In Arizona

Well, I finally made it to Arizona. What a trip!!!! I am so blessed.

I was planning on leaving Minnesota early Wed morning - around 5am - but didn't get going until just after 11am - I lost my bank card and had to wait for the bank to open to get cash and order a new card.

I drove around 700 miles - to Kansas City the first day - got there around 10pm. At my last fill-up before stopping - I found I had not put the gas cap on - ooops. I wanted to make up time, so I got up at 3:30 or so and headed out - at 7:30am I was already in Oklahoma City - going 70mph - which was the speed limit - in morning rush hour traffic on I-35W - and the front driver's side tire and brake assembly fell off. Goodness - luckily I didn't panic and it happened just at an off ramp and I was able to maneuver to the area between the off ramp and the freeway. My tire kept going, the brake stayed behind. I called 911 and they asked me if I was the lady who just lost the tire - yup that would be me. I only have liability insurance and no savings - no credit card - Uff da! Now what? A wonderful police officer stayed with me after calling a tow truck - he canceled one and got one that would fix the jeep for me that day.

The folks at the repair shop were awesome. They put up with Mika and with me from 8:30am until they finally finished the repairs at 6:15pm. One of the guys rearranged my luggage/junk in the back so I could use my rearview mirrors. I'd been trying to go by the side mirrors and Mika was always in my way. It ended up costing a little over $1000.00 - My friend (who had send me $300 cash, charged $300 on the repair bill. My ex-husband provided another $300 for the repairs - they took a personal check from me for $250 and I paid the rest in cash - which still left me plenty for the rest of the trip - I hadn't even made it half-way yet.

I made it to Amarillo Tx by 9:30 that night. I left there at 4am and got to Payson by 3:00 pm. Friday. Of course there is a time change there. I went to a job interview within a half-hour of arriving and started my new job Monday.

The reasons I say I am so blessed is:

1. I have such a wonderful network of family and friends who are always there when I need them - I hope they know that I will always be there for them also.

2. Although I had the car problem - I am blessed it happened during daylight and in a city rather than at night on a lonely stretch of highway.

3. Although I had the car problem - no permanent damage was done - no one was injured - no other vehicles were involved.

4. The police officer was wonderful - I need to try to find out his superiors to let them know what a great officer they have.

5. The people at the car repair shop went out of their way to make us comfortable and to get the work done as soon as possible and get me out the door quickly.

6. My dog, Mika, my faithful companion - kept me company and was a great traveler.

Praise God - thanks to the Lord! I'm sure there are many other blessings I could write about. We are here safe and sound.