My arms aren't long enough...

[ursangnome]

...to box with God? Heck, I don't even need that much. I just need an extension for a bit of minor car repair.

My wife got stuck in traffic this morning. That's annoying and frustrating enough, I'm sure.

But then I get the phone call that she's got a flat tire. Probably from driving over the glass from the accident that caused the traffic. Darned insult added to injury.

I work in a wonderfully sane, rational place. I was given permission to leave and go help before I even thought to ask for it. Unfortunately, with the traffic between here and there, the AAA guy can get there before I will. So I'm sitting here ineffectual, wishing I were Mr. Fantasitc, so I could just stretch out there and fix the damned tire.

I guess I can pat myself on the back for getting the AAA coverage, but when my Lady's sitting out there frustrated and late, that doesn't seem like it was quite enough. I never thought to ask if she knew how to change a tire, and now I'm smacking myself for it :(

So, notes to self - Check the spares on both cars. Give the Lady a lesson in changing them.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I feel for you. And yes, you should definitely take her through the process of changing a tire.

[pixel.livejournal.com]

"Oh that kind of helpless always sucks.

I would reccommend that you loosen all the lug nuts on the cars and re-tighten them yourself. If they've been last tightened by soemone with an air ratchet I don't know that she'd have the slightest chance of getting them loose on her own. I know I've had to use a long breaker bar to crack them loose at times."

[sdorn.livejournal.com]

I've also been told by a mechanic that the air ratchets can overtighten lug nuts to the extent of damaging the bolts (bad thing). But he was a purist.

[new-man.livejournal.com]

And buy said Lady an electric lug wrench that plugs into the lighter socket. They're about $30 and worth it. There have been times when my lug nuts have tightened up so much that I can't get them off, and I'm a touch stronger than she is.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Well, the lady in question is at least safe at work now, and should be able to get home on the miniature imitation tire currently on the car.

I feel just a tiny bit stupid for not knowing how to change the tire myself, but such is life. This is the first time it's been an issue in nearly a decade....

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

Maybe I should stop spending all my time planning SCA newbie classes and give my female friends a class on how to change a tire, jump start a car, replace a battery...

[matildalucet.livejournal.com]

I had to stand on the wrench and bounce gently the last time I had to loosen lug nuts. All those dance posture exercises came in handy. I don't think that's a recommended procedure, though.

The last time I remember confronting a flat (leaving work to rescue galaneia), two guys walked by and insisted on doing the work while we watched. On the one hand, I know how to do this. OTOH, they were stronger and willing to get dirty and seemed to think the project was fun, so I decided to just get the appropriate stuff out of the trunk and hand them tools and admire. I congratulated myself on having the correct tools and an inflated spare tire in that car, which salved my conscience a little.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Your frustration is understandable, but at least you made sure she had a place to call for help, and a way to make the call.