Flipside Adventures

Inca Trail day 4:

mystee — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 20:44:50 GMT

It took me longer than expected to write the final day up. I think part of me isn't ready to finalize this vacation. But it had to be done.

I hope you enjoy perusing the photos.

https://squixtography.blogspot.com/2022/06/inca-trail-day-4-machu-picchu.html

Inca Trail day 3

mystee — Thu, 19 May 2022 14:10:24 GMT

I know you have all been awaiting this.. LoL.. https://squixtography.blogspot.com/2022/05/inca-trail-day-3.html

Peru Virtual book

mystee — Wed, 18 May 2022 04:46:17 GMT

Instead of recapping my day 3 walk I put together a shutterfly book.
Here is the virtual copy if you want to check it out!
https://www.shutterfly.com/share-product/?shareid=1b5e9496-eaa3-4308-b7fd-680dee7fd3f4&cid=SHARPRDWEBORDLNK

Inca Trail day 2

mystee — Mon, 16 May 2022 19:45:02 GMT

This was the long day. 16km and over 12 hours of hiking. I get exhausting just remembering it lol.. Rain, hail, cold and then the sun came out. 2 peaks highest elevation 13,779 feet.

https://squixtography.blogspot.com/2022/05/inca-trail-day-2.html

Inca Trail Day 1:

mystee — Sun, 15 May 2022 23:50:45 GMT

Over the next several days I will be recapping each day of my Inca trail hike over on my squixtography blogspot. If you are interested in the details with photos check it out: https://squixtography.blogspot.com/2022/05/inca-trail-day-1.html

Travel Ready!

mystee — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 19:41:34 GMT

In about 30 hours I will finally be in Peru!
I have dreamed of visiting Peru and Machu Picchu since I was a teenager. I had this trip planned sept 2020. I am excited to finally be going but man international travel has gotten so tedious. There is a ton of paperwork and documents you need now including covid vaccine proof and health declarations.

Anyways, I hope to update here when I get back in a few weeks. until then!

mystee — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:50:33 GMT

I often have every intention of sitting down and blogging but I get distracted so easily. ver the past 5 years my life has changed so dramatically, I got married, I joined the YMCA, I started running, etc etc. My life focus is so different that I don't even know what to say.
I am so proud of my husband! Sunday he ran his 4th half marathon and a personal record. He is amazing and I am blessed to have him by my side!

I volunteered at the finish line for the Xenia half and full marathon. This was my first time volunteering and my first time ever being at a marathon. I cheered in every runner and watched the myriad of emotions as they crossed the finish line.

It was amazing! There is something really powerful and magical about seeing people run/stagger across that finish line.
Makes want to see a gallery of photos of non-elite athletes crossing finish lines after endurance runs. That moment of elated exhaustion relief and accomplishment seems almost zen. Like No other thoughts but I'm here. Several of them actually threw their arms around me and just hugged me. They were so excited they didn't even care that we were complete strangers.

More Musings About Endurance Runs:
-Everyone has a story, a journey
- everyone has advice unique to their journey
- every journey is worthy and worth telling (I wish I had time to hear them all)
-arm warmers have a benefit in cold weather that turns warm then cold/breezy
- everyone deserves to have someone be it a stranger or friend/family to cheer them in and congratulate them when they finish

I am nowhere near ready to run a full but I have renewed passion to get out there and go long!

October 23, 2022 Niagra falls - We got this!

Can I just take a break?

mystee — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 18:55:49 GMT

I just want a break from work and life stress. I just want room to breathe and have hope that people will stop being assholes.

Working patient facing in the medical field is so horrible right now. There is no break. A vacation is just an interlude and I never know what new crap I'll be facing when I return. I Love my job. I love helping people. However I am so over the top done dealing with the hate from patients. Deep down I know they are stressed to too. We are all at the end of our ropes, treading water, or whatever analogy you want to make. It is hard to put on a smile and try and be positive regardless of what every news article says. My boss says 'this will end' she has been saying that for a year.

I only ask that we try and be nice to each other. Stop spewing hate. Stop picking sides and just be nice. Smile even when you don't want to. Say thank you even when you feel like crap. Stop adding to the hate and problems.

