So, So, So Close
I’m having a lousy day. I don’t know why. In the grand scheme of things, this day won’t even register as a blip. I hope. I cannot convey to you how much I want to get to Arizona and how afraid I am something will screw it up. Even now, when we’re only Arizona minus five days.
To give you an idea of how neurotic I am, Glenn made a map to get to Arizona. He wanted to save it as “Arizona or Bust,” and I went beserk. Tears were shed. Voices were shrill. Because if you knew me, knew my life, it would be just my luck if it were bust. I told him to call it “Arizona: Mission Accomplished.”
Today, though, the Jeep went to get fixed, and the guy brought it back saying he can’t do it: it’s too rusted. It’s been rattling but chugging along for months and months, so Glenn thinks it will be fine.
The mechanic says it could be fine. At some point, it will break, and we will be dead in the road. That could happen a week from now or even six months from now.
As you know, I have been neurotic about the Jeep for months. I don’t know why. I just have this fear that it’s going to break down and we’re not going to get to Arizona.
Since I’m being so confessional about my neuroticism, may I point out how nerve-wracking it is to drive with your HOUSE down the highway? I mean, one slip of attention, one slip of anything, and you have no house.
I can’t wait to be in Arizona. It feels so far away…
Is this what cold feet is like? Or is this craziness?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats and husband. She spends summers camped near her niece, because, well, her niece is her favorite girl on the planet.
Well, yeah, I’d be a nervous wreck. My last two vehicles rusted to the point they wouldn’t pass inspection — the pickup truck I got from my brother which ran perfectly, and my Chevette, which hardly needed a repair (well, the fuel pump had to be replaced) in the 8 years I had it (the car was 18 years old). Both were running. They just wouldn’t pass inspection which is required in Pennsylvania. So who knows. Rust doesn’t necessarily stop them. We’ll all hope.
Thanks, Eric! You know, I keep looking at all the old cars on the road going, “If they can do it, we can do it!”
Not craziness! Normal nervousness! It sounds completely nerve wracking, and you have every right to be anxious. That being said, I think you’re gonna be fine. A week from now you’ll be showing us pictures of mesas and road runners.
LOL! I am feeling better, Robin. And ROAD RUNNERS! I can’t wait to see one in real life! I’m so disappointed they’re not as tall as he was in the cartoon.
OMG!!! If you make it to Arizona within the next two weeks, we can meet for tea or something. I’m heading out that way. No “bust”, I believe you’ll make it out there so we can finally meet.
Christina, YES! Ohmigosh, I would LOVE that! We’ll be in Tucson. Where will you be?
I’d be a mite nervous. Are you looking at other cars?
And there might be another reason today isn’t one of your best days. This is from my horoscope today:
Now that Saturn the Taskmaster has entered Libra, you might already be able to tell something is different. There’s a heaviness that’s settling over your life and you are being required to grow up and take the next step into your future.
I hate this horoscope. If they don’t get better, I’m dropping Twittascope.
Not really, Edie. We plan on upgrading to a new RV in the spring or fall, and we’ll decide what vehicle we need to buy then. We don’t know yet if we’ll buy a Class C, a motorhome, or a fifth wheel which will need a truck. So we’re crossing our fingers it can hang on for another year!
I’d be neurotic about a vehicle break down, too. Because I might be able to change the oil and filter, change the tires, and switch out distributor cap, rotor and wires, but that is it. I’d be helpless as a newborn chick!
But hauling all my worldly goods? That wouldnt bother me. I can always get more stuff. I just would freak if I lost all my computer files…which is why I have them backed up on usb, disk, thumb drive…
I really hope you have an uneventful–nay, BORING!–trip to Arizona. And when you get there, that you have a blast. I would move to Arizona or New Mexico to live in a red second if I had independent means and could afford to have an adobe house built, lol.
This is true, Written! I’m not so worried about my stuff, I guess, just the actual HOME. Because replacing that would be difficult right now!
Thank you! I hope so, too!
You could think of your house as a moving target. Ours almost took a branch to the noggin’ in the winds recently.
I’m an INTJ and we are the masterminds of the back up plan. Are you an INTJ by any chance? Seems like you’re looking for plans B, C, D and E (at least).
LOL, Sarah! I am an INFP, supposedly, although in recent years, that’s been known to change. I NEED my backup plans, though. NEED!
That was the story with my son’s last car. And finally it died. I hope your jeep gets you where you’re going before it bites the dust. I’m sending you good wishes.
Me, too, Charles! Thank you!
We’ve had quite a few car problems in the past couple years, so I can relate there, but not to the house being pulled by said dying car. I hope you can get there without any disasters.
And personally, I think it sounds a but like cold feet, but also, you’ve been looking forward to this for SO LONG it’s understandable to have a hard time believing it’s actually happening.
Yeah, Melanie, I’m feeling much better now that we’re on the road and nothing bad has happened. I keep praying!
Sending postive energy to your jeep! Think this way; if you do break down you are already home. It’s kind of like, whereever you go…there you are!
Hang in there Spy!
Hah, Aimless, this is true! LOL!
Thanks for the positive energy!
Everything will be fine, Natasha. You’re just a little nervous because its coming down to crunch time. Arizona is going to be wonderful. I’ll be envious as I’m sitting here through the cold Wisconsin winter.
Yeah, Liz, totally nervous! I can’t wait for Arizona! And the salt water pool and spa!
So sorry about the jeep! Keep positive thoughts that it will be okay and let us know when you get to Arizona!
Nadine, you bet! I’ll keep my mind on the positive. Mostly. LOL!
You’re just crazy, dear. It’s totally fine. make sure you keep uploading pictures of your journey!
Safe travels!
Elizabeth, I’ve accepted my craziness long ago, LOL! You are so right!
I took a picture of the open road. I’ll upload soon!
Sounds like normal concerns to me.
Trying to avoid left turns even if it means going out of the way is truly neurotic, not that I do that or anything. Nope. Not me. Tic, tic.
Look at this taveling house as research for your next book, which can feature a snail.
Hah! Reenie, that cracks me up!
I want to write a book about a snail trying to cross the street, now.
You’re going to make it there, Natasha! And I think your title for the project is perfect. And having driven a lot of highway miles over the years, I can tell you that most of my worries were just that- worries. However, I think your concerns are a great way to keep focused on how important it is for the two of you to be attenitive and safe. You’re too good of people to be stuck on the road somewhere!
Why thank you, Rick! I much prefer my title to Glenn’s.
Things are going well. We are in Amarillo, and I feel like we are going to make it just fine. Knock on wood. No really, I just did.