Sailing

"Kiahra, is mom around?"

"No, she said she was going to the bank to get money to buy a sailboat."

"What?"

"Maybe you should call her, dad."

A few moments later my cell phone was ringing.

It all started when Kade was checking out the garage sale around the corner.  A 10-foot sailboat was sitting on the lawn with the sail flapping in the breeze.

A boy's dream come true.

He learned to sail at boy scout camp, and since then he has been obsessed with sailing.

First he turned on the charm, as he politely inquired about the little boat.  By the time, he walked away, I think the lady would have given the boat to him.  However, a mere $50 dollars would buy him the boat.

Next he returned home with a "sails" pitch especially for me.

I had seen the boat the day before, and I had anticipated him spotting it on his way home from school, but he didn't because they had put it away already.  I mistakenly thought it was sold.

Reluctantly, I meandered over to the garage sale with my son.  The lady told me she would sell if for $35 to Kade--"He is a great kid...blah, blah, blah..."

I told her I would go get some cash, so Kade could buy the boat.

Before I was even back, the man of the house was out showing Kade all the "ropes" of his new sailboat.  He patiently instructed the boys (yes, by this time Kade already had a friend from the neighborhood ready to try sailing) and threw in a few extra items including a lifejacket and a sailboat guide.

I handed the lady $60 and told her I didn't need change.

With his dad at work, Kade was impatient to try the boat, but I told him he had to wait.  Luckily for him, his dad came home an hour later--I think he was still worried about what we were up to!

Anyway, a little silicon touched up the cracks, and soon we were loading the sailboat into the truck with a couple kayaks.

Did I mention my son said he would rather get a sailboat than go to Halloween Haunt at the amusement park with his friends?  He spent the late afternoon on the water instead.

The wind was strong.  The rudder was not working properly in the beginning, but with a few adjustments, Kade made it work.  We circled in the kayaks keeping an eye on the boys--and the entertainment was plentiful!

Cruising across the water looked so fun!

Until...

Actually the video quality is better at http://youtu.be/wHbzhBpl_xw

Flag Football

Football.  

Boys push each other around and throw a ball.  And it takes a long time when you are freezing in the bleachers.

Frankly, I did not understand the game in high school.  

Then I married a man who loves football.  I still didn't get it.  

Then we moved to Pittsburgh.  I tried harder to understand the game as my hubby and kids joined the Steelers football mania.  

I slowly started to grasp the general idea of the game.

But nothing teaches you a game like watching your son play.

#20 keeps an eye on the action as his dad lends a helping hand.

Ready to spring into action. 

Flag football requires two hand blocking.

As the cleats dig into the dirt, muscles strain and the battle is on!

His last game he had a 10 yard run and several good blocks.  He played offense on the first string.

And he came home grinning because boys like to chase the football and push each other around.

I am "getting" the concept now, but the bleacher seats are still cold.

Do not fly with me.  Ever.

At first, it may seem harmless, as the flight boards and takes off early.  We may even soar through the skies uneventfully for the first few hours.

However, the plane may be diverted due to a thunderstorm in Dallas, and then it will land in Oklahoma City and sit on the runway for nearly 4 hours.  (Yes, I know the FDA requires deboarding after 3 hours, but who wants to get off when there are no connecting flights to your destination?)

Eventually, we will be cleared for landing in Dallas, so the plane will take off again and an hour later arrive.

At this point, the last connecting flight left hours ago, and it is too late to route through Atlanta or Detroit because it will be too late to connect there either.

"The 8:45 AM flight has seats available."

That translates into 14 hours overnight at the Dallas airport unless I want to catch a cab and find a hotel.

Next option?

I check all the flights into neighboring cities: Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Louis.  St. Louis has a seat for me, so St. Louis it is.

Of course this flight is delayed another hour, but eventually it does take off.

Upon landing I find the rental car agency at 10:30 PM.  I do not get the deal of the century on a rental car, but now I no longer care.  I started this trek 13 1/2 hours ago.

Then I drive into the night for nearly 3 hours.  I have never been so happy to see my sister's house.

Thus a 7 hour flight plan translates into 16.5 hours.

So.  Do not fly with me.  Ever.