At 3:40 this morning I was snuggling in bed with my nearly two year old, still in Virginia.
At 4:40 this morning I was headed into Washington DC to hop a flight to a conference. Seasoned traveler that I am (insert irony here) I had all my little travel sized items in the appropriate zip lock bag in my purse. I also had a carry on bag. And in it I had a humongous bottle of shampoo and another one of conditioner, a brand new bottle of styling lotion, contact lens solution and a big old tube of toothpaste.
I was astounded when security stopped me.
But, I gabbled, this is my suitcase. My purse has all the right size items.
Duh, Lisa-Jo, your suitcase is coming with you on this flight. Double duh!
Not prepared to sacrifice my tub of South African body lotion so preciously procured by a colleague on a recent business trip, back up to check-in it was.
But that threw off the rhythm and my travel buddy then proceeded to misplace her boarding passes and her driver’s license. But, smarty pants that she is, she had a copy of her passport with her and was able to get a new boarding pass issued in time to, well, you know, board.
Once we had huffed and puffed our way down the gangplank (hmm, that doesn’t seem like the right word – but I’ve been up nearly24 hours now) we spotted the license and passes stuffed in a hither-to-fore unexplored corner of her large, leopard spotted bag. I swear it growled at us. We were that frazzled.
From DC we flew to Illinois – hi Chicago style pizza!
Then over to Colorado – hello Rocky Mountains!
And then another jaunt on to Portland, Oregon – hello Trailblazers!
Then it was just a hop, skip and a cab ride to Vancouver, Washington. A mere 12 hours after we got up this morning.
Yikes.
Tomorrow I get to rise and shine and show off my swollen, black and blue chin to all the other conference attendees. Oh, didn’t I mention that yet? Yea, on Sunday I took a spectacular fall right after this purrtyy picture was taken.
Related photos and the humbling tale of what happens when a mother tries to force her overtired kids to pose for family photographs to follow.
It. was. not. purrtyy.
And naturally, as it begins to heal the rainbow of bruises has come out in full force right before I have to spend two days meeting strangers.
Here’s to first impressions! (and frequent flier miles).
But on the up side, the “before” pictures are awesome. Thanks Mallory for making me look less like a mommy and more like a me. And for stealing a beautiful picture or two of our wriggly family.
Over and out,
from Washington (state, not district).
Wow, you’ve been a busy gal! The new picture is indeed pretty, but I know what you mean about getting that family picture from the overtired gang. Not a pleasant happening! :P
Indeed! It’s bad when the troops turn on you in what should have been a precious memory making moment ;)
Wow – sounds like quite an adventure. What conference are you attending? Something for work or just for fun?
For work – but it’s a really wonderful opportunity – it’s a leadership conference and there are some remarkable people here I am excited to learn from. (and not so excited to introduce my blue and black jaw to)
I don’t care WHAT the “after” photos look like (although I do want to see them), you are absolutely gorgeous in that photo! :)
Sweet talk will get you ANYTHING!!
You are one gorgeous mama :) Have a safe rest of your trip… and you know you have to post a picture! {kidding, kidding… that sort of thing is bound to happen all of us at one point!}
ALL the credit goes to the photographer!! You should see how I look in the pictures my kids take at 6 in the morning!! :)
oh my dang. didn’t know your trip got off to such a rough start. i gotta admit, though, i’m all chuckles over here about all the “liquids” in your carry-on. (oh, and i’m curious what your coveted SA lotion is!)
AND i still can’t wait to see THAT picture!
There really is no excuse considering how many miles I have logged over the years!
You’ll laugh more when you hear that my all time favorite lotion is actually a baby product – it’s Elizabeth Anne’s baby lotion – too die for it smells so good. http://www.africanhut.com/shopexd.asp?id=1528 And it’s soo soft and moisturey. And it smells like home. And my kids. I was soo pleased not to have to part with it!
And THAT picture will be coming soon. No fear.