Gas.

I wasn’t going to tell you all this story. But Kristin made me.

Yesterday, I had a list of things to accomplish. Much like every other day. I had each task scheduled down to the minute. I was focused. The phone rang. It was my friend’s ‘boyfriend’ (at our age, is that what we call them?) asking for a favor. Would I pick up a birthday cake (personalized) and have it waiting for her when she comes home. He couldn’t get here and though they celebrated the previous night, she’d been down and this would really perk her up. The cake would be from the kids – and would say Happy Birthday Mom. What a nice thought. Of course I’d help.

So, I called the bakery to order the cake. No go. They can’t make me a cake in the timeframe I needed. But they had some great cakes I could choose and they’d personalize it while I waited. “Can’t you choose?” I asked. No. So now I have about a 1/2 hour errand to fit in. I can do it. Yes, I can. (I feel a little like Bob the Builder.)

I picked a great cake and they did their squiggly magic. I took it to her house, put it on a pretty platter & put candles in it. I took some baby yellow roses for good measure and put them in a vase. And I left my gift. (She’s in my poker game.)

Back in the car, I realize that I’m running on fumes. No time to deal, I run home to meet the kids. And my friend’s kids too – since I take them all to Hebrew school on Wednesdays. So, I meet the bus, get snacks and drinks for the four kids (Davis has art class after school – more later) load them into the van (oops, get the basketball! Max has practice after class…) and drive. I was careful not to accelerate too quickly so I could conserve the last drops of gas.

I dropped them off and headed straight for the Sunoco station. (It used to be a Mobil until one day – poof! It’s a bummer because I have a speedpass and now I have no place to use it. I loved my speedpass.) I ran the card through, followed the instructions and started filling my tank. My mind was on other things. Like was I going to make it to pick up Davis on time? And some other pressing matters.

I heard the click. You know, the click that tells you the tank is full and the pump turned off. So, I took out the nozzle. Unfortunately, the pump was not off and the tank was, clearly, not full. The gas went everywhere. Fast and furious. All over the car, and all over me. In fact, it was splashing off the car onto me. It was on my beautiful Geox shoes, on my favorite jeans, on my skin and on my dry-clean only chocolate brown sweater. I panicked. Instead of flipping the hoojie and turning off the gas, I tried to put the flowing nozzle back into the gastank. Yeah, and you thought I was a smart girl. Nope. It took a couple tries, but I did it. I got it back into the hole.

Then I took stock. I was soaking wet – head to toe – with gasoline. Nice scent, too. The car was drenched. My first thought at this point was Reservoir Dogs (Remember that scene? I wish I could forget it, actually). But I finished pumping the gas, hit complete sale and saw the THANK YOU, COME AGAIN on the screen.

What should I do? Get a car wash. I’d hate for the paint job to be ruined. So I pull up to the convenience store part of the station, get out & walk in. I was much dryer (gas does dry quickly) but I did smell strong. I asked the cashier for a car wash, which he sold me for $6. I got $1 off for filling up. He asked me about the smell and I told him I spilled some gas. He handed me 6 of those moist toilettes. Yeah, that oughta do it. Six toilettes should just take away all that gas.

I got back into the car and drove into the car wash. After punching in my code, I had to roll up all the windows (why do we still say roll?) and the smell was a bit overwhelming, I must say. But I sat there and got the car clean. Just like my Dad would have wanted. It is important to take good care of your car. I learned the lesson well.

Now that the car was sparkling clean on the outside (and reeked on the inside) I had to pick up Davis from class. I parked and walked in. The stares were not subtle. So I went to wait outside. Five minutes later, Davis waved me in – I had to sign him out or he couldn’t leave. So in I went. Deep sigh.

He was not thrilled about getting into the car. It was getting worse, I think. The drive home wasn’t far and I immediately went for a shower. Came downstairs to find out I still stunk. So I took another shower. This time with lemon scented bath salt rub. Better.

I grabbed my clothes (except the sweater, and that I put in a plastic bag) and my shoes and threw them into the wash. I was almost out of detergent, so I threw the rest of my laundry in with it. Not bright.

Three washes later, all the laundry stinks to high hell. I threw the shoes in the trashcan. Mourned a moment and then took the sweater to the drycleaner, who actually laughed. I’ve been going there for 6 years and I’d never even seen her smile before.

This morning, I did some web-searching and found out that Orange Degreaser is supposed to take out the gas smell. It’s in the washer now. We’ll see.

All in all, it was quite the day. It’s possible, just possible, that I need to slow down a bit.

Culture. (not the yogurt kind)

Since I clearly don’t have enough to do with my job, my family and being the president of a community service nonprofit around here, I am the co-chair for the elementary school PTA’s cultural arts programs. Four times a year, the school brings in an educational, yet fun, program for the kids. Today, we had Nada Brahma.

