Storm Watcher

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Gwenn

I am a Weather Channel fan. www.weather.com . I tune in almost daily looking for the local forecast that comes “on the 8′s”.  How can I choose which t-shirt to wear with my scrubs today if I don’t check out the morning forecast? By mid-week I am anticipating the weather effects on my travel because every weekend is for travel, Quota or otherwise.  It also helps to know what to put in the luggage. I don’t care about all those programs telling the stories of devastation and narrow escapes from the fury of storms or the impact on history. I want to know the story of weather right now, locally and nationally.  I enjoy knowing how my environment compares to yours from day to day.  I am comparing my mild winters and sweltering humidity of endless summer to your harsh frigid winter and short-lived summer.

I have my favorite personalities too. Give me Mike Seidel over Jim Cantore any day. And if either one of these guys ever show up in your town, you know your story is the most important.

As you can imagine when I arrived home on April 27th to find Charles watching the Weather Channel tracking the thunderstorms approaching Tuscaloosa where Jim Cantore was reporting I settled into an evening of viewing.  Sarah had already sent text messages from the 1st floor hallway of her dorm at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. We knew where she was, now we needed to know where the storm was.

The Weather Channel gave precise accounts of the approaching tornado and its path into town. The newscasters began discussing the development of the tornado and excitedly described the change on radar that indicated the debris in the funnel cloud confirming it had touched down. It was sweeping across the city taking everything in its path almost a mile wide.  At first described as a path along the south edge of campus, they honed down the radar and named the street corner of 15th and McFarland as taking the direct hit and most damage, a location known to anyone who has visited that campus.

We continued sending and receiving messages from Sarah, the only consolation available to a worried parent. Subsequently the report was no damage to the university itself. Electrical power was lost for the most part and cell phone use spotty. I am convinced the brief return of power and connection with Skype that allowed me to see her face was divine intervention and the only way I was going to be reassured that evening.

The next day the tragic reports of rising death toll and community losses kept coming in. The videos immediately available on line confirmed the reports I had received from the Weather Channel, this was a huge storm. www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7364072n . The university canceled the remainder of the semester and kids were encouraged to pack up and leave. With the help of Sarah’s uncle Craig her dorm room was packed into the car in a matter of hours and they were on the way home. Her dad was not waiting, he drove 4 hours to meet up with her. She is lucky to have 2 heroes in her life.

Although physically removed from the destruction and always safe, Sarah experienced a wide range of emotions from this event, the typical reactions to traumatic events. The extensive media coverage was a mixed blessing. She wanted to help her new community and felt helpless now removed from it. The university established fund, Acts of Kindness supporting faculty and staff affected by the storm, gave her the vehicle for her charity.  She began soliciting donations for the fund and offered a hand-knitted crimson (school color) scarf for a donation of $20.  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=214753915219408 She has recruited 6 knitters across the region to assist her with the 50 scarfs requested to date. The donations total over $1000 in the first week.

Our prayers continue for the city of Tuscaloosa, the families of 41 lost lives including 5 students, and 7 who remain missing. The city has over 5000 structures destroyed, miles of damage and mountains of debris. This storm will be a marker of change in the many lives it touched including Sarah.

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Listening Tour trip #9

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Gwenn

I did get on a plane the next day! It was amazing to me.  Looking at the flight status on-line I saw the evening flight from Dallas into Monroe was delayed and expected at midnight. I thought I would wake up on Tuesday to a delay or cancellation.  American Airlines must of had a few extra personnel hanging around in Monroe after the day of storms, because there were no delays on Tuesday. I made all connections as scheduled…well a day late.

I had missed the Listening Tour in QI Waterloo, Iowa on Monday evening. I am told all went according to Plan B. My disappointment was eased by having lunch on Tuesday with several members who drove over to meet me in Cedar Rapids. We discussed the interesting comments they heard at the Listening Tour the evening before and a few of the ideas I have found intriguing from our young adult participants as I have moderated the events.  I appreciate the ladies making the effort to spend a little time with me. They were anticipating district conference on the weekend- they had a full Quota week!

