Nothing a ride in a Jeep can’t (start to) fix…
Last night, Mr. H came home with a surprise for the kids. He has a Jeep Wrangler that he drives when he’s working in Indiana (he keeps another car here in Arizona), but he brought it out so that we can use it. The kids were pretty excited about it, and so was I since I, and not Mr. H, will be the driving it from now on.
However. He’s a big copycat, since I drove a Jeep before he did. In fact, my Jeep ownership pre-dates his by at least a decade. I mean, it’s great and everything that he wanted to copy me–since isn’t that the sincerest form of flattery?–but I would just like to remind him and everyone that I had mine first. Also, mine had a manual transmission, not this sissy automatic transmission that Mr. H’s Jeep has. (C’mon, honey, man up. Please, still let me drives yours after this.)
I sold my Jeep right before Boy was born, so that we could buy a safer, baby-friendly car, and I’ve missed it ever since. There’s nothing more touching than a mother’s sacrifice, is there? (insert dramatic music) Not that I really want to drive a Jeep around these days. I’m not really cool and everything, but I do like amenities in my car like power windows and seat warmers.
But, still. I am glad he brought his Jeep out here so that we can all use it. Like tomorrow, when I will steal the keys from him for my Thursday drive. Top down (the Jeep’s, not mine…ahem), hair tossed around by the wind, music turned up, dropping into the lower lane when the road curves. (I can drive, people. And I’m a little vain about it, in case you hadn’t noticed.) I can’t wait.
Last night, we piled the kids and our dog in the back seat (with Buddy the dog securely tied in so he wouldn’t jump out), and we drove up to the lake. It was just before sundown, so the temperature was starting to drop but the wind was still warm. Boy and Girl loved having the open air around and above them, and laughed at the way the dog’s ears and cheeks flapped in the wind. I looked at them in the rear-view mirror, and saw their wide smiles. Girl trying to keep her hair off her face as it whipped around, and Boy watching the dog.
It was a moment. You know those? The moments that are so good that that you just know you will remember them forever?
Tomorrow, I will take off on my own for a few hours, and that will be good, too. I need it. Though it might take some getting used to–the Jeep thing, and remembering to raise my fingers from the steering wheel and wave when I see another Jeep. For years it was second nature.
I’m out of practice, but I think it will all come back to me.
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Jealous. I. am.
And I can drive too…. oh yeah. I’ll be right there .. Thelma and Louise .. I’m Thelma .. I think…
Nice.
I never knew there was a Brother/Sisterhood of Jeep owners. I never get to be one of the cool kids damn it!
Enjoy your drive!
I remember that first jeep of yours! I remember riding in it and going to a nice brunch in Connecticut. Most likely we glared and rolled our eyes at mothers dealing with small, hungry children on a Sunday morning while we discussed in detail everything we wanted out of life.
we showed them didn’t we?
So the Jeep people do it too, huh? We both drive WRXs and the subaru folks always wave here.
I always feel a little dopey, but at least it’s a nice gesture on the road.
Have fun!
Awesome!
My dad bought an old mail jeep when we were kids and then “fixed it up”. By which I mean he painted it inside and out and glued fuzzy blue carpeting (think Cookie Monster) to the roof. There were only two seats in front, so we kids rattled around in back, banging our heads on the slightly soft ceiling whenever we’d hit a bump.
Fun!
Just watch the “ROAD RAGE” lol
1) Hurray for you! How fun to have a Jeep!
2) Yes, it’s sissy to not have a manual transmission. (I’m a little amazed they even make automatic transmissions. But it will be difficult for someone passing to know. Someone following? Yes. But just waving and them passing? They’ll never know. (Maybe when Mr. H isn’t looking you can trade it in on one with a manual transmission.)
3) Too bad there’s no Cowboy Pony Express thingy tomorrow.
4) I can’t even imagine the tangles of Girl’s hair after a Jeep ride!
