Yesterday Came and Went…

          Toyplane_2 

Before the sun had a chance to shine, my cousin Julie, woke me up saying, "Corey, I thought yesterday was today!" I looked at her through my sleepy eyes and said, "I’m thinking it is still night-time. What are you talking about?"

Julie explained that she had her days mixed up. That her flight was leaving from Paris in a few hours. I rubbed my eyes, looked at the clock, and calculated the time. The airport in Marseilles is over an hour away, plus we had the morning rush traffic…and she had to find a connecting flight to Paris. It would be close but we might make it.

After a wild goose chase and a very expensive one-way ticket to California, Julie didn’t catch her flight and would leave a day later.

We decided to do some retail therapy.

          Toybox

Due to Julie’s oversize suitcases, I drove French husband’s car. Since I borrowed his car I thought I would wash it, and fill it up. Wouldn’t he be pleased! Julie and I acted like high school girls at the car wash, or maybe I should say I was goofing-off. When I went to put gas in the car, I forgot that it was French husband’s car and thinking it was mine, filled it with the wrong gas. Instead of diesel I put in regular.

On the freeway going home the car started spitting and sputtering. I screamed, "OH NO NO NO!" Hitting my forehead with the palm of my hand, I let out a few choice words… (more than a few actually.) I realized my mistake because it was not the first time I have put the wrong gas in the wrong car. French husband was going to be reassured of my flakiness, and have another reason to practice zen breathing.

I called our car insurance. When they heard my accent they assumed I was in the USA and connected me to a phone operator in the States. The operator asked what State I was in? I said, "The state of distress…" When she didn’t laugh I added, "I am in France."

Confusion was the name of the day.

Seemingly hours later, due to evening rush traffic, the tow truck came.

Julie looked at me and we started to laugh. The day felt like a strange dream. It wasn’t funny, but we refused to let it get to us. The bottom line was we were okay. Money lost but nothing more.

Photos: Old toys spotted at the French flea market.

Note: Julie caught her flight this morning, and French husband is draining the car and wishing he was flying instead. I need to bake a cake for him, fill it with the right ingredient…a ton of chocolate.



Comments

62 responses to “Yesterday Came and Went…”

  1. Oh you poor dear! Well, look at it this way, it can only go up from here : ) Big hugs.

  2. Paris Parfait

    What a day! Thankfully, as you said, nothing happened that couldn’t be fixed. (And yes, I think shopping is often therapeutic, even if you don’t buy anything!)

  3. Shannon

    Oh man, I’m going to have to make sure I have my itinerary tattooed to my arm with calendars everywhere because I can see the same thing happening to me!
    I guess the car will recover considering it’s happened before! LOL.

  4. I’m glad you can see the funny side of things.
    My friend did that with her husband’s car last year…
    How do you say OOPS!! in French !
    Do I smell baking….?

  5. I love your French life! I have to get up a little bit earlier every morning so I can read about your adventures before I head off to work!
    Many times you make me think, over my first cup of coffee, but today I was simply entertained!
    Thanks!

  6. It’s hard to believe that what you wrote about today could make me laugh but it did! You and Julie get a gold star for deciding to have such a great attitude about the situation.

  7. Ahhh..good baking and a good dose of chocolate fixes everthing! I am used to baking chocolate chip cookies to help ‘smooth things over’! You are so funny Corey!

  8. that’s crazy corey. i’m so sorry about the car. it is exactly my nightmare because my husband drives gas and i diesel too. i have a feeling that i will always think of this story every time i fill up.

  9. EEP! Or as my GGM always said “It never rains but it pours”.
    I think adventures like this make great family stories once you get some distance from them.
    Darla

  10. For some reason I had a vision of “I Love Lucy” with the wrong day, the wrong gasoline, missing the flight…Thank goodness you have a wonderful sense of humor and a great attitude or your day could have been a downer – you found a way to make the best of the situation! __________________________________________
    Hi Conni Lu
    Being thought of as I love Lucy is like giving me a million dollars. She is my hero!
    Maybe not a million dollars….but you know what I mean.

