d-day
I’m pretty excited right now.
As I type, Niel’s on a flight to America. I’m sure he’s cramped up in his tiny seat, jamming his knees into the back of the poor soul sitting in front of him. I imagine he’s enjoyed (?!) at least one Pepto-necessitating airplane meal and climbed over his neighbor at least once to use the way-too-small bathroom. I bet he’s watched a movie or two, slept a bit, and sorted out 1/4 of the world’s problems in his brain (he’s just amazing that way). He’s most likely looking at his watch right about now, counting down the hours till he exits that flying tube of steel. Did I mention that the flight from Johannesburg to New York is 17 hours long? It is.
But that’s not why I’m excited.
I’m smiling so big my eyes close because I’m going to surprise Niel when he lands in New York tomorrow morning. He’s catching a flight out to Orlando just a few hours later, but I’ll get to steal a quick kiss (maybe a not-so-quick kiss) and a long hug (that’s the best part right there…).
There’s a long story behind the “why”, but the short of it is that there are 7 Thrive Trippers on the flight with Niel. Because they took off from South Africa almost 3 hours late, the kids will miss their domestic connections. They’ve been rebooked on later flights out of a different airport. So I’m going to meet their flight, make out with my husband, shuttle 7 kids I’ve never met before across the city to LaGuardia (“Hi, I’m Alece! What’s your names?”), get them checked in and through security, catch a cab back to JFK, and then drive back to Long Island.
And all this starts with my alarm going off at 6 AM.
Seeing Niel makes that totally worth it. And if you knew how much of a morning person I am not, you’d know what a big deal that is for me.
The bestest part? Since all of this was arranged after Niel boarded the flight 7 hours ago, he has no idea about the excitement that is going to unfold at 9:00 tomorrow morning.
I wanna bring Niel some tangible love. Considering I can only bring things I can find around my house, what do you propose I bring for him?
AH! So exciting! :D
i know brainstorming makes your brain hurt, but… got any creative ideas for me, smileypants?
(I just wanted first comment. So here goes my actual thought process.)
Firstly, I think you should do the heels and trench thing, per Brandy’s suggestions. Definitely ho it up a bit. ;)
Secondly, Niel needs edibles for his flight to FL. Can he take anything in his carry-on? Favorite snacks?
Thirdly, I think Niel needs something of yours to take along as a reminder that he saw you and will again, soon. Anything, really. Maybe something funny like your pink undies… that would be great for a random security check. HA!
Fourthly, I have no more ideas. For now.
heels and a trench coat?! THAT made me laugh out loud! don’t forget he’s got 7 minors in tow… who i then need to spend a couple hours with after i send niel on his way!
i love your snacks idea; i’m gonna go scope out the pantry right now.
something of me — mmm… i like that idea. my pink undies?! ha! that would be AWESOME. frighteningly embarrassing but awesome!
I was really thinking more along the lines of a sweater or something that smells like you. When David visited the first time, I required that he bring a hoodie. :) But the pink undies popped into my head just then. Go, me!
i just checked — there are no non-fridged snacks in this house. none. zip.
dangit.
mmm… hoodies seem to be the best for holding in smells.
too bad it’s july in balmy new york. no hoodies here. i’ll have to mull over that one a bit.
meanwhile i’ve got something i HAVE to email you. RIGHT NOW.
You know, I’d like to bounce this idea off of someone… I’ve been thinking of creative things to do with David (since he’s so freaking far away) and I thought at one point it might be fun to mail him one half of a Battleship game. Since we both have webcams. :)
PLEASE DO. :D
i’ve never played battleship. ever.
but that sounds like a great idea. ‘twould be really fun, i bet!
Hm, yeah… I’m not the biggest game-player, but I’m feeling it would be good to have some relaxing and game’ish time, since that would happen in real life. Well, togetherness, that is.
how about scrabble? since scrabulous was murdered and all.
(oh – and have you tried out the “official” scrabble for facebook yet? we should try.)
Oh, we should!
