A lesson in patience

That is the only way I can think of to describe my day. I went to the city with my father in law (dramatic gasp). I should have know that when I got to the farm to pick him up and he was just walking down to check the cows that the day wasn't going to end well. After waiting 45 minutes for him to play nurse maid to a cow we were off. First stop Colin, he hadn't packed a lunch (because we were somewhat lacking in the food department) so his loving Grandmother had sent him lunch complete in a shoebox with a shoelace to hold it closed. When we got there Colin decided that the guy who owns the place where he is currently working could hook our car up to his computer to see why the engine light was on. Now let me just say that the only way to describe this man and his worker is cheech and chong meet the Beverley hillbillies. Very nice guys but my father in law was sufficiently amused . Once Colin had his lunch his dad greeted him with a " look under the car, I am sure she took out something when she went over that big ridge back there." To which Colin dutifully got down on hands and knees, looked under the car and assured his dad that all was well in car land.

After hooking the car up to the computer and me being sure that it was going to cost at least a thousand dollars to fix it, because that is just our luck, we find out that the gas cap was put on wrong the last time that I got gas. I have never felt so relieved and stupid all at the same time before. So After a minor gas cap adjustment and a kiss from Colin we were on the road again.

Now let me just say that going anywhere with my father in law is a challenge to say the least. He kind of reminds me of Eeyore with that little black rain cloud always over head and that woe is me attitude. Now don't go thinking that I hate my father in law because I don't. He is a great guy...in short spurts......and not in a small enclosed space travelling down the road at 60 mph where jumping out would really hurt.

So while driving to the city I got to listen to the usual barrage of "your going to fast", "look out for that pot hole",and "don't have that music so loud, you'll make the kids go deaf" mixed in with a little of the complaint of the morning "how could you not know that your gas cap was on wrong?" Pardon me the next time I get gas I will be sure to inspect the gas cap to ensure that proper closure has been achieved. No I didn't say that but I really really wanted to. We get to the city and take the kids to the Golden Arch otherwise known as McDonald's. Emily plays and I order food and then we eat. Lunch was very pleasant and there was no complaining which I now understand was me being lulled into a false sense of security.

Leave McD's and I give fil directions to get onto the ring road (we are now heading to the girls Dr's appts). All those that know me know that I don't drive in the city. I don't like it it makes me very nervous and I perspire. Since I am a woman I am not supposed to perspire so there fore I do not drive in the city. Get onto ring road and I get the "well this isn't the right way we should have gone the other way it would have been quicker why did you make me come this way?" . First of all you asked me which way to go, second of all I don't recall putting a gun to your head "making" you do anything. we are driving along and of course there would have to be a train going across the tracks so we have to stop and wait. You can all imagine what I heard about after that.

At the Dr's office life is good girls are fine. Get back in the car which is "too small and crampy" and" how does Colin even fit in it?" and Isabelle decides that she isn't having anymore of this travelling thing and starts to cry. Not a quiet cry oh no a "my mother is tearing off my arm without any sedation" type of cry. Get to the parts place for fil after him cutting off a car and freaking on me for warning him about the car he almost hit because "he saw it". By this point I have decided that sweating may not be a bad thing and get in the drivers seat. he comes out and the place didn't have the parts. He was told by a guy back home that they would have them all but no they don't . The semi will never get fixed and he might as well not even fix it.

Cindy to the rescue!! Drive to the next parts place and I go in armed with the list and a set of boobs. A very nice guy told me or my breasts rather that he didn't have the parts either but he would call around and find them. I thank him and off we go to the address he gives me. They have the parts YIPEEE!!

We get the parts and now both kids are grumpy and crying/whining. we get our groceries and head home. On the way home we hit a snowstorm complete with blowing snow and visibility of 20 feet. I am still driving and having a panic attack. All the while listening to "go slower", "follow that rut", "watch out for that hole" and much more. Finally we make it to the farm and as we are pulling in I am told that I am not allowed to drive home by myself. I have to wait for fil to drive me home or Colin has to come and get me. Now normally I would have been offended by this but the weather was so bad that I was all good with it. We pull up to the house and Colin sticks his head out the door and says hi. I have never been so happy to see him in all my life.

I have a headache, the kids are crying, the dog is whining to get in the car, fil is complaining about the weather, the snow is coming down and I have absolutely no patience left for anything but seeing Colin's smiling face makes it all better. He grabs his stuff and brings me home.

It's days like this that make me rethink free a SAHM day. Tomorrow will be better......right?