Running on Empty

Remember back in the day (high school days) when you thought nothing about just putting a couple of dollars worth of gas in the car, because you didn't want to spend a lot of babysitting money and you figured it would get you where you wanted to go? (Now for those of you that know me well know that I didn't drive much in high school, but the scenario still applies...just picture me pitching in the couple of bucks to get to rehearsal). Anyway...

Flash forward to today. We are about 2 months into being a 2 car family, and overall the transition has been ok, except for the occasional fear that our car might speed up at any given moment. (Thanks, Toyota. But thank you more to the Japanese plan that built our particular car, which is supposedly safe).

So I was driving home from work to pick up C from daycare and happily thinking that traffic is unusually low so I will get there a little early, when I notice a lit up icon in my new car. It is an orange gas pump. Next to my gas gauge, which is at "E'.

I immediately panic. This car fears, which had been about out of control-ness, are now replaced with nightmares of, "what happens when my car just stops on the highway?" Who is going to get C? How am I going to get to him, and then home? How did neither Matt or I notice this?" I start listening for warning sounds that my car might give before totally sputtering out. And did I mention that there are not a lot of gas stations near us? Luckily I made it to one (albeit a full serve, who cares at this point). And I am pretty sure I will never forget to check the gas gauge again!

(On the same night, after feeling proud that I was able to feed and bathe C, eat my own dinner, and do a load of laundry before Matt came home from class, I was upset to learn that our dryer conked out. Only to have Matt point out when he got home that the dryer was fine, I just didn't close the door the other way. I clearly was not on top of my game that day!)

On a side note, this picture of C features a pair of overalls we got from a good Chicago friend. When he was first born, we looked at the 12 month size thinking, "gosh, when will he wear these?" The answer is today...at 6 months and 4 days! I love that he is holding the little blue ring...whether its the size, color, or texture, this is the only ring from the ring toss that he is interested in. He sends the rest of them flying, and this one goes right into the mouth!