Prior to the focus group QI Cedar Rapids met for a reception giving me the opportunity to visit with members. I talked too long and President Ramona did not get her business conducted before the young adults arrived. It is dangerous at times to give me the floor. Presidents, I have warned you!

The participants were early 30′s, mostly career women. Several were leaders in the local Jaycees. They had an interest in a club that provides networking and personal development. They also have been involved in service.  One participant had marketing/sales experience. She expressed that the name Quota is terrible. To her it conjured up ideas of a group doing statistical research.  This group went to Facebook, not our web page to look up the organization. I really encouraged them to look at the new web page, I am so proud of our contemporary new site! www.quota.org

On a positive note, when asked to create their own community service group from the ground up, one participant came up with a name for it that I really enjoyed…”Now! Cedar Rapids”.  Her idea was that as the organization grew you would change the city as we do with Quota. The name expressed to her the immediate nature of making an impact with our work, a hip, contemporary group, and implied action.  I liked it a lot.

I had opportunity to see the reading center QI Cedar Rapids supports with its Cops N Kids program.  It is an encouraging corner in a neighborhood desperate for revitalization.  Although the city has come back strong after the devastation of floods 3 years ago many homes along the river have been removed or remain abandoned.  The water marks are clearly seen. It reminded me of New Orleans in these post-Katrina days.

While I was sleeping in Iowa the Monroe area had 7 1/2 inches rain in 4 hours, enough to break the rain gauge at the airport, 2 tornadoes, a couple hundred roads under water and dozens of homes flooded. I caught an early morning flight on Wednesday, intending to get to the clinic for the afternoon. I must have found the only gap in the winds and thunderstorms that day.  I got to work on time and made it home before 5pm.  Just like I planned!  I saw my neighbors working to remove from the roof over their bedrooms the tree toppled the evening before by the winds.  But it was nothing compared to the live drama that unfolded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that evening while I watched on The Weather Channel!

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I can’t get there from here

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Gwenn

My flight schedule this week was simple- Monroe connecting through Dallas to Cedar Rapids, Iowa Monday morning, returning Wed morning. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other ideas. My first cancellation phone call came on Sunday evening. The early morning flight cancellations the evening before means the plane arrived into Monroe late or not at all. So you wait for another plane to arrive the next morning and hope there is room on the outgoing flight. The problem with that plan – it did not allow me to arrive in Cedar Rapids in time to drive the hour to QI Waterloo location for the Listening Tour focus group or the club installation program. So time for plan B.

I left Monroe a little before 5 am driving the 90 miles to Shreveport for a 8am flight. (Shreveport either had a plane or expected one in early)  The first reported delay was only an hour and still allowed time to make the connection. It was the second estimated time of departure that meant I had to work on Plan C.  Flights were not arriving from Dallas because the FAA was inspecting all the planes for any hail damage done the evening before. By noon my fellow passengers and I were sent back to the American Airline ticket counter which I was certain meant cancellation of the flight. After 40 min in line, the answer was no, just start planning an evening connection in Dallas and cancellation of the QI Waterloo leg of the trip. Thankfully, PDG Chris had a Plan B and was able to continue with the scheduled events without me.

I was not regretting this third trip to the counter and third time through the security check point for 2 surprising reasons.  At noon, in the Shreveport Regional Airport the public address system asks you to stand for the singing of the national anthem. And as I was in the entrance of the airport I was afforded this incredible sight of disgruntled passengers standing to salute the flag while the unknown voice sang on the PA system. 

National anthem in Shreveport airport

National anthem at noon

Probably the proximity of the Barksdale US Air Force Base contributes to the patriotic spirit in this community. I noticed the Delta Airline employee continuing her chores behind the counter, rarely have I seen such a work ethic from that airline’s employees.  But really, who could be annoyed and disagreeable after such a patriotic moment?