And scrabble is okay, but I’ve tried Scrabulous with him. He isn’t into it. And he forgets to play. =lame.
oops. i do that sometimes. (i’m sure you noticed!)
hmmm… we need to think of a game that would be GREAT for you guys to play via webcam. i’ll keep thinkin…
i should probably head off here soon and get some things done so i can go to bed early-ish. i hope some more ideas come in so i know how to ‘pack’!
Oh, no. He’s much worse. You’re not bad at all.
We do need to think of one.
And yessss…. go pack. I know I’m about ready to fall over. My head hurts and I’m sleepy. From my late night escapades at the G&G. ;)
if it weren’t for the 7 Thrive Trippers.. i would say your sailor outfit. hehe!
but i like roo’s idea of something that smells like you.
as far as snacks go, you could maybe pick up some pet biscuits on the way to the airport. ;)
TRUE. I love the pet biscuits.
roo — i love my late night escapades at the G&G. i hate getting offline early!
hannah — you are too much. that sailor outfit … oh boy! ha ha! and i LOVE your idea of pet biscuits. i wonder if my grocery store is open before 7 AM… hmmm… AND, you should know, i’ve had the start of the pet biscuits story as a draft post for months now… one of these days i’ll get around to actually finishing it and getting it onto my blog!
DO, oh, do!
I love that story!
naked pictures always work. ;)
[insert bug-eyed guy here]
You DIDN’T.
Oh, wow.
Wow. Wow.
my eyeballs about popped out, catheter. and cheech and chong nearly slid down my throat, i gulped so big.
ummm…
how about a story?
so… i have a webcam that a dear friend bought me. it’s here with me; niel back in SA doesn’t have one. but if i turn it on when we’re chatting on instant messenger he can at least see me (no audio, but video). we only remembered to use it once (uhh… hello?!?!), but when we did… let’s just say, niel got a li’l peep show!
CATHETER almost makes my eyes pop out. Just the nickname.
HAHAHAHA!
ALECE!!!!!
That’s a.mazing.
i can’t believe i just confessed that on here. man oh man.
A scarf.
To remember you by.
And to think of something to look forward to. ;-)
he he he
Hey Roo,
When Jake was in basic training, we mailed a small notebook back and forth and wrote in it everyday little notes. Each kept it for about a week and then sent it to the other. This was before either of us were computer savvy, but it was super cute and I’ve saved the book, even still.
That’s a thought. I REALLY like your battleship idea though. ;-) A LOT.
I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU JUST CONFESSED THAT EITHER!!! HAHAHAHA!!!
That is awesome!!!!!!!! HAHAHA!!!
AWESOME!!!!
a scarf!! that’s perfect. the problem is… i don’t even have one. EEK! let me rummage and see what i can come up with. (a little challenging since the rest of the household went to bed an hour ago!)
i love your notebook idea. do that, roo. i’ve got a notebook idea up my sleeve for niel and i that has to do with the bathroom… an idea i got from a single friend! ha.
and… yeah. i might regret that confession…
ALECE!
I need to go shopping with you. I heart scarves. I could fix you not having one… they’re my favorite. And they’re great. Apparently, summer scarves are in this year, too.
The notebook idea is good. We’ve been doing some letters, but I like the notebook thing. It holds it all together-like.
And yes, I think you will regret that confession, Alece. I can’t wait ’til Mandy gets her hands on that comment.
it’s all Mandy’s fault, actually…
“what do you propose I bring for him” Rent a room…or a limo with a dark window…go for a ride…anything….
I’m sooo excited for you!!!!!
I’ll be praying for safe journeys all the way around…. love you girl!
i wish i could. but i won’t be able to steal him away from the airport. and those
dangwonderful 7 kids…LOL…Poor girl!!! How long til you can really be together?
:\ 7 kids. What are you going to do!?
I’ve been mulling those ideas over, too. I dislike PDA… when other people do it. ;)
Deb, you make me blush! :lol: HAHA!!!
A limo with a dark window….haha! heehee
Any scarf will do!! OR, hey, give him a nighty in a gift bag. *winky*winky* heehee
Roo, that is why we went to a notebook, it held it all together. It’s like a story unfolding. I love it. And it was more for times when we couldn’t talk on the phone with each other.
