Praying for a Christmas Miracle

Booked my flight home for Christmas two months ago - US Airways from Newark to Philly to Chicago. When I found the flight, after comparing costs and airlines endlessly, I looked up the direct flight from Philly to Chicago, figuring it'd be easier to cut out that first leg. But it was considerably more expensive, so I went for the connection. Should have paid the extra...

Yesterday, my first flight was delayed by 45 minutes. But the new departure time came and went with no plane or explanation. By the time we took off (2 hours late) chances of making my connection looked slim. I RAN when I got off that plane, but by the time I took the shuttle bus to the right terminal and ran to the farthest gate, my flight to Chicago was long gone. I actually landed one minute AFTER my next flight was scheduled to take off.

After standing in a customer service line for over an hour, they rebooked me for Wednesday night, 2 days after my original reservation. Everything out here is sold out, even after searching multiple airports and airlines. And now there is snow and ice expected in Chicago tomorrow afternoon, making my new flight look not-so-promising.

Going to the airport early tomorrow to stand by on every possible earlier flight, even though most of them are seriously overbooked according to the airline. There is one that the woman said looks possible.

Praying for a Christmas miracle... all I want is to get home in time for our family Christmas Eve celebration...

i realize how ridiculous this is about to sound considering it's the middle of january, but...

it smells like spring outside today.

transition to winter

my "fall" shower gel ran out today (bath & body works sensual amber). guess it's time to switch to one of the "winter" scents (either b&bw japanese cherry blossom, or midnight pomegranite). yes, i change my bath products to match the seasons. come to think of it, i finished burning my apple cinnamon candle yesterday and it might be time to pull out the blackberry one.

on another cold note, i tried to go for a jog today. first time since july or august. and man, it sucks in the cold. i felt really good about myself until i got across the park, and my chest just felt so tight and cold and crampy. i did the jog/walk thing the rest of my route to walgreens (killing two birds with one stone, brought a cd to order photo prints) and walked most of the way back. even with mostly walking, it was 2 miles total, so that's good, right?

and on monday they close my el stop for 6 months to a year. which means instead of just under half a mile, i need to go just over a mile to get to the nearest stop. i think i'm about to become very good friends with the buses around here.

all this outdoor chilliness is making me ready for christmas. i refuse to start celebrating and decorating until after thanksgiving (which incidentally, is my favorite holiday. i love love love turkey and mashed potatoes). but i rearranged my trunk and tables in the apartment to make room for my little tree. it's going to be fun to decorate in a new place. i think maybe i need to have a party once the place is all festive. :)

by Sarah for her mom... from me to mine...

"Wintersong"
by Sarah McLachlan

The lake is frozen over
The trees are white with snow
And all around
Reminders of you
Are everywhere I go

It's late and morning's in no hurry
But sleep won't set me free
I lie awake and try to recall
How your body felt beside me
When silence gets too hard to handle
And the night too long

And this is how I see you
In the snow on Christmas morning
Love and happiness surround you
As you throw your arms up to the sky
I keep this moment by and by

Oh I miss you now, my love
Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas, my love

Sense of joy fills the air
And I daydream and I stare
Up at the tree and I see
Your star up there

And this is how I see you
In the snow on Christmas morning
Love and happiness surround you
As you throw your arms up to the sky
I keep this moment by and by