Priceless!

Bottle of water:  $2.50
Book to read:  $11.95 (1/2 refundable if returned within 6 months with original receipt)
Economy Plus: $29.00

We're probably a lot like you.  We research flights and costs online, and buy the cheapest flight that doesn't divert you to some weird place for a layover.  We carefully save up our flight miles, even if it means keeping track of several different frequent flyer plans.  And if we can do a round-trip for two for under $300, we're esctatic!  Dance around the house happy.  Tell everyone in sight happy.

Every penny counts - right?  So of course, I get annoyed when I can't bring my own bottle of water and they confiscate my hand cream because the original container was more than 3 ounces in size.  I'm irritated with myself that I forgot my book at home and had to buy one at the airport, even if there is that nice return clause.  But the extra $29 for five inches more of leg room... ?

You know that bar under the front of your airplane seat?  Well, in the regular economy section, my feet touch the bar on the seat in front of me without my legs being fully extended.  That means that I cannot stretch my legs, never mind do any exercising on long flights.  In fact, on some airplanes, my knees touch the back of the seat in front of me without the seat being reclined.

Now, I'm tall, but not nearly as tall as the average man.  At 5'9", I should be fairly comfortable in my seat.  It may be an unrealistic expectation, but that's my point of view.  Apparently the airlines do not agree with me.  Sigh.

So, the option for the extra five inches seemed a little bit sneaky - shorten the leg room and then charge them to get it back.  On the first leg of the flight, I rejected the option.  I didn't want to fall for their scheme.  But that was before I was confronted with the reality of being a menopausal woman and the swelling of my legs when confined for several hours.  Ugh.  Ouch.  Double-ugh.  (and that's WITH old lady compression hose!)

For the return flight, I caved.  We were scheduled for different rows anyway, and when I confirmed our tickets, I added the leg room.

Oh... my... such luxury!  I can wiggle my ankles around.  I can still see my ankles!  I can stretch without kicking the bar on the seat n front of me. My feet don't hurt!

So, don't tell the airline.  Their little ploy worked.  I caved.  I'll do it again.  It was SO worth it.

Understanding and generous husband:  PRICELESS!!

Time Management

You would think that by now I could manage to organize myself a little bit better, but it seems I never learn.  Tomorrow I have to work half of the day and then go to class for four hours in the evening.  That, in itself, is no big deal.  But the following morning I leave for vacation and here I sit.

I could be packing my suitcase or even organizing things - but my clothes are in the washer and the last thing I really feel like doing is straightening the house.  It's the story of my life.

I have all these plans to get things done on time and I start out fine - but somewhere along the way it goes haywire.  I've raised three daughters (with my husband, of course) and have managed to get a bachelor's degree along the way.  I'm even in a master's program - but I still have not managed to get my life organized to the way I want it to be.  Or maybe I have.  Maybe I really like it this way.  Maybe I'm just fine with my life.

So, drop by and sweep the clean laundry aside on the couch.  I'll make you a latte and we'll sit and chat.