The Road Back to Julie

Let me just say this at the beginning, do I hope that President-Elect Trump surprises me and is hugely successful? YES! That would mean that the country as a whole is successful.

Does that mean that I have to say "let's give him a chance!" and let him do this thing? No. Because that means we just let him enact policy that could have massive, long-lasting effects on the country. And not good ones.

What does that mean for us?

That means we have to get involved. 

After this election, there are a lot of us who are left asking, what can we do? How can you get involved???  I started making this list and while it is incomplete, I hope that it helps.

Legal Councils:

Women's Organizations:

LGBTQ:

• The Point Foundation - DONATE
• Charity Navigator - 94.42
• Human Rights Campaign - DONATE
• Charity Navigator - 89.36

Climate Change/Environment:

Refugee Assistance:

• Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA - DONATE
• Charity Navigator: 91.98/100
• Farm Aid - DONATE
• Charity Navigator: 91.07/100

• The New York Times - SUBSCRIPTION

• The Washington Post - SUBSCRIPTION

• My hometown paper: The Jonesboro Sun - SUBSCRIPTION
• One state paper: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - SUBSCRIPTION

Toy Story will be cute they said. Toys (aka inanimate objects) would be alive and have feelings and be depressed when they are discarded - - it will be lovable! ... they said.

Well, "they" SUCK BIG MONKEY BALLS!!!

Did I just throw Disney/Pixar under the bus??

Little backstory. Seventeen years ago, I bought a car. A Honda Accord. And you may think, "Big deal. There are THOUSANDS of Accords out there." True. But none of those are my Honda Accord.

For the first sixteen years, yes I said sixteen years, my car had no problems whatsoever. But starting last year, the break-downs/mechanical problems/etc. started - and kept coming. I always said that I was going to keep my car until it flipped me off and said "Eff you lady! I'm tired!" Then the day before yesterday, I couldn't start my car and keep it running. I was stranded. Then the check engine light came on. Again.

I was frantically trying to call people to help. But luckily, I finally got my car started and peeled out of the parking spot in an effort to keep the engine from dying. Success!! I made my way to the Honda Dealer. Yay! They can fix it. Yay!

But the thoughts started, "What if this happens on my way to Colorado? In the middle of Kansas?!" (Hey my Kansas peeps, I love you guys. But... there is NOTHING IN KANSAS, at least, along the highway.) Then I pull into my mom's driveway and she says, "I would feel a lot more comfortable if you had a new car before you left for Colorado."

I took my car in to the Honda service. And, oh what? There are deals going on right now?

And there goes the shooting match. 

I ended up test driving a few options. Then I went back with my mom yesterday to show her what I was thinking. (Don't judge!) I made a decision on what vehicle I wanted. And they went to find it for me.

What was that? Did I cry over my Accord?? What? No! Of course.. not..... I would... never..... ummmm....

OKAY!! I bawled like a little baby over getting rid of my Accord. I'm talking tears falling down onto the steering wheel (while parked and car off, of course). DON'T JUDGE ME!!

But think of it this way. I had that car 17 years. At the time, I had just gotten out of a bad relationship. I had just graduated and was heading out to Arizona for grad school. It was a time of BIG changes. And besides that, do you know how many cross country moves I did in that car? Let's count!

1. Arkansas to Arizona

1a. Trips to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Las Vegas

2. Arizona back to Arkansas

3. Arkansas to California

3a. Lots o' trips

4. California to Florida

4a. Does going to Kennedy Space Center a gazillion times count as road trips?

5. Florida to Arkansas

5a. Lots of day hiking trips

6. Arkansas to Texas and back (for co-op)

6a. Houston to Big Bend National park (10 hours each way)

7. Arkansas to Colorado and back (for internship)

7a. Lots o' trips to Ft. Collins

And I know I have missed some in there!

That car took me to see and experience all sorts of amazing things. 

It lugged my pets around (and had dog hair in the nooks and crannies for a long time afterwards to prove it). 

There was an unfortunate experience involving me, my car, and a full Jamba Juice smoothie with a lid that was not secure. (Mycar is scarred to this very day.)

It saved my life more than once either from keeping me out of a car accident or by making a car accident much less severe than it could have been. (It could maneuver that well!)

I experienced highs and lows while driving in that car. 

But I realized that it was time to get a new vehicle. One that would work well for me out in Colorado. Tonight, I finally got a new car. I haven't named him/her yet. What do you think? What name should he/she get?

Excuse me while I go breathe into a paper bag because I'm hyperventilating thinking about how much money I owe now.

Oh, and I did leave a note for the next owners of my old car. I can't remember exactly what I said, but it was something like: "To whomever buys this car: This is a really good car. It has taken good care of me over these last many years. It has even saved my life more than once. Please take good care of her. If you take care of her, she'll take care of you. Best wishes and safe travels."

I hope my Accord has new exciting adventures with good owners. See?? Toy Story has completely warped my thinking!! 

And that is why Pixar sucks monkey balls!

P.S. My sister is a horrible person. After telling her what I said in the note to the future owners, she said "What if they just strip it for parts?" SHE IS EVIL!!!!