I told a co-worker I was trying to be a find solutions and not be a part of the problems (referring to the stress levels and low work morale of my employees). She laughed and said "how is that going for you?" It is like no one even wants to be happy. I'm all alone fighting to make things a little better and no one else seems to care.

Beauty

mystee — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 00:36:32 GMT

Beautiful. A long time ago I came to the realization that I'm not the type of pretty that I'm attracted to, I will likely never look in the mirror and see myself as beautiful. Beauty is really in the eye of the beholder everyone is beautiful in their own right no matter what anyone else says.

As a little girl I would dress up and twirl pretending that I was beautiful. As a teenager I was angsty and no one really was looking. I didn't have anyone to encourage me to care about my appearance but every once in awhile I would try. I recall putting on a fancy dress and doing my makeup. I really tried and I proudly went up to my dad and asked him if I was beautiful my dad said 'No, you are cute like your mother' I knew in that instant no matter what I did I wouldn't be beautiful.

I was devasted but realistic. My dad married my 'cute' mother I convinced myself I didn't need to be beautiful. I would always be short, freckled and thick.

Several years later my dad told me he regretted saying that and that I was beautiful but the damage was done, I knew he spoke the truth because my father always spoke the truth to me (I was 6 when I asked about santa, it was my brother who tried to keep that magic alive).

I know that my heart and soul are beautiful. I see myself as strong, independent, and determined. But I still have that secret little girl dream of being beautiful.

Work, run, sleep, repeat.

mystee — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 01:55:16 GMT

Work - Well it is super stressful and I have a hard time from not bringing it home. Being a team lead means I have a lot responsibilities and find I get called or dragged into things on my days off. We have 2 employees on medical leave and it most everyone else are taking vacations and we just don't have staff to cover when they are gone. this is the nature of the beast working at a hospital but it is emotionally rough missing patients and working over daily.

Running - I run a fair bit. It help me stay focused and keep distracted from the crazy. I run 4-5 days a week typically I run about 5 miles a day with a long run of 8 - 10 miles once a week. Though the summer heat/humidity has been keeping me down. Recently It has been all about the races. I started trail running which is exciting as it is variable terrain and uneven surfaces lots of hills too. though most of my weekly running is paved or on the street. I've run 2 half marathons this year ( April and June) with another 2 planned (sept and Dec) and a ton of 5km

I never planned to be a runner it just kinda happened and then I met a female runner at the YMCA who introduced me to She runs this town and the local chapter on facebook. Now I have a group of women who all run and it is exciting to go out with them. It is also something Bastian and I can do together that isn't going out to eat or watching movies (our other two favorite pastimes)

Hubby and I run together often. I liked this photo of us because we may run together but he is faster than me so we kinda do our own thing and meet up before and after LOL.

Cinco De Mayo 5K in California next to the beach. My mom was there to cheer me on and take photos.

Fourth of July 5K in Ohio.

April Half marathon with a friend in California. It was a dry hot day.

June 12th Half Marathon. Bastian was able to capture a photo of me crossing the finish line on the Jumbotron! It was way to hot and humid to be running.

Some of my running friends post half marathon

Me post half marathon finally finding shade in the car. This is a great photo showing my utter exhaustion but that true accomplished euphoric feeling I had too. Again it was close to triple digits and like 70% humidity.

This was taken yesterday 7/11/2021 (incidentally 17 years to the day that I met Bastian). Pre 5K Trail run moment of Zen. It is my new favorite photo capturing that moment before I run when I'm just relaxing taking a breath getting focused, you know finding my zen.

Social: I have a core group of friends that we get together semi-regularly mostly to see movies. i am working to expand and see other friends but mostly they are busy with their own stuff and our schedules don't meld well. I am hopeful to host a SteamPunk themed party late Sept/early October as I am itching to host a gathering and have people over again. (anyone interested in visiting Ohio to attend?)

I was in California late April/early May Here is mom and I

Dad and I. Dad grew a beard during Covid for the first time in his 78 years of life. I really dig it on him.

Some of my local movie loving friends

Bastian and I were invited to an underground dinner party. It was quite fun with amazing food and wine!

