Starting and Finishing the Journey Home...

Our day started with Devonia needing to head over to the Doctor's office to get her drains removed and then we were off to the Cancer Center for her scan. Now this part just cracked me up since we all know I have a sick sense of humor sometimes. Devonia had to drink this water looking "contrast" before the scan and wasn't allowed to eat prior either. So we arrive and this guy brings out one of these 16 oz glasses FULL of this contrast. She sputters, spits and sips her way through this apparently awful tasting stuff with me talking about the "GOURMET" magazine recipes that look so wonderful. She's getting madder by the second as I'm telling her "YUM! YUM!" with each sip of the contrast. Finally, about 30 min's later, another guy comes out and takes her back for the scan. I'm sure Devonia couldn't wait to get away from me.

After the scan we felt that she and I deserved a wonderful meal as it was almost 11. So once again being in close proximity to "RockFish", we raced over there and quickly placed our orders and waited impatiently. Finally!... the food arrived, (in about 3 min's) and we dug in. Starting with a cup of soup and bread followed by Devonia's - Crab Salad and......

my Crawfish Etouffee. Now THAT was yummy!

From there we headed back to Devonia's as I still have to finish packing and get ready for my ride to the airport.

Now I didn't take pictures of my ride to the airport. Suffive to say, I made it with time to spare, Thanks to my Dad and Mom. Angie (their dog) was just along for the ride.

They arrived at the alloted 4:30. Dad quickly loaded my luggage into the car. (Thank you again Dad!) Then jumped in the car while Mom and I said goodbye to Devonia. Racing down the street it was decided that we'd go to Taco Bueno for an early dinner. It was wonderful, as always Taco Bueno is. From there we drove west on Parker Rd. to the access road for the Dallas North Tollway. Dad thought we could access the George Bush Turnpike from there. (Well we all learned a valuable lesson.) That is not possible. So passing the turnpike, doing a U-turn, I watching the clock, we headed back up the opposite access road to the second light and Dad
did some awe inspiring maneuvering to get us up on the ND Tollway to pay our $0.40 drive a few feet and exit onto the GB Tollway. We drove all the way on the GB Tollway that eventually merges with 635. From there making it to the airport was a breeze and we arrived at 6. I couldn't believe that we actually made it on time.

We said our goodbyes and I raced into the airport security area to be met by a less than friendly woman who quickly informed me that I wasn't doing anything right. I tried to make light of the "errors of my ways" only to be presented with a frown and shrug of impatience. So, moving on, I placed my "4" items onto the belt of the x-ray machine and watched them slowly disappear. I moved through without difficulty and then was asked if I had something "pointy" in my bag. Of course! the knitting needles. So I explained that..... apparently without calming this guys suspicion. So over we went to have my bag gone through. Upon opening the bag, a heavy scent of mint filled the air. Everyone inhaled deeply to truely appreciate the fragrance. Devonia's mint was a delight for the senses. The knitting needles not being the problem the guy searched until he came up with all of my packs of "EXTRA" gum. I guess the corners of the packs posed a threat to national security. Laughing with him I placed all of my stuff back in place and moved to the waiting area of gate 30.

The flights were uneventful, thankfully and I arrived in Denver at gate 17 (one away from the end of the terminal) and had to get to gate 56 (opposite end of the terminal). Fortunately I had about an hour and was able to somewhat leisurely stroll to the next gate. (Remember! Always brush your teeth before leaving for a day of flights!) I got on the plane and was sitting next to man who had, as he proceeded to tell me, flown in from Pittsburg BUT spent the previous day in Talladega, Ala at the Speedway and then driven to Pittsburg, slept for 2 hours before catching his flight to Denver and then on to Colorado Springs. Remember with every breath he was exhaling in my direction. Apparently at no point in all that time did he brush his teeth. The odor coming from his direction was, how to say this delicately, disgusting. I just kept thinking, "Thank the Lord this flight is just 20 min's long!"

The temp in Colorado Springs when we got off the plane was a crisp 43* and wonderulfully refreshing. Especially after the flight companion I had just experienced.

Upon arriving home I found my house to be completely void of the usual clutter! My 4 youngest, according to their father, had spent the last two days preparing the house for my arrival home. Tears coming to my eyes, I looked around in wonder. MY children did this? MY CHIILDREN!?

I'm still blinking in disbelief. Look at how my table shines! Look at the family room. Not a thing out of place.

My children really missed me! They DO love me!

Devonia, I miss you already and especially all the bossing that you let me do while I was there!

Mom and Dad, Thank you for sharing your time with me for a couple of days and doing all the driving from and to DFW. Wow! What an experience. But we made it considering none of us knew where we were going. ;-)