1) Update on my mom: It's not great.
2) Do you remember Blanche the Puppy? Well, her human decided to take a new job in New Mexico and is abandoning us. I'm sort of peeved because I was starting to become real friends with her and now she's leaving and I'm sad (there are only so many women of my age without children who I know in my town). ANYWAY. In between the craziness of my travel and work schedule, I put together a drinks thing at a local bar tomorrow night as a going away party. Do I bring a present for her and/or Blanche? I don't want her to have to move something useless, but is there something meaningful? A bag of road trip snacks? A fancy pen? One of those notes cut out of magazine letters ransoming Blanche so she doesn't leave?
3) July was supposed to be fun. I had the trip to Seattle (which I'm going to try to write about this weekend) with Bestest Friend. Next week, we're supposed to go to California for a wedding. The California trip could be canceled at any second (see bullet #1) and can we talk about how I let my husband figure out the dogsitting logistics and then when I followed up with the dogsitter, they had already booked a different dog for that time? So I've been utilizing all of my personal network to attempt to find somewhere/someone for Hannah. I don't have time for this and I'm sort of upset with my husband and with the dogsitter.
I think we have Hannah figured out, but now I'm struggling to find someone to come in once a day to take care of Zelda. *sigh*
 |
| Bestest Friend and I have matching wallets. We did not plan this. |
4) I was recently at an airport (MSP, to be exact) and I had a choice of Dunkin, Starbucks, or Caribou. What's your choice? What's your order?
 |
| Seattle preview |
5) I don't want to actually write this up in my Seattle recap, but Delta had some sort of data breach thing and my trip home was not fun. My original flight was supposed to leave at 1:30 and I got to the airport early in order to spend time with Bestest Friend and at some point, I got notified that my flight was postponed until 2:30, which meant I'd miss my connection. I talked with someone at Delta and the best they could do was book me at a midnight flight and I'd get to my home airport at 8:15 the following morning. I wandered around the airport futilely in an attempt to get on a standby flight, but I was at SeaTac for an entire day.
It's not the worst airport to be stuck at, but it certainly isn't the best. Delta didn't even offer me a food voucher and their representatives basically told me to go fuck myself, so while all my flights were fine, I'm still a bit upset by the whole thing. At least I was just by myself and I didn't have kids with me or wasn't trying to find food for Dr. BB to eat. Still.
Overall, I'm glad I went on the trip, but it ended on a down note.
****************
Sound off in the comments. Which coffee/tea purveyor do you choose? What present should I give to Blanche's human?
I'm so sorry, Engie. Watching someone you love in declining health is exhausting and traumatic and just plain sad.
ReplyDeleteSaying goodbye to friends and really wonderful puppies (with the sweetest name!) is sad. (For the record, I vote: "One of those notes cut out of magazine letters ransoming Blanche so she doesn't leave?")
I really hope 2025 throws you some relief and joy in the near future. It's been a rough stretch :(
Air travel sucks at the best of times, and when things go wrong it can be hellish.
Happy things? THE MATCHING WALLETS. Proof you two are besties <3
2025 has had its highlights, but overall has been dark. Oh, well. The only way through is through, right?
DeleteThe matching wallets was so funny. She took her out and my mouth dropped open and then I pulled out mine and we giggled for a long time.
Thinking of you, as always. I suck at gifts, so will defer to others re: Blanche and her human.
ReplyDeleteCaribou. Starbucks tastes burnt and unless you can get the Dunkin' Dark Roast (I don't think they all have it), it tastes like water. Also, Caribou has the best caffeinated tea (their cinnamon one, can't remember the exact name), so there are options if you don't want coffee.
I got stuck in Sea-Tac, too, courtesy of Delta cancelling my flight from Japan and me having to rebook myself and a colleague on another flight because, you guessed it, Delta washed their hands of it. In Japan, no less. So I feel your pain.
Caribou is so good. I really miss having it around. MSP is a great airport, I think.
DeleteOh, man. SeaTac isn't the worst, as I said, but it's so loud and crowded. I kept moving from gate to gate where flights had just left to try to stay in sparsely populated areas.
I'm sorry about your mom, Engie. My FIL had colon cancer and it was really hard.
ReplyDeleteSorry Blanche and your friend are leaving! I think a bag of road trip snacks would be a perfect gift!