  11. Oh no! Those are the kind of days when I master a few key french words 🙂

  12. “Momma said there’d be days like this, days like this, my momma said!”
    It’s is so good to see the funny side of days like these! It helps you to get through it!

  13. “Mama said there’d be days like this” (an old song came to mind)
    And you were only trying to help Julie and Yann…I hate it when sweet plans backfire!

  14. I feel your pain. Here in Dallas, we had just bought our new diesel truck to pull our new RV. I thought I would help my husband out by filling up before we left on our first trip. I pulled up to the station, saw the green handle (which usually indicates diesel fuel) and filled up to the brim. Made it one block and spent the next few hours at our mechanics. I felt like such a goof. I am glad to know that I am not alone!!!!! My husband and my wonderful mechanic were very good to me though!

  15. i was shocked because that’s more of me than julie. my cooch never does these kinds of things. i once showed up in the airport for asia and the agent said, “your flight was yesterday.” i felt like such a total looser. i’m glad to hear that you guys still managed to have fun when i heard you guys giggling on the phone.
    can’t wait to see julie again. i miss my cooch :).
    __________________________________________
    Hi Lady,
    You’re right Julie is an experienced traveller. I think I am rubbing off on her 🙂
    …..She took it in stride.
    We once missed a flight to Greece (not our mistake.) While I was frantically trying to figure out how to get on the plane, and what to do next. Julie ate pizza. She is very calm under pressure.

  16. Corey ~ This sounds very much like an “Eifer Tower Moment” to me !!!!!! Although I am convinced you are not old enough for that !
    I’m just glad to know I’m not alone.

  17. What an adventure!! I felt like I was along for the ride!
    Pat
    Back Porch Musings

  18. What’s your sign?

  19. Oh no, I’m so sorry! What a day. You are such a delight Corey, you always find the humor and the light at the end of the tunnel.
    Chocolate post haste to the rescue, with it’s magical restorative powers.
    ____________________________________
    Hi Sally
    It wasn’t bad, it was just a day that felt like a strange dream. Like running in place or something!

  20. patpaulk

    Have had employees do that with our equipment. We tell them to read,not think. It happens.

  21. Oh Corey! What a story! Make a nice chocolately yummy cake and I’m sure all will be well!

  22. Corey,
    OMG, I just had to laugh out loud at this story!
    And I said “Oh no!” right along with you. The day must have felt like it was never going to end. I am sure that it is a day that you will never forget!
    Thanks for a good laugh! I hope that you have a better day today.

  23. I try to convince my husband that he has to fill the car with gas because I will put in the wrong one. He always says “You won’t put in the wrong gas…there are only three available and all three are okay – more expensive, but okay.” I’ll have to tell him “Well what if I accidentally put in diesel!!” LOL As you can tell, I really don’t like to pump gas.
    Hope French Husband enjoys his cake!

  24. It is really a gift to be able to not let things get to you. I think we should all practice that for our own sanity. Love, love, love the toys. Gosh I wish I could find some things like that here.

  25. if not for stories like that you will no doubt remember and tell later, travel would only be trips to here and there. this way, you will have the greatest memories too. it sounds like you had and excellent day….

  26. What a hysterical story. Bet it didn’t feel like it while it was happening though the humorous spin here is delightful. Triple chocolate cure for sure.

  27. Oh, Corey. I’m so glad the two of you were able to laugh about the situation; it wouldn’t have helped or cost any less to be upset.
    I hope Julie made her flight alright today.

  28. Yes, you WILL laugh at this in the future…what a day!!

  29. So glad you were both able to get over the twists and turns of your day, you had me on the edge of my seat reading your story…I think I’ll have to take up zen breathing 🙂

  30. Lawd a Mercy! What a day! ..But hey..Chocolate makes everything OKAY! You better have a big hunk of that cake yourself!

