Rolling with the punches...

Do you ever have those days when you want to throw your hands up and dare the universe to throw something else your way?

For those of you who know my husband, you know that he's a bit Eeyore-ish in his outlook on things. Last night he was telling me about the important meeting he has today for his new job and how he just knew something would go wrong. It was a little drastic in a creepy, prophetic type way.

Today started off like any other normal day here. I caught up on work, then changed into my super awesome pajama shorts for a run on the treadmill. It's what I wear when all two pair of my real running shorts are in the hamper. And, let's face it, it's not like anyone will ever know or see me.

I started week 4 of Couch to 5k today and it's a killer. I went into it thinking there was no way I'd make it through. I planned in advance to let myself cheat, as long as I could build up to doing the full routine by the end of the week. But surprisingly I huffed and puffed and sweated my butt off and I made it the whole way without stopping or cheating even once! Right as the timer went off my phone rang and -- excited to share my victory with the hubs -- I answered with an "I DID IT!!!"

Silence.

Wind noise.

Hello?

It was the hubs. Out of gas. On the side of the road.

Cue the thunder and dark clouds rolling in over poor Eeyore.

Red-faced from running, with no make up and my super awesome pajama shorts on, I wrangle the kids into the car - one with no shoes, because we're just going to quickly drop off gas - grab Super Uncle and our two cars so we can give one to hubby so he's not late, and head for the highway.

A few minutes later, with the hubs on his way to his super-important-can't-miss-it meeting, Super Uncle, the kids and I hit Sprawlmart for a gas can (I stay in the car since I'm in my super awesome pajama shorts and all), McDonald's drive-through (because the kids are starving and I think that a hamburger and fries sounds like a logical post-workout meal) and the gas station.

Naturally, once we get back to the car and put in the two gallons of gas, the car does not start. {Insert the waht-wah-whaaaaa "you're a loser" sound from the old game shows.}

AAA was called and we're promised that it will be 50 minutes at the very most, but it shouldn't take nearly that long. The only logical thing to happen next is that all three kids will need to go to the bathroom at the same time...on the side of the road...in the mountains. Being the loving mother I am, I wish them luck and send them mountain climbing. Even the one with no shoes. What can you do at that point, really?

On the way back down the mountain, Macy's flip flop breaks, so I now have three children with only three shoes between them. About that time I get an email on my phone from our HOA that the Sheriff's office is patrolling the neighborhood because there was just a burglary on my street. Good thing the tow truck is due any minute.

Ninety minutes later (also known as 5 minutes after it started pouring rain) the tow truck driver showed up and towed the car to the shop... right after assuring us "Oh yeah, I know where that place is. Our shop is right next to it, just a few minutes from here." Argh!

Short story made extremely long, we did finally make it home safe and sound. The kids are bathed, since they spend their time on the side of the road playing in mud with bugs, and I've had a big mug of coffee, since it seemed like a more responsible choice than a mug of vodka at 3pm.

The best part? I called my mechanic who said "Nope, nothing wrong with the car. Working great now. I'll keep an eye on it, but why don't you stop by tomorrow and pick her up?"

I think I love him.