Ella's Flight Plan and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)

There is a little rule that Sam has had on the books ever since we started ttwd.  Well, let me qualify.  I think it is a little rule; apparently Sam thinks it is a bigger rule.  On work days my schedule can be different every day of the week.  I usually don't know exactly when I will get off.  His rule goes something like this:


                           Wife needs to let Husband know 
                             when she is getting off work and 
                            if she is planning any errands/stops
                                        on the way home.

This information can be communicated in an email or by phone,

but the Flight Plan needs to be filed by 4:00 pm.

In the beginning, I did forget about this fairly regularly.  Mr. Paddle (the one Sam crafted in his shop) would make an appearance on the Flight Deck and (not so gently) remind me.  And very soon, it just wasn't an issue any longer.  I have remembered to inform him for about the last 8 months.  UNTIL MONDAY!

ETA

Usually I send an email with a Subject Line titled "PM Plans."  I will include my Departure Time and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).  There may be errands or shopping that I plan to get done before heading home.  I may just be reminding Sam of a hair

appointment or a Happy Hour with friends from work.  I may say that I think I will be leaving work at a certain time but will call with any last minute responsibilities.  (This happens at least twice a week!)  All is well as long as I provide updates and report any Delays to the Control Tower.

Let me repeat, "UNTIL MONDAY."  First day back to work after a week off.  Very busy!  Ninety-three emails to pore through.  Phone never stopped ringing.  Paperwork Stacked and Packed.  I did not get my Flight Plan in by 4:00 pm.  Totally forgot.  I sent a note to the Cockpit very late that just said, "Crap!  I forgot."  As I headed out to my truck, I reasoned it all out.  Sam would not hold me to this on my first day back.  There hasn't been a lapse on this rule in so long; surely it will just be a verbal reminder.  So I convinced myself that this was simply just a bit of Turbulence.  Not to worry.
 

Uh Oh!

Traffic kept me in a Holding Pattern for a while but soon my truck was on its Final Approach.  Sam was juggling garbage and recycling bins on the driveway.  He shot me a smile and a wave.  The neighbor was out in her flowerbed, and I stopped to chat for a short time.  Sam was still outside when I dropped my stuff on the kitchen counter.  THEN I saw the dining room chair pulled out and Mr. Paddle and the wooden spatula sitting on the table.  This lapse was not going to be overlooked, and there was going to be a

penalty levied by the FAA.  I wanted to move the implements to the bedroom but thought better of it.  Federal law prohibits Tampering with, Disabling, or Destroying a lavatory smoke detector or paddles.  The only thing that was going to be smoking was my bottom.

When Sam came in the house, he commented in a matter of fact tone that I had not forgotten this rule in a very long time.  He asked me to put away my things, and he sat down in the dining room, picked up the paddle and waited.  I started to explain, but he just shook his head.  Could tell we were ready to start Pre-Boarding as I went across his lap.  Once my bottom was in the Full, Upright, and Locked Position, the spanking began.

There was no warm-up, just hard and fast; this was a Non-Stop, Direct Flight.  Sam asked me to repeat the rule, which is difficult when he is whaling away.  I did recite it to the best of my ability, including the cut-off time of 4:00 pm.  Soon, though, he lightened up a bit and even said how much he laughed at my, "Crap!  I forgot" email.  He rubbed a bit then, and I was hoping it would soon be time to Deplane.  Sam pulled me up to sit on his lap.  My Tarmac was just a little bit sore, but all was forgiven.  My Pilot hugged and kissed me, and I smiled.  I was again his First Officer in good standing.  

        My Flight Plan for Tuesday was filed by 9:00 am sharp.