Fly Me Away….

Me, the bro and mom, FUHREEZING!

My posts this week will be limited, as I’m in the great state of Indiana, visiting my brother and his family for the first time since the Texas Exodus back in August.

My mom and I arrived  in Indiana this morning, by way of Tampa, Florida of all places. We purposely chose an extremely early flight (at least by my standards) so that we could have as much time as possible  to visit on such a short trip. This meant me getting up at 4 am, inhaling coffee, sitting on my suitacase to get it shut, not showering and rushing out the door.

In all honestly we cut the time kind of close, but it’s never been an issue, until today.

We arrived at the small Houston airport, thinking of all the unlucky people at the big Houston airport, only to run smack dab into 500 other people I guess thinking the same thing.

While you might think that someone had taped an explosive to his ass, or someone else had to make so many trips to the bathroom that the National Guard was called in, not in this case.

Apparently a local marching band was going to the Rose Bowl, and it totally backed up baggage claim. Not security.

And guess how I found that out?

When I stepped off the parking shuttle, into the 32 degree air, still with minimal coffee, and ran right into Jamie, my friend from college who I’ve not seen since 1992 I believe.

Jamie, honey, you deserve some sort of award.

How you spotted me at that hour, in the dark, outside, freezing my rear off, about to lose a flight, when I last saw you 80 pounds heavier and pregnant, is a testament to the power of Facebook photos. You rock girl, I was happy to see you, and thanks for giving me the scoop.

We waited and waited in the non-moving baggage check in line, and eventually my mom left to beg Southwest to allow us to cut to the front of the line.

Nah, that would be too easy.

They made us wait.

I'm teaching this one to blog like Aunt Shannon...

We missed the flight, but just barely.

After finally getting through baggage check in, and getting a new flight to sunny Tampa, we went through the extremely short security line.

I walked straight through, my mom, not so much.

Let’s just say I’m not joining The Amazing Race with mom. Jeopardy, for sure. Amazing Race, nope.

She wore her totally hip, but oh-so-not-airport-friendly clothes.

Mom was absolutely the epitomy of grandmas stylin’, until it came to security.

I’ve gone through enough airport scanners lately, I’ve got it down. I could strip nekkid if I had to, in about 3 seconds flat.

While I zipped through and waited on the other side of the TSA guards, my mom was being passed up by other passengers.

Off came one boot. Then the other.

My future stylist...

Long coat, off.

Scarf, off.

Beret (yes, as in BERET, but it looked so cute before and after the scanner), off.

Gloves, purse, oh yeah laptop and what else am I forgetting?

I think 25 people passed her up before she had de-robed enough to walk past the wands.

And another 25 passed her up while she re-dressed!

We FINALLY made it to our terminal, missed the S t. Louis flight, and caught one to Tampa instead, before arriving in Louisville 3 hours late.

I’m so happy to be here with my brother and his kids.

It’s not exactly Texas.

But it will do just fine.

Future heart throb...

Even if it’s cold enough outside to keep a Corona cold with no cooler.

And even if they put spaghetti in their chili.

It’ll do just fine.

(PS…basements rock…I want one of these! You could hide a kid down here!)

If you enjoyed this post, get the e-mail version, follow my Working Mom series, or become an Examiner yourself!

Follow me for the next 4 weeks as I take part in the Gotta Love Chevy, Mom Needs A Time Out blogging project! There will be daily give aways and prizes! Come on over to our Facebook Group!
Or visit my friends over at Munday Chevrolet, here in Houston! Tell them Shannon sent you!