Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Teach your kids how to change a tire

So I was out & about last week. My van was driving funny
& I wondered to myself.....Hmmm if I were to get flat tire, what would I do?
I know how to change one, but those who have an Odyessy like mine,
know what a pain it is to reach the spare.
So I reach my destination, go about my business, come back,
buckle up all the kids, then sure enough, my back tire is ful-lat.
CRAP.
I get in the car, call everyone I can think of. No luck.
My Mom can be there in 30 min to pick us up.
I planned on ditching the car until later.

Well, I started reading the car's instructions on getting that dang spare out.
I rearrange all the chairs & get that darn thing out.
Then Charly poops. Of course, it's a doosy.
While all the kids are floating around the inside of the car,
I spent a good 10 minutes trying to get my
(please insert choice of many swear words) car jack out. Grrr.
Grant kept saying, you're doing it wrong Mom, let me try.
"Thank you Grant, but please be quiet," I say
trying to not show my high level of irritation.

So I'm on my knees under the car, hoping
I have the jack in the right spot,
when my angel walks by.
Side note: All you other potential angels that walked by
with a pitiful look on your face, screw you.
Anyways, a nice looking lady who says,
"would you like some help? My son is good with cars."
I break down & start crying, "Yes, I would love some help."
My kids are bouncing around in the car, Charly has her hands
& mouth against the window with a couple quarts of
drool dripping down. I'm already feeling guilty
jacking up the car with my kids in it. What was I supposed to do?
Leave them to wander the parking lot?

So this small boy of around 14 comes & whips that poopy spare on in no time.
HALLELUJAH!!
I give him a great hug that I'm sure he didn't want.
Told him to make sure to tell his Mom
(she had to go inside with her daughter for an appointment)
I'm so thankful for her offer & their kindness.

My kids will learn to change a tire as son as possible.
They will offer their service, & not just walk by thinking
Wow, sucks for you.

Thank you to my parking lot angels!

Another side note: While at the tire place, the guy came in & asked
where my spare belongs in the car. The other employee says, "the Odyssey?
Behind the the front seats. It's a B**ch to get out."
Amen my brotha!


6 comments:

Cheralyn said...

I hear you about those spare tires in the Odyssey. It takes longer to get out the spare & jack than to change the tire. Thank goodness for nice people - they rock!

Carrie said...

Oh man, we had a flat the other day and it was such a pain to get the spare out. I had no idea it would be such a big deal! I was so glad Tom was there.

Nicole said...

I have always wanted to learn how to change a flat. and I have no idea where my spare is.

The Caldwell's said...

I'm so sorry you had to go through that! You're a good mom!

Seriously, why wouldn't people just help out? The other day my husband's car was dead in the hospital parking lot and he asked an lady if she could help him charge his car...she said...

"I'd rather not" and walked away...who does that???

I'm glad everything worked out!

kristin said...

I hear you about parking lot angels! One saved my butt a couple of years ago. Glad you got some help, and from a nice young man too! I so want my boys to be like that!!
(And WHY is the spare behind the seat???)

The Shaffers said...

WOW you can change a tire, haha j/k-i cant :(
Thank you to your parking lot Angels!!!!