The second opportunity was finding PIP Rosemary Patterson checking in at the ticket counter. Rosemary planned to fly to Philadelphia in support of her nephew, the opera star.  Her flight was not going anywhere. In fact we sat together watching as numerous flights were landing now assuring us the planes were leaving Dallas.  Half the flights actually were bound for Dallas. They were delayed in route by new storms between Dallas and Shreveport. Those were not happy travelers who de-planed in Shreveport only to find minimal conveniences and the waiting passengers of the 4 morning flights occupying the seating areas.  When I say minimal, I mean hot dogs as the only hot food choice, and Lunchables convenience pack as the most nutritious option.

Rosemary and I chatted away catching up on all the news of our families and of course things Quota. Hourly, we were updated and with each report I became more convinced I would not get a connection to Iowa. At last, I had been delayed until the only connection from Dallas to Iowa was cancelled thus freeing me from my vigil. I had spent almost 10 hours in the airport.  I drove the 2 hours back home to sleep in my own bed. I saw it as the better alternative to accepting a connection through Dallas and Chicago that would have me arrive in Iowa at 11:15pm.  I was justified in my decision- the  8 am flight from Shreveport departed after its 10 hour delay, assuring those connecting options were lost.

Now I am heading to bed expecting to get a call cancelling tomorrow’s 7 am flight from Monroe. You see we are in the storm path and the odds are against that plane getting into Monroe tonight on schedule. Of course, some have said my travel record already defies the laws of probability for percentage of cancellations.  Tomorrow may be reminiscent of that delightful movie Ground Hog Day in which Bill Murray awakens each morning to re-live the events of that day until he gets it right. Deja vu!

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O Canada!

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Gwenn

 

My first international experience with the Listening Tour focus groups was in Ontario Canada. I can’t say there were dramatic differences from American adults in the answers to our questions. What struck me was the interest of the women of Midland in our organization and their lingering after the event to just talk and be acquainted with the members. In previous events in The States, the young adults would hang around to eat pizza but rush off when they had their fill. Not in Canada. Perhaps they are just more polite or they truly take life at a slower pace.

 I appreciate Canada Area Director Marie Dobson-Dunlop taking advantage of my travel schedule to arrange a second focus group in Canada. The group was small, several people with last minute issues preventing them from getting there, but this will happen. I enjoyed talking to these women and I hope their interest in Quota continues and prompts them to join in the near future.  Marie and I had opportunity to talk about Quota growth in Canada and I am anticipating new efforts in development there.

 QI Orillia invited a young student to join their focus group who through their generous donations had traveled to Kenya to work on a water project. Daughters and friends added to the number. Surprisingly, one young woman attended after reading about the event in the local publications QI Orillia successfully used to promote my visit.  A young man invited did not show dashing my hopes of more male participation in our focus groups.

 And talk PR for Quota International - QI Orillia has it happening! I was featured in the newspaper and interviewed live on noon time talk radio. It was all in recognition of the club’s 65thanniversary. I was invited to unveil a monument that recognizes Quota’s contribution to the community. The monument will be permanently placed on the lakefront in downtown Orillia.  I was there with the mayor and the provincial government representative to speak a few words and take a lot of pictures. I would love to have some of them to post here. Send me a few please! Quota had its own celebrity there, PIP Helen Macdonald. Everyone in Ontario knows Helen!

 The club hosted a reception afterward where I mingled with several members from other Quota clubs in the region. Thank you for coming out to greet me! I also met a man who had just served as the member of parliament from the region. He was not downtown at the unveiling because the Canadians are in the midst of a campaign season for elections, just weeks away. The member of Parliament is considered to have lost the seat when the Parliament is closed and therefore can not officially represent the government in a public setting. Therefore, he is allowed to meet privately with us, but could not appear with us for the media event.

