Sunday, July 23, 2006

Sunday Afternoons



Sunday afternoons, especially rainy ones, are great for seeing movies, right? That's what mr. kenju and I thought, so we set out to see "The Devil Wears Prada".

First stop was the bank ATM for cash. I drove into the bank lot, rounded a corner I have negotiated hundreds of times, and cringed both inwardly and outwardly as I heard a huge "crunch & bang". I had run the right rear tire over a metal storm sewer grating as I went around the corner of the drive-through. Guess what happened next?

Can you say......... call AAA? In a steady and heavy rain, a change of a very flat tire was in order. I pay $98 per year for AAA Plus and it was worth every penny of that today! The tow truck was promised within 45 minutes, but showed up in 20 (oh, wonder of wonders). A lovely, though gargantuan blonde named Gretchen emerged from the truck, surveyed the situation and asked me to back up under the canopy of the bank's drive-through so she could do it out of the rain. More than happy to oblige, I nevertheless followed mr. kenju's instruction to go around the building and pull in. I guess he had visions of the support posts at the bank being caved in, and while I am usually an excellent backer-upper, I took no chances this time!

While mr. kenju went off in search of the nearest restaurant, I waited while Gretchen worked her particular brand of magic. Apparently you need a degree from MIT to remove the donut tire from the new Town and Country's underside, and Gretchen must have gotten hers summa cum laude, because in short order, I had a tire I could drive on (at least for a short time). If you need a tow truck in this area, call East Coast Towing and ask for the lovely Gretchen.

I will have to have the tire repaired tomorrow morning. Please put in a good word for me that the tire will BE repairable. It is a hellish slit I put into it.

So, there was no movie for us today. You remember the poem by Robert Frost that starts "Something there is that doesn't love a wall"? Today there was something that just didn't want me to see that movie.





19 comments:

Unique Designs from Zazzle said...

let's hear it for Gretchen

Star said...

I hope dinner was good at least. Go Gretchen!

Anonymous said...

hmmm, maybe I won't see the movie either. I'm afraid I'll be jinxed! Had to cringe when I read the first paragraph about the tire, but it sounds like it all worked out in the end. You're right, AAA is worth every penny in times like that one!

I'm playing catchup today, just wanted you to know that I have the exact same Mary Emerling card in your post below. I bought it to give it to a friend, but liked it so much, I kept it and gave her a different one. LOL!

Susie said...

Rain??
Want to trade?? 112ยบ as I write this!
Sorry you missed your movie. I have that book that I will start someday soon..

Traci Dolan said...

Yay for Gretchen! And here's hoping the tire can be repaired.

Zee said...

I'm so sorry all that happened. Some days just turn out very differently than planned.

bornfool said...

I'm sorry it happened but you make it sound like a pleasant experience when all was said and done.

srp said...

Oh, I have done similar things, except it was at McDonalds and I guess that Egg McMuffin wasn't in the cards. Fortunately, in small town Mississippi that tire place was two doors down. But with a slash, especially if it is in the side, they won't fix it. Perhaps you could tell the tow truck company that you think Gretchen needs a raise.

I had plans to go out and look for the grocers today. Then my brother called from Germany and said he thought they were closed on Sunday, not like Farm Fresh or Kroger. Hmmpf! That is the last time I take his advice. At five I kept seeing people walk by down int the street with the carts and bags from the Metro grocer. His experience in Europe is rubbing off... there you have to shop before five and before 2 on Sundays.

utenzi said...

Michele sent me to see you today, Judy.

I'm sorry you had to go through the annoyance of the flat tire, Judy, but at least it was relatively painless due to AAA and Gretchen. I've been having a lot of trouble with my truck lately but it's due to age (7+ years) and my lack of regular maintenance. Time for a new vehicle!

I hope you enjoy the movie whenever you get to see it!

carmilevy said...

I think the bank should cover whatever costs you incur: driving over a storm drain shouldn't result in a slashed tire.

I'm just thinking...

When you eventually DO see the movie, I suspect you'll enjoy it. My wife saw it this week, and came back raving.

utenzi said...

Regarding your comments not showing, Judy: it's Blogger's fault. I published both of them but they're not appearing very quickly. Feel perfectly free to check in on me later tho. ;-)

MsT said...

Changing a flat tire is one skill I'm very glad I have - glad your afternoon worked out so well! Here from Michele's.

Jewaira said...

That was amusing. Gretchen sounds lovely and competent; the rain sounds wonderful - just what we need; I hope you get to see your movie sometime and that Mr.Kenju was not too upset ;)

brendalove@gmail.com said...

Let's hear it for Triple A! And Gretchen!

Eddie said...

Judy,
We just joined AAA and I like hearing testimonies of this type. It reaffirms we got our money's worth. Where else could you get a blond female named Gretchen to change your tire.

Anonymous said...

What a lousy way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Any movie would be better than that ;)

Mahala said...

There must be something in the air, with all the car issues suddenly lol.

Shephard said...

Darn! It's a fun movie.
We liked it. I meant to say in my previous comment... I always hear that it's a good idea (not already). :)
Hope you're not too "tired" to enjoy your week.

~S

Pat said...

I've heard that crunching sound too. Scary!