  31. Hehe!!! I sense just a hint of “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” in this story. I hope you’ve seen it, cracks me up every time!
    Adorable old toys… 🙂

  32. Oh my! That was certainly a day for the books. Thank you for sharing it, along with your sense of humor, and ability to take the bad with the good.

  33. You make me laugh so hard.
    I practically choked on my latte this morning I was laughing so hard.
    I love you.
    I am glad your cousin was able to visit.
    I hope she arrived home safe and sound.
    Love Jeanne ^j^

  34. Corey, don’t forget the accompanying kiss! Sweeter than chocolate, I’m sure… 🙂

  35. I hope French husband had a big grin on his face, even if he was scratching his head…

  36. Brother Mathew

    I can just see you and Julie rushing around. Yann, hang in there.

  37. martina

    Corey-you are one of those people that always make me smile and I really admire your optimistic fun attitude.

  38. Wow Corey, what a day you had…reminds me of the old saying “no good deed goes unpunished” LOL!
    I’m glad you were able to laugh about it tho…I put diesel in my car once when I was younger…thought I’d never hear the end of the “dumb blonde” and “lady driver” jokes!

  39. Oh Corey! I’m so sorry for laughing, but you make it sound so funny! Glad everything is working out.
    Have a BETTER day today.
    hugs!
    Lana

  40. Oh Corey you poor thing. Harvey my partner has done that 3 times with the Jeep. Put petrol instead of diesel in. If you drive it afterwards it’s a big job to put it right.
    I love your state of distress line and great to see you can see the funny side. Good girl!

  41. Oh dear…what a day!
    My son and his new wife honeymooned in Paris and did the same thing! The hotel forgot to wake them up in time for their flight – they had to buy tres expensive tickets to get home to PEI.

  42. Oserais-je vraiment espérer que tu aies à nouveau un jour ou deux appelés “confusion”, pour en lire encore des pages entières ?
    Parfois tu me fais penser à Peter Mayle,
    si drôle, Corey, si drôle, si vrai et une si belle façon de voir la vie !
    Mince alors, Corey, à quand un livre écrit par toi ?
    Bon, le coup du diesel, c’est source de stress potentiel chez moi aussi, car j’ai une essence et monsieur a un diesel aussi !!!.. alors je tâcherai de bien me souvenir de toi à chaque fois que nous échangeons nos voitures !

  43. I am a LOON! Though I write this having safely arrived on time chez moi, I narrowly missed spending yet another unexpected day in France. Nonchalantly sipping my jus d’orange presse, I wonder at the people lining up to board at gate 41. Why is no one lining up at 40, where my flight to Paris is due to depart? Oooh, maybe so much experience traveling has made me erroneously immune to self doubt. In the nick of time I wander over to gate 41 .. now in it’s final boarding stages for … PARIS!
    _________________________________________
    Hey ya Juju Bead, Sheba queen and Julie my cousin!! Do you think age has something to do with it? I mean you are older than me 😉 Or do you think my bad habits are rubbing off on you? Or maybe deep inside you WANT TO LIVE IN FRANCE!!! Yes yes yes that is it, you don’t want to leave!
    Come back…fast…like tomorrow. The car is running and Yann is smiling.

  44. Always enjoying your blog… such a tapestry of wit, humor,creativity and eloquence!

  45. I’ve always wondered what actually happens if you pick the wrong kind of gasoline.
    And it’s always better to laugh – what*ever* happens!