This is the third I’ve attended recently. The first two were nice. The kids enjoyed them. They probably learned something too. But today…today was different. The kids were totally engaged. They loved seeing and hearing the instruments from around the world and loved the stories that Tim wove to make it all work together seamlessly. I saw the principal tapping his feet.

The message was that children are like instruments. They look and sound different…and they are all beautiful. They can work together and be even more beautiful. It was lovely.

As I looked around the room at the children, I saw all the cultures that are represented at our school. They learn from each other and they grow together.

Maybe there should be a cultural arts program for the parents…

By any other name.

Two dozen roses. I suppose I feel a little badly making fun of his lame-o card earlier.

Minor misunderstanding.

When I said no gifts for Valentines’Day, I think he heard “send a card with cupid stuck up an elephant’s butt” but what I meant was….

Seriously, It’s not even a real holiday.

We let the kids have candy for breakfast (I’m waiting for a thank you from the teachers! Yeah – school is back in session today!)

It’s been a lovely morning, really. Some surprise VD emails, lots of chocolaty kisses from the kids, a great workout and time with the hub (silly card and all).

Work.

It is not fun to work on a day that school is cancelled. I’d rather be building a snowman or sledding with the boys.

More later. Assuming I can shake this funk.

Blowin’ in the wind.

We are the envy of all our neighbors. Since we moved here from the Midwest, we have a snowblower.

Andrew is outside working hard. I’m inside, finishing S is for Silence. The snow is deep. Me, not so deep today.

No wizards.

We have tickets to the Wizards/76′ers game today. It doesn’t look like we’re going to make it.

Let it snow.

Feb 11 Today
Cloudy with periods of snow late. High 36F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
Feb 11 Tonight
Cloudy with snow. Low 27F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. 6 to 10 inches of snow expected.
Feb 12 Tomorrow
Snow during the morning, with continued snow showers during the afternoon. High 32F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Total storm accumulations 8-12 inches.

By last night, the party Andrew and I were planning to attend tonight had already been cancelled. Before the first flurry. This morning, the sports leagues are already threatening to close. Seriously, there is a flurry. Weather.com says we won’t have much snow until later today. But why wait until then? We can get good and worked up over it now. In fact, you should have seen the grocery store last night! I needed snacks for Max’s basketball game this morning. And the hordes were there buying milk and bread. It cracks me up.

I am thrilled for our first snowstorm. Sit by the fire (oh, wait, the contractor hasn’t finished our fireplace yet) and make stew (oh, wait, the stove isn’t installed) and bake cookies (yup, a problem…).

I wonder if you can make s’mores in the microwave….

Photo is actually DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C. by Keith Stanley.

Boots.

Last night, we went out to dinner with another couple. To Pazo. It was our second time there – the first time the service stunk, but the manager was awesome so we gave it a second try. It was perfect. The food, the wine, the company.

Came home to over 100 emails (not atypical), and since I’d had a couple glasses of Aglianico, Molletieri (Irpinia) 2003, I just scanned to see if there was anything worth reading before the morning. And there was. A note from a blogger friend. Suffice it to say, these photos – documenting my boot problem – are dedicated to her.

Nothing fancy – great with jeans.

My oldest pair – broken in beyond description.

Rain boots. My first ever! A little silly, I admit, but great for going to the bus stop!

The best deal I ever got. Bought these from Deniz for pennies on the dollar and have worn them into the ground. I think it’s time for them to be retired.

Andrew had these custom made for me after Davis was born. They’re a cross between riding boots and cop boots. Yes, they need a spit and shine. But I love them. Made by Dehner Boots.

Wore these last night. Always a great choice with Sevens and a black blazer.

My most recent purchase. Very comfie, despite how they look.

Yes, I know these look like the other cowboy boots. But less so in person. I just can’t get the feel for these.

Okay, 2004 model. I haven’t worn these in a while – they look pretty shabby. Time to go.

And these are my totally not cool snow boots!

Confer.

It’s that time of year again. Parent/teacher conferences. I feel like I’m being sent to the principal’s office each time. Why do the kids’ accomplishments or lack thereof feel so personal? I wrote about report cards and evaluations last November. And I still think it is really important to stop and consider what has been effective, what hasn’t and what can be improved moving forward.

Each son’s teacher allowed 15 minutes. You are going to tell me everything I need to know about my kid’s progress in 15 minutes? Wow.

Fortunately, they are all doing swimmingly. Except for one flaw. A flaw all three share. One they clearly got from their father…..

They all have horrible handwriting.

While I recognize that penmanship is highly valued in elementary school, I can’t get upset about this. I can’t see myself sitting with paper and making them practice. On the other hand, I can see myself singing them up for this course.