Saturday, November 22, 2014

DONE!!!!

If there was any question left in my mind about my decision to retire from travel teaching......it's gone.  As Thanksgiving week is nearing....I'm going to share a bit of what it's like to travel these days, but mostly reflect on what I am thankful for.  #1  The amazing career I've had for the past 25+ years!!!

Without going into too much drama, though I could probably write a novel.....I'll begin by saying that on Monday, my first flight of the day cancelled and USAirways could not accommodate me on any future flights that day. Delta could get me to Atlanta, but not to Ft. Lauderdale that day.  Of course not going was NOT an option! Ultimately, I wormed a ride with two business men who had decided to rent a car together and drive to Charlotte in the hopes of making their flights.  I'm thankful for the kindness of strangers....who helped me haul my heavy suitcases in the rain from the rental car facility to the bus to the terminal and inside.  Turns out my flight to FL was delayed....then after arriving late in Ft. Lauderdale, my hostess and I sat on I95 in heavy traffic due to an accident making me even later for dinner with a couple of the Boca Raton Quilt Guild members.

To top the day off.....my credit card company alerted me that they were cancelling my card due to fraudulent charges on my account.  I'm thankful that the bank overnighted a new card to my hotel.  Now home, I spent 90 mins. yesterday updating everything that required a credit card on file...... geesh.  

My itinerary for the trip home got changed too.......the first flight departed nearly 30 mins. earlier than what I booked.  I'm thankful the president of the guild generously and with good spirits picked me up at 6:00 AM for the 45 mins. drive to the airport.  That flight was on time....but my original flight to Asheville was eliminated after I booked it so I had a 3.5 hour layover in Charlotte.  I'm thankful for my ipad.....which kept me busy rewatching season 4 of Downton Abby.

 I'm thankful and astonished that one of the students in my workshop not only remembered the story behind this quilt, made in 1997, but wanted to purchase it as well.

It's titled, 'Along The Quilting Highway' 17" x 17" - hand appliqued, hand quilted, painted, featuring 3-d trees and Barbie Doll shoes beaded to guardrail posts.  It was inspired by a teaching trip to Los Alamos, NM where shoes show up regularly displayed along the highway.

I don't know if there's a statue of limitations on what might be considered destruction of government property.....so all I'll say is that while there.....I did my part!!

7 comments:

Kathy said...

Do the happy dance--you are done-done-done! What a horrible travel sequence for you. Glad you're home safe and free of those obligations. Enjoy!!!

The Idaho Beauty said...

Well, so much for seamless! I've heard stories of stranded passengers banding together to get by car where they were supposed to get by air, but I'm not sure how brave I'd be, a lady on her own, about sharing a ride with strange men, businessmen or not! I can just see your desperation and determination though, such that no guy would DARE be anything but gentlemanly with you. ;-)

But yes, now you are done done done, and future flights will only be for pleasure and on your own timetable. Congrats on the sale and winding up a very successful teaching career.

margaret said...

good that you are home again after such an alfull journey keep snug and warm and keep up your creativity for us all

Robbie said...

So now you could just fly to Ocala area this winter because all your 'bad' flight stuff should be over with!!! Then Kay and I could see you!!!

Windy Hill Happenings said...

Congratulations on your retirement...I know it has been a wild and wonderful journey. The quilt world is losing one of very best teachers of all time but Asheville is all the luckier to have you around more....

Nancy said...

Good heavens what a saga. I missed this post due to computer problems that have persisted for several weeks. Just in case you had any lingering doubt about ending your long travel-teaching career, I'm sure it's cured! All the best, and enjoy the time you'll now have for other pursuits.

Teresa Duryea Wong said...

It is interesting how unreliable flying has become. These days, you have to go the day before just to get to where you are going. So glad you have retired... now you can slow down all the crazy travel stuff.