 This is quite the opposite of the American political way of putting your face in front of the voters and media at every opportunity, ad nauseum, for MONTHS prior to election. Thankfully, the re-election cycle for a Police Juror of Ouachita Parish is very low profile and although we will put in many hours to the effort, Charles will not be holding major public events to attract the news media every day from now to next October. They are already making him known by his promotion of the upcoming tax to support the jail. I am not sure his position is popular. I do know it has been well considered and if this numbers guy says it is necessary, I know he has eliminated all the other alternatives. He is always a long range planner and has already put up the Facebook page of Friends for his re-election. He also is getting anxious about being away in the SPA with me for several weeks and trying to plan what work he could accomplish on-line while away. The beauty of internet, it allows us to never leave work behind if we choose.  At the present the idea of quick campaigns and elections as in Canada is sounding appealing.

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Spring Break!

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Gwenn

 If you are in North America and your winter has been too long, I hope you have had a spring break.   Instead of finding some warm, sunny beach to sit on, I went home for 3 weeks.  And yes, it was warm and sunny. I had a chance to work in the yard, grill on the patio and sit on my porch in contemplation, in  general regroup.  I even took a weekend away from my computer!  I was not completely on electronic strike, I still wanted to be connected to the world so I had my cell phone on. I got a couple of text from friends and family, but the phone did not ring. And I did not read any of the emails the smart phone collected!

I used this unofficial spring break  to focus on my home-life. I actually put in a 5 day work week for those 3 weeks.  I put away part of the clutter that naturally builds up during our work week and my travels. Yes, some of it is still there.  I worked on small projects left waiting for several months. I  took care of those routine matters that come up in the course of life, like getting a windshield repair, car washed, going to the dentist and getting my annual mammogram. The calendar was not very full, well not for me. I was at home, and it felt normal.

I did have one Quota function, the Listening Tour of my own club, QI Monroe. We had 9 university students and women early in their careers. Some themes are repeated through these events, responses like – it is important to see things accomplished on a regular basis and the impact you are making.  We were talking about a good name for a service club. I commented that Quotarians are often beleaguered by the question, “What is Quota”.  One participant, a marketing major, commented that a name that provokes a question is a great thing!  It allows you to talk about who you are and what you do without the preconceived ideas related to your name.  Now, that I have been listening to these young people, I am rephrasing my response to that recurring question- “I am so glad you asked! Quota is a group of friends volunteering their time to make an impact”.   

Sarah was also home for a week on spring break. We had an afternoon together doing the girl thing,  mani and pedi time. Went to the movies. Did her laundry. Of course we had all her favorite foods. She forgot to take the Johnny’s pizza back to school with her, so I ”had to” finish it off for her.

During this time, I was not sharing my thoughts with you through this blog, I suppose because this has been more about my Quota life than my home-life. I spent a lot of time thinking about life after QI President. The first priority is getting Charles re-elected.  I have things to do at home that have been on hold for  awhile. I can’t start planning yet, but I am happy to think about travel opportunities that are non-Quota related, opportunities to visit with family and friends.

The break is over and I am back on the road again now.  My procrastination has come to an end and I am once again communicating with you.  Coming soon, the Canadian Listening Tours and District Conferences.

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Posted on March 22, 2011 by Gwenn

The beautifully restored Heritage House in Indiana, Pennsylvania was the setting for the Listening Tour focus group of D3, the seventh of my scheduled trips. The front parlor was used for the discussion. 

Heritage House

   QI Indiana provided a delicious catered meal for our guests. The panel was composed of 9 women, mostly Moms with a career. I enjoyed the opportunity to hear the perspective of these women, many of whom are involved in the community non-profit organizations. Several mentioned the importance of teaching their children about volunteering and service. They would enjoy opportunities for the family to participate together. It was an inspiring evening for me and the Quotarians from around D3 who were present.

