It doesn’t show signs of stopping (Let it snow!)

What a wild few days I have had! I am currently in Boise with Robin and Ken looking out on 5 inches of new snow. It’s beautiful with no footprints or tire tracks marring it yet this morning. The kids are playing with Christmas games on the computer, and we’re eating hot oatmeal for breakfast.

My ordeal started Thursday night when I woke up in the middle of the night with another backache. I had a 5:00 flight Friday afternoon, so I worked from home that day so as not aggravate it too much. Glenda took me to the airport at 3:00, and when I checked in, I discovered my flight was delayed until 6:45. Great! an additional hour and a half sitting in the airport.

I found a fairly quiet sitting area in a corner and settled in with my book. At 5:00 I went back to double check my flight status, and found it was now delayed until 7:30. At 6:30, the departure time was reset to 8:30. At 8:00, it was rescheduled for 9:30. They did board the airplane at around 9:15, but we didn’t take off until 10:00.  The reason given for the delay was weather in Salt Lake City, where my connecting flight went through.

I was worried about making the connection in SLC for my flight to Boise, but since more than half the passengers on my Phx/SLC flight were bound for Boise, they held the plane until all the passengers were boarded AND the luggage was transferred (YAY! I would have clean clothes!)

I texted Robin from the plane at 1:15 that I was just about ready to leave SLC and would see her soon, and she texted me back, “Wait, you’re just now leaving SLC? I’m already at the Boise airport!” She settled in for another wait. I landed at 2:30, and after 30 minutes got my suitcase, then we were on our way home. We got home at 3:30 (originally scheduled to arrive at 10:30). Judging from the news reports this week, it appears I’m lucky I got here at all. Blizzards across the northwest have almost completely shut down air travel since this weekend.

Saturday was a busy day with Megan’s Charlotte’s Web performance in the early afternoon, and church service that evening. My backache was really cranking up, and by evening I was in much pain. Over the next couple of days, when I could drag myself off the couch, I visited a chiropractor twice and a doctor once, and now have anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant drugs. I foresee better days ahead (I hope!) This is not how I wanted to spend my Christmas holidays with the Holsingers.

Anyway, for a recap of more pleasant things. The ballet performance of Charlotte’s Web was beautiful. It was all done by students of Megan’s ballet school, and some of those senior dancers are truly gifted with professional careers in dance in their futures. But of course, the star of the show was one little katydid with lime green wings and the most beautiful smile of all. My Megan! She did a great job, and Grandma clapped loudest of all for her.

The weather has been fierce, with lots of snow each day, but a few hours of sunshine here and there. The roads in town have patches of ice, but mostly slush and snow. The mountain ski resort is doing a great business. It’s c-o-l-d, but bearable (from a Phoenician’s perspective) with heavy coats, scarves and gloves.

My back is feeling a bit better this morning, and hopefully I can help with some cookie baking this afternoon. I need to try to make it to Target or Walmart to finish shopping (I didn’t buy and bring, planning to shop here).  If not, Robin will get money with instructions to go buy her own gifts.

The kids are certainly in “the week before Christmas” mode; Steven can hardly contain his excitement, and each evening they open a small package containing a piece of the nativity scene. Only two more to go, and the set is complete. Welcome, Baby Jesus!