24 December 2009
The best word that I’ve come up with to describe my mood for most of today, is “giddy.”
It snowed most of the day, today . . . in North Texas! We’re gonna have a White Christmas!!!
Combine that with the fact that it looked like my surprise trip to Florida was on, and I was one happy camper. Unfortunately, I never connected the dots in my head to realize that snow in DFW meant cancelled flights.
The day began cold, but not too cold. And, winter weather was in forecast. But, this is Texas. It simply never occurred to me that it would snow enough to make the ground white. When the precipitation first started it was a drizzly rain. I even posted on my Facebook page, that I didn’t mind the cold, but I’d sure like to trade the drizzle for some snow! Three hours later, I had my wish!
It had really just started to snow when I decided it was time for me to drive to Dallas to see Allyson at Beading Dreams. I had a special, custom-ordered item to pick up from her, and it was the only thing missing from the goody bag of little packages I planned to take to Florida. So, off I went, knowing that it was far too warm for the snow to stick, and I could have the pleasure of driving in it, with no real danger. I kissed Kyle goodbye (he was going to be gallant and do the grocery store run while I did my errand) and cleaned off my windshield with a smile on my face. I turned on the seat warmer, cranked up the Christmas carols, and headed east. I was in such a good mood! I called John in Florida to arrange a ride from and back to the airport. I called my mother to have a nonchalant chat, throw her far from the trail of expecting my visit, and wish her a Merry Christmas. I even took a wrong turn onto Lover’s Lane and had to backtrack ten minutes, and still, the grin simply wouldn’t leave my face! By the time I got almost to Ally’s store, the snowfall had increased in severity and I snapped this photo out my windsheild. It was so beautiful.
I arrived at Beading Dreams to find Allyson handing me the phone. Confused, as she said it was for me, I meekly said “hello.” Larry, her dad/my dear friend, had seen on Facebook where I’d posted I was on my way to see Allyson, and had decided to call to wish me a Happy Christmas! I was so amused that he’d seen that on Facebook, that I didn’t stop to realize that he really had called just for that reason! No sooner, had Allyson explained all that to me, but what she presented me with a familiar little cookie and said it was from someone who saw on Facebook that I’d be there, and was driving through town and decided to do a quick, spur of the moment delivery! It didn’t take me long to suss out that our dear Mary Dane was the yummy cookie fairy. Nobody makes those little chocolate/peanut butter cup cookies like she does! Thank you, Mary!
I enjoyed a delightful visit with Allyson and Rod, while Allyson made me a couple of quick pair of earrings, and I strung up some beautiful glass beads onto elastic for insta-jewelry. While I was there, and shortly before closing time, Kyle called to inform me that in Arlington, the snow was sticking, and the roads were getting more dangerous. Seems the temperature was dropping and it was only going to drop more with sundown. So, new goodies in hand, I said my goodbyes and pointed the truck toward home. It was indeed colder, and I was only about two-thirds of the way home when my windshield wipers decided to start to accumulate the icy snow. The wind was harsh, and blowing the snow sideways across the highway. When I exited the freeway, I actually pulled over and cleaned the blades on the wipers so I could see to drive the final five minutes to the house. And, still – - I couldn’t stop smiling. I pulled over one other time, just to take some photos of what I was realizing was going to be a white Christmas.
But, it wasn’t until I got home and was talking to Kyle, that I realized my travel plans were about to change. The flight I was planning to be on at six a.m. was no longer an option—all full. Severely oversold, in fact. A little quick research showed Kyle that the last two flights of this afternoon/evening had been cancelled due to weather. All those folks were now spread over the already mostly full flights of Christmas Day. So, as a non-rev traveller, going anywhere (much less the land of the Mouse) from DFW was simply not going to be an option. Before the night played out, I had to call and let John know I wasn’t going to make it after all. I was snowed in! (I’m so sorry, Mama! I’m with you in spirit!) What a crazy thing to say! Snowed in in Texas! The bizarre joyousness of the snow helped make the foiled travel easier to swallow, and I began to look forward to the day with my husband. And, I’d be able to attend the dinner party our Ginger was hosting. Good news from bad. And so the world turns.
As we go to bed tonight, we do so with the childlike expectation of a beautiful sunrise over a world coated in white.
~MB
