* The Jen Network *

My ACEN Adventure in 2003!

"On the road again" or, "Whaddaya mean 'Welcome to Wisconsin'?!?" ----- So I get this NICE car that's SO not a compact, at the price of a compact and I'm ready to roll! Not. I have to go to the bank to cash a check that MP gave me to cover me until payday. And since I *know* those damned Hyatt ATMs and they're high dollar fees personally, I am taking CASH this time! Or at least a good amount of it. Most of what I will be doing/buying I can do/buy with my debit card, so that's good. Our bank is just down the street so I say goodbye to MP and head that way, still expecting to be on the road by 9am or so. I pull into the parking lot (in my Vibe!!!) and find that the bank doesn't open for another hour. I *could* use the ATM, but there's a good possibility that I wont get the cash, and I need the money in there and accessible immediately! So. I fret a bit, then decide to drive (in my Vibe!!!) to Meier's for last minute food stuffs. I manage to spend an hour and a half buying only necessities (like, uhm a watchband, cheese puffs, Ramen and granola bars... uhm... can't remember what else) and then head back to the bank. I get my money and am FINALLY on the road! I'm about an hour outsided of Indy when I have a really nice blonde moment. Ready? The parking brake is on. I've finally seen that the brake light is glowing red and I try everything I can to get it to go away and stay on the road. I even fiddle with the emergency brake but it seems fine. Until I pull over and give it a strong push. THEN it shifts into "off" and I smack myself around a few times and wonder how badly I've damaged my poor (wonderful!!!) Vibe. Then I get back on the highway and WOW! I'm getting better gas mileage. Imagine that! sigh. Anyway. I make the trip in good time. I even manage to make all the right highway connections! By myself! Well, except for once I actually GET into Schererville - then I go the wrong way. Twice. Sigh. But I finally make it to the Plaza Motel. Where I've stayed almost every time I've ever been to Lake County and not stayed with relatives. Apparently, business is better than it used to be, though. They have no rooms available. Well, let me correct that. They have a room, but it's not cleaned. And so it won't be available until that evening. So no shower and quick nap for Nenny-nenny. I pay for the room, tell her I'll be back sometime before 10pm, and hop back into the Vibe (!!!) and break out the directions for Rosemont, the "Ladies of Country" CD and all of my silver change. Yosh! Outta my way, I'm heading for the toll roads, people! *honk honk* I go the wrong way pulling out of the motel. Sigh. Ok. NOW! I'm heading for the toll roads!

Part Three: Peaceful Chicago Driving Part Two: "On the road again" Part One: I have to pay HOW MUCH?!?!!