Earlier in the day I had the opportunity to lunch with leaders from QI Shenango Valley and QI Hermitage who drove over for the day. The next day lunch was in Johnstown with several members of that club. Have you ever noticed that meetings seem to surround meals? I am truly well fed in my travels, and many times provided with yummy snacks. One of the perks of the job!

Prior to leaving the area, I visited with the members of QI Blairsville. To my knowledge at a population of 3000, this is the smallest community in North America to support a Quota club. Overall, I was able to visit with members from most of District 3′s clubs during the 3 day visit.

The St. Patty’s Open is the annual fundraising miniature golf tournament of QI Indiana. The trip to Pennsylvania was timed to coincide with this fun event. I was a sober witness to the fun as 50 teams of golfers paraded or staggered to all nine holes located in the downtown pubs. What an innovative use of a true main street!  The frivolity began with green jello shots. A novelty to me, I claimed the reasonable portion rule of my household, and took my serving as a polite guest. I am certain there is a picture somewhere so I am mentioning it in the interest of complete disclosure. 

In my travel annals this trip was remarkable for its convenient air travel. I drove 2 hours to Jackson, MS for a more convenient flying schedule on Southwest Airlines. To my delight I did not even have to change planes during the stop over in Chicago! 

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations concluded for me with the Shananigan’s Parade, the 26th annual event of QI of Mississippi Gulf Coast. The parade was led by Mr Flanagan and members of the JQ club from Gulfport High School.  

JQ members, Gwenn and Mr. Flanagan

I was accompanied by District 21 Governor Lynn, aka sister, for the ride through the streets of Gulfport.

Model A for Lynn

She got a classic; I had a new Mustang- more appropriate vehicle for moving QI into the future, don’t you think?

Posted in Listening Tour, Travel | 3 Comments

It’s Twins! Again!

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Gwenn

Have you been thinking I got lost in Alaska?  Indeed I did not. I hardly had time to stop much less write before I was off to Pennsylvania and more Listening Tours. But let me start where we left off…

I was in the frozen north of Michigan as March began. It was the starting point for the trip to frozen Alaska, making a total of 10 days of ice for this southern girl. No, I really did not get cold which means I had enough layers and wool. Thankfully, the minus 26 degrees was during the night as I lay soundly sleeping.

The purpose of this leg of the trip was the charter of Quota International of Tanana Valley. I was priviliged to present the charter for the second Quota club in Fairbanks, Alaska.  

Members of QI Tanana Valley

The club chartered with 17 members during an elegant afternoon tea. Club organizer and PIP Mary Cotter is serving as the Charter President. This group is delivering the possibility of daytime meetings to prospective members.  The group raised a glass of bubbly to toast two clubs chartered on March 5th.

Earlier in the day,”across the pond” President Elect Chris presented the charter of Quota International of Caloundra in Queensland, Australia.  The Australian party was a lively evening event attended by many of the Queensland Quotarians. Congratulations to D34 Governor Karen Binstead on the organization of this club of 20 new members! Of course it was earlier only because the international date line is in the Pacific! I stayed awake to greet the new club via Skype.  This whole new club, twin clubs and Skype experience is fun!  Let’s do it again real soon! 

The visit to Alaska provided me a once in a lifetime opportunity, the International Ice Art Competition. It is held annually in Fairbanks. The sculptors were still at their work while I toured the park. 

Ice Art

 Many of the pieces were crafted from a single block of ice, of course it was large enough only a forklift could move it. The detail and precision of work done by chain saws amazes me. I trudged along for over an hour looking at everything thanks to Mary’s snow boots. By the time I was done she was wishing I felt the cold more than I did. 

My stay in Alaska was brief. I took the red eye out of Fairbanks, was delayed leaving Anchorage and barely made the connecting flight in Seattle. I could not have been in the terminal even 10 minutes as I rushed to the next gate for my flight to Dallas. So you know what happened don’t you?! That’s right, the luggage did not make it home with me. Thankfully it happened going home, and it was not too far behind me because my stay at home was equally brief. It was a fast laundry turn around and I was off to Pennsylvania just 3 days later. That is the next story.

