I Bought a Discounted Ticket

 

 

I Bought A Discounted Ticket

A few years ago, when Lyle and I were living in California we stayed with our daughter whose husband deployed.

We traveled back to Canada for Christmas, to be with our daughters and their families. And finding a great flight at a discount was a bonus. Thinking it would be fun to take some candy treats back for everyone, the Jelly Belly jellybeans.

We located the Jelly Belly factory in the next town. And can you believe it when I arrived there was a great sale on the Jellybeans? Buying one bag and get two free. Don’t you just love bargains? I bought four bags, with the free bags I finished with 12 sacks, 2pds each, 24 pounds in all. 

While getting into the Christmas spirit I failed to remember we needed to pack them. On the way home, I later purchased three boxes of See’s Candy which added five more pounds. My poor husband started wondering how we would get it all in our bags. 

The night before we took off for the airport, we planned to leave at 5:00 a.m. Our flight left at 8:00 a.m. I stayed up half the night packing, trying to decide how to make our luggage lighter. At one point, we could not lift the luggage off the floor, so we included another suitcase.

 After a few hours’ sleep, we carried, or should I say dragged our baggage to the car. Three large suitcases, two larger overnight bags, one computer, and a book bag. And an enormous handbag and tote, everything fits. Although I had to sit on it to get it shut! To be honest, I jumped up and down on it is more like it. 

Our daughter dropped us off at the terminal and headed home. We didn’t manage the luggage by ourselves, we hired someone to help us. I couldn’t wait to get to Calgary and our hotel room and have a good night’s sleep before seeing our family. Only 15 days left.

With tickets and passports in hand, we ambled towards the airline counter, and the man pushing our luggage cart was straining to keep up. He helped us put our baggage on the weight scale, and I held my breath. It’s heavy (imagine that) the airline agent glanced at me and said sorry, she can’t confirm us in now?

I pulled out my e-ticket showing her our 8:00 a.m. departure. She responded,” we don’t check people in 12 hours early. Your flight leaves at 8:00 p.m. (No wonder the fight was so cheap!) At that moment a picture was worth a thousand words when I looked at Lyle’s face. His mouth dropped open and had that distinctive look that said, “You mean I have to do all this again tonight?” 

 I called my daughter who was happily enjoying her quiet drive home and told her of our circumstances. To which she replied, “I knew it was too easy, you and dad fly nowhere without something unusual happening.

After leaving our Airport at 8:30 p.m. we found ourselves delayed in Salt Lake until 1:30 a.m. Arriving in Calgary at 4:30 p.m. Lucky for us I had booked a hotel room near the airport and had guaranteed the room.

So at 5:15, we headed for our room, dragging all our luggage and promising ourselves we would make sure we checked the times of arrivals and departures before we ever bought another airline ticket. 

And to add insult to injury, as we climbed into bed and turned out the lights, we received a call from the front desk. Notifying us it was our good morning wake-up call, I must be a bad dream! I assured him he had made a mistake, we just climbed into bed! ©

When life turns upside down it has a way of giving you a whole new perspective on what is important. 

In reflection I have learned when life is tough, I need to focus on the priceless treasures in my life. God’s love, my family and friends who encourage and pray for me.  I am blessed.

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of our families and friends all wrapped up in love for one another.” I believe that is true, no matter what our circumstance or need.

This year as we come into the Christmas season, there will be joy and expectation knowing we have the presence of our loved ones and friends. And as we wrap our love around each one, we will lovingly remember those who could not be with us.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and pray that the Christ of Christmas will bless your homes as you prepare for the Holiday Season.©

Luke 2: 13 & 14

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me,

Have a wonderful Holiday Season, be safe.

Hugs to all.

Did You Call My Luggage Is FAT? ~ I Can Totally Make That

 “Did You Call My Luggage Is FAT?”

A woman called and asked, “Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to who?”

I said, “No, why do you ask?” She replied, “Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said FAT, and I’m overweight, is there any connection?”

After putting her on hold for a minute while “I looked into it,” (I was actually laughing)

I came back and explained that the city code for Fresno is FAT and that the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage for her city of arrival. Author unknown

 

 

Don’t Worry, I told you I could fix it!

 

 

Reflections:  I Can Totally Make That!

How many times have you looked at the price of something and said, “I can make that for less” or skimmed an invite and missed all the facts because you assumed you knew what they were saying?

Guilty!  A few weeks ago a young lady from our town gave an open invitation on Facebook to join a homemade card exchange. I thought it would be fun, so I said, “I’m in”.  However, I missed one important word, “Exchange”.  I somehow thought we were going to have a class and learn how to make cards.  I had only made one card in my whole life when I was in England and it wasn’t my best artistic endeavor.

After I agreed to participate in creating a card, our hostess sent instructions as follows: Create 36 cards to include-  6 wedding cards, 6 baby or sympathy cards and 24 birthday cards with directions to hand them to her at the end of the month. 

I finally confessed my predicament to my daughter and considered backing out of the card exchange. But my daughter gave me a pep-talk and encouraged me to press on, besides she had some scrapbooking supplies that I could use.  So I thought “how hard can it be?” I’ll take a day and whip them all together, however the first day I only made one.  And I must say it was not beautiful.

After another week and a half, I had a grand total of 23 cards. I didn’t know how to work the stamps without getting ink all over me. So I made my Best Wishes, Thinking of you and Congratulations on the computer and printed them out to put on the cards.  I was feeling pretty good about my creativity.

Then on Facebook, some of the other creative ladies posted some of their beautiful creations, and I was really discouraged.  My beauties looked like kindergarten through 5th-grade specials. But I persevered.

As I finished my 36 cards and turned them in, I decided I need to slow down and read ALL the words before making decisions stop jumping to conclusions

I wonder how God feels when I take off in all directions without checking what His plans are for me each day. Am I so self-sufficient that I don’t need his daily help? Do I make my plans and expect God to approve them

In Jeremiah 29:11, God gives me a hope-filled future, even with all my mistakes and blunders.©

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

To realize God’s plans for me are far greater and more astonishing than anything I could even imagine for myself is humbling. He truly is my safe and secure place, and best of all I know he loves me.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me. Do you ever have days where you have made silly mistakes?
Live, Love, and Sparkle today!
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan