Yes, the truck is STILL at the dealership and will remain there for the week until they completely drain my bank account.

No, the keys to the other vehicle are not still in the Atlantic. Tattoo Man sent the keys back to shore with a sailor who was heading back for other business, so we now have our own wheels again!

No, I have not figured out how to configure my internet safety program.

This week I have learned that some of my friends know how to hotwire cars, or they ‘got people’ they could call. Inspiring! Or scary….hmm…

I have another friend who had to have a key made for a vehicle—I did not even know they could DO THAT! It costs hundreds of dollars, so it would have to be a last resort. Still, good information to have in a pinch.

Most surprising? How much we haven’t needed to go anywhere. It’s quite freeing. On Wednesday last week I woke up flipping a coin to decide which neighbor to accost for a vehicle to transport ballerinas and gymnasts, and had the most amazing thought: What if we don’t go?

Can we do that?

OF COURSE we can, and we DID. (It didn’t hurt that housing was having a little block party in our front yard—it was easy convincing everyone to skip their activities)

Then, I pulled out my calendar and sharpie and went a little crazy with slashing things from each daily list. Ballet? SLASH…Gymnastics? (for one anyway) SLASH… Dentist? DOUBLE SLASH. Too bad I work online and couldn’t slash any of those meetings, but it stopped the request train cold all week.

Memphis: Can we go to the zoo?
Me: How fast can you walk fifteen miles?
Ransom: Can we go to the sporting goods store?
Me: Which bus are you taking?

Heavens, if this keeps up I might get to sit down for a minute in something that is not moving!

The commissary is across the street, and I have four (if unwilling) bodies that can carry bags if needed. My neighbors have been amazing and generous in handing over their keys and giving rides. Think about all the gas I am saving! (And I had better be saving money with the work the truck is having done.)

I was thinking last night that if I was truly a stellar homeschool mom I would turn this into an Amish lifestyle experiment for the week. I can’t because my safety internet is flashing blocked messages every time I run an internet search on anything. Oh, well. Missed opportunities. Murphy isn’t winning yet.