Steve and I have just been through our longest time apart in our whole marriage–nine days. He was in Charlotte helping his parents out during his mom’s hospitalization and recovery.
He took this picture in the hospital; isn’t it great? Sixty-four years of Smith love–still going strong.
Although I DID miss my husband there is something I missed almost as much and that is my car which he took on his trip. (It’s more spacious for a long haul.)
Now here’s the deal.
Most people think it would be a great thing to get to drive a peppy, perky Mazda Miata.
The speed. The zoomness. The maneuverability. The sportiness. The fun!
And yep. Those are all great. And I took full advantage.
In fact, I noticed that while driving his car, I started punching it when taking off from stop lights–just because I could. In fact, on one particular day, I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw that I had left a whole clump of cars back at the light while I was already fifty miles (or so) down the street.
So yeah, it was fun.
But it was also not so fun in a couple of ways.
Since Miatas are sports cars they are low to the ground. That is great if you are a lithe and limber person. Which I am. Not.
So each time I got ready to get into the car, I had to align myself with magnetic north, turn one foot this way, turn the other foot the other way, swing my purse and lunch bag in a particular, perpendicular, predetermined orbit, bend my knee at a 73.6 degree angle and then whirl my behiney around at exactly the same time as said knee was doing said bending.
In other words, each time I got in or out, fierce concentration was required as I carefully made it through all seventeen steps required to pull off yet another Miata maneuver.
Also, my Ford Edge has keyless entry and keyless ignition which means I NEVER have to search for my keys in the abyss-esque regions of my purse. As long as my key fob is somewhere in my purse (or on my person), I can unlock the door with a touch and start the engine with another touch.
I had the worst time trying to keep up with that Miata key fob. I attempted to put it in the same place each time so that I could always find it but that did not work out so well. I have three outside pockets on my purse and just when I thought I had put it in the front purse pocket, it was actually in the back pocket. Or else I had gotten distracted and put it in my coat pocket. Or I wasn’t thinking and put it in my back pants pocket. Or . . . my front pants pocket.
The first ten minutes of every trip was always taken up with searching for the lost key. Each time, just as panic was starting to set in, I would find it in yet another weird place where I didn’t remember putting it.
Can you tell why I love keyless ignition so much?
And then just when I finally found my key, it was time to remember how to turn on the windshield wipers. And the headlights. And then find the switch to turn the brights on. Or off.
And then when it was time to get gas? Yikes. I had NO clue.
I pulled into the station and sat for quite a long while in the driver’s seat, gazing morosely around the cockpit in a vain search for something that resembled an unlocking thingie for the gas tank. After pushing and pulling a few buttons and levers, the only thing I managed to accomplish was to unlatch the hood. That meant I had to unfold myself from the seat and work my way through the aforementioned seventeen steps in order to disembark from the car and relatch the hood. Except the hood wouldn’t relatch unless it was first opened all the way. But in order to do that, I had to find the little catch under the hood which took me another month or so.
After meticulously maneuvering myself back into the car I continued my search for the mysterious gas thingie. I finally turned and looked behind me and saw this little door. If you will look closely, you will see that there is not a smidgen of a hint that a gas tank button is hidden there. But it was the only place I hadn’t looked so I pulled on the handle.
Voila! There it was! A little gas pump icon with a round doodad on which to pull. I felt like I had just won the lottery getting the whole Gas Tank Release Button Mystery figured out.
And if I could brag just a little, I already knew what side of the car the tank was on because I had remembered to look at the little arrow beside the gas pump icon and saw that it pointed to the left. I was so proud of myself for having that scintilla of mechanical knowledge.
As you can imagine I was happy indeed to welcome Steve (and my car) home on Friday night.
I was especially happy because five minutes before he arrived, Sarah had also just gotten there. So this is the joyful (and somewhat alarming since I didn’t have on makeup) sight he was greeted with when he came up the front steps.
It was lovely having my two beloved people back in the house after being alone for so long.
Sarah had to go back to school yesterday afternoon.