  46. Oh My goodness! You had me reading like a girl of 13 and her first Nancy Drew copy….I was like, more more more… and then…it was over….I adore your writing. You are tres magnifique!!! xxxo
    ps: you are already over it by now, but I have to say, yesterday, Mr. Lovee was at his office, I was home…I decided to water the rose bush by letting the sprayer and hose dangle from one of this huge rose bush’s branches…Smart right? NO, not at all…The wind knocked it over, and the water was spraying for who knows how long, straight onto the porch. Onto Mr. Lovee’s new porch loveseat with nice upholstery, for him only. Onto Mr. Lovee’s leather shoes he left by the door, onto everything. His books, his magazines, all of it. It was soaked. More than soaked, it was all mush. I confessed before he got home. He said, no big deal, it is only water, how long was it on for..I said, 20 minutes. It was actually 1 hour. I forgot completely. When he got home, he was so strange, I put myself to bed in my own quarters without supper. He wasn’t okay with it. It was clear. xxxooo, V

  47. Elizabeth

    You are a wise woman…chocolate is the best thing in the world to keep on hand, I learned. When hubby is having a difficult day, the best thing to have waiting upon arrival home from work, is a big dish of decadent Ghiradelli double chocolate brownies…and if it is an especially hard day, frost those with more chocolate!!! It is definitely a mood inhancer. Better wear something sexy to bed too…never hurts!! HA!
    My daughter backed our almost new car into our mailbox….we hurried right to the bakery and got some yummy brownies and had “I’m sorry!” added on top with frosting. He almost passed out when he came in and saw that…and when he actually saw the damage to the car, somehow it was not so bad as he anticipated it being…the chocolate did its job!!
    ____________________________________
    Hi Elizabeth
    Maybe I will wear chocolate frosting to bed!
    French husband at least I haven’t crunched the car…yet.

  48. Now we all know how important it is to put in the correct gasoline….what a story!

  49. ohh DEAR
    Whatta Day whatta Day whatta Day!
    I felt like I was there with you.
    In fact ! I am sure I have had this day myself !
    Feel better – Both of you !
    Tomorrow HAS GOT TO BE BETTER
    Yes ?
    Love, S

  50. Gail Sullivan

    Dear Sweet Corey,
    You are a barrel of fun and a laugh a minute. I am glad you have a happy attitude about your misadventure.
    xoxo
    Gail

  51. What a crazy story! Sounds like the two of you made the most of it. 🙂

  52. Oh that sucks. Your husband is so patient. I am so sorry you had such a frustrating and expensive day!
    _______________________________________
    Hi
    Uh no my husband wasn’t patient. I would say he was working very hard on his zen breathing….very hard.

  53. Oh I just look forward to the few paragraphs you add to your blog daily! I love your positive attitude on everything. You really make my day!

  54. Marie-Noëlle

    So FrenchHusbands do not all come out of the same cast!
    I CAN’T even imagine my h’s reaction, had this gas confusion happened to me !?!
    Is it too late to download another h-program?
    I am so SO pleased that our 2 cars are both “diesel” !!! (see what I mean ?!?

  55. oh, dear! It’s a good thing you are so cute, AND you bake with chocolate….
    That sounds like a thing I would do, this is why my husband gets gas in both our cars, he doesn’t trust me.
    Wishing you an uneventful but wonderful day, today!
    Lidy

  56. votre histoire, corey, m’a bien fait rire ! Quel amusement !
    et la morale de l’histoire ? tous les maris français pardonnent lorsqu’on leur cuisine un bon petit plat qu’ils aiment…

  57. Corey, my Muses must have been playing tricks on you too. I’m with Julie only I “wished” yesterday was today!!! Thank God it’s over!!! Blessings, Rebecca

  58. Yes, but did you do any shopping???!!!
    The best part of that kind of day is that it’s over. xoxo

  59. Oh nooooooo! Poor you! Poor Julie! Poor French Husband who now has to drain his car’s gas tank! Well, you handled everything with a good sense of humour.

  60. Poor you! It sounds as though you have as much luck with husbands and their cars as I do!

  61. I love this story because ultimately it is about surrender – one of my favourite things of late!

  62. what a horror! reminding me of a dream i’ve had just before our recent trip to southern france.
    just imagine…but you handled the situation perfectly well. fortunately your cousin assisted in the laughing procedures afterwards.

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