Saturday, 19 November, 2011 08:23
Written by Kirrily
My husband, Steve, is a tall man. He has a tiny car. Let me illustrate:
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| Image Source: The Simpsons (of course) and here |
No, I mean… He’s reeeeally tall. And it’s really small. Let me be clear about this:
Okay, so now you know all you need to know, I think, to picture the look on my face when I realised that our pending two-week driving trip to Sydney would have to be undertaken in Steve’s car. Not my luxurious, roomy LEMON of a car but his two door trolley sized vehicle.
See, here’s the thing (and why my ranty blog post was ruined by kindness): This week we have been handed a quote from the mechanic for $2,500 worth of repairs to my little French delicacy. We have spent at least that much in less than six months on the blasted thing for incidental “we’ve never seen that happen” repairs. As one good friend put it, “Ahhh, Kirril, French cars are like French women; they look good, they’re petite, appear fun and relaxed… like a secret affair. Then when they know they’ve got you, they start draining your wallet.” He is not far wrong. Not far wrong at all.
There is just absolutely no way that we can a) go to sunny Sydney and back without the fan (note: not the air conditioner, this $2,500 is simply to get the not-working FAN fixed!) or b) spend that sort of money right before we go away.
Our driving trip has been described to the LGBB lately as “our adventure in Daddy’s car.” We’ve had no choice but to use the fallback run-around. The phrase “We’ll just have to pack light” is putting it mildly. We both know it. Without saying it, we’ve been dreading it. But thinking positively. Hey! It’ll be memorable. Let’s see if we can do it and survive each other. So the plan to take Steve’s car has been moving forward.
The plans have been coming together fairly well:
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| …with MUCH less animation (source: here) and no festive balloons |
If you ask me what I picture in my mind when I think of having to “pack light” for two adults and a five year-old in a folding seat two door hatch with a boot space the size of a glove box, it sorta looks like this:
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| Except these people have it lucky, they have rear doors. Bastards. Source |
Imagine my utter – sputtering, gobsmacked – humble delight, then, when on my way up to
Peace Space for a preparatory refresher day of a course I did back in 2009 (I’m taking on some new energetic healing work, it’s another post for another time… but I’m excited!) I was sent a message from the mum of one of the LGBB’s closest kindy friends.
Turns out, she was telling her husband last night about our car trouble. He suggested, “Why don’t I take Steve’s car and they can borrow mine? I only use it to run to the station anyway.”
Despite the absolutely shitty drizzle that had settled in for the long haul over Melbourne today, the clouds parted and a ray of sunshine beamed with an angelic “Ahhhhhhh”. Okay, maybe not that last bit. But I swear, you could have shoved me with a feather.
To say Steve and I are humbled and grateful for this massive offer is putting it mildly. We did the “Are you SURE” dance back and forth a couple of times. But finally, to avoid any offense being inadvertently taken, we graciously accepted this awesome hand-out.
I’m still speechless by it. The generosity of some people still delights and renews me.
So, I guess… Sydney and surrounds, here we come! In a Honda 4wd! And not a matchbox! Whaaat?! This is nuts. Am I dreaming? *still pinching myself*
Are you a giver?
What have you been given that knocked you for a humbled six?
Note to self: NEVER Google “packed tight”, “tight squeeze” or “tight man in car” EVER again.
i am a new fashion blogger from indonesia living in singapore
i really like your blog. i will really appreciate & it will be an honor to have u as my blog member.
and of course i will folback!:D also, u can mention me anytime on twitter @tiodang if you want me to check out your latest post & leave a comment ^^ ,please list me on twitter, so i will know u're my follower!!
i've just recommend your post to google!u can check it! that's what u got if you keep in touch with my blog too!! hope u will do the same ^^
(u can add me on facebook and contact me at : cheeringwinda@yahoo.com)
i giggled at a – your 'never google' sentence and b – the two comments above. so nice when people do things like that. mine was a friend skated to uni with hot pasta for me the night before my dissertation was due. exactly what i needed. now you'll enjoy sydney ! x
I'm not a fruit cake blogger, I will follow you back. For sure.
I was reading along, thinking I could lend you my car, because it's so roomy. Well, it has back doors at least. but a 4WD honda is so much better. Hey, I could even give you a travel pack of fruit cake now you have the room.
