My sexy midnight flight to the Big Apple

Have you ever left your kids and gone on a vacation? I haven’t until this trip. It was so exciting and terrifying at the same time.

I spent the week getting the house cleaned schedules printed up, food bought and packing the kids things. Then there were my own trip preparations to make. My parents were kind enough to watch them for three nights as were Steve’s folks. The kids were excited about the extended stays, but I wasn’t sure if they really understood just how long we’d be gone.

Steve left Sunday morning to be there in time for his class called Risk Based Auditing- Bringing the Sexy Back to Internal Audit. I didn’t leave until Midnight on Monday.

We love to travel, but some of you may not know that I get physically ill the day before and the day of the trip. I guess it’s some kind of anxiety disorder, but I never let it hold me back, because I always have a great time once we are actually in route.

This trip was no different except I didn’t have Steve with me to talk me down. I actually did okay by myself. Pride.

I hired some help from two neighbor girls to get my house cleaned while I finished up a few tid-bits that needed done before I left, then I packed up the kids and headed for the drop-off at my mom’s. Yes, I cried the whole way over to her house. Why do you ask?

Although my mom was feeling pretty crappy that night, she assured me they’d be okay. I put them to bed and then called my brother Randy to come take me to the airport.

Of course I’d forgot to charge my phone last night. Why would I want a functioning phone on the day I arrive solo in New York City?

I made my way past the ticket counter and into the security line. People are always unpleasant in the security line, but on the midnight flight people are 10 times more unpleasant. I disrobed as is the procedure now at the airport. Everyone has to go through naked now.

Just kidding, you just have to take of your shoes. Anyway…I took off my shoes and notice they were sending everyone through the new Air-Puff-Look-At-You-Under-Your-Clothes-X-Ray machine. Put your hands over your head and spread-em. I had so much dignity at that moment.

Anyway…they let me through and I went and found my gate. The crowd seemed very disgruntled and angry. After a few minutes I realized everyone was just tired and not angry.

I found a spot to sit on the floor and charge my phone for a half hour while I waited to board.
I also took a nite-time cold tablet so I would sleep on the plane. I had big plans to hit the ground running when I arrived at 6 a.m.

I boarded the plane next to some people who I’m sure were very nice, but I promptly fell asleep. Have you ever slept on a plane. It’s no Serta perfect sleeper or Intellibed that is for sure. I finally found a way to sleep. It was a throw-back to the way I used to sleep in high school and college. I put the tray table down and rested my arms and head on it. It worked surprisingly well since the Moroccan guy I was sitting next to wasn’t interested in cuddling.

I woke up as the Captain started speaking over the PA. I felt very rested as you can see from these very flattering photos I took of myself. No…no one thought it was strange that I was taking pics of myself just after waking up…why do you ask?


The east coast sky was amazingly red and beautiful, so I also took a photo of that too like it was my first time flying. Breaking dawn really is beautiful. It's a shame it always happens so early.

We landed and de-boarded the plane. I found a bathroom and changed my clothes since I was planning to go right to the TODAY show. I headed through JFK and down and out to the street. I was hauling my bag down this flight of stairs and this guy took my bag out of my hand and said, “Let me get this for you.” I wanted to say “No thanks, I know how you New Yorkers are, I’ve seen Law and Order,” but I didn’t. I was pretty sure I would never see my bag again, but turns out, he just wanted to be nice and helpful. Hmm.

I followed the instructions Steve gave me about how to get on the right bus to Grand Central Station, but I was only pretty sure I was doing it right. I waited on a corner for about 30 long minutes, and then…the bus came. I was so relieved. I felt like a fish out of water, plus I was deliriously tired and hungry.

I paid the man some money and the bus took me through queens where I am sure I saw Doug and Carrie’s house. I also fell asleep at least five times on this bus ride.

We arrived at Grand Central Station and I got off the bus to find Steve waiting for me with a New York bagel. He is so sweet to me. I thought I was going to find the hotel myself, but he came to meet me, with breakfast.