Vermont Trip Part I

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As always, the trip home is a long haul. I need to fly into the Burlington, VT airport (the closest one) and there is never a direct flight coming from Texas – so a layover is expected, you just need to find the best one.

I chose to go home early for Christmas for a few reasons. Cheaper, short flights / less layovers (one is enough) and to avoid the anxious Christmas travelers. Plus, I don’t have to share my family and friends. A little selfish here, haha.

I left Dallas / Ft. Worth headed to Burlington via Dulles. I’ve now adapted to having layovers only where I have friends. No sense in getting stranded where I don’t know a soul. The first flight was great. No turbulence, beautiful clear day – we were even a few minutes early. Awesome!

Flight #2 – I arrive at Dulles and immediately see my next flight is delayed about an hour. OK that’s not so bad. A little time goes by, an announcement is made – flight cancelled due to mechanical issues. As much as it sucks, I appreciate them telling us then and not later (I was on an AA flight once and we waited 11 hours before they cancelled the flight. That was fun.) So everyone rushes to get a new flight. All the flights out of Dulles to Burlington are booked.

I ended up being put on a direct flight out of Reagan National Airport to Burlington. Yes, I was at Dulles. The airline provided a voucher for a cab. Thank you. I just had to get there. I grouped up with three other lovely ladies in line and decided this was going to be a group traveling effort. We were all from different backgrounds, all older than myself. One a retired publisher/consultant (I believe) who lived in the DC area for thirty years. She now lives outside Savannah, GA and was headed to her second home in Vermont. Another, a retired wedding planner, not estate sales / interior designer who lives in Lake Placid, on her way home. The third, a woman from Bethesda who was on her way to Vermont. We all had Green Mountains on the mind. It was great to spend some time with them and listen to some of their stories.

We left Dulles Airport headed to Reagan and it turned out to be more of a mini DC sight seeing tour. We drove by Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon (they’re still fixing it from 9-11, hard to imagine ten years later) and finally arrived at the airport. We went thru security for a second time (chugged an overpriced bottle of water I purchased earlier in the day) and we were good to go. Considering I do love the sights of DC, the change in flights wasn’t at a loss. After take off, I had the BEST view.

(Try to ignore the corner of the windows in a couple of the pictures.)

The Capital Building, Washington Monument, Smithsonian’s, Lincoln Memorial and if you look to the left of the Washington Monument – you can see the White House!
Sights changed when I came into land in the Green Mountain State!
Thank you for the snow!

It’s December 1st Ya’ll!

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Christmas has to be my favorite time of the year! It’s a time to spend with family and friends. Neighborhoods, communities and businesses are all decorated with lights and there are always a ton of festivities going on. This month, I would like to share some things that I’ve done in the past and some places that I have traveled to during the holiday season.
First, what better way to start off than decorating your home! I couldn’t wait. I got my tree last Sunday!
Yes, it is a real one. Although, I would actually prefer cutting it down myself, I do not have that luxury at the moment but I was able to get a real tree in good ole Texas!
Now that I look at it, she is a little crooked!
The nativity scene was my Memere’s. She had purchased it a few years ago (I think in the 50’s). I remember playing with when I was a child. Brings back some good memories.
I’ve got some pretty good ornaments on here.
The cow! It’s a must for this Vermont gal. Same with the John Deere milk jug.
In the bottom corner we have a Canadiens ball – love some hockey!
The Longhorns football – represent Texas!
Snowmen, snowflakes – It is Christmas time folks!
The mantle. The stockings I made myself a couple years ago. They turned out a bit bigger than planned. Let’s just say when they have items in them, they no longer hang – more or less “sit” on the mantle.
SANTA!
This is actually a flag that you are suppose to stick on a pole outside. It belonged to my Pepere before he passed away. It’s very special to me.
My DIY project. I had bought the garland and added some lights, berries and pine cones (which smell fantastic). It’s a great way to brighten up the entrance.
Finally, this is my card rack. As you can see – no cards! I’ll be waiting for yours in the mail!
Happy Holidays!

Being Thankful, Week 4

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There are so many things that I am thankful for, it’s hard to get them all out. I think some are pretty obvious – family (I wouldn’t be who I am without them and am very blessed to have them in my life), great friends, a home and having a job. I have a hard time putting into words how thankful I am to have the people that I do in my life. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reach out to those and be grateful.

For Thanksgiving, I was 2,000 miles away from my family. I missed being able to spend the day with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, future niece / nephew and Memere but I was able to speak to them and catch up. Although it wasn’t the same as being there, it was still nice to be able to speak to them. Since I was away from home, I was able to spend the day with some friends here and I’m very thankful that they were so kind to invite me into their home on this special day.

I’m thankful for the following:
… the unexpected.
… the expected.
… kindness of strangers. (Special thanks goes to those who know how to merge in traffic. It’s truly an issue in DFW!)
… the holiday season.
… real Christmas trees in the South!
… crafts.
… my plants deciding to grow.
… the time I was able to spend with my Pepere when he was here. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could just spend time with you one more time. Happy Birthday on the 26th.
… the fact that I will be able to head back to Vermont in about a week!
… and all of you for reading my blog. I’m not sure if it’s all that entertaining sometimes but I really do appreciate you coming by!

This list can probably go on for a good long time. I’ll cut it short tonight, but I’m not less thankful! Thank you for my blessings each and everyday!