This Life is a Test and Only a Test

Finally this morning, the "bad luck" trifecta occurred. In my driveway. Kids dressed. Fed. Teeth brushed. Backpacks in tow. Two hurt legs (on two different bodies) so we hop in the car versus walking or riding scooters/bikes to school.

I turn the key and...nothing.

Actually, a "tick, tick, tick, tick" noise happened.

Dead battery. The third thing in a week to pretty much dump on me.

{Sidenote: I'm expecting nothing but sunshine, rainbows and unicorns from now on.}

Kristen comes right over and with Ang's texting instructions, we successfully jump the battery in my car. Yes, I realize it's kinda pathetic I've never done this before now. At least I can make coffee. (Yes, that's a shot at a certain someone!)

I head to the local WalMart auto center who, after calling around per Ang's suggestion, I discover has the lowest price around not only on batteries, but they will install it for free. Score!

The guy writes my ticket and I head inside to the cashier. I walk up on a conversation taking place between the cashier (a 65+ gentleman with no patience) and an Asian man (with very little English skills). And this is what I hear...for the next 5 minutes of my life:

Was it the front or rear?

Uh-huh...yessss.

No. What I need to know is was it the FRONT or REAR.

Yes. Front. Rear.

::::long sigh and eye rolling occur:::: I'm ASKING you which one.

Okay.

You've gotta tell me.

Yessss.

Front or rear??!!!

Yessss.

You aren't telling me!!

Yesss. Front. Rear.
Literally...this goes on for five minutes. Finally, I step in. I pick up the cashier's mouse pad that has a picture of a car on it. I put it in front of the Asian gentleman, smile at him and point to the front tires of the car, then the rear tires. He gets an amazed look on his face and smiles.

Ahhhhhhhhh! Front!!!!!
The cashier looks at me and just lets out a huge sigh of relief.

Oh my goodness. I don't know what I'd have done if you didn't do that. I wish I had your patience. He was driving me nuts. I'm so sorry you had to wait. You must be mad too. I'm really sorry about that.

He was doing the best he could. He's just trying to take care of his car. It's really no big deal.

Well, I certainly wish I had your attitude. I could use someone like you around to keep me in check.

Sir...if that's the worst thing that happens to me today, I'm in excellent shape. Compared to the last week of my life, that was a bright spot.


I pay for my new battery. Go sit down and look up at the television they have mounted in the waiting area for the auto customers to entertain them while they wait for their cars. The DVD playing? Earnest Saves Christmas. Seriously.

Oh well. So much for the bright spot.

Always remember and never forget: The balance in our life comes from us leveling with ourselves...things aren't as bad as they seem and they could always be worse.