Testing A Premise
When you leave home for an extended period of time, there is a niggling at the back of your mind which wonders how quickly you can get home, if the need arises.
That was certainly a consideration when the Spousal Unit and I, Illinois natives, decided to move to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul (the Bold North, recent hosts to the Super Bowl and the upcoming mens’ Final Four). MSP and ORD were only a little over an hour flight from each other and about 7 hours via interstate. More than once during our 46 year Minnesota habitation that has been valuable, especially the quick flight.
My friends who split time between Florida and Minnesota have all assured me that you can get home quickly, both if you just want to or if you need to. Spirit and Frontier offer relatively inexpensive flights if you’re not hauling luggage and if you don’t particularly mind being squished into the center seat.
Last week I put this premise to the test. I needed to get home within 24 hours.
During one of the many Spring Break weeks.
So I tested the premise: could I get home to Minnesota, then back to Florida, relatively hassle free?
Step 1: use the internet. I found a pretty good fare, not on the previously mentioned airlines, reserved a round trip with the hopes that all would go smoothly at home, plunked down an extra few bucks on trip insurance and hightailed it to the Tampa airport for a 6:30 am flight. So early that the North Star still shine brightly in the moon drenched sky when we left for the airport.
Step 2: keep fingers crossed to make connecting flights and that there are no delays. So far, so good.
Step 3: remember that it is still cold in Minnesota. I wore a sweatshirt during my sojourn north. Those who said all the snow has melted have lied. There’s still a nice pile at the bottom of my driveway.
Step 4: grab and go. I stopped home for some clothes, a toothbrush, moisturizer and remembered the Spousal Unit’s dictum: you can always buy what you forgot when you get there. Take a brief moment to empty out the Christmas pots which will be used for summer plantings when the Snowbird Sojourn ends in a month—and the weather cooperates.
Step 5: settle in at daughter Bridget’s for Baby Watch 2019.
Step 6: engage in Grandmotherly type duties, i.e.
That was certainly a consideration when the Spousal Unit and I, Illinois natives, decided to move to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul (the Bold North, recent hosts to the Super Bowl and the upcoming mens’ Final Four). MSP and ORD were only a little over an hour flight from each other and about 7 hours via interstate. More than once during our 46 year Minnesota habitation that has been valuable, especially the quick flight.
My friends who split time between Florida and Minnesota have all assured me that you can get home quickly, both if you just want to or if you need to. Spirit and Frontier offer relatively inexpensive flights if you’re not hauling luggage and if you don’t particularly mind being squished into the center seat.
Last week I put this premise to the test. I needed to get home within 24 hours.
During one of the many Spring Break weeks.
So I tested the premise: could I get home to Minnesota, then back to Florida, relatively hassle free?
Step 1: use the internet. I found a pretty good fare, not on the previously mentioned airlines, reserved a round trip with the hopes that all would go smoothly at home, plunked down an extra few bucks on trip insurance and hightailed it to the Tampa airport for a 6:30 am flight. So early that the North Star still shine brightly in the moon drenched sky when we left for the airport.
Step 2: keep fingers crossed to make connecting flights and that there are no delays. So far, so good.
Step 3: remember that it is still cold in Minnesota. I wore a sweatshirt during my sojourn north. Those who said all the snow has melted have lied. There’s still a nice pile at the bottom of my driveway.
Step 4: grab and go. I stopped home for some clothes, a toothbrush, moisturizer and remembered the Spousal Unit’s dictum: you can always buy what you forgot when you get there. Take a brief moment to empty out the Christmas pots which will be used for summer plantings when the Snowbird Sojourn ends in a month—and the weather cooperates.
Step 5: settle in at daughter Bridget’s for Baby Watch 2019.
Step 6: engage in Grandmotherly type duties, i.e.
Letting granddaughter Sloane help in the kitchen
Preparing casseroles for freezing
Step 7: the hard part, waiting
Step 8: the most amazing reward
Ace Walker Mastroianni
Step 9: coming home from the hospital
And Step 10: another 6 am flight tomorrow back to Belleair Beach. Was it easy? Yep. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Am I ready to go back? I believe the beach continues to call my name.
Congratulations Grandma! Life looks grand for you and I am so happy!!!
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