The Standard Trans-MISSION

I'm writing this from the road; technology is a beautiful thing.  We're going on about 14 hours in the car and so far, so good... except for the fact that I realized that I forgot my winter coat as we passed Delray, FL (that's about 1.5 hrs from la casa); the year-round warm Miami weather has officially spoiled me.  I called mom after this realization and she quickly reminded me that it's about 16 degrees in KY.  Soon after, we stopped for gas in GA and I had to run from the car to the inside of the gas station with a towel from the backseat wrapped around my body.  I'm already looking a lil rough after 14-hours in the car and the salsa-stained towel didn't help.  I got a lot of curious stares and whispers, not to mention the fact that I smelled like a fresh can of tomato paste.

Thanks to the Pig, the towel is covered in salsa.  She decided to venture up to the front seat during the drive and, in the process, placed her foot through the Styrofoam container holding the salsa from our lunch.  It would have been bad enough if her paw had simply been covered in the mess but instead, the pressure from her paw on the Styrofoam resulted in a loud POP and the salsa exploded and splattered everywhere.  It was all over my (coat-less) arms, Ben's pants, the floorboard of the car and, OF COURSE, Ben's dress shirt that he was planning on wearing to our engagement party.  Oh the fun of a road trip.  Wait, didn't I just say, “so far, so good?”  Okay, I take it back... 

We've been listening to the Confessions of an Economic Hitman book-on-tape for the past 6 hours - it's my new favorite travel companion.  I love the fact that I can drive and kinda-sorta read at the same time.  And, speaking of driving, I have officially mastered a standard transmission.   I originally learned to drive in an automatic and have always had an automatic - the need/opportunity to learn a standard had never presented itself.  That is until Ben and I decided to drive instead of fly to KY and we needed to take his car (b/c mine is for sale).  In true Coppelclan style, we decided to wait until 10 p.m. last night (about 8 hours before take off) to have our first standard driving lesson; I was stalling, jerking and jolting all over South Beach.  For me the worst part is going into first (and from what I understand, this is everyone's challenge?).  Please,  say yes to make me feel better.  I still haven't taken a stab at reverse yet, but thankfully I don't need that gear when on the interstate.  I must say that a 6-hour driving shift after just learning a standard transmission is pretty impressive...  okay, okay - so I stalled a few times today at some stop lights, but who hasn't?

In about 2 hours we will be with my family - Ben's parents, brother and sis-in-law and their beautiful baby boy, Charlie are coming too.  I'm delighted that everyone will have a chance to meet before the wedding.  My family is SO excited to meet the rest of Ben's family and the Coppelmans will quickly see that my fam puts the "fun" in dysfunction.  Doesn’t every divorced family have a mother and step-mother who exchange gifts?

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we are incredibly blessed to be spending this special time with our family and friends.  I am also really excited about Friday (the engagement party) - lots of my friends from both high school and college are coming and will finally have an opportunity to meet Ben.  I’ll be sure to post lots of pics.  Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah – may your hearts (and bellies) be really, really full. 

Comments

[Shubie]

La La! What a fabulous post-seriously I was cracking up the WHOLE time reading it. I will affirm (for the purpose of your ego) that I too had the hardest time shifting into first gear when I first learned to drive stick-but once you get hang of it driving a manual car is WAY more fun! Plus-guys really dig a chick who can drive a stick shift car hehe. XOXO...kiss Walker for me a MILLION times since you get to see him so soon!

[Jenny Drake]

Laura, don't worry. I learned how to drive a stick about two years ago, drive one every day, and I still stall and jerk all the time. I blame heels! Have a happy holiday and a fun engagement party!

[Rachel Webb]

Hahaha. I love this post. I can't wait to see y'all!!!