A friend of ours captured this candid photo of us hiding behind a fan. (The hostess handed out fans to all the ladies)

I have a hard time updating on LJ. Often I type up a post and it errs out.

I hate to say it but I've become a regular Facebook updater what with my running group and family being on there it is just more gratifying and easier to post to. I am also the occasional Twitter and telegram updater too.

If you want to keep in touch I recommend E-mail Squixen(at)gmail(dot)com
and if you find yourself in Southern Ohio let me know.

I'm truly curious who still lurks around here? - what have you all been up to? - what keeps you on LJ? Comment so I know you are alive?

Happy Birthday to my mom

mystee — Thu, 07 May 2020 01:45:06 GMT

I made this little video as a birthday gift for my mom. I thought I would give those that still check out LJ a laugh. This was filmed over a 4 mile run around. Also, running Karaoke it is a thing. https://youtu.be/PQWKbM652ZA

Every day I work...

mystee — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 22:07:33 GMT

Is emotionally and physically draining in a way I never could have imagined.
On the days that I work I have a constant headache - probably from the hours of being in negative pressure with a spacesuit on. My face physically aches from the pressure points of wearing a face mask. Changing clothing at work is now common place. I'm an expert at getting a shirt and pants on/off with never touching the outside. My hands are cracked and dry from the endless hand sanitizing. I come home leave my shoes in the garage and toss my clothes in the laundry and go straight to the showers. On particularly busy days I soak in my tub and breath.

With all that said the positive patients are the most rewarding patients I have ever had. They truly need my services and they are so thankful afterwards. They are weak and everyday I have to convince them to get up, to move, to just try until one day they get it and they start trying and then they walk and they say things like "You are the most important part of my day." or "without you I'd probably be dead." I have never seen myself as someone who could change lives. I go in do my job and move on. But right now, these patients, I feel they need me and that makes me feel special. But they are also needy and they take a lot and I need to remember to re-energize so I have something to give the next day for the next person.

As it stand I am only on our positive unit for 2-3 hours/day 4 days a week. I cant imagine what the staff up there a whole shift are going through.

Lastly - Let me know what you do to re-energize?

Fursuit Ballroom?

mystee — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:00:38 GMT

Prior to the sheltering at home and general lockdown of anything interactive and fun on April 19th My husband and I were set to perform a ballroom dance in our fursuits. I wonder if we will ever get around to performing or get back into dancing together.

Trying to keep hope and stay optimistic...

mystee — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 01:53:33 GMT

But I feel like I'm failing.

I live for planning my next big vacation I had just booked the flight and put the deposit on our big adventure when the coronavirus began to make big news. Then it hit America and things shifted. We are suppose to go to Peru late August. I was to walk the Inca trail and see Machu Picchu a childhood dream of mine. Currently Peru is closed down. However Late August is almost 4 months away anything can happen. I can postpone the trip for free but to when? October? Next year? If the country is open and my tour is still going then I see no reason to change anything but I don't know when I'll know if it is open and if I'm going to change things up I need to do it by late July. If you know me well you know I plan my big trips and this 'wait and see' just depresses me.

In other news I will be travelling July 1 heading to Los Angeles to see the family. At least that trip seems final regardless of lock down.

All my convention plans (up to October)are cancelled. All my races turned virtual or postponed/cancelled. Virtual is eh, I enjoy seeing my running buddies and getting that face to face encouragement.

It is like all the joy and happiness has been sucked out of my existence.

Everyone is saying 'nothing will ever be the same' what does this even mean? Nothing is ever the same. Tomorrow can't be today literally every day is different than yesterday.

Easter fun?

mystee — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 02:46:26 GMT

I decided to Donn my Bunny ears and tail and run around a 5K around the local park. It was fun. Not many people out but I think I made the few around laugh (from a socially appropriate distance of course).

Stressful days

mystee — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 23:53:23 GMT

The hardest part is gathering the courage to enter the room. I know my job, I know I'm essential. But regardless of all the precautions taken it is hard to willingly put yourself into a risky situation. Will tomorrow be easier?

