Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Ride of Our Lives......

For those of you who read Lelia and Missy I am afraid this post will be anti-climatic but I felt compelled to give you my version of the "ride of our lives".

As soon as I found out there was an outlet mall near the hotel I wanted to go. Y'all have to know by now that shopping is one of my favorite sports!!!

So Amy and Carol dropped us in front of the mall as they were fixin to drive home (a little southern slang I learned in NC). I had wanted to pick up an accent while in the South so that was my first acquisition. What do you think?


As it turns out Lelia and Missy and I have similar shopping styles~~'shop till you drop'! We searched out every bargain that mall had. We refueled at Chili's and then shopped some more. Finally our time was up and we had to call for a cab.

Just to set the record straight, it was Missy who made the call. Personally I just wanted to seek out some nice looking people and see if they'd give us a lift.

"OH NO" said Missy, "that would be dangerous!"

So she called for a cab and we waited. And waited. And waited. All we knew was that the cab driver was an "American Woman" driving a beige vehicle.

Do you have any idea how many beige vehicles cruise the mall parking lot? One after another they passed us by. It was like they were taunting us! We were hot, had sore feet and a plane to catch. Where was our American Woman???

Finally, Missy called her back and apparently there had been a misunderstanding about where she would meet us. She was on her way....Thank goodness!

For some reason I knew the minute I saw her that this was our ride. She pulled up to the curb and was waving wildly out the window. Oh yes, this was our ride alright......

And this was our driver, Ravonda.....
She offered one of us the front seat and when Lelia tried to let me take it I reminded her that her legs are much longer than mine so I graciously insisted she get to be in the front where there was more leg room.

Since the car had no air-conditioning Missy and I enjoyed the humid, North Carolina wind whipping through our hair in the backseat.
I wanted to share a few pictures of the "vintage vehicle" in which we were riding (I believe it was a late 70's/early 80's Crown Victoria LTD).........


Notice the dead roses in the unused air vent.....

The stereo was held in place by some kind of homemade contraption. And yes, she is driving barefoot......

We had to stop back by the hotel to pick up our luggage before heading to the airport and I can tell you that we got more than a few "looks" as we loaded our suitcases into the trunk.



At one point during our adventure Missy couldn't find her glasses. She emptied her purse in a state of panic and I was worried she was going to make us turn around and go look for them. I really didn't want to be in that "cab" any longer than necessary. Finally Missy remembered that her glasses were right where she had left them......ON HER FACE!!

It turned out Ravonda was quite talkative. She asked if we liked to cook and when we said yes she gave us a recipe to bring home and share with the rest of the blog world. By now you may have heard it but it is definitely worth hearing again.........

After we arrived at the airport we discovered that our flights had been delayed and we would have had time to wait for a car from the limo company after all. But then we wouldn't have had this story to share.

It was more than a cab ride, kind of like my Hurricane Vacation it was a bonding experience, a memory that will make us smile (and laugh out loud) for years to come.

I think more than anything it made me humble. I could have declined that ride and insisted on something nicer but how would that have looked as I came out of a Christian Women's conference. No, I needed to live out grace in this situation. So as the hotel guests and staff stared I held my head high and crawled into the back of that "cab".

On the back of the armrest there was a newspaper cartoon that kind of summed up the whole experience for me.........


Like it or not, it's not about me~~~~To God be the glory!


23 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

I thoroughly enjoyed that story! That recipe is hilarious...coke? And I loved your accents! A great way to start my day! Thanks for sharing it!

Krista said...

Wow! While I am at a loss for words on something really witty and spiritual to say, there is no shortage on laughter. LOL A memory with those ladies that you will never forget...

Have a great day!

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Wish I had been there. It sounded like so much fun!! I am way to serious of a midwestern girl and need to add more fun with girlfrends in my life!! Again, God provided for you...in more ways than one!!

In His Graces~Pamela

Amy Wyatt said...

I knew Carol and I should have stayed to shop and eat and then taken you to the airport, but then we would have deprived you of this incredible opportunity :) Somehow I don't think we would have all fit into my husband's little car after more shopping.
When are you coming back South? I know you are dying too!

Anonymous said...

That was sooooo much kinder, gracious and generous. ;)

Paula V said...

I have watched the video of your southern accent and of the recipe. Actually I watched them twice on Lelia's. HILL-AIR-EE-US! Hilarious!
Paula

Jamie said...

Hilarious! Most definitely a memorable experience.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

I LOVED this post!!!

I'm just SO blessed that you had an amazing time; and what a great bonding experience.

Blessings to you.

Kim~

Tracy said...

Bless your sweet and humble heart. What a memory! = )

Lelia Chealey said...

That is so sweet. And sweet of you to let me sit in the front seat. She was a doll that we will never forget that's for certain! :)
I loved your pictures!!
Love ya,
Lelia

Laurie Ann said...

That's too funny! Being from MS, I didn't hear an accent at all, LOL. Definitely entertaining...

Yolanda said...

I loved how you pointed out, no shoes!

Learning what grace is all about,
Yolanda

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Ravonda is my kind of girl. Raw and unedited. There's a lot of us out here in NC.

I could just eat her with a spoon (another NC thought).

Thanks for sharing~elaine

Susan said...

Oh Kelly,

This is just HALARIOUS!!!! LOL!!!

Boy, would I fit in with you guys, I'm a shopping DIE HARD myself!!

You sounded so cute with your accents, now this is how Tonya really talks!! He He...

Loved your cabbie too, she was a riot!

Oh, you girls had such a great time, I'm just so happy for you.

We've got to figure out a way to get together before next year?

Love ya girlfriend♥

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Now that is an excellent post. I have to admit--I think you guys' story beats mine. And I am so reading between the lines. I actually liked the spiritual application you made. How did you do that???

Joyful said...

Well...quite the adventure!

Did you know I almost missed my plane going home? I'll get to that blog post eventually...maybe in another couple of weeks - hahaha! I just have SO much to share!

Hope life at home is running smoothly!
Blessings,
Joy

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

What a fun post! It is so neat to see God bring laughter out of something that could be unpleasant. :)

I really enjoyed the conference but I'm sorry I didn't meet you and your friends. Maybe next year!

Tracy said...

Hi Kelley,
If you have a moment, stop by and read my entry for today. I shared it with you, Lelia, and a couple of others in mind...

http://blessingsoverflow.blogspot.com/2008/06/lord-is-our-strength.html

Blessings,
Tracy

Jami said...

I love that story!! Love the pictures too! :)

Leaon Mary said...

heeheehaahaahoohooohhaahhaoeoeo
I am SO busting a gut right now Kelley! THAT is too funny. OUR AWESOME GOD has such a SENSE OF HUMOR don't you think???????????????????
I must tell you however, here in Arkansas we say: BOLE, as in boIL also. We own a mechanics shop so you get your OLE changed. Yes Maam!
Yall are the ones who talk "funny."
I am a vintage girl... but thee LTD..
is .... ahem... let's just say, I LOVE MY TRUCK.
Lea
<*)))><
thanks for the laughs!

Unknown said...

So, have you tried the recipe yet? Sounds delish! ; )

Love the first video too, it even rhymed!

You have a lovely blog, it's my first visit...

Amy said...

I wish I could have been there!
You just can't make that stuff up; God is full of great material!:)

Ya'll are some funny women, but I gotta go now, I'm fixin' dinner and the water is about to bull.;)

Missy said...

Oh. i hadn't seen this. Love the glasses picture. Show that to me in 40 years when i am worried I am getting senile.

I had to take my post down because I got a snarky comment...I might just link to your's instead.