I have arrived safely and at long last in Manitowoc. My sister, Jill, was able to admit me to the apartment as she had not been feeling well and skipped the boy's Christmas program. Oh, if only Lynn would have had room for my luggage in her car---the shuttle driver could have dropped me off in Howard's Grove instead and I could have seen their program. Nuts! Anyway, it's -12 here and bitingly cold.
While going through security, I saw the Kelley family heading back to IL after Fran's funeral service. Later Dennis came looking for me saying his brother, Mike, wanted a picture of us together for him to show around at church later that same day. I loved it! A man in the gate area offered to take it for us.
My original travel plan, once changed to Sunday from Saturday's departure, was to arrive in Manty around noon and have plenty of time to ready myself for the Christmas program. Sadly, the flight was delayed out of JAX which made me miss my connection in Charlotte. At one point Jill had texted me as I waited for hours at Charlotte, asking me if I was bored. Never! There were many people around to talk with, flights being delayed or eventually cancelled entirely all over the place.
For those who were delayed for a half day already the airline had sandwiches, chips, and water brought in. The nice young man seated next me didn't want the sandwich so he got one for me. That was a blessing because I'd been waiting at the gate for about three hours and there was limited food options on our end. (Why does it seem my gates are always the furthest ones?)
When it time to baord, mine was the last name called to be seated. The plane was parked on the tarmac rather than at a jetway so we had to walk out to the plane and climb a steep set of steps to get up into the plane. Yikes! I told the man behind me to go first but he insisted I go ahead of him, saying he'd help me. Not sure how, but he did help me by making me keep going due to not wanting to hold up the show. That was a job!
Once I got to MKE, I made my way to the baggage claim area, fully expecting my bag to have not made it on the stand-by flight. But, it had! Went across the way to the GoShuttle desk and got fixed up with my driver. I was the only passenger going up that direction, and he asked me if I wanted to ride up front. I was shot-gun! It was warmer up front anyway, since it was bitter cold outside. We talked all the way, listened a bit to the post-game show (I missed a VERY exciting Packer game, too!). He is Lutheran, goes to church in Sheboygan, pointed out his family's farmland as we drove past it, had a great visit.
Jill and I took it upon ourselves to order pizza and garlic knots for dinner which arrived after Mom and Lynn got home. Lynn took hers to-go as she had to leave to help her daughter with something. I just love the Personal Pan Pizzas but was not crazy about the garlic knots. Note to self---stick with Papa Johns for those! After Jill went home, Mom and I just watched some TV before I came to my room, exhausted from a day of travel and sitting. Imagine that! I am thanking God for the safe travel. Now I'll rest up for tomorrow's activities.