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New members and JQs

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Gwenn

An evening of enthusiasm and expectation welcomed me to D20 last week.  I was privileged to initiate 14 members of the new JQ club of QI Port Huron. The girls have already participated in their first service project. The majority of the members are sophomores who will establish the club and provide continuity in leadership during the initial few years.  They are looking to the future and involvement of students from additional high schools in the region.

JQ Club Port Huron

Day 2 -Flint Michigan.  The focus group was held at the University of Michigan Flint campus. The participants were students from UM Flint and local Baker College. President Adele used a Lazy Leader approach enlisting a new member Laura to act as scribe. Later in the evening I was privileged to pin her at the QI Flint reception.

QI Flint

Day 3 began early, 2 focus groups planned! First to Kalamazoo where District 20 Governor Betty Weston hosted the focus group in her home. The majority of these young people were graduate students in Audiology.  They share a passion for the needs of children. I enjoyed meeting Chas,  another “Charles” whose parents likewise refused a “Charlie” or “Chuck” as a nickname just as we did with our son. He explained to me the phonetic reason why saying the name with a “z” sound is easier than an “s” sound. After 21 years I know it is really just the southern drawl.

Kalamazoo focus group

On to Grand Rapids in the afternoon for the largest group of this trip. We were hosted by Peggy Bishop who graciously gave her time during the middle of tax season. I was partly distracted during the day with the steady snowfall out the window.  I hoped for an opportunity to do some shoveling the next morning.

Snow!

Although it looked wonderful to a southern girl, it was not sufficient accumulation to excite the natives. It did make for a beautiful morning walk around the neighborhood.

Snow in Grand Rapids

Day 4 Traverse City is a beautiful community that spreads across 2 bays on north eastern shore of Lake Michigan.  I spent the afternoon with club members hearing about their exciting plans for a Cake Festival next fall, similar to the event I attend in Shreveport last August.  I expect this event will be equally successful.  The afternoon was fruitful, a prospective member attending the reception is joining the club!

Day 5 Iosco County. The focus group was comprised of teachers and other professionals in the local school system. Their passion for the children was evident and their responses reflected the busy lives they lead. In the evening I attended the club meeting that went off without a problem after moving from the flu-quarantined senior’s home and finally getting the fire alarm silenced at the Methodist church, the backup location.  I enjoyed the opportunity to initiate 2 new members!

QI Iosco County New Members

After  700 miles, 6 clubs, 5 days, 4 focus groups, 3 new members, 2 receptions, and 1 JQ club I thought it was time for rest. I spent a day in beautiful Tawas, or the Tawases- Tawas City and East Tawas- on Lake Huron.  The community is as picturesque in winter as I recall from last spring. Although my anxiety level did not allow for driving on the frozen lake, I did walk out to visit a fisherman with whom I made an immediate connection upon learning his wife had retired from CenturyTel, a national telephone service provider whose home office continues in my hometown of Monroe, LA.

Frozen Lake Tawas

That is me sitting on his bucket holding the pole. No, no fish caught.

Now it is North to Alaska!!

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Listening Tour Trip #5

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Gwenn

I was in Oklahoma last week for Listening tour trip # 5 in Tulsa. This is District 16.  Governor Joan Burns put together a group of 20 somethings to talk with me. One married mother of 2, the other 7 career women. All experienced in community service with differing views on participation at this point in their lives. The common theme was value for the time they invest in meetings or functions. They see their time as limited and so it must be used making an impact.  They are not seeking additional friendships. They value mentoring relationships and networking for their professional lives.  They acknowledge relationships are important to their continued enjoyment of a group.

