Break downs, tow trucks and a lost shoe.

Oy. We aren't at our destination yet - we're still hotel-bound. The Gods are hurling every obstacle they can think of at us! First of all, this massive mega storm, which has meteorologists baffled because of it's endurance and erratic movements can be explained by the fact that IT IS FOLLOWING US. First an "ice pellet" storm in Kentucky then sleet and snow in Tennessee and finally, when we made it over to the Georgia border rain, rain, rain.

Then we broke down.

Yup. it happened right at the Florida border. we were so close! Just driving along when I heard a "pop" and all the warning lights in my car came on. I slowed way down, got on the shoulder and eeked off to the first exit/gas station I could find.

Luckily I have AAA (Take anything, but not my AAA membership!) and a tow truck came and got us pretty quick. I had to take everything I needed out of the car, so there's me shoving walter's stroller, bags, supplies etc... into the cab of the tow truck. Walter thought the whole thing was fantastic. barked his head off the whole time and earned the name "tuff lil buddy" from our tow guy.

This was all saturday around 5 pm, and I learned that all the mechanics in this tiny town were closed, and would be closed all day sunday. So we went to a hotel down the street from the shop and that's where we've been cooling our heels for the past two days. Of course, since I used all available cab space for wallys stuff, I only had the clothes on my back, which I have rinsed out in the sink two times.

it gets better.

to my dismay, part of walters shoe was missing. Just gone. The top part, the "ankle cuff," to which the shoe part attaches. Without this part, the shoe won't work. He can't walk. So I freaked. I searched everywhere, but it was just gone. Maybe it flew out the window. The rehab clinic ordered a new one, but it'll take a week to be made...so what do I do? I came all this way just so walter can walk on grass!!!!!!

First I wanted to cry and then I got mad. I said to myself, "Shut up Heather and JUST FIX IT!" So I got Walter settled and took a cab to Walmart. (That is a sentence I never thought I would write in my life btw...) I hunted down supplies. Big Velcro ties from the hunting department, chamois cloth from automotive, thin fishing line from the sporting section. Back at the hotel I built myself a MacGyver cuff! it works way better than the orgiinal, which slipped alot. I think because my velcro was thicker. Also, I lined it with chamois, so it doesn't rub his foot raw.

it doesn't look like much, but it took me an hour to make!

Actually, after I made the prototype, I had extra material so I made two more - for back up. I SHOULD have already had a duplicate - as it's so essential, but you know how that goes - sometimes you don't realize whats essential until it's gone.

Turns out the transmission pump blew and they had to order a part...so I'm now sure how much longer we'll be here in this tiny Georgia town, but you know what? We're having a really good time. There are PALM TREES here and a big GARDEN! I got to see my boy BOUND across the GRASS lawn on the grounds here, and sniff FLOWERS and poop right in the center of a carefully chosen GREEN PLANT. (his signature.) No ice to cut his feet, no snow, no wet soaking his shoe and causing infections between his toes. He's happy, so I'm happy. Plus we had grilled cheese sandwiches by the pool - so it's a certain sort of heaven.


"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Melodie Beattie