I'm back! Randoms/vents/whatevers go here.

[mrs.jacinthe]

In case you hadn't noticed, I was out for about 10 days on vacation to the families.  We had a mini-Christmas with each of them and managed to stay in front of all major storm systems.

My ILs hit the jackpot with their Christmas gifts: a Jacques Pepin cookbook, a spoonula (I've been drooling over them for several years), and a thermopen!  That thermopen has been on my Christmas list for, literally, 7 years.  I'm so excited I can barely stand it!  Of course, my parents did us a solid too - they are paying for us to get our trees and blackberry bushes removed.  

We flew four legs on this trip, right?  On THREE out of those four legs, the airlines managed to progressively break my favorite suitcase.  First flight leg - Delta, no problem.  Leg #2 - SW broke the wheel axle so it had to be dragged or carried instead of rolled.  Leg #3 - SW managed to break the nameplate half off my bag (how does that even happen?).  Leg #4 - Delta finished the annihilation of the bag by breaking off one of its feet, bending the stabilization extender, and somehow breaking the OTHER wheel axle.  Sigh.  It was a cheap bag, but it was SO CUTE (gray with giant black polka dots).

Another rant: If you travel this holiday season, please remember that you are limited to ONE carryon and ONE personal item (purse, briefcase, etc).  This does NOT mean that you can bring two rollaboards AND your purse.  Or a giant shopping bag, your purse, a rollaboard carry-on, and a diaper bag.  If you can't freaking get all your carry-on crap into the allotted number of items, CHECK SOMETHING OR LEAVE STUFF BEHIND.  AND!  AND!  If you DO manage to somehow limit yourself properly, remember that the personal freaking item has to freaking fit under the freaking seat in front of you, and that's where it BELONGS.  BIG BAGS in the overhead bins.  LITTLE BAGS under the seat.  Otherwise, you'll back up the freaking boarding process because someone will get to their seat and realize that there's absolutely nowhere to put their bags b/c they're full of coats and hats and little shopping bags and laptop cases and purses and then turn around to put them where there IS room but there will be approximately 600 million people between that person and the open bin space and traffic will screech to a halt.  So THEN, if that person asks whose laptop bag/coat/hat/etc this is and if it can be put under the seat, don't respond with "No, I need the room."  OMG.  I hate people so much sometimes.  That is all.  End rant.

[tarheels]

Have you ever flown on Frontier? They take no prisoners, man. They mean business with their bag policy and it's awesome! Boarding is so smooth! I wish I did more west coast travel to take advantage of them.

[littlemisssunshine]

A gift I bought on November 28th, was shipped UPS and transferred to USPS on the 5th for final delivery at a sorting center 45 mins away from my house. I still have not gotten it!!!! Tracking # shows no movement since the transfer, and I'm not sure who to call. Please just deliver my last Christmas gift so I can wrap it and finally be able to say I'm done!!

[mrs.jacinthe]

Dec 16, 2013 12:40:46 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Have you ever flown on Frontier? They take no prisoners, man. They mean business with their bag policy and it's awesome! Boarding is so smooth! I wish I did more west coast travel to take advantage of them.

I have not.  Their tickets are always unreasonably/prohibitively expensive, but I sure wish I could.

My blood pressure last night was freaking through the roof as I watched the dude with the full-size 30" duffel bag shove it sideways into a bin (taking up an entire bin that could have held 4 normal-size rollaboards).  They guy with the coat and hat that wouldn't move it, though, he got his comeuppance - after we'd finally gotten seated, there was another dude with a bag who needed to stow it and the attendant literally just put it on top of this guy's coat and hat.  He retrieved it after the flight and it was flat as a pancake.  Confession: I felt pretty good about that.

[tarheels]

Dec 16, 2013 12:58:59 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Dec 16, 2013 12:40:46 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Have you ever flown on Frontier? They take no prisoners, man. They mean business with their bag policy and it's awesome! Boarding is so smooth! I wish I did more west coast travel to take advantage of them.

I have not.  Their tickets are always unreasonably/prohibitively expensive, but I sure wish I could.

My blood pressure last night was freaking through the roof as I watched the dude with the full-size 30" duffel bag shove it sideways into a bin (taking up an entire bin that could have held 4 normal-size rollaboards).  They guy with the coat and hat that wouldn't move it, though, he got his comeuppance - after we'd finally gotten seated, there was another dude with a bag who needed to stow it and the attendant literally just put it on top of this guy's coat and hat.  He retrieved it after the flight and it was flat as a pancake.  Confession: I felt pretty good about that.

Really? Interesting. The only place we've ever flown them was to Denver (admittedly their hub), but they've always been SUPER cheap the last few years for ski trips. My flight on them in November was $179 round trip! Maybe they have higher gate fees at other airports playing with the big boys. Hm.

Let's see, my randoms.

