Often I will make elaborate plans for an upcoming event. My inner extrovert gets all excited anticipating the activity and seeing friends. Some events will entail having special components, such a decorating Jeeps or wearing costumes. Circumstances as they are, I try to create my own. Thinking how cool it will all be.
Then my overpowering, anxiety riddled, introvert comes out and I don’t go. Then I spend days berating myself for missing out on a good time. My two sides have internal arguments for days. The extrovert pointing out all the photos of the fun while the introvert whines about being safer at home and not embarrassing myself. Its annoying. Its like having two toddler siblings fighting over a toy.
But….last night, my inner children not only behaved, they had a blast. Last night the Jeep group I am part of held a Trunk or Treat at a local restaurant. While I currently do not know the final tally of how many Jeeps were there, I know the total was a nice one. Me and Star were there.
I had been preparing for weeks for this. I had cut out stars in various colors of poster board and attached them to floral wires. Those were stuck in bottles with rocks from my driveway and placed on the top of Star with a nice large stuffed duck. I had a variety of battery operated lights that were strung around the back and inside of Star. My son had helped me get a few halloween type decorations from the dollar store. And of course candy. My costume, was simply solar patterned leggings, a long sleeved top with silver stars, a silver cap, boots and a Mardi Gras type mask. I guess I was a Star child or some such.
The event started at six yesterday afternoon but we were encouraged to be there no later than five thirty to get everything ready. I left the house a couple minutes after five thinking I should arrive around five fifteen or so. Many of the Jeep family were already there, preparing. I parked and began transforming Star into a trunk or treat outpost. My son arrived maybe ten minutes later and assisted in the decorating. When I was nearing completion he asked if we were celebrating Halloween, Christmas, of the Fourth of July? I then picked up the mask and added, Mardi Gras as well. He hung around about an hour and then seeing I wasn’t going to bolt, left for home. He had worked all day and was tired and hungry. I…on the other hand, stayed, for the entire event and beyond.
I had a blast. Both of my inner children were happy. I had conversations and interactions with friends, and had time when I was sitting on the back of Star not too quietly handing out candy to the kids, young and not so young. I even managed to pet a few dogs that came through, though they didn’t get candy. After the kids stopped coming, I donated the unopened candy bag to the group for the next event and started taking down the decorations with the help of a dear friend who had hung out with me for a good portion of the event. She even allowed me to wander off a couple times, taking care of if any kids came along. Once everything was put away, I stayed and chatted for a while. Even though it was long past dark, even though I really dislike driving in the dark, even though we had been discussing those who had hit deer, I stayed. Finally the cooling air, and hunger had me saying my good-byes and heading home. Happy.
Our next event is the Jeep Show and Shine. A fundraising event for the Love Like Lauren Foundation, created in honor and memory of Lauren who passed from childhood Leukemia. While I missed the meeting last week, from everything I’m seeing online and hearing, this event is going to be amazing! Jeeps, vendors, food, fun, Jeeps, awards, Jeeps, ducks, auction items, Jeeps. Its free for visitors, twenty dollars for those who want to enter their Jeep in the quest for awards and to help raise funds for the foundation. My plan, is to be there early. My inner children just need to accept that and remain quiet. No arguments allowed. And y’all, while it isn’t always easy, and last night at the start wasn’t, it can be done. I did it, fear be hanged. I went, I stayed, I did it…and had an amazingly, wonderfully, fun time.
Words from The Dirt Road 
I love your fun photos, Rebecca! It’s great that you stayed the entire event too. ☺️
My son was no impressed with the mask. I waited until he left before I put it back on and wore it the rest of the event. I thought I needed his company, but i was actually fine allllllllllll by myself with the people I call friends.
That’s great! It’s your mask, wear it. ❤️
Yay! Glad you had a good time!
It was indeed fun. Now for the Jeep show tomorrow..once I get there, all should be well. Its just finding out exactly where they are going to be set up at the college.