How I spent my summer vacation by Earth Dog

Due to popular demand, it seems I must blog my vacation. Please note that due to the length of my escapades, I will be blogging only 1 day at a time. So here goes!

Day 1

3:45 am - The alarm goes off...enough time for me to get in the shower, finish packing my toiletries and be ready for the shuttle to pick me up at 4:30 am.

4:33 am - I am ready! I am impressed!!

Now my ex agreed to stay at the house and take care of the animals while I was gone. He was sleeping on the sofa but soon woke up with all the noise I had been making.

About the shuttle, approximately 2 months ago I made these reservations for them to pick me up and bring me home. I pre-paid the $60.00 and was instructed to confirm my reservations. I called the day before and did just that. The voice said yes, we show both pick up and return trip and we show the pick up for 4:30 on Friday morning. I felt secure in knowing that all was well with the world.

5:00 am - I am still sitting. My flight is at 7:00 am and thanks to Al Quida, I have been instructed to be at the airport 2 hours early. I call the shuttle to inquire as to their arrival time. The sleepy sounding woman on the other end informed me that they had another client to pick up first and that they would be at my house in 15 minutes. OK.

5:20 am - I call the shuttle service and in my most professional voice I say...I am still waiting and if the shuttle is not here in 5 minutes I want a full refund. The woman on the other end of the phone advises that it will take the driver 7 minutes to arrive. I said fine, I will wait 7 minutes.

5:30 am - I'm loading up my car, screaming at my ex to get dressed and take me to the airport! I'm calling the shuttle service as I'm driving 85 mph down the freeway. The shuttle service agreed to a full refund.

6:10 am - arrive at the airport and sent to a special room for screening. I'm starting to hyperventilate!

6:20 am - I arrive at the gate to hear an announcement..."We are unable to board the flight at this time. The 5th flight attendant has not yet shown up for work. Once she arrives, we will begin boarding". I'm thinking...She's waiting for the FREAKIN SHUTTLE!!!

Noon (time change to Eastern time) - I meet my mother at the Baltimore airport. We have a nice visit and talk for the 2 hour car trip to Lancaster, PA.

2:00 pm - Visit with the Aunt and Uncle who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They had a nice lunch for us and we caught up on lots of family stuff.

3:00 pm - Checked into the hotel. The room was comfortable. I thought about taking a nap before searching the hotel for my cousins. All the sudden I hear a piece of paper being slid under the door. It seems there is to be a wedding reception in the courtyard area of the hotel and the room I am in is one that will be directly impacted. I go over and open the curtains and sure enough...there outside my first floor window is a GIANT wedding cake. The note says there will be music until 11:00 pm.

The rest of evening was spent visiting and catching up with family members. Tomorrow's plans are to pick up my brother from the Baltimore airport at 6:43 am, photos, luncheon, visiting.

10:00 pm - I'm lying in my bed, listening to 50 people singing Brick House and Celebrate and a DJ who thinks he's Casey Casem. I set the alarm clock for 3:45 am so that I can get up and begin the 2 hour drive to the airport tomorrow.

11:00 pm - I'm tired. They've been playing songs I don't know at the wedding I was not invited to. I thought about getting up and going for a piece of cake in my pj's but mother talked me out of it.

11:05 pm - The music finally stopped. Good night for now. Day 2 will come later.