another flat
Last Sunday, at approximately 4:52 pm I discovered the 50th nail in my tire this year. *
At 4:53 pm I called around to find out who could fix my tire. I received responses like, “It’s 5 minutes to 5pm on a Sunday. Can’t help you.” And then (insert smart ass laugh), “No I don’t know who else can help you because everyone else is closing too. It’s Sunday evening you know.”
No, I didn’t know. But I appreciate the insight Captain Obvious.
At a birthday party this past weekend. Where my tire was not flat.
Anyway, I did what I always do when I need help: I headed over to Ali’s parents’ house.
Me: “I have a nail in my tire and nobody can fix it until the morning.”
Ali’s Dad: “You can take our extra car. It’s no problem.”
Me: “But the extra car only seats two. How do we take Maya home?”
Ali’s Dad: “Well you can take my car then. It’s no problem.”
Here’s how the rest of the evening progressed:
- The extra car had no gas…My MIL offered to go fill it up (I declined. I swear I did).
- I randomly complained my hair was like straw….My MIL handed me a giant bottle of deep conditioner.
- I suddenly felt famished….My in-laws took us out to dinner.
- At dinner Maya started feeling feverish. I openly fretted about finding babysitting on a Monday morning….My MIL said she’d babysit until Maya felt better.
A few days later Ali picked up our child and my car. Both of which were in perfect working condition, thanks to my in-laws.
My friend Nadia does not take a bad picture. Ever.
So besides the obvious fact that I complain too much and need to start acting my age, do you know what blows me away? The fact that neither of my in-laws ever acknowledge any of the countless and extraordinarily generous things they do for me.
I think we can all agree that I am unbelievably lucky. And that I have a lot to learn about being a good person.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
your in-laws are a godsend. what good people.
They are definitely a godsend!
Your In-Laws Are FaAAbULOUS. Hope you’ve told them this!
Um, is there a reason you’ve had 50 nails inside your tires? WTH? Xx
I have told them but not enough. 🙂 And yes…I get nails in my tires because I live in Los Angeles. Not sure how else to explain it…
Your in-laws (especially your MIL) are awesome! Mine is too, is just she lives in another state. Hope Maya is feeling so much better now. Next time if you have a flat tire (hopefully not), maybe Ali can change your tire for you? 🙂
And you don’t take bad picture either. You always look fabs!
So glad you have a great MIL too! Sorry she’s so far away though…
And thanks for the compliment. I never put my bad pictures on here. Of course! 🙂
Your in-laws sound wonderful! My in-laws drive me batty and I often seriously wonder if my husband was adopted. My own parents are very much like your in-laws and really make me feel a bit spoiled. (my husband would say that is because I AM spoiled).
Sorry you weren’t as fortunate in in-law department. You husband must be a great guy!!
You are one lucky girl to have such fabulous in-laws. My in-laws are with us right now and… well lets just leave it at that 🙂
So sorry you don’t have fabulous in-laws…I assume they are just visiting right now?
Ummm…the odd thing is that she gave you a bottle of conditioner.
Also, my tires are magnetic. Anything metal goes straight to my tires soul and deflates it.
The conditioner is spectacular though! It’s not odd at all…she knows what I need before I need it. Can’t beat that.
Three cheers for helpful in-laws. Helping you is really the least they can do, considering all the shenanigans from Ali that you have to put up with!
They more than make up for Ali’s socks being everywhere…
Feel free to embellish all stories because they have me laughing.
My car is a magnet for getting hit in parking lots. It’s happened twice in two years with my new car. And no note. Gee thanks.
Ali was the victim of a hit and run today…he feels your pain!
That’s so sweet! What great in laws. They literally saved the day-in more ways then one. Even as adults it’s so nice to be taken care of. I’m sure it makes them feel good and it’s nice to know that you can count on them. 50 Nails in your tire this year? What is up with that?
At 36 I still feel like a kid…will that ever change? Not sure.
Hope my in laws end up as great as yours! I always seem to get flat tires on the freeways! Last time I got one california highway patrol pulled over and changed my tire into the spare for me! I didn’t know about this service but apparently you just dial *555 or something.
No kidding? Knock on wood but I haven’t had a flat on the freeway. Yet. I’ll keep 555 in mind!
Your in-laws do sound pretty amazing. But to be fair, so do you, and I’m sure that’s part of why they’re always willing to help you out. Well, that and because you have them a freaking adorable grandchild. I’m sure that helps too. 🙂
You are too kind Leah. I’m not nearly as amazing as them (truth) but I did give them Maya. And she is pretty amazing. 🙂 Good point!
