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This has been an interesting trip.

Yesterday I had an older couple board my plane. They were grumpy, sour people. They both sat in the wrong seat and then complained about it.

"We didn't ask to sit here!"

When I discovered the error, I asked them to please move to their assigned seats because the man who did ask for that row has long legs and needed the extra space in the bulkhead.

Grumble, grumble...

After my duties were finished, I poured myself a cup of coffee. I considered pulling out the magazine "Budget Travel, Italy" that I had just purchased, but instead settled on engaging my grumpy couple in conversation. They looked bored.

"So, you've had a rough day, huh?" That's how I usually start my plan of attack. I get them talking about what a terrible experience they've had flying around. Sympathy works well. In this case they were tired and were looking forward to going home after a family reunion. Oh! that explains it! Of course everyone is tired...but a family reunion is enough to drive anyone past the point of no return.

We ended up talking the entire flight and it turns out that they are practically my father's neighbors. Small world.

My evil plan worked. hahaha. By the time they left my plane, fits of laughter trailed behind them. I won the challenge! Victory is sweet.

Good news and not so bad news

The bad news is that I will not be attending the writers conference in Portland at the end of this month.


That's it for bad news. :)


Now for the good news....


Italy is just around the corner! August 7-13th. Venice, Florence, Rome!! I can't wait.

Also, there is another writers conference happening near Yosemite the third week of August. I hope I can go. But only if I can get the weekend off and if I can afford it. These conferences are kinda expensive. $400.00 not including hotel.

But I really want to further my writing abilities. Plus I want to talk to editors, publishers & other writers. I am interested in learning how I can get into freelance writing. Currently I'm writing for free. I just submitted my 5th article to the SIA flyer. Although it gets me noticed at work, I'm not getting paid for it. It would be nice to turn this "I just gotta write" feeling into cold hard cash! It would be another step towards financial stability...and who doesn't want that?

Use what ya got man.

"I hate you...I wish you would die in a plane crash. If I had a knife or a gun, I'd kill you right now."

I'm tired of hearing it. It hurts every time. Especially when said (or yelled) in front of others. But don't worry about me, I've constructed a temporary emotional wall that protects me from dragon fire.

My shield is simple. I tell myself this...

"She doesn't mean it. I'm a good person."

These 8 words are powerful. I use them to repair my self esteem instead of firing back with equally harsh words.

The good news is that Kaytee has begun her walk with the Lord. I hear God telling me to be patient. Kaytee has only just begun and has issues to work out. I know God is helping her and that in time, she will be fine. In the meantime, my job is to love her and keep her safe (no matter how much she hates me for it). That's just what parents do.

I will stay the course. The path each parent strives to walk when dealing with their teenager. It's a tight rope, for sure. I pray that I will not grow weary. I know that God will give me strength.