So, I’m supposed to be in Chicago….but I’m not. Let’s break it down.
- MRS in in Dallas this week.
- A meeting that I really couldn’t pass up arose for me and I was supposed to hit the Windy City this morning–a 6:50 flight necessitating me to get up at 4am.
- Two days ago, Lilly complained about an ear ache. A little Motrin knocked it right out–well masked the pain.
- To take my trip I had to enlist Lulu’s daycare provider, Emily, to take the kids last night and tonight, and MRS would be home in time to pick them up tomorrow.
- NEWSFLASH: O’Hare Airport Gets Bad Weather-Shocker
- Snow in Chicago resulted in my 6:50 flight being cancelled.
- I was rebooked on an 8:50 flight which actually boarded and was showing “on time.”
- Naturally, the Captain came on to announce a possible 4-6 hour delay.
- Many passengers on the 777 were displeased to say the least; I smiled just a bit. I didn’t want to go to Chicago in the middle of winter, for work, for a day and a half.
- As soon as we all deplaned United announced clearance from air traffic and back on board we went.
- As I resettled in my seat and just seconds before I powered down my phone, it rang. Lilly’s school called to inform me that she had pink eye. I immediately called Emily who had already gotten the call from the school. Needless to say, neither she nor the parents of the three other children she watches wanted Pink-Eyed Lilly hanging around the crew.
- I had to act fast. I jumped up and grabbed my bag out of the overhead and bee-lined it for the cabin door. They were just getting ready to close it. I had been chatting up the Flight Attendants earlier and they knew I didn’t want to go on the trip.
- “I’m not feeling it I said. You gals are in for a long flight.”
- They smiled knowingly as I departed. Cofindence was low to say the least.
- NOTE: I just checked the status of United 910 which departed shortly after I bailed. They just got rerouted to Indianapolis. Gotta love pink eye.
As fortuitous as my decision/dilemma ended up for me. I feel terrible for the young Mom I met. She and her 14-month-old daughter were on their way to Chicago to catch a hop over to Frankfurt where her husband is based in the military and where they live. Something tells me there’s no direct flight from Indy to Frankfurt.
As for Lilly, she has raging pink eye to go along with an ear infection. I decided to leave Lulu at Emily’s house tonight to try to keep them as far apart as possible. Of course, I’m sure I’ll wake up with puss-spackled eyes glued shut tomorrow, so I’m not completely sure an all day trek to Chicago via Indy would have been the worst case scenario. But I’m home and I have one third of my gang with me. That’s definitely better than an Embassy Suites in the lonely midwest.
Either way, I’m coming to realize that planning anything when kids come into play is an effort in futility. Better to surprise them with unannounced agendas so they don’t have time to plot against you and launch their viral evil forces.
Posted by henitsirk on February 6, 2008 at 7:50 pm
That’s one of the best post titles I’ve seen in a long time. I hope Lilly’s feeling better soon, and I just want to say, God bless awesome people like Emily!
Posted by Angie in Texas on February 6, 2008 at 9:22 pm
pink eye sucks, but pink eye when you’re out of town and out of touch with the pediatrician sucks more . . . and at least there’s no puking. =)
Posted by MammaLoves on February 6, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Mmm. Just got over pink-eye myself last week. Don the goggles man!!
Posted by Jared on February 6, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Man, you are luckier than me. I hopped on a plane this morning to go to Memphis, TN. I was expeting a package via FedEx (from Chicago). Well, with the snow in Chicago and the tornados in Memphis…let’s just say I’ve spent a long loney day in a hotel room surfing the internat on a shaky wireless connection that only works 25% of the time. Be glad you hopped of that plane!
Posted by Ellen on February 7, 2008 at 6:27 am
I travel to Indianapolis for business all the time. In fact, I’m heaing there on Monday. Lucky me! Take it from me when I say you got LUCKY, brother. You would have been trapped there for no good reason. There are few flights out of there that are direct. The poor woman heading to Frankfurt probably had to get to NY or Dulles. Plus, the airport has crappy food and few bars. What’s the point? Enjoy the boogers.
Posted by Hannah on February 7, 2008 at 6:43 am
Eww, pink eye. Hate that one. Hope Lilly gets over it quickly. And where can I get an Emily? Because she sounds like a goddess / lifesaver.
Posted by Jennine on February 7, 2008 at 7:04 am
Just reading about your day makes me want to become Amish and never leave my farm except to sell Whoopie Pies to the English at the end of my driveway.
I seriously don’t know how you do it.
Posted by Roth Family Adventures on February 8, 2008 at 9:36 am
Saved by the pink eye. Although, I hope you don’t get infected. That happened to me last Christmas. No fun.
Posted by Stacey on February 8, 2008 at 10:14 am
Oh no! Hope she’s feeling better by now–and that everyone else (miraculously) missed the Pink Eye infestation!
Posted by (un)relaxeddad on February 8, 2008 at 10:48 am
That is so icky – I remember when dudelet woke up two years ago with his eyelids stuck together in such a panic. He’d only just started to talk but could only yell “Daddy” Hope your little girl is not too distressed.
Posted by Bill on February 8, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hate to hear about all the bad luck man. What you said about there being no room for planning when it comes to kids is dead on. It takes us 20 minutes to just get in the car.
Posted by Momo Fali on February 10, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Uh oh! Did you ever make it?!
Posted by the weirdgirl on February 12, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Eat lots of yogurt to avoid the pink eye. Or power down some acidophilus pills – that will help. Good luck!
Posted by emmasometimes on February 12, 2008 at 12:08 pm
hehe, I’ve never known a parent to be that happy over pink-eye. Okay, seriously..hope she is better.
PS. if you need a tried and true homeopathic remedy for pink eye, shout me an email. I’ve had it twice and never for more than two days. It really works.
Posted by Worker Mommy on February 12, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Isn’t that always the way. I’ve only taken one business trip away since the twins were born and as luck would have it that was the time my son swallowed two quarters.
I”m very nervous for the trip I’ll be taking in June
Posted by Dawn on February 15, 2008 at 12:05 pm
O’Horror Airport with flight delays … SHOCKING!