Yesterday morning started as it usually does.
I went to yoga at the ungodly hour of 5:30 (yes, am). On the way back I noticed that my gas light was on.
Yes, the very same gas tank that I resolutionized to keep full.
I decided to go get gas BEFORE going home so that I wouldn't risk running out of gas with all 3 children in the minivan. (yes, I am kidding. I totally know the EXACT amount of road I can cover after the gas light comes on but I maturing. I am a mother. I have responsibilities.)
I stopped for gas. Filled up. It was 6:55 am and I had a full tank of gas...YEAH.
I got in the car. Turned on the ignition.
click.
Crap.
click.
Crap.
click.
Are you kidding me?
Crap.
I knew blog-Stedman was already miles away on his way to work. I also knew if I called him I would receive the much deserved and often recited "This is why you should keep your gas tank full" lecture in all its glory. With footnotes.
click.
Crap.
click.
Crap.
I stepped out of the car in all my post-yoga glory to check the outside of the car. I don't know why. What was I expecting?
A big yellow button on the side of my minivan. A flashing sign in the shape of an arrow pointing to the big yellow button. The flashing sign would say, "just press this button to get your car working".
No button.
Crap.
"Sounds like your battery."
Crap. (audible)
"I have some jumper cables in the back here, do you want me to try?"
I looked across the pump to an angel of mercy dressed in khaki shorts and a sweatshirt. He almost glowed.
Thanks. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.
Thanks again.
Thanks. I really mean it.
A few minutes later I was on my way home.
An hour later I was waiting for a new battery to be installed.
A few hours later I checked my gas gauge.
Whew, still full.
I now have a new resolution...
No more playing chicken with karma.
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48 comments:
At least your angel of mercy was dressed in khaki's and not some greaser. Otherwise, it might have been: Crap. Crap.
I am so glad you didn't run out of gas right before your battery died. Imagine?!
And are you crazy, going to yoga at 5:30AM. When I say I can't find the time, I mean that I sleep until I am forced out of bed...It is entirely possible that I would just collapse during the first down dog at that hour. Good for you - I envy your determination, dedication, and all the rest!
That exact same thing(minus the yoga stuff) happened to me when I went into labor with my youngest. I was out of gas, then the battery was dead. You said much nicer stuff.
I have spent many, many days looking for that big yellow button. Why do I keep looking? I. don't. know.
I've always dreamed of a glowing angel with khaki shorts and a sweatshirt...you're one lucky girl, texasholly!
All I could think of during this was the click, crap, click , crap it reminded me of an Under Armour commercial where the cleats are going click, clack, click, clack. Ok sorry I know that was random. :)
How does the Chicken feel about you not playing with him? Don't punish sweet Rhett just because you couldn't find the reboot button.
I'm so calling CPS.
Em
I once ran out of gas as I pulled up to a gas pump. Unfortunately, there was someone at the pump in front of me, and once they pulled away there would be no way the pump would reach my tank. I had to ask the guy in front of me if he would push my car up to the gas tank once he moved his car out of the way. True story.
Yeah but how was your downward dog?
Love when life re-enforces the need for yoga.
Hey, how come we didn't get the memo about 10/1/08 being National Car Crap Day?
I didn't run out of gas, but when I went to restart my jeep after grabbing a few groceries, the key wouldn't budge. I knew I had juice b/c the seatbell alarm was ringing. I had gas (other than from the Chinese food) because I know I can get exactly 275 miles per tank, even with the wonky/broken gas-ometer thingy. Couldn't get it to turn over, so then was afraid I was going to bend the key if I kept forcing it. Maybe the wheels were locked?? Yes, I was a perty perty sight strapped in my hot vehicle herky jerkying & jiving my big fat jiggly body *hey, that might be a song* backward and forward as I turned the key. Voila! Somehow, it worked.
Dare ya to find that solution in an owner's manual trouble shooting guide. Didn't even tell the old DH (Deer Hunter) because I knew he'd laugh.
Marking on 2009 calendar: Do NOT drive on 10/1! Advise same for you.
At least it wasn't your timing belt. I once broke a timing belt three blocks from a Firestone (now, that was convenient); unfortunately, I was on my way to a big meeting, it was raining, I had no umbrella, I slammed my skirt in the door and got it all greasy, had to buy a new outfit AND a new timing belt...
Amazingly, I managed to do all this AND get to the @#$% meeting. Which was downtown, and I HATE going downtown, but that's another story! Glad your angel of mercy found you!