Brandy…I…uh…a friend told me??? LOL It’s Mandy’s fault…
Yeah. I’m dreading his ship move-aboard. That’s in about a month. It’s going to be a lot harder to get a hold of him by phone, and computer is basically out. He only gets his shipboard e-mail, which doesn’t even accept attachments. Shame. Not even facebook for pictures.
deb — next friday i’ll meet up with him in DC and then we’re together-together.
roo — in general, i wouldn’t make-out with niel in front of the masses. but hey, 11 weeks apart? i honestly don’t care at this point. “kids, avert your eyes!”
raisin bran — you are forever spicin’ up my marriage!
Roo, TOTALLY do the notebook then. It will be so nice to read it 10 years from now. ;-)
Deb! HAHAHA!! Oh lady you always have some surrrrrprises up your sleeve! ;-)
RAISIN BRAN! HAHA!! One of my friends in highschool called me that as a joke. It was so funny the nicknames my name can conjur up. HA!!!
Alece dear, that is quite the compliment…now if only I took my own advice half the time! HAHAHA!!
brandy – i’ve already, in my brain, started calling you Arby, but i figured i needed to ease you in. raisin bran = RB = Arby. oh dear. i’m a strange one when it comes to nicknames, that’s for sure. but know this: it’s a sign of utter friendship when the crazy-names start flying.
Alece: We’ll plan on you not posting for a couple days…heh heh I hope it’s beyond manifico!!!!!
Brandy: I have a license…I know no bounds….LOL
I love Arby! That’s hilarious!!! HAHA!!! Arby! HA!!
I am soooo not good at nicknames. I call you Dear Sweet Alece for cryin’ out loud! haha!!
Hmmm, I’ll have to start thinking about this harder.
I love that you said “in my brain” HAHA!!
YES. I believe I will. Good thing I am going to a shopping place tomorrow. :)
You girls have been great for me to hang out with the last couple days. This is awesome.
Deb, haha!!! License to thrill. ooh la la! ;-) heehee
for some reason, my name seems ridiculously hard to nickname. so… ya gotta wait till something gets born out of a crazy comment conversation or something. or… just keep calling me dear sweet alece. (that makes me smile)
Arby is sticking. She’s now Arby to me… in my brain.
Okay so Roo, I am confused a bit, are you engaged? Or dating? Or? Fill me in. :D Pwease!
Dating.
yesssss…. (victory is sweet)
in your brain! HAHA!! Roo, whenever I see/hear/say/type your name it makes me think of winnie the pooh and roo. HA!!
Dear Sweet Alece it is then! ;-) It fits nicely.
I love Arbies too. So yummy.
Roast Beef rar rar rar rar yummmm.
:lol:
I spelled that wrong.
Arby’s. Not Arbies. *eye roll*
Long story short, Navy Davey and I (I think he’d kick me for calling him that…) met at Thrive in 2004, lost touch for 4 years, and re-met through a friend this January 20. We use that as our “dating-iversary” even though we didn’t make it official until April 5. Aaaaaand, he is, yes, in the Navy. So he’s in VA. I’m in IN. Hm.
Long distance is HARD.
I like acronyms. DSA could be deesahhh… That’s fun to say. Alece, you might be deesahhh from now on to me. ;)
i’ve never eaten at arby’s.
“navy davey” made me laugh!
rut-row.
Yeah, it is. But it’s so good! It’s been beneficial in lots of ways – getting to know each other very well, and having good communication.
@cassgirl says:
Undies… simply..
Put them in an envelope.. do not open until Orlando..
Inside a little note: Cannot wait until DC!!!
I like Arby’s, too. It was the only decent’ish fast-food in my hometown.
@cassgirl says:
The best beef and cheddars!!
Go, Heidi!
I told you, deesah. It’s the pinks, all the way!
Jake and I did long distance twice. First time it didn’t last, second time we got married instead of staying apart. HAHA!! ;-)
Your story is sweet Roo! :D I like it!
