Sunday, January 24, 2010

Have YOU ever tried to drive away from the gas pump with the nozzle still inserted?

I posted that as my status on FB last night. Sounds like a lot of you have!

But I bet your story isn't as crazy as mine. . .

So, yesterday afternoon, after doing all my errands, I decided it would be a good idea to get some gas.

Ya know, so we wouldn't be sucking fumes all the way to Church and back today.

I pulled in and waited for the person ahead of me to come back outside and leave.

Apparently, this person was a cash payer, because after about 10 minutes, she came out and just got started pumping her gas.

I decided that I'd waited there long enough, and just then, the lane next to me was clear.

So I quickly pulled ahead and then backed into that lane. Sure, my tank was on the opposite side as the gas pump now,

but - I've pulled the hose over and down and it was long enough before.
(At a different gas station).
No problem at all.
So I swiped my debit card through the reader, and then picked up the nozzle and pulled it up, and over - wait - cheap gas station!!!

Who the heck installed such short hoses?

So I jumped back into the 'burb and tried to quickly pull out, turn around, and drive back in again. Well, since it was Saturday, it was busy, and before I could get completely turned around, another car pulled in.

He was oblivious. It wasn't his fault.

So, I pulled around and it just so happened that the lane next to the one I'd just been in just opened up. So I got out and asked the guy who stole my lane (not his fault!) to check his receipt when he was done to see if it was on my debit card or his. He was a good guy, thankfully, and checked it when he was done. Meanwhile, I had gotten the gas flowing for real into my tank. Good Guy came over to my car door and we determined that yes, it was charged onto my card, and he gave me the cash. I don't know, but another person might have just said "thanