Friday, September 11, 2009

Friday Fragments - Back to Life, Back to Reality

Friday Fragments?


Welcome to another edition of Friday Fragments - please visit my friend, the lovely lady Mrs.4444.

And a newer blog friend had a similar brilliant idea: Friday Freewrite at Ordinary and Awesome. Go!

The chronicles of my Ordinary and Awesome life, family, and thoughts at www.ordinaryandawesome.com. Ordinary and Awesome is also the Mostly Wordless Wednesday headquarters as well as the home to several original awards and memes.


First week of school, and it went off without a hitch...well, almost. Bear with me while I de-frag...

Last week, we went up north for Labour Day weekend, and the man had decided to spare me the burden of loading up his bike and that of the boy, into my minivan. He was going up first and we would join him a couple of days later. So he left me his car to drive around for a couple of days, and I didn't bother touching the van until it was time to drive up.

Mistake.

It seems that the bike had hit the interior light of the minivan. Yes, the bike hit it, not the man who was loading the bike. Amazing the power of inanimate objects when the stars align.

But I didn't get overly pissed off right away, as I was in a good frame of mind, and after all, he had loaded the van so that I wouldn't have to. Or more correctly, so that he wouldn't have to hear about it when I dropped it on my toe, which I would have done. Or do something ridiculous like hit the interior light and drain the battery. We still had the man's car, so I loaded that up and hit the road with the kids in tow. And we had an amazing holiday weekend.

We didn't get back until Labour Day, and it wasn't until the evening that we got the battery charged by CAA (I love CAA). Of course the tank was on empty (I was going to fill up before I headed north), so we couldn't drive it around much. So what happened the next morning was only natural.

You guessed it. Tuesday morning, the first day of school, and the minivan wouldn't start.

But hey, we still had the man's car. So off we went, got the kids into their classes (yay, kids are happy with their placements, all is good.) CAA to the rescue again, and charged the van. I had to take the car for about a one hour drive. But there was still a chance that the battery was shot. All day Tuesday, the van sputtered, but ran. And then again on Wednesday, it sputtered better, but ran better.

Thursday morning I got cocky. I offered to drive the kids to school, and didn't try the van until after the bus came and went.

Mistake.

Damn battery was dead!

It was 8:45 AM. The bell rings at 8:50 AM.

Oh my God! I grabbed the kids' backpacks, yelled at the boy for taking so long to get ready, and we ran all the way to school. RAN.

Me in my flip flop sandals, almost planting my face on the sidewalk twice... the girl yelling, "This is great exercise Mommy, maybe I'll be skinny like my brother."... the boy saying, "Hope you're enjoying your workout Mom!"

We got there in 10 minutes. Don't ask me how, I think we had wings on our heels. But they weren't late.

I called CAA again. And bought a new battery.

Of course, the man is away on business all week. How'd you guess?

*****

Well, summer is pretty much over, but guess what? I actually did get some summertime reading in! I read a book called Mortal Friends, a sizzler that takes place in Washington DC, and it was pretty good. You can read my review here. And yes, I did manage to read a couple more, so I'll post about them there soon as well.

*****

Speaking about books, have you heard about , The Superior Wife Syndrome? I read a review in the Globe and Mail and it looks like an interesting read. Mainly because I think I have a superiority complex and can be a nag hag from time to time. Although apparently I'm not oh so bad. Not all of the time, anyway.

*****

So while the man is away, I try to take advantage and watch chickflicks. I've got Two Lovers (apparently Joaquin Phoenix' best work before he became the newest member of ZZ Top) , Nights in Rodanthe and Last Chance Harvey. I'll be lucky if I get through two, but I'll let you know what I think.

****
And a quickie: don't tell the husband this, but I got all sexy while he was away. I actually cleaned the oven! Hah!

*****
Do you remember Soul II Soul? Great song, perfect for the weekend..

19 comments:

Smoochiefrog said...

Great description of Joaquin. Funny!

Sorry for all the battery troubles. Sounds like what I'd go through if in the same situation. It's just my luck.

Caution/Lisa said...

I'm envious of anyone who can run 10 minutes and not die!

Sara Elizabeth said...

Oh my gosh. Battery from hell story right there. What a pain!

The Superior Wife Syndrome sounds like a hoot. haha

Oh good Lord! That Soul II Soul song brings me way back to hair scrunchies days. lol

Happy FF!

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Bummer about the car battery, but 10 minutes of running has got to be worth a months exercise!

MrsSki said...

Car problems suck they are a pain in the butt! Especially battery issues! So glad they ordered you a new one!

WOW! I'm so wowed by the fact that you ran your kids to school. And that you made it in 10 minutes! That is very impressive! OH, and that 10 minute run definitely counts as a workout! :)

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

Is it wrong that I haven't cleaned my over in the 3 years that I have lived in this house... Maybe should get off computer and do that.

Claudya Martinez said...

You sexy oven cleaning vixen, you!

Liz Mays said...

I saw Last Chance Harvey but nothing else you mentioned in terms of books or movies. I've got work ahead of me too!

Stacy Uncorked said...

It is amazing the power of inanimate objects when the stars align... I think that's my favorite description today! :) Bummer about the battery - but at least you got a great workout...especially running in flip flops! :)

Now I have more books and chick flicks to add to my list. ;)

Happy FF! :)

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Oh Murphy was a messing with your van battery that evil devil. I have to admit I was chuckling a bit at you all running to school and you in flip flops, that's a pretty amazing accomplishment ;)

Unknown said...

Oh my god! Back to Life...Keep on Movin'. Damn...my mom used to play Soul II Soul ALL the time. Makes me dance. What ever happened to good music like this?

Connie said...

Good Morning!

I think I need to read that Superior Wife book. It described me to a tee and I'm frustrated that I have to do everything because he sucks at most things. He doesn't even take the trash out to my liking. hmmm....

I love Nights in Rodanthe!

Have a great weekend!

Cheryl said...

when it rains it pours...especially with cars...thank GOD for CAA....well worth the money even if you use it only once!

I should read that book....I think I have that complex too...hubby would likely BUY it for me...

Glad the first week of school is over and done with, onto smoother waters!

mub said...

Sorry about your battery problems, but your description of you running to school had me giggling. I'm impressed you guys made it on time!

The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum said...

Hi. Visiting from SITS. Happy sharefest.

Mrs4444 said...

As much as you probably don't like doing it all alone when the hubs is gone, don't you have to admit that (just a little bit) you enjoy the time to yourself? I do, anyway. I'm jealous of all the movie-watching and book-reading! :)

Glad you survived the week!

imbeingheldhostage said...

Fun fun fun-- to read that is, actually dealing with the battery troubles probably not so much so.
I watched Last Chance Harvey and Nights in Rodanthe-- I'll be curious to hear your opinion on both!

jmt said...

Nice work on getting the kids to school on time. Running wouldn't be happening I don't think....it's 7 or so miles to the little people's school and then two to the other, in the opposite direction. :) I just finished reading two books - "The Time Traveler's Wife" and "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". Loved them both.

Kim said...

I got tired just thinking of all the bad luck you had..

but running in flip flops for ten minutes..girl..you need a medal for that one.. :)

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