The piglets have created a creep of their own under a door and into a lovely sheltered pen, their favourite game is to lie right down and roll with their legs tucked in under the door, scamper, then reappear under the door rolling over and over.
You need to go outside, I said. So with a fair amount of apprehension I opened the gate to their outside pen. 
They flew through the grass, ducking and diving and rolling while their mother ripped off the tops of the plant and ate them as fast as she could. After watching them for a while I went back inside idly, to find my passport and get the travel documents side of my trip to Canada in order – it was Three O’Clock yesterday afternoon. I booked the seat way back in February.
My passport is expired. I kept reading the expiration date again and again as though somehow the numbers would change with scrutiny but no it is two months out of date. I dropped the ball. I cannot believe I made such a massive error. With two days to go before I am to fly out. What ifs don’t help. If onlys don’t help. Panic calling the New Zealand embassies and Passport offices in Washington, Chicago and New Zealand helped a little.
The closest office that can issue a New Zealand passport is in London. New Zealand emailed me the forms for an urgent passport renewal and I have filled them out. I found a referee, and last night I drove the two hour round trip to have the most awful passport pictures in the history of awful passport pictures taken. This morning I shall drive the whole package to the nearest Fed Ex office and hope against hope that there is a way they can overnight them to London. Then I shall call the London office and ask them what their turnaround is. An urgent passport promises, with a major price tag attached, a three day turnaround. I need One. A One Day turnaround.
The best case scenario is I might be able to leave for Calgary on Friday night just making the wedding. At the worst Monday night. Of course there is Fourth of July on Thursday when the whole USA (including the couriers) shuts down which is not useful. So there is a very real chance that I will miss my eldest son’s wedding. How stupid could a mother be. Of course just to stir the soup there is only one direct flight to Calgary from Chicago and it is in the evening! My darling travel agent is already on the hunt but until I know that passport is on its way back to me we really cannot book anything.
Good morning. I often search an incident like this for the meaning. Why did this happen I wonder? So far I cannot see the hidden meaning. How could I have been so foolish, I have been travelling for decades, I do know better. Another lesson in management? A reminder to stand still and look around, saying what have I forgotton? Stop running so fast? More haste less speed? Make better lists? Eat more brain food? I don’t know. I could just weep.
At least this dreadful error does not result in the death of an animal. This is good.
Now you all have a lovely day. Once this package is the hands of the courier, (Their office does not open until 9am) the result is in the lap of the gods. Let’s hope it is a sharp uncomfortable bony lap so the process moves along swiftly.
Your truly brain challenged friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
97 responses to “Piglets set free and our trip is in jeopardy”
Overload! WIshing wings on that passport. (must run to check ours – you just never know what will come up)
Cutest pix ever with the little piggies all in a row.
Now if your pleas will only be heard and some miracle occur. All paws crossed for such a kind hearted soul (of world-wide farmy fame)
So, so sorry to hear of this mishap Celi! Hoping and sending positive energies that it will work out just right and we will all be going to Canada with you as scheduled! xoxoxo
Yeah piglets. Boo passport. Fingers crossed.
GASP! Here’s hoping all people involved to help you will pull out all the stops so you can be at your sons wedding. Love Leanne
So much for me to experience in one post: delight in the piglets and their pleasure, dread that you will miss your son’s wedding, admiration that you can think of any positive aspect, and a heart-thrumming hope that everything and everyone aligns to get you there in time. Good luck, Celi.
Once I forgot my passport (duh) when when I traveled from the US to Australia. As I recall, they didn’t ask for it on the way out of the country, only when I was going to be needing to get back in. So I had to go to the consulate in Sydney and stay an extra day and a half until the paperwork went through. But then, for you, the waiting would be at the Calgary end which wouldn’t be as bad as missing the wedding! Just a thought….
you have to show your passport with your ticket to get through security, and at ticketing, it would be so much better if i did not need it to get out, but I fear i do. Also there is the green card thing, i am not an american… c
Ah, that’s too bad–I have not flown for quite a while since all the new security measures were put in place. I live in California, but am Canadian and so have a green card also.
Ah, I did ask if I could use the green card and they said Nah! I could just kick myself, such a dumb mistake.. c
I have fingers, knees and toes crossed for you and hope that this is just a hiccup to your plans. may all the good wishes speed the passport back to you in time to head for Canada.
We’re wishing you the best of luck!
Sending Magic Thoughts your way that everything works out perfectly and you are in Canada at the appropriate time! I do not thing that there is meaning in this except you have been exceedingly busy and it just slipped by.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Sending you positive energy, Celi. Things will work out.
I can imagine that sinking feeling when you saw the passport expiration date which prompted me to look at mine.
Those little piglets are the cutest things ever!
Oh good luck, Celi! With all the good thoughts going your way, positive things have to happen! Just keep swimming (across one of the Great Lakes, perhaps?). These things happen — especially to people who have a lot on their plate! xo
Just keep swimming, Nimo, just keep swimming, it has become a chant! c
Oh no. :*(
All I can do is say that we are sending good thoughts your way, along with everyone else’s! My passport ran out a few years ago and I keep putting it off, but I shouldn’t. I think it’s been so long I need to go through a bigger megilla than just renewal, too. Fingers and knitting needles crossed for you!
The thing that makes me even madder was that if I had seen it in time I could have renewed the passport ONLINE!! But an urgent request must be on paper.. you would think it would be the other way around! c
It never seems to make any sense. Overwhelmingly frustrating!
exactly.. ah well.. c]
Oh dear, Celi, so sorry–isn’t there still a COMMONWEALTH which links New Zealanders and Canadians? If you could just get to Canada maybe your passport could be mailed there for your return to the US? Just trying to pull an idea out of a hat…….
I called washington with that idea as well and they said no.. everyone needs a passport now.. poo..
I read your blog each and every day and don’t always comment, but I wanted to send my very best FAST vibes for you to get your passport in time. Hugs Celi.