A Spin of Hate

18 Sep posted by

I’ve realized lately, that the older I get, the more old fashioned I’m becoming. Or is that I’ve always been old fashioned and I’m just now realizing it? Or is that the older I get the more conservative I am becoming? I could probably go on asking myself these questions and psychoanalyzing myself to the nth degree- but I won’t.

This spin is supposed to be about hate. And while I am guilty of often using the phrase, “I HATE it!” emphasis on the word hate, I think I have learned that hate is a very dangerous thing to harbor. It’s the very opposite of love-it evokes just as much a passion as love does- but at the other end of the spectrum. Originally this post was going to be about marriage- about how I hate that people are deciding to have babies without a secure spouse- or at the very least a partner who desires to be a father whether he desires to be married to his offspring’s mother or not. About how I think it’s sad that so many kids are being born with sperm donors (that is literal and figurative) and not real, involved daddies. I truly believe that children are better off with two involved parents that communicate and desire to help them grow to be the best people they can be.
But as I got to thinking about it, I realized that it’s not just a lack of marriage that I am hating recently. It’s really more this whole idea of “I’m an adult, so I can do what I want” attitude; or it’s the “I am not hurting anyone else so what does it matter,” way of thinking. It’s systematically not thinking past the present. I don’t think that there are very many parents out there that want their daughter (or son for that matter) having sex at age 13. Or having had multiple sex partners while in high school. Or even for some of us, having sex outside marriage. Doing drugs. Or stealing. There’s any number of other things you could think of.
Which brings me to the meat of this rant- If you wouldn’t want your offspring to do it, why did you do it? We all know that kids learn from the examples we set. If we don’t want our kids to do it, and we want to have any sort of platform/leg to stand on, we probably shouldn’t have done it ourselves. Or at the very least we should be completely honest with our kids about how/why we chose to do that, and what the consequences were for that action as it related to us. If for example were a single mom- as a teenager- and it kept you from going to college, or getting a good job, isn’t your child better suited to hear that, from you honestly than for you to hide it? Seriously, people I want to know!
I have never smoked a cigarette, and never done drugs of any sort. Granted I didn’t do it when I was younger because I feared being murdered by my parents. Ok, I knew they wouldn’t literally kill me, but I knew that it would disappoint them. And that was the last thing I wanted to do. As I got older and realized that I could make that decision without being murdered by them, I decided it still wasn’t for me, as I wouldn’t want my child to do it, so I wasn’t going to do it. Now I can show, simply, that you could go your whole life without ever smoking a cigarette or a dube for that matter!
I’ve been married twice, but both times, as I got to know my spouse for who they really were, I realized they were not Father material (despite the fact that my first husband had kids already with his first wife). So I didn’t get pregnant. I don’t understand why that concept is so hard for people to grasp. If someone could explain it to me, I’d really love it!
I would say that I’m not in favor of co-habitation before marriage- but honestly, after my first husband, and how the flip switched on in him to Mr. Hyde after the nuptuials were said, there isn’t any way, I wouldn’t live with someone first- because you never really know someone until you live with them. And even then sometimes (as in the case of husband #2 they’ll surprise you). Would I want that (cohabitation) for my future children- really probably not, but with the way people are so irresponsible and selfish these days and may hold the aforementioned attitudes, I believe you really have to have your eyes wide open. And for my uber Conservative, Christian friends that read this- just because someone is *saved* and just because they go to church and pray, doesn’t make them better, or any less likely than any one else in this world to be just as rotten as a *non-believer*. Case in point- my sister’s ex fiance. He did something to her that people who’ve never set foot in a church, other than for a wedding or a funeral, would never ever consider doing to another person.
I realize that there are decisions that are clearly adult decisions; but the double standard of late is just killing me. And this isn’t to say that I couldn’t be a better example in my life for the kids that surround me; we all have our demons and things that we struggle with so don’t think I think I’m pefect. I’m so far from it, it’s not even funny.
My point, however, is this- if you think it’s ok for you because you are an adult, but it’s not ok for your kid, maybe you should think about that before you act on it.
For more spins visit Sprite’s Keeper.

P.S. I think I’m thinking about all of this more now, because… wait for it… wait for it…

I have baby fever!

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Filed Under: life, the spin cycle

To Spin A Motto

28 Aug posted by

When I got the assignment for this week’s spin cycle, I was to say the least, excited!