OMG THE DOG LOGISTICS. This is the kind of thing that would break me. I love to travel but my number one stress about travel is leaving Rex, and we have a place ("the country club for pets!" is how they advertise) that we board him at and they love him and he likes it and so it should be stress-free, but it is not. I would be in such a tizzy if we left next week and we were scrambling.
I have had neither Caribou nor Dunkin (I have never even heard of Caribou!) so I guess by default Starbucks.
Connecting flights are the worst. The one thing I miss about Calgary is that I could almost always get a direct flight to wherever I'm going. But in Kelowna, I always have to connect - usually through Calgary - and I am SO stressed I'm going to miss my connection, every single time.
I'm not going to lie, Nicole. The dog stuff nearly did break me. I heard from the dogsitter that they had another dog and just stared at my husband. I thought he had it handled. I do/did not have the bandwidth to deal with it. She's going to be boarded at a place where she gets her own room, doesn't interact with other dogs, and gets one-on-one pee breaks, a walk, and a play session each day. But if she eats so much as one thing she's not supposed to, I WILL LOSE MY MIND.
DeleteCaribou is good, Nicole. Dunkin is, as well. I prefer either to Starbucks.
I'm sending all of the good vibes for bullet #1 and the timing of everything else.
ReplyDeleteMy dream would be to find another dog owner that we could trade off dog sitting duties with. We have a few doggy friends but things haven't moved to "watch my dog" level yet. The doggy day care place is fine, but I wouldn't want to leave her there for more than a few days.
My coffee preference is Starbucks > Dunkin > Carribou. I've never had Carribou so that's why it's in last place. If you had me do a blind taste test I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Starbucks or Dunkin, so it's pretty much a draw.
I hate, hate, hate, hate it when flying goes wrong. My past three flights were smooth as silk, so I'm hoping that the trend continues. I have a connection at Newark for my flight to NS, so if anything is going to go wrong, that's probably where it will happen.
What would I get Blanche? A dog toy of course! My standard answer for any young dog.
The thing is that Hannah is dog selective, so I can't just have her go to someone's house if they have other pets. *sigh* Our current dogsitter loves dogs, but doesn't have one yet. Once they get a dog, it's all over for us. But now I guess we have another option.
DeleteMy preference is the exact opposite of yours. Caribou > Dunkin > Starbucks. *shrug* I probably couldn't do a blind taste test, either, though.
I rarely have flights that go right, so that's a big reason I hate traveling. Even though my trip was objectively AWESOME, when I talk about it, I mostly talk about the airport.
1. Sending you strength and love from NEO.
ReplyDelete2. I think your present to Blanche's mom is organizing her going-away party (very thoughtful, btw!). Your idea of the ransom note is fun; use it to wrap a cute dog toy or some dog snax.
3. It's incredibly maddening when Certain People sort of half-ass an important job, especially when you're already doing so much. I completely understand. And when you're under a lot of stress on multiple fronts, everything is so hard and awful.
4. I'd have gone with Caribou, a franchise that has disappeared here in NEO. I dislike Starbucks, which is so ubiquitous and culty and tastes burnt to me. I just get decaf with some vanilla.
5. I am so sorry about your flight. The airport--no matter which one--is not where you want to spend a whole lot of time, especially when you're irritated and feeling almost hopeless. At least you weren't at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport, where you are pretty much guaranteed to have your luggage lost. (Mine was lost there, twice.)
If I lived near you, I'd take care of Zelda, no problem.
YES! When Certain People half-ass a job and then YOU END UP DOING IT when you have A BILLION other things on your plate AND it interferes with your ability to enjoy OTHER THINGS, I think you have a right to complain, right? At least a little bit?
DeleteAtlanta is the WORST AIRPORT, followed by St. Louis, I'm so happy that it wasn't one of those!
I'm sorry about your mother, hoping things work out for the best. Caribou. Dunkin. Starbucks. I miss having a Caribou around here, but they all closed in SWO— and apparently from nance's comment up where she is too. I'd be happy to drink some of their coffee again. Airports are frustrating to say the least. Sorry about your flight.
ReplyDeleteCaribou is not really around me, either. I was in Minneapolis and it's a Minnesota-based chain, so it made sense to see it there. I was happy to see it!
DeleteI'm Canadian, so it's Tim Hortons, silly girl. 😁
ReplyDeleteNot an option at this airport, but certainly it has been my go-to in every Canadian airport I've ever been to (which is two airports - Toronto and Winnipeg).
