Yesterday was A Day of Problems and it was all my fault. Talk about rookie mistake—this is a doozie! Warning—it’s long. I cannot tell a short story. The details are too important to leave out!
Okay, you’ve been warned.
We were coming home after spending 5 days at Disney. We had a very early flight—7 a.m. We always get to the airport 2 hours ahead, so that meant we had cars picking us up at 4:30 a.m. It’s a 30 minute ride to the airport. We had to get up at 3:30 to allow time for walking to the lobby and checking out—our room was very far away—a quarter of a mile round trip! (I logged 36.5 miles walking this week.)
To make matters worse, it was “daylight savings” time on Sunday. We weren’t sure how to set our alarm. So, we set two—one for 3:30 when we wanted to get up and a back-up for 4:30 in case the phone time did not change properly. *Side note: the phone adjusted as it should.
We checked out and our ride arrived right on time. Everything was going smoothly—UNTIL—this is a biggie—I discovered when we were checking in that I had left my wallet with my driver’s license in the hotel safe! OMGosh!
At least 500 things ran through my mind:
*Do I have time to get back to the hotel, retrieve my wallet and get back in time for the flight?
*How would I get back in the room as I had already checked out?
*How could I even prove anything?
About that time, Butch remembered that he had a copy of my passport. The guy is amazing! He’s always prepared! At least it was something. We didn’t know if it would work, but we proceeded to check in. When we got to the counter we explained the situation, we were told that it all depended on TSA as to whether they would let me on.
My head is still spinning—Butch was calm and said, “Okay Barb, one thing at a time. Let’s check our bags and then find the TSA desk. This kind of thing must happen all the time.” They let us check our bags with just the paper copy of my passport.
We got to the TSA desk. After waiting several minutes, I explained the situation. The gal was very nice but immediately told me that I could not use my phone from that point on until she got—I don’t know who—let’s just call him a “big shot” TSA person—on the phone to ask me some questions.
While we were waiting to be connected, Butch walked off to call the hotel to see about having them mail my wallet. He returns a few minutes later and said that they would not mail I.d.’s, credit cards or cash. OMGosh! Now what to do?
I kept insisting that this was my problem and I would handle it as he kept saying he’d go back to the hotel and catch a later flight. Then when I said that I would do that, he realized that since our bags are checked, we wouldn’t be able to get them back nor would they send them on if we didn’t show up for our flight.
Then I had a genius idea! Call Sandy!!! She and Greg were still at the hotel!! They could get my wallet! Plus, we’re going on our “mother/daughter” weekend next week. She could bring it to me then. (I double-checked with the TSA agent I was working with to make sure I could use my real passport for that flight.) We felt bad about waking them up at 5:30!
As I’m still waiting for my “talk” with the TSA “big shot”, Butch went off to call the hotel again. He was gone quite awhile this time. When he came back, he said that they had to get ahold of a manager to see if Sandy would be allowed to pick up the wallet and they would call him back.
Finally, the agent working with me started asking me questions and relaying the info to the “big shot.” Luckily, it was all easy stuff that I actually remembered like—which state was my social security number issued (Missouri), the last four digits of my phone number (8451—although I worried that it might have been the old house phone they wanted) and a couple other things—and then the one I was certain would trip me up: What is the make and model of a car that’s in your name? I glanced at Butch, but realized he couldn’t help me. I’m not sure any car is actually in my name. I quickly said, “Jeep Grand Cherokee”—thinking to myself if they ask me the year, I’m scr**ed! I cannot keep it straight. I think it’s either a 2016 or 2017. Luckily, they didn’t ask that.
Whew! I passed and was good to go. Almost…! The agent had to walk me through security every step of the way.
This is the worst part. I had to take off my shoes and walk barefoot on that disgusting floor!! (Don’t worry, I washed my shoes when I got home—as always!)
I had to take everything out of my carry-on bag for swabbing. Then while that agent stood there, another one pulled me aside and removed everything from my purse—unzipping and removing stuff from every space—swabbing along the way.
I passed, met up with Butch and was heading to the gate. He said that we were going home and then he’d fly back down later in the week to sort it all out. He still hadn’t heard back from the hotel.
Right about the time we got to the gate, he got the call. Yes, they would allow Sandy to pick up my wallet! Hallelujah!! I breathed a deep sigh of relief. We were good to go!
Still, I wasn’t going to relax until Sandy called to say she had it. I texted her and said that I wanted them to use the cash in my wallet for a nice lunch! She responded, “No worries! You don’t have to treat us to lunch. I think a week in Disney is reward enough!”
Okay, I warned you that this was going to be long. This saga is NOT over yet!
We made it home. As soon as we got to the house, I went around back to open up the front door. That’s when I realized that my car keys were also in the safe!! Okay, no problem, we have a digital lock on the door and we have a spare set of keys for my car.
About the time that I was going to tell Butch this, he said, “I just remembered, your keys were in the safe too!” He immediately called Sandy—who had already picked up my wallet. She said that she didn’t get the keys because since her dad didn’t mention them that—she didn’t think they were mine. There was also a little notebook that she also left behind. She only took the wallet because that’s all she thought we were missing!! Well of course, I was so grateful as the wallet IS the most important thing.
Once we unpacked, I went to the grocery store while Butch called the hotel, yet again!!
When I was checking out, the cashier said, "How is your day going so far?” I thought to myself, “Oh honey, if you only knew!” But I said, “It’s just fine!” No sense launching into this long story! She wouldn’t really want to know.
When I got home, Butch had the information for me to file a “lost & found” claim with Disney. I filled out the info online, got a case number and they’ll let me know if/when they find the keys. I was supposed to describe my keys. Now I know the I have some “stuff” dangling off of it, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of what they were. I know I have one of those carabiner things and it’s pink. That should be enough to identify them.
Disney has a huge, central, lost & found department. I’d love to see that! I cannot imagine all the thousands of things lost on a daily basis there.
Anyway, it’s over now. I think I think I need a drink!