Until recently, and by recently I mean within the last one-two years, I’ve had no motto in life- save for “tan fat looks better than white fat”.
But I have realized, thanks to Zach, that life has so much more to offer if I’ll shed the guilt, change what I can, and don’t worry about what I can’t (change that is).
I really hadn’t realized how guilty I feel about not doing this, or not making time for that; how much I apologize for things out of my control- until Zach pointed it out. Daily he shows me by living out his philosphy on life- in a nutshell: Happy is better. Change what you can. Don’t worry about it if you can’t change it. And if you can change it, you should, otherwise don’t worry!
Clearly I come by the guilt honestly. My mother’s facebook status the other day read:

not feeling good…so staying home tonight instead of working at school…and feeling guilty about it…which makes me feel worse..it’d be nice if I could at least dispense with the guilt

I also realized at some point, that she apologizes for a lot of things that are out of her control, and I’ve seen her worry. But I must tell you, worrying does this girl no good. It makes my brow furrow, my back tense up, and is otherwise unbecoming. I’m pretty convinced that it is unhealthy.

Since making this attempt to live life like Zach does, I’m finding that I am less tense, I worry less, and I really feel like I’m more in control. Strange, I know. I’m sure in the long run it will increase my life expectancy and I’m certainly going to have fewer wrinkles on my brow!
As far as dealing with my horses is concerned, I’m a serial offender of…wait for it… perfection. So I am borrowing this motto from a friend: Strive for excellence, not perfection. I think it’s a great idea to keep in mind as I ride everyday.
Do you my friends and readers have any mottos you like to live by? I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks so much to Jen at Sprite’s Keeper for the assignment.

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Filed Under: life, the spin cycle

Spinning in Books

20 Aug posted by

I know, I’ve really really been a bad blogger when it comes to doing Spin Cycles. Bad, bad, bad!

It’s summer, though, and I’m busy and the past few topics haven’t really got my juices flowing but this one…

Books. Beloved Books! I love books. Zach loves books. His dad loves books. My folks love books. My sister loves books. We love to read. Reading is a window to another world. You can learn about different cultures. You can be transported to far away lands. You can relate to different characters and see parts of yourself in them.

For me, reading isn’t just fun, it’s a way to learn about different things; to escape my own reality (though don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my own reality!).

When I was a young, horseless girl, I dreamed about having a horse to ride; galloping across an open pasture or field; a horse to feed apples to; to feel its breath upon my neck. I read every single book in “The Black Stallion” Series by Walter Farley (I still own all of those copies, and a copy from the 1950s that was my dad’s). I read every single issue of Horse and Rider I recieved, and I read cover to cover, more than once, an Encylopedia of the Horse that my dad purchased for me on one of his many trips to Europe. I also loved “Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry. Let’s not forget about the classic tail of “Black Beauty”. Also a favorite of mine! I loved and still do love the James Herriot Collection: “All Creatures Great and Small“. Who can forget, “My Friend Flicka”. I remember just bawling when I thought she was going to die! If it’s a book about horses, I still, to this day, have probably read it, am reading it, or it’s on the list to read!