- I think I failed Saturday's exam (no, not exaggerating or being dramatic in the least), but I rocked this morning's exam, so maybe it can all average out to a decent middle ground. I have one final left, praise the Lord I'm almost done!

- I desperately need to do laundry. The biggest perk about being in the dorms? You can almost always find a time when all the washers and dryers are open so you can simultaneously do like 6 loads of laundry and be done with it all in just 90 minutes. I'm easily amused

- I'm gonna make some saltine candy this afternoon for all the kids here on my floor in the dorm

[mrs.jacinthe]

Dec 16, 2013 13:25:01 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Dec 16, 2013 12:58:59 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I have not.  Their tickets are always unreasonably/prohibitively expensive, but I sure wish I could.

My blood pressure last night was freaking through the roof as I watched the dude with the full-size 30" duffel bag shove it sideways into a bin (taking up an entire bin that could have held 4 normal-size rollaboards).  They guy with the coat and hat that wouldn't move it, though, he got his comeuppance - after we'd finally gotten seated, there was another dude with a bag who needed to stow it and the attendant literally just put it on top of this guy's coat and hat.  He retrieved it after the flight and it was flat as a pancake.  Confession: I felt pretty good about that.

Really? Interesting. The only place we've ever flown them was to Denver (admittedly their hub), but they've always been SUPER cheap the last few years for ski trips. My flight on them in November was $179 round trip! Maybe they have higher gate fees at other airports playing with the big boys. Hm.

Yeah, usually about $100 more round trip than SW or Delta.  Plus, they don't serve Sacramento, so we'd have to drive to San Francisco just to fly with them.  And they don't serve my parents' home airport, so they'd have to drive to Cleveland to pick us up.  So, more $$, more time, more gas ... just not worth it for us.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Dec 16, 2013 13:29:38 GMT -5 KellyEasterbrook said:

I just flew a red eye cross-country. I paid to have my roller bag checked so I could put my small bag in the overhead bin and have a little more foot/leg room (I'm really tall). When the flight attendant asked me to move my small bag under my seat so some guy could fit his very large roller bag in the overhead, I told her that I wouldn't. She asked me again, and I still said no and told her I paid $25 so I wouldn't have to have a bag stuffed at my feet. I'm so glad I didn't cave in and say yes.

See, and I'm perfectly ok with this.  Everyone's entitled to put one bag in the overhead.  

We paid to check bags so we'd meet the requirements and it PISSED ME OFF to watch people filling the overheads with their 3-4 bags and the attendants weren't saying anything.  OMG, I was SO ANGRY.  Still am, in fact.  I may have to write a strongly worded letter.  LOL

[tarheels]

My mom was a flight attendant and policing bags is such a hard job. It has to be ingrained in the culture of the airline (props to Frontier) or it's not even worth it for the crews to try. Because that one employee who tries to do the right thing and enforce the rules will get screamed at by some maniacal passenger who'll file a complaint. And those complaints are a HUGE deal for flight attendants and agents. They can lose their job over one bad one. I remember my mom crying because she had been put on probation or whatever after a passenger had filed a complaint because she told him he couldn't carry skis on board.

Please, please everybody be sweet to airline staff when you fly. It's such a wretched job. The pay's lousy, the hours are lousy, the customers are lousy. I don't know why or how anybody does it. Sure, you get to fly for free, but only when there are empty seats, and when's the last time you flew and there were plenty of seats to spare? None of the flights I've been on, that's for sure. You could pay me a million dollars and I wouldn't be a flight attendant, the life's that miserable.

[treedimensional]

As someone who flies frequently, I can relate to all these complaints. It's annoying as hell what some people carry on. I end up checking my carry-on half the time, just to be rid of it inside the plane. I also pay to upgrade my seat just before boarding if I see a lot of huge luggage and it's a very full flight. I've done this many times so I can sit up front and not have to deal with the delays caused by these inconsiderate passengers. They delay EVERYONE.

[emoflamingo]

Poof

[emoflamingo]

Dec 16, 2013 19:21:27 GMT -5 nursecramer said:

Dec 16, 2013 12:40:46 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Have you ever flown on Frontier? They take no prisoners, man. They mean business with their bag policy and it's awesome! Boarding is so smooth! I wish I did more west coast travel to take advantage of them.

YES! I love Frontier. Best flights I've ever been on. Unfortunately, I think they mostly do west coast travel(?), so I don't get to use them much.

emoflamingo That sucks. I have a moocher sister. It hasn't been an issue since she moved out of state, but she lived with us for a while and that was a real trip. While a Netipot or blender might not be worth picking a fight with your H, he really shouldn't doing anything unethical or illegal like giving her pain meds. I would probably put my foot down about that one.

Worst part he realizes he shouldn't but knows she'll go whine to their mom. Aggravating. I told him it has to stop.

[pitterwoo]

Oh, yes I agree about all the airline stuff. H used to work for one. I flew to Vegas for a friend's wedding on a free pass and then couldn't get home because there were no extra seats on any planes. After sleeping one night in the airport I bought a one-way ticket home.

