Father's Day funnies

Funny story . . .even though it is long it might be worth your time to get a laugh at my expense.

I thought I finally had the greatest Father's Day gift and a fantastic plan of how to surprise Dave.  Dave is a BBQ lover.  He always grills at his parent's house and my parents as well, but has never owned a full-fledged grill (although he does have a charcoal stove and countertop one).  So, I decided to buy him a grill.  I wanted to buy used since we aren't sure when and where we will be moving next,  I didn't want to feel bad about moving it or selling it.  I found a used one only 4 miles from my house and my cousin let me borrow her husband's truck.  I told Dave I was taking Jackson to the store (which I did to get money).  Then I dropped him off at my cousin's, picked up the truck, bought the grill, and the lady who sold it to me helped load it up.  I was trying to figure out the tie downs to secure it, but the lady said, "You'll probably be fine . . . it's only a few miles" . . . biggest mistake of the night (although several other bad mistakes are to follow.)

I set out slowly to go the 4 miles home.  I kept an eye on the grill and kept my speed slow.  I realized when I was almost home that I would need help moving the grill inside.  So (second mistake) I called a neighbor and was a bit distracted on the final turn to my house.  As I hung up the phone, I heard the crash of the grill sliding along the road.  I put the truck in park (and then couldn't figure out how to get out of the car and looked on pathetically at the grill top lounging in the middle of the street).  Finally, I got out of the car, picked up the grill top, and several grill pieces (3rd mistake . . . not picking up all the pieces), my outfit and hands are now covered in blackened ashes.  I put the grill back into the truck and slowly made my way 4 more houses to my home.    My neighbor who helped me move the grill was hopeful that it was not actually broken (only the top fell off, not the part with the buttons), so my spirits were up that it could still be a viable and good gift (it would just require some fixing up).  We quietly moved it to my sideyard and I left quickly to get the truck back.

As I turned out of my neighborhood, I heard thumping from the front tire so I immediately pulled into our church parking lot to examine what was happening.  There, stuck to the front tire, was the temperature gauge from the lid of the grill.  I ran over it as I pulled back over the wreckage site!  My friend and her husband happen to be at the church as I was freaking out.  He told me to drive as quickly as I could before it went flat.  I drove the 2 miles to my cousin's home, told them the sad story and felt awful for bringing them into my stupid mess.  Sure enough, the tire went flat.  I felt so stressed and panicked about the cost and inconvenience to them, as well as the cost of the grill itself.  Of course, I couldn't go home and act normal, so I came home sobbing as Dave tried to figure out the story (WHY were you driving a truck?   Who's truck?  A grill? thermometer in a tire? WHAT?!?) Jackson was picking up on my stress and worry and was getting really anxious himself.  He kept repeating that Dad could probably fix it and expressed his confidence that Dad and grandpa can fix anything and he (Jackson) could help.  Dave helped me calm down and reminded me that we have money saved just for these kinds of things and it will work out just fine.  He walked down the street with a flashlight to search for any more errant pieces.  He is so wonderful to me and never made me feel stupid (even though I still felt it!)

So, to my husband, father of my children . . .
 Happy Father's Day . . . Surprise!  Can you clean and fix your own grill?  This time make sure to screw the top part into the bottom, just in case we ever move it.  While you're at it, can you cook your own Father's day meal, too?  and sorry you can't tell what temperature it is in the grill . . . that is stuck on a tire somewhere south of here.  Oh, and just for good measure, I'll make my cousin's husband fix his car as well . . . isn't that what daddy's do best . . . fix things?

Feel-stupid-moment-of-the-year (let's hope it ends there!)

P.S. Dave is an amazing Father.  He DID fix the grill and we ate amazing steaks tonight.  I am so thankful for this man in my life.  I think I picked a pretty great daddy for my kids!