What young girl of my generation didn’t crave a good mystery? I have read every single book in the Hardy Boys Series and I think as many Nancy Drew Mysteries as I could get my hands on. I’m pretty sure I read most all of these before I was in the 5th grade! I vidly remember reading so many books from this age: Blitz, Where The Red Fern Grows (read and re-read), and Old Yeller (read and re-read). I read, as a child, the entire CS Lewis Collection on Narnia- The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe being the most well-known of that. I re-read that entire series a few years ago. I still love it as much today as I did then!
I did go through an “I don’t read for fun stage”. It was called High School and college. I was too busy reading in school, chasing boys, playing pretty pony with my real horses and just being a teenager. Though there were several novels I read in High School that still sit with me, one of which I’ve read more than once – “The Once and Future King“, by T.H. White. I love that book, about Camelot, the Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur, Guenevere, and that whole period of history. I read Gone with the Wind (all 1000 pages as a freshman in high school), The Grapes of Wrath (as a junior), more Shakespeare than I cared to as a senior, though Hamlet still sticks with me (If you haven’t seen the movie with Mel Gibson, I recommend it). We read the Canterbury Tails, and Beowulf.
As I’ve gotten older I’ve read “Call of the Wild”, and all sorts of short stories by Jack London. I love Tom Clancy, and Robert Ludlum (who wrote more than just the Bourne series). Edgar Allen Poe. The fantasy side, that T.H White’s book brought out in me is still alive and well when I read Harry Potter. I love those books. I relish in being transported to magical places! Forbidden by Elizabeth Lowell is also a really good fantasy book. I love her! She also writes suspenseful mysteries, that always have some steamy scenes between the hero and heroine of the plot. Whirpool, Innocent as Sin, The Wrong Hostage.
I love John Grisham, Greg Isles, and last but not least: Janet Evanovich. If you haven’t read the Janet Evanovich Series, on Stephanie Plum I recoommend you do so, forthwith! They are some of the funniest, wittiest, most cleverly written books you’ll ever read. I eat them up- will read them in one sitting if possible. I absolutely cannot get enough of her character, Stephanie. She just released the 15th book in the series. Do you have to read the books in order? No, but they’re hella funnier if you do!
Since moving to the reservation, I’ve become enamored with Native American History, and as my new found motto in life is, “if you can change it do so, and if you can’t let it go”, I’ve decided to do something about it. Currently I’m reading “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” By Dee Brown. It’s a history of how the west was “won” as told through the eyes of the Indian. I cannot begin to tell you, how ashamed we as a society should feel about this. I realize that it was a century ago, but regardless, the things that people do in the name of greed, fame, fortune, religion- it’s harrowing. I really hope to learn more about this culture, and I hope it’s never lost. I’m even considering learning to speak Lakota, because, well, why not?
On my list of reading for this winter are the True Blood books (we just started the HBO Series- it’s freakin’ great!); the Twilight Series and “Lonesome Dove”, which I’ve yet to read- shocking, I know. I am sure this isn’t an all inclusive list- there’s lots of time here in the winter to read, so I’m gonna bet I get a lot more than just these read.
That’s all for my Spin this week. I rambled I’m sure, but I love books. I love to read. I think if everyone enjoyed reading as much as me, the world might be a better place!

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Filed Under: life, the spin cycle

I Love You

3 Jun posted by

Three little words.

They can pack a big punch.

But do they, always? Do we say them enough? Do we say them too much that they become meaningless?

The events of this week have got me thinking, as death always does, about love and life in general. I’m typically inclined to say that when someone takes their own life they’re being absurdly selfish. But in this case, with someone so young, there probably wasn’t a selfish motive behind it- the child simply couldn’t comprehend the finality of the decision. I know his family (mom, dad, sisters, brother) loved him. I know his grandparents (both sets) loved him. I know his cousins and aunts and uncles loved him. But do we say that enough? Or are we too busy focusing on the silly stuff they do, or the stuff that they do wrong to tell them we love them?

I don’t have kids, so I can’t say from that perspective. I was a kid once though, and I knew growing up my parents loved me and wanted the best for me. I don’t think I love you is hard to say. Now, the romantic *I love you*, that can be harder. But if it’s how you feel, shouldn’t you say it? Couldn’t a simple “I love you” make someone’s day? Maybe, maybe not. I truly believe, deep down, we all desire to be loved and cherished. I also believe that God loves and cherishes each of us. However, I can’t explain why He lets bad things happen. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that we get to make our own choices in life and He’s not going to stop us from making stupid ones. Sorry, that’s the best I can do on that.
This has been a sort of rambling post for me. The point I’m trying to make here is this: If you love someone, tell them. If you haven’t told them lately, say it today. Make the most of the time you have with those you love. You never know if you’ll have them tomorrow.
Ps. Thanks to Jen at Spriteskeeper for this Spin Topic.

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Filed Under: family, life, love, the spin cycle

A Mountain of a Spin

8 May posted by

Who me? Make a big deal out of something that isn’t really a big deal? Never. I. Would. Never.

Wait.

Who am I kidding? I’m a complete loonie-bin when it comes to making a mountain out of a mole-hill. Or am I? Maybe I should say- I can be.

Here’s the deal. I think it was yesterday, that my friend Ian commented that he will keep reading my blog but that he enjoyed reading about what I feel in life as opposed to what I do every day. Maybe I’m not feeling much but happiness these days, man. I suppose though, that the drama that was my life, had to be interesting. I’ll try to do a weekly post about my feelings- as we both know (Ian and I) that getting what we’re feeling, out in the open, is cathartic.

(Disclaimer- the following is directed at no one in particular. It’s a rant that’s been brewing for a while- the Texas trip just pushed me over the edge. I’m over all of the below mentioned issues- this blog is really just about what I hope is my new outlook.)

