Oh my goodness, what a day!
I don't even have a pic of what my kiddos took for lunch! Seriously! This is the first time in months that I haven't taken a picture of their lunches, but in my defense, let me share a story with you. I call it, A New Use For That Sunscreen That You No Longer Use.
It all started last night. It was dark, very dark, and late, very late. My husband and I had just left the grocery store when I remembered that I was going to need gas. So, we turned around and went back to the gas station, you know, one of those that the grocery stores run?
We pumped the gas, had a small conversation about something insignificant (I'm assuming, since I can't remember.), and then I suggested that we stop for air, since my TPM light was on. We pulled up to the air pump, and began filling the tires. My husband got to the rear passenger tire, unscrewed the cap, and THE CENTER OF THE VALVE ASSEMBLY CAME OUT WITH THE CAP. You must be kidding me!
We took turns holding our thumbs over what was left of the valve, afraid to let all of the air out. We tried holding the cap on with a band aid (don't judge), among other things. After what seemed like forever, we finally realized that there was nothing that we could do. We had to let go. We couldn't hold out any longer...it was over. So, he took his thumb off, and.......PSSSHHHHHHHHH. The tire was completely flat within seconds.
Through our utter confusion, we knew that we had to move on to the next step. Either we were calling roadside assistance, or we were putting the spare on. We chose spare, but first we had to find it. I've been driving this vehicle for 3 years, and had no clue where the spare or jack were. I found the jack, all tidy and completely unused, so now for the spare. By this time the hubs was already jacking up the vehicle, and told me not to touch it. My response..."Really, and it's the spare you need, right? Because if that's so, then I have to get in the vehicle to lower the spare." The look on his face was total confusion. So, he got out from under and I explained what I had read in the manual (this was all new to me, though I'm not completely car dumb). I got in, removed the center console, and exposed the bolt that allowed the spare to lower.
Lowering the spare...this process took us at least 15 minutes. Crazy, huh?
Jacking up the vehicle...this process took at least 20 minutes. Ridiculous, right?
Removing the tire...this process took us...ok, the tire wouldn't come off. Not even lying.
In my mind I'm trying to imagine every horrible thing that could be wrong, without knowing much about the components involved. Could the rotor fuse to the rim? Is that even possible, and on and on my thoughts went, racing from one possibility to the next. Then I remembered my answer for everything...Google it!
I pulled out my iPhone, and it turns out that others have had this same problem. Go figure! Some suggested a mallet (Yeah, I keep one of those in my car! NOT!). Some said mallet and wood block...neither of which I had. I briefly considered using one of the camp chairs in my trunk. I rejected the idea. I did have the pieces to the jack, though. I tried prying the tire off many times with the handle...no luck. I actually pictured it slipping and knocking my teeth out. It seemed entirely possible. One said to kick it (UM, I ALREADY TRIED THAT!). Some said to spray a lubricant, like WD 40, on it. Well, I didn't have any of that, but I did have sunscreen spray! So, I sprayed and sprayed and sprayed. Then, I kicked and kicked and kicked. Then, HE kicked and kicked and kicked. Nothing. We felt totally defeated.
Then it moved! The tire moved! The sunscreen had penetrated the gunk and grime to free the tire. Who needs WD 40? :) Perhaps we can use it on squeaky doors and what not! Being careful, of course, not to inhale the spray.
The entire process took us about 1 1/2 hours. We were exhausted.
Now to get that valve replaced!
So, that's my excuse for not taking a pic of today's lunches. I hope you'll forgive me.
So, my weird day actually started last night with all of that. Here are a few other odd things that happened to me today (other than not being able to travel at speeds over 50 MPH)...
I came out of a store to find my sliding door open. Thankfully both my purse and useless tire were still inside. Where was my head at? Geez!
I then went on to the next store. As I pulled into the parking lot a man was pulling out...WITH HIS REAR PASSENGER DOOR WIDE OPEN! "Sir! Sir! You're door is open!" "What? Oh goodness! Thank you!" (Then some inaudible sound indicating stupidity. Hey, I didn't judge. I did just leave my door open while I was in another store. I was a few grapes shy of a bunch today, too!)
Then later, while I was pumping gas (Yes, more gas. It turns out that a spare tire is pretty rough on gas mileage), at the pump next to mine was a young woman and her mother. The mother was laughing, but the daughter seemed frustrated. I looked over to see the mother rifling through the owner's manual (WOAH...DEJA VU! That was me, the night before). I peeked around the pump..."Anything I can help with?" and I looked at the gas cap.
"Yeah! I've never driven a Mitsubishi before, it's a rental, and I can't figure out how to pump gas!!!"
"Oh, you don't know how to open the door?" I said as I walked around to the driver's side door of their vehicle. I opened the door, leaned down and popped the lever.
They thanked me, I told them to have a good trip, and I went on my way.
Weird day, huh?
How was your day?
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