The Original Because of Love

I really don't like to drive. If I have the choice, I will always choose to be the rider not the driver. This works very well for me, because Josh loves to drive. So, usually I sit back, relax, and enjoy my car ride.

However, today I had to take the wheel. Alyse and I drove up to Raleigh. (Well, I drove. Alyse slept.) This is a big deal for me!

I can get very stressed out about driving, especially when I am unfamiliar with the area. I am always afraid of getting lost. If I go somewhere that is anywhere outside of "my area" (AKA - 74, 51, and some of 485) then I always print off directions to and from the location. If I have more than one place to go, I map it all out and print off directions to each place and then back home. Josh thinks this is crazy, but he always knows that if we are going anywhere he better have the directions ready when I get in the car!

The funny thing is that I am really good at reading a map, but I am so directionally challenged. If someone says to me, "Go North to ......", that means nothing to me! I need, "Take a left at the light onto _____ St. Then go 2.5 miles and turn right onto _____ St." I also need some kind of marker to look for. It is easier for me to look for a store, restaurant, etc.

I am a very safe driver too. My sister calls me The Driver's Ed. Queen. The most serious accident that I have had is when I hit my mirror on one of those big orange cones. (Long story)

I'm also not that much of a speeder. The only ticket I have ever got was in high school in the parking lot after lunch. (Even longer story) I am hoping that I don't have to worry about tickets though. I have a connection. Plus, I know "The Rule". I've heard that many police officers go by the rule, "5 you're fine, 10 you're mine."

*Knock on wood about both the ticket and the accident thing, even though I'm not really superstitious.

Josh is very good about taking care of all my car care needs, including filling up my car with gas, because he knows that is an issue for me too. Gas pumps are not my friends! I can never get the total on an even dollar amount! I try so hard, but it always ends up on something like $40.01. It is so frustrating! Plus, I have no clue about oil changes, tire rotation, etc. Good thing I have a husband who has acts of service as his main love language.

There are 3.5 things that I do like about driving:

1. Singing - I love to sing along with the radio or a CD.
2. Alone time - Alyse is very quite in the car so I enjoy putting her in her car seat and just driving down the road . It can be very relaxing.
3. License plates - One of the perks of Josh being a police officer is that he can look up licence plate numbers. So if, for instance, someone cuts me off, I can call him and tell him that car's plate number. Instead of saying, "Some white car just cut me off!" I can say, "Mary Smith from Matthews just cut me off!" I love it!

* Mary Smith is a made up person.

And last,
3.5 Ace and TJ - I only gave this one a half a point because it doesn't happen very often anymore. However, when I am in the car between 6 - 10 am, I am very entertained!

I guess I really have a love/hate relationship with driving. Either I need to get over my issues or someone needs to get me a GPS for Christmas!