Oy! what a busy morning I've had.
I got up a few minutes earlier than usual to do some stretching with a DVD that the fitness coach at work sent to each of us. It was only about 10 minutes, but it was kinda nice to wake up slowly with that.
I had a meeting about an hour after I got to work, so I tried to plow through emails and line up my projects for the day. That took about 1/2 hour so I got an extra cup of coffee. I went to the meeting, which was really more social networking within the company than any real business. They had bagels and fruit, so the turn out was pretty good. I think this is a company of foodies.
Just as I got back to my desk I got a call from Bill. His car was running all weird and he had forgotten to pay his roadside service .......... so guess who got to go do roadside service? Yup. Me. Funny how that works that I will drop what I'm doing to bail him out without berating him and the reverse is not true.
I drove home at break neck speed (I have no idea why) and parked next to his car so that he could try giving his car a jump start. He carefully herded me to the far side of the car, explaining that if the battery exploded it was somehow safer there. Huh? If you think your battery might explode, why not just go get a new one? I dunno either. Anyway, as big as my car is, the extra foot and a half is not going to be significant if the battery explodes. Maybe he thought I would enjoy the more spacious amount of concrete to writhe in pain on.
The car started up, but in looking at the battery there was some white stuff kinda seeping out of the battery. We concluded that the battery was probably defective and should be replaced. I suggested that we find and drive down to the auto parts store and get a new battery. He decided to charge the battery a few minutes and have me follow him down to the store. This way the people there could help him swap out batteries. Uhhhhh, okay, but it seemed safer the way I suggested.
One thing I've learned with Bill. Arguing, no matter how right you are, is a pointless exersize in futility. So, being the wise woman that I am trying to be, I have learned to pick my battles and save my energy. If he wants to end up stranded on the road that's fine with me!
We managed to get to the store with no more than a mild scolding from Bill that I let a car slip between us on the road for a few blocks. (he actually called me on my cell phone to let me know that) I don't know about you, but I was taught to not bitch at anyone who was helping or even attempting to help me out. *sigh* Again, the argument was not worth the energy it would cost. This reminded me again that Bill is not at his best when presented with "surprises".
At the store he went to get the battery and he gave them the wrong year and model for his car. I "helped" him out, and he checked the owners manual in his car after we got back to the car to make sure I was right. I was. I thought we were minutes away from finishing up this little adventure. The battery is hooked up to a couple of bolts so it should be a slam dunk.
Thirty to forty-five minutes later he finally had borrowed the right size wrench to loosen the battery. This was after no less than 6 trips back and forth to the service counter. I know now why a woman should not be better with hand tools than her partner. It took every ounce of control I had to stand by and let him figure it out for himself. Of course he did not ask for help, and yes he knows I am good with tools. Remember that extra cup of coffee? Well, my bladder was now giving me some very painful hints to go get rid of it. The auto parts store, of course, has no bathroom.
I'm doing a limping, drunk man's type of walk across the parking lot to the Target store. I discovered that the bathrooms are at the possible furthest point still within the store from the front doors. I'm passing old ladies meadering with carts, trying to be careful to not get rear ended as they changed course with no warning. Whew!!! Sweet relief!
By the time I'm back at the car, Bill has turned in the old battery for a refund and he's ready to go to work. It's a mere hour till lunch time now. I have him start his car before he heads to work and I put my lead foot to good use getting back to work. I am now 3 hours behind schedule, will have to eat at my desk and hope I can leave at 5 pm, because I have a large headache.
