Cars=GRRRRRRRR

So it's been a while since something tragically hilarious has happened to me. It was just a matter of time. To back up, my car died a couple of months ago. I think I might have mentioned that a few posts back. Come to find out, some one (in a large truck we suspect) hit my front end in a parking lot and then did what everyone in America would most likely do. Bailed. The weird part is that there wasn't really any noticeable exterior damage. Trevor did find a smallish dent and scratch but that was only when the car had already died. We got it fixed (thank heavens for auto insurance) but it was still in desperate need of an alignment.

First, I needed tires. Sam's Club $311.00. Then, today I went to get that much needed alignment. Bear Alignment and Brakes $55.00. Not too bad.

But wait, this is me we're talking about. Not only was it out of alignment, but the cambers were way off too, and not the way they are usually off in cars. Instead of slanting inward (negative), they were slanting outward (positive). BTW, I learned all this today. I'm super knowledgeable on alignments now. You can ask me anything. Tires are not supposed to be negative or positively slanting. They should be at a zero station...or something to that effect. Mine were bad. The first thing Paul (from Bear Alignment and Brakes...nice guy) said was, "Were you in an accident?" Yes and no Paul, it wasn't me. It was the *@!% that hit me and ran away like the California legislature runs from a balanced budget (if you live in California that last part is high-larious).

The trouble is that a Chrysler Town and Country is not made to have the cambers adjusted. So the only way to fix this problem is to put new specialized bolts on the struts (I sound so car savvy). So...new bolts. Bear Alignment and Brakes $202.95. Ugh (that's the sound I make when all the air is knocked out of me from the sucker punch to my gut).

It's all good, because I should have no further problems and they do the camber alignments free for life. Awesome. So what should have been a 1 hour job took 2 1/2. But hey, if it's done right it's worth it. And they took their time continually testing their work. Adjusting, test driving, adjusting, test driving, adjusting, test driving to make sure it was perfect. And then it was done. And I was on the road...for 100 feet. Because 100 feet down the road, I ran out of gas.

I should mention that Preston was home babysitting Carson and Abby. After all, I was only going to be gone an hour. William had finally fallen asleep and now we were stuck on the side of the road in 85 degree weather. I called Trevor, who said, and I quote, "You're killing me, Brenda"! Seriously? So I said something snarky as I'm known to do from time to time, and hung up. I attempted to push the car off the side of the road (thinking someone would see this poor mom and pull over to help...not so much. You're too kind fellow drivers) but evidently I can't push nearly 4000 lbs (it was on an incline!). So, I called back my buddy Paul from Bear Alignment and Brakes and explained my humiliating situation. He sent two brawly men over and together we got the ol' van into a parking lot. Then, they went above and beyond and brought me back gas. Trevor called back to say that he had called AAA and they wouldn't be out to save me for another 50 minutes or so. Whatever AAA. I can take care of myself thank you very much...or at least Paul and the boys can.

After the boys saved me, I drove to the nearest gas station to fill up. Arco gas $50.00. Then, I had to get cash at the bank. Bank of America $20.00. Then, I went to a drive-thru to break the $20 bill. Peter's Burgers $1.75. And finally, back to Bear Alignment and Brake to pay them back for the gas and gas container. Bear Alignment and Brake $15.

And now I'm home. The house was still standing, the kids were dressed, and the T.V. was off! Preston was just starting to make sandwiches for lunch as I walked in the door. Such a good boy! But I stopped him and took them all to McDonald's. McDonald's $6.69. Chrysler Town and Country maintenence $587.39 and counting. I need a new battery and an oil change by Tuesday. But if it gets me to Washington without any issues...it's priceless.

Being An Idiot Hurts Your Back And Your Wallet

I was watching a tractor plow a field today...while driving. I rear-ended a Toyota Tundra. It dinged their bumper. It totalled our van. We have insurance. It's liability only. And my back hurts. Today sucks.

Still Laughing

Sunday: Church, nap, choir practice, met up with family to see Christmas lights, so fun! One neighborhood goes all out and draws crowds of thousands. It's free and amazing!

Monday: Took the two youngest to the doctor for a checkup, drank a Diet Coke on the way there, meanwhile, gas light comes on, I laughed. Insurance problems threatened to send us home, but we worked it out, I laughed. Carson got 4 shots (after each "Ow! That hurt!", I laughed), Abby got 3 (after each "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!"), two hours later, I laughed, we met Trevor for lunch where I had 2 Diet Cokes. Drove home with the gas light on, I nervously laughed. Made it home barely in time for me to RUSH in to the bathroom (product of the 3 previous Diet Cokes), I laughed. Attempted to drive to Sam's Club to get gas, but ran out in front of Preston's school, fairly convenient since school was set to end in 20 minutes, I laughed. Called dear friend, Heather, who picked us up, drove us home to get gas can, drove us to gas station, drove us back to our car, I laughed. I then successfully gassed up and drove home. Helped with homework and gave up on dinner. Realized I forgot my purse in Heather's van, I really laughed. Trevor got home and we settled into our evening routine (me online, him on XBOX), I was talking to my mom when my foot started itching...

Tuesday: Spent the day trying to ignore my randomly swollen, red, hived out foot and fighting off urge to sleep, a side effect of the Benydryl. No bite, no weird food, no detergent or soap change, just one of those mysteries, I laughed less than yesterday.

Wednesday: Cleaned up kitchen mess from yesterday's less than stellar housekeeping. Started a load of laundry. Trip to WalMart to buy ingredients for Christmas treats. On to Target to buy gift for Preston's teacher. Home again, put Abby down and put a movie on for Carson. Started making Almond Roca and Carson decides to play outside. Carson comes back in requesting to be called "Muddy boy" with good reason, I laughed, mopped, and put him in the tub. Cleaned up Almond Roca mess. Carson wants to make chocolate chip cookies, meanwhile Abby figures out she can open cabinets and empties the one under the sink, I laughed. I just pull out 2nd to last batch and it's time to pick up Pres. Abby throws up in car seat, no one laughs. Throw her in tub, put Preston in charge of watching her (only 3 inches of water) while I hose down the car seat and her clothes, I chuckle. Put Abby down for 2nd nap. Start another load of laundry. Finished last batch of cookies and cleaned up cookie mess. Started dinner and fed family. Cleaned up dinner, laughed that I've now cleaned the kitchen 4 times. Played Monopoly with family, laughed a LOT. Abby throws up on kitchen rug, no one laughs. Hose down rug and start 3rd load of laundry, another chuckle. Put kids down and send Trevor off on his "man date" (him, guys from the ward and his dad), you can all laugh, put Abby down for the night and settled into my bed, with my computer and my Friends re-runs and a half full bottle of Sparkling Cider.