LOVE the chandelier in the last picture. It looks like a fantastic mix of West Elm and Restoration Hardware. Oh, and LOVE your shirt. I really really hope you organize a clothing swap with friends when I visit LA 😉 (oh, and maybe we can go to your hair stylist because your hair looks great and mine looks a bit rat-nesty lately)!
Are you coming to LA? Please say you are!
And your hair has never, ever looked rat-nesty. Ever!
These days, I can only handle trips to the grocery store and my first love, Target. But if I do make it to LA (soon!), I hope we’ll get some good hang-out time in!
Ameena you are one lucky DIL and your MIL is very sweet 🙂 hope Maya is feeling better!
I am super lucky!! And yes, Maya is feeling better. 🙂
Well, you’re already a very good person (who also never takes a bad picture–ever). But you’ve clearly won the in-law lottery. How awesome. It’s so obvious they adore you–and rightfully so!
And you are as kind and amazing as my in-laws. So glad you popped back into my life after so many years!
Love it. I use Captain Obvious all the time.
My brother coined that one! I wish I could take credit.
You are blessed with great in laws – good for you.
Thanks Ayala!!
You are very fortunate to have in-laws like that. Mine would do those things, but they’d be like little tickets, held on to to be pulled out when I don’t meet expectations or they need something done and I have even the briefest hesitation.
I’m so sorry you haven’t had the same amazing experience as me. 😦 I hope that at the very least they don’t live too close to you?
lucky lucky you!!! my in laws live in india and sometimes i wish we all lived in the same city so i can have a babysitter on hand 😛
My in-laws are the best babysitters…Maya loves them!
Yeah, I’d say you got pretty lucky with those in-laws. Nothing quite like free babysitting and a meal! 🙂
Babysitting, a meal, AND conditioner. I am super lucky.
Your in-laws sound like a dream. Aren’t they also the ones who bought your daughter 4 pairs of Tory Burch flats?
My in-laws are so gracious too. I learn so much from watching them and realize to find true peace like they do I must have a genuinely honest and good heart. Still working on it.
Good memory…My MIL bought Maya a ton of Tory Burch shoes! I hear Tory isn’t making kids sizes anymore…
So glad that you have great in-laws as well. It really makes a difference.
wow they sound amazing! i wish my in laws lived closer, they are super people! but it’s a 4 hour drive to them!
I’m so glad that you too have a great in-laws! They would definitely be worth a 4 hour drive.
Your in-laws are lovely! It really makes all the difference in the world to have them to help you when you need it, doesn’t it? My in-laws are wonderful and I’m missing them all the more because we don’t live near them any more.
Love those pics! Is that a Star Wars mask Maya is wearing?
Good observation! We were at a Star Wars themed party and Maya would not take the mask off..she loved it.
In laws like yours are a blessing! Luckily, I can say the same. My FIL always says I’m his daughter and that there’s no need for the “in-law” part. Love it!
Your FIL sounds amazing…such a sweet thing to say!
Oh I love your in-laws 😀 I think it’s more than enough that you acknowledge their generosity and are thankful for that. Nobody is perfect, but as long as you’re humble, right? 🙂
I’m humble, that’s true. But I really wish I was closer to perfect instead. LOL
Your in-laws are awesome! Last time I had a flat tire I had to call AAA but luckily I made it home so I could wait in comfort. With wine.
Now that’s the way to wait for roadside assistance. At home. With a drink! Too funny.
I discovered a nail in my tire on Thanksgiving Day as I was traveling through a rural part of Georgia. No fun.
Does AAA travel to the rural part of Georgia? I hope so!
Wow !! they’re amazing ! If they EVER decide to adopt a DIL, it is now on record that I’m wait listed Numero Uno. (Hmm …AND your mom makes amazing sevaiyan …. this adoption thingy sounds very attractive to me right now, LOL!)
About those mechanics – well, in your case, god closed a bunch of doors and opened the one that leads to absolute bliss. Which somehow includes Nadia for the wonderful pic. she clicks 🙂
PS – Loved that disclaimer.
Many many of my friends are on the waiting list to be adopted by my in-laws. 🙂
Fantastic in-laws, adorable daughter and a caring hubby ( we will forget the socks and the orange sweater for now) ..You are one lucky girl, Ameena!!! Touchwood…
Ali’s orange sweater hasn’t made an appearance for a while…but it is summer after all. 🙂
how cool. I need to add “awesome in-laws” to my list(the one us single girls keep in our heads of non-negotiables for our future relationships).
Having great in-laws is definitely non-negotiable!! I hope that you are as lucky as me Ellen.
