Blonde Logic
Yes. You can.
Greetings peeps! It's about 4am or so here in California and I am wide awake so thought I would tkate this opportunity of peace to just say hi and tell you what an abosoultey horrific start to our holiday we had. 
I awoke at 3am on Thursday to do final packing and preps around the house. The inlaws took me to Gatwick for 7am to pick up my OH as he finished his last nigh shift at 7am. He and I then drove to Heathrow, knowing we had a long day ahead as our flight didn't leave until 2:15pm, due to arrive in San Francisco at 5:30pm US time.
We boarded the flight and waited to take off. And waited. And waited. 5 hours later, we were still waiting. Still seated in the plane. Still on the tarmac.
Engine problems.
They de-planed us and annouced the flight was cancelled, that they would put us up in hotel overnight and we would all meet again Firday and try again. Same crew. Same plane, and they "hoped" it would be repaired.
To say I was GUTTED is the understatement of the year. The customer servie wwe received from United Airlines was disgraceful. Fortunately as my husband works for BAA he knows the ropes and let the Duty Manager of UA know in no certain terms that she was full of Sh*t, and was being lazy and not wanting to help anyone. So after an hour or tow of being channelled around like cattle, and arguing with UA, we flat out refused to be put up in a hotel and demanded they get us to America - anywhere in America - just so we had progress.
We won. We got a flight on an American Airlines (funny- UA said they checked ALL airlines and no seats available anywhere. Yeah. Right.) Anyway, we got a flight that would at least get us to New York. That was half way there so better then sitting in Crawley all bloody night.
We got on the place after racing like lunatics through the airport, and were met my the worlds most obnoxious, unfriendly, "am I bothered" flight attendant. He was unbelievable - and mark my words-he has not seen or heard that las from us. We then got seated, and watched as they brought our 4 suitcases out to the plane, loaded 3 and drove off with the fourth. This is when all chaos ensued, and my husband went to battle with the staff and not one of them would help. As I watched a suitcase go away - I just started crying - and was hoping that it was not the suitcase that contained my medications for my neck and my LL food packs. But relaalised it could well be - or it could have had al my new clothes that I have been buying over the course of LL that I have been so happy with.
The arguments ensued with OH and crew, which escalated in 2 security guards and the pilot of the plane confronting us. We explained if that bag goes away - at Heathrow - it will never be seen again, etc., meds, what not. More time wasted arguing - more delays in getting to california - they said they'd try to sprt it out but the plane had to leave. It was a bloody nightmare.
We ended up in New York City. We arrived there at 11pm NY time. 3 hours later we were delivered to the hotel - across the freeway. It was then 1am (6am UK time). Our flight to Cali left at 6am so we had to be back at the airport at 4am to check in. No time to sleep, but a welcomed shower and change of clothes.
We still have had no sleep. I have had no packs. It was AWFUL. I know we will laugh one day - but not just yet. I had my first pack on Thursday at about 9am. I did not have my next pack until we arrived in New York Hotel....about 20 hours later....so those that worry about not having a pack at work - nothing to worry about...lol...it can get a lot worse and you can still survive. And that was with very little water too as well as the whole time we were on the Tarmac we received no services at all.
We made our 6am flight, and at last, we were on our way to Cali. I was exhausted - I think at that stage for me it was 36 horus with no sleep, and for OH about 53 hours. I cannot sleep on a plane but tried. The entire flight from NY to Cali my seat was constantly kicked by a little toerag behind me, until myhusband nearly climbed over the seat and pounded his less then helpful or concerned father.
It was, the trip from hell. And I must confess. I smoked. I did not care. I smoked and it felt good. And now I am not smoking again.
Being on the airplane, under that stress - when they brought out the meals, I coudl so easily have caved - it was the hardest moment of this diet - 3oo people eating in a closed environment and me at my maximum stress level. I honestly broke down and cried into my pillow while everyone else ate their lasagne or roast chicken. I held my nose and cried. It smelled so good and I felt so shattered and dissappointed....I justwanted to stufff something in my gob. That was a tough test, the toughest yet.... but I passed.
And we are here now. And I have slept. But am on a weird schedule - so a few more days to adjust.
So thats my tale....my mom and best friend are the first to have seen me, and they are over the moon. Mom couldnot stop staring at me - she was shocked and said I look years younger. It was good.
My middle brother saw me but saidnothing - but that is tobe expected. I was sad to see he has done theopposite and put on a lot of weight. I know he has been depressed - and he looked horrible. Unhealthy. Made me sad. But hey - he's gotta learn. I learned. His turn.
