Small Town Life

It would seem that the moosie is a bit of an airhead - we have been having extremely cold temps in our area. When that happens, tires often form flat spots that take awhile to warm up and smooth out the ride.

That's what I thought was happening -

for the past few days -

guess what? That wasn't it at all.

Yesterday during lunch I ran over to the bank to deposit my paycheck and was happily sitting in line at the drive-through when suddenly . . .

tap - tap - tap

on the driver's side window. A friendly enough young man was standing there smiling at me so I buzzed the window down. Only to hear "Ma'am, do you know that the rear passenger tire is flat?" "Ummmm no, I didn't know that." "If you would like we can change it for you."

So I backed out of the line and pulled over to a reasonably flat spot in the parking lot and waited while they continued to do their banking. I called hubby and asked him to come over to take me back to work because I would have to take the car in for a new tire.

A coworker pulled up and asked if I had gotten in touch with my hubby and I reassured her that all was well.

The young men came over and we began to work on the tire change. Well, they did all of the work - I just got the little donut tire out from under the trunk rug for them - after having to completely shove EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD from the trunk into the now opened up back seat (it folds down to make transporting big stuff easier).

Have I said how nice these young men were? The one changing the tire did it in his bare hands - in 6 degree weather!!!! I offered him my gloves but he said no thanks - maybe it was because they were purple striped knit gloves - I dunno.

He shared with me that his dad owns an automotive shop a ways north from Kenai (also known as North Kenai - clever, huh?) and that he worked with his dad in his shop. His friend also introduced himself to me, but in my airheadedness I have forgotten his name.

When hubby met me at the tire store I knew what was going to happen and sure enough . . . yup, not one tire needed, but TWO tires. They, of course, did not have any of the tires to match the ones on my car (that they had sold me a couple of years ago). Fresh out, we were told. So that meant we would have to buy at least two tires (if not four - well, no, NOT!) so they would have corresponding tread, etc.

Hubby made payment arrangements and also arranged to have four new tires put on his van this morning and then he took me to the store to grab some soup to eat in my office, since my lunch hour was now gone, all gone.

But you really must love small town life when two young men (turns out that the one changing my tire was only 17) would offer their help like this. It would appear that I have been driving on a flat tire (or nearly flat tire) for at least two days - decided because of the damage done to the tire. Did anyone else stop me to tell me that my tire was damaged? Nope. It took a coupla "kids" to do that.

I called his dad when I got back to my office. Thanked him for what his son had done and shared with him that it is unusual and much appreciated. I think it is only right, after all, that a parent should hear when their child has done something good. Don't you agree?

Hubby later called the dad as well to thank him.

Augustine is restless - check out the webcam

The best time to check, of course, is during the daytime. We are currently headed towards the shortest day of the year (Dec. 20) and our daylight hours are getting shorter and shorter. We'll get down to about 5.5 hours of possible daylight by the 20th - for our location. Up north from here (way up north) they will not see the sun until April I think it is. It gets dimly lit during the day, but no sun. Not sure how I would handle that - might need me some "happy lights" if I lived in an area that didn't see the sun for months at a time.
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Now, fair warning - if you have a weak tummy don't click onto the rest of my day's story . . .

Still here? Well, I warned you, didn't I?

We had a meeting last night - a weekly training - and I had been feeling a bit punk all day anyway. Two of the granddaughters had been puny earlier in the week and another coworker had gone home sick Wednesday and Thursday as well.

So, is it any wonder when I spent the night hugging the porcelain bowl? Nah, I thought not. Of course it couldn't have happened while I was up and about - noooooooooooooooooooo - started when I went to bed. About every hour or so I would have to jump up and run for the bathroom.

Urgh!! fore and aft!! Yuk!!

Tummy is still a bit unsettled tonight. I have been pretty much out of it all day - well, that is no wonder since I didn't finally quit the above hugging of said bowl until after 4:30 this morning. "Slept in" thanks to hubby. Didn't even hear the older grands come in for breakfast. I heard the younger one (she is making up for lost time after having that tooth worked on) as she chattered away to her grandpa. And, then it was quiet and I snoozed on until about 10:30.

Had a chiro appt. at noon, so I forced myself up and into the shower and clean clothes. She adjusted me and sent me home - said they wouldn't do the massage because they didn't want to stir up any residual toxins and make me sicker. I appreciate that.

So I bought some sugar free popsicles and an electrolyte-type drink to try to get rehydrated - and snoozed off and on while Madagascar played in the background. I think I am going to have to re-watch it because I missed a lot of it today.

Never fear, the moosie will be good as new tomorrow - and have new tires to boot. Yay!

Posted by Purplemoose at December 2, 2005 08:01 PM