Monday, December 09, 2013

Lousy Day

First, I wanted to give you a sense of why Lee would never have left the stateroom. This is the living room. I stood at the door to take this photo of the dude pretending to relax. The tile floor that you can see is our dining area. It's also where the closet space was. We had two double closets. We unpacked a week's worth of clothes and stowed our luggage in those suckers. So you shouldn't feel bad about my vacation.

What you should feel bad about is my yesterday. We headed out to Costco earlyish because an inch of snow was forecast for the late afternoon. Instead, it came much earlier and much, much harder. We left Costco at about 12:30, and we had more than our expected inch. (So much, in fact that Philadelphia got more snow yesterday than all of last year!) We tried to get out of their lot, but it's up a steep hill that was blocked by an accident, and the Lexus isn't a snow car at the best of times. We went back into the store, and a worker told us to go out the back way. "It's all downhill." It wasn't. (I didn't believe her for a second.) (Ask the dude.) So the car got stuck on a snowy slope. And then the battery died. We called AAA. Five and a half hours later (some of this time was spent in our car, but we finally had to head to Costco to warm up) the tow shows up. He brought us up the hill and gave us a jump start. (We had requested a tow home, but because everyone got caught out in the storm, they weren't towing anyone farther than five miles.) After he sends us off with an undercharged battery, our car dies while waiting for a light. In the middle of a left turn lane. The dude calls AAA to see if we can get our tow back, and my mild-mannered husband ends up yelling at them because they want to put us back to the bottom of the call list. "You accepted that service." (Like we had a choice.) He talks to the supervisor; they bump us up the list. But before AAA arrives, the police come and decide to push the car out of the left turn lane. However, because of the lack of power steering, he ends up pushing the car into oncoming traffic*. Later--but before AAA arrives--a police tow shows up and takes our car. Seriously, the dude kept asking where they were taking it and the guy was all shady and finally implied that he was just towing it out of the way before taking it back to the yard! We were stranded. (Plus all that food I bought at Costco is still in the car!) My cousin came to the rescue; above and beyond the call of duty. But fuuuuck that was a lousy day.

I had to take today off to deal with getting the car out of pokey and over to our mechanic. Also, this morning the other car wouldn't start. So I wasn't going anywhere.** Fortunately during the rest of the day I was able to do all the chores I meant to do on Sunday. Except the part where, you know, I made the food I bought at Costco. (So far, the temperature hasn't exceeded 40'F. I'm kind of thinking it's all refrigerated, right? So it won't be bad?) Oh, also? I woke up in the middle of the night with a burning and bright pink face: frostnip. Seriously? Worst.day.ever.

But I did squeeze in the tiny amount of time I needed to finish Black Snowman. Yay! Stitched as kitted by Shepherd's Bush except that I added motifs where the words would have gone in the lower right hand corner.

* I totally understand, they needed to make the street safe. And I know the police tow-guy wanted to get paid which is why he stole our car. But I was carrying cash on me. Lots of it (it's all gone now) so I could totally have paid him just to tow it to a parking lot!

**My neighbor put in a new battery. He's the best.

12 comments:

Monica said...

I have to say that really was on über lousy day. Will you get your car back? Hope tomorrow is better!

Kristen said...

Wow, that is the worst bad day I've heard about in years! I'm glad you got to soothe your nerves with some stitching. Your Black Snowman looks wonderful. :)

Annie said...

One of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. You'll laugh about a hundred years from now (maybe).

But that snowman is a definite bright spot!

Needle Nicely said...

I want to know the cruise line for that awesome room--and how can I get one. I wouldn't leave it either, especially in rocky seas!

The day from Hell is what you described and it makes me evermore happy that I am in (excuse the expression) sunny Florida. I do believe the food in your car is still safe because what can survive at those temperatures? Except cold food.

Needle Nicely said...

Addendum: I just realized how really crazy I would be spending that much time waiting for something to happen with NOTHING to read or stitch. Excuuuuse me, I love my husband but I don't want to spend THAT much time with him without something else for me to do!
At least, in public with others watching!!

Margaret said...

Oops! And I love the snowman!!

Beth said...

Craptastic day for sure. Great snow guy though.

Charlene ♥ NC said...

What a terrible day! I heard this morning that DC Federal offices are closed which makes me think so much further north would be worse! Love, love the snowman!

Elizabeth said...

That sounds absolutely wretched and chaotic. Sounds like another vacation is an order ;)

Chris said...

What a bad day! Yuck, in the snow. So glad that you have a helpful neighbor.
The snowman is sweet.
I hope that the week is working out better.

Robin said...

OMGosh. That day really sucks!

Melody said...

What a crappy day! But hey, I really like your snowman finish!