it's only Tuesday, updated

I'm off work tomorrow, though I have some things to tend to via email.
It's a countdown now, until 4:15am on Thursday, when a co-worker will pick me up and we'll ride into town. We'll park and proceed to a hotel to change into our parade costumes. From there, we (with 15 other office-mates) board a bus and are taken to our balloon.
We've had some prep = the rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and a letter with specific instructions last weekend, and we've spent weeks speculating at the office.
We've become a close-knit group, the balloon handlers. We send each other emails, we frantically check the weather reports, we talk in the halls, about what we'll wear under our jumpsuits and how we'll refrain from drinking.
We are about 20% of the workforce. Some members of the team are unlikely candidates, but we have the same concerns and anticipations.
Will it rain? What shoes might be best? Will we be exhausted?
I half think I'll be exhausted from the excitement. It's a grand performance we'll be doing. I don't know that I've done anything like this before.
I don't think any of us care if we are on television or not. I haven't given that part of it much thought at all.
We'll be walking/marching/holding a giant balloon for over two miles on a cold, and likely rainy, holiday, past thousands of people. What will that be like?
By chance, my boss rode the train next to a 15 year veteran balloon captain yesterday. She had invaluable information which only served to whet our appetites:
Don't overdress. The costume can be warm - jeans and a sweater may be enough.
Follow the clowns to the buses - there are lots of clowns.
Watch the pilots, intersections can be difficult.
The people working the front and back of the balloon have more work...


I'm at the back of the balloon but I'm not put off by this warning. KT and I were told that there would be spotters available to take our place if we became tired or concerned.
I have new sneakers and I'll put together of bag of things to have K bring into town for me (we leave from town for Thanksgiving at MFAOA's house) to change into in the event of wet weather.
I'm so excited.

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It's Wednesday morning - family members are calling to wish me luck!
Some notes for those concerned:
My "new sneakers" were purchased in September and are well broken in. But are they warm?
It has taken a turn toward winter here with temperatures in the 30's last night, and it's breezy too!
Fear not, I have been trained to handle the right foot in some wind.
Here's a great piece on balloon handling.

Finally, aside from being thankful (we, over here, speak of such things on this holiday) for this terrific opportunity to fly a balloon, I am mostly thankful to be spending the afternoon portion of the day with MFAOA, who is in fine form.
Thank you to everyone who prayed with me and asked about her all this past year.
She is well.
I am thankful.
Amen.