Of course, she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to her little Yorkie.
And now she is gone, and we are here, and the busyness of the week stretches out ahead.
Tonight I’m cooking a meal for a family whose mom is sick and also helping cook a meal for the homeless guests our church is hosting this week. Tuesday night I’m cooking a meal for a family who recently lost a loved one, Wednesday night I’m teaching a class, Thursday I am going to Greenville for two doctor’s appointments and Friday I am making some snacks to take to the blood drive we are hosting at the church. (And also giving blood.)
Most weeks are not so cooking-based but hey. I love to feed people so it’s all good. In between all the cooking, I have my jobs at the church and the daycare to keep me occupied.
But at least my busy week will be made a little easier by having my OWN car to drive! I am Mrs. Miata no more!
Before closing, I wanted to bring you up to date with how my sweet mom is doing. (This is a picture from a few months ago. Feel free to shiver involuntarily while looking at it.)
She is with my sister, Debbie, who Mom calls “her angel” because Debbie takes such good care of her.
Mom is out of the hospital and in a rehab/nursing center. She is still in a great deal of pain but Debbie says she keeps such a sweet attitude and pushes herself hard to work on getting better. The Smithellaneous family loves you, Mom! (And Deb, too!)
What about you?
What is your favorite thing about the car you drive? What is your least favorite thing?
Also, what is the longest you’ve been apart from your spouse? Steve’s mom and dad were apart 15 months while his dad was in Vietnam. Do you have a story to share?
A good friend of mine got a vehicle with keyless entry a couple of years back. She some how misheard the word on the very first day and thought the feature was called “Key la century” She called it that for years until one day her husband said “Wait… what are you saying exactly? What does our car have?” and laughed his head off when she said it. It sounds the same if you say it fast and she thought it was just a fancy name for the feature! Doesn’t “key la century” have a nice ring to it? Ooh la la… key la century!
Lauieab,
Love that! Key la century is a MUCH more exciting feature to have on my car than a boring keyless entry! 🙂
Thanks for the smile. 🙂
You poor dear trying to get in and out of that car. It wasn’t hard to imagine the contortions – sorry, tried not to laugh. We too have keyless entry and just push the button and it turns on. It took me awhile to realize I didn’t need keys, so the cars key stays in the bottom of my purse. And of course, the heated seats!! We were married for about 2 mo. When he had to go to a computer seminar for a week. It certainly was a long week.
Sharyn,
A week apart after only two months of marriage really would be an adjustment!
Glad you enjoyed my humorous recounting of getting in and out of Steve’s car. 🙂 So glad to have my own car back where I can slide right in and push that magic button! Isn’t it great just leaving your keys in the bottom of the purse? I love that.
My husband I met when he was in the Army so during the first few years of marriage, we spent a lot of time apart (he has since gotten out of the army). The longest was when we lived in Germany and he was sent over to Iraq for Desert Shield/Desert Storm (dating myself here). He was gone for 6 months. That was the longest time we spent apart.
We have a cross over (equinox) and have for close to 6 years now. My biggest issue is now riding in any type of sedan-After being in the equinox for so long, I feel like I am totally sitting on the ground! And that I can’t see anything at all.
Because I don’t carry a purse-either a backpack to work or just my wallet, I have taken to hanging my key (along with my house keys) on hooks by the bookshelf by the front door. Both my husband I hang our keys here. It works, when I remember to actually hang them there when I walk in the door!
Nicole,
I can’t even imagine 6 months. Eight days felt like forever. Steve has always said that military spouses need to be thanked and appreciated for their service right along with their husbands/wives. There is a lot of sacrifice involved for everyone–those who go and those who stay behind.
I also love vehicles that sit up high. I am right there with you on that.
And what a good idea to just hang your keys by the door! No scrounging around trying to find them at the last minute!
First of all, so glad to hear you have your car back! Yay! My first 2 cars when I was single were 2 door hatch backs. When I got married he had a mini van (he came with 3 kids). So much more space! When I got divorced and had to go looking for my own vehicle, I got a mini van. I was single with no kids but I loved it. No squishing things in every nook. And when I became a Mommy it came in very handy. I love my mini van!
