The Random Dilettante

I’m back..and thinking solo road trips aren’t really my thing.

In many areas I pride myself on not falling into typical stereo-types regarding women, but with driving & navigation, I fail miserably. It’s just not my thing!

Usually things I do don’t require tons of effort, they seem to come naturally, and aren’t super challenging, just enjoyable.

When I’m driving and trying to find a particular exit to get me where I’m going, my eyes bug out, I grip my steering wheel like I’m holding it down, and I have to keep referring to my directions every 2 minutes just to remind myself what I’m looking for again. And then I still end up having to turn around and try again at least once.

Oh yes…Glenda was at wits end and wanted to cry like a baby many times on my way up to Alabama.

I love what I saw of Alabama though. I saw all the trees, and I was sold.

No offense to anyone I know (or don’t know) but I need to get out of Kansas. Some places feel like home….and some places don’t. Some places warm your soul…some don’t. Kansas does nothing for me, and when I say nothing, I mean it doesn’t do anything bad either, I mean literally nothing. It doesn’t do for me what some places do. It numbs me. Does that make any sense?

I love the small town thing, and I really don’t want to be in the middle of a big city..a small town (or island) with an ocean close by, or a forest, or both…would work great.

Anyway.

You know your broke when you have to wait until the 15th to go Christmas shopping. It’s so pitiful, it’s funny. Honestly, just writing it makes me giggle a little bit. The money situation will be looking up very soon too, so that alone is comforting and makes it easier to swallow right now.

How’s everyone else doing out there with the holiday season? Has the spirit hit you?

I might not have that much money this year, but the Christmas spirit is filling me more this year then any in the recent past. It makes me smile.

Tomorrow I start my 15 hour road trip to go see my husband graduate Warrant Officers Canidate School on the 7th. I’m going into Kansas City tomorrow night, and then leaving Monday afternoon for Fort Rucker, AL.

Words cannot express my feelings on leaving my toddler (Audrey). As much as one would think I would want, and probably do need a break from her; it’s going to be difficult. She doesn’t even let me go out of the room usually without following me.

And I think it’s easy for a third party to look in and just think she’s a typical clingy kid, and I’m the over protective mom..which I actually won’t deny, BUT in her case, some of the circumstances warrant it.

Everyone in her life, except for me (and my older daughter), passes through at will..never coming back at any determined time. Her dad appears randomly at best,and it’s usually guaranteed to leave once they really get to know each other again. One day he’s her focus…the next..nothing. He’s the phone, he’s a picture..etc etc.

So she has that relationship, and then on top of that she has great grandparents that she loves to spend time with, and we are fortunate to live close by, but as always, all good things must come to an end. We have to go back to our house, our lives. The sad thing is that you can’t really explain these things to a toddler and have them really understand.

Her typical dialog:

(she’ll ask questions, and then answer them)

Where’s Papa? He’s at work… Where’s daddy? At work… Nana? Work…

Daddy? Daddy! Get back here NOW Daddy! (Just like Marlin tells Nemo as he’s swimming out to sea, it’s verbatim) — that phrase is really common, she just recycles the names of whoever she’s thinking about at the moment.

The girl doesn’t know what work is..but you should hear the tone she says it in. She says it in a low, disappointed/sad way. And for her, anything in a low tone and not hurting your ears is rare, haha.

So when I go towards the door, if even to just start the car and warm it up, and come right back..she loses it. She doesn’t get mad, and it isn’t a tantrum, but is pure tears and panic. Audrey will throw a tantrum faster than I can type it, but she’s not really one of those babies to cry much.

Big fat tears rolling down her cheeks, usually means she’s upset for good reason.

I mean..look at her…she’s too cute to cry, hehe.

Anyway..I hope she’s distracted enough to not notice my absence too much. I’ll be sneaking out at nap time, and of course worrying about it the whole drive down & back. Basically just wondering what’s going through that little head of hers.

I will try to enjoy myself though..and I do mean that. It’s not often I get away, if ever, so as much as possible I’ll be taking advantage of some “me” time..trust that!

See ya on Thursday! Wish me luck

Like I said in my last post regarding this, there is an accessory you can buy, that will hook up to your factory stereo, or any other stereo that doesn’t have input jacks.

Here’s a link to the device that fits in my car, but keep note that this manufacture makes different models for different cars too.

The frustrating thing was that even though I knew these parts were out there, I still went to 4 different car audio shops, only to hear that they either didn’t exist and wouldn’t’ work, or to just get a FM tuner (yuck), or they would have to call around to see about it. (still no call..how rude)

For men that work with car audio, it surprised me how much they didn’t know about this option.

Most people think they have to get a new stereo to add a device to their car, and most car audio shops, or even Best Buy aren’t about to stop you from shelling out some more cash in their favor. But I’m here to tell you, you can get these things, and save at least $100 or more in the process. Plus, if your factory stereo looks cool like mine did, it’s cool to be able to keep it in there and still be able to have the option of adding whatever you want.

So anyway, on to the good stuff!

I took a $25 Belkin cup holder/ cradle for handheld devices, and I made it fit my top consoles vent! As you’ll see in the pics, I just hollowed out the bottom of it, leaving just enough to hold the stem that the cradle screws unto..that way it doesn’t interfere with any air flow.

So here’s what it started out as..and what I did:

And what I ended up with.. (sorry, it’s a little blurry)

And then the best news of all!!! I got the part I ordered today, and am happy to say it’s all installed and sounds GREAT!! It didn’t come with the best instructions, but I put on my thinking cap and it all worked out.

I’m still in awe of myself, hehe.

Anyway..here’s the part, and the back of my stereo and what went on - The 2 empty ports on the right are for the cables that are still in the car..I assume they are your stereo wires, and power etc. The 2 ports on the left are where I plugged in the interface. Only one of the connecters fit, but as it turns out, it only needed one.

And here’s the final product! Which I think looks awesome!! Not too mention the sound quality and how easy it is to operate while I’m driving

Oh yeah, by the way…..I AM for hire

Also, Crutchfield gave me a referral code to give out, so that if this (or anything else they carry) interests you, you can enter it when you check out and save $20 off your order!! (You have to spend at least $200 though..bummer)

Of course they also let me save $20 on my next order..so we both win:)

The referral code is:

py719-t7xuj-5v28v