We made it through the trip to Kansas and back in one piece. The flight out was a pleasant surprise - I didn't get searched (I ALWAYS get searched). On the trip back, I must have gone back to my suspicious look. After going through the metal detector (without any problems), I was pulled aside and "wanded". I had to take off my shoes (which disappeared for a bit) and then had to stand spread-eagle as they passed the magic wand over my various parts. The legs/feet were a real treat as I had to stand on one leg and stick my other leg straight out as the wand was passed over, around and under the raised leg (was this a DWI test or a metal search?). Of course the wand caught the zipper on my jeans so I had to pull my shirt up so they could poke at my belly to make sure it was all me. The wonderful Spouse had a good chuckle (as usual), but they finally decided it was safe to let me board the plane.
We had a great time visiting both our families during Christmas week! We stayed in Wichita at my sister and brother-in-law's place for the first part of the week. My WONDERFULL Niece volunteered to vacate her room so that we would have somewhere private to sleep (thanks a bunch!). My Mom and Dad hosted all the dinners (GREAT food) so we definitely didn't starve to death! We managed to bring snow with us to Wichita and there were an amazing 430+ vehicle accidents between 11 AM and 9 PM that day. Unfortunately my sister and brother-in-law were one of the statistics as they managed to total their truck. However there was a happy ending since they were wearing their seatbelts and walked away with just bruising and minor scratches.
Christmas day we headed to the Salina/Junction City area to be with the Wonderfull Spouse's family. We all met up at Casey and Rene's, where we all stuffed ourselves with a pot luck dinner (using paper plates so there was little clean up to do) then had a Yankee swap for presents. For those not familiar with a Yankee swap, each person brings a gift (not too expensive and wrapped - but no name tag on it). Then everyone draws a number from a hat then in numerical order, each person selects a gift. Then you go around the room, each person drawing an "instruction". Instructions may be such things as 'open gift', 'exchange with someone who has recently graduated', 'exchange with someone with green eyes' etc. Once some of the gifts have been opened, people can see what they are swapping for and things become competitive (the swappee has no choice in the matter). As there are not many 'open gift' cards, the drawing of instructions goes around the room many times. When all the gifts have been opened, the drawing of instructions stops - but you still are not sure if you have your final gift. Everyone has the chance to swap one more time. In reverse numerical order (remember the number that we first drew?) each person has a chance to swap with someone or to keep their gift. It is great fun, and everyone is satisfied with what they got. Both the Spouse and I got organizer drawers (the types for screws, nails and such), and we can always use something for organization!
We stayed with the Wonderfull Spouse's mother for a couple of nights then at the Spouse's sister's place the last night (Thanks a Bunch to you too). We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer, but at the same time it was great to get home (to the 16" of snow). The dogs and cats were definitely glad to see us.
I would like to thank everyone who made this possible:
- Harry - for plowing the driveway
- Chris - for taking care of the animals in the morning
- Karen - for taking care of the animals in the evening
- All the family members who took us into their homes so we wouldn't have to live in a hotel
- All the family members who fed us
- United Airlines who, despite going bankrupt, got us to and from our destination with a minimum of inconvenience
- All the shuttle drivers at the airports who were cheerfull even though they were working long hours
- Thrifty Rental Car who upgraded us to a PT Cruiser for free (very comfortable)
Comments