Enjoy your week! I love cooking so your evenings cooking sound good to me!
Krista,
I agree. The space a mini van offers is amazing. I hate feeling smushes in somewhere; I like room to spread out and spread my stuff out. Mini vans aren’t real exciting but they get the job done beautifully!
Cooking is such fun, isn’t it? Love to cook, love to eat and love to share what I’ve cooked!
Glad you got your car and your people back! ? I enjoyed your very entertaining Miata maneuvers. You’re such a nut. Love you!
Deb
Deb,
Yep, pretty nutty over here.
Love you too!
I drive a Ford Explorer and like it because it sits up high. Here in Texas there are a LOT of trucks and SUVs so if I’m in a car I feel dwarfed. My least favorite thing about a low sitting car is I often manage to hit my head while getting in. My daughter is currently driving a rental Corolla while her Sentra is in the body shop and she came home fussing the other day because she couldn’t figure out how to open the gas cap door. She finally had to resort to looking it up in the owner’s manual.
So glad to hear your Mom is progressing; and what a precious picture Steve took of his parents. Enjoy your busy, busy week and tell Greenville “Hey” for me.
Sue Elen,
I am so glad that I am not the only one struggling with opening the gas cap. You would think that would such a basic, much-needed item, the manufacturers would make it VERY plain how to get to it! But–nope!
Thanks for your sweet words about our parents. We are blessed to have them in our lives.
Golly, Becky! Your sense of humor had me holding onto the table so I didn’t fall off my chair laughing!
Jenny Jott and I are on the same page with using a carabiner. Mine is always attached to my purse strap or on the strap ring so I can flip it inside to avoid the jingle-jangle.
My current car is a Nissan Versa Note …small…very small. Love the gas mileage, but if I need to load up on 2x4s or other diy project stuff there’s no room left for company. No like that! At least it fits 2x4s … that was a non-negotiable requirement with every sales person, and yes, they looked at me oddly.
My prior care was a very used Volvo. I went to gas up the first time and I couldn’t open the little door. I poked it, I banged it, I hip punched it. Finally asked another motorist for help. Yep … there was a latchy thing to pull inside … under the dashboard. I never had a car that had “security”!
Guerrina,
Glad you enjoyed the humor; I enjoyed doing my best to make it funny!
I imagine most sales people don’t get asked about 2 x 4’s. I’m sure they will never forget you as one of their most memorable customers. 🙂
Crazy how gas latches are hidden away. Nothin’ like a little game of hide and seek to get your day started!
When I was still in Tampa, I traveled a lot to Atlanta and rented a car each time. That arrow sure helped let me know which way to pull into the service station. One funny though. On one trip back to the airport, I had gotten my business credit card out ahead of the gas station. I had laid it on the console or near the gear shifter. Anyhow, when I got to the gas station, the card was no where to be found. I used my personal card after realizing there was a small crack where two parts of the car came together. My card had managed to slip between the crack. When I got back to the rental car place, one of the attendants tried for quite a while to get it out with no luck. I started making my way to the tram to take me back to the terminal when he yelled at me that he had gotten it out. I was so glad that I didn’t have to request a new card. I rented from the same company every time and after a while they would call me by name and have a small SUV pulled up for me to take even though I had rented an intermediate car. When I got the survey that they often send, I replied and pointed out the woman that gave me my keys each time (Mrs. A.C.), the man that checked my drivers license on the way out (Kevin) and the man that had found my card. The next time I was in Atlanta, Mrs. A.C told me that they had all gotten a little gift based on my survey. So it pays to recognize good help!
I have a Honda CRV, this is my second one since 2005. I would hate to go back to a car as I agree it is so hard to get out of a car that sets much closer to the ground. Add in my short legs and it really makes it hard. My most favorite part is the keyless entry and start. I can’t say there is anything I can think of that would be my least favorite thing.
