Aunty Joan suggested Ben to fetch it, bring it home. Thank God, done on Monday. Saved by the bro!
My mechanic called last night at the end of a long day of driving Phil to Chilliwack, then the kids into Surrey for Skytrain and Science world.
"Wake up Asher, ssshh, don't scream, please sit and hold on to the seat of the sit-n-stand, I know you are tired, let's just make it to the van."
"Guys, get off the sign post, everything is in the van. Yes, I see you can touch the sign. What a climber! Please, we have to go pick up dad still, it's after 6, let's go!"
The mechanic called and spoke to Phil.
"There's a car we can use at Pick A Part, get the part and I'll fix the car." Sounded so simple then.
Praise God for boys sleeping without interruption through the transfer from car to bed.
Asher up and down a couple of times with his mouth sores, but not bad. Mostly cried himself back to sleep before I even opened the door. I made it to bed early, 11:00. A record. He has a dr. appointment in the morning, see if there's anything we can do to help other than Tylenol and cold liquids.
6am, Phil makes coffee. Sweet Phil. I haunt CRA. Is my baby money processed yet from my late filed taxes? No. Of course I filed his on time and thought that was enough. Relying on savings for sustenance, rent and car. yup.
6:15. Time to get the kids. No puke! Yay. Two littles dressed, Asher Tylenol-d. Pack them into the van, fetch big kids. Back to the house for phone and keys. Out the door by 6:45 with everyone, booh-yeah!
Drop Phil, then realize he left his coffee in the van and doesn't have a phone on him. Ooh, coffee number 2!
Superstore, loony missing of course. Fight with Micah, but made it to the counter with four, into a buggy, and through shopping. Everyone has to pee, but nobody gets lost. I don't think I forgot anything important either. Win! Out by 8:08. Bought chips though... *sigh* feed kids in the van.
Everyone is thirsty, Drive through McDonalds for waters. And coffee number 3! Yay.
Home before 9, mechanic closed, will get details later. Sick Asher is fast asleep, so I pull a quick throwback mom and let him sleep in the van while I'm in and out with groceries (Lexi only cries for the first few minutes, finally deciding I'm not going to give in and pick her up, then proceeds to play happily with her favorite toys) I have to PEE!
Kids dressed, beds made, groceries away, rabbit fed, back in the van by 9:28. Can't wait to drop them off with L and get that distributor cap. It'll be like a grownup outing. Just Phil and I and Lexi.
9:35 Call in on speaker phone that we'll be late for the appointment. 11 min late, not the end of the world. Aren't I responsible?
Arrive 12 minutes late, walk in 17 minutes late. "You can't find the shoes you wore to the van, OR the extra shoes I brought for you this morning? Wear her shoes, I don't care if they aren't your style."
I have to Pee!
Doctor's ready.
"Looks Viral, he has one on the back of his throat, probably why he won't eat. Tylenol and cold liquids, should pass." *facepalm*
It's 10:30. Take some Tylenol and Advil for cramping pain, wish there was something I could take to alter the hormones.
On to Aunty Joan's house for a lovely oasis of calm moments and conversation.
Lovely isn't strong enough. So nice. Except I struggled comically trying to retrieve the watermelon from the basket under the buggy. How'd I even get it in there in the first place??
12:35 Hit up the feed store on the way home for rabbit feed and L's laying pellets/bribes for babysitting.
"I'm not allowed to leave you in the van, it's too hot and I can't see it."
"No, you can't finish that entire bag of chips."
"Ash, stop pushing the buggy"
"That's not for climbing on"
"Please don't scream in the store"
"Look, a cat! Go pet him!"
I almost forget to pay for the rabbit feed. But I don't forget, mom win!
The kids distract the driver of a nearby pickup by chatting with her passenger. On her way out of her stall, as my kids are waving and shouting from my van, she swings her bumper into the SUV beside her.
Is that our fault? How come I feel like that was our fault?
Time to go home... oh, you haven't really eaten. You're thirsty again. McDonalds? But I don't need more coffee...
"Mom, let's go in and play!"
3 snack wraps, 2 diapers, and over an hour later. I did have more time to breath. I wish 'Calm Emotions' was a real spell.
"Say goodbye to your friends. Asher stop crawling on the floor. Walk with me, In the van now while I put Lexi... STOP! That was a truck. You almost RAN in front of a moving TRUCK! ROSIE and MICAH get out here and help me with your brother, I need to put Lexi in her seat."
Direct to L's house. GOODBYE 3 kids! She tells me "Is he sending you for a Distributor cap? Don't get one used, buy brand new." (warning number 1)
Largely kid-free, head to Mechanic. "Get the Distributor Cap. Here's the tool you'll need. I need the whole thing, looks like this."
Challenge Accepted! I'm hungry, time for more coffee. Have I eaten? some pepperoni and cheese. Good enough. Coffee! Phil can't get the time off. Oh well, you and me Lexi! And Coffee. And water for you.
Loud music, feeling free. Like a grownup, or a person, or something. Nice drive.
3:05, Pick-A-Part Chilliwack. My skirt flies up in the wind... Ahem. Did any of the coverall-guys notice? No. Look at all those appropriately dressed people. *sigh* Transfer Lexi carefully to stroller, she's still asleep. Yes! Now to....
No kids. Period. Will you let her sleep here and text me if she wakes up? Hard no.
(warning number 2?)
Now I'm crying. Crap, how do I handle this?? Phone a friend? nada. Ask Facebook Homeschooling group for a mom in Chilliwack to watch her.... Ask Phil if he can get out early at all.... Wait... and wait...
3:45, dry my tears and drive to Promontory to drop off Lexi. Scope out house, lots of happy kids, big, small, helpful, happy, healthy... homeschooled... Lexi is already cuddled up to the mom, so happy! OK! See you as soon as I can.
4:30: Pick A Part. Closes in 30 min. All these stupid cars look the same! Found the one I need. Yay! Youtube the part.. it's here. I wonder what they think of me in my skirt... focus!
Not coming off. Right tighty, lefty... I'm going the right way! Stripping the screws. NOT WORKING.
4:55 Cry a little. I wonder what they think of me crying in my skirt? Nobody around anyway. Should have brought WD40. Closing time....
Call Aunty Joan, can Uncle Chris come help tomorrow? Nope but she'll look into some things for me. Hang up and cry a little more. She's so good to me.
Go to Phil's work and check for him, not there. Gotta get Lexi.... cry a bunch on the way. So good of her to watch Lexi! I don't cry there though, just earnest thanks while picking up a happy girl. So good!
Aunty Joan calls. The part is $20 at Lordco. WWWHHHAAAATTT?????????? All this, all this AALLL THHIIIISSSS!!!!???? for a $20 part?
I'm Laughing. Warning me eh God? Who didn't listen? I'm crying. I'm laughing. Oh man. Oh Father.
Find Phil, can't find CIBC, freak out, find one, get money, get kids, NOT talking to mechanic tonight. Oh man. Oh man. $20. OH MAN!