In-laws can be pretty amazing can’t they? Mine are very supportive too (though my wife’s mother-in-law is a bit of a handful 😉 ). I suspect though, underneath this attempt to sound pretty moaning, that you too Ameena, are pretty wonderful as well. 🙂
I wish I was pretty wonderful but the truth is that I’m just really not. But I’m working on it! And my in-laws are great role models…
It’s so great when you have others around who are willing to help and support you when you need it. Sounds like you have a good relationship with Ali’s parents. That’s such a great thing!
It really is a great thing! I’m so lucky to have such great support…it makes life 100 X easier.
Hahaa. I’d love to babysit Maya! Yes, I live near Los Angeles 🙂
Don’t offer unless you mean it. I’ve been known to take people up on such offers. 🙂
Ummm…no, I seriously mean it! I am looking for a part-time job (or any job for that matter). No joke ! florence.ng1120@gmail.com !
Lucky indeed :). Your in-laws don’t make so fearful to have some. It seems there is always complaining of in-laws at least from the lady’s side 😉
Cute pictures as always!
Happy Thursday!
Katie
I am the exception…but I know way too many people who aren’t as lucky.
I love the added embellishment to your stories….gives it a dramatic flair ;)! Your in-laws sound wonderful…and restore my belief that those 2 words can actual exist in the same sentence 🙂
Yes…it’s rare for those two words to be in the same sentence but it’s not impossible! Hope that you are as lucky.
Although, I should, right now, be focusing on your post and carving my comment in collaboration to it, but, but, but, I can’t help noticing the bright spark on the second photo, on the right, when looking at the picture. Did you say her name was Nadia? it would help if you wrote ‘Ms, Miss, Mrs (lets hope not) Nadia Surname then followed by status.
Mrs. Nadia is not just married but married with 3 children! But I’m sure your very kind comment just made her day. I’ll be sure to point it out to her. 🙂
I hope I end up with in-laws like that when I get married!
I hope so too Liz!!
Your in-laws are gems. But I know that you’re a gem too. You just hide it for comic effect. 😉
I’m not really a gem, I wish I was being humble…but I’m working on it! I swear I am.
U are really a lucky girl!!!
And I’m sure they are equally lucky to have u as their daughter in law … 🙂
How sweet are you? I’m thinking they could probably get a less outspoken and more doting DIL but so far they haven’t complained. 🙂
No matter how old I get I will still let my parents take care of me…. as long as I am grateful I see no problem with it! Sounds like a lovely weekend!
I’m not sure I’ll ever start acting my age…
Wow I just have to say that your in-laws sound amazing! 🙂
They really are!
lovely set of in laws you have. Serious case of J
They really are lovely!
Lucky girl! I am a bit too old or i would have put myself on that adoption list 🙂
One is never too old to be adopted…
OK so that would never happen with my inlaws but don’t worry you didn’t make me feel neglected or bad. Do many people have “extra” cars in LA?
Thanks to all the potholes and assorted nails it does make sense to have an extra car on hand. We have no proper public transportation you know…unlike you lucky NYC dwellers.
In-laws to the rescue! But seriously, what is up with those tires? Is that a normal thing for LA? Either that, or SUV dad is getting a little absurd.
Also, you are a very good person. Everyone knows it! If nothing else, my friend who adores you always gets jealous when you comment on my wall, so know that you at least make me feel a bit more awesome. 😛
It is a normal thing in LA…unfortunately.
And your comment just made me feel like a star. Seriously…people get jealous of my FB comments? Who would have thought that would be possible? 🙂
You’re kind of a big deal. 🙂
That’s awesome Ameena. You really have GOOD inlaws, I’m tellin’ you girl, not everyone, actually most people do not have that. You’re very very lucky in that department. 🙂 Maya is so cute. So funny, I was feverish too a couple days ago, I’m taking some Airborne crap my nurse friend told me to take, and I kinda kept the cold away. 🙂
Ali swears by his “pink drink” concoction…Emergen-C. He pops it like it’s water!
I’m willing to bet that they’ll be getting one killer Christmas present this year. They sound like truly amazing in-laws. All I get from my in-laws is emails preaching about how I need to go to church more. lol
I’m so sorry about your in-laws preaching…that can’t be fun to listen to!
My friend was just visiting and she has the same bad luck, always getting nails in her tires…weird? Sorry about that-so annoying and tires are expensive, too much so if you ask me, I mean it’s just a tire, but what do I know.
Hey, I loved your last post too. I tried commenting about five times but what do ya know, every time some kid needed something from me? 🙂 I think any kid that makes a poem up and rhymes is brilliant, and I know you’re going to save that poem forever..right? 🙂 Take great care and have a great week,
Shauna
I totally agree…tires are one of those things that just seem outrageously expensive. It’s rubber? It makes no sense to me.