Sunday, August 11, 2013

Sunday Salon: The Pucker Seat

 Good morning friends!  I come to you in an anxiety-ridden state of terror.  Because, you see, my daughter is now driving.  She got her learner's permit this week, and since then, has been very ambitious about driving everywhere in Orlando's insane traffic.  To the mall.  To and from Andre's.  To and from Sea World.  To and from school.  With me in the passenger seat (deemed "the pucker seat" by a friend of mine) having heart palpitations and feeling that at any moment I am going to meet my fate.  Actually my daughter is doing a great job, is very careful, and has a level head.  It is just that I'm not in control.  I honestly can't remember ever being this terrified.  But I know it is something that is necessary and my phobias have to be put aside so I can teach her to be a safe driver.  Lordy Lordy.  Pray for us.

It has been hard for me to focus on much else this week.

So as I told you last Sunday, this week was filled with appointments.  There was at least one every day.  Plus Cross Country at 5:30am and football practice every afternoon.  A week into the football season my son has pulled his hip flexor, so to the sports medicine doctor we will go Monday morning.  It would be nice to have one August (any August! Just one!) go smoothly.

The kids go back to school next Tuesday.  On one hand, I'm glad because I can get MYSELF back in order and get things done.  On the other hand, I know that with school brings other headaches (grade worries, calls from teachers, stress, tears, drama, bitchiness).

Last night we attended a National fundraiser called "Taste of the Nation", which supports childhood hunger.  This is the second time we've gone and is a lot of fun...food and drink stations, and the ever-present silent auction which is irresistible to me after two glasses of wine.  What did I come home with this time?  A basket of goodness from Longhorn and some golf package.  

I was able to finish "Night Film" this week in print, and I absolutely loved it.  Every second of it, so much that I didn't want it to end.  I have now picked up "The Perfume Collector", a She Reads selection.  This book was supposed to be reviewed at the beginning of August...I am way behind but that is the way my summer has gone.  In audio world, I finally finished "This Town" and also blew through "Crash" by Nicole Williams, a sort of predictable teen drama romp.  Ridiculous fluffy brain candy but it was fun, and was narrated by Cassandra Campbell.  Then I moved on to "The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriarty, and I let out a huge WHOOP when I learned it was narrated by my beloved Caroline Lee (who narrates all the Kate Morton books).  Man I love her.  She has an adorable voice.

So today we are looking at a quick run perhaps, then the animal shelter.  And assuming I can get my children out of their caves, I think we'll see Elysium.  We loved District 9, and this is the same director, so I've got expectations.  Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
       

15 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I forget if sex scenes are in book one of the Crush series - if so, I expect a full report (by private email LOL) on how THAT was! LOL

And by the way, my very first week driving I backed out of our garage into a telephone pole. To this day I can't remember how my parents reacted, so I must have repressed it - LOLOL

Beth F said...

Oh yes, I remember the early driving days. But you'll soon be happy she's carting herself around.

Megan said...

One of the times I'm thankful for where I live is when I think of other kids learning to drive. It's nice to have some good long mostly traffic-free country roads to practice on before you start digging into major traffic. But, then, it took me a long while to develop a level head in insane traffic, but she's got it right off the bat! LOL. Good luck!

JoAnn said...

Teaching your kids to drive is the scariest thing... ever!!

bermudaonion said...

Teaching Vance to drive didn't bother me that much - I had a chauffeur everywhere for the summer - but when he got his license and went out on his own, I was a nervous wreck! Man, did I do a lot of praying then.

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

I taught my oldest to drive but could not handle it with my middle daughter. It was sheer terror...and she's a good driver too :P

Anonymous said...

I just started The Perfume Collector too and am enjoying it quite a bit so far. Dual storylines, historical-ish, very fun.

Happy Sunday. :)

Iliana said...

One of my best friend's daughters are also starting to drive and she's also freaking out! :)

Good luck to your daughter - and you!

Have fun watching Elysium. I can't wait for your review - I really want to see that one.

Anonymous said...

That was me not that long ago - now she's out driving on her own, doing just fine. You'll get through it!

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) said...

Good luck with your daughter! It's good she's being brave and taking on challenges -- I was a timid driver and had a lot of anxiety when I finally got to drive on my own.

I am jealous you've read Night Film! I feel like the only blogger on the planet without an ARC for myself. I just ordered a copy so at least I'll have it on release day.

Rhiannon said...

My daughter got her permit but doesn't want to drive. I was counting the days for my permit and license. She's just not too interested in it. Strange! I am a bit thankful to not be in the "pucker seat" thought.

Heidenkind said...

My parents didn't let me drive anywhere when I got my learner's permit. They hired someone to teach me how to drive and didn't let me drive them anywhere until I was, like, 20.

Unknown said...

Driving? Argghh!! I don't blame you for being scared. Hopefully all this practice will make her an excellent driver very quickly.

Ti said...

We are heading into the pucker seat ourselves. Right after the holidays too!

Julie P. said...

Wow! I don't even want to think about my daughter behind the wheel. My husband will be in charge because I'll kill her!