DeleteOne of those notes cut out of magazine letters ransoming Blanche so she doesn't leave?-- LOL yes this one.
ReplyDeleteStarbies all the way-- half caf iced Americano with splash of nonfat milk
I am so sorry about your mom.
Starbucks is basically a nonoption in my life. I will probably go without rather than get it. LOL. We are coffee opposites.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your mom. You've posted less recently so I feared things were not going well. I'm sending you hugs from MN.
ReplyDeleteI would do the ransom note and if you feel you need to get her something, road trip snacks. Otherwise I think planning a going away party is a great parting gift! I'm sorry you are losing another friend, though. That is hard. :(
I drink SF vanilla lattes, so I prefer Starbucks because their SF vanilla syrup is the best. It's a toss-up between Caribou and Dunn Bros. Their SF vanilla tastes extremely sugarly in a terrible way so I will typically just get the full-sugar syrup.
I got her a lovely tote bag with our town name on it and road snacks. It was fun to put together and I didn't have to leave town.
DeleteOh, I haven't had Dunn Bros in AGES. I had sort of forgotten about them, to be honest.
I forgot to comment on the flight situation. That is TERRIBLE!! They should have definitely given you vouchers since it was a system-related issue and not related to weather. Stupid jerks!
ReplyDeleteI am not looking forward to being back in airports this week, but at least we're not flying Delta!
DeleteFirst of all- Starbucks. But that's because I love their Earl Grey tea. If I try a different place I don't know what I'm going to get- I like to play it safe.
ReplyDeleteSecond- I can't believe Delta didn't even give you a meal voucher! That really sucks. I had a travel snafu last year where I missed a connecting flight and had to spend a night in Houston. United did pay for my hotel, since it was their fault, but it was not ideal. Like you, I as very grateful that I was traveling alone- I saw people in the same situation with small kids, and that would have been a nightmare.
Ugh. I'm so sorry about your mom situation. I've been there (I mean not your situation exactly, but similar) and it's one of the hardest things you'll ever deal with. Sending hugs, support, and all the positive vibes I can- I know it doesn't help much, but I am thinking about you.
Ha! I despise Starbucks on principle and have probably had more than my fair share of bad coffee because I'll basically go anywhere but there.
DeleteI was so grateful I was by myself. I could do whatever I wanted, you know? That's not so bad. But I saw families there and that would have been so frustrating!
I'm sorry about your mom, Engie.
ReplyDeleteI once had to spend a day at Orlando airport, and it wasn't fun at all.
I honestly can't imagine the chaos that is the Orlando airport! I'm so sorry that happened to you.
DeleteI'm sorry about your mom.
ReplyDeleteFor your #2, I have much empathy. I told my husband that for child #4 that he needed to find someone to stay with the other kids while we went to the hospital. He's the one with friends in town, and we live next door to his colleague. We'll, 10:30 pm at night comes around, it's go time, and he has nothing. So I notice neighbors across the street are still up and make him call them to come watch the kids. Luckily, birth was fast so he was back home after a few hours. I have not trusted him with this type of responsibility since. So hopefully your pet sitting issues will work out. A pity that you have yet one more thing to deal with.
Make that #3. Sigh. One day I'll learn how to type and proofread.
DeleteUgh. This is honestly what we mean about women carrying the mental load. Why wasn't he worried about it? It's not like you were going to be able to get away without someone to watch the kids!!
DeleteOh man - we were stuck in the Seattle airport for nine hours last January. And we weren't even in the nice, new part. We were in the older part where the hallways were narrow and dark, and there weren't enough chairs so the kids and I were all sitting on the floor. And it was after 9pm so all the stores were closed.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are home safe at any rate.
I don't drink coffee, so of the choices, I would probably go to Dunkin' and get a cruller.
So sorry about your mom and about Puppy Blanche and her grown up moving away. Ugh.
I think I was in the nice new part because it was a nice airport, but there were not enough seats. I was always able to get a seat because I could go anywhere I wanted (gates where flights were still hours away), but there were plenty of super long lines and people sitting and sleeping everywhere.
DeleteCoffee only? Dunkin' if it's iced, Starbucks if it's hot. But if we're adding a food item to the mix, I'm going with Starbucks. I have yet to find anything on Dunkin's menu that truly excites me. Either way, Caribou doesn't make the cut.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm going to be stranded in an airport for an entire day, I hope it's PDX.