15 years...

mystee — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 21:40:23 GMT

June 2004 - 15 years ago I graduated college, I had a fiance, things were planned I thought I knew where life would go bute truely I was at a crossroads and couldn't see the roads ahead. Then a close friend/almost family member commited suicide. When Celeste died things started to click. I didn't want to live a safe life. I craved the unknown, change, and travel. I needed to see things that weren't on the path I was walking. I needed move and a road I never knew existed began to emerge before me. I started to embark on a journey to Live - be proud of who I am and what I do, to see things and have stories to tell. I was scared, excited, trepidatious but I had to blindly go forward because where I was I knew would only lead to disappointment.

In 15 years I broke a bone, had back surgery, finished visiting all 50 states, I travelled the entirety of route 66, I walked 500+miles across Spain, I visited 15+ countries, fell in love, got married, bought and sold a house, and bought my current dream house. I have lived so many lives in 15 years.

What is next? More travel? - eventually with the new house cam new responsibilites and less money for now. I was ready for something new a change but what hadn't I tried? About 8 months ago my husband decided he wanted to get into better shape and lose weight. I thought - hey I should lose weight too so we embarked on a completely new adventure changing our diet and regularly exercising.

For me this wasn't easy - I grew up in an environement of snacking, eating what I wanted and when I wanted, napping or lounging in the hammock after school/work and thinking that walking and definitely running was the worst form of torture I could myself through. I was not athletic in the least..

With some trepidation I started with a ketoesque diet - basically cutting most carbs like bread/pasta and sugar, Being mindful of portion sizes and calories (cutting bread really helps control calories) overall thinking of food in a different way and finding new foods to make me feel satisfied. We joined the YMCA and I discovered something new about myself - I love weight lifting/strength training, that running isn't actually hell (unless it is 75°+ and 80% humidty), I don't miss buns on hamburgers, or rice, or pasta every night and best of all - that this body of mine can do so much and feel so good.

First photo is from 2005 on my first cross country road trip - my move to Ohio. The second photo is from today July 7, 2019

November 2018 just after starting the newest lifestyle changes -

Now - I Bellydance (my troupe performs locally), I Ballroom dance with my husband, I strength train, I run even completed a 5K and have another one scheduled, I am mindful of what I eat but I still enjoy things like popcorn, pasta, ice cream and french toast every once in awhile and usually after I've had a good workout. I make treats sometimes foods and now they are really treats and that makes me feel good. I am LIVING more than I ever have before.

I embrace this current phase in my life and I wouldn't want it be any different - except maybe to have Celeste still around. I thank her for giving me that needed insight and motivation to change to embrace life. I just wish it hadn't have been such a tragic push. Though I've always felt even in the darkest of places you can find the light if you look hard enough.

First Dance

mystee — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 15:05:45 GMT

For our Wedding we took dance classes. We loved them and I'm so proud of our first dance My brother cauht the whole thing on video :)

Song: Huey Lewis and the news - Stuck with you
Choreographer: Laura Karasek https://www.fireandicelatinandballroom.com/

Married?

mystee — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:57:11 GMT

Why yes I am. It has actually been a month. We just got back from the honeymoon and it was overall a beautiful time.

The cake was beaustiful. Complete with custom made topper and the chess ieces were made out of chocolate.

The tables were identified with card soldiers

I wore a big dress and twirled about all night

the escort cards were playing cards, and centerpieces were teapots filled with faux flowers

I have a ton of photos and don't even have the professional ones yet.

60 days

mystee — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:09:48 GMT

60 days left and then I''ll be married. I am super excited. The importance things are mostly ready.

If you are interested in in reading more about this journey here is the website - www.theknot.com/us/shelley-and-jamie

Life moves on...

mystee — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 20:59:06 GMT

This is the year of self improvement.. As I preapre for my pending nuptuials (110 days left) I have learned a lot about myself and found my inner creator. I am really enjoying all the little DIY projects I want to pull off for wedding day. Anyone else find themselves spontaneously creative?

