Welcome Home

Just to recap: Because of this:

We didn't get to go to Ireland last week. We did get a few hours in New York City, where in a sleep deprive state I bought 10 I <3 NY T-shirts (only 20 bucks total!). Nicole's ably blogged about that already. To help alleviate any lasting tension, we made it home the next day, safe if not sound (we were REALLY tired by then). Marie's Mom had cleaned, detailed, and gassed our car AND brought us welcome home balloons (how sweet was that)!
We went back to work (after a few days of goofing off and jumping off things, to be blogged about shortly). Some co-workers paid enough attention to express their concern and inquire what happened with our Euro-plans, others just asked "How was Ireland?" They were sincere, so I tried not to respond with "Thanks for pouring salt in the wound."

Seriously though, after a few days to reflect on our change of circumstances (and grading 300+ papers), we made our (relative) peace with the new plans. After speaking with our respective bosses, Nicole and I both were able to secure additional time off to attempt to schedule a return trip. It won't be with Mom and Marie this time unfortunately :( However, after a half hour on the phone with Delta's people, we were able (without any additional cost) reschedule our trip for a warmer month (end of May/beginning of June)! The new trip, had we not had to reschedule because of the volcano, would have actually cost twice as much for the flights (more of the travel season) so that's a plus. Everyone around us (Delta service people and family and friends alike) have been super supportive and as my Mom would quote Laura Ingalls Wilder's invocation of her Ma (who I suppose got it from the Bard) "All's well that end's well."