WHEW! I am still reeling from the last 3-4 weeks! It has definately been a busy one. First I had three Homeschool conferences in a row. I barely got home Sunday, enough to plan and we did school and home stuff from Sun-Weds and then Thursday it was off again at another show. Then my great Aunt Passed away and her memorial service was this last Tuesday in the Seattle, WA area. I really wanted to go, but then I found out that my beloved cousin, who is in the Army and right now stationed at Ft. Hood, TX, was in Seattle for a couple of weeks on leave. He and his batallion leave next month sometime for their second tour in Iraq. When I found that out, I was really desperate to get there. I was hoping that with my dad being retired NW airline, I would get Delta benefits, with the merger, but not until the merger goes through. We called and searched. Finally, I called a friend from church, who's husband is a pilot with Delta to see if he had any buddy passes. PTL he did! He had 1 left. So the attempt was made to get out of Atlanta to Seattle on Standby. It was no small task.

I hadn't realized that the airlines had cut back on the number of flights leaving, therefore, causing overbooking occurances to happen almost on a regular basis. I had gotten in from MS around midnight and by the time I had gotten to bed and asleep it was almost 2 am. I woke up around 4:45 am to go to the airport for a 8:45 am flight. I also didn't realize, until someone told me that you don't get meals on your flight anymore, unless you pay dearly for them. So luckily, I went and ate at the airport. So the first flight came and there were 4 standby's there, including me. The agent let us get on (run on) at the last minute. We were on the plane, sitting down and in our seats, when we were called off the plane, because the people who were late (from another gate) had arrived late (which I was told wouldn't be allowed). So I got bumped off that one but my luggage, which I found out later on, went with that flight to SEA, getting in at 10:51 am local time (Pacific time). The flight was overbooked and like so many flights to Seattle, was full. Why they took a 737 into Seattle with only 150 seats, is beyond me. They then had another flight at 9:45 am that they "made extra" to fill because of the demand to Seattle. Again, only a 737. They could have accomplished this better with a 757 and only did one flight! Again, that flight was overbooked and no standby's were called. So the next flight was at 11am. Finally, there was a 757 but again, was overbooked, no standby's were called. The next flight was at 4:45 pm. I went to the Delta helpline and tried to see about getting re-routed through another place, but they were worse and it would be best for me to just stay in ATL so I could go home, if need be. I ate lunch, took a nap and waited. The 4:45 flight, I was told had 10 seats in the back, but 9 unclaimed passengers hadn't claimed their seats that they had paid for. When I got to the gate, early, the flight was again oversold by 8. There were 7 standby passengers, and I was at the bottom. We waited and watched as the ticket agent asked for people to give up their seats for $$ in order to get others on. I was sweating. I called my mom, alot (they were in Seattle already). I called my dh, alot. I asked for prayer. I was tired and I was weary. It seemed like forever. But then one thing started happening. A good thing. The ticket agents started giving the people back their seats, saying she didn't need them for vouchers. Okay. That still doesn't mean any thing. About 3 of the other standby's went for other flights and weren't willing to stick around the extra 5 hours (thank goodness). That was good because one of them had a higher seniority than me. So at the last minute, when we thought we were done and I was ready to go home (I was so tired and weary), the commando Ticket agent, called our names, wanted us in order, in single file. Which is what we did. We were told to hurry (and run) on the plane. I went to get on the flight, when two paying passengers came up behind us. I was SOOOOOOOOO scared, I wouldn't get on but she turned them away, PTL. I was still not confident after the first happening. I sat on the airplane (a 757 finally) and called my mom, crying. I was crying heavily. I talked to her until we backed off the tarmack and there was no point of return. I then started to think of the miracle it was that I was on that flight. In order for me to get on, 15 (or 16) people had to have missed their flight. I was overwhelmed (and tired) at this provision. I tried to sleep to no avail. I was also happy to see two young men in front of me. They were going to AK, where my cousin was stationed first. They were so young. My cousin said they are going overseas in Aug. I told them were were praying for them and support them. People going up and down the isles said "Thank you" which was so comforting.

BTW, I forgot to say, that not many of the family knew I was coming in, except for my parents and one cousin, who I stayed with. My cousin, who is in the Army, didn't know I was coming in. We got really close while he was in Iraq the first time. His mom sent him boxes, but we were the only ones that sent him boxes. We sent them to him every 6 weeks or so and they boys wrote him everyday (and I did too). We printed pictures of family, etc on sticker paper and put them on the front of the envelope. While he was there, he was going through rough times with his ex-wife. He was on IM many of times, and we literally spent hours talking. We got really close during that time, so you can see how important it was for me to be there with Steve.

Back to the story. I finally arrived in Seattle at 7 pm Seattle, Pacific time (10 pm my time). I was greeted by my parents and suprised by my cousin MJ. We went to my cousin, Rachel and her husband Brad's house. We talked a little while, and then I went to bed. Monday, I woke up a little early but got up, got breakfast and got ready. Mom and dad and I went down to the beautiful waterfront. We took lots and lots of pictures. (I will post them in my next post). We spent the day down there and it was so pretty. That is one thing I love about Seattle, is the scenery. We also got ready to have a family cookout with everyone, knowing that Steve and his family were coming back from visiting his wife's mother in CA. They got there about 6:30 pm and he was SO surprised I was there. We hugged and I cried. It was so nice to meet his wife, stepdaughter and new baby, who is so cute. His baby Alex, would smile and light up everytime you would put a camera in his face. He was starting to crawl when we were there. Tuesday, I got up a little late but nonetheless, spent time with everyone and then got ready for the Memorial service for my great-aunt. It was a celebration of a life well lived (she was almost 89) and she touched so many lives. I got to see family I haven't seen in forever. My parents go yearly, but I haven't been since my own grandparents funerals, and even then I didn't see some of the folks. I wouldn't have remembered them if I did though. That evening, we met our family at Olive Garden (some of them) and visited and laughed. It was so much fun. We took pictures too. We went back to where I was staying and visited a little while and packed up. Since we had a 6 am flight and we had to return the rental car, we had to leave around 4 am. (YIKES). We spent the night with my grandparents best friends and got up around 3 am. We were thankfully able to get on the 6 am flight and come home. We got home around 1:40 PM and I was so greatful and happy to see my dh and my boys. I am usually not away from them at all, so I was missing them. Last night we went out to eat and relaxed before going to bed. I am still on Pacific time but I figured it will take me about 3 days to get back adjusted, especially in them morning time.

I am so thankful to our friends Pete and Debbie for allowing me to use the Pass. I am so thankful to the Lord and his provision to allow me to go and spend time with my family.

Also keep our soliders in your prayers. My cousin will be moved from Tanker to Humvee and that is a little unnerving. Be in prayer for all of our soldiers and their families.

Have a good one
Southern Belle