a near death experience

At about 6:24 pm last Friday, Floyd nearly met his death while driving along Seal Beach Blvd. As he was about to cross the 405 overpass, something broke inside. He wasn’t quite sure what had happened, but there was a crackly thud then he started slowing down. Not certain how to proceed, he slowly made his way to the shoulder of the road.

Next thing he knew, he was smoking. What had just happened? All vital signs were functioning, but he didn’t think he should move, so he sat, and sat, until he eventually felt himself being lifted unto the back of a truck. Had salvation found him?

Floyd knew he was old. He had been many places, seen many faces, and he felt he had served his purpose. If life ended now, he was at peace.

He sat in a critical state for a couple of days while a diagnosis was made and deliberations were had about his future. Would it be better to let him go or to give him a second chance? It was confusing because he had done so much already. He didn’t have anything left to prove. If it was his time, it was his time.

After much discussion, it was determined that Floyd had a little more to give. He could recover from this near death experience and offer more service to those who love him.

The transplant won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

Thank you for sticking around a bit longer, Floyd. We can’t wait to haul another Christmas tree on your racks or load you down with 300 lbs. of flagstone. Most importantly, we’ll try to not make you feel like a waste basket on wheels anymore. You’re too good for that.

Much love to you. Get well soon.

no cars go...literally.

In the last week, I have driven to Redlands two times, once to make Christmas candy with my mom and sisters and another for a business meeting. The drive isn't terribly far (65 miles or so) and I don't mind an hour and a little more of driving in the car, but when there is traffic, I lose it. Honest to goodness, lose it. Nothing can console me, my natural woman just takes over! This is what happens: Hugh Hewitt's good words start making me angry. The car in front of me with the ridiculous flashing brake lights makes my blood boil. My favorite music can't even calm my soul and I LOVE music. Kent ends up thinking he married a crazy person because I send him 5 billion texts about how bad traffic is and how horrible interchanges are. I think I've even pounded my feet (at least foot) on the ground like a 3 year old girl. It is pathetic.

Unfortunately, on both of my trips I happened to leave Redlands at 5pm to return back to Long Beach, and I had places to be at 7pm. What was I thinking? I know better than that. I broke three very important rules to drive by in southern California:

1. Only drive on the freeways between the hours of 10am-2pm or 8pm-4am.
2. Avoid the 91 at all costs.
3. Tack on a 30 minute cushion for getting somewhere.

Really, those rules are important for my well-being because I become a different person, kind of like Mr. Walker/Mr.Wheeler in Motor Mania. Do you remember this cartoon? Goofy, who I think is a dog (I've never been quite sure about that), really does personify the 'angry driver' well. I don't try to take out pedestrians like he does, but I can relate to almost every issue in this short sketch. Here's to learning some patience before I do something rash while driving Floyd (our car).

o tannenbaum

We brought home our first Christmas tree on Friday night and we love it. A trip to Ikea and Target for some lights and decorations make our tree, and living room, complete. It has been years since I've had a Christmas tree. I never thought it was worth buying one when I was single because I always went home for the holidays. I'd always think about getting one of those mini ones, but I never did. A few lights around my window sufficed.

Being married, we decided we needed a tree so Kent and I jumped in Floyd (the faithful Ford wagon) and headed down to the local tree lot (parking lot, no tree farms in Long Beach to my knowledge) about .5 miles from our home. We originally wanted a Blue Spruce or Noble fir, but they were pricey so we went with the ever-lovely evergreen, Douglas fir. Quick story: When I was little, my mom and dad used to get a Douglas fir for our family room and I loved it. We would deck it out with our homemade decorations and multi-colored lights while listening to Andy Williams and Bing Crosby on our 8-Track player. This tree was the "kid-friendly" tree. One year, my mom decided to get a Noble fir and I almost cried. I didn't like the look of it and apparently, I didn't like change either. I guess I got used to it and amazingly, now prefer the Noble over the Douglas. It's funny that something as simple as a different tree could throw me off. Christmas traditions die hard.

Anyway, I love our tree. It's perfect. The smell alone makes me happy and puts me in a festive mood. In fact, I turned the lights on at breakfast today because it makes me feel so good. We won't be at our home on Christmas day, but the season wouldn't be complete without our first family Christmas tree.