We started this little blog to share the Real. The Embarrassing, the Funny, and sometimes the Difficult. But despite my endless supply of just such moments, I haven’t actually shared any of them yet. What? So, here we go. This will be the first of many. So many.
I drove a used Honda Civic coupe for 8 years. It wasn’t fancy (it was the “value model”), but it was the nicest car I’d ever owned. Not only was it newer than the clunkers of my high school/college days, but NOTHING went wrong with it. Ever.
When I was 6 months pregnant, my in-laws gifted us their old Dodge Caravan. And, we were happy to take it. I was happy to not have a car payment for a little while longer, and while it was a MINIVAN (blah!), it was free. Can’t argue with free, right?
But after driving it for a month, the AC broke. Then a door broke. Then the locks. Then a window stuck shut. All in the first 8 months of owning it. Remember what a mess my morning routine used to be? Well, I saved this part because it deserved its own post.
I’m not a morning person. Actually, we’re not a morning FAMILY. So in the beginning we were late for school a lot. Which obviously isn’t a big deal for a 5 month old, but the source of my tardiness anxiety was this: The school gates closed at 9am sharp.
Which wouldn’t be an issue…IF I had a car with functioning doors and windows. My window didn’t open at all, and my car door only opened from the outside.
So picture this mortifying Chinese Fire Drill scenario:
- Put the car in park. Climb around to the back of the van.
- See another late parent pulling up behind me. Panic. Don’t panic!! Be cool.
- Open the sliding door and attempt to step out casually. Did I mention it’s pouring rain? Crap crap crap.
- Run around to the keypad. Step in massive puddle. Gate opens. Success!
- Open my car door. Feel bewildered gaze of waiting parent on the back of my head.
- Hustle into school to avoid crossing paths with other parent, who surely thinks I’m a moron.
As you might guess, this was powerful motivation for me to drag myself out of bed just a little earlier.
We eventually fixed the door/window. But now the van makes a loud robot-fart noise when it locks. And the locks work, but never all at the same time. It’s a finicky old van, but a gift that I’m grateful for despite its funny shortcomings.
BUT you can bet I’m saving up for my next used Honda.