There are some things we cannot change

We are just born with certain "things"

like.   we are good at math,or not, 
         we are high energy,or not,  
          we are right handed, or we are not, 
 there are many things we are born with and we cannot change, 
            like a brain for maps, or not.

And that would be me 

So, that is why  we have GPS in both cars.  
So, with GPS logged in, Sabrina and  I are ready to join my little man at the school Reflections  event.

BUT,  5 minutes on the road and all dash lights go out, and the headlights, too.  I quickly pull off the road. Sabrina starts up and the lights go on, but this grammy is not going to risk getting caught miles from home with a dead car.

Back to home plate and into the Boogie Buggy . Why has the GPS been broken for so long and the driver with the map in his brain is playing basketball ...Oh, I have GPS on my phone.

Not sure why we arrived at an apartment complex instead of the Reflection address...and why did this homeowner have no idea where the facility could be.    Re enter address. Arrive and seconds before the main man arrives !!!

No need for GPS inside. Viewed lots of entries, and the best of all, our little man's .   Light refreshments ( one chocolate cookie for me-which I saved for later. Snacked on in the car. Crumbs found their way to the seat of my pants - don't ask ) 

hugs and on the road to Sally's for Hallmark movie night.

Quick text to Sally...on my way...
This is going to be easy. I just retrace my steps to Totem Lake and I know my way from there.   
But, it does not look right. And it does not feel like the scenic route.  Juanita Drive, yes, I now that and a right turn seems right. It is dark and rainy and I am not sure now if I am going north or south. Time to  put the appropriate address into my phone GPS. 
Turn here, turn there, go here and...why does that look like the Reflections address? !

Now I listen to Gladys and turn and turn , and again ,Juanita Drive ( so I was not completely wrong  - I think I was just wishing my friend Juanita was with me and we would be laughing ) 
Arrive at my desired destination
  When I turn off the engine, the GPS shows up on the screen.  It has not worked for months. This is when you think the writer is making up her story, but it is the truth.

and when I got back in the car after treats and a movie with Sally, it was still working. I know how to get home, no GPS needed.

Tomorrow?  When I need help getting to West Seattle? Who knows.

But tonight I am just remembering what my niece Lisa asked, about 51 years ago  " Auntie, are we going to get lost today? "

And that is a true story.

An adventure

The Bravern......and beyond

Yes, a beautiful setting,
                             The fireplaces
                                    The fountains
                                       The Chuhully 

                          but don't let that fool you....


Underneath it all, is another story

A scary story
are you ready?
well I was not ready for...

well, here is what happened.

My first time to the Bravern ( shops, restaurants, Microsoft, etc).  I parked, found an elevator, grabbed the location note ( sapphire, level two )
Good thinking.

At the end of my "adventure" I went back down the sapphire elevator to level two.
Little did I know my adventure was just beginning.
Where is Sabrina?  My little red convertible   was not just around the corner. Did I go to the left or to the right?  What? I am on level three now !   Back to the elevator to level two.  There are several elevators....ruby, emerald, and yes sapphire.
I am back on level two and around each corner I am hitting the alarm button on my car remote.  Nothing.

I am already feeling a lump in my throat.  That happens when I am feeling lost. That is why I have GPS in both cars.  GSP is no help for this situation.
But wait, there is a lady pushing a service cart. She is obviously an employee who would know more than I do about this huge garage.
I approach her and tell her my problem and she smiles and offers to help.
" Where were you when you came into the garage?"
   oops, first sign that this would take a while

I told her the street I came from and that I just drove straight in and took the first open spot.
A few more questions and then
"Let's go up on the elevator"  We are at the ruby elevator.
We go up one level, she peeks out
"Oh this is not the sapphire level "
     oops, second bad sign and maybe, I know as much about the garage as she does. The color of the elevator does not change from floor to floor.

Next stop is the floor two. That is the concierge.  No one is at the desk, so she takes me into the Microsoft office.  The man at the desk is very kind, but he admits he only knows the territory  around microsoft and the emerald  elevator.   We go out to the concierge desk, and lovely lady leaves me and says that someone will come soon.

A look around the desk, no bell,but there is a sign  " No one on duty today, sorry"

  oops.  I am on my own again.   I look out the window, I see the street where I came in and take the closest elevator.   Down to level two  I start pressing my alarm button on my car fob .  silence.   and in that huge garage, there is very little activity. lots of parked cars and no one coming and going.   Only the clip clop of my shoes on the pavement.   The lump in my throat is telling me I need help.  Three of my kids work less than 1/2 mile away. I text them.  I continue around another corner.

There she is !  I have never been so happy to see Sabrina !
I realize now, the alarm on my phone fob does not work.
I get in
The clock in my car says 12:04  - I had started down at 10:20
I  start the engine and grab my phone to let the kids know I am safe.
Funny thing, the message never got beyond the low level of the garage.
So, no one knew
but now you know
and I hope the lump in your throat is gone, mine is 


a few days later...
lesson:  will I ever go to the Bravern again?   For sure I would park by an elevator.  Perhaps Sapphire ?
 OK. I had not changed the car clock....so it was only 11:04   But hey, that was a long 44 minutes. 
And, I discovered that button on my car fob is not an alarm. It starts the engine, remotely

All of that, helping me to smile ( not laugh ) about my adventure.  

I live an exciting life.