What a generous friend to have!!
I tend to be a 'giver' – nothing I love more than the warm fuzzy when someone actually accepts a gift, compliment, nice gesture of somekind… I feel uncomfy having things given to me – even compliments, but I'm working on it. One of the kindest gift given was when out daughter was diagnosed with something nasty (which you know of) and my uncle gave us a substantial sum of money – completely unasked for – that meant we could concentrate on spending time with our daughter and not worry about external things like our mortgage, bills etc. That was such a huge huge weight off our shoulders and made a crappy time easier to cope with. Tears at the time for his massive generosity.
I did laugh too at your little 'note to self' down the bottom, and I've restrained myself from googling.
Friends are great aren't they? One of mine came and took away all the rubbish I'm accumulated while having a clear out.
Doesn't seem like a huge thing but to me (as I don't even own a little car;) the best gift I could have been given.
Btw – I have a very LONG list of things I googled and should have too including fudge circle and hog tied (all done in total innocence!).
What a lovely offer that was – it will certainly make the trip much pleasanter. Sometimes people can just knock you out with their kindness.
Couldn't happen to nicer people. I was about to offer you my bicycle too but somehow I don't think the gesture would have been as good or as eagerly accepted.
Wow – how nice is that. Your little girls has some awesome friends :O)
You hear that? It will be an honour to Winda to have me as her blog member. I feel so … chosen.
georgi: I'm confused… so nice when people do things like what? Leave a spam comment or loan you their…. Oh. Wait. I think I know which one you meant. That is so lovely, a pasta delivery! How thoughtful is that.
Naomi: Let there be room for the fruit cake! As long as there's room for me to pack my cheese. I swear…. weird but good combo.
Judi: Oooh yes I can identify – discomfort being offered anything but more than happy to give out. It's something I've been working on for a few years but it takes a while, which is why … umm, a loan car??? That's a bit huge! Your uncle, what a man. I can bet it took the pressure off so you could concentrate on all that good quality, money-stress free time on your poppet.xxx
Sarah Mac: Oh no, your Google-ban list made me wheeze with laughter. That's some friend to handle your discarded rubbish, a keeper!
Alienne: Don't they just?
Steve: Aww thanks, man. And thanks for the bike offer after the fact but uh, pretty sure that would have been a logistical nightmare (both getting it here and holding on to everything while Lolly pedalled muahahaha)
Caz: She really has. We are blessed. Again!
That is absolutely brilliant.
Gotta love when someone's gorgeous generosity takes the wind out of a good whinge!!!
Have a fantastic time.
(See how I've chosen not to pay devil's advocate and wish on your behalf that nothing bad happens to the car you don't own.)
What an awesome comment from cheering Winda, I'm glad you didn't spam it. It gave me a chuckle.
I was once gifted a ticket and roommate for a blogging conference; that was lovely
Mum on the Run: Hah! I know. What a top reason to watch a whinge fizzle. Oh yes. Please avoid playing that role. I ought to start burning sage or something….
Tenille: Oh that made me smile so widely! xx
How lovely to be going to Sydney in a car and not a toy!!
I'm a giver. The very young pregnant woman (girl?) who arrived with her mum to buy my pram in 1983 was gobsmacked when I added the cot, some toys and a bunch of outgrown newborn clothes. My baby was two and definitely my last, so I didn't need these things and thought I'd save her some money.
River: Oh you must have been a bloody godsend to the woman! You good egg, you. xoxox
What goes around, comes around. I'm sure you've been a giver and deserve this lovely gesture of goodwill and will in turn 'forward' it on.
I'm sure the spammer will have totally missed a lot of the 'ahem' humour in the comments. LOL
Enjoy your trip
oh MANNNN Kirrils that is super awesomeness! but URGH about the mechanics bill, that's definite waaaah material!
Fi: it's funny, I am already looking out for ways to give something forward. It really works, receiving from others, doesn't it?
Ruskin: I cannot tell you how seething we are about the latest thing with this car. Renault? Should be renamed the Shit-no!
How awesome for you and I love to hear stories like this. Love that there are so many kind and generous people in the world when so often all we hear about are the horror stories. You accept that kind offer and have yourself an awesome time. Looking forward to hearing about it. N x