I M Perfect lady

A trip of tests!

First, our son's truck was broken into, his crucial papers stolen, along with his phone.  So began a search of getting his needed papers back up to Alaska, so he and his dad could drive through Canada.  With help from our daughter, the mail, and a bit of cash, things were ironed out.  All while traveling the highways and byways of Alaska.

Things that were not replaced were special CD's he had purchased for his dad to listen to while they passed through back country.

Then, our motor home didn't have a functioning furnace…and the temps dipped as low as the mid to upper 30's some nights, but averaged near 40- 45.  How to keep the sense of adventure when you are too cold to sleep soundly?  My husband wasn't phased at all…he said, this is what camping is about.   The Motorhome company reimbursed us 2 days for being uncomfortable for 11 days.   

Camping has its quirks, but also its beautiful views.

This view is literally from our camper door!   Cool in more ways than one!

The second hotel, charged my debit card twice….and wasn't 'able' to undo it until the morning.  I had wanted them to just undo everything and we would relocate to a new place.  But, we were held hostage in order to speak to the manager in the morning.   A hotel with a fabulous lobby and very outdated, not so clean rooms. (I typically judge a hotel by how clean the lobby is…not no more.)

In the morning the Manager, undid all charges.  Yet, my bank online still doesn't reflect this.  We are still on the solving stage on this one.  The accounting department for my bank said it takes a few days to catch up.

After a not so restful night in the sketchy hotel, I then walked into the lobby of my newest selection…and gave them my predicament. That, I had a hotel for two nights, but due to their incompetence, I left….and was willing to wait in their lobby, until a room opened up. 

They had a room and allowed me to go in at 9:30am.  Offered me access to their breakfast bar….etc.  Baked cookies at 7pm tonight and are giving me a later check-out…like 1:30pm.  That allows me less time in the airport before my flight.  If you are in a need of a hotel near the Airport and one that offers Shuttle service, pick MicroTel by Wyndham.

I love the juxtaposition of what goes wrong and the splendidness of what goes right.

Then, I while playing on my computer….an email came in. "You missed your flight!"

I panicked.

Jumped up to get my itinerary and sure enough, I had missed it….an hour ago.

My heart raced and I quickly dialed up the airlines to see what could be fixed.

Thinking, I was either going to be here a few days more OR paying up the nose to get home….I sweated while the patient agent tapped at her computer keys.

Low and behold, I was able to get on my 'original in my mind' flight at no extra fees.

What has been so interesting about these mishaps, is that they fit into the vacation and not ruin it.  My husband said, if they are something we can solve, they are no longer a problem.  I love that.

The rainy days were accepted, the foggy ones too…as much as the most beautiful ones, we rode them out.  It didn't ruin anyones attitude or 'wreck' our vacation.

In fact we got to see the two sides of the same thing…to see them in both the dark and light.

It has shown me that I can flow and find creative solutions when things don't go according to plan.  

I am adaptable.

Going with the flow means to deal with things as they happen, staying with the solution instead of focusing on the "thought" this shouldn't be happening.

It is amazing how others will help you as you seek to solve…and how quickly you rise into the new changes and find peace there.

My husband and I ebbed and flowed with my son's life…as he tied up lose ends, it often left us at lose ends; but we easily converted from family to couple and back again.  We flowed from vacation to problem, back to vacation…keeping time with what was.

I adjusted to rustic camping along the ocean shores…roughing it…and back to hotel's luxuries.  

I said yes, when in the past…no would have been the only option.

 I revisited places where we had been before,  but took advantage of new views.

The places had changed some…and so had I.

My fear of heights are still with me, and it's a forever companion, that arises with feelings of anxiety.

Roads without guardrails and steep drops keeps me alert…and I try and appreciate the grandeur these roads offer.  

I would like to say I could live here, but the distances and drop edge roads would take some time to adjust to.

Imagine how different we would view life, if we looked at how we solved things.

Who we are is how we respond when things don't go according to the plan in your head; but our ability to stay with life as it unfolds.

The bad…often gives us opportunity to shine.