This thank you post is a few days overdue. I had most of it ready to go when we were sidetracked by what could have been a "fish story" entry. We were headed home from our week long stay in Oceanside, CA. and stuck in this traffic just entering the aptly named Grapevine.
I know not to tempt the Gods, but decided this traffic would be the perfect time to post about our ordeal on Facebook. It was a BIG MISTAKE! Shortly after the post to FB and celebrating our good fortunes hitting the end of the bad traffic, the God's intervened. It turns out that our troubles were just beginning. We heard a loud bang and radiator fluid burst all over our windshield. It looked like the creature from the movie, Alien, had just taken a mortal shot to the head. Our engine temperature shot straight through the roof and we had to pull over!
It was over 100 degrees, but we were not worried. We had AAA. After two hours waiting for the tow truck, we called the tow truck company that was sitting less than 15 miles away. They said, "traffic is bad, we are not coming." We called AAA and they had closed us out. OUCH! They promised another tow truck. It never came. We were lucky, though. The highway patrol stopped and made sure another tow truck was on the way. The fire department was mopping up after a fire from the day before so they gave us water and Gatorade, thank goodness. Anyway, about six hours later, we were headed back the way we had came, to Santa Clarita and it was not to visit Magic Mountain. I may try to stop there next week when I go back to pick up our repaired car. I love Magic Mountain!
That is a long way to what I really wanted to say a few days ago, Thank you for letting me host the August Challenge. And an even bigger thank you to all those who participated. I tried to comment on everyone's entries. Please let me know if I missed any of them. I know how much work it takes and I definitely want to show my appreciation.
Hosting a challenge for the first time verged on overwhelming, but Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 really calmed my nerves and helped to make it a great experience. Thank you, Margaret! It also helps to have so many talented writers on ActiveRain that just jump right in and participate whatever the challenge turns out to be.
Thank you to Debe Maxwell, CRS for offering the formal invitation and for the inspiration when I needed it.
I also want to thank my friend, Jeff Dowler, CRS, for having the faith in me to mention me as host for the challenge and for meeting me at Carlsbad Village for a wonderful breakfast.
September's Challenge
Make sure to join our new hosts, Eileen Burns and Kathy Streib, for September's challenge, Crazy Real Estate Stories.
Btw, being stuck on the side of the road was not too bad. I just kept looking at those firemen thinking, "how do they do it?" They were working in 100 degree weather in full uniforms, jackets and helmets. The day before, they were wearing the same and fighting one heck of a fire. Our issues were just a bump in the road by comparison. It was God's hand in action teaching us patience and perspective. The day before, we were enjoying this. Life is good!
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