A travel day

Yesterday was all about getting from one continent to another! I had a terrible night's sleep in the hotel. It wasn't terrible, but I just couldn't get to sleep. I tried everything—eating something, going to the bathroom, reading, counting sheep, thinking about projects I have to work on—and NOTHING. At last, I fell asleep and woke up when I needed to. 

There was construction going on outside my window at the train station, but it wasn't loud—I think I was just excited. I'm certainly excited about typing on a full-sized keyboard!

The Chamartín Train Station in Madrid is HUGE, and there are trains and a metro, and well, it's a busy station. But I made my way down to the appropriate platform, asked someone (I know—I should be able to do it myself by now), and she got the ticket for me, and I was on my way. 

I just missed the train to the airport and had to wait 15 minutes for the next one. That train takes you to Terminal 4, but Air Canada is in Terminal 1. Oh, shoot—a little detour on that one as I went to the bus terminal, not the SHUTTLE bus spot. I soon realized my mistake and walked back. 

Then I was at the Air Canada counter! Yeah!!!! I had some time to kill, so I got something to eat and was just hanging out. 

I had requested an upgrade, and I was on the list for an upgrade to Premier Economy or Business Class. I'll take Business Class, please!! But you don't get a choice, and there's a hierarchy in how the upgrades work. However, you can follow along with the madness on the Air Canada app. Thank goodness to DH for showing me the ropes on our trip to Hawaii. I don't think I would ever have figured out that one. 

The plane is almost ready to board, and I can see my name is Number TWO on the list for Business Class, but no notification. There were TWO spots left. Just as I approached the desk to ask - a notification came in, and VOILA -- I was in Business Class. I love how they make you wait until the last minute! 

It is a luxury, to be sure, and I am forever grateful whenever I get upgraded. I earn points based on how much I flew the year before, and the points expire at the end of the year, so I try to upgrade on ANY and every flight. I still have 25 points left to use this year, and with several more flights, you can be sure I'll try really hard to use them up! I can apply, but if someone with more status is also on the list, they go first! 

The flight was great - you barely notice the time. They have a fantastic entertainment system, the same as Economy, but you can stretch out in the lay-flat bed, and they have fabulous headphones. So I watched three movies and had a nap. I got a chuckle out of the last one I watched. It was The Book Club - The Next Chapter, and there was Candace Bergen with her WAIST BELT -- just like me. Oh my gosh -- -I was in hysterics as we discussed this in our Monday sewing group before I left. I think they are the best for travel and would never consider carrying a purse while traveling. But we each have our own thoughts on that. 

Candace Bergen and her waist belt

It really is a great place to put stuff, and I've found that when traveling, all I need is money, credit cards, and a passport. It all fits nicely into that pouch. That was the best picture I could snap from the movie. 

But OMG --- she would NEVER wear one in real life!!!!!  Check this out!!!!

I don't care -- I like them and will continue to use them!!!

We got a gate near the exit—what was going on? They usually make you walk the entire length of the airport to get to customs! Getting through customs was a piece of cake, and there was ZERO line in the NEXUS area. The luggage came through in no time flat, and I was in the UBER, which came quickly, and I was on my way home. The traffic was terrible on the 401, so that took much longer than anticipated!

When I arrived, DH was on the phone, and Murphy was doing something in the backyard, so Miss Lexi got some very quiet personal time with me. She was super happy, and I bet she ran out to tell Murphy.  Murphy was running after something until she realized I was there, and then she went crazy!!!!

But they settled down quickly, and here is Miss Murphy with her stress toy. She needs that to help her calm down. 

MOM's HOME!!!!!

And to destress, Lexi goes under the shed and kicks dirt around. Both of them were very funny. 

MOM's HOME!!!!!!

As you can imagine, I was tired, not just from the travel day but also from the change of time and the lack of sleep. Oh, and I should mention that one other big difference that happens when you fly Business Class is the food. You get lots of food served on nice dishes. So I was NOT hungry when I got home, but I was tired. 

And what do you do when you get home? Start working? Chat? DH was still working. So finally, at 6 PM, I caved and went to bed. But then I was up at midnight, ready to go. I worked for a couple of hours and then went back to bed. I think I should be OK today to get back on schedule.  

I swear before I left that everything had been put away or mostly tidied up. Not so—I found this drawer open near the long arm. I remember looking for a wrench before I left, but I guess I was in a hurry and never closed it. 

Someone left the drawer open

But the projects I must continue working on are all laid out, so that's something to start working on today. 

I also decided to dig out another 10 community project quilts. I managed to find some backing in my supply of bolts of fabric. 

The next ten community projects 

And I sorted through the batting bits this morning and have some pieces set aside. 

Batting bits to make quilt bats

I even loaded the next quilt on the long arm, and I should be ready to go later this morning. The quilts in this group are not large (50" by 60"—good for Project Linus), so hopefully, I can get through them quickly. I need to get some of these supplies out of the house. 

It felt great to come home with no injuries and no bandages on my feet. So today, I'm jumping back into work with a vengeance. I have a lot to do, and now, with two extra weeks to do it in, I should not be pressed for time!!!

On that happy note, I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!