At least that is what it says on my computer, 11.30 pm, I wouldn't otherwise know. I arrived back in the middle of the night, but not sure what night, went to bed, was having a lovely deep sleep when I was woken up at 8.30 (as it was dark I hazarded a guess that was pm) by my blessed cat wanting to be let out. But I guess she's been traumatised by my absence so I've forgiven her.
I have had an absolutely wonderful time. Had lovely Christmas with Jeremy and Pat, and Jeremy cooked the best turkey ever, so often it is overdone and dry, but this was just right. And we had our traditional family Boxing Day lunch of cold roast beef and bubble and squeak and Branston pickle.
The rest of the time Jeremy took me out and about, dining out and visiting places, and my grandson Tom visited us in Kettering. When I sort out my pictures - which is not top of the 'to do' list - I might post some here. As well as dining out Jeremy also made me some wonderful meals at home, and I've had lashings of smoked salmon and bubbly - smoked salmon is available here but it is a very inferior product, I don't buy it. He also recorded some television programmes he knew I would like, including the series of 'Great British Baking' which was great (I heard a rumour that was coming here on the PBS channel). He also took me to see my good friends Anne and Bill in Purley - Anne and I have been friends since I was 9, so that was good.
Tim and family went to China for Christmas, but Jeremy took me there from Heathrow when I arrived, so I was able to see them before they left and exchange Christmas gifts. Then he had to bring the girls back for school so I saw him and precious grand daughters again before I left.
So, as I said, it has all been wonderful.
The journey back was a bit less so. Being old and confused like I am, I left my residence card at home but I wasn't worrying about it, I'd taken a note of my social security number, thought they'd easily look me up, isn't everyone and everything on a database now? Was a bit nonplussed at Dallas when immigration officer asked for it then snapped my passport shut with a kind of "can't let you in then" gesture. He sent me off to a seedy waiting room full of exhausted looking people, just like those I see on the news looking as if they have been trying to get across the southern border. After a couple of hours in there (this is why I am always glad to have a few hours connection time at Dallas) when they'd checked me out with Homeland Security I was allowed back in.
So I board the plane at Dallas for OK City and after an hour or two on the tarmac the pilot admits that the plane has been leaking hydraulic fluid. I suppose I should be glad he noticed before we took off. We waited a bit longer for the technicians to fix it, then they decided it wasn't going to be a 'quick fix' and we had better get off while they try and find another plane - the pilot sounded a bit dubious that they would, but the faulty one was moved out, and another one was found fairly quickly, but of course all the luggage had to come off, then be loaded on to the replacement and that took some time.
I was so happy and relieved to see my driver, Charlie still waiting for me at OKC.
Got home and my friend Jay, who has been feeding Bubbles, had left the porch lights on, and an indoor light, and it was all warm and welcoming. She'd cleaned the house and it is so bright and shining, and she has prettily angled all my knick knacks and everything, I don't want to touch anything.
I'll be back on the blog later when I've caught up.
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