Glad to hear you mom is doing better. Prayers for both her and Steve’s mom.
Phyllis,
How wonderful that your card was retrieved! Yay for good customer service.
And yay for YOU for taking the time to point the good customer service out. I know that most managers/employees only hear complaints. It must be a breath of fresh air to have someone actually pass along a compliment. A win win all around.
Okay, I have 2 stories and then a tip.
Story 1: Longest away from my husband of 25 years? 28 days this past October/November when I took a ministry-related assignment in MYANMAR! It was my first time in Asia, my first time traveling internationally by myself, my first time to be away from Thomas for more than 10 days, and my first such assignment with said ministry organization. And you know what I found out? We REALLY CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Imagine that…
Story 2: Drove a rental car one time and could NOT find the thingy to open the door covering the gas tank, and there was no manual
in the glove compartment to help me out. I finally asked a friendly-looking gentleman to help me. He couldn’t find it either. He even tried looking up the make and model on his phone – no good. FINALLY, out of sheer frustration, I kinda thumped the little door with the heel of my hand … and VOILA – it popped open! There WAS no thingy to pop inside the car at all. Gee whiz!
TIP – I am terrible about sticking my key in different places/pockets/hideyholes, so I understand your key dilemna. Finally, I purchased a small carabiner (2 for 98 cents at WalMart!). I put that on my key fob ring and then attach it either to my beltloop (if I’m wearing jeans) or to the handle of my purse. It has saved me MUCH stress and panic.
Jenny,
What a huge accomplishment to go on a mission’s trip! For 28 days! Without your husband! I honestly don’t know how I would do in a situation like that. I’m sure I’d make it and be fine but it would be a definite stretch for me. I know that was a very happy homecoming!
I loved your story about hitting the the gas cover with your hand. I imagine you and your helper had a good laugh about that.
The carabiner is a great idea. Something helpful AND cheap? Definitely need to give that a try.
My favorite thing about my car is that it has the heated seats. That makes it bearable to go out when it’s bone chilling cold, like today. -4 when I left for work (wind chill -18). I also love, love, LOVE my sunroof! My least favorite thing? No seat/mirror memory. So when my 6’6″ hubby drives the car, he readjusts EVERYTHING. Then I have to readjust it all back and sometimes it takes a few days to get the seat just right again. Our last car had the memory option so we got spoiled with it. Ugh. We most definitely will make sure that the next vehicle has it!!
The longest that hubs and I have been apart is about 9 days which just occurred this last fall. He went with some buddies to Colorado to go elk hunting. I do enjoy some time to myself and the ability to eat when I want, do what I want to when I want to, etc. so it wasn’t that big of a deal. We both had a good time! 🙂
Glad to hear that your mom is making progress. I’ll keep the prayers going. 🙂
LeeAnne,
I LOVE my heated seats. It’s not unusual for me to put them on low even in the summer because they are so soothing.
Not having a seat/mirror memory would DEFINITELY be a challenge with a tall husband. My car DOES have that and even though Steve and I are only 4 inches apart, we have our settings in wildly different configurations so it is a great luxury to have everything set for me when I get in.
I agree that time alone can be kind of nice for a change; I enjoy it from time to time but always glad to see Steve pull back into the driveway!
Love Sarah s owl blouse. Is she is growing out her hair again to be long ?
Katrina,
I love that blouse, too!
Not sure what direction she is headed with her hair. I guess we’ll find out right along with you. 🙂
I also have to check the arrow by the fuel gauge to know what I am to do when pulling up to get gas; and then the other day, I could not get the pump to take my card and let me get gas, so I got back in and left. (being in a van, the entrance and exit was without difficulty; but I can sympathize with you on low-down cars!))
Men may not realize how puzzling cars can be to us ladies… Finding the right knob for all sorts of things on the dash (& steering wheel) can take a lot of trial and error.
We had a blizzard here yesterday, but stayed snug as crickets through it. Except Arn, he was out 14 hours and back out to tackle drifts again. Ruth
Ruth,
Yeah, that arrow is really helpful when you’re in an unfamiliar car!