Wedding?

mystee — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:51:47 GMT

So I have about 234 days until I get married. If you want feel free to browse our Website... http://www.theknot.com/us/shelley-and-jamie

The unexpected

mystee — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 02:26:14 GMT

This past weekend after 10 years of being together Bastian and I have decided to get married. Here is something he put together about it :

http://imgur.com/gallery/ywG4E/

Hula hoop?

mystee — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 18:31:18 GMT

So I've picked up hula hoop lessons again... Here is a little video where I attempt to put some moves together.. I'm really at the beginner level but it is getting better.

Most expensive vacation

mystee — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 04:29:59 GMT

This weekend I was driving along I-40 in Tennessee when my 2009 Subaru Legacy with a mere 72,000 miles died. The engine made this noise like metal clanging around and It stopped accelerating.

I was on vacation. I didn't let it ruin the time I had planned but it did change it. Here is my story:

On Saturday I drove to Nashville and enjoyed the sights there. On Sunday the plan - drive to Gatlinburg to spend Sun, Mon, and Tuesday with some friends/co-workers for a girls vacation, my first ever grown-up girls vacation. We had a cabin rented.

I was driving I-40 at around 10:00am (central time) near Crossville, TN. This stretch is a lot of hills. Not much traffic on a Sunday morning so I had my cruise control set most of the time and was munching on pretzels. I had 1/2 a tank of gas and was going to get there an hour or so early give me time to pick up donuts to surprise the ladies and get the lay of the land. A truck hauling a camper moved over in front of me to pass slower traffic. I pulled out of cruise control and for a bit slowed down, he moved over once passing the line of traffic and I sped up. It was uphill and my my car sounded like it was struggling. I passed him and moved over continuing up the hill and increasing speed going from about 50 – 70. Noticing my car didn't like to accelerate uphill I moved over and let others pass. I thought “wow my car doesn't like these hills at all” but I continued on. Eventually it goes down hill again and I put on cruise control I was going about 75mph went up/down a few smaller hills. The car seemed to be struggling to keep speed uphill I turned the AC off and the car temp gauge was fine uphill Something was wrong but what. I recall thinking “this could be serious how far should I go. I found out the next steep hill. The car started to vibrate a little I took it out of cruise control and tested acceleration. It was revving a lot when I'd depress the gas pedal and it sounded weird so I moved over to the right lane and put my hazards on cresting the hill. The car started shaking and a horrible sound was heard I pulled off the road just before the check engine light came on. It was about 10:45am (central).

Knowing near nothing about cars I got my bearings (ie called Bastian) and called for a tow. The AAA phone guy was a pleasant guy with an English accent, from Birmingham, England. Between getting my nfo and such we talked about London and traveling the US and such. He wished me luck and I waited for the tow guy. In the interim I called Bastian and had me look up a place to tow the car within my 100 mile limit he found a Subaru dealer in Knoxville. 11:21 pm (central) - The tow guy Rob Jr was a transplant from Florida who has three children the oldest of which was starting kindergarten the next day (Monday). We talked about TN and towing cars. I learned all wheel drive vehicles have to be towed on flat beds. He gave me a water bottle, the tow was 60 miles it was uneventful. We couldn't drop my car in the Subaru lot directly so he put it off on a lesser used side trip just outside the lot. I was in Knoxville at about 1:30pm (Eastern).

Grayson Subaru of Knoxville was closed. It was TN on a Sunday a lot of things were closed. Including the closest car rental places which I tried calling. I packed up my car knowing I'd likely not be bringing it home. The TN summer heat was starting to build and I was running low on water I knew I need to find AC and food, my friends weren't going to get there for at least another hour or so. My phone said there was a walgreens nearby. I just happened to have brought a lightweight backpack so I packed it up with a book and the water bottle. I put on my ipod and headed towards what I hoped would be open and air conditioned. I started my walk and an older gentleman with a veteran hat walked past I asked him about open food he said there was a big area with food not too far away. It was like being back on the Camino complete with someone passing me up :). I walked about a mile and was dripping in sweat by the time I made it to Jason's Deli at about 3pm. I thought might as well complete this adventure with a proper Camino meal – sandwiches! This place is awesome! I hope to find more of them, Flush toilets, air conditioning, a full salad bar, delicious sandwiches, and complimentary soft serve ice cream. As I ate I called Bastian, told him about wanting to get a rental car but nowhere being open. He searched and found an Enterprise that closed at 4pm. It was 3:30pm. As I planned for the Enterprise pick up my friends messaged me “almost there” I responded with “I'm renting a car will meet you there.” This was for the best I had to come back Monday to deal with the car.

