already October 14 (seriously where has the time gone?!), I am just now realizing it is fall. Today I walked outside to grab the paper and the brisk air awakened me instantly. I could smell fall. I love that smell. The crispness of the air with just a little warmth to it. It smells spicy, doesn't it? And then you look up to see green and red and yellow leaves all mixed together to create a bouquet like no other. Even summer flowers in all their glory can't beat the vision of trees "on fire"! Then, add in the amazing things that come with the turn of fall--the Pumpkin Spice Latte (yummy!), pumpkins with their jolly orange shade, cozy moments at night mixed with warm sun during the day, the sound of leaves under your feet as you walk (crunch, crunch...delightful). It's all so great!

Today I will celebrate fall with an apple crisp (made from WA apples), and squash (also local), then cuddle up under a blanket with a good book and enjoy that the tip of my nose is just a little cold. After 6 years, I am in a place where there are seasons. (Hip! Hip! Hooray!) Here's to seasons!

Suitcase adventures

Yesterday I flew back from Phoenix after a long week in town. It was a productive week of work on my project and then a fun and busy weekend of helping a friend with hers. I am not sure how much help I offered, but I was there (and it was fun to work on a smaller event).

That said, I had event hangover. I was tired, I was hungry and food and sleep came first as a priority for the day. we slept a little later and took a little longer than I should have for a 1:35pm flight. I was rushing (and way more than normal) with a slow-moving body. But as an elite status member on the airline, I figured I would be okay if I arrived 35 minutes before the flight. Well, I went to check-in and had to check-in with everyone else! (I was flying US Airways on a Monday, so I couldn't get an upgrade. (sad). As someone said (not me), I was seated with the peons.) The screen flashed-- your flight leaves in 40 minutes, see a gate agent. (AHH!). From there, I went to the line, where I had to wait for 7 minutes. (in the meantime, I had a lovely conversation with the man in front of me.) I got to the gate agent and she wasn't even sure if I could check-in for the flight because it was 33 minutes before take-off. She checked me in and told me it was likely my luggage would come in on a later flight. I didn't care. So, I left running toward the gate (because of course it was the furthest gate from the check-in area that it could be). I arrived at the gate, sweating (awesome) and boarded the plane as she was about to call my name (again, awesome). Upon arrival, I had to check in with the baggage folks about my bag. The bag agent (whom I have dealt with before), told me my bag would arrive on my flight and to wait for the last bags to arrive. So, I waited and guess what? It was not on the flight (as I was told in Phoenix). I went back to the bag agent who again, told me it should be on that flight. When I told her it was not, in fact on the carosel, she looked for me (becuase clearly I would make that up). When she confirmed that it was not there, she finally looked up the bag. Turns out, the bag went to Philadelphia. I confirmed it would someday make it back to me in Seattle and went home.

This morning (at 7am), I got a call that the bag would arrive on the 11:35 flight from Phoenix. The bag travled to Philly, then to Austin, TX back to Phoenix and then onto Seattle, where it would be awaiting pick-up. I am glad it will be returned, but kind of wish it had had a better adventure than it did. No vacation inspiration from Philly and Austin (although both are places I have not been and would like to go).

Mmmmm...laundry

As you may have guessed from my post earlier this week, I am in Arizona working on the Arizona event. As I have said before, it is a gift to be able to be in my old stomping grounds semi-regularly. Although I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new home- this is home, too. And there are certain things that I do miss about not living in Phoenix. Near the top of the list (but frequently forgotten) is the smell of Mexican's laundry. I am not kidding. I am not being offensive. I mean it. I LOVE the smell of fresh laundry. And no joke, Mexican families ALWAYS smell amazing. Now before you think I am making stereotypes, I am not! Some may say I have a good sniffer and smell things others cannot. One of those things is great smelling laundry. After living in Phoenix for a few years, I started to realize that an amazing clean laundry smell was consistently coming from hispanic families. (love). Now if you know me, you know I have a not-so-secret desire to be a senorita. I heart the hispanic culture- the bright colors, the importance of family...what's not to like? Add to that--the incredible scented laundry. In one word- heaven. Once the realization was made, I was on a hunt. I went through a phase of trying different laundry soaps on a very regular basis and still couldn't find that amazing scent for myself. I even went to the Hacienda- a hispanic-centric market that caters to people fresh into the States. No Luck. My next step, I am a little ashamed to say, involved stalking good smelling families in the grocery store and watching which detergent they picked up. (I was subtle, I swear.) Still, no luck. At one point, I just asked a friend. She explained one method; someone else explained another.
Well, some years later and I have still not had any luck. I have reluctantly given up my quest and will remain un-magnificent in my laundry scenting. Living in Seattle, I don't get that amazing whiff so I can easily forget my loss. But here in Phoenix the scent catches me and I am again reminded that I never figured out the secret. (Add it to the list of reasons why I need to become a senorita- for real!) And with that, I will continue to enjoy the scent from the family sitting next me. Mmmmmmm.....