D-Day!!!

What a couple of days!!!! As D-day (departure day) approached, my nerves ran amuck!! Packing and repacking to get as much as possible into the baggage for the flight was frustrating, especially given the fact that each bag could weigh no more than 50lbs. If they weighed 51 lbs? $150!! By Wednesday evening most clothes were washed and most bags were closed, and most not to be opened again til NZ. We headed to Hattiesburg to have dinner with Billy’s dad and his wife. The kids enjoyed GattiTown and the adults enjoyed the visit. Back at Mom’s, I addressed Kaigan’s graduation announcements and turned in relatively early.


D-day!!! Also Mom’s birthday!!! I was an absolute wreck. Suddenly there seemed to be so much stuff and so little room to pack it! I felt like a chicken with my head cut off. Much to Billy and the kids’ relief, I went with Mom to run some errands. Got back, finished up some laundry, ordered lunch so we could sit down and eat as soon as we reached the restaurant and loaded up an F350 and an Expedition with 18 bags to check, 13 carry-on items, 10 people (9 of whom were flying), a dog crate and the pooch that was to fly in it! Perry’s Seafood had our lunch ready and on the table when we arrived and they quickly filled drink orders. They were super! And the food was terrific. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t stick. As we neared the airport west bound on I10 (heading away from New Orleans) I became very ill and tossed what was once my delicious oyster poboy out of the window of Mom’s Expedition! As miserable as I felt, what consumed my thought was that the passing drivers would all think I was some drunk lady coming from the French Quarter!!! One car began passing on the left only to drop back to avoid the spray! When I paused for a moment they proceeded to pass at which point I gave them an apologetic wave. By the time we reached the airport I was shaky and week. I guess it’s all nerves but it’s so frustrating to feel like , not only am I useless to help, but I’m also another person for Billy to worry about. While the skycap checked our bags (not one of which did he weigh!), I was perched on Pete’s crate with my head in my hands, taking slow, deep breaths, pray I would not be sick again.

Next we checked Pete :-( Poor guy. Wish I could just explain it to him. And yes I cried.

Now… SECURITY! This was our most dreaded part of our trip. Thankfully, we sailed through with very little problem. We definitely got some curious looks, and a few people even asked questions, but all in all it really was a piece of cake. Big THANK YOU JESUS on that one!!!

Finally, at the gate we had a few minutes to hit the restrooms and catch our breath. Mom had arranged with the people at the gate to board first with those with special needs or infants. Guess they figured a party of 9 with 5 kids under 18 was “special enough“!

On the plane and in the air… HERE WE GO!!!!