The good, the bad and the FLAMIN' of our convention trip

FLAMIN' you say and I say to you, yes flaming! We were on our way to Arizona and almost to Holbrook when the cruise control starts to freak out and we start speeding up and lose the brakes. We were up to 95 mph before we thought to put it into neutral and let it coast to a stop (still no brakes). We saw the wisps of smoke coming up from the console area between the front seats and smelled an acrid smell. The five of us sprang into action and got EVERYTHING out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. Two fire extinguishers later and still the fire burned on. Such a horrible thing to watch...it was truly surreal. I couldn't take pictures of the actual incident because my camera bag was too near the blazing inferno so all I got was this pic of the aftermath, taken by a stunned police officer who thought we were all crazy. Please see my awesome friends' notable blogs about the same trip: Lacey Jenn and when poor Michelle gets around to it.

So in the end it all worked out in a way. My mom came from Flagstaff and picked us up at the Petrified National Forest Visitor's Center an hour and a half away were we relinquished our refugee status for a time. Thanks mama! It was an illegal trip but we made it. I hope Michelle's lap doesn't have a permanent indent of my butt on it. We were able to get a rental car in Flag and drive down to Phoenix, check into our hotel and fall asleep by two am. In all honesty it was probably one of the worst days of my life but I was surrounded by the BEST of friends. My friend, Michelle, lost her Durango that day but we all have memories from this trip that will last a lifetime. I love you girls...you're bringin' sexy back (inside joke from trip). I don't think I've laughed that hard in ages.

Things that were kinda funny. Educating Jenn and Sarah on the ins and outs of pee bottles. Hearing comments like, "I want to see one, I want to see the sunlight glinting off the amber gold liquid." Jenn could hardly believe we were telling her the truth and she squealed, "I think I saw one, I did, I saw my very first pee bottle."

We were in the Petrified National forest when our car was petrified.

There was a shirt in the visitors center that said "Rt 66, WHAT A TRIP". I think that's an understatement.

At the airport while waiting for our ride home a when a fireman heard our story he made us all laugh by saying, "Oh, you guys were in a carbeque." Nuts I tell you, totally crazy.

Me and Lacey eating donuts at midnight.

Getting a "wow" out of the business men at the hotel continental breakfast. Finding a "special tool" at the convention, pictures to come later.

Sarah's story about the Dancing Eagle Casino/Dirty bird.

Jenn's ability to win free stuff.

My ability to talk myself into free stuff, although not trying.

Hearing the teacher of the basic grey class say you CAN'T use busy paper as your bg, you CAN'T sand in the air and other such nonsense...I CAN DO whatever the heck I want to do. And many more... I might use in another post.

BTW the city of Phoenix et all is a nightmare for newcomers to navigate. Google maps does nothing to spare you from that unjust h e double hockey sticks. I mean 3rd avenue and 3rd street are definitely two vastly different concourses. You would think that wouldn't be overlooked by the convention overlords. Thank you to the turban headed man, Mr. Police officer at the barricaded onramp, Recollections SB lady, Laramie at Applebees, hefty construction worker man and anyone else who helped us get around in that city!!!! There must be a Circle K on EVERY corner in Phoenix etc. and what a blessing to five lost little lambs. Oh, and sorry to everyone I cut off and almost ran over. Not to worry we're home safe and sound and back to reality.

I don't know if you know about Michelle Hill but she is the ultimate. That girl ROCKS. Love her and not just because I won the grand door prize in her class. It was actually her online class kit from PolkaDotWhimsy. She comes up with the ideas and puts them together all by herself. Here's the link to the kit I won.