Peyton Manning said: "I’m totally convinced that the end of my football career is just the beginning of something I haven’t even discovered yet. Life is not shrinking for me, it’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities." I realize that retiring a travel trailer is not as significant as retiring a career, but for my in-laws, it is the end of a camping era in their lives, which spills over into our lives, as well, not only on this trip but in the future. I believe I speak for their 8 children, spouses, 21 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren that we have spent many happy days sitting around the campfire, playing cards, hiking and just generally enjoying their company and generosity. May this new chapter in their lives bring possibilities and not shrinkage.
But I didn't Inhale
Enough sap. Since we had to part with the truck and trailer, titles had to be found and obtained in order to part with them legally and financially. Due to wonderful neighbors, the pink slips were found and dutifully shipped through UPS at an exorbitant price in order to arrive by 10:30 the next morning. We were driving 8 hours to Carlsbad, New Mexico and had to leave at a decent hour. We carefully instructed the sender to put mother-in-law's name and our specific camping space number on the package, as well as the address of the resort, who assured us they would accept packages for us.
Around 10:30 the menfolk went to the office to see if the package had arrived. The silly girl posing as a helpful employee informed them the package had arrived not 10 minutes ago but she refused it because father-in-law's name wasn't on it. Understand that when we checked in they carefully recorded all four of our names in the computer, as well as wrote out name badges that we were required to wear at all times (we didn't need no stinkin' badges, but they didn't listen). Since Bill had a brief stint as a man in brown, he knew UPS protocol was to attempt delivery at the space first, then the office if no one was there. Plus, he also knew that the desk clerk could call the driver back since he wouldn't be far away. She promised she would and would give the driver Bill's phone number. The driver never called.
Through many phone calls in which I had to put on my bossy pants voice to get them to understand how important it was that we get it NOW and not in 4 more hours as they offered, we finally arranged to meet the driver "very close to where we were," which turned out to be 15 miles away in the wrong direction of where we were going. Bill and the driver stepped into the Walgreen's parking lot with fingers itching to draw. They assumed the stance, eyed each other, then Bill took the first shot.
Bill: I worked for UPS before and I know the protocol is to deliver to the site first.
Driver (with a rude attitude): There wasn't a site number on it.
Bill: It says 3-155 on it.
Driver (Calling his assistant in for back-up and butt coverage): Bring me the package. (Looks at package). Oh, it is on there. Well we had a bad morning.
Kablam!
No apology, no admittance of guilt. That reminds me of a famous line from Bill Clinton:
"When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale and never tried it again." –TWO times, but didn't inhale. When we later asked for a refund of our express package fee, the driver told his superiors that there was no site number on it, therefore we didn't qualify. Didn't these people watch Little Rascals? Don't they know that lies always come back to bite you?
Moving On
Guess where we are now? Texas is too big to be the end of a blog. Next installment: Elvis is in the house.
Blessings:
A little angel is helping us with affordable hoteling.
Still have not gotten rained on despite thunderstorms and flooding around us.
Chalupa-free beds.
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