Winter Festivities!

Ah the season of peace and joy and love and gifting is upon us!  With the countdown to that famous of holidays just days away, it seemed like a good time to sum up how the month has been for us as we approach the days of the trail as well as continue to enjoy our traditional day to day living.

This month has been full of travels and adventures like most other months,  the first weekend of December, I took a flight to Florida on Allegiant Air, who I must say I recommend, if only for their pricing.  I caught a round trip flight to Sanford/Orlando (SFB) airport for a mere $69!  I thought these deals were the rumors and whispers of lucky and savvy people, but alas!  The caveat to why they are able to have such inexpensive flights is that they charge you for everything a la carte.  Want to bring something bigger than a "personal item" along?  Add $$  Want a snack on the plane?  Add $$  And so on...   However, for those who have short, casual, or light trips, this is a great choice.  I must say on the flight back I fought with myself about purchasing a snack or drink, but instead choose to revel in my firm commitment of not purchasing anything additional so I could savor the point of the inexpensive flight ticket.  I also packed in a purposefully small bag that qualified as my 'personal item' and did not have to pay silly extra fees that would accompany a "carry on".  A test to myself of living and traveling lighter.  I must say I didn't even use half of what I took over the weekend.  Of course I was staying in a house where I had a bed, and the weather was decent (warm/no rain) etc, so I only needed clothing for myself for a few days.

The trip while I was in Florida was loads of fun as well.  In addition to getting to have time with my sister, the airport I arrived at was super tiny!  I hadn't flown into the Sanford location before, but I recommend it if you haven't.  Smaller than most of today's strip malls, I was able to walk down the "concourse" and right out the doors into my sisters vehicle with no waiting or herding of any sort.  As we headed home we discussed the stress and anxiety associated with flying.  For me, every time I fly is a stressful experience.  Everything from the packing (do I have it all?) and before arriving at the terminal until the time I am in the car at the destination, there is a moderate to high level of stress alarm going off in the back of my head lol.  After all, now you should arrive at the airport at least 2 hours ahead of time so you can get through security, and arrive at your gate, and heaven help you if you have any glitches in-between.  Even if you're at the airport with enough time, there is still the stress of making sure you have the proper ticket (do I have to stop at the counter and wait in the long line if I printed mine off? -> no I learned), and then begins the security check point.  Now, I want to be as safe as the next guy and I totally understand the reason for security and the methods and on and on, but that doesn't mean I'm not stressed out during the entire procedure.  About 30 different people herd you in the direction they want you to go, then you basically get undressed, allow all your belongings to be visually scrutinized by a stranger, put into a tube so they can do the same to you, and then tossed out with everyone else to completely redress before being able to continue down the concourse.  Upon finally arriving to your gate, you must keep all your baggage with you or insight, hopefully you didn't bring a lot or don't have to use the facilities, and wait as the rest of the passengers filter in; hoping that all those people who keep going up to the desk don't know something you don't.  All the meantime, casually eyeing your other travelers for anyone who might be the next story and pray they aren't riding with you.

Then there is the flight itself.  I learned on Allegiant, they will do open seating if the plane get switched, so when I got to my seat and someone was in it, I was very confused.  Once that was sorted and it was on a sit-where-you-want basis, there is the takeoff which I never like.  My sister informed me when I landed that Dad used to say you should be in the air by the count of 30 or something?  He used to fly for the navy, so on the return flight, you better believe I counted haha.  I usually take to gripping the seat rests and a variety of closing my eyes, starting at the front of the plane, and deep breathing.   Once we are in the air, it is *slightly* less stressful until the landing (see same procedure), things are even better if a window seat is involved.

Once Melissa picked me up, she was congested and I was just getting over it when I told her about this amazing nose spray I had picked up out of the 0.88 cent bin at the walmart.  Lo and behold we were right adjacent to a walmart at that moment so we stopped and purchased some.  Folks, I have to tell you, this nose spray is incredible.  She can now attest as well.  It starts working basically immediately and keeps working for hours and hours.  It says not to use it more than a couple times in 24 hours and not more than a few days, but you really don't need it for that long anyway.  It helps so much with the congestion, it starts clearing itself out.  Apparently it has the same active ingredient as Afrin (oxymetazoline) which can have side effects, so check it out yourself before using but it worked like a champ for us.

While in Florida, my nephew had soccer practice and we went to pick him up for it.  While waiting, a bunch of parents started walking out to the field because the coach had asked people to participate in a parent/kids scrimmage!  It was a blast; the parents had no rules so they could pick up kids, move the goals around, imagination abound.  And I finally got to fulfill my dream of playing soccer, and I even made a goal!!  I kicked it to the goal and another adult tapped it in just to make sure, but it was glorious.  Exercise and fun times.  Boy am I out of shape for that though lol.  Melissa and I took a tour of chocolate factory, which was fun and interesting.  I had high hopes with reservations that it would be reminiscent of Willy Wonka, but alas.  We did get some delicious chocolate bars made at the end of the tour though, with marshmallows and potato chips and cayenne (not all in the same bar).
We also got awesome flamingo lawn decorations from this random roadside stop and went a lights tour of the downtown area.  It was lovely and so festive.  I can't wait for another trip!  :)