The Prodigal Daughter Returns

I wrote this a couple weeks ago and forgot to post...

I am back in Austin! I can't believe that I have returned already. The past week has been a blur because of the jet lag but I now feel coherent enough to give an update. The whole week before I left was crazy. I hope I packed everything, I raided the kids room, but I am sure that some things are still hidden.

I actually had an easier trip back than I thought I would. I was 9kg's over weight with my luggage! I was expecting to have to leave valuable things behind, but for some reason Air New Zealand said "oh, well your only 9kg's over, just remember not to do it next time". I was surprised and relieved, but then thought of how forgiving American Airlines is and knew I would be in big trouble when I got to LA. I decided not to think about it. Whilst I was packing Rossanna kept giving me more and more stuff from Hayley, Tirol, and Kiri. It got to the point where I thought I might have taken a good chunk of their wardrobe...well, actually it was Hayley's wardrobe. The kids would just "borrow" her clothes and claim them as their so it probably felt as though I really was taking their stuff. Poor Tirol got the worst of it. We were sitting at the table enjoying my final meal (sushi) and Tirol walked in with a bright red arena shirt on. Dialog below:

Sarah M: Tirol that color looks really nice on you!

Rossanna: That is nice...Take it off and give it to Sarah

Tirol: What?!

Rossanna: Take it off! Its a good shirt and you should give it to Sarah, its not ever yours anyways it Hayley's

Tirol: But mum, Hayley gave me this shirt it's one of my favorites!

Rossanna: Well don't you want to give Sarah your favorite shirt?

Tirol: NO!!!

(meanwhile me and Sarah M don't know whether to laugh or just sit there... I think we both took the safe route and just sat there)

Rossanna: TAKE IT OFF!

Tirol: UGH!!

(Tirol turns to go upstairs to change)

Rossanna: No take it off now! Don't go upstairs! Take it off now!

Tirol: What?!

At this point I broke into laughter, Tirol was so shocked at the prospect of stripping in front of us all, her reaction and facial expression were classic! She was finally released to change shirts. Don't worry, I left one of my shirts behind for her so I think she is satisfied.

We spent the drive to the airport laughing about what had just happened. When it came time for me to go through security I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but of course I couldn't stop myself. I was a mess! I miss my 2nd family!

My flight was actually nice. I had the aisle seat on a full flight...except for the one seat next to me. Luckiest person award goes to me! When I got to LA I knew a storm of stress was coming since I was so over weight. When I finally got up to the counter to get the tags for my bags the women there told me to try to rearrange my things so that my bags would be lighter, I told her that that was impossible, but she insisted and moved me to the side. I was so not in the mood to rummage through everything so I literally took 10lbs of clothes out of my bags and put them on the cart I had. I then put my bags on the scale and the lady checked me off and put my tags on. I then put all the clothes back in my bags, and lugged them over to the checked baggage screening. No fuss at all. I now consider myself a full fledged criminal! Out smarting the airlines! What else could I get away with? Of course I told my family when I arrived and they were appalled, but I knew they were thinking ("why hadn't I ever thought of that before?") So I arrived a hero. What can I say? I am amazing.