Coming back from a convention out of town is not fun, as there are suitcases to organize, dirty laundry to wash, toiletries which opened during flight and are now all over the plastic bags where they exploded and other sundry items to do until all items are cleaned, pressed and put away.
Then, another meeting came in the following week, another suitcase and toiletries to pack, this time hoping they would not explode and many other items to take care of like reports, travel agenda, fuel, cash and hopefully all is remembered prior to starting the car.
All went well at our meeting, until we returned to the hotel with temperatures plunging as we speak. Picked up the bags, locked the car door and run to the covered breezeway of the hotel to avoid any unnecessary cold wind.
The next morning, we were stunned to see 3 inches of snow on the ground. Did we know this before we booked the hotel? Probably, but it’s a little out of season to see snow! And I had forgotten to pack a coat.
Ran to the car, which was covered with snow and tried the automatic unlocking little booger to no avail! It would not work, no matter how much I tried. The best thing is to open the door manually and start the car to get it warmed up as we place our bags inside. Nothing would work! The battery was dead!
As I looked stunned, a gentleman looked at us trying to start the car and he snickered! He said I had left the lights on all night! I tried the light handle and of course it was in the “ON” position. Somehow, I had forgotten you need to manually turn off the lights every time you turn them on. I’m still used to my old truck where the lights turn off once you closed the door.
Time to call AAA – but not now, as we may be late for the next meeting. I assured my friend I would take care of the problem once we were ready to go home, not to stress about it, as I knew how to handle this situation. She was not completely convinced, but I pressed on, asked one of the other ladies for a ride to our meeting, and forgot about this problem for the time being.
Returning to the hotel, I called AAA and was informed the waiting time was two hours. What is my alternative? I shouted across the hotel lobby for anyone who may have cables and someone answered, had his friend bring the cables, got the car started and away we went, all charged up.
This is not the end of the troubles, as I was gliding down the highway at a high rate of speed, a block of iced disengaged from the truck in front of me, bounced on the pavement, got underneath my car and broke some frames from under the bumper! They went flying out from under my car and hit the truck behind me. After a while, I stopped on a side road, looked under the front bumper and noticed the bumper is now hanging a little lower than when it was all braced.
I got home ok, the bill for the parts is going to be huge, and Grumpy is not going to be happy!
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