Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Taking Flight

Our kids gave us a 35th wedding anniversary party.
16 March 2008
Wedding
17 March 1973.
Our kids said since they all missed the 1st time we fed each other cake they wanted us to do it now. Fun!
D got these shamrock glasses. She put apple juice in them so it would look like Irish Ale. Then she asked if I wanted a beer? Funny funny girl!
T & J gave us a gift. It was a box of tissues. Now I know why. Our card contained the printout confirmation on a trip to Washington State so we could fly to see E & C & A. I cried and cried. We will leave for Washington on the 19th of March and fly home on the 31st of March. A did the arrangements for us. C will take us to the airport in KC. A will pick us up and bring us home at the end of our trip. T and J made dinner for us all. J traveled the farthest to be with us and provided the funny googly eyed card for the travel confirmation papers to be in, and the kids all signed it for us. You all made the evening wonderful. Thank you. Everyone was able to come to the party except S, E, C, and A. We missed them. We are sure glad for all who were able to celebrate with us.

This is the first time we ever flew together.

The first time I ever flew I was 12 and it was a small Cessna Piper Cub and it crashed on landing. It was owned by the family who sold Grandpa V the house where I grew up. The plane was flown by the mom and the dad sat co-pilot. My sister P and I were in back. When we crashed all I could think of was I had to find my glasses or I would be in big trouble. My delay exiting the plane got me into bigger trouble! My folks thought I was hurt or dead and that the plane would explode. It did not. I found my glasses. My parents survived the experience also. I flew with D and S in Spring 1987 to Georgia to drive home with Dad. I flew again almost 2 years ago to Idaho when Debbie sent tickets for K and I to visit. So flying is not an everyday thing for me. My odds started out 100% crash. Went to 50%. Then 25%. Now 12 1/2% crash. Odds are getting better in my favor and I like that.

C asked us, how was our trip? Dad said boring. I said eventful! Dad says I am not good with take offs, and I am not good with landings, and I am not much better with anything in between. I said there was turbulance. And the runway felt like it had potholes and we were driving on flat tires. C laughed. She set me up with this blog page so I could share this with you. I was sick in the first picture but I did get better during the flight. Anyway we are here and we are safe. (And I am much better flying now than I ever was.)

This is me feeling very SICK!

(Lamaze breathing still works!)

This is me feeling much better.

I got two windows on the second half of the flight.

The first half of the flight from KC to Denver I sat between Dad and a very nice man who flies every week and took everything in stride. So no windows and no aisle either. Kinda claustrophobic. But the up side of it is that we were in row 10 --the escape row! Comfort there for sure! And more leg room too.

A is a baby doll and has her parents quite well trained for her age. She does baby sit ups with Dad's help and mom as her spotter and laughs with the cutest giggles. I have pictures! She has little hair but what she has is red. She is so cuddly and fun!

We are so glad to be here and thank all of our children and grandchildren for all their generosity. There are so many ways so many of them helped us be here. There are the ones who contributed money for our tickets, the ones who helped with transportation,(getting us to the airport and home at the end of this miracle), and everyone for keeping it a secret surprise.

Thank you all so much! We are so grateful for all of you! We love you all! Bye for now.

3 comments:

Kathryn said...

Julie,
I loved your site. Your grand daughter looks beautiful. I am in such awe that your kids spoiled you both so much. You sure deserve it.
Love ya muches and enjoy your time with your little grand daughter and family.
Flying is not so bad and you're on a "upward" streak of luck.
See you soon.
Kathryn

paulaavandyke said...

Julie,
Looked like fun. Wish I could've been there but was given too little notice.

You look as sick as I felt when I flew for the first time. (As least you had a lot of practice with lamaze breathing, hahaha)
Hope you have a fabulouse time in Washington. What a great gift. You have a nice family.
When it comes to your 50th, make sure whomever surprises you, gives me plenty of notice. I would love to be there!
Love,
Paula

paulaavandyke said...

Julie,
Meant fabulous of course. The extra e is a typo.
Paula