My vent is that I am getting so frustrated at all the things on my list that I'm trying to get done and I feel like every time I try there is always just one catch that prevents me. It's happening both at home and with my work projects right now which is probably why I'm so upset.

I bought a stroller from BRU online last week and got to pick it up at the store on Friday. I was walking on clouds feeling like I robbed the place and they were so nice and so helpful loading the car. Get it home and decide to put it together just to check it out even though we don't need it for a while. Well there are only 2 wheels in the box. Uhhh...

Call BRU and they can't get the wheels off their floor model so have me contact the company. It has been a huge ordeal to get in touch with the company and provide proof of purchase, lot number and description of the problem again and again for them to do an "investigation". Just send me the wheels already people!

[munkii]

Random: I read this story this morning and shouldn't have: www.indystar.com/story/news/2013/12/16/family-finds-dog-lost-in-indiana-tornado-but-new-owners-wont-give-rosco-back/4045981/. Family is away from house when a tornado hits it, family dog goes missing, dog ends up in shelter, another family adopts the dog, the original family finds out the dog was adopted after someone recognized him from the "missing dog" posters, new family tells the old family to suck it. 

Additionally, I really want mashed potatoes and gravy and it's only 9am. I normally don't work Tuesdays, but I'm here. No mashed potatoes and gravy for me today (at least not until a reasonable hour).

ETA: I should add that this morning's news was much better about the dog. The adoptive parent found out she was being a jerk and decided to return the dog. He will be reunited sometime today! (yay, lb2006!)

[lb2006]

Dec 17, 2013 9:04:34 GMT -5 munkii said:

Random: I read this story this morning and shouldn't have: www.indystar.com/story/news/2013/12/16/family-finds-dog-lost-in-indiana-tornado-but-new-owners-wont-give-rosco-back/4045981/. Family is away from house when a tornado hits it, family dog goes missing, dog ends up in shelter, another family adopts the dog, the original family finds out the dog was adopted after someone recognized him from the "missing dog" posters, new family tells the old family to suck it. 

Additionally, I really want mashed potatoes and gravy and it's only 9am. I normally don't work Tuesdays, but I'm here. No mashed potatoes and gravy for me today (at least not until a reasonable hour).

I would die....and there would be violent words if someone wouldn't give my dog back after he/she was displaced by a tornado.  And i'd hire an attorney.

I volunteer for a dog rescue & we've pulled a dog from a shelter & ended up finding their owner due to similar circumstances.  It is so heartwarming to see that reunion.

[Deleted]

My kid does not stop whining this week! We are working on it but I have had it and glad to be hiding at work today.

I am not as dressed up for church as I should be lately. We usually go Saturday nights and then have family time at home. It is cold, I don't want to change and I just want to stay snuggly.

I want to tell half the internet that kids or no kids the schedule doesn't necessarily revolve around you. Esp. if it is long standing tradition or 49 other people involved. Pick and choose if you want to but don't expect other people to. Fully prepared for the flames on that.

I have no idea what to get my mom for her birthday next week. Lotttery tickets maybe.

[firechiefsbride]

I still stalk this board erratically and love that so many of my "friends" are still here.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Dec 17, 2013 14:48:47 GMT -5 firechiefsbride said:

I still stalk this board erratically and love that so many of my "friends" are still here.

Where have you been?

[firechiefsbride]

Dec 17, 2013 15:01:47 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Dec 17, 2013 14:48:47 GMT -5 firechiefsbride said:

I still stalk this board erratically and love that so many of my "friends" are still here.

Where have you been?

My local board.  I was crazy busy at work when the jump happened, so I just tried to let it go. Seriously though, this place is like my favorite Starbucks I still visited while I wasn't consuming their coffee or pastries.  ♥

[mrs.jacinthe]

Well then! Welcome back!!!

[firechiefsbride]

Thank you!

[boiler717]

I am super pumped about our local online marketplace. In the past 3 hours I've sold $475 in home dec items that were just sitting in my basement!

[lb2006]

Dec 17, 2013 9:04:34 GMT -5 munkii said:

Random: I read this story this morning and shouldn't have: www.indystar.com/story/news/2013/12/16/family-finds-dog-lost-in-indiana-tornado-but-new-owners-wont-give-rosco-back/4045981/. Family is away from house when a tornado hits it, family dog goes missing, dog ends up in shelter, another family adopts the dog, the original family finds out the dog was adopted after someone recognized him from the "missing dog" posters, new family tells the old family to suck it. 

Additionally, I really want mashed potatoes and gravy and it's only 9am. I normally don't work Tuesdays, but I'm here. No mashed potatoes and gravy for me today (at least not until a reasonable hour).

ETA: I should add that this morning's news was much better about the dog. The adoptive parent found out she was being a jerk and decided to return the dog. He will be reunited sometime today! (yay, lb2006!)

I giving the :Y: to your latest addition