Oh well...I care not.
Soooo...last night...wait...let's back up. When I was 16, my dad gave me stick shift driving lessons. He took me to the partially abandoned mall parking lot and gave me instructions. I don't remember much of it...just the fact that I saw a boy from one of my classes at school and got all giggly and shy. Which ticked daddy-o off and I got yelled at to pay attention, and it all went down hill from there. I like to say I was "traumatized" by that and never drove stick shift again. Fast forward to 2006, 7 months pregnant with Aubree...and James takes me down the street to a empty warehouse parking lot and let's me have a go. It went well, I learned the basics. But I never drove after that, either. I knew that if I had to, in an emergency, I could drive the darn thing. But no emergency arose (thank goodness) and I've been content to drive my plain-jane automatic. Driving stick was just too stressful in my mind. Too many things to think about, and driving should NOT be that consuming...
Fast forward to now....yes...3 years later and I HAVE to learn to drive it. Why? We only have one car. Little Red (may she RIP) has officially met her demise. Well...we could fix her transmission for $2000...but sorry, chica...you're not worth that much! So, we are trying the one car thing for awhile. I think I ticked James off during last nights driving instruction, because when we got back home, he was readng up on van reviews (yay). Or maybe he just saw the state I was in....I seriously felt like I had just ridden all the rides at Six Flags. Well, maybe not ALL the rides...but just the Screaming Eagle like 15 times. And those of you who know me, know that I would rather cut off my pinky finger than ride any kind of ride like that.
So...this is me...as we were taking off in the drive way. I drove around the neighborhood for awhile and then drove us to the Library. Stalled out at most of the stoplights...got honked at and wanted to flip them off (but didn't, kids in the car and all that). I seriously want to put a sign in the window "LEARNING TO DRIVE STICK SHIFT, KEEP YOUR HAND OFF YOUR HORN" or "YES, I'M NOT GOING, I JUST STALLED THE CAR, SHUT IT"
Then I drove us up to Euless (or was it Hurst? or Bedford? I dunno....they confuse me) to check out the preschool we want to put Bella in. Get this...they actually say on their website "WE ARE NOT A DAYCARE" didn't I tell you that was what I was looking for?! All these places that say "preschool" "preschool" but yet are in fact...just a daycare. It's like a dream come true. And....AND...it's a "fine arts" preschool. Yup...they learn the regular preK stuff...but also, dancing and music and piano lessons. Isn't that just fantabulous?Then I drove a little further up to Bedford (yes, I think thats right, but not 100%) to pick up some hay for the piggies. This is us waiting in the car...we just got Slurpees...so the girls were a bit hopped up on sugar. 
James took over from there, I was seriously thinking I was going to puke....what with the roller coaster drive and the stress...grr! But...have to do it for now. Just one of those things, right? It's just a car (that can run into other cars, hit small children on bikes, or stop in the middle of an intersection, or flip 5 times as you're cascading down a ravine when I am behind the wheel).....for now....
14 comments:
You poor girl!!! I hope it gets better for ya!!
OH Sarah... :) Thats why I learned from mom.. but not stick.. That was first Laura and then adam.. Scary scary.. Poor Little Red.. I actually liked that car!! :) Love you!
You did just fine. You were just nervous. I was more worried about the gear shift breaking off in your hand from the death grip you had it in.
It really does get easier the more you practice and the learning curve is better than you might think. Good for you for taking charge!
I have just decided that I cannot drive a stick. Logan tried to teach me, but I almost ran right into the church- like plowing through the doors. So no- I don't care. I will take a bus if it comes to that! lol
I learned to drive a stick after Gareth and I got married. The tricky part for me was stopping in reverse! I would go forever lol! You will get it and wonder why it ever was hard. We've only had one car for a while now until we fix gareths truck and I like not having to go places. I just stay home and if I need the car I take Gareth to work. Good luck!
I'll be thinking about you. Good luck sweets!! It will get better!!
Hopefully you'll get the van! lol!
I remember learning to drive a stick and wanting one of those signs for my windows, too. Maybe you should make one! And it does get easier. Now my boys like to sit in the front seat with me and "help" me shift.
Oh no! I’m so sorry your other car died. I too hate stick-shift. I resigned to the fact that I could probably drive one to a hospital if need be, but we’d probably have to buy a new vehicle after that too. (Calling 911 would actually be best now that I think about it . . . )
I hope the car situation works out quickly for you guys.
Sarah, seriously, daddy and I agree that you are a tremendously funny writer!! You just have a way with words! Daddy said you write alot like Erma Bombeck (maybe you're too young to know who she is) - and you could make a ton of money publishing a book!! I'm glad that you are learning the stick... even after your traumatic childhood!! Thank heavens you have such a patient husband. Love you!
Momma, I totally googled Erma Bombeck! hehe. (and yes, had no idea who she was...but she IS funny!)
"I have a theory about the human mind. A brain is a lot like a computer. It will only take so many facts, and then it will go on overload and blow up."
Erma Bombeck
Writing a book is my life aspiration...but it seems that every plot has been written about. I've been thinking lately about a children's book about Bella and Aube..."Once there was a girl with curly hair and a girl with straight hair...and they drove their mother crazy" hahaha.
You totally should!!! And who cares if it's something that has been written about already. You don't think that Stephenie Meyer is the first person to write about vampires??? ;-)
all that practice and now you don't need it! Oh well... super anxious to see the Kia pics!
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