Still Positive after Fender Benders and Mosquitoes?

Still Positive after Fender Benders and Mosquitoes?

NakedHippiesRoadTrip.com

Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Has this ever happened to you? You receive a compliment and you reply with something like, “Thanks, I always do that, or I always believe that” . . . and within a short time,something happens to test if what you declare is really true?

http://www.nakedhippiesroadtrip.com/




Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

When we returned from our road trip this week, after driving in the downtown Atlanta traffic with no problems at all, we crossed into Missouri and hit a traffic jam in St. Louis that had us crawling at a snail’s pace. I posted a picture of the traffic snarl on Facebook along with the message of frustration as we crept along at 5 miles an hour.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Then, the Gateway to the West appeared out my window – the beautiful, magnificent Arch – and because we were moving so very slowly, I easily snapped several pictures of my favorite monument.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

I posted one of the pics on Facebook with the comment that something good always comes out of something not so good.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Someone responded saying I had such a positive attitude and I replied – the glass is ALWAYS half full for me!





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

We got home that night and in the busyness of hooking up the camper and moving all our travel junk from the cab of the truck to the camper, we kinda forgot about the mosquitoes at the river that start their feeding frenzy at dusk – we just got busy and tromped up and down the steps to the camper, leaving the door wide open.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

You can guess what happened . . . the camper was suddenly home to a swarm of mosquitoes. Now, Bruce doesn’t get annoyed by these pesky little critters because THEY NEVER BITE HIM!





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

But, me they bite like they’ve come to a banquet . . . I spent the next hour lying in bed, a fly swatter in one hand, my book in the other, keeping a vigilant watch for them to land so I could swat them.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

As tired as I was from traveling for 10 hours that day, I knew I couldn’t sleep with mosquitoes buzzing in my ear.

Sigh. . .

Finally, I closed my eyes to sleep, grateful for the safe trip of 1400 miles.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Well, the mosquito test for keeping a positive attitude was nothing compared to my first day back to work.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

After working at catching up on all the emails and phone messages and piles of new tasks, I left at 5:00 to head home to relax by the river with Bruce. The first song on the radio as I drove out of the parking lot was Talking Heads singing “Take Me to the River.” How perfect is that for someone who lives right on the banks of the Missouri River?





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

So, I’m driving along and enjoying the unwinding feeling and just getting ready to ease my way into traffic when all of a sudden my car is jolted and shaken and I hear nasty crunching scraping sounds.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

A huge delivery van didn’t see me in my little white Mustang convertible and . . . well, my peaceful easy feeling suddenly disappears and anxiety and confusion replace it.

So how’s the glass now, Trisha?

Whatcha gonna say now?





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

I couldn’t get the car started to move it out of the way and I thought the big ol’ van had really knocked something out of place underneath the car causing major problems. (of course, I don’t know a thing about cars except how to refuel, add oil, and fill the windshield wiper fluid.)





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

My thoughts instantly switched to questions about towing and mechanics and needing a car to get to work . . . and how would I even get home tonight. . .





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Funny thing is, I just wrote a blog post that morning about facing fears . . . turning the “what ifs” into “Hell YES!” And now, there were tons of “what ifs” pouring through my mind.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

But then, the policeman showed up, popped my trunk and found the button to reset the fuel shut-off – that I didn’t even know existed!





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

So, in spite of the damage to my sweet baby, there were plenty of things to be thankful for:





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Blessing #1 – the car was still driveable.

Blessing #2 – no one was hurt.

Blessing #3 – the driver was in a Dr. Pepper van – you know they have goodinsurance!

Blessing #4 – I learned about the fuel shut-off.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Blessing #5 – I got home to Bruce’s strong arms that wrapped around me and said, “it’s all good.”





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

My glass is STILL half full!

Always!





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Driving home, I thought about this test of keeping a positive attitude . . . and wished the radio had played Tom Petty singing “I Won’t Back Down,” I would have cranked it up and sung at the top of my voice:





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Well I won’t back downNo I won’t back downYou can stand me up at the gates of HellBut I won’t back down

No I’ll stand my groundWon’t be turned aroundAnd I’ll keep this world from dragging me downGonna stand my groundAnd I won’t back down





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Now what?

We’ll see what insurance and the body shop have to say. She is getting near the end. I got her six years ago – replaced a minivan with this stunning convertible that was a symbol of freedom and fun for me. Miles and miles of adventures! Therapeutic driving with the top down for many years.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

Whatever happens, happens . . . and it will be all good.





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

And no matter what, I still say something good comes from something not so good . . .





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

ALWAYS





Life isToo

ShortTo

WaitFor

Someday!

http://NakedHippiesRoadTrip.com



Still Positive after Fender Benders and Mosquitoes?

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Transcript of Still Positive after Fender Benders and Mosquitoes?