We Passed!!!

I was speaking for my son and I as he drove into the DMV test area in Fairfield, California to finish up his driving test for the 2nd time which resulted in the most grandest smile on my son's face I had ever seen in his lifetime and a heavy sigh of relief from me. It was a successful drive test day. It started yesterday when I traded my "mom hat" and became the "drive instructor" and helped him to train for all the nuances, pitfalls and unknown "what if" scenarios that could befall a new driver. His first drivers test a few weeks ago was fine until he came to what we call the dreaded "yellow box". It is the broken lined oblong box that separates traffic that allows you into the area before safely crossing over to either side before or after on-coming traffic to make your left or right turn. He was automatically disqualified "DQ" as was written on his test when he was asked to make a left hand turn from his lane. He was completely unaware of this "box" area and proceeded to rush through the box before oncoming traffic was approaching him and made it to the area that he was advised to go. By doing that, he failed to safely drive into the box area and wait for oncoming traffic to pass and then proceed safely into making his left hand turn. We went over and over this scenario for quite some time until it was "Pa'a" (Hawaiian) or burned in his mind. He did rather well and I prayed to the Good Lord today to watch over him. It was a big relief to both of us on his accomplishment. After the test was over, we drove to Inn-N-Out burger to celebrate our victory and again the "yellow box" came up and he handled it like a champ! I have no doubt that he will be a good driver as in everything that he does, he does well. I drop him off at base which I'm sure he will nap well. As for me, it was a long drive back home but now happy to know that the sacrifices that I make for my son and my now adult children, I do this out of love.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered!

Finally found a car, not a truck, but a nice little car to call my own since my auto accident Dec. 14, 2012. My insurance paid me out for my 1995 Chevy truck, just a little over $3700. My wife's friend, Judy, wanted to sell her Suburu Outback. After she and I looked up information about the car make and model and researched reviews, we made a decision to look it over last weekend. Driving to Pacifica was beautiful, cool, brisk and a rare sunny day. It was Maverick's weekend where world class surfers from all over the world gather to surf for big waves and big money. Along with that is the hundreds of people that converge on this tiny town for this once a year event. Crespi Beach and Rockaway Beach parking lots were exceeding full capacity and wanting to see the picturesque view and catch sight of the huge waves predicted. It's a beach town and I do miss it sometimes but when the fog rolls in, I am very glad to be living in Redwood City and a much warmer climate. Judy and Michael have a beautiful home with two big loving dogs. They are long time residents of Linda Mar and know all about Montara mountain. Hiking, biking and walking is a good place for that. After test driving the Suburu and getting to know it's idiosyncrasies, drive style, smoothness, cooling and heating elements and of course looking under the hood, our verdict was made. After some friendship banter and parlay, monies paid and bill of sale signed, WE HAVE A NEW CAR!! I am very happy to have it. I do have to thank Enterprise Rental and my insurance, USAA for taking care of me while my truck was at the adjusters, Cooks Collision. I also thank my friend Greg K. for loaning me his car which was a sprightly little 5-speed Blue Toyota Matrix. It's been a busy week of car searching, physical therapists, doctor visits, mounds of paperwork and going back to work. Exhilarating, excited and exhausted all summed it up for me this week. Life is crazy and I'm loving it. I thank the Good Lord for watching over me everyday. Amen