There’s a new crush in my life, but to explain it, you’ll need to back-track to Monday with me for a spell…
On Monday I had a little extra driving to do, but I tried to consolidate trips as much as possible to save gas. I used the trip to GCC with Laurent to swing by a friend’s house to drop off the middle girls for an afternoon of housework help; and then combined picking up Laurent and the girls with taking Jacob to karate. Really sensible, except for the part where I ended up driving in the 112 degree afternoon heat for much longer than a normal driveabout, and in the no-A/C van. When the girls and I finally arrived at Wal-mart after depositing Jacob at his class, I was thoroughly drenched, and wobbled shakily toward the store, clinging to a daughter. Before we made it to the doors through which cold air blew invitingly with every passing customer, my phone rang. It was Jeff, with news that put my mere fainting discomfort on the back burner. I was so thankful that Paul had met us there, and I could hand the phone to my dear husband as soon as I walked through the door, because I had no idea what we were going to do about the fact that Jeff’s van had just broken down on the 51, in the middle of rush hour, and it was going to be at least an hour and a half till a tow truck could get to him. In 112 heat.
It couldn’t have happened at a more confusing time, either, because we were waiting for news from the shop where our OTHER van was having its power steering problem repaired, and knew it was going to be any minute, and we really didn’t know which end was up for a while. We got the call while sipping refreshing beverages at the oversized picnic tables in the Wal-mart deli: our van was finished (no charge, since the most recent debacle was their fault – yay). So Paul set off to exchange vans and bring the newer one back to me, figuring we would pick up the old one later after he was finished with SVdP. Just then I got another call from Jeff, who sounded like he was really not going to make it in the heat, so I quick called Paul and told him he had better go help Jeff and we would deal with the van switching later.
It was a good thing he did so. I’m a little fuzzy on the order of events, but I do know the tow truck came, Jeff was whisked away and attended his very first SVdP meeting, to which they arrived barely on time, and sometime before they got home, they indulged in a little supper at Boston Market. They also stopped and picked up our other van and brought them both home here, and after sitting in front of our fan for about a half hour, Jeff felt capable of getting behind the wheel again and heading for home.
Late last night, after Jeff heard from the shop that his van was, in fact, a total loss, (I think he said something about warped heads) he started sending me links to alternative modes of transportation, and this is where my new crush comes into the picture.
Because I cannot TELL you how much I love these!!!!
The first one is the one Jeff was looking at…
But looklooklooklook at the rest of these beauties!!!
Electra
It turns out, after getting me all a twitter about these beautiful bikes, Jeff will probably try to find a used car after all. Despite the cost (and even health) advantages to such a move, the Phoenix metro area is simply far to vasty to attempt to navigate via bike alone, or even a combination of bus and bike.
But I am still in love with these.
And do not talk to me about the price. I don’t want to hear it.
I’m plugging my ears now.
Kara
31 Aug 2011Awww, the pics don’t work! Sorry about your car woes. Hope you figure something out soon. No AC in this heat is torture. I’m dealing with it currently too.
nettie
31 Aug 2011I know – that was goofy. I have it fixed now, so come see, come see! 😀
As for the A/C — got my newer van back and enjoy the blessing so much, even when it’s 112 and it only half-works, it’s still better than not at all! I keep reminding myself it WILL cool down, just be patient, and “offer it up”! (Really not very good at that yet, still mostly just complain reflexively when things go wrong, but I’m at least conscious of it now! Baby steps on this Catholic journey….)
Kara
1 Sep 2011Oh those are so cute! Yeah I’m not so grey about offering it up either. Especially when my kids and I are all sweating and dizzy in the car just from picking up sissy from school.
It’s a dry heat right? Lol.
Kara
1 Sep 2011Great* not grey lol!!
nettie
1 Sep 2011Exactly… one of the first things I learned after moving here and driving around town with little ones and no A/C was the value of Gatorade! Man, it was our first stop every time we drove anywhere – hit up the Circle K for some Gatorades for the kids, roll those windows down, and away we go. I’ve gotten out of that habit already just since buying my mom’s minivan this year. The luxury of A/C already has me spoiled! Lol!
Linda Burklin
31 Aug 2011I feel your pain when it comes to non-airconditioned vans.
If you are interested in a bicycle to replace a vehicle, you might want to check these out:
http://www.xtracycle.com/
http://www.konaworld.com/
nettie
31 Aug 2011I know you do, Linda. And it’s been the same kind of heat there as here! What a hard summer it’s been. I’m so ready for Fall.
nettie
31 Aug 2011Ok, those Xtracycles are *interesting*. Kona looks like it might put too much pressure on my wrists, I need to sit up straighter. But I like the whole cargo/passenger idea on that first site – very cool!