Venice...Mind? Blown.

We have trekked miles, and ridden water taxis all over Venice in three days.  And all because we won a trip in a Young Living contest!

I’m sure we missed quite a bit, but my feet are saying…”Girl, believe me, you hit it all.”

We went to Saint Marco, and saw the big cathedral.

We traveled down the Grand Canal, right after sunset.

We went to the Guggenheim Museum, where some of Jackson and Charles Pollack's works were shown.  It was a very powerful collection, spanning several years.  They even had some of their familial letters on display. For example, several of the paintings in this room were painted in West Texas.

We went to the island of Murano where the glass blowing factories reside…and amazingly made it out of there with no major purchases.  (Though we almost caved and bought a beautiful piece….maybe someday.)

We stayed at the Hilton Molino Stucky – a beautiful property, built into an ancient building.  Good job, Hilton!!

Did I tell y’all anything about eating?  The food, amazing.  The gelato, consumed while walking along the waterfront? Divine.

Watching all the people, from all the nations, tourists and Venice dwellers, was one of my favorite things. Speaking of humans, we met some amazing people on this trip to Venice, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece, and formed some great, godly relationships with some of them.  We know, in our hearts, these friends will be friends for life.  Thank you, Jesus, for your love that knits us all together.

We want to go back to these beautiful countries, and soon.  Thank you, Young Living, for sending us on this amazingly, wonderful journey!

#youngliving #YLcruise #venice #greece #croatia #turkey #guggenheim #oilnatural #essentialoils

Only One Hour

Note to self:

Always check your flight arrangements when you entrust them to someone else.

We checked in for our final flight home Saturday night and afterwards, did the math.

We arrive at 8:30 p.m. in DFW Terminal E, have to grab our checked luggage.  Then, run to the train.  Then, go back through security for American Terminal B.

And hopefully, catch a 9:45 p.m. flight home to Midland.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Once again, welcome to Mi Vida Loca.

It’s never boring around here.

UPDATE:

We landed at 8:20 pm.  Got to baggage claim at 8:30 pm.  Baggage arrived about 8:40 pm.  We grabbed a taxi who tentatively knew where to take us.

Point being:  we needed B40 Terminal.  He took us to B40.  It was closed.  Then…

We hurried to B18 to check in …the final American Airlines Terminal open…until 9 pm.  We made it there at 8:59 and they gracefully took our bags and sent us on our way.

We make it through security checkpoint when I realize ThatManILove is missing his backpack.  He runs back 2 gates to get it…and it has been sequestered.  (He forgot to take his water bottle out.)  They finally relinquish the bag.

Meanwhile, resourceful woman that I am, his chariot awaits.  I have begged a golf cart driver to take us to B40.  We tipped him $20 and it was worth every cent.

We get to the gate with 2 minutes leeway to board!  AND they upgraded us to first class!  (short flight, but we’ll take it!)

MIRACLES do happen!  Thank you, Lord, for your absolute favor!  

Also, because we kept a full supply of Young Living Ningxia Red going, I really think we'll experience minimal jet lag at best. Young Living rocks!  YAY!

UPDATE:  Out of a full flight, only 12 bags made it to Midland.  Ours…did not.  Hopefully tomorrow!

PS - I love Southwest Airlines. 

Passports...What Is The Real Expiration Date?

Mi Vida Loca!

 It's been crazy...y'all check your passports! If you think you have three months to go before it expires, guess again! I had to expedite mine...it expires Sept 8, 2015. We get back from this trip on June 13. For my passport to work, it would have to expire Sept 14, 2015. Late Friday afternoon found me contacting RushMyPassport, and fedex-ing my passport to San Francisco, for delivery Tuesday morning at 8:30 am in Midland. Which would have been fine - - - but the US State Department had a computer glitch so no passport for Janie on Tuesday. Instead, Steve and I picked that bad boy up this morning at UPS at DFW. (it's never boring around here.) 

Trip ON! Thank you, Jesus!

Here's the real scoop on passports and expiration dates:

Passport Expiration - Don't Get Stuck!