It started with an interminable delay at the Indianapolis airport. During the three extra hours we waited for the plane, Lou managed to run smack into some lady's shins in a fit of exuberance. She ignored my apology, but did try to kill me with her eyes. I will respond, in time, with a little voodoo hex of my own. I have no qualms about summoning the black arts, when the situation warrants (note: If there is one thing that pisses off a mother, it is the implication that she inadequate.)

Still in Indianapolis, some nut job tries to force people sitting in his flight area to arrange themselves in the seats according to flight seat number. Some of the more sheepish moved for him. We sat tight, but he forced his daughter to sit on the floor next to our seats, and he sat directly across from us. Well, the ambiance sucked, and we eventually did move. Freak!

Somehow, we managed to arrive in time for the last flight out from Newark (which was running about an hour late - people on the plane were growling). I was sitting across the aisle from an Asshole, who was arguing with his wife when I boarded, telling her to "stop bitching." During his flight he discussed his hatred of the French with his children, adding the rather unoriginal "They'd all be speaking German right now if it wasn't for us!" I really couldn't end the flight without a rather loud "GREAT! PASSING ON BIGOTRY TO CHILDREN!"

We arrived at CDG, but our luggage did not. No such thing as loaner car seats, so he had no choice but to drive home without one. I'm not cavalier about child safety, and I was rather upset about this detail.

I do hate to dwell on the unsavory parts of our trip, and I am not prone to venting. But there are no highlights to report. It's the worst trip I've taken. The people were insane. Perhaps it was something in the air.

In any case, we have arrived and are settling in nicely. The sun is just poking through the clouds. We have all summer ahead of us, and the rest is forgotten. Except the hex part. I'm going to have to pencil that into next week...

Man, must've been something in the air, yesterday was the worst trip back to the US I've ever had (though for the first time in a long time, my luggage did not get lost). I lost my boarding pass at CDG, lost my wallet in Minneapolis, etc - the day just went from bad to worse!

Tell me about it- I just got awful looks the other day because Gab threw a minor fit in bakery. As if they think we can do anything about it! And, I hear you on the making a mother feel inadequate- you just don't go there!

Glad you are here safe and sound!