Flat Tires and Melt Downs

I had a bad day . . . . two Saturday's ago was the lowest point of this new experience and while it was a low point at the time I can look at it and laugh now.

The kids and I were heading into the city for a quick trip to Toys R Us and then a stop at the church to finish up a few things before Sunday. While driving in I noticed that the car was really pulling but I was driving on dirt roads and really bumpy roads so I though maybe my tire was low so I'd check it when I got to Toys R Us.

We pull in to Toys R Us and I forgot to check the car because I accidentally parked too close to the car next to me and I got distracted. So, I was within my yellow lines but was very close to the car next to me, the driver's side was accessible for them and I checked to make sure there were no car seats in the back and since I already had Vaughn out of the car I decided to leave it and grab Greta and hopefully I would be out and gone before the other driver got back. We finished up in Toys R Us and I again thought I need to check my tires but was again distracted by the really nasty note that was left on my car. Ok, I fully admit that I was in the wrong, but I had started the day feeling, tired, sad, lonely and generally pregnant and emotional and I just didn't have the energy to reload Vaughn into the car and move over. So, I was in the wrong but the nasty note did nothing to help my state of mind.

From that nasty note I load up the kids and start driving when a man in another car starts pointing at my tire. Shoot I forgot to check my tire again . . . I pulled into a gas station and the tire was completely flat and I just lost it. A tire is not the end of the world but at that moment it was more than I could handle. I am sitting in the gas station parking lot with my kids in the back seat sobbing, almost hysterically. Vaughn is telling me it's ok and offering me his stuffed Kitty to help me feel better and Greta just kept saying, "it's ok Mommy". I pulled myself together and explained to Vaughn that we had a flat tire and Mommy was a little sad. Vaughn very thoughtfully explained that Mickey's toon car gets a flat tire and they just pump it back up. Thanks Vaughn.

After I sort of pull myself together I called Chris and Lori to see if I drove to their house if Chris would put the donut on for me. I could have attempted to change the tire but knew I was in no state to try that. I start driving and call Matt, he tells me just to go to the Kaltire and if it's a nail hole they will patch it for free. I gps the KalTire, and head that direction taking 3 wrong turns while still driving on a flat tire. How do you take wrong turns while using the gps you might ask, well I am terrible with north and south direction, I was stressed about driving on a flat tire and trying to see while driving, 'nough said.

I get to the tire store and manage to explain the problem while only sniffling pathetically but not sobbing so I considered that a victory. It was a 2 hour wait before they would be able to get to my tire. I once again call Chris and Lori and Lori agrees to come rescue us.

Lori, my kids and 2 of her kids and I headed to Payless where I found a pair of dress shoes for Greta on sale and then ate Taco bell which added a slight improvement to my day. Lori then took us back to her house where I attempted to put Greta down for a nap. But since I only planned for this to be a quick trip I didn't bring her beloved stuffed bunny that she needs to sleep. She screamed for an hour.

KalTire called to tell me that they couldn't fix my tire (shocking since I'd driving on it, in from Beaumont, note the sarcasm). They agreed to put the spare on for me so I could take the tire back to Costco since it was only a year old and under warranty. We loaded up the kids to drive us back when KalTire calls me again to tell me I don't have a spare in my car. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! Costco replaced our tires last year for us and we had, had a spare on at the time. When we had them changed it was a nightmare, Costco lost the key to the bolts on the tires, although they swear they didn't and we had to pay $100 dollars to get them air blasted off at Canadian Tire. On top of that Matt and I did not check to make sure they had put the spare back in the car and apparently they didn't.

I managed not to cry on the phone and luckily because our tires were in decent shape they agreed to put on one new tire, instead of having to replace 2 or more. That day I was the proud owner of a $142 new tire.

My day did not end there as I headed over to friends house for supper so they could watch my kids while I went back to the church to do childcare during the Easter Musical.

This day is funny to me now because a flat tire is not the end of the world but being pregnant, tired and having Matt gone ended in my crying hysterically in my car. I am glad that day is behind me and hopefully there aren't too many more like that but if there are I'm sure a few days afterwards I'll be laughing :)