Houston, we have a problem

Flight from Amsterdam left about an hour late. No worries - I had almost a 3 hour layover....2 hours....then 1 1/2 hours. Apparently there is no planning function in Houston, as what seemed like 6 planes arrived from international destinations at the same time. A football field full of people, and a short staffed immigration service, together with an inefficient queuing system, led to extremely long waits. Given that the only question I was asked at immigration was whether the tattoo on my hand was henna or not? (it is henna, for those that are interested), it was unclear why the lines moved so slowly. Of course..time was ticking away - 30 minutes before my flight was to leave for Raleigh and luggage retrieval and customs inspections awaited. By the time I got to the luggage carousel, both of my bags had arrived - phew! I then stood in a fairly long, but quick line through customs. I had a completed customs form with a random list of purchases I made and values I struggled to recall - so I only needed to get to the front of the line - and then give my luggage back to the staff to get on the Raleigh plane. After clearing customs (20 minutes til takeoff), I got to the transfer luggage carousel, where a bevy of luggage agents chatted amongst themselves - oblivious to frantic passengers all running late for their flights. Finally we got their attention - half went back to discussing their saturday nights and their manicures - a few scattered, and one guy took his time rechecking our luggage. Once stashed, we bolted for the tram in the airport (the longest 90 seconds wait ever) - and arrived at terminal B looking for gate 84M - naturally the most distant gate. Running through the airport - getting to the counter I was waived over - they were expecting me. They checked my boarding pass and I flew to the gate..ran to the tarmac and boarded the plane - 'sit anywhere, we took standby passengers'. I collapsed in my seat. Moments later 2 others did the same, and the doors shut and we flew to Raleigh. Thankfully I was able to sleep the entire way. Upon arriving in Raleigh - early if you can believe it - I came down the escalator - and looked across the nearly empty airport - to see the warm welcome of Jan - a wonderful site indeed. It is a wonderful indulgence to get picked up at the airport by a close friend - and I was thrilled to see her. We stared at the nearly empty baggage carousel hopeful the bags made it. One bag came through - so obviously they both should make it - they were both checked at the exact same time at the exact same place....but noooooooooooooo....no second bag to be seen. No worries - baggage agent confirmed it was on the next flight and it would be delivered within 6 hours of getting in if I sign the door tag and leave it outside the door. So sign I did, and hung it on my door. Waking at 8 am, I opened the front door expectantly - and...voila - on the front door remained the signed tag - no bag. Sigh!

Called Continental baggage to see where my bag was - knowing that every moment the bag wasn't in my possession increased the opportunity for my belongings to be in someone elses possession for good. They claimed the delivery service did not deliver late at night - was this the same service that explicity told me that it would probably come around 3 or 4 am?...yes it was.
Not understanding why I would be unhappy that I was given two completely different stories, and not getting anywhere in progressing the speed of delivery - i hung up exhausted from frustration. Ultimately the bag came at around 11 am - and the rest of the day was - laundry!