US Traveler Maggie, part duex

Maggie keeps herself entertained at the O'Hare Airport

US Traveler Maggie

Maggie has always been a pretty good car traveler. This trip is her very first airline trip. We have talked it up for quite some time, so she was very very excited. We were worried she would get scared, but she was just an old pro. She was definite that she wanted to sit by me on the "airplane ride." With Slush in hand and her butterfly backpack stuffed with snacks, she was well prepared.

The first ride from Billings went very smoothly. You never would have guessed it was Maggie's first airplane ride. She watched her movies some, but really really liked unbuckling her seatbelt and watching the clouds. She also spent some time "reading" the safety guide and pointed out the water and letters on the guide.

We had plenty of colors, movies, books to keep her entertained, but the 5 hour + layover in Chicago pressed the limits. Maggie did so good! We walked around O'Hara. She LOVED the people movers and the "skeleton dinosaur." She fought off sleep as long as she possibly could. She fell asleep soon after take off to Madison, watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."

The Layover

We are stuck in Chicago. Our flight from Billings was delayed for 2 hours due to a crew delay -- they arrived in Billings late yesterday and weren't allowed to fly until 2 hours past our original departure time. We arrived in Chicago in time to try to stand by on 2 other flights, but here we are about 3 1/2 hours later, hanging out at another gate. Rocky spent the $7 to get on to wireless. We have run down the batteries on Maggie's player and have run them almost down on Rocky's mp3 player. Mine is left and we need something for the flight to Madison and the drive to the Wisconsin Dells. The flight should be short and the drive about an hour long. So, it's just a matter of getting on the flight. We are confirmed, but checked in too early this morning to get seat assignments. I am patiently (impatiently) waiting for the gate agent so we can get our seat assignments as I do not want to inadvertently end up playing that fun seat assignment waiting game (which I used to do A LOT when I worked for United).

We are on our way to the Dailey Family Reunion. About 30 members of Rocky's family will be there. His sister Shelly is the organizer and got a couple of 3 bedroom condos for the crew. The site has a water park so we should have plenty of fun through the weekend. Rocky was volunteered to bring his good camera and take lots of pictures, so when the weekend is over, we will upload and share lots.

My first Wine Blog post

So, I wanted to blog about a new wine tonight: Notro Torrontes 2007 an Argentina white. According to the label, it offers an intensely perfumes nose of exotic tropical fruit, with light floral notes. It is light, lively and crisp on the palate. Excellent on its own, it also pairs well with salads, light fish dishes or spicy Thai, Vietnamese or Chinese cuisine. I know I enjoyed it, however, after 1.5 glasses (and emptying the bottle) I switched over to Tilia Malbec, an Argentinean red and can no longer remember the exact taste of the Argentinean white.

When I picked up the Tilia Malbec 2008, I thought it was a picnic wine by the same lable, but it turned out to be red. I guess I should have read the lable (because in capital letters it states RED WINE). I like this wine, but think I should have started with it as it would have paired well with the steak Rocky purchased for dinner.

Interestingly, the Tilia is a screwtop and the Notro is a rubber cork top. I don't really notice a difference between the two and the screwtop is much more convenient!

Both wines were purchased at City Vineyard for $9.95 each. I love getting a nice wine for under $10. (If I didn't, I wouldn't drink Barefoot Wine!)

Change in plans

Yesterday, after spending the morning running errands, our last stop was my new favorite wine store (City Vineyard). As we drove home, I started thinking that I need to start blogging about my favorite wines, if only to help me remember which ones I like and which ones I don't. I was just finishing up with a load of laundry when my cell phone rang. Which surprised me because no one but Rocky (and work) ever call me on my cell phone and Rocky was home and obviously, the office is closed on Saturdays. But it was my manager. Carey Jo called to let me know my friend and co-worker Michelle's son had been killed in a car accident. Michael was 22 and was on his way back to Dillon Montana where he was going to get ready for University of Montana Western's football season.

Suddenly, the priorities for my day changed. Things that had seemed so important just minutes earlier, no longer were. I didn't know what to do then and I still don't. This is the 2nd senseless death of a child I knew in less than 2 weeks. 2 weeks ago, one of Maggie's preschool classmates was killed in a motorcycle/car accident. We haven't really talked to Maggie about it as he wasn't in her classroom and I'm not sure she's aware of what happened. We will talk about it if/when she asks though.

It's senseless and tragic. No parent should have to go through this. I know that I've stopped worrying about quality time with Maggie and have started enjoying the quantity time with her -- you know, that time spent watching TV or just being in the same room.

If you pray, please pray for comfort and strength for these two families who are saying goodbye much too soon to their boys.

Oh to be three again