I’ve never heard of being as snug as a cricket but I guess it DOES sound pretty snug! Bless Arnold for being out in the middle of it.
I saw the thing on the news about the huge pileup on one of the highways. I can’t even imagine being a part of the accident and definitely can’t imagine being one of the rescue workers trying to get in and out. I think we all just need to think SPRING!
Prayers to your mom and Vernie, and those who love and care for them, near and far.
I have a boxy Subaru Forester and I love it! My husband has a Lexus something-or-other, which is supposedly more luxurious than mine. But I like MINE!! And, when together, I drive and he rides, so guess which boxy car has the most miles?! I like that I can see out of mine, the big windows and all. It’s simple. Less mysterious gadgets! It can haul stuff if needed. I do like his keyless entry/start. Maybe I’ll get that on the next car. My husband’s car rides lower, like the Miata. When driving 9 hours to visit family in central Kentucky, there is a huge dip to get into the driveway of my brother-in-law’s house. So, as much as my husband likes riding in his car, my trump card for taking my Subaru is to avoid the possible scrape while turning in the driveway!
Like you, we live away from the folks. I put a lot of miles on my car, as I visit and sometimes help care for ailing parents who are 7 hours away. And being with my daughter for the births of my grandkids. I’m not sure of the longest time away from my husband, but it’s probably been around 2 weeks. Our times apart have become more frequent over the years, due to family stuff and my husband’s work trips to The Netherlands, so I’ve stopped keeping track of the length. We try to keep 5 days as the max. After 5 days, we both miss each other, and HOME!!
Ann,
Wow. A work trip to the Netherlands? That is quite the trip! Would love to visit there, someday. It’s good you can keep your days apart to five.
Sounds like your travel time to be with your parents is exactly how long Steve travels to be with his. It makes for a pretty big undertaking when you double the time for the round trip. But our parents are soooo worth it!
Glad you love your boxy Subaru. 🙂 Sounds like the perfect vehicle for what you need.
When I drive Jim’s truck I have to remember to turn on the lights (mine are automatic) and figure out the windshield wipers. Since he is not driving anymore I no longer have to adjust the seat but climbing in requires help using the “thingie” beside the door opening to climb up. It is bigger than my car so parking is a challenge. I do not want to get rid of it though. It is 2003 Dodge with just over 20,000 miles. I guess the longest we have been apart is six or seven days while I attended Pilot International Convention. Now he goes with me. Glad the Moms are progressing. How is Meagan doing with this pregnancy? You really have a nack for storytelling. Enjoy your writing and look forward to it weekly. God bless. Rest some during your busy week.
Ann,
A sixteen year old vehicle with just 20,000 miles? That sounds like some sort of a record!
I agree about having to remember to turn on the headlights. It was really cloudy and rainy one day and I don’t think I ever remembered to turn them on because, like you said, when they’re automatic you never think about it!
Meagan is doing pretty well so far. Just tired, tired, tired with three kids and a job. (or two) 🙂 She is such a great mama; can’t wait to see her with baby number four.
Thanks for your comments about my writing; that means a lot.
I have had a “momma van” for 12 years on March 6. I’m on my second one cause the first one made it almost 11 years and 200,000 miles. I have several faves – automatic doors, keyless entry/start, sitting up high, video in the back, all the back seats lay down completely to make so much room for hauling it’s almost like a truck bed And… when they are upright you can store stuff in the floor board. Crazy cool!
Steve and I have a couple of long separation spurts both on our moves to NC. 2013 & 2018 for about a month while I packed up while finding a rental for us to live in. Such similar situations it’s ironic.
Hugs to you and yours! Miss and Love you so… Tammy
Tammy,
How wonderful to see YOUR name pop up here! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
My hat is off to you packing up and finding a rental on your own–TWICE. You deserve the Super SUPER Woman award!
I have to say, whenever I see edamame in the store I always think of you since you’re the one who introduced that food to us. 🙂
Greet the family for us.