I LOVE beef and cheddar. The onion bun is my fave. I don’t like fast food, but Arby’s seems to pass the test for me.
ok. seriously. this is so hard cause i love my late-night G&G chats… but… i need to go to bed.
so.
this is me.
getting off.
g’night.
i’m gonna check again in the morning before i go for any awesome last-minute suggestions of things to bring for my man.
and i’m really getting ready to say “kids, avert your eyes” many a time. i keep saying it in my brain, in fact. for practice.
by the way — love note is all written and ready to go. and … something of mine for him is sitting right beside it. hopefully the pile grows in the morning.
have fun on here tonight. can’t wait to read it when i wake up. it’ll make 6 AM sooooo much better!
g’night gang! (for real this time!)
@cassgirl says:
Oh yea..
print a picture of the hotel you are staying in..
You did book a hotel for your ho-fest right?!!!!
heehee
Give him a “pink slip” hahaha!!!
:D I’m still trying to brainstorm.
G’night, deesah!
ho-fest!!! HHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
@cassgirl says:
She will be laughing at that one.
HA!
“Pink slip.”
Arby, you make me laugh.
Yep, I’m off too…. Jake and I are watching a movie… I MUST GET OFF! :lol:
Love you girlies!
nighty night!!
@cassgirl says:
scarf is a very smart idea too
Gnight, Arby!
Heidi, how’s Iceman doing? Now that I think we’re the only two on here…
@cassgirl says:
I’m off too… big surgery in the morning
Sorry Alece.. no big ending…
Have an incredible few hours with your husband.
Love you friend, Really do!!
@cassgirl says:
Iceman’s is cool Roo!!!
He’s not nervous at all .. I am!!!
Ah, good. Well, for him.
Prayers from Indiana. Sleep well. GET sleep. You need it!
Hm.
Roo.
Left alone.
On the G&G.
That could be dangerous.
And I’m still brainstorming.
:D
i vote for pink panties. and pet biscuits. and maybe you should show those thriving trippers how wonderful and normal married missionaries really are. com’on i know they have seen much worse on tv and in movies. yall should so make out right there in the airport. :) i wish i could be a fly on one of their back packs. just waiting to buzz and tickle their ears if they say one word about it other than “RIGHT ON!”
hey roo
Deece – it might get to be a combo between your family’s “beece” and “deesah”… Deece.
I’m thinking convenient store for snackage. Gas stations open early, sometimes. :)
Oh, Hi, HANNAH!
I’m not the lonely addict, here. ;)
haha nope im here. im so excited for Niel and Alece getting to see eachother again after so long. how are you and david? when is the last time you saw him?
David and I are chill. I “saw” him earlier tonight, but we haven’t been in the same town since… June 11th.
Haibo. Alece, David ‘n’ I will be at 11 weeks, too, when we see each other next. It is a long time.
wow! thats crazy! i loved your pictures on facebook. yall are way cute together.
HA! Thanks! I like ‘im.
Hey ‘lece. Well, if it were me, I’d love something that I could hold. I don’t know if Niel is that kind of guy … but … a stuffed animal or a hat or a pillow … ooh. pillow. innocuous. cuddly. soft. might smell like you. nice references. hmmmmm. that might be the ticket. Anyway. But that’s what I would like. Something hold-able that smelled like my sweetie in some way. You’ve already gone to bed … but if you have a perfume or body spray that you wear often, just a spritz or two of that on whatever you send … :) … mmmmmm. yeah. It might be a *bit* strong if you spray in the morning … but you’re already in bed. Well anyway. That’s my two cents.
g’night all. Alece i hope you have a blast tomorrow and lots more fun in DC. ;) love ya!
Gnight Hannah.
Oh, a pillow is good, Annie. Good stuff.
a quick romp…but since that probably won’t work out…get it…work out, nevermind, the naked pictures are a good idea. Woo hoo. I am so happy that you get to see your husband. Yay for you!
You’ll probably already be on your way by now, so I’m too late with the ideas :) but just to say – YAY! That’s so great you get to see each other even for just a little while.
P.S. Those “way-too-small bathrooms” are not so good huh? Especially with food poisoning or virus thing, which I got on the day I last flew – really grim in those cubicles!
@cassgirl says:
Love you Alece
Thank you………………..!!
@atangie says:
Hooray for surprise encounters!
@mandythompson says:
UN-BE-FREAKIN-LIEV-ABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A negligee?
You could then tell him you’d be wearing it if you were elsewhere.
I’m just sayin’.
