Monday, March 26, 2007

Unbef*inglievable!

I really am not sure that words can do justice to last night's adventure. I told MuNKi that if I'd seen it in a movie, it SO would have ruined the whole "suspension of disbelief" thing, because it's just that unbelievable.

Last night MuNKi called me from the gas station to ask if I could I bring his work Jeep and the backup set of van keys because Cyd (our van) wasn't starting. The gas station is pretty close, so I didn't really think about putting on shoes (a shoe, LOL!) or a jacket. I've never driven the Jeep before (it's not ours) but it was relatively easy to figure out and I got to the gas station quickly and parked right beside MuNKi.

So I'm sitting there, having handed MuNKi the second set of keys to try, but it's not the keys that are the problem; the ignition switch has locked up.

At this point, the Jeep sputters and stops running. Seriously. I gape at MuNKi and then look at the gas gage, which is on E. No problem - we're at a gas station, right. The pumps are close. I can steer while MuNKi pushes. I thank our lucky stars. But MunKi insists there is gas in the tank, so I try to start the Jeep and sure enough, the needle flutters upwards, but the engine doesn't turn over. MuNKi tries. No dice. I try Cyd. No luck. MuNKi keeps trying the Jeep. No.

We are in a technology black hole - like in Tomb Raider. ^_^ Except the cell phone works, so after about 13 misdials (hey, I never call myself at home, OK?) I finally get it right and tell the kids we'll be a few minutes longer and not to worry.

I'm laughing my butt off at the ridiculousness of the problem, though truth be told, startng to get a little freaked out that nature has conspired to strand us at the gas station while the children are home alone. Because, really, how bizarre is that? I tell MuNKi I'm going home. He is dubious. I am thankful I bothered to bring the crutches instead of just hopping to the Jeep. MuNKi doesn't want me crutching down the gravel shoulder of the busy road. With no shoe/s. He keeps trying to start the Jeep. I can't stop laughing at the outrageousness of our situation, but I need to get home to the kids. I nearly mutiny. But then the Jeep sputters and coughs to life. (MuNKi has been trying for about 10 minutes) The groceries are still in Cyd, but we don't dare stop the (hiccuping) Jeep, so I (against MuNKi's wishes) hop back and forth from Cyd to the Jeep with grocery bags while he revs the engine. We make it home alive. Hallelujah Jaffar! I am grateful. ^_^

There are so many things that could have gone (more) wrong. If we had gone into Ann Arbor or Brighton yesterday, we could have been stuck there and had to call a (very pricey) taxi and deal with car seats and all that stuff. Or it could have waited until the kids and I got to TKD today, stranding us there. While a 2 mile walk home wouldn't have been a huge deal on a normal day, it would have been harder for me in my gimpy state. Especially with trying to keep track of the littles and being unable to hold their hands.

So, all things told, I'm very grateful it happened when it did. And now, here's the song that won't stop running through my head.



22 comments:

armalicious said...

Oh wow. That is seriously a crazy story! And you kept your calm. I applaud you. The 9th MuNKi link is restricted at my work - must be good.

And I'm watching this video and can't believe how little those kids were with the first movie! They are so big now!!!

C said...

The 9th MuNKi link isn't racy - just a rat, but I bet there's other stuff on that site. I should poke around. ;)

Isn't it crazy how little they were?!?! We like to watch them on successive nights sometimes. It's so fun to see the kids growing up. :)

Molly Merula said...

...

I still can't believe we made it through our sleep.

Anonymous said...

That story does seem rather sitcom-esque. At least it had a happy ending (of sorts). Did you ever get Cyd working?

C said...

Cyd was towed to the nearest dealer this morning. It's going to be just under $300 to resurrect him. :-P And the parts won't be in until Wednesday, so we are carless. But on the upside, it's best for me not to try to go places anyway, so we're calling it a holiday. :)

~d said...

WOW!
I either live a hella boring life, or I forget all the good (sh%$)

Jay said...

Jeepers, that's not even funny, but I'm glad it wasn't worse, and gladder that you didn't have to hobble home yourself.

C said...

~d - you're life is not boring by a longshot. Nor is your imagination. ^_^


Jay - in the immortal words of my then 2 year old boy (in response to something naughty/dangerous for which he was being chastened) "It's KIND of funny. . ." ^_^ Thank you. I'm glad, too.

C said...

Oops - Ashy - I didn't mean to ignore you my dear. I, too, am glad we weren't beset upon by rabid llamas in our beds.

Molly Merula said...

0.o

Yeah, me too. ^^;

James Lindsay said...

When I was younger, I fully believed that, "If it's got wheels or ovaries it'll cause you grief".

Now, a half a lifetime later, I have been able to modify that statement to "If it's got wheels it'll cause you grief. If it's got ovaries, you'll learn to accept that you're going to be wrong a lot more often."

egan said...

I can't believe how crazy this story is. Cyd is a bad boy and needs to be punished. I'm so sorry to hear you're still gimping around. This situation needs to be fixed very soon. You left the kids at home? That's not very AP of you.

C said...

Ash - though a moose bit my sister once. . .

Arthur - welcome! :) Heh! you are a wise man. ^_^

Efo - Is that not insane? Sigh. I have to gimp until Friday, by Dr's orders. Then I have to go back and see him and I'm not sure what happens then - PT I guess. I'm getting a wee bit more range of motion every day, though. Yay! And I can almost put weight on it. Kind of. With crutches. :-P

Yes, I went a block without them. Terrible, wasn't it? Mollusc is technically old enough to babysit, but we just don't do that, you know?

egan said...

I know you don't. It's not part of the AP code so it shocked me. Cyd is a bad influence.

C said...

Well, it's getting to the point where it's OK, but still. . .

:)

Ja, Cyd is in the doghouse.

ldbug said...

Shoot, the video is no longer available. Oh well.

I'm glad you guys made it home OK! Yeah I've had those times where, when I think about it, it could've been so much worse!

egan said...

Who let the Cyd out? Woof woof woof.

armalicious said...

Yeah, that rat is definitely not racy. I wonder why it was blocked at work. They block the weirdest stuff.

C said...

Ldbug - Poop! I'll try to fix it with another of the same song.

Yeah, we have been SUPER lucky with our car breakdowns, I must say!

Egan - Cyd is stil in the doghouse. Parts supposedly arrive tomorrow. Price has since tripled. Are they charging him a room fee? Or is he using perks without our permission? I expressley told him NO long distance calls. Or Hos. I think he was eyeing up that cute little Honda in the next bay.

Arm - I think it was some of the other posters on the site. There are a few that are NSFW. :) Then again, maybe there's a NO GAMERS policy. . . ^_^

Anonymous said...

WOW. What an adventure. I'm glad you made it home in a somewhat timely manner, though!

I didn't know you are currently "gimpy". Guess I'd better scroll backwards in your blog-time. ;)

But being lazy at the moment...how long do you expect to BE "gimpy"?

egan said...

Is Cyd making collect calls? I bet he's feeling up the V-Dubs.

Jacob said...

The story is over the top, Candacia. But I was hoping for some MuNKi links. Maybe next time.