Vexing Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day is one I think I'll remember forever.

I was bummed because DH had to go to the Army for the day. He left the house about 5 am and told me not to expect him back till very late. Of all days, why did he have to go on Valentine's Day?

When I got to work, my mood brightened. I discovered a box of dark chocolate truffles and a card with just the right sentiment between my computers. Several minutes later I turned to look at the printer and saw the dozen red roses that he had gotten me. He had gone to my office Wednesday evening. He got there at just as someone else was going it and they let him in. He said that if he didn't find someone to let him in, he was planning to call someone he knows on security to let him in. Funny. I must have just missed him because I stopped by my office after I dropped DD#3 off at her TaeKwonDo lesson to check on my homework.

The forever memories are from later yesterday afternoon and evening. I was taking my oldest daughter to get her allergy shots. I was just merging onto I-85 when I realized I had a flat tire. Fortunately I was able to maneuver onto the shoulder. Since DH was away, I called a tow truck. The dispatcher told me that it would be about 90 minutes. No one wants to be stranded by the side of the interstate during rush hour with 3 children for that long, but what was I to do? Since my other daughter is at TaeKwonDo. I call the TKD center to let them know that I will be there before they close, and ask them to explain to my child that she needs to stay and watch the other classes.

After about 20 minutes SCDOT roadside assist showed up. Whew we were relieved! The very nice gentleman helped us put the spare tire on. I called the wrecker to cancel and was delighted to receive a personal benefit from my tax dollars.

As I started to drive away, I heard a terrible metallic scrunching sound from the affected tire. The SCDOT guy tried to help. He tried to take the spare off to see what was the matter, but now the bolts are stripped.

New strategy. I called a girlfriend. She came and picked me and 2 daughters up. We just abandon the car. DD#1's BF showed up at the same time, but it was too late for her to get her allergy shot. Since it was Valentine's Day, he had already planned to eat dinner with her. He just picked her up on the side of the interstate instead of at the house. Another TKD mom calls me and volunteers to take DD#3 from the center to the house for me. I get home and as I am chatting with my friend, DH arrives back from Army duty in Charlotte. All safe and accounted for.

Now that I am at home, I remember that we just added towing coverage to our auto policy. I call the 800 number and they dispatch another tow truck. Scott and I see that the 3 DDs at home are fed, then hop into his car to meet the tow truck at my crippled car. The truck that was supposed to arrive in 40 minutes takes over an hour to arrive, but finally he shows up. While we were waiting on the side of the interstate, DH and I discuss where to have it towed. We decided to take it to a place that works on that model car figuring that the damaged wheel is the bigger problem and the tire can be taken to the tire store without having to drive the car there.

What happened? I didn't know (and neither did the SCDOT guy) that my model of car has separate shorter lug bolts for the spare. The longer bolts that go to the regular tire are too long to use with the spare. When I started to move the car, the horrible scrunching noise was the sound of the now too long lug bolts destroying the brake assembly for that wheel.

I'll get my car back from the repair shop Monday. The tire has been replaced. We got a small discount on the price because the old tire was less than 2 years old and was still under warranty. However, the tire shop claimed that the damage that caused the blowout was from the tire being misaligned and not due to a defect in the tire.

In short, this is the most expensive and most frustrating Valentine's Day I can ever remember. My relief at SCDOT's help has turned to chagrin. What an expensive lesson!

Despite everything, I'm happy that the tire blew before I was going fast and that no one was injured. Brakes can be replaced, but people can't. I'm happy that my very busy friend actually happened to be available when I called her. I'm delighted that the other mom brought DD#3 home from TKD. I'm glad that DH came home in time to help with the tow truck and deciding where to take my disabled car. I'm glad I added towing coverage even though that will be only a small savings compared to the total expense.