Have you ever seen that movie, "The Story of Us?", with Michelle Pfieffer and Bruce Willis? If not, it is a must see! Especially if you are in any sort of long-term relationship... particularly marriage. The basic synopsis is about a couple who have been married for 15yrs and are going through the cracks and groans that it takes to make a marriage work. There is one part of the movie that I was reminded about the other day. Katie (Michelle Pfieffer) is swamped with normal "Mom" things (work, school, kids, house, etc) and is finding all these little things that her husband Ben (Bruce Willis) does, or doesn't do... are driving her to her breaking point. One of these things is that he continuously forgets to fill the windshield washer fluid in their car. The light constantly beeps and flashes, reminding her of one more thing that is driving her crazy. Really, its not that big of a deal, low windshield washer fluid. But when you are already full of grievances it can be the proverbial "cherry on top of your s#%t sundae".
Not only does our windshield wiper fluid get low on a regular basis (melting snow and lots of sunshine makes for dirty windows), but our emergency brake light has been flashing on and off for quite some time now. I do not do cars. I just don't. I know this sounds so non-feminist of me, and its not that I CAN'T deal with the car, or that I don't have some knowledge, I just don't "get" the world of cars. Put a full fridge in front of me and a stove, and I will make you a most delicious meal. I can get that stubborn stain out of your shirt, and I know which clothes to put in the dryer and which to hang. I pay all the bills on time, make the dentist and doctor appointments, and even can tell you the difference between a low-grade and high-grade fever.
But I have no CLUE what a mechanic means when he tells me anything about my car. Even though my Dad used to make me stand outside with him whenever he did anything to fix my car. I know a few things, but mechanics speak this odd language that goes over my head, every time. Plus, I feel like they talk like this on purpose because they assume I'm a girl, who doesn't know anything. Maybe I should wear grease covered overalls next time I take the car in, instead of lululemons. Bottom line, the whole encounter makes me feel dumb. Which in turn, makes me nervous and then I make quick, rash decisions like "Sure, take out the whole motor and replace it, if that's what needs to be done! I guess so!". Then I come home and the husband is like "So? How did the car appointment go? Did they do this, that, and the other thing?" and I have to mumble some jumble about something some mechanic said that I really don't remember because I was chasing my child all around the waiting room, and feeling bad because I totally didn't realize I was supposed to do "This, that and the other thing".
Because I DON'T DO CARS.
Our car needed an oil change so I called to book an appointment and mentioned to the lady about our flashing light. She in turn tells me that if it is flashing, I shouldn't be driving my car. WHAT?!?!? Great. Just Great. So now my car is screwed, and on top of it my husband is out of town for two weeks. So not only am I stuck at home with a crap car, I have to deal with it by myself.. with the child in tow. Plus, the next appointment that I could get to get it fixed was a WEEK away!!! Then I go to the almighty Google and type in "Flashing Emergency Brake Light + Volkswagen". All the forums I found told me that it was my Brakes, and they were probably shot, and I should NOT be driving. Extra great!
After eating a lot of chocolate, I realize that it can't be THAT bad because I have been driving it for some time now, and nothing has gone wrong. It hasn't stalled, made weird noises, or quit. So now I'm just worrying because the random receptionist lady and Google told me to. Guess I have to get it together and deal with it. Which I did. Thankfully it was only low brake fluid, nothing as dramatic as I had first thought. That night, I called the husband (who is sitting in his super fancy hotel room, watching full cable, and enjoying a full belly of restaurant food) to tell him of my drama day, how I despise dealing with the car and that I would really appreciate it if he would just take care of it from now on. He proceeded to tell me that he knew the brakes were fine and I shouldn't have been so freaked out... and that he would take care of the car. I'm glad HE knew the brakes were fine...
So just as the husband thoroughly enjoys and appreciates a hot, delicious meal at the end of a long, hard work day. I appreciate a car with no flashing lights, a full tank of gas, and an occasional upgrade to a newer model. ;)
I don't want to spoil "The Story of Us" for you if you haven't watched it, but in the end the windshield wiper fluid does get filled and love prevails.
