I was actually pleasantly surprised at the quality of this hotel, considering the negative marks it had on reviews. No foul odors, no sticky carpets, everything works.  It's old, yes, furniture and fixtures a bit outdated, yes, but nothing near as bad as what others were proclaiming. I did take a chance and I'm glad I did.

I didn't sleep well, however, which had nothing to do with the hotel. In fact, the bed was almost the same firmness as my new bed, very comfortable.  I dunno, just the unknown coming back here for a holiday where my middle brother may show up and start hell with everyone.  Apparently he hasn't spoken to mom in over a year?  And now I'm hearing his own son won't stay with him when he's in town?  Weird stuff. 

Anyway, there was no huge crowd at security checkin at airport, took about 5 minutes and I was through.  A bit interesting considering this is a holiday week.  Plane was jam packed tho . I mean completely full.  San Antonio stop I was barely there half and hour and we left again on a new plane, same thing, full to the brim.  The only real drag about Southwest is there is not advance seating.  There are boarding priorities but it's first come first served and I was in the last boarding group on both planes.  I still ended up with a window seat.  Not because there were any available but the only seat left was 2 very large people and they said I could have the window seat and the very very large man would sit on the aisle. 

I pretty much slept most of the way, tho there was a baby crying almost the entire trip.  I dunno why I always forget my earplugs.  I have them in my suitcase but I just don't remember to bring them with me.  It would help quite a bit with all the noise from babies and toddlers.  I'm guessing part of the problem is ears not popping.  We went up to 40,000 feet from San Antonio to Phoenix, that's a lot of swallowing or yawning to pop your ears, a thing a baby isn't going to know to do. 

By the time I got to Phoenix I was starving.  I had a small bite in San Antonio but it wasn't enough.  I didn't know what I wanted to do first when I got here so I just stayed at the airport and got a bite to eat.  But it was clear I needed to go to mom's house first. And that's where I've been all day long.  I had no desire to go anywhere and we were talking for a couple of hours. 

It's almost 10 Texas time and I'm exhausted.  I'm going to bed early and hopefully wake up a bit more rested in the morning.  I'm supposed to go meet my son tomorrow evening, but that isn't really for sure yet.  Just hopeful.  I also need to stop by my house and see everyone there.  I guess I don't think I"m going to get as much visiting as I had originally planned, but there is an old friend I really want to see before I leave here and also spreading the rest of my dad's ashes, probably the same mountain range where  Caleb did it.

So that's it. Nothing earth shattering besides talk of my middle brother and my mom's dislike that Caleb doesn't return texts and such.  And finding out Caleb isn't going to be at Thanksgiving.  Take it up with him, I said, I'm not in control of Caleb.  He is spending it with his wife's family.  I do admit that that family is a bit standoffish.  I dunno why or how it is they can act like that, I just tried to be congenial to them at the wedding.  My son isn't really up front about that situation, but that's his deal. I know between work and school he is a very, very busy young man.  And that will go on for annotate year or so.   So I'm not going to judge him for those circumstances plus a year into being married, lots of pressure and stresses to deal with I'm sure.  Dad doesn't need to add to it.

I think mom is just not happy about how family is going at this point in time, I can't offer any hope, I doubt it will ever get better.  I dunno what's wrong with my brother and at this point I don't want to know. 

Well that's it for now, I'm going to go to sleep.