June 10, 2015

Today is a day that will go down in my history as a pretty shitty kickass day.  Shitty just because More Life Stuff happened and kickass because of my red bra.  Allow me to elaborate: 

As tired as I have been lately, it really took me a good 20 minutes before my head was even on this morning.  I had no idea what day it was, where I was (really) and what was happening.  Midway through Cup One of coffee however, that all changed and clarity ensued. It was only Mags and me, so the morning seemed to flow smoothly.  I got dressed and couldn’t find my usual bra, so I decide to put on the red one.  Sure it’s a 38D, which is a long shot from my 36C and (preferred) 36B, but what the hell.  It’s comfy.  Maggie was excited at being able to go to school for the last day so we headed out, got in the car, I back out, and…something was amiss.  We checked and the front passenger tire was flllaattt. 

This provided me with an excellent opportunity (red bra, score 1).  I called the school, called roadside service and…instead of waiting, I got to work.  Of course there are 12 scuba tanks in the back, today (kinda like the garage sale stuff Saturday).  Once they were out I started trying to change the damn tired myself. I have never changed a tire before, but I am certainly past the point of waiting for someone to do it for me, so I pulled up YouTube and got busy.  The problem here is I have never been shown where the jack is placed.   I think the last time I changed a tire was on the road to Ft. Worth in my Supra when I was 17 (that was a hell of a road trip – talk about red flags telling you to go back home) – but I have forgotten a great deal so who knows. 3 times a jacked the car up, three times I brought it down again.  Lug nuts off, lug nuts back on, lug nuts off, lug nuts back on.  It was very Karate Kid.  A truck with some nice old toothless men even stopped to show me where the jack goes, but they were incorrect.  Apparently they just love seeing a woman "gittin' after it." Finally after over an hour, driver dude shows up.  He had the tire off and spare on in minutes (he also had a kickass jack).  Problem two presented itself:  the spare is flat.  Red bra?  NO PROBLEM(score 2)!  I actually had 2 air compressors (his truck compressor worked but far too slowly).  Talk about being prepared. About 2 hours later, Maggie and I were ready to go.

The problem with this delay is that issues I was planning on taking care of after I’d dropped her at school needed  to be taken care of now – like passports at the post office – so we head down so I can ask.  The problem – they are booked until mid-July. <gulp>  Red bra?  (ok, this isn’t actually a red bra issue, but the red bra helped me have a positive sassy attitude).  Auburn has a governmental office which can take care of everything, including photos and expediting (2-3 weeks) so that the trip won’t be cancelled.  THIS IS A KEY EXAMPLE OF NOT LETTING “LIFE” GET IN THE WAY OF GETTING YOUR CHILDREN’S PASSPORTS.  I dropped Mags at school then headed to get my tire fixed. 

There was no nail or anything in it.  No tears, holes – the tire (Goodyear) was fine. It was an issue they had never seen before (of course) which involved some initials and a gasket or something.  After the tire (more time) I had to pick up items and had a wonderful multi-hour chat with an old friend from Switzerland.  I do miss those years.  Just before I was to leave for work, Drew called, so I paid for Lizzie.  Things are quite fancy.  Headed to work and met with my client and Parent Project.  Jen has given me quite the list of movies I need to watch – Super Troopers – Office Space – something about a Hot Tub Time Machine and something else.  Once at home, I thought I’d call a cab to go back to get Lizzie.  Of course I realized I’d forgotten my key as soon as we pulled in, so back to get the key.  LIZZIE SOUNDS SO TERRIFIC NOW!  She is so quiet!! 

Talked with my boy – he didn’t have as good a time as he could have on the field trip, but he was thrilled about finally catching salamanders.  He is such a reflective young man.  Maggie and I did our secret handshake, to which I added a “special feature.”  My sweet tribe.  I’m excited about diving with them tomorrow.

Pictures:  My red bar (strap); Breakfast of champions this morning; 12 tanks; Jackin' around; The receipt....