So...this morning I ran out into town to our local pet store "The Pet Box" for some emergency dirt. It seems Jake's new pet rhinoceros beetle grub's transformation is imminent...and we have to transfer him from his little jar to his new digs ASAP, or s/he might emerge deformed if disturbed while s/he is a pupae.
I got there about 9:57...and they didn't open until 10...so I just turned off O'Malley and sat there for a few moments...enjoying a rare moment alone with my thoughts. As soon as the clock struck 10, I attempted to remove the key from the ignition...and it wouldn't budge. I tried wiggling the steering wheel...nothing. I tried pressing on the brake...nada. Then I thought I'd try restarting it, turning it back off and removing the key immediately. The engine wouldn't even turn over. I started a mental inventory of my actions. I had literally only been there 3 minutes. The radio was off...ditto the A/C...what could I possibly have done to screw this up in 3 minutes?
Then I start to panic, realizing that Cliff left for training this morning on the No. side of the island for 3 weeks. I have no jumper cables. I speak no Japanese. I only have a few numbers programed into my phone (I don't even know my own cell phone number yet!). So I call Julia...my "go to gal" here on Okinawa. As her phone rings, I pray that she doesn't have a substitute teaching job today. She picks up...and you can imagine my relief!
I got there about 9:57...and they didn't open until 10...so I just turned off O'Malley and sat there for a few moments...enjoying a rare moment alone with my thoughts. As soon as the clock struck 10, I attempted to remove the key from the ignition...and it wouldn't budge. I tried wiggling the steering wheel...nothing. I tried pressing on the brake...nada. Then I thought I'd try restarting it, turning it back off and removing the key immediately. The engine wouldn't even turn over. I started a mental inventory of my actions. I had literally only been there 3 minutes. The radio was off...ditto the A/C...what could I possibly have done to screw this up in 3 minutes?
Then I start to panic, realizing that Cliff left for training this morning on the No. side of the island for 3 weeks. I have no jumper cables. I speak no Japanese. I only have a few numbers programed into my phone (I don't even know my own cell phone number yet!). So I call Julia...my "go to gal" here on Okinawa. As her phone rings, I pray that she doesn't have a substitute teaching job today. She picks up...and you can imagine my relief!
Me: Julia! I'm so glad you are home...I'm stranded!
Julia: You're kidding! Where are you?
Me: I'm at the Pet Box and I can't get my key out of the ignition. The car won't start, either. I'm afraid to get out of the car because what if it locks? I've only been sitting here for 3 minutes...I didn't have the radio on or anything...could you come help me?
Julia: Do you have it in "Park"?
Me: (she must think I'm an idiot! Of course I have it in.........)
Julia: You're kidding! Where are you?
Me: I'm at the Pet Box and I can't get my key out of the ignition. The car won't start, either. I'm afraid to get out of the car because what if it locks? I've only been sitting here for 3 minutes...I didn't have the radio on or anything...could you come help me?
Julia: Do you have it in "Park"?
Me: (she must think I'm an idiot! Of course I have it in.........)
Me: Hysterical laughter
Julia: More hysterical laughter, followed by..."That's why I like you so much, Carrie...you make me feel smart."
Julia: More hysterical laughter, followed by..."That's why I like you so much, Carrie...you make me feel smart."
Just a little service I provide....
11 comments:
I've done that one before. I've done variations of it too. Just the other day I hopped out of my car at the mailbox, only to realize it was still in drive and not park.
Must run in the family! haha
totally funny. I panicked just the other day after dropping off the kids at school. Just for second before realizing it was in the wrong gear.
That's so funny!! I did the very same thing a few years ago and actually called work and a customer I knew was there and came up to my house and looked all over under the hood to try and figure out what was wrong. Finally, he figured out that I had it out of park. I was SO embarrased. When I got to work, the staff had written on a piece of cardboard-- "Here's my sign!!!"
Love Mom
Anyone who tries to tell you they haven't done that exact thing is fibbing to you!
Cute care!!
It's so good to know that I am not alone! "Here's your sign", LOL! Good one, mom...I guess I come by it rightly!
Yeah but only a scrapbooker/blogger would have taken a picture of the faux paw (sp) I once drove my county snow plow into a ditch, but I didn't snap a photo.
Phone A Friend is good, but the look on Cliff's face after a tow truck charge would have been a cool photo to post!
Ahi Sashimi Arigato!!
Dad
Now you're talking like a blogger, Dad! I was grateful that I did in fact have my camera handy...I have missed out on some sweet photo ops lately because I've left it at home attached to the computer or something.
Thanks for letting me feel like a super hero and smart! All on the same day! Wow! No guarentee on how i can fix your next distressed call though.....might not end so wonderful....lol!!!
are you sure you're not a blonde? 8~)
Just wondering,
Lisa
OMG! I finally took the time to catch up on the Stuart's life. Oh how we miss you guys! Anyway, as I cried reading about the kids going to school, I scrolled down to read about your "Keeping It Real" post. The crying stopped and the laughter began! Only because...yes, I too have done the same thing. When we bought our Jeep, I did that, but I called the Jeep dealer wonder why we would be having trouble with our BRAND NEW Jeep already! He asked if it was in park and my responce was the same as yours. How stupid does he think I......... :) Miss you all! XOXOXO
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