Patience is a Virtue

Day 0-1
Is it a bad sign when shit starts to hit the fan before you even leave home?

We started Saturday (T-1 day to our departure) with Darrell realizing he had contracted a nasty head cold and me realizing that meant I was tasked with getting the rest of the errands and prep work done. Minor detail; I roll with it.

All is going according to plan until about 9:30 p.m. when Darell, about to meet up with one of our many cat nannies of the next two weeks, pops the million dollar question: "Did you try any of these keys?" Referring of course to the two sets I had copied for our nannies earlier that day, one of which I had already distributed. "No," I say, certain that although he makes a valid point, surely this won't be a problem. Wrong. Upon closer inspection, Darrell realizes that in fact the keys were cut using the wrong blank - they had no chance in hell of fitting in the lock.

So, Sunday morning, back to Canadian Tire I go to rectify the problem. Except the automotive section is closed on Sundays. And no, no one else can operate the key cutting thingy, I asked. And dropped a perhaps inappropriate F bomb when I got the answer. So it's off to Walmart, get keys, then pick up Dad: airport chauffeur by day, cat nanny by night. After waiting in the driveway for 10 minutes, Dad is retrieved, luggage and boy then successfully collected as well, make two stops to provide keys that will actually open the door, and make it to the airport in sufficient time. But not in enough time to give me plane-hating companion a pep talk.

Nor to secure my laptop, apparently, because as I attempt to stow my bag in the overhead bin, it falls out, crashes to the floor and narrowly misses someone's head. Certain death was averted, dropping the second public F bomb of the day was not. It survived, although barely.

Thanks to his head cold, Darrell experiences excrutiating sinus pain within two minutes of taking off. I've been there, and felt awful knowing daggers were stabbing through his face and neck, as if the usual vertigo and misery he experiences when flying wasn't enough. Good news is the meds he took for that seemed to have worked.

We arrive in T.O. 30 minutes late thanks to strong head winds. Trying my best to be patient, loving and kind, I encourage us to take a minute for a smoke break, a few deep breaths, and to buy some Sudafed. We arrive at our gate and to our surprise, what awaits is news that we've been bumped. Because our connection was late, our bags couldn't make it and so, neither would we. Bad news: We have 2 1/2 hours to kill, won't arrive in San Fran until 3 a.m. our time, and we're annoyed. Good news: I have time to eat and Darrell's Sudafed will kick in soon. Silver linings are beautiful things and I almost always try to find them!

I cope with a comfort snack; Darrell, with an uncomfortable nap.

Our 5+ hour flight is long, dry, and for some reason, sends me into an allergic fit that lasts the rest of the night. Darrell is restless and cursing me, I know, but I am 100% sure it will all be worth it. And my confidence is validated as soon as we arrive to our home base in San Fran. Cottage Gate, the little suite we rented through VRBO.com, is absolutely as cute as I had hoped.

It's cozy, warm, and complete with lots of little touches of home: Q-tips & Kleenex in the bathroom; Starbucks coffee in the cupboard and pastries on the counter; a plush duvet on the bed.

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for optimism, patience, and Darrell trusting me when I say, "I got this."