what a horrible, horrible day

Some Monday's suck. Some suck big time. Yesterday was such a Monday.

It's not bad enough that I have to arise BEFORE the crack of dawn, at 4 am, to drive the 45 miles to work. It's not bad enough that the free coffee doesn't start unil 7 am (I know I might have lost sympathy points there with the whole 'free coffee' thing but I really don't care) to fully caffeinate me for the day. And then work 8 hours. That wasn't bad enough. Not even close.

I was completely exhausted and all I wanted to do was go home and nap. So of course when I walked out to my car to leave I was confronted with a flat tire. I hate flat tires.

I didn't want to be all girly and ask for help but I had a tough time with the jack. I really really hate being girly and asking for help. You can probably imagine. But I was about to cry and that is much worse.

So I went back up to my department, full of men. One of whom races motorcycles and knows a lot about cars. He had disappeared. Of course he had, right?

The only guys even around had never changed a flat. They aren't from around here and I think they had drivers and people that handled that sort of thing at home.

So I picked up my laptop (sensing a 'work from home day' in my near future) and trudged back down to my car. There was a flurry of calls to the mister. He was told he'd better take every fucking call from me for the rest of the day, meetings and work be damned. (To his credit, he not only took the calls but brought home flowers).

Next I couldn't find the stupid jack. Once I found the stupid jack I couldn't loosen the lug-nuts. The mister suggested lowering the car back down a bit to get more traction. Finally the nuts loosened. It was a hot day and I was frustrated as all hell.

Then I got the old tire off and the new one on. And the SPARE was FLAT! Can you freakin' believe that?

Luckily it was good enough to get to a station to put air in it. And drively slowly home on my non-full sized spare. Then drop the car off at a tire place near my house. And generally say 'fuck it' and start walking home and end up at my friends house for a couple of hours.

My day did get better then, hanging with her 11 month old IVF twins in their new fun playroom. Talking about Thailand and Mini Coopers and new guest houses in backyards (which is what her playroom is and what I'm planning for my own yard if I continue working). Said friend gave me a ride home and complimented me on the new landscaping. Things started looking better.

Then I found the perfect mini.

A PURPLE Mini Cooper. The only thing better than blue is PURPLE., people. Check it out:

 

It's a 2005, loaded, almost exactly what we want (except it doesn't have heated seats), totally PURPLE and still available. If we like it maybe we'll have a new car this week.

Did I mention it was PURPLE?

And you know the very best thing about Mini Coopers, at least today? DRIVE ON FLATS. Yessirre Bob, a little light comes on and you have 100 miles or so to get to the shop.

So tonight the mister and I are off to look at this little cutie. Wish us luck.

Comments

[Bonnie]

I'm sorry you had such a horrible day. The only time I've had a flat I called my husband and he came and fixed it. If he wasn't available my dad would come. I know I really should learn how to change a flat, I just really don't want to...

Very cute Mini!

[PBfish]

blech. I hate flat tires.
Cute mini. You are going love driving that car!!!

[susie]

Good luck, good luck! I am SO with you on the purple car! The best color ever!

[Kate]

Love that ride! Hate flats...knock on wood. I hope you get that purple piece of paradise on wheels!

[Anna H.]

Eeek, what a day, but wooohooo what a car!

I must recommend the butt-warmers, though. I'm addicted to mine; I especially love them on a chilly but beautiful winter's day when I open the windows and turn the seat up to 5... toasty!

Have fun tonight.

xxoo

[Lynnette]

Sorry about the crappy day. Cute mini, though! Hey, our architect drew up great plans for a two car garage with a studio apartment up top, if you ever want to borrow them. Don't know when we'll ever get around to using them ourselves...

[Liana]

Having had more flats than I care to remember, I always, always pay for roadside assistance.

The mini is cute but it looks blue to my pissy monitor.

[Suz]

PURPLE! That's so cool!!

[EJW]

Your flat was a sign from fate that you should have this MINI. We love those darling little cars (I actually have a secret plan to get one for my husband's 30th birthday as a surprise) and purple?!?!? You have to have it, seat warmers be damned.

[statia]

Ugh, just for that, I think you need to buy a PURPLE mini.

[Emily]

Triple A and Roadside assistance. Because I'm not about to attempt to change a tire (I can, I just don't want to).

Congrats about the car :)

[Wavery]

Talk about being smacked up the backside of the head with a sign . . .

[Roni]

Purple is totally awesome!! I'm so sorry about your day - but the whole flat thing is definitely a sign (not just buy the car, but get roadside assistance too, like AAA, because they'll also come get you if you break down anywhere- it's a very handy service).

I'm glad your day got better, and hope you do stay home and do the telecommute thing for a few days.

Good luck with the car - hope it works out!
And your mister is awesome to bring you flowers like that. He's a great guy!
Roni

[Louise]

Mondays are bad enough without a flat tire! I am impressed that you changed it yourself.

My dad taught me how to do this years ago, and I am not sure I could change a tire on my own now. :-)