Rambling About Thanksgiving

First of all: I promise I'll write about the world finals recap and my experience. . Hopefully this weekend. 

Okay. Now back to our regularly scheduled post. We’re closing in on the big day… Thanksgiving Day.

 

Some couples will stay home with their new babies and watch the snow fly, some people will go out to eat at any open restaurant, the local bar employees with nowhere else to go will go visit Jimmy the Greek (my boss at the bar)—he will be having a seafood extravaganza.  Countless other variations of the above celebrations will go on.  I’ll be travelling all over the tri-county area with the intent of seeing as many members of my extended family as possible, and I’m taking pudding shots (and wine, lots of wine). 

 

For once, I’m in a good mental mind-set for the upcoming holidays.  I’ve prepared my bank account, my schedule, and my emotions for the season ahead.  I’m still a little sketchy on how I feel about losing one of my best friends (figuratively of course, she’s still alive I assume) but I’m otherwise in a good place.  Finch and I have a wonderful new (to us) home that can accommodate guests, my sister has made the trip for the occasion, and Michael’s brother and his fiancé are also in town for a couple of days.

 

I used to feel burdened by the amount of family I have because I feel like it is so hard to accommodate everyone on one day… but I’m starting to feel like it’s more of a blessing and not just because I’m SUPPOSED to.. because it actually is.  I got the news today that my step-grandma has the flu and can’t make it to our family gathering in the little village where she grew up… the place we have our camp… the place where her brother made his home until he passed away a year ago… and I know I would be devastated if I couldn’t see everyone who’s converging there.  I’m sure she’s upset, so if you get a chance, say a little prayer (or send a good vibe or dress up a voodoo doll or whatever you do) for the people who aren’t as lucky on a day that should be filled with celebration, family, and fellowship.

 

And then I think back on the whole year and the things I’ve gotten to do with the racing community, and even strangers feel like family in that scenario, and I mean it when I say I love and miss you all.  Even if I never met you.

 

So if you’re feeling down about the stress of the holiday, give yourself a hug and tell yourself it will be okay, and look for even one positive thing to cling to.  If you’re feeling great about the holiday, good for you—you’re helping the rest of us either survive or even thrive.  I could have done without the Christmas music for the past week, you freaks, but whatever.  I still like you.  Count your blessings, say thank you, and let yourself enjoy what you can tomorrow.

 

I am thankful for all of the experiences I’ve had this year, the gifts I’ve been given, the blessings that I have in my life.  Thank you to all of you people who read this crap, and thank you to AARN for giving me what has been an amazing year of being involved in the racing community.

 

Okay, I’m going to go get started on the wine ;)

 

I love you all

You don't have to actually Cancel Your Plans – we’re having thanksgiving together even if we’re not in the same place. :)

 

<3/Miss AARN

Runnin With The Outlaws

It’s been a while.

 

Today is the big day.  Today is the day we head to the Dirt Track at Charlotte… where all dirt roads lead.  If the big names are big, the small-time guys are even bigger.  This is where dreams are made and broken, this is where you make it or break it, this is where we say our final salute to the king, Steve Kinser.

 

I always thought I would be saying that Kaytlyn and I would be getting on the road at 4… but that’s not happening this year. 

 

I guess some things change, some for the worse, some for the better.  This year, my heart breaks not because I’m not hauling a car.  Not because my favorite team blew a motor and doesn’t have a chance.  Not because our driver is ill and can’t compete to make the show.  Not because my douchebag ex-boyfriend is going to be there and ruin it for me.  Not because of anything race related except for the fact that I’m not sharing my favorite experience of the year with my favorite friend. 

 

I don’t know where things go wrong in situations like this or who is to blame, if anyone, but I guess you just have to take it in stride and try and be a grownup about it.  Except, I’m me… and nothing I do is very mature. 

 

Here comes the biggest race weekend of the whole season, states away from our hometowns, and my best friend will be staying at home without me.  I would tell you that I’m over it and I’ve cried enough, but the tears are welling up as I write this even today.  Call me dramatic, roll your eyes, do whatever it is you’re going to do but… this is me throwing a hissy fit because I miss having a best friend, I miss the laughing and the inside jokes, miss being welcome and having somewhere to escape to on a weeknight when we both need a break from life, miss tromping through the woods with my camera and a 6 pack… Forgive me, but at this very moment, I can’t even.

 

It’s not going to stop me from having the time of my life at the World Finals.  I’m not going alone, and I’ll be hopefully in victory lane with one of my favorite princesses of all time, Miss Motorsports 2014 Cassi Pinder.   And her family is going.  And my mom is coming and my aunt and uncle are going.  And my famous friends are going to be there and my friends that are only famous to me will be there.  And we have enough liquor and food and guitars to have more than 3 days of fun.  And although I feel as if I’ve left a bolt untightened, I’m going into this weekend full throttle … and I’m not lifting.  I'll just keep trying to shake the feeling that something's missing.  I guess everything happens for a reason and I hope that someday everything gets back to normal in the friend world-- or normal in the way that I'm used to anyway.

 

I love you all very much, and I hope to see you in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the World of Outlaws World Finals.  If you see me, I hope you give me a big hug or a smile or a high five or ask to take a selfie with me.  This is my last race, probably, as Miss Area Auto Racing News 2014 and I hope to make it a great one. :) 

CANCEL YOUR PLANS-- WE'RE GOING RACING IN CHARLOTTE, PEOPLE!!!

 

<3 Miss AARN