Wednesday Night Commute around 9:00 pm

I'm quite certain you tell by the photo above, this was NOT a great night for a drive through the HRBT!  

If you only travel through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) during the work-day hours, you have NO IDEA what fun you've been missing!

Prior to August 10, 2012, I had NO reason to travel through the HRBT after regular business hours.  Although my wonderful son and beautiful daughter lived in Virginia Beach, I was doing my best to be a good mother-in-law (by NOT intruding).  However, the evening of August 10, 2012, that ALL CHANGED!  That was the night I became a GRANDMOTHER!

This picture was taken the Night Harper was born:  Friday, August 10, 2012, around 6 pm

Harper with her PROUD daddy!

I made the decision, shortly after Harper's birth, I wanted to create a very special relationship with my granddaughter.  I wanted my granddaughter to know her grandmother, and for her to WANT to spend time with me.  The only way to do that would be by spending lots of time with her to create a VERY SPECIAL relationship.  If we spent time together, she would KNOW how much her grandmother LOVED HER, and she would want to be with her grandmother too!  (Not to mention, the GREAT TIMES we would have together; she would look forward to my visits!)

Almost immediately, I asked if I could come over and visit Harper one night a week after work.  (I remember when my children were little, it was difficult to take the baby out due to the numerous items you need to carry with you to care for the baby.)  I still didn't want to intrude, but hoped this would be the easiest way for all of us.  They graciously allowed me to come and I have really enjoyed spending time with Harper AND Peter (my son); not to metion getting to know my amazing daughter-in-law!

Shortly after I started my regular weekly visits, CONSTRUCTION began on Interstate 64 (East and West-bound) in the evenings.  Now, I agree it is much better to do the raod-work at night (when the traffic is significantly reduced); however, two and three lanes closed at one time is a bit extreme!  I don't care if there are fewer cars on the road, when you only have ONE LANE to get through, the traffic is HORRIFIC!!!!  I hate to admit, I use to hope for RAIN on "grandbaby night" so construction wouldn't be an option!  But no matter what happened on the interstate (or anywhere else for that matter), I would do whatever it took to spend time with my grandbaby!  (As a matter of fact, it's become a joke at work. On grandbaby night, everyone KNOWS to get out of my way at quitting time!  I'M OUT THE DOOR ON TIME!)

As times gone by (Harper will be two this August), the construction on the west-bound  side of the interstate has reduced.  The bad news, it's MOVED TO THE TUNNEL!!!!

I think the next few pictures will tell the story of my commute Wednesday night!

I want to tell you that I didn't see ONE VDOT EMPLOYEE the entire time I was TRYING to get TO OR THROUGH THE TUNNEL!!!!  NOT ONE!!!!

The commute took a very long time (as THE TUNNEL WAS CLOSED when I left Virginia Beach and opened just about the time I got TO the tunnel).  When the tunnel reopened, it was reduced to one lane for construction.  

I'm happy to report, I sang with the Christian artists on K-LOVE the WHOLE RIDE HOME!  And even though it takes a bit longer, there is NO WAY I will discontinue "Grandbaby Night," EVER!!!  I ADORE MY HARPER BEAR!

You'll NEVER believe this!!!!!

I got a little busy at the office this afternoon and left a couple minutes late.  However, I had my amunition in place for the commute home (just in case).  

When I got home last night, while I was cooking dinner, I took a moment to look for something I misplaced.  I came across a book I read a few months ago and thought it would be extremely appropriate for LONG AFTERNOON DRIVES!  I was SO RIGHT!!!

This is the neighborhood I mentioned in my previous post 

(my drive TO the interstate was a piece of cake which can REALLY be a nightmere some nights)

Notice the TITLE of this book!!!!   THIS is the appropriate book!!

Not sure you can see the text I previously underlined in my book:  

Poor choices usually lead to more poor choices, and all poor choices lead to stress.  

(I'm thinking WORKING IN NORFOLK just might be a POOR CHOICE!)

Can Somebody Please Help Me!?!?

(The Confident Mom by Joyce Meyers)

Made it to the Interstate, FINALLY!

YAY!  FINALLY ON THE BRIDGE TUNNEL!!!!

 

Still on the drive home - but on the Peninsula now!!

FINALLY to Christopher Newport University!