I'm waiting outside when a truck pulls up fast with a well dressed guy behind the wheel. I stand up and walk to him reaching for the door before he can even get out. I get in as he is asking “how did you know who I was?” My response “Well you looked on a mission and well dressed.” I suppose he could have been anyone but who else would swing up in front of a place and not park? I told him my story he was originally from Nashville so I told him about my recent trip there. He then asked “I'm just curious are you an artist?” I laughed “not really, at least not professionally” He seemed to think since I traveled a lot and visited capitol buildings it made me artistic. I responded with I blog a little and dabble in photography. He was very nice (and cute). Before I left the car he gave me the best compliment - “You are the most amazing and interesting person I've ever met. Good luck” I got my car, a Chrysler 200 with a slight cigarette smell, keyless entry and remote start the PRNDL shift was a dial, talk about an adventure. I started the trek to the cabin. Arriving around 5:30pm

The winding road up to the cabin was nerve racking but my GPS got me through it and I was only about 20 minutes behind the rest of the group. The cabin was beautiful, tucked away in the woods all wood inside. We got settled and I drove us all into the Gatlinburg strip for dinner. We opted for Mexican and margaritas. Great food, great conversation and a needed break from the thoughts of the car. We laughed and I learned why people getaway and have trips like this. We soaked in the hot tub afterward and at around 1am we all went to sleep. I set an alarm for 7am to call the car place I didn't think to look for a key drop with how closed up the yard was. I should have gone up to the service area and then I would have seen the over night key drop but I didn't so I had to drive back there (about 1.5 hour drive one way) to deliver my key. My mind was going a million miles and I never thought “hey I should leave a key” I left a note in my locked car window. I couldn't really sleep I was worried about Monday and playing out all my options. So I was wide awake and ready to go at 7:15am long before anyone stirred.

I arrived at Subaru around 8:30am exhausted and hopeful for good news. Patrick my service guy was a bit rude. I know he was busy but he was totally not personable. He sent me to a lounge. I napped a little and mentally went over my options.

1 – Repair the car I decided that my car was worth about $5-6K to repair the trade in value was around $9000 and it would depend on how long to repair it because really I'd have to find a way back to TN to pick it up.

2 – Leave it there see if they will give me any cash for it a – drive a rental home or b- stay until Wed and go home with the other ladies I was suppose to work wed but I was exhausted and watching my trip slip away from me hour by hour and regardless I still had a 5 ½ hour trip home to make. Buy a new car in Dayton

3 – Buy a new car in TN get a trade-in for my old baby. A few months ago I had considered this and was looking and researching outbacks and Foresters. I had decided to wait another year or two save up for it.

I found out around 10:30 that the estimated repair bill would be $5,950 they didn't know what was wrong either a rod broke, or a seal just something in the engine. Which was really a “duh I could hear it rattling around there”. I think I took it well I didn't cry yet and Patrick in his flat toned voice said “it is never easy to tell people this” and I thought well you don't sound like you are having a problem. He explained it would take at least a week, they would need to get a used motor for the parts and find out what is wrong. The cost could go up or down some the number was 'just an estimate'. I asked him how this could happen in a 6 year old Subaru with only 72K miles. He didn't really have an answer his thoughts were maybe you didn’t get the oil changed enough, or serviced enough. But I got regular 6K mile oil changes (as per the manual) I serviced it at Subaru but of course they can't get that data, It was just in for brakes and an oil change a month ago. In any case I knew option one was off the table I couldn't spend the time not knowing and the cost was already on the upper end of my limit. At this point I wanted closure. Patrick connected me to the sales people and I test drove some cars on the lot. Jennifer was nice. It isn't easy to deal with someone that is intermittently crying. I tried to keep it together but It was an overwhelming time. She told me about the outbacks and Foresters they had on the lot and I test drove some. Ultimately I chose the Forester. It is a small SUV and I liked the sitting up higher. It also has an odd feature it is called X-Mode and is a button you can push that takes control of the engine, transmission, AWD, brakes, etc to safely navigate slippery terrain I.e helps you get up/down icy hills which I live at the top of. It was just after 1pm when I made my decision and stepped back. I told them I was going to get lunch and come back to finish the sale. I needed food, sleep and a break. I got food and took a breath and made my decision. I returned the rental car and was dropped off back at Subaru.

