TSA officers arrested after allegedly stealing $40,000

So this headline brings up my recent airport experience.

Bleach boy and I flew to Burbank California in Feb. to see a new grandson

I haven't flown in a while and certainly not since the new x-ray machines

showed up at the airports.

Before I tell you my story you need to know that I am a seasoned flier. 

I had my first flight in early 1972
in a small plane with my husband to be flying it.

We loved flying and used to make the 4 hour drive to the San Fransisco airport

on the week-ends to catch the midnight flier. The midnight flier was a cash only, $10, first come first serve midnight flight to L.A.  We loved waiting to see if we'd get on that plane.  There was always a guitar or two in the line (they didn't care what you brought on board the plane, however a foil covered, very heavy carrot cake 

I baked, to take home, did unsettle them once) and music abounded.

I've not flown as much as far away daughter but I've been far and wide with pleasure, until now and THERE IS NOT MUCH PLEASURE IN THE ACT OF FLYING
ANY LONGER.

Here goes my story.  Bleach boy and I were calmly in line at Seatac airport, very early in the morning but very busy.  I take off my shoes, coat, and unload my carry-on for viewing.  They were curt, move it here, don't push it, do push it.  Oh well you know how some people get if they think they are in a position of power, even if it's only power over the little plastic buckets at the screening zone.

Then I am told I have randomly been chosen for the MACHINE.  Yes x-ray time.

At this point my computer, camera and purse are in parts unknown because they move me over to a machine three lanes away from my stuff.  Still I am calm, I think bleach boy is over there UN-dressing (those darn belt buckles) and will watch my purse, camera, and computer.  

They decide after the x-ray to do the frisk thing, Now I'm not calm I'm pretty unsettled because as they move me out to a pad to do this pat down I notice one of the workers across the way has pulled everything out of my purse and is going through my travel money.  OK I'm not noticing the pat down I'm saying "Hay that's my purse you're going through" and I've raised my voice because the gentleman is three isle's away.

Are you with me here?

Mean while at the pat down zone they are finding my tiny little gold watch on my wrist is troublesome and want me to take it off. It has a latch that I rarely can open alone.  I look at this, barely speaking English little women, with a don't cross me lady that's my purse over there, look and she decides that she will pat my watch and let me go.

When I finally get over to my purse they hand me a wad of bills to hold and take the coins to run them, the loose contents of my purse and my camera through the machine again.  The older man doing this is kind but going way over the top with the fact that I have some coins. 

I had a few quarters for my grand kids to put in the gumball machines. They tell me not to carry change on the plane any more, and suddenly everything is dumped on me....my shoes, camera, coat, suitcase, computer loose, my change purse empty and my purse all taken apart and me with my hands full of bills.  I am at a loss how to proceed when they tell me to quickly step aside. True I did make a face when they said to take my items and step aside.  With this a TSA worker says "you are safer on your flight because we checked your change"  Is that so! 

YIKES do I really think that was a random x-ray, and pat down? 


 Do I really think

that taking me a long ways from my purse and items was random?

And do I think my catching them with all my money in hand as I left the x-ray pat down was expected? 

Remember beach boy, well he is over trying to get dressed again and put his c-pap machine back together.

So if you are flying and they separate you from your purse don't let it happen.  Because money is just too tempting to a lot of people.
And of course don't carry any coin! 


SHAME ON YOU TSA!

Does this look like a bomb carrying terrorist?

Does this look like too much change to carry?

Is this reward at the end of the flight worth the effort?

P.S no where we have flown has been as bad as Seatac

A fast trip

Life offers many interesting adventures but you have to grab on and take the ride.

This week bleach boy had a meeting in Portland and I could go along and spend the day with youngest daughter and the three grand kids.

I acted fast and off I went.  Here are the results

A quick hug and off to the meeting

leo's hair cut

 Doesn't he look sharp!

 He has a red neck tie!

Bethany Faith

I think she has been through a few too many pokes and pricks and tubes everywhere but look at her now...Wondering what is up...How lovely she looks in pink. 

Baby photos

Far away daughter is longing for a better peek at the baby.  I know youngest daughter has some to post so here are a mix of photos that might be enjoyed. 

