We had a great week in Hawaii and decided to start trying to get on flights home a day early. DS(18) has this big talent competition for senior boys at school this weekend and he was starting to stress out about it. DH works for the airlines so we can fly for free, IF there are seats open. It was a miracle all for of us got to HI on the fist flight we tried.

So we packed up and settled our bill at the hotel, but left it so that we could come back since we had paid for another night. We got to the airport at noon and the first flight left completely full at 3pm. Then we hung arorund for the two red-eyes that left within a half hour of each other. It didn't look good. Finally at the last second, on the last flight, there was a seat available. We had already worked it out that DS would go first. DD(15.5) started crying quietly because she was tired and wanted to go home too. I felt so bad for her! Then the gate agent came running back up the jetway and called our last name again saying there was one more seat. We kissed DD and told her to hurry so the flight could close out on time.

After making sure the plane left safely, DH and I took a shuttle back to Waikiki and spent another night at our hotel (sans kids, that was nice). The next day we repeated the process. DH had secured some extremely cheap standby tickets (for airline employees) for us on Hawaiian Airlines and we got the last two seats on their (one) flight to Phoenix. And the seats were togther (unheard of). It was a wonderful flight on a wide-body aircraft with real food (complimentary) and pillows and blankets. I was in heaven.

Even though there were blankets, I froze in my window seat, It seemed so much colder in our spot than anywhere else on the airplane. I run cold anyway, so I had on jeans, flats, a tank, a T shirt, a scarf, a blazer and a trench coat all done up! I removed my shoes and put on thick acrylic athletic socks. I covered up with my extra pashmina, my Hawaiian sarong and the blanket. I actually put my feet and legs *inside* my unzipped carry-on tote to try to keep the cold air off of them! Crazy I know. I wore headphones just to keep my ears warm and my nose was as cold as a puppy's.
Everyone else on the plane seemed comfortable so I didn't want to complain (especially since we were essentially "guests" of the airline).

We landed at midnight and you'd think this story was over, but wait, there's more! We took the courtesy van to the off-sight place we use to park our car. It's one of those budget places and though it's quite safe, it isn't well lit. The driver dropped us off right beside our car and helped us with our bags. I was tipping him and didn't see that DH had left his (black) tote right at my feet. I walked right into it and fell hard, barely getting my hands out in front of me. My chin and upper lip hit the ground next so now I look like I'm victim of domestic violence. DH felt so bad and kept saying how sorry he was all the way home. This morning I've even got him doing the laundry, heh!

I have a few K/Rs to do but they will have to wait until the swelling goes down a bit. For now I'm so happy to be home (that I kissed the ground when I got here). Thanks for reading!