Due to an unfortunate complication which you read about previously, Charles drove me the 200 mile round trip from Oklahoma City to Tulsa which prevented me spending additional time with the D16 members.  It is the first Listening Tour trip he has made with me and will be the only one until we get to the SPA. I coaxed him into spending the entire week with me because I was leaving town on Valentine’s Day and we were to spend the following weekend in Oklahoma with our son.  The early part of the trip was business, nothing romantic about it. I attended a seminar for my office on new federal guidelines for electronic medical records. That meeting was held in Orlando.  So we flew east on Monday, then west on Wed via a layover in Chicago, north.  That was the most disappointing aspect of the travel as we were detained by maintenance issues for a couple of hours. I never mind maintenance issues being resolved before we take off. I just wish they remembered to do all the paper work so I am not sitting buckled up in the plane with my electronics turned off waiting for the mechanic to come sign off paper work that was neglected. And why can’t they do that electronically in this age?

Last weekend was truly marvelous! We attended our son Chas’s senior recital for his major in musical theatre. It is hard to believe he is almost to college graduation.  This performance was the culmination of his  4 years of study under Ms. Florence Birdwell at Oklahoma City University.  Ms. Birdwell has been instructing young singers at the university for over 50 years. She is still sharp and sometimes has a sharp tongue according to the students who have not met expectations.  Most of the family attended the recital, including “the cousins” or as they often call themselves the VonVancils, a tribute to shared love of music and their heritage as the children of the Vancil twins.

VonVancils

It was a wonderful day, sufficient to make a mom emotional, weaping tears of joy, laughing until she cried, and burning memories on her heart for a lifetime. Dad is beaming with pride and hoping everyone will see the posts.  Feel free to enjoy any or all of these…my favorites pieces from the performance.

And since Charles is actually posting these links for me…two of his favorites as well  ;-)

By the time you are reading this the Listening Tours will be taking me to District 20, Michigan. I have an entire week in the frozen north. I am anticipating several stories to tell. Stay tuned.

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Treasures and chests

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Gwenn

My purse was stolen!  Ok, I was partly responsible by leaving it unattended in the hotel breakfast room. I was so focused on the work I was doing for my clinic and Quota I just did not think about it hanging on the back of my chair when I went upstairs. But my distraction and stress is apparently nothing to a mom caring for a daughter following a boob job.

That’s right. The boob job was her only explanation she gave when confronted with her crime. I can see why this would cause her to walk purposefully into the back of the room to scoop up my purse and trot up the stairs to her guest room avoiding the front desk and elevator. I can understand the $60 cash taken was probably needed for the hotel room, the parking lot, pain medications or new DD Wonderbra. Just because my American Express card was moved into the back of my wallet instead of being up front and ready as I usually leave it, is no reason for me to suspect I am paying for the cosmetic procedure.

But, why did this woman or her surgically scarred daughter need the sports bra inside? I suppose it could be considered an adequate pressure bandage. However, I truly doubt someone who had just received new implants could fit into my bra. Although my husband is generous to point out she may have needed a reduction procedure that would have allowed my garment to accommodate her, I am not convinced.

Charles was surprised and could not comprehend a reason for carrying a bra in my purse. If you have had as many flights delays and cancellations as I have over the last 5 years you know it is always best to be prepared. After all, you can always sleep in panties and sports bra if you have no luggage.  He was relieved to learn during this drama TSA has a special procedure for allowing a traveler without driver’s license to board a plane, because we all want special attention from TSA. 

 The hotel staff were surprised, this had never happened in their quiet business hotel.  In fact the manager was at a loss as to how to access his security system tapes because it had never been needed in the 5 years it had been installed. He persisted and was rewarded with conclusive evidence on the tapes that afforded him the opportunity to confront the guest and ask if she would like to return my purse. Of course, she was delighted to comply and return to me her ill gotten booty. When I offered condolences on the illness of her child she reassured me it was “just boobs, you know”.  Gee I feel better!

Although all the cards are canceled and I traveled without cash, I am content to have all remaining  treasures returned to me.

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