Our Good Old Mazi

My 1989 Mazda MX6 has been a good car. She is affectionately referred to in our household as the "Mazi". Chris' coworkers at the Tribe call it a Rez car. Chris still gives her a wax at least twice a year. Jacob loves her because she has a fine collection of dead insects in the back window and because, let's face it, he does not know any better. The old girl has many quirks. Jacob asked me one day, what is that stuff hanging from the roof. O.k. the interior has been falling from the ceiling for years. Only one window works, the passenger's side. The A/C still cranks and the tape deck works fine. Two more cool features still admired by the whole family: (1) a rotating air conditioning vents and (2) the spoiler. Ah, the 1980s!

Chris and I are at a crossroad with the Mazi. The tires need replaced and the battery won't hold a charge. Not that we haven't tried to diagnose (Les Schwab tested battery and alternator) and solve the problem (Chris purchased a trickle charger).

This week may have sealed her fate. Chris had to take our personal truck up the the XL Ranch. No problem. I would simply outfit the Mazi with the boys' carseats (Chris or I usually drive the Mazi solo) and run my errands. No big deal right; after all I am a Benefield and nothing slows us down... N-O-T-H-I-N-G!

My plan is working beautifully. I unplug the trickle charger, disconnect the black and then the red cables from our RV hook-up (this outdoor outlet, "RV hook-up", was a selling point presented by the Agent upon purchasing our home). The moment of truth (or so I thought)... the engine turns over. Yahoo! Jacob groans in the driveway because he had envisioned taking the wagon. James is stoked because he gets to sit in a big-boy car seat, facing forward. I even go as far as to text Chris on the way out of the driveway, "Mazi started!" (by the way, we have a new phone and I have turned into a texting hound, a little late, but what the heck)
First stop, the post office. No problem, boys out of their car seats, Jacob even manages to open the door to the post office (you see he insists on doing everything himself these days). I am thinking, what a big boy he is becoming. The post office transaction (mailing cousin Carson his Birthday present and little Gemma her Baptism gift) goes smoothly. Boys back in their respective car seats. Keys in the ignition and the Mazi is completely dead. Bummer!

But you know what... this did not even phase me. Two reasons: I am a Benefield! and I am a AAA Plus member. I call and they will send a truck to jump the battery in a jiffy. I am actually feeling pretty good because I can finally get my monies worth for my AAA membership. That is what it is for after all, fast roadside service. Burney Towing is just two minutes away. I will stay on track with my errands and still arrive at the park for our play date on time.

During the next hour of waiting the following transpired. Boys placed in shade. Boys fed snacks. Boys drank CapriSuns. (Thank goodness I had lunch packed for the park, our final destination after was supposed to be errands to the post office, library, and grocery store). Mommy remaining calm. Mommy proud of fellow Burney-ites offering help; faith in humanity growing by the minute. The tow truck will be here any minute. I actually even turned this into a fun game- "look at the logging truck go by... look at the hay truck go by..." "Is that the tow truck mommy? No, that is a cement loader." Jacob pees on a tree. Many weird stares (mother of the year award right!). Carri trying to confidently tell strangers "no help needed, help is on the way." I would also slip in, "... an old car from college days" or "... only the battery." I was trying desperately not to look like a single mom, two kids, old car. Jacob loosing patience. Mommy's faith in humanity in tact, however faith in AAA waning. Jacob commenting that the wagon would have been a better idea. Mommy not willing to admit he was right.

Finally the tow truck arrived. It was just as COOL as mommy promised Jacob it would be... "like tow-mater" only yellow. (Cute side note: when I mentioned that tow-mater was coming to help us, to my surprise, Jacob got a bit worried and asked, "are we going to jail?" Flashing back to the point in the Cars Movie, I quickly added that tow-mater was only going to use some cool cables to help start the Mazi battery and that we were not in trouble. I don't think he quite believed me until he actually witnessed the tow truck in action). And you will love this... I managed to quickly run to the library and keep our park play date (only 15 minutes late- Sorry Karen!) by simply leaving the car running. You see another oh so cool feature of "our Mazi" is that you can take the key out of the ignition and she still runs!

We fear the day may have come to let her go. What a car she has been. Purchased for $5,000 from a fellow Graduation Student at UC Davis in 1996, she has faithfully served us for 13 years.

Mid-Summer Fun

We are fast approaching a household with a 1 year old and a 4 year old- HARD TO BELIEVE! James is big enough now to ride in the wagon with big bro. Too cool.

We had fund with Grammy Joyce this week- she is the best!

Jacob's latest- scuba diving in the bath tub. Yep, that is part of his potty training seat around his waist, his "tank." The goggles are from his tool bench.

A Few More Happenings

Jacob and I took our first summer ride on the mountain bike, he rides in the "jump" seat, officially called a kangaroo seat. Sorry, no pictures- need to get one though. I have been enjoying my touch ipod- LOVE IT. Now I fall into the category of folks that can't hear somebody approaching and/or asking a question (what? did you say something), so rude, but what is one to do the sound quality rocks!

Summer Arrives (and it is already July)

After a very rainy June, summer has finally arrived. Swim lessons and the 4th of July have come and gone for yet another year. Camping, visiting with cousins, and more swimming are on the horizon.