There wasn't much else left to do just paper work. I was doing great I was even a bit excited until Jennifer brought in my old plates and the personalized frame “Squirrel -Vixen cute and Cuddly” at that moment the finance guy came in and I was crying uncontrollably. My poor baby, my first new car at just over 6year was really truly gone. They were giving me a mere $2,500 for a trade-in (which with $6000 repair bill is the same as I would have gotten for a regular trade-in) and told me they were going to send it to auction like that makes me feel better. Just before this I was moved over to the finance guy John, a bigger black man. Initially he was thrown I told him to just give me his talk because I had to go forward and get this done. He handed me Fast food napkins from his drawer and explained to me the extended warranty options as I sobbed. The base warranty is 3 yr, 36K miles the extended s 6 yr, 80K mile covers oil changes and first service and the engine and power train (which my car was just over 6 yr though I didn't have the extended warranty). Partway through he started crying saying “I'm sorry I'm a sympathetic crier” it gave me a laugh and smile. I composed myself enough to ask say I couldn't make anymore big decisions today I needed time. He understood and didn't push it. He was very nice, very straight forward it was refreshing. He was from south Mississippi originally. We finished up Patrick came back and told me I could go to my car. IT was like visiting a sick relative in the hospital “Legacy is ready for vistors now, I'll take you to her” I walked up and put my hand over the route 66 stickers in the back window and said my goodbye as I pulled off the paw magnets and packed up the last items: jumper cables, my CD's, stuffed squirrel, garage door opener, the bag I had put together Sunday. It wasn't until Tuesday I realized I forgot my tag for work, oh well I'll get a new one. I went to my new car arms full, heart heavy. I'd like to say I didn't look back but I did and wiped a tear. Jennifer handed me some 'gifts' a little cooler (perfect for Bastian to use as a lunch bag for work) a pocketknife with knife; scissors; tweezers;nail file; and toothpick, and pens I whole lot of pens because well I love pens (I gave some to all the gals at the cabin). It was 4pm and I was done.

I have a new car with 14 miles on it. It wasn't purchased under the best of circumstances but it is shiny and has all these fun gadgets like bluetooth phone answering, USB ports, 35 presets for radio, on star, Reclining back seats, and all the cup holders!! It is so comfortable and I was able to put 400 miles on it. I LOVE it but it is a bittersweet love. I enjoyed making calls and testing stuff out while driving back to Gatlinburg. The gals were about to go to dinner so I met them at the brew house around 5:30pm it was raining and my new baby got her first bath and handled great. Dinner was delicious and I got to drive everyone to the other car. It made me feel good to get the ooh's and aah's from everyone. We went back to the cabin had a game night drank fancy frozen drinks with little umbrellas. Laughed and the whole day of stress and tears just melted away. I faded fast and slept great.

I had a dilemma on Tuesday. I called off Wednesday thinking I wouldn't make it in with all the vacation stress. On one hand - I had a way home now and didn't need to go car shopping. On the other hand – I didn't really get to do most of the stuff I wanted to in Gatlinburg. So I opted to stay and enjoy the last day of the trip and the gals. We shopped, did some moonshine tasting and I went up the space needle to see the view. It was all very perfect. We got back to the cabin around 7pm and I was feeling good so I decided I would leave so I could get home and go to work Wednesday. I had my car and I felt guilty making my boss cover for me. I got everything I felt I needed a great day of fun with friends and home in time to work.

I am so fortunate to have met so many amazing people on this adventure. It was because of the people I met and had around me that I was able to deal with this tragedy and move forward. Everyone was so supportive and so great helping me focus on what is important (moonshine and good friends) and not the details.

For photos check out my Blogspot - http://squixtography.blogspot.com/2015/08/most-expensive-vacation-to-date.html