Admittedly, I’ve been in a funk since I got back from Texas. While there, I had friends in a communication spat, I asked to change some plans, and hence I feel like I alienated some people. I have another friend who admitted that she treated me badly while I was there- as such I’ve decided I really must let go of all things I can’t control. I’ve known that it’s healthiest to do that, for many years, but honestly it’s much easier to know it than it is to put it in to practice. I must let go of what people think of me. If they don’t communicate things with me, that’s not my fault. Now that is not to say that I may be too sensitive- and we won’t go in to why I often don’t take criticism well. We can, for simplicity’s sake, chalk that up to- shocker coming- my low self-esteem. If people want to be mad at me because my priorities have changed, have grown as a person, or even moved away, again, it is not my problem. I’m constantly evolving, and honestly, I’m still healing from nearly a decade of control, mental and physical abuse from 2 husbands. Some may view that as an excuse, but if you’ve never been in an abusive realtionship, well… I will admit, to some degree that I was a glutton for punishment, and for a while believed that I deserved no happiness. I wasn’t worthy of such things. I don’t want to use those experiences as an excuse not to grow or change, but it explains a lot about me. (People that knew me prior to marriage number one, during marriage number one and after that marriage ended- told me I looked unwell during that period- and have noticed the change- though I’m still not who I was before that experience). I have decided that if someone doesn’t like me for who I am, and there’s nothing I feel like I need to change, it’s not my problem. IT IS THEIRS. All I can do is be who I am, work on becoming the best me for me, and the rest will take care of itself.

For the most part, I’ve decided that women’s friendships are entirely too complicated. If you have to ask me if I’m mad at you, and you’ve done nothing to make me mad- then let it go. I’m not mad at you! :-) If on the other hand you’ve given me a reason to be upset with you- I may very well be- but if you know me- you know that I can forgive and forget and that I try to be the best benefit of the doubt giver on the whole planet. Furthermore- I never do things to hurt people, be vindictive, create problems for my friends, or otherwise be a bitch. It’s not my nature. If I go for days and don’t answer my phone it doesn’t mean I love you less. It means, at least at this time of year, that I’m busy doing as much as I can while the weather is cooperating. I check my messages. If you’re distraught and crying, I’ll drop what I’m doing and I’ll call you. I really do miss all my friends in Texas. Other than Zach’s family, I don’t have any friends here, so all of you in the Lone Star State are very important to me. I realize it’s my fault that we may have grown apart, seeing as how I’m the one that moved 1100 miles away. But at the very least, couldn’t everyone be happy for me that I am happy?

Oh wait. If they’re not happy for me, that’s no reflection on me. This new attitude of, I don’t give a damn, is going to be hard to learn. But I’m willing to work on it and give it a try.

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Filed Under: friends, life, the spin cycle

Celebrity? Did Someone Say Celebrity?

12 Apr posted by

I’m way ahead of schedule on this week’s spin. The thing is, I’m busy since I have all this nice weather to play in and while there’s plenty to blog about, the photographic evidence and video evidence isn’t available, so I’m just procrastinating.

Sprite’s Keeper decided we should talk about celebrities this week. Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? Seen ‘em? How do we feel about them?

I have not seen any Hollywood Celebrities that I recall, which, frankly is perfectly fine with me. I generally find people in Hollywood to be over-paid, full of hot air and have over-inflated egos. As if we care what they think about a subject that the rest of us in the real working world have to deal with daily. I hate the, “do as I say, not as I do mentality” that I get from a lot of celebrities. That goes for politicians too. But Celebrities think that we care what they have to say. Frankly I wish most of them would shut it. I can think of only one Hollywood person I do like- the always yummy Tom Selleck. I guess I could say my cousin too- though his first big role was on Life last week (his role begins at 41:04). He was the evil man in the prison suit at the end, for those of you that watched it .

So that’s my take on celebrities of the Hollywood variety. I do believe there are other celebrities as well- I sat at a horse sale one time, right in front of one of the best pitchers to ever play baseball- Nolan Ryan. He was quite gracious and gave me his autograph (By the way, I was so nervous asking!). I see rodeo and horse training celebrities all the time at barrel races. Tammy Key, Brittney Pozzi-Pharr, Molly Powell (I rodeoed with her in college), Jackie Dube-Jatzlau (who Jill and I hung out with at the bar one time), 10-Time World Champion Charmayne James, Sherri Cervi, Stephanie Fryer, and Lance Graves just to name a few. While I aspire to be that type of celebrity, there are times I do not envy them.

