I've Missed You!!!

Oh, my darlings, how I have missed you!

I've been traveling far too long...and as you all can guess...it's taken a huge toll on my body.  Naturally, I managed to pick up an ear infection and despite the ZPac my doctor called in, it's gotten worse, and again I sit with an ear, sinus, chest infection.  At this point, it becomes nothing but funny.  If we can't laugh at ourselves, what do we have, my friends?

That said, I first attended a wedding...as Best Woman, naturally...not that any of you are surprised, I'm sure.  I met some very interesting people in the bridal party, on my side, and the bride's...including the drunkest bridesmaid I have ever seen.  It would be rude to tell the story here...but feel free to contact me about it.  The wedding itself was amazing, held in PAFA, the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts.  The ceremony was held on the landing of a beautiful staircase...that's right kids, the groom "forgot" to tell me that we'd enter and exit down a spectacular (read:  terrifying) staircase...me, the girl who has balance included in her physical therapy, in 5' Loubs!!!  I can't say that I was graceful, but I didn't fall...and for that, I am beyond proud of myself!  The guests watched the ceremony from a gallery above and I can only imagine how gorgeous...no, gorgeous doesn't do it justice...breathtaking the ceremony must have looked from the gallery.  The reception was held in a separate, large gallery and was simply spectacular.

From there DH and I were off to Daddy's house to rest (and eat cheesesteaks) until J had to leave the following night.  After a second night of rest, Daddy drove me to one of my besties for a sleepover, giggles.  Let me translate that into grown-up...Father drove me to one of my oldest and dearest friends for a nice long visit.  I FINALLY got to meet her son and husband and am positively in love...with her son.  LOL!  We had nearly 2 weeks to catch up and I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it.  Sadly, it was somewhere between the wedding and my visit with them that my infection began.  The skyline from her stoop included the Freedom Tower and every time I went outside, I had to catch my breath.  Driving to and from her house, was a beautiful and up-close and personal view of Lady Liberty.  Daddy picked me up and drove me back to his house.  At this point the infection had really taken hold and I missed seeing so many of the friends I had hoped to see.

One day I was feeling a bit better and was able to meet a friend from HS for cocktails.  We had a terrific time catching up and, as he works at the official NFL Films, he invited DH and I for tour when DH returned to NJ.  It was AMAZING!!!  I could have spent a week just taking in the halls!  He also managed to get me a tremendous donation for the fundraiser for which I remained in town.  It was the Queen of Hearts Annual Aloha Fundraiser...but you already know about that as I go on and on about it.  

By the way, I'm looking for donations for our fall fundraiser....Coach Bingo!

It was the QoH 10th Anniversary fundraiser and went sooooo well.  A big thanks to all who donated.  2 days later we were headed home to learn just how much worse the infection had gotten and tho I had fun, grateful to be home.

So now you have the short version...I'm back...and as you can imagine, my next post will be about the Navy SEAL who wrote the book and gave a 60 Minutes interview.

I've missed you darlings!

XOXO
~CAT

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Daytona

I think we can all agree that, since 9/11, the face of terrorism has changed...I just failed to realize how much! 

Husband and I have just returned from the family's annual trip to Daytona.  People say "getting there is half the fun."  And that's generally true...as long as you upgrade, of course.  This time, forget "getting there"...just getting to our seats was about all the fun I could handle.

We had an uneventful drive to the airport...but for the fact that we had to fly out of McCarran (LAS) not Ontario (ONT)...as there were no upgrades available for ONT.  I always check ONT first because it is easy to get to, easy to navigate, and closer to my home.  Also, because I know that if terrorists ever try to take it over, Jack Bauer will rescue me...and the other people there, too, I guess...but, whatever, not my problem.  The drive to Vegas isn't that much longer and...thank you nice people at Sirius...I have 80s on 8.  

We park, easy peasy, unload the car, and, as we head from parking garage to airport, J began to question the wisdom of not having called ahead for a wheelchair.  It was too late at that point, so as a friend would tell me, I Rangered Up, and continued.  At the ticketing counter, no one was manning the First Class line, so we waited far too long.  But...onward.

At this point, we reach the TSA Agent before the metal detectors, who compares your ID to your ticket.  J and I presented our military IDs and tickets.  He compares DH's ID picture to his face and name to ticket and hands it back to him.  My turn.  He stared!!!  Used different angles and lighting!  He finally asks for a second form of ID...dude...are you kidding me?  I hand him my driver's license.  UH-OH...it's expired.  He lets the expiration slide with a stern warning and then starts the comparison dance again...both IDs and me...back and forth...squinting, staring, doing the hokey f*cking pokey.  With a dirty look he returns my documents and sends us to the metal detector line.  Again...this was the First Class line!!!  Seasoned travelers, everything is neatly in bins, all computers out, quart size bag of anything even semi-liquid, shoes and sweater off...let's roll. Then we get pulled out of THAT line to go thru the body scanner thingy. 

Don't get me wrong...I am a safety nut.  I have been since I worked with a wonderfully security conscious (read: paranoid lunatic) officer for 2 years at the Sheriff's Dept. back home.  J is also a bit hyper-aware (read: slightly obsessed) of Force Protection.  I'm all for any safety measures necessary to keep our nation safe...at the airport...or anywhere else.  I understand and support the need for our Govt. not to lay everything bare to the masses.  Though I disagree with the way most gun nuts interpret the 2nd Amendment, I AM a gun nut!

HOWEVER...am I the new face of terrorism?

Let me set the scene...
All 5'1 (if I stand up really straight and the nurse is nice, I'm 5'1, damn it) of me...chin length, ginger hair, pink, monogrammed, polo dress, matching monogrammed cardigan, pearls, and my new Marley Lilly Monogrammed Penny Clutch.  Really?  There's a rosary in my bag!  The only person I look like I could terrorize is a Protestant midget in Ireland!!!

From the front?  A basic, flat, clutch that is deceptively large enough to fit the current issues of Town & Country and Vanity Fair

 and still look flat with loads of room for your essentials.

 This back pocket?

Fits your favourite E-reader with room to spare!

Just to make more versatile, 

There are wristlet and cross-body straps included!

When traveling, the cross-body strap makes life SO much easier!

I love the bag so much...that Marley Lilly is letting me give one away!!!

So here are the rules:

1:  Follow Marley Lilly on Twitter

2:  Follow me on Twitter

@PrincssPrepPink

3:  Like Marley Lilly on Facebook

4:  Share your "favourite" travel story here

And because Marley Lilly is so generous

5:  Like The Queen of Hearts on Facebook

6:  Follow The Queen of Hearts on Twitter
7:  Tweet about the giveaway
8:  Blog about the giveaway

Good Luck!

XOXO

~CAT