Thursday, November 29, 2012

Spanked

Second post in one day after a six month hiatus.  Don't get too choked up, now. 
 
Hmmmm...may need to rethink this blog title before I publish or strangefettishgoogleman may make another appearance.  Then again, life is nothing unless lived dangerously, and that is why when I was transporting the boy to a pool party in August, we took the 'safe way.'
 
On the way to that particular end of town, you come to a crossroads.  You can go the way of twisty, dark, narrow, residential streets, or the more modern, 'safe' route with newly paved, wide streets and the same minimal traffic volume. 
 
We chose the 'safe' way. 
I should have just risked my life dodging the random escaped cow on the dangerous way.
 
So there I was, minding my own (fill-in-the-blank) business, driving my merry tuchus off.  The car in front of me wanted to turn left, signaled such, and stopped until traffic cleared.  I stopped behind and it was when I was at this dead stop and minding my own business that another car came flying around the corner (he was texting) and slammed into a Grand Cherokee that slammed into my merry little tuchus.
 Yes, folks.  That's third party damage.  The passenger in the first car came through the windshield and both passengers in the Cherokee were carted away by the ambulance as well.  The boy and I were the only two that walked away. 

I was so upset.  The Saturn was such a good car.  It was paid off!!! *commence sobbing* However, they said it could be repaired. 

And then they called to say the frame was bent in three places.  They totaled it out. 

I just notice that I tend to write in very short, very insignificant paragraphs.  Look, here's another.  ;)

Anyway, we were so set that it could be repaired that I never thought to look at/for another vehicle.  On my way home I thought, I rationalized, I compromised with my own self and I was remarkably agreeable to myself, but the line was going to be drawn on one point and that line was non negotiable.

Later that night, after the kids went to bed, I sat down next to the man as calm as I could be and said, "I honestly don't care what kind of car I drive, and I don't have much of a reputation, but what reputation I have will NOT be driving a minivan." (Apologies here to everyone who loves their mini van.  I know y'all are fiercely protective of them.)

Since I was in high school, I've been obsessed with Wranglers, pointing them out at every turn and going out of my way to park next to one so I could drool.  I've coveted a Wrangler like others want a Ferrari or a perfect round of golf.  It wasn't going to happen.  Ever.

I gave the man my pitiful, "Please Lord, don't make me drive a mini van" face and he said, "I thought you wanted a Wrangler."

Well, Yeah.
He apparently had one all picked out and had been putting money into another account to save for 'the day.'  It just came sooner than we expected. 

So, here you go
 

 

Here she is.  She's so dark, dark green that it looks black in the regular light, so I put her in the sun for this shot.  She's stock, but beautiful.  It wouldn't hurt my feelings to lift her and put on larger tires, but that day will come.
 
So after the shock of being spanked while at a God's honest dead stop twice in a matter of three months (the first left no damage), I'm thinkin' I wound up on the better end of the deal.  I'm a giddy girl.

"Recieve what cheer you may; / The night is long that never finds the day."

Hi.  It's been some time since I've updated the blog.  I hope you'll forgive me.  *bows head in humble supplication*

I could make a thousand and one excuses why I haven't blogged this century. The kids ran me ragged over the summer, I teach more students than I ever have in one semester and the essays are piling up, the curriculum has changed so I've had to start from scratch, both kids are now in school and completing homework, we've gotten a new puppy, my car was totaled, my camera is wonky, my shoulders hurt to sit and type, Blogger was giving me fits...the list can go on.

Fact of the matter is:  I quit.

I just stopped posting and then stopped for so long that it was difficult to go back to the pattern.  I wanted to.  I set aside time to. It never happened.  I wanted to read your blogs.  I missed your friendships.  Life got in the way and it was easier not to blog or read others for doing so made me even more guilty for not blogging. 

A vicious cycle, indeed.

I felt the blog was getting stale.  I wrote the same things over and over again.  Here's some zucchini.  Look, here's some more zucchini.  Guess what I harvested today.....zucchini!  You all understand, I'm sure.  The summer garden simply overwhelmed me.  I was bringing baskets and baskets up to the school over the summer and for the greater part of this school year.  Never have I had a better harvest....and now you won't believe me, for there are no pictures.  ;) 

I was burned out with the garden.  I didn't plant a fall one, and as a matter of fact, most of the summer garden is still out there, waiting for me to remove the frail grasp of soil it maintains.  I just haven't mustered the determination to clean it up.

Reading back over this, it sounds as if the waters have closed over me and I'm paddling with half a limb, but all is truly well.  Things have a pattern and there's a stable routine to our day.  I could truly live life as a dog and eat the same thing day in and day out.  Throw me a peanut butter laced treat every now and again and I'm a happy, happy girl.

If anyone happens by this, I'll catch everyone up directly and shove in pictures where I can.  The wood is coming toward Dunsinane.
The morning comes early.  Sweet gardening dreams.