Last week for instance, I’m at the barrel race and Molly Powell is sitting on her horse, waiting for the tractors to finish dragging (which is just cleaning up the ruts in the ground made by the previous five horses). She is the first up in the drag and a girl just walks up and starts talking to her. She is always gracious and very nice and she is not the kind of person to turn them down. But that was bad timing on the part of the girl picking Molly’s brain- right before a run. I realize that for a lot of those girls there’s probably less thought put into each run before they make them (I on the other hand need some time to focus still). I wouldn’t envy having people do that. Though I didn’t see anyone do that when it was Brittney. I don’t know Brittney so I can’t say how that would go over. But if I had to guess I’d say not well. I only say that because Zach asked her for her autograph in Vegas this year. If she was happy to be signing autographs you couldn’t tell. Tammy Key also gave Kelsey her autograph and she was very gracious. She and her sister Jackie Dube-Jatzlau were both across the aisle from me last year at the Silver Cup Futurity and they were nice then too.

So do I love Celebrities or hate them? I guess it depends on the type of celebrity. But someday I will make the cover of Barrel Horse World, and I’ll be one. And I’ll be the nicest celebrity you ever met!

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Filed Under: barrel racing, the spin cycle

Spinning a Rant

7 Apr posted by

“What’s your name?”

“Jennifer” I replied.

“I know. I mean what is your last name?”

“Zeller”.

“I thought so. I had you down for a vendor booth. You should have let me know if you weren’t going to take it. Luckily, I found someone else to fill the spot at the last minute. They were happy to have it.”

“Well I told you all I had to sell was jewlery. And for what you wanted for a vendor booth, I’d have to sell a lot of jewelry.”

“You just should have let me know you weren’t going to come.”

I nodded. I was unprepared for the above conversation. Though it could be argued I’m never prepared for confrontation. I just want my world to be all flowers and balloons. All. The. Time.

WHAT kinda crack is that woman smoking? First of all, I had to call her not once, but twice to find out what they wanted for a vendor booth at the barrel race last weekend. I called and left her a message the first time. She didn’t call me back. I called again the next day and she answered. At which time she told me they wanted $150 for a 10×10 booth and that vendors had to donate TWO (2) items of a at least a $25 retail value for their vendor appreciation drawings. I told her I didn’t need a 10×10 booth; that I only have jewelry to sell. Her reply was, well yeah, that’s what you get. My interpretation- that’s it. Not giving you a discount. Not working with you. If you can’t play by our rules we’ll find someone else. Maybe I read too much into that? So I TOLD HER I wasn’t interested. And from that conversation she decides that I want to be a vendor??? Do you know how many necklaces I’d have had to sell to pay for the booth and the donationed door prizes before I even made a dime? Honestly. It’s not like I’m making handmade purses, and belts and other sorts of high dollar items.

I don’t know how much clearer I could have been. If she really had me on the list as a vendor, why was she not calling me before the barrel race began to ask me if I was still coming? Why did she wait until the middle of the barrel race to have this conversation with me? Was she trying to make me feel bad? Trying to start trouble? I don’t know the girl, other than that I know who she is, but I do know that I don’t like how she handled that.

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Filed Under: life, the spin cycle

Spinning in Texas Time

3 Apr posted by

Twenty Five.
Hours.
On.
The.
Road.
(Time)

With.
Seven.
Horses.

Eleven.
Hundred.
Forty.
Eight.
Miles.

Twenty. Hours. Driving.
(Time)

Four.
Hours.
(Time)

Sleeping.
In. A. Packed.
Full.
Truck.
Complete.
With. One. Eyed. Dog.
Higgins.

Time.
Well.
Spent.

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Filed Under: the spin cycle, travel

Spinning in Creativity

20 Mar posted by

I am certainly not the gifted writer that my friend Ve is, or even as gifted as The Pioneer Woman, but I couldn’t resist this week’s spin on Creative Writing.

It was time. The moment they’d worked so hard for had finally arrived. Nearly a full year’s worth of traveling countless miles, to at least six states and miles logged through many more than that. There had been what seemed like thousands of early morning chores; those came in rain and shine; heat and cold as the ever changing weather patterns didn’t matter. There was but one goal…

We ran in mud. We ran in rocks. We ran in rain. We ran in heat. We ran. Each horse had their turn as the conditions warranted. Small and compact called for a different kind of runner. Large and open, yet another decision to be made. Though through it all, there was one that could run in each and every condition, regardless; but the demands of competition required rest days. But there weren’t rest days to be had . So at least two horses were necessary.