By the way, when you get done with your "100 Good Things," be sure to stick a link on my blog! :) Shouldn't take you too long. Be like one of my other friends - throw back "1000 Good Things" so I can mumble "overachiever!" at you.
It's mutual; glad to share the name and VERY glad to know we can do it without creating VERY BAD THINGS in the universe. (A small wormhole connecting Canada to New Zealand might be okay, though...)
My car died yesterday, too. Unfortunately, my fix is not as easy as a battery.
Oh thank goodness!
What the crap, I thought all you yoga people were supposed to be oozing with good karma?
well, it's all better now, right?
There's a special place in heaven for people who stop to help the stranded.
My husband helps all stranded motorist--he says he wants good karma in case it's his wife or kid stranded--this way he's sure a good guy will stop for us.
I was so afraid somehow someone was going to steal your gas before the end of the post. Now that would be a crappy day.
Resolutionized sounds like a George W.-ism.
Thank heavens for strangers with jumper cables! Was he cute? (Say yes...lie if you must!)
Glad you had the jumper-cable-angel on your side!!
there is nothing like a guardian angel in khaki shorts and a sweatshirt.
but my question for you is: why didn't your car come equipped with an "easy" button? *cue deep and annoying voice* THAT was easy!!!!
Yes. This happened to me once on a ferry... You know a boat for cars? I was first in line and my car did the same thing - turn key, click, nothing. They tried jumping the car. Didn't work. The nice ferry operator and his buddy pushed the car off of the ferry and called a tow truck for me. It was awful. There was no warning, either, that the battery was about to die. One minute - running fine, next minute - nothing.
"Click - Crap" - HA! What a great title and funny story. I always run my gas down to fumes - I'm just stupid like that.
Have a good Friday, Holly - see you - Kellan
You have all the fun. :)
It sounds like you dodged a bullet this time!
And also, yoga at 5:30 am? I bow down.
i think 'playing chicken with nirvana' should be the name of something. but what!?
I'm still stuttering in awe over you doing yoga at 5:30am. You ARE a stud.
This weekend . . . the car stalled at the gas station, just feet from the pump. We laughed at each other as the hubs hopped out to push. In the pouring rain.
Karma likes to send warnings and then laugh her head off . . .
The dreaded "click"...glad an angel was there to help you along your merry way.
I love your blog. Thanks for all the comments as well, I will definitely be stopping by more often
I just bookmarked your page. You are so fun! I have been to click. crap. land. I have a condo there:)
Most of my crap car moments involve the keys in the ignition, the engine running, and me locked out. Not a lot of click happening, but plenty of crap.
I am so glad that there was someone there to help you out. But wait... you get up at what time to go to yoga? You are amazing.
You go to yaga at 5:30 in the morning? I wish I had your energy!! Also, I wish everything hard had an "Easy" button! Calculus - no problem! Easy Button! Cooking a Souflee? No problem! Easy Button!
Why do you keep deleting my comments? I want to know why you lose so much money playing online day after day.
I left you an award over at my blog, come on over and see.
Oh yeah, karma has tried desperately to screw me over in those types of situations. It thought it had me at the used bookstore last week, but I prevailed. Next time karma. Next time.
You know, I could see on their car talk show - but I didn't realize that it was click and crap. I'm going to have to listen more closely.
There's a 5:30 in the MORNING now?
Hey try having to be at work by 4 am! It is dreadful!I envy you for going to yoga so early! I wouldn't get up that early unless I had to! Hope you don't mind but I'm gonna steal your "resolutionizing" of filling up come Jan. I have the same GAS issue. Wait- that sounded kinda gross.
hmmmm, you must have done of those yoga poses wrong, it screwed up your karma, and the holy yogi were taking it out on your car.
namaste.:-)
That just sucks :( Thank goodness someone else was at the gas station at this time!
I hear ya about the lecture from the hubby: what the HELL. If he ever called me, stranded and out of gas, I would NEVER in a thousand years say "SEE??? This is why you should always keep your tank at least half full.." Never. Women are clearly the superior (and nicer) sex.
Life is better in yoga pants.
I was thinking about getting one of those yellow buttons installed on my husband. Where did you say you bought that??
Now, I would have thought it was the alternator or starter, but a battery is much cheaper. I have no idea how long I can drive my 15 passenger van after the "hey stupid, you are almost out of gas light" come on. Once it comes on, I put in 8 gallons to get me back to 1/4 tank. Usually hubby fills 2 cars up every Friday. I drive his to work on weekends and my car on weekdays. I rarely drive the Van in, as it takes 10 gallons of gas round trip.
I know that "crap" feeling. Thank heavens for your angel.
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