This is a darkened room with the tiniest of light and no flash is allowed.  Hope you can see them alright

We checked out little feet

Counted the fingers

And checked to see who she looked most like!

OK your turn who does she most look like?

We haven't gone much above freezing for several weeks

The ponds behind the house are frozen and each day the tiny spot the ducks can float in 

gets smaller and smaller

But still we must walk the dogs several times a day.

Papa aka bleach boy walks two dogs and two grand kids while I take photos.

Even though our hands are frozen stiff

Natalie's hand were very cold too so we walked back for mittens.  But before we could walk back.......

Papa got really cold and started to hurry back so fast.....

we could not keep up!

Moral of the story: Carry wool mittens in your coat pocket like me

and wear a down jacket and a woolen vest like me.....

Are you getting the point?  I was really warm walking with a bunch of wimps. oops

Playing in the snow

This little posting is for far away daughter.  

In that hot place she is in she just might like to see her little dog enjoying the snow.

Still some maple wings on the tree out front now frozen 

Our house blends in with this snowy day

Pure snowy fun

Penny finely got brave enough to join us 

but as soon as we started running she dashed

for the house.  As a deaf dog she only comes 

out with a lease on...

The clouds lifted and the sun stuck his neck out and we party

In a quiet moment, that not many of you heard, Tiny expressed her love for all of us.  She told us how dear we all are to her.  I echo her feelings.  We all should have had a toast to the long relationships of love that we share within our group.  What would we do without each other and our monthly luncheons?  It is the richness of life to have friends, dear and long.  So as you look at these party photos know that there is a lot of magic when we get together.  Thank you Tiny for your kind words also.

 Dorothy's holiday gathering Dec. 2010

remember to click to enlarge photo for viewing

  The yearly favorites were there, lemon curd and cranberry scones and a treat from Hawaii Dolores brought back.  She says get your macadamia nuts from the swap meet!  The yummy candied orange peels Dorothy treats us to and many tasty goodies!

 Hi Renee' welcome back from school it's wonderful to have you with us!
She's making Hello Kitty hats wow!

 What's this?  The first gift from our handmade gift exchange has been opened.  This year we worked with the theme "Vintage" this should be interesting.

 A basket of kitchen tools, all of it looking very vintage. Corky put some felted hot pads and a neat little cook book in the basket etc. Dolores is a good cook she will love these kitchen tools!

  Oh if you want my vintage hot pad pattern find it at the end of this posting.

 Dorothy got a very interesting and soft............well we're not sure what to call it but Jackie is showing her how to put it on....

That looks very warm and toasty

Just what we need with this horrible weather

 Tiny's turn.  Anna Rose made the most wonderful gift...Oh dogie wants to see too.

 A beautiful photo made from a glass print.  This is Anna Rose's family in Scotland way back in time.  It's a most amazing photo and would be great on any Spinners wall!

 As we eat and open we still work on projects, we are ever industrious!

Now it's my turn. Everyone thought I was too slow

 What a really fun vintage apron Dolores made.

We have all kinds of fun old favorite symbols on the fabric. 

I know I'll really like this fun apron.

Oh yes we miss you! It's your smile that we need.

Pat made some very smart heavy duty shopping bags 

and I know Anna Rose will put them to good use

Dorothy knows some old movies we have never heard of

I hope Corky has a movie night so we can all come watch 

Oh I have nice new leather couches why don't you all come over?

I wish I could remember the name of the movie....hum

 Mildred got the package I brought.

  Phil boxed it so carefully and tightly we had 

to use scissors and a stapler remover to get to Frosty

It was a bit like doing mini surgery!

I was really happy to hear Mildred had a snowman collection.

I made him from air drying clay

Jackie opened a nice wood turned ornament from Mildred.  

The wood was a smooth as silk very pretty.

I wasn't close enough to get a photo but it appeared to be

a ruffly neck item.  I believe a collar.

Until next....Happiness daily to you all!

hot pads

Sugar and cream cotton and about a g or H crochet hook

Make a chain that is about 9 1/2 inches long
single crochet down the chain and then along the back side of the chain
After this first round it gets much better to handle. Just go around and around.
keep doing this until you have made a little boat that when folded corner to corner
the seam touches.  I do one more round and then tie off and stitch the seam closed and crochet a little loop for hanging.