One of *those* days!

So, to be short and sweet, I'm grumpy and exhausted today.  It was a CRAZY day.  I was taking Paul to the bus stop before work this morning, and as I turned left we heard a really weird sound.  We thought maybe it was our CDs falling over in our under-the-seat compartment...loudly...but then as I continued my turn I realized we no longer had power steering.  At all.  Freaking out and focusing hard, I made my way the .5 miles back home (I didn't want to risk a 180 turn near the school when I could barely make a 90 degree one).

So I call the school and let them know that I will probably be 10-15 minutes late, because I'm going to BIKE to school.  There is some pause as they see if anyone can pick me up, but really it's such an imposition and everyone there really has to be there (that's why they're, y'know...there) so I know I really just need to bike.  Backstory: I haven't ridden a bike, really, since I was like 11 years old.  I just bought this bike FRIDAY so I would have a secondary means of transportation, and we had filled up the tires earlier this week so I really haven't had a chance to ride it at all.  Also important to this story is that even though I only live 1.3 miles from the school, I live in the middle of THREE CONSTRUCTION ZONES.  Sidewalks randomly end and roads disappear into I don't even know what and you think driving a mile out of your way is difficult?  Try walking or biking!  So the route of least resistance is about 2.2 miles...IF you know where you're going.  Which I didn't this morning.

Well, I made it to school in 15 minutes, and for a 2.5 mile ride that was my first in 18 years I'm feeling pretty good about myself.  Not even too sore or too out of breath.  I'm thinking to myself, Even if we get this car fixed, I should bike when the weather is agreeable because it's great exercise and I *can* do it!  I was even almost EXCITED about riding home and seeing if I could find an easier way home or seeing if I could beat my time. 

So I come out to find my bike exactly where I locked it up in the school's bike rack.  Except that the rest of my bike that wasn't locked to the rack was knocked over (I'm thinking, Rude! but that's about it).  I unlock my bike, get my helmet on, and only THEN do I see this:

Yeah.  I don't know how, but somehow in the 6 hours I was at the school my front tire went COMPLETELY FLAT and was falling off the rim of the wheel. 

So I had to walk the bike AND myself home.  With several detours as I explored a little more in the 80-something-degree heat.  50 minutes later, I finally get home.

But I have no car to drive and no bike to ride and no water in the fridge waiting for me and a third of a pan of brownies sitting on my stove. 

Can you guess what happened next?  :)

Overall, it was kinda a crappy day.  Certainly not even SORT OF the worst day ever, but I've definitely had better days.  I sure hope our car can be fixed soon and without too much money!  Or my bike at least.  On the plus side, I don't have to worry about working out today!  And now I've got another funny story to tell my future grandkids.  :)