Can you see the SNOW?????

The snow is starting to stick a little bit!

I'm HOME and it ONLY TOOK over an hour!!!

Seriously, I enjoyed the drive home tonight.  The music on K-LOVE WAS AWESOME and I was singing along at the TOP OF MY LUNGS!!!!    Some of the songs were:  SHAKE by MercyMe; Let them See You by JJ Weeks Band; This is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham; How Sweet the Sound by Citizen Way; One of Casting Crowns fabulous songs; the list goes on and on.....

Plus my co-worker was behind me and we spent the drive sending humorous text messages back and forth until we were home.

Exciting Update on the Commute Home

At approximately 2:00 pm this afternoon, I was reminded (out of no-where) that I had an exciting evening ahead!  Truth be told, there were a FEW reasons why I was excited, but the MOST exicting reason was the evening commute through the HRBT!

Some of my closest friends know I'm a SCIENTIST at heart (Kristy Collins from Kids' Tech University), so the idea of data collection to prove my hypotheses is extremely excitng to me!  Before you get too excited, I KNOW one set of data does NOT a hypotheses prove.  However, it's a START (and that's exciting!!!).

I left my office, immediately tuning my radio to K-Love!  I was looking forward to the time of Worship, but I was also curious to see how the traffic would be (and if I would be in a better state of mind to deal with the stress).  As I approached the interstate, I could see the traffic was backed up a bit; however, my drive TO the interstate was a piece of cake (which can REALLY be a nightmere some nights).  As I sadly pondered the ease of my drive thusfar (although still enjoying the Worship music), I hit the entrance ramp  to the Interstate and found a pretty significant backup.  I was excited to see I WOULD have a challenge afterall!  I pulled out a few articles of interest (I ALWAYS carry articles and books I want to read - JUST IN CASE I'm stuck for a while) in the event I needed them and when I finally made it to the BRIDGE TUNNEL, THIS is what I saw:

CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW CLOSE I WAS!?!?!?  OH MY GOSH, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!

I LOL'ed (in case you're not familar with this expression, it means laughed out loud)!  You see, I KNOW God has a sense of humor and this was my proof!  HE provided me with a good laugh!!!!

In all honesty, we weren't stopped long, so this was NOT a true test of my ability to deal with the stress (while listening to K-Love).  But I did enjoy the drive home (and listened to the news while I made dinner!).

I'll continue to provide updates because I know all the scientists can't wait for the outcome!!

(To be certain I was correct, the following definition for data collection was obtained online:  Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. The data collection component of research is common to all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, business, etc. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same.)

Uplifting Old Habit that needs an UPDATE!

For quite some time, I have had a "ritual" for the long commute to and from work each day (through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel).  It has served me well for many years; until recently!

If you are one of my Facebook friends, you might have seen my recent post concerning ANOTHER disabled vehicle blocking the West-bound tube. Even though I normally don't LOSE IT like that, I'm glad I did.  It made me realize what I was currently doing WASN'T WORKING and it was time for a change!

In the morning, I spend my drive communing with God (in various ways).  I dedicate a portion of the drive to prayer, I sing along with Christian CDs or with the artists on K-Love (a fabulous Christian radio station), and I recite Scriptures.  When I arrive at work each day, I feel AWESOME!!!!

However, on the afternoon commute, I listen to NPR.  It is the only time I truly devote to hearing what's going on in the world - which quite honestly, depresses me.

So what's wrong with this picture?  The afternoon commute is usually the most stressful and seems to need some communing with God!  That being said, I think I'll skip the NPR and spend BOTH commutes with God!  I can listen to the news while I'm making coffee in the morning or making dinner at night. I really don't need THAT much news anyway; but I NEVER seem to get enough of God!

Tomorrows the test drive and I'm looking forward to the commute - BOTH WAYS!  I'll keep you posted!


If you're interested, some of my favorite Scriptures for reciting in the car, which I review every day, are provided below:

Psalm 118:8 (NLT)

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people.

Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

²³ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Proverbs 8:9-11 (NLT)

⁹ My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
    clear to those with knowledge.
¹⁰ Choose my instruction rather than silver,
    and knowledge rather than pure gold.
¹¹ For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
    Nothing you desire can compare with it.

 

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

 

 

 

AMEN!!!