Space-A travel

One of the benefits of being military and on active duty (or active duty orders) is being able to travel on military planes when there is space available. However, space is not always guaranteed and even when you are told you have a spot you can still get kicked off the flight.

This is what I ran into on the first leg of my trip. I had been planning a trip to Germany to visit a friend about 6-8 weeks out from the actual start of my vacation. I had factored in about 3 days on each side to try and get a space-a flight.

After almost 3 days of getting close and not getting a flight I decided I was getting close to not being at my destination to synch up with some friends in time for some things we had planned and already had tickets. I then moved on to plan-b and found a commercial flight over.

Lesson learned for this – make sure you have lots of patience, leave time, and flexibility.

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to send Thanksgiving wishes out to everyone. I know I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here are just a few reasons:

- I live in a country where we have peaceful elections to choose our next leaders
- That we CAN choose our leaders
- That I have a job supporting and defending this great nation of ours

- I have money to put food on my table and gas in my car

- Extra time that I can use to further my education and volunteer at the zoo

- My sister, to take care of my house and dog when I deploy for six months

- My friends. They keep me whole, sane (sort of), and they are always there for me during the ups and down

- and My family. My parents have always been supportive and there when I need to talk.

A friend sent me this great e-mail about thanksgiving and what and why you should be thankful for....so I thought I'd pass it on.

TO BE THANKFUL FOR…
The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means I am employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
Getting too much email that bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.
The right train of thought can take you to a better station in life…

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

It Keeps on Dropping

I happened by a gas station last night when the price was $1.69 then less than 24 hours later I drove by the same gas station and gas was $1.59 for regular unleaded. I am very glad that the prices keep dropping but it raises a lot of questions.

Yes I know that right before and during the summer gas prices go up; but for them to drop over $3.00 a gallon now that summer is over is a little more than normal. We saw a major increase in prices over the past two years. Was this because less oil was being produced? Hurricanes taking out refineries? Or the war on terrorism?

Well....the war is still going on, we've had some big hurricanes, and from what I understand there might be a little more oil being produced. However, what I think is the biggest reason for the increase and massive drop we have seen is greed.

The big oil companies keep posting billion dollar profits, yes we know - they are profiting off of us, the consumer.

But it's not just the gas prices that have dropped. Our economy has dropped or bottomed out. Again, the explanation has been part of the reason is due to the war on terror. But could the reason be over inflation of prices and services. I go back to greed, greed of the consumer and greed of the retailer. The age old statement of supply and demand is always in place. People are willing to pay more money when there are hot items to be had, and retailers are very quick to mark up items they know will be the next "thing" for more than its worth.

So is it the greed of the consumer living in a materialistic world, or that of the retailer who over prices goods, materials and services. I say its both.

Hopefully once everything settles we won't see another inflation bubble but everything will stabilize....one can hope

Happy Halloween

And a chilly one it is here in Hampton. Started the morning doing a 5K fun run. I did dress up as a whoopee cushion and to my surprise won the best costume award. Woo Hoo!!!

I'll post the picture soon.

I hope everyone gets more treats than tricks!

Be safe & have fun.

Gas Prices

I love how the gas prices keep falling and falling and falling. I'm sure you do too! I remember back after we hit the all-time high, Congress went on recess then gas prices started dropping. I forget which late night host said it but he made a comment about how as soon as Congress left DC the price of gas began to drop.

Here in Hampton, by my house, I filled up tonight for $2.29 a gallon. I can't even remember hwat the high was down here. I know we cam very close and maybe just went over $4.00 for regular unleaded.

Does anyone think we will see gas UNDER $2.00 a gallon???

Urgent Care

Yesterday was not a great day. Started off feeling uncomfortable but I had an appointment to get my flat tire looked at and fixed. Got some food on the way and spent two hours in their waiting room. Ended up having a cut/slice in the side of the tire...so ended up having to buy 2 new tires.

While there I started feeling really light headded and dizzy. Once I was at home, I parked myself on the couch. What was weird, as I was laying down I kept feeling dizzy and as though I was swaying. Anytime I had to get up and walk I would be completely out of breath.

So with this happening all day...I finally decided around 3:30 to call the nurse's line to see if this might have been the result of my surgery (a week ago) or from the new medicine I'm on. The nurse said what I was experiencing was not normal and I needed to go into the urgent care center (the base hospital's equivilent of an ER).

I am very fortunate to have some good friends in the area who drove me back and forth. Once there the doctor's biggest concern was the potential of blood clots as a result of the surgery. So after having an IV, blood taken, everything started coming back as normal. Not anemic, no signs of infection, not dehydrated, but one test came back that signified potential for blood clots. Next up - the CT Scan....came back normal.

The doctors think that more than likely it was just my body having a crazy moment. After spending 6 hours at the hospital I got home last night at 11:15 and off to bed.

So the game plan for today....If no dizziness occurs...complete the one other errand I didn't get to yesterday....the grocery store. I have NO food at home!

car trouble

Worried is the word for today. Yesterday I ventured out of the house and went to a post-triathlon party in VA Beach. It was a great to see my coach and teammates. However, on the way home I ended up getting a MAJOR flat tire. I pulled into a 7-11 and thankfully found some nice people to help me change the tire.

So I called the car dealership today about bringing the car in to get the tire checked out and if needed replaced. I love for one new tire it will cost about $115.00. I so don't need this today. I've had "flat tires" before...but always have been able to get to the shop to get the nail, screw or whatever pulled and plugged. This was the first time that I had a completely dead tire and I have no idea why.

I looked at the tire and didn't see any screws/nails/anything so I have no clue what is going on.

This is just another one of those things I don't need to be happening right now. I'm just hoping that they can fix my tire and I don't have to buy a new one.