@ventigrace says:
hi kitten- by now your plan is unfolding… hopefully you’ve had quite the romantic reunion… even with minors in tow… I hope it’s a wonderful day.
On my end- I’m sick and Siloh has poison ivy. Can you even imagine? And, my dad threw his back out several days ago. Fun all around. Davers left a bit ago with both kids for the whole day so that I can (hopefully) sleep.
I miss you.
Amy: Oh no! What a polly-wolly-crappy day you are having. Sorry to hear about that. Glad Dave took the kiddos out. Hope you’re getting good sleep now.
“kids, avert your eyes.” haha. Very nice. I hope it was a wonderful reunion, too.
praying for you amy. feel better!
alece, how did it all work out? did you take him treats or fun little things that smelled like you? were the kids embarrassed? i hope you showed ‘em. hehe!
Praying for you Alece!!! Hope your time is wonderful!!!! :)
Crap! I missed out on another crazy blog!! you girls are to fast for me!! and I was bust cleaning up barf!!! All I read so far was about Neil getting a peep show! Thats awesome! I always want to send Dan a pic on his phone but him and his brother work together and have the same phone, that would not be good! I’m gunna say go with a pair of panties and some food! Hope it all goes well and I cant wait to read about it!
@mandythompson says:
is anyone else STILL sweating over this insane post and discussion???
i.
am.
OH MY GOSH!!! Alece, that is so exciting!! I desperately wish i could be a fly on the wall to see Niel’s face. Let us know how it goes, okay?
hmm, tangible love…gosh, i don’t know. i’m sure YOU will be tangible enough!
Iam so excited for you!!!! Neil is going to be soo shocked!!!!
@coloraturajoy says:
he’s going to be SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m so glad for you!
@coloraturajoy says:
oh and maybe you could take him his favorite snack or something to make up for the yuck they served him on the flight?
HA! Mandy, I was waiting for you to get caught up on this one – I knew you’d love it. ;)
roo, your last comment was number 111. i think maybe you should get a prize. first comment, second comment and then now this? your good. haha. so tell us Alece, what happened? or should many and i step out of the room? heh heh!
sorry Mandy. i just called you many. :)
HA!
For reals! I wanna hear! (Though I guess I’ll give you some time to eat dinner and rest after a hugely-long day making airport runs!)
@cassgirl says:
so????
doo do doo do doo do doo
doo do doo do
do do do do do do
Gotta have some hot love baby this evenin’
I need some hot stuff baby tonight
lookin’ for some hot stuff baby this evenin’
I need hot stuff baby tonight
hot stuff baby this evening
I want hot stuff baby tonight
hot stuff baby this evenin’
I want some hot stuff baby tonight
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
We want to hear about the hot stuff! :lol:
@cassgirl says:
In an airport?!!!
heidi — “ho-fest”?!?! ha ha! that made me bust out laughing.
hannah — “i wish i could be a fly on one of their back packs” made me smile really big!
annie — i took your tip and sprayed my B&BW body spray inside my card. i figured since it wasn’t really perfume it wouldn’t be too strong-smelling.
KA — too bad romper room wasn’t possible. although i did text mandy that niel and i found a storage closet… of course i was just kidding, but it made me laugh. a lot.
birgit — oh man… to be so sick on an airplane?! that is the worst!
cindy — i will never cease to be surprised by you.
kitten — i am soooo glad we finally got to talk today. man, i miss you. are you getting antsy about that package?!
becca — hee hee. i’m glad you liked that!
faith — yeah, i’m thinking you should send one of those pictures if you’re hubs isn’t the only one using the phone. your brother-in-law would never look at you the same again!
mandy — “insane post”?! c’mon. what was so crazy about it?? ;-)
jodes — this post?! this post is what pulled you out of comment hibernation?! unbelievable. and you’re right. i should’ve just put a big red bow on myself, eh?! :-) i loved getting to hear an update on all you guys from the thrive trippers; but it made me miss you more!
raisin bran — nice song at the end there!
@danielleH says:
okay…i didnt read all this. you all are somethin’ else!
al – webcam?! nice. hilarious to read that you actually wrote on here!
ha ha ha ha! i know. “inquiring minds want to know!”