As the year drew to a close, we were right in the mix for the goal. And as the competition season ended we knew we’d accomplished what we set out to do.

Now, at this very moment, we breath as one, just as we had dreamed as one. The crowd was screaming, the music was loud, the announcer called our name. I could feel the heart beating in my mare as we quietly made our way up the ally. We’re about to make the first of ten runs in Las Vegas, NV at the National Finals Rodeo.

I honestly believe that someday, that won’t be a Creative Spin, but that it will be a true story. Not just my dream.

5 Comments
Filed Under: barrel racing, horses, life, the spin cycle

Spinning a Tale of Adventure

6 Mar posted by

This post is recycled from events that took place in February of 2008.

It wasn’t really much of a vacation.

Let me start off by saying that I’ve been skiing with this same group of individuals on and off since 1999.

This year, instead of doing a New Mexico trip we decided to ski Colorado, specifically Wolf Creek. That resort is sort of in the middle of nowhere and you must stay about 30 miles to the south or north of it. We stayed south of it, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

We were informed by a family friend of mine, a couple weeks prior to our departure date, that they have had a LOT of snow up there this year, in fact, so much that they’re not really even sure what to do with it all and at one time some major roads were closed. I passed this information on to the group, so we mapped out a route that included no closed roads, and mostly 4 lane highway.

Until…

We arrived in Albuquerque via a Southwest Airlines flight out of Dallas. We had two rentals- a fancy Chrysler Aspen with a Navigation System for the boys and a Dodge Durango for the girls. Both are 4wd.

Our drive from Albuquerque to Pagosa Spring, CO should take about 5 hours. However due to the fancy navigation system, our original route was ditched in favor of a shorter one. Consequently, we ended up on a bad road; thank you NAV system. WARNING: DO NOT TAKE NM 112. We were all going along at 65mph when *boom* we hit snow covered road. The NAV system said it should save us 45 minutes. Yay. However, we’re now in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service and it’s 19 degrees outside. And it gets worse.

After going through a rough patch of snow/muck covered road, the guys realize that their Aspen was leaking fluid from the radiator. So we have to stop, and let their truck cool- then we go as far as we can until the engine gets hot again, and then stop. Long story short- it took us 5 hours to go 26 miles, and we crossed through an Apache Indian reservation on the way (going over cattle guards every couple miles should have been a good clue). NM 112 is pretty much the road that runs through the reservation. And the reservation roads are all gravel here where we live, And then can get really bad. That road wasn’t even as nice as the road we live on- it’s max 12 feet wide and 10ft in more places than not. It’s not even gravel. It’s dirt. But is there a warning sign if you’re coming in from the south? No. There’s nothing.

In the end, the Aspen finally refused to start again. At this point it’s 2:45 am and I am on 4 hours of sleep, since I was pitched from the back of a piss-headed steed the day before. I’m mad because I can’t call anyone to rescue us and I’m mad because I had told both drivers that we needed to stay OFF back roads. So we have to pile 8 people into seating for 5, and drop some of the luggage into the Aspen and get in to Pagosa, to at least drop off some people and the luggage that we have in that vehicle so we can go back and get the rest.

We finally arrived at our destination at 4am. We could nearly have driven from Dallas to Pagosa in the time that it took us to fly to NM and drive up. We’ve never been so glad to see pavement in our lives I don’t think. And once we got to pavement, we encountered Elk all over the road- nearly hitting one. Once we got cell service, the boys were able to call the rental car company and their insurance company.

Upon our arrival to the condo, the boys unload everything and turn around to go get the other luggage. In the meantime, my friend Kat and I stay up and dial in the NM Hwy Patrol since the insurance company wanted a police report.

All told, Kat and I were up for more than 24 hours. Not a great way to start a vacation.

In the end it all worked out- we were brought a new Aspen, nothing was stolen out of our other abandoned SUV and the NM Hwy Patrol gave us props for making it through that road as apparently people get stuck there all the time and have to be rescued. We were the first tourists that year to drive all the way through and make it out the other side. This vacation wasn’t as fun as others, as we were off to such a rocky start that we were all tired and stressed out already and I think that everyone wore on everyone’s nerves. So much so, that there wasn’t a ski trip planned this year. Bummer.

But I’ll never forget that nine hour drive.

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