I Kind Of Impress Myself
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 6:00AM First, I guess I should have been more clear when I was soliciting opinions about our new roof and the copper valley gutters. What I should have said was, "Please side with me against Rich in this debate and tell him how much you hate the gutters so he'll let me paint them."
Alas, my lack of clarity led to the majority of you siding with my husband for which he thanks you all.
Now he is gleeful.
And also smug.
Y'all owe me one.
I'll get over it though. After all, you saved me a trip up a ladder with a six pack of spray paint. That could have ended very badly.
With all the construction debris in my driveway, it should not have come as a surprise that I ended up with a flat tire on Wednesday. Yet it did.
I was a licensed driver for over 16 years before I got my first flat. That one occurred at night, on the Interstate, in December, in the Suburban (may it rest in peace) packed full of Christmas gifts and sleeping children.
The only thing missing from the car was Rich.
I did not even think about changing that tire myself though. A nice state patrolman came along and did it for me. I thanked him profusely and gave him a wrapped gift containing a variety of cured meats that was intended for a random male relative.
I'm certain he was thrilled.
My second flat tire was just last winter when I came out of school to find my car listing to the side in the parking lot. Rich came and fixed it for me.
Because that's why women get married.
But on Wednesday, when I discovered the flat, he wasn't home and I thought to myself, "I am 40 years old. I should be able to change my own tire." So I got out the owner's manual, read the instructions and did it.
Please note the recess duty tan line on my arm.
The girls were home with me so I tried to get them excited about female empowerment. They went along with it long enough to come out and take pictures of me jacking up the car.
Jacking up the car took a while. They got a little bored with female empowerment and went back inside to watch Wizards of Waverly Place.
Whatever.
By the time Rich got home, I had the spare on and just had to have him check to make sure I had the bolt thingies screwed in tightly enough.
It's been a long time since I was that proud of myself. I know - it's a silly little thing that I should have learned long ago but . . . I'm feeling so good I may even take on something crazy.
Like plumbing!
Reader Comments (31)
oh man - the thought of having a flat makes me cringe. I think the last time I had one was in my early twenties and I had been driving on the freeway, of all places. After it happened, I had pulled over to the side of the road and was standing there looking bewildered when a semi pulled up behind me. The nice trucker must have seen my look of distress because he changed the tire without even blinking. Thankfully it was in the middle of the day so I wasn't too concerned about a strange man in a large truck helping me, like I would be now. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.
You go girl! I haven't had to change a flat since I was.... ummm... wait - ever! I cannot believe that the exciting world of car repair was deemed less important than the Wizards!
Oh girl, not plumbing! I'm very proud of you. I'm 45, and I've never changed a flat (knocking on wood now) I've had a few, and thankfully alwyas had a man to call. The last one was before I married the Soldier man. I had a college aged son at home and I called him. It's a wonder that I haven't had a flat. I'm so paranoid that every time one of the big moving trucks comes into the hood with those wooden crates nailed together, I comb the street looking for nails. I did it after our roofers left a few weeks ago too. I picked up several big ol' nails..but no flat for me! (knocking on wood again)
Way to go Mindee! That's something I've never tried before, and hope I never have to unless I'm at home!
I've never done it! Good job! Makes me want to practice on a perfectly good tire.
Ugh at least you don't have my persnicketyof a husband. He not only made me change my own - he timed me!
Not only did you change that flat but you looked good while doing it! Look at your jacked up arm while jacking up the car ;)
way to go!
the first (and only) time i changed a flat by myself i felt the same way
Good for you Mindee! My dad mad me learn to change a flat before he let me go on a road trip with some friends. He wanted peace of mind that one of us knew how to do it. KNOCK ON WOOD! I have never had to put that skill to use, and my loving hubby got me AAA for when I am out with the kids, and again, haven't had to put them to use either. Happy Friday!!
Why did I have to take Auto Class my sophomore year before Dad would let me get my driver's license and you didn't? Not fair.
Dear Bitter Sister,
Because they made all their mistakes on me and used the knowledge on you. :) I have to say though that I'm glad I escaped that particular lesson!
very proud of you. guess i need to add changing a tire to my list of accomplishments since i'm 40 too. nevermind...female empowerment is overrated. i think i'll watch witches of waverly place too.
I'm so proud of you! Seriously! I recently had a flat, called AAA, then went directly to
Costco where I spent several hundred dollars in the store while they put on a new tire.
So you saved lots of money! And I loved the new roof, the copper things look
like a classy trim........You rock, Rich.
Mom
Wow...you are amazing : ) I think calling them bolt thingies pegs you as a novice though. When my girls were in scouts we had them learn to change a tire. Not that my girls ever would...pretty sure they would phone me crying hysterically asking me what to do. From 500 miles away. That sounds about right. I of course would tell them to call the boyfriend. If a boy will not come out to your broken down car to change a flat then he is not husband material is he?
Hi Mindee,
I'm coming over from Erin's place. When I had lunch with Erin last week, she mentioned your blog, so I was dying to come on over and meet you. And I have to say this post about the tire change: awesome. You rock my socks off. I so no way would have changed that tire myself. And I am 40, too. So I am IM pressed!
You also crack me up.
Nice to meet you here...
Good job!
I am so proud of you, since I have not changed a tire....ever. And frankly never want to.
It would be a good thing to learn...I know. :)
Lug nuts sweetie. Lug nuts.
I totally knew that. I was just seeing if you did.
WHOOOOH! One small step for you, one awesome step for women mechanics! Also, I absolutely love that you gave the policeman a gift of cured meats.
WELL DONE, YOU!!!!