linaewen: (Spices by wizzicons)
That's Urdu for "cooking meals,"  in case you didn't know!

Which is what I'm doing these days.  When I'm not actually cooking, I'm thinking about cooking, and I'm keeping pretty busy at it, too.  But I still have time for a nap in the afternoons and some down time in the evening.  I can't always get online, and when I do, it's pretty lethargic dialup, but tonight I thought I'd go for an update.  It's a bit aggravating, though -- everytime I type a few letters, I have to wait for the word to catch up with itself on the screen before I can continue.  Ugh!

Before I give you all an update on my adventures in getting here, I'd like to ask prayer and good thoughts for my dad.  He had cataract surgery today (Monday), and it turned out to be a bit more complicated than expected.  Don't know all the details, but my mom says, "He  may  not  be  able  to  have  second  eye  done  in  2  weeks  as  the doctor  wants  this  one  healed  before  doing  another.  We  will  know  a  little  more  tomorrow  at  follow  up  appt  but  pray  there  was  no  pulling  of  retina."

I would appreciate prayer for that, thanks!

Okay, here's the adventure!

Thursday morning I got up at 3:30 am so as to be ready to catch the 5 am bus to the airport in Chicago.  We have a nice bus that leaves from town here that takes us right to the airline's gate for $25.  It's a very comfy bus with a very cheerful driver.

The bus trip was good, except I spilled my coffee all over myself, soaking myself good and proper.  Not a good way to start a journey!  Luckily the coffee wasn't hot!  So I arrived at the airport looking a bit messy and smelling like coffee.

I decided to get a washcloth out of my bag I was planning on checking so that I could clean up a bit, try to get some of the coffee stain out.  Good plan, but it led to the next snaffoo -- I relocked my bag, but forgot to take the keys out of the lock before I handed it over to be checked.  (I think that's what I did, anyway.)  I checked the bag at the curb, so the guy was busy and didn't notice the keys.   I realized quickly I didn't have them in my pocket, purse, or hand, but it was too late to retrieve them, and a thorough search of where I had been did not reveal them.

I called DH and told him all about it, and he was properly soothing, which helped calm me down.  So on I went.  Going through security was a snap, in spite of all the restrictions on gels and liquids.  I was packed properly, and nothing caught their attention, so I was through in about 5 minutes or less.  I cleaned myself up as best I could before boarding the plane, but I still smelled of coffee!

The next irritation happened on the runway.  The pilot announced that Newark airport had informed us we had to delay our take off for another hour, so we ended up sitting on the runway.  Fortunately it wasn't for more than an hour, and it was fairly comfortable -- for me, anyway, because I had an aisle seat!  They brought us water and let us use our cell phones to our hearts' content.

Finally we were off, and arrived with no further mishap.  The person meeting me was monitoring the flight, so I  knew he knew it would be late, so I didn't fuss about the delay.  My bag came through safe and sound -- and thoroughly locked -- but no one had miraculously found the key and put it in the sidepocket of the bag, alas!  I asked the baggage people if they could open it with their TSA-approved-lock master key, but they said no, sorry.  They offered to break it for me, but I said no thanks, I have a plan B.

I eventually got into my bag by unzipping the (unlocked) side pocket in the lid of the suitcase, and slitting the lining that separated the lid pocket from the inside of the bag.  I pulled all my stuff out through the little hole.  Then I called DH and told him to mail me the spare keys that I had left behind.  I got the key today, so now I can unlock my bag and repair the lining and be all set for my trip home.  I shall lock the side pocket as well this time, because if it was that easy for me to get into my bag, then anyone else could do it as well.

My cooking time didn't begin until yesterday, so I before that I was helper to the cooks who were finishing up last week.  This year was the first time both of them had done it, and they were about at the end of their ropes.  The guy we have to work with for buying the groceries is a bit of a trial to deal with, and they had had two weeks of him and were just about ready to bind and gag him.  I got quite an earful of venting, which was helpful for them, but made for kind of a stressful time for me to start off with.  But I'm doing fine so far, because I know how to deal with the fellow and not let him get under my skin.

So I'm basically on my feet all day cooking, and when I'm not, I'm putting my sore feet up and having a rest.  Oh, and eating far too much of my own cooking to be good for my diet!!  :-D

Because my internet connection here is so icky, I can't always post as I would like, but rest assured I have read all my flist entries to date.  I'll try to reply sometime, but tonight is not the night, I fear.

I'll write again when I can, my dears!!

Date: 2007-07-23 11:51 pm (UTC)From: [personal profile] shirebound
shirebound: (Default)
I eventually got into my bag by unzipping the (unlocked) side pocket in the lid of the suitcase, and slitting the lining that separated the lid pocket from the inside of the bag.

Genius!

*hugs*

Date: 2007-07-23 11:56 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] siradaono.livejournal.com
REMEMBERING YOU AND YOURS....WISHING I COULD SLIDE MY KNEES UNDER YOUR TABLE.

(((((((((lin)))))))))))))

Date: 2007-07-24 02:20 am (UTC)From: [identity profile] maidoforange.livejournal.com
I'm sorry about the travel annoyances and sore feet, dear Lin. Not to mention the annoying grocery guy. Yes, I find it stressful when people vent. I hope this settles down and becomes less stressful for you.

Date: 2007-07-24 01:44 pm (UTC)From: [identity profile] mumstheword54.livejournal.com
Great thinking on getting into your suitcase! A mark of a seasoned traveler!

Certainly I'll pray for your dad. If it helps at all, Milady was told up front that it would be 4-6 weeks between Cataract Surgery #1 and CS #2, to give her first eye plenty of time to heal. Now this afternoon she has her prelim visit for #2, and should have the surgery next Tuesday.

And although being the sounding-board is stressful, what a blessing you've been to the first-shift cooks! I know that's part of the missionary/minister ministry, and I'm glad you were able to help defuse any ticking explosives on the food-prep team, and maybe next year will be easier on them as well.

Bless you as you feed this flock!

*hugs and special low-calorie, rich-taste brownies*

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