5) Tomorrow? Drive! Baby, drive!
That sounds heavenly. Enjoy!
have a blast, sweetie!
The timing of the return of your Jeep and your need to re-connect with your wildnerness is interesting. Maybe the one will help you find the other.
I confess, I am a real jeep snob. I have (garaged, but still registered and insured) a 1977 CJ7. I wave to CJs. Anyone else gets a nod.
Mrs. H,
Let me remind you that I did drive a real jeep. A Willies jeep, before you were even born. It was MANual all the way. No place for women and ( you know the rest). It’s a Jeep thing. You wouldn’t understand.
Mr. H
Link to real Jeep.
http://www.jeepdr.com/
You know, I have always wanted a jeep…Have fun with it!
Oh, I meant to tell you, the blog designer I aspire to be came by my site and told me how wonderful your blog looked. Just thought you should know, people are talking:)
I’ve only got Wrangler jeans - you guys have Wrangler genes!!!
Oh I think you’ll be just. fine.
My SIL is a Jeep girl. She drove her first one until it literally died and it was more practical to buy a new one than to fix it. So she did. Just like that yellow one up there, only black.
I envy you. I cannot drive anywhere without considering the cost of gas. We’re at about $700 a month. I really have to think before I drive down to walk on the beach.
Have fun with the Jeep!
It definitely sounds like one of those “moments.” Our kids have fond memories of Daddy’s Camaro. It was a piece of junk, but it was fast and had T-tops. They loved it when it was a nice day and Daddy would pull off the T-tops. There they went, swooshing down the road to the beach, blonde hair flying through the top of the car….
Ah, those were the days. Are you sure you’re letting hubby take off with the Jeep??
Peace - D
It’ll definitely come back to you, right away. I loved the image of your kids in the back, the dog next to them, ears and face flapping in the heavy wind.
Very jealous. Especially of the smiles on Boy and Girl’s faces.
I had a Jeep Cherokee once. Not the same, but…ya know…
God I’m envious. I really, really want a Jeep and I want to be able to drive off into Thursday and explore. I actually love the new four door jeeps that are all snazzed up and practically a sedan. I know, I know - it’s totally yuppie of me. Happy Trails today!
What a fun day! The picture you type is so carefree and happy!
One drawback to this top down, wind whipping around driving. How does a person get to have a conversation with you while driving? You save convertibles for women who have no sense of humor or conversational skills. I’m sure that is why your husband likes traveling in a sedan with you. (And I like your husband already - someone else has to leave the west to spend chunks of time in Indiana? I thought it was just me.)
Lovely images, Jennifer. Congrats on achieving the jeep life again!
P.S. Just saw Mr. H’s comment. Hilarious!
Wow ~ There is nothing like going for a drive in a jeep!! Wish I had one!!
I’m looking forward to your report on where the Thursday Drive takes you…
I absolutely adore those “moments” that my boys somehow manage to seemlessly create. I’m so happy you had one with your kids.
Now…. I’m hoping you created a moment of your own today!
I love those moments.
Mmmmmm. Happy sighs. I just loved this post. I was transported to your lovely early evening drive with the warm breeze tausling my hair. Great imagery of you and your family.
I drove a convertible for a summer (not a Jeep, sadly, I know) and just loved that feeling of a warm evening just as it started to cool. Heavely. Thanks for sharing.
Can I just say I love your blog? It’s everything I wish mine could be…
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Jennifer- THat is a very sweet post!
Oh I’m quite sure it’ll all come back to you…I have a Chevy truck again and it’s the same…waving to a Chevy truck…It’s on automatic…the hand goes up…enjoy the jeep!
David sent me…
Sandi
Insanely jealous!
Just felt the wind in my face as you wrote. Bet the kids loved it - but I bet it’s better on your own!
And automatic??! Mr. H! Where is your dignity?
Manual transmission is the only way to go! ;0)
PS Congrats on POTD at David’s! Well deserved recognition.