I've never been to PDX, but I would hope for MSP. I would then just leave the airport and go to the Mall of America or downtown or something. SEA wasn't the worst, but I definitely would have preferred other places.
DeleteI've been thinking about you and the situation with your mom after everything we went through with Jon's mom recently. I am sorry to hear that things are not good. I am sending you strength and love, my friend. This is hard.
ReplyDeleteWait, wait, where in California are you going to be - if you end up going? Anywhere near me? (One - that's me! - can hope.)
OMG, I have the matching whale-wallet LOL :)
That was me :)
DeleteWe're flying into Sacramento and then heading to Santa Cruz. I'll email you!
DeleteUGH DELTA WTF.
ReplyDeleteMSP is my favorite airport. Not quite sure why. A combination of walkability, eating options, and familiarity, maybe? I have a soft spot for Caribou and their hot chocolate, but I would probably pick boring old Starbucks and get a chai latte or an iced green tea lemonade.
Ransom note all the way.
Finding pet care sucks (which I have only just recently discovered and IT SUCKS) and I'm sorry your husband and the pet sitter have made things more challenging. I wish I lived near you; I would love to cat sit your beautiful Zelda.
My thoughts continue go to you and your mom. What a shitty part of life this is, Engie.
MSP is my favorite airport, too! Also, I would feel super comfortable just leaving the airport and heading out on light rail, so I wouldn't feel so trapped.
DeleteFinding pet care is not the worst part of pet ownership (sick pets is), but it's #2 on things on dislike about having pets.
Dang- sorry Seattle ended on a sour note. What the what with not offering a food voucher?!
ReplyDeleteI’m not a coffee drinker, so I would just drink cold water. Boring much?
How about you gift her with some cute stationary or note cards, etc. And maybe even stamps? Use your gift as a plea to stay in touch.
I don't know why I didn't get a food voucher? I was very displeased with their customer service. *shrug* I don't fly enough to make it worth it to them to fix the situation, I guess.
DeleteI'm sorry about your mom, Engie. Knowing and waiting (and not knowing) is so heavy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Blanche and her human stay in touch! I don't drink coffee, dislike chain outlets, and hate to spend money in airports so you're on your own re. that.
Ha! At a certain point, I needed airport treats to keep myself going, but I am with you re: chains and spending money in airports.
DeleteI'm sorry about the hard things, Engie, and sending you virtual hugs. I love a Starbucks iced latte with vanilla, caramel, or chocolate. It's my favorite airport treat. I've actually never tried Dunkin or Caribou. Boo to Blanche leaving. Boo to Delta. I'm obsessed with your wallets!!!
ReplyDeleteDo you have either Dunkin or Caribou? Dunkin is pretty new around here, but it's also pretty ubiquitous now. Caribou is regional and based out of Minnesota, but there are branches in random states like Wyoming and Colorado.
DeleteOh goodness, I’m so sorry about your mom. SO SORRY. I’ve been there, and it sucks. That is all, it just sucks. Hang in there, there will be a time after this, all of the comforting things I can say.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can come to California for the wedding! But I’m sure the wedding couple will understand if you cannot.
I hope you had a great time in Seattle. I’m in Portland right now, and if I had to be trapped in an airport all damned day, PDX would be my number one choice. Decent bookstore, decent restaurants, a place to go if noises are too much, some OK shopping. Donuts!
This is the second shoutout for PDX. I should try to get myself there one day!
DeleteI'm sorry, about your mom and your friend with the cute puppy leaving - different kinds of grief. I love the road trip snacks idea, and a nice pen is always a great gift.
ReplyDeleteThe Hannah thing sounds SO stressful, I would be upset with my husband too.
I ate at a Dunkin years ago and the doughnut tasted like cigarette smoke, and for this reason I will avoid Dunkin forever and always, and I've never heard of Caribou, and I'm not supposed to go to Starbucks because they union bust, so I guess just water for me. Hmph.
Caribou is GOOD, friend. You should definitely try it if you come across it. Don't just get water!
DeleteEngie, you're constantly on my heart knowing what you're going through with your mom. I watched this decline with my grandma and it's truly terrible. <3 There are no other words, other than I'm sorry you are going through this and we're here for you.
ReplyDeleteI am VERY SAD about Blanche the puppy leaving! And her owner. :( Bad news on top of bad news.
I am a Starbucks girly. I don't like Dunkin and have never tried Caribou.
I go out of my way to avoid Starbucks. I think it's funny how we all have our favored chains.
Delete