SC to PC

This was the week of suitcases. I packed a bag for the quack shack to go to the duck hunting opener with the boys. Then I came home for one night with Jade and packed a bag for Park City. Jaden left the next morning for PC with his family while I stayed back and packed two more bags. One to stay overnight at my parents because on Monday I had to take my fourth bag and hop on a 5:00 a.m. flight to Charleston, South Carolina for work meetings. Did you keep up with that? It's ok I barely did. But as crazy as it all sounded it really ended up being a fun and relaxing week despite working the whole time.

Back in June I attempted to fly to Charleston for client meetings and after 4 delays it was clear that I wasn't going to make it in time for meetings so we elected for me to stay home and sign in virtually while my boss was there in person. This time we took extra precautions that included me leaving at 5:30 which translates to my mom taking me to the airport at 3:30. Such a trooper. I made it and the meetings went well. Sometimes it is just so nice and needed to see people face to face for meetings. Remote work is great and I will forever be grateful for the flexible career it has granted me however it is always really rejuvenating to have time when I remember I work with and for actual people that are a lot of fun to be around. 

It was an absolute whirlwind 48 hours but I was able to not only attend the meetings and see the upcoming apparel lines in person but also met my boss' friends from college who gave me a tour of Mount Pleasant (just outside Charleston) that was absolutely dreamy. I am still in love with Spanish moss and the perfectly charming Southern homes with their wrap around porches and shutters. They took me to lunch before my flight left at a restaurant on the banks of the channel leading out to the Atlantic ocean. It was beautiful and I'm not usually a shellfish girl but the crab and artichoke appetizer was mouthwateringly good!!! 

And just like that I was on an airplane headed for home! I had texted Jaden on the way over that "noise cancelling AirPods were an absolute game changer." I felt like I didn't hear a peep from any of my neighbors and was able to stay really focused and get a lot of work done on my way over. I was about to do the same on the way back when I suddenly caught movement out of the corner of my eye and when I turned and pulled out my headphones I noticed that the girl in the middle seat next to me was sobbing and the passenger on the other side of her was asking if she was ok. I had absolutely no idea she was distraught because I couldn't hear her. When she got on the plane she had to tap me to climb over (aisle seats are not my favorite) because my AirPods were in and I was rapidly replying to an email. I sat there feeling so bad that not once but twice my inability to hear her caused me to not notice her. I ended up apologizing to her and let her know that if she wanted to switch me seats to get to the bathroom easier I would totally be up for that. She never said why she was so upset but it was  good wakeup call for me that even though it's easy to tune people out we shouldn't ignore them completely because they might need us. And also I'm never going to leave the house without tissues because you never know who might need one. President Erying once said, "When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time." So take a lesson from me and look around, listen up and bring tissues. 

Jaden was there to pick me up and whisk me up to Park City where he had been staying with Jeff and Amy at his uncle's timeshare. They try to go up there every year and they invited us to come with them while we were all in DC together and then Casey and Amanda joined in and was able to get the room right next to all of us so we hung out together all week up in the beautiful changing leaves mountains. It was definitely chilly but I'm here for it. I love fall and pulling out all my coats and sweaters. The pool and hot tubs were open and heated which was fun to go down to with Sloane and Dempsey at night. 

I didn't take many pictures but suffice it to say we ate way too much good food and made lots of memories watching and playing games and spending time together. 

Peaches 

• I always send a picture of this squirrel mural when I walk through the airport (like a pioneer the B gates are sooo far away!) and tell her "her squirrel is home."

• On the escalator out I saw a guy with a hoodie that said "everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." Another good reminder about the girl on the plane 

• Got Tyler Childers tickets for Dad's birthday. Getting concert tickets right when they release is one of the most intense 5 minutes ever. I swear I added 4 different sets to my cart and before they could load it would say "I'm sorry these seats are already reserved please select new ones." Anxiety through the roof but I managed to secure them

Pits

• Stressing about meetings
• Worrying I'd miss my connection in Dallas (by some miracle my gate was changed or else I totally would have)
• Feeling bad about the girl on the plane