Here I am again. Not home, but not where I was last time. We’re now down in New York to visit John’s parents for a post-Christmas Christmas celebration. Phoebe will find herself believing that Christmas is a holiday that features no fewer than 5 present-opening sessions…
We took the red eye back to Boston Thursday night, and our eyes were appropriately red when our flight landed at 6:00 a.m. on Friday. Phoebe got some sleep in my arms, but I couldn’t get too comfortable, largely because I was often trying to keep Phoebe from kicking or poking the passenger next to me, and well, because I had a toddler on my lap in a cramped space. (I was very resentful to see that there were empty seats on the plane, but that they weren’t offered to the people traveling with a toddler-in-lap.) John got no sleep. The flight was otherwise pretty uneventful, as was our drive back home from the airport. We were immensely relieved to see that the reported snow had melted from our driveway, and that we could pull in without shoveling and chiseling at ice.
The plan was to then pack up and head right down to New York, as one of John’s sisters was visiting his parents for a few days. Since John got no sleep on the flight, we deemed it wise to delay for a bit and get some sleep before the 4-ish hour drive. John went to bed after dealing with some work, and then I thought Phoebe and I could get some rest, too. However, seeing as Phoebe had actually slept on the plane (as well as while she was carried out of the plane, while we
got our bags, and went back to the car, not to mention more sleep in the car), she was less interested in sleep, and more interested in being reunited with her toys and books.
Anyhow, I did get about 3 hours of sleep yesterday, John got a bit more than that, and we headed down in the evening. We didn’t really even repack. We just unloaded a few gifts we’d received, and loaded up a few gifts to give, and lugged down our big suitcases full of dirty clothes. At least that way we knew we’d have what we needed.
We head back home tomorrow evening.
As you might guess, things have been rather busy. Good, but busy. I have spent whole days without even opening my laptop, and have had scant actual time to myself for the past couple of weeks that didn’t involve being in a bathroom. (A shower is a glorious thing, by the way.)
Work stuff has been piling up, which I’ll need to get to soon. I see that I have several important emails to respond to, which will involve some actual thinking. An important abstract is due in just over 2 weeks. I have loads to do to prepare for the course I’ll be co-teaching in January. (I’m in denial that January technically begins in a few days.) On the exciting front, though, John got me some really sweet recording equipment for Christmas that I’ll be able to use for my research. I now have a USB pre-amp to use with my laptop that was recommended by my advisor.
I also have over 500 unread blog posts. I think I need to cut down. (But I’ll try to drop in a say “hello” over the next few days. Even if I have to take my laptop into the shower to accomplish this.)
collecting tokens 
500. girlfriend. that’s crazy.
the first time we took MQ on a red-eye (and the last, until we had to do a trans-atlantic flight last summer) whe was 6 months old. As we boarded the plane her little head was on my shoulder, she was fast asleep. That is… until the sounds of Abba’s Dancing Queen blared from the speakers mere inches above her head. she was awake the rest of flight. Believe you me that the stewardesses got a (mostly polite) earful from me, and we wrote a letter to the airline. 11pm, you crazy people. a RED-EYE. not a disco.
Welcome back! Sounds like you’ve been having a wonderful, if frantic, time.
And yes – 500 blog posts! (oops, sorry ;) )
You must be exhausted. The blog reading is definitely expendable! I love me some bathroom time too- mine’s been spent in very long, probably too-hot, bubble baths.
Oh, I hate holiday traveling. Poor you.
BTW, you do realize that in Boston you aren’t terribly far from me. OK, it’s like a 6 hour or so drive but still, in blogging distance, that is close. Fascinating.
Oh my, rough flight! But glad you made it. :)
holiday travelling…i just can’t do it. but i’ve missed you, sister. you sound happy and tired, in that order.
um laptop in the shower = razor cut waiting to happen.
mark all as read and start over, babe :)
Mark all as read. Just do it. We’ll understand.
But read my Rebecca post. I bet you’ll recognize it. :) No pressure LOL.
Glad it’s a good kind of busy.
Happy new year to you!!
Julie
Using My Words
Oh goodness, a Toddler on a plane? You are amazing woman.
PS I can’t believe I didn’t think of taking my laptop to the shower, oh wait, thats because even my shower isn’t sacred these days.
Ugh, that was a rough trip.
Aren’t people supposed to come to you when you have kids? At least, that’s what the word on the street is to us childless folks …
Happy New Year – and welcome home!
painted-
500 is indeed crazy. I need to cut down.
At least we had no assaulting Abba on our flight. Ugh.
az-
There can indeed be too much of a good thing. (Both for the holiday travel and the blogging.)
KC-
Still recovering. A bubble bath sounds lovely.
mad-
I hadn’t realized you were so close. Maybe one of these days…
Dragonfly-
I guess they don’t call them “red eyes” for nothing. Sleeping on the plane seemed like a good idea…
jen-
Holiday travelling is rough. I can see the benefits of keeping your family nearby.
I’ve missed you, too.
flutter-
I’ll keep that warning in mind. (There’s been no actual laptop in the shower yet. And perhaps not quite enough time in the shower in general.)
Julie-
I’m resistant to “marking all as read,” but not above skimming. But soon I’ll need to do something more drastic.
Veronica-
No private time even for a shower? I wish you a few private moments, then, whereever you can find them. As for the toddler on a plane, do you think they make an award for that?
merry-
The trick is that my sister also has one kid. If we are to get together, a child must be lugged along.
maggie-
Thanks, and Happy New Year to you, too!