36 years ago, I was brought home from the hospital at two days old in an orange Porsche 911.    Ever since then, well maybe not until I was about 8, I have loved cars.  I thought Jaguars were the coolest car for the longest time and I can tell you what just about any car (make) is just from a side view.  I can even out-do my husband in that game!  My dad used to take my sister and I to the Daytona International Speedeay and I loved watching the races but was scared of the loud noise.

I loved cars up until about ten years ago when I had a car accident which left me fearful of driving and of being a passenger in a car, for a long time. My son (1.5 years old at the time) was in the back seat of my parked SUV when the SUV started rolling down my steep driveway.   I had already gotten out of the car and had opened his door when it started rolling down the driveway. I tried to get back in the front seat to push on the break but I didn’t make it and instead was trapped under the car rolling down the steep driveway for about 100 feet after which the car landed on top of me.   I was later told that I suffered a mild stroke during the accident which may be why I’m so crazy these days.  I was pinned under the front wheel of the SUV for some time until Firemen got to me and were able to get me out from under the car.   I was in physical therapy (and regular therapy) for some time after the accident due to nerve and muscle damage and have some residual issues but for the most part, I’m fine now.. physically at least.

Just in the last couple of years I’ve become more comfortable with driving and with being a passenger again. In fact, I took a big step by attending a Honda Ride and Drive event in San Diego last Fall, where besides driving the Odyssey through the hills of San Diego myself, I got to ride on a closed course at Qualcomm Stadium with a professional driver.  Riding on the closed course at Qualcomm Stadium, going 60 mph around sharp turns (safely) gave me an adrenaline rush that I hadn’t felt in a long time and helped me get over some of my fear of being a passenger and of driving in risky situations.

Since realizing that driving isn’t all that bad, I want to try something.. I want to drive a race car on a real race track! This would be a huge step for me mentally.   Like I said earlier, I am more comfortable with driving now but am not all the way there yet.  I still look at cars as accidents waiting to happen and have got to get over that completely which I think a race car driving experience will do for me.  I may have to wear some Pampers (yes, a P&G plug!) while driving the race car but darned it I’m not going to make it happen!  I’m not sure how I can make that happen but now that I’ve realized that I CAN DO IT, I am going to look into how I can accomplish this, this year.  Maybe I’ll even have a special pink and purple slip on a firesuit made just for me to wear during my race car driving experience!

I was inspired to write this post in response to The Divine Miss Mommy‘s article about a P&G Media Event in Miami.  P&G products are part of our every day lives here in the Hagan household.  We use the Swiffter WetJet, Gillett razores, Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Charmin toilet paper (too personal?), and will ONLY use Cascade dishwasher detergant.. all P&G brands, but there are several P&G brand products that I haven’t tried yet but would love to try including Lacoste Fragrances and Cover Girl’s Eye Enhancers 4 Shadow Kit (drama eyes) because I need to learn that it’s OK to stand out a little sometimes.. with purple eye shadow!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and let me know what you want to try this year in the comments below!