I hate NWA

I'm ready to picket. I'm ready to join the many forces of pissed off workers!! Quick story: Maren and I were off to Chicago for a dual-party weekend. Miss Amelia (Maren's cuz) turned 1, and my adorably pregger friend from high school, Megs, is one month away from mommy-hood and having a baby shower. So much to celebrate! So much to be excited about. Until we got to the freakin NWA gate. First, it was the engine. Hmmm, well, that's pretty important, so yeah, fix that engine! Then it was the wheels. Ok... yeah, that's definitely not good... but when they finally let us on the plane I figured it must all be under control. We sat there, on the plane, for two hours. TWO HOURS! Two hours, while the next report came in: now, it was the navigation system!!! WHAT?! GET US THE HELL OFF THIS PLANE!!!!! So, about seven hours after arriving at the aiport... keep in mind, with a one-year old... My parents and I decide the only way to get to Chicago in time to get to our parties would be to drive. We arrived about 1am. Maren did unbelievably well, although there was a time when we were both in tears. Good times, good times.

I wish that was the end of the story.

So, if you've ever had one of your flights cancelled, you know that although they can't take you to your destination, they can somehow take your luggage. We drove to Chicago without our luggage -- me and my one year-old with only a diaper bag to keep us happy until we managed to get our hands on our luggage. My dear dad woke up early to head to the airport and track down the luggage. They had his luggage. They had my mom's luggage. But they did not have my luggage. So, they did not have my or Maren's clothes... they did not have the two gifts I had packed to bring along... they did not have my tennies! They did not have my eye glasses! They did not have the adorable dress my sister-in-law bought Maren! They did not have all of my jewelry! They did not have... so much. Ohhhh, things could have been so much worse, but I can't think of a more frustrating traveling reality.

The upside is my mom took me shopping to get me and Maren through the big weekend. We had a blast seeing family and friends. And, perhaps it was time for a new pair of glasses anyway. Besides, it makes a great story which almost makes it all worth it. :) Check out a pic from the upside...