October 12, 2013

Okay, what happened to the October 11 post? Well, we traveled back to San Diego on the 11th, and because our flight got changed, at the very last moment, we didn't get home until almost midnight, and the girls didn't get to bed until almost 00:30 (12:30am) as a result. What happened was that we arrived at the airport later than I had wanted, but still 45 minutes prior to our flight. Should have been enough time to get to the plane, but wait - we were traveling with a wheelchair and a service dog, and both issues perplexed the folks at the ticket counter. But wait, there's more - United didn't know Jason was traveling with anyone else, even though this was a return flight; they didn't know he even had a wheelchair; and, they didn't know he had a service dog. I guess they don't track that sort of thing. It also took them nearly 10 minutes to find me and both girls on their terminals. AND, there were already two other service dogs on the plane, and therefore, since they apparently got on the plane before we did (like I said we arrived later than I wanted to - more on that later) and they can't have more than one animal per cabin. They only have two cabins so therefore Jason wouldn't have been allowed on anyway. Who cares that this causes him to be up in his chair an additional three hours, and that there are two little girls traveling with him. If he wanted to stay up in his chair and generate extra pain he would have stayed longer at the concert the night before, where he was enjoying himself.

Why we arrived later than I wanted was that we had a rental van, and like all rental vehicles it was requested that it come back with a full tank of gas. That took an extra 5 minutes - close gas station and we were in and out very quickly. Turning in the van took a few minutes longer than we had wanted, and between the two it caused us to be later, by an extra 15 minutes. I know I should have pushed everyone to move a little faster, but I didn't know what was going to happen at SFO. As it turned out, the flight crews on all of the United flights we've been on have been great and very helpful. It is simply the coordination of the folks on the ground that seem to be causing the greatest challenge. To their credit, they did provide us with a little better service, once they figured out that we were supposed to be there, and checked all the bags and car seats (no extra charge). Jason and I talked about this and have said we really need to focus on making sure our travel arrangements are rock solid so that these things don't happen again.

Now, what about today, October 12 - Well, we all got up a bit later than usual, as one might guess, and then Jason was contacted by the girls mother. Apparently there was another change in plans and we had to get Stacy and Jackie up and over to her, as she was not going anywhere. Originally they were to stay with us until Monday and Tuesday, which our our regular days. We don't mind taking them over, we were just a little surprised by the sudden change, as I think everyone was. The government shut down is affecting all kinds of aspects of people's lives, and this was one of the impacts to us. Anyway, the girls were excited to go, yet sad they had to leave, Stacy said she was going to miss us, and already misses Grandma. It will be good to get the routine back in order, I think, for everybody.

I did do one load of clothes today, but that was about it. Other than Jason's dressing change, and fixing a couple of meals, I really didn't do much of anything, and neither did Jason. We both just kind of loafed. I will be washing more clothes tomorrow, and getting things going again, with as much of a regular routine as we can, just to get back to a more regular life. Thank you, to everyone for all the continued prayers and support. Take care and stay positive.