Well ... at the moment it's wait and see, dammit. Something went wrong with booking and they lost all the points they had for the ticket.
They're on the phone trying to get it sorted, but not sure yet, hot dang it!!
They're upset and disappointed, and so am I. FIngers crossed that it's going to work itself out!

..ok.. women do take extra things hairdryers hair curlers makeup..
.. but the principle is sound.. one formal outfit to casual outfits.... it is like going to the lake lot for summer.. you pack multiple outfits.. but realistically you spend all your time in the same t-shirt and shorts..lol.. how many times I have been in an airport..
Seeing a woman with multiple bags struggling.... having to lug all that luggage everywhere she goes.... and I bet she doesn't even wear half of the clothing that she packed... it comes down to a psychological.. thingy..lol.. when you're at home you do not wish to be seen wearing the same outfit twice... now I'm putting aside the emotional side to luggage and the attachment to the belongings contained within... .. but you have to remember when you go on holiday you need to give yourself permission.. to be a bit slobbery... you are after all on holiday.. no need to dress to impress...yup

..ohh nooo. . Fingers crossed..
The same thing is happening to.. a colleague of mine.. he was planning on taking his daughter to Disneyland in the near future.. when he checked out the price of airfare it was going to cost them roughly $900.. now he is trying to book a flight and it has gone up to nearly $1,400.... on the day he was looking to depart.. he said in the morning it was at 12 something by the afternoon it had jumped to 1400 ... they certainly don't make it easy for everyone to get together . They should really make travelling as cheap as humanly possible.. it would help bring everyone together make the world a better place... if it cost you $100 to fly to Egypt or Africa.... we will all be so much happier... go to work on Monday so Bob what did you do this weekend.. oh I went and climbed up the pyramids.. the view was awesome... and I met some really nice people.. we're all going to Paris next weekend for lunch..yup

It's going to get sorted after all! Not with the points, they're just going to book (buy) a ticket.
Dang ... still can't believe it! Totally unexpected and much earlier than I had expected!

Four weeks with my girl, gonna be brill! Gonna get to know my son in law better, as I've only seen him once for a few hours.
We're not going to do major traveling in the States, as that will become expensive fast, but it's just going to be great!

I will go to Texas, very briefly, only layover. So pick up me suitcase, dump it in the next conveyor belt for the other plane, and go to Pensacola where they'll pick me up.

Hot dang, I'm SO excited!!!

well then you won't need any cold weather gear


all the way to texas to come back east to fla???? wtf

Oh Crystal I am so happy for you, what a wonderful gift from your daughter and a whole 4 weeks that is amazing.. You won't need cold weather gear, lots of spring clothes.

This is so a wonderful thing to read about.

Yes, I am very happy! And very lucky that both she and her husband are willing to do this for me!

Yes, flying from Amsterdam to Houston. My girl went from Atlanta but was a different airline. Hope the long flight isn't going to ruin me before I'm even there. It is a bloody long time!

As for cold weather, it's only going to be 18C max in February, so I will have to pack warm clothes. It may still be warmer than it is over here than though. If we're in for a cold winter it could be well below zero here. So in that case 18C will be nice :)

so did you get all the travel sorted out?

Yeah, ticket is booked :)
I just got off the phone with my son. He's going to stay in my house with his girl when I'm gone so I don't find a bunch of squatters when I get back. Four weeks is a long time to leave your home deserted ... And also company for my cats, otherwise 4 weeks is too long as well, and someone to feed them. Cos 4 weeks without food is definitely too long :p
My son will take me to the airport as well on the day of departure :)

I was trying to remember if I've ever flown on me own, not sure now. I used to do a number of long flights from the Netherlands to Jakarta, but I don't think I did those on my own.
I think the only one I have done alone, was leaving Australia. And all that was yonks ago, so I am going to be nervous about that. Finding the gates and chit.

Thank goodness I'm going to a country where they speak English, makes life a helluva lot easier. I switch from Dutch to English and back in the blink of an eye. So at least I won't have to think about what to say, lol.
Had it been French, I would need to take a dictionary with me, hihi. My French is VERY rusty!

Have to think if I'm going to take my own large suitcase or borrow one or buy another one. Mine is ancient. I'm already having nightmares of it exploding and me undies flying around everywhere

three shopping bags and your purse would be simpler

No no no ... my shopping bags don't close at the top, so that's a guarantee my undies and bras will be flying all over the States! They might end up dangling from trees in New Hampshire!!
And me walking around without a bra! Can't have that happen!

Thank goodness there's still some time to sort it out. Funny thing what you stress about when you're a bit older. When I was younger I didn't, not as much.

well as long as you don't try to put two suitcases worth into one you will be fine

Awesome news, Crystal! So happy for you! Safe travels.

Houston!! Whoo Hoo!!! I've made the flight from Houston to Amsterdam. It's pretty long. Here in Houston the temp was 92F yesterday (that's about 33C to you!). The airport food is actually pretty good at Houston. If you don't get back to Texas, it may be an opportunity you shouldn't miss. It is NOTHING like the food in Europe.

http://houston.eater.com/2011/12/19/6628823/where-to-eat-at-george-bush-intercontinental-airport-iah

There's a Papadeaux's in Terminal E, which is probably where you will arrive.

http://www.pappadeaux.com/menu/

If you get the hankering fer some TexMex ... Pappasito's is there too.

http://pappasitos.com/menu/

Either place is much different than all of Europe, most of the US, and the food is excellent!

Aww Crystal. This sounds like such fun for you and your daughter. Cool. Cool. Cool. Don't worry about the flight alone. You'll do fine and dandy. Seriously, take one big bag to check and one small bad to take on the plane. Have your can't do withouts in that carryon bag so if by some remote chance your Big Bag get's lost you have your small bag with "can't do withouts". Today, the way it works is you can have one small carry on bag along with a bag that will fit under the airline seat. That bag is usually my backpack with my purse in it and my laptop, a book, a snack or whatever.

So excited for you!!!

I have travelled a bit, and I have always overpacked.. I say, pack lightly..
I would pack your suitcase, then take half of it out. Don't forget your beachwear - I've been to Pensacola area - beautiful white sandy beaches.
You can always buy something there.
have a good safe holiday.