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.