Well lovely's hope this made sense - even though I slept I still feel a bit disoriented.
Until the next time I can drop a line - you all be good and happy!!!
XXX
I awoke at 3am on Thursday to do final packing and preps around the house. The inlaws took me to Gatwick for 7am to pick up my OH as he finished his last nigh shift at 7am. He and I then drove to Heathrow, knowing we had a long day ahead as our flight didn't leave until 2:15pm, due to arrive in San Francisco at 5:30pm US time.
We boarded the flight and waited to take off. And waited. And waited. 5 hours later, we were still waiting. Still seated in the plane. Still on the tarmac.
Engine problems.
They de-planed us and annouced the flight was cancelled, that they would put us up in hotel overnight and we would all meet again Firday and try again. Same crew. Same plane, and they "hoped" it would be repaired.
To say I was GUTTED is the understatement of the year. The customer servie wwe received from United Airlines was disgraceful. Fortunately as my husband works for BAA he knows the ropes and let the Duty Manager of UA know in no certain terms that she was full of Sh*t, and was being lazy and not wanting to help anyone. So after an hour or tow of being channelled around like cattle, and arguing with UA, we flat out refused to be put up in a hotel and demanded they get us to America - anywhere in America - just so we had progress.
We won. We got a flight on an American Airlines (funny- UA said they checked ALL airlines and no seats available anywhere. Yeah. Right.) Anyway, we got a flight that would at least get us to New York. That was half way there so better then sitting in Crawley all bloody night.
We got on the place after racing like lunatics through the airport, and were met my the worlds most obnoxious, unfriendly, "am I bothered" flight attendant. He was unbelievable - and mark my words-he has not seen or heard that las from us. We then got seated, and watched as they brought our 4 suitcases out to the plane, loaded 3 and drove off with the fourth. This is when all chaos ensued, and my husband went to battle with the staff and not one of them would help. As I watched a suitcase go away - I just started crying - and was hoping that it was not the suitcase that contained my medications for my neck and my LL food packs. But relaalised it could well be - or it could have had al my new clothes that I have been buying over the course of LL that I have been so happy with.
The arguments ensued with OH and crew, which escalated in 2 security guards and the pilot of the plane confronting us. We explained if that bag goes away - at Heathrow - it will never be seen again, etc., meds, what not. More time wasted arguing - more delays in getting to california - they said they'd try to sprt it out but the plane had to leave. It was a bloody nightmare.
We ended up in New York City. We arrived there at 11pm NY time. 3 hours later we were delivered to the hotel - across the freeway. It was then 1am (6am UK time). Our flight to Cali left at 6am so we had to be back at the airport at 4am to check in. No time to sleep, but a welcomed shower and change of clothes.
We still have had no sleep. I have had no packs. It was AWFUL. I know we will laugh one day - but not just yet. I had my first pack on Thursday at about 9am. I did not have my next pack until we arrived in New York Hotel....about 20 hours later....so those that worry about not having a pack at work - nothing to worry about...lol...it can get a lot worse and you can still survive.
And that was with very little water too as well as the whole time we were on the Tarmac we received no services at all. We made our 6am flight, and at last, we were on our way to Cali. I was exhausted - I think at that stage for me it was 36 horus with no sleep, and for OH about 53 hours. I cannot sleep on a plane but tried. The entire flight from NY to Cali my seat was constantly kicked by a little toerag behind me, until myhusband nearly climbed over the seat and pounded his less then helpful or concerned father.
It was, the trip from hell. And I must confess. I smoked. I did not care. I smoked and it felt good.
And now I am not smoking again. Being on the airplane, under that stress - when they brought out the meals, I coudl so easily have caved - it was the hardest moment of this diet - 3oo people eating in a closed environment and me at my maximum stress level. I honestly broke down and cried into my pillow while everyone else ate their lasagne or roast chicken. I held my nose and cried. It smelled so good and I felt so shattered and dissappointed....I justwanted to stufff something in my gob. That was a tough test, the toughest yet.... but I passed.
And we are here now. And I have slept. But am on a weird schedule - so a few more days to adjust.
So thats my tale....my mom and best friend are the first to have seen me, and they are over the moon. Mom couldnot stop staring at me - she was shocked and said I look years younger. It was good.
My middle brother saw me but saidnothing - but that is tobe expected. I was sad to see he has done theopposite and put on a lot of weight. I know he has been depressed - and he looked horrible. Unhealthy. Made me sad. But hey - he's gotta learn. I learned. His turn.
Well lovely's hope this made sense - even though I slept I still feel a bit disoriented.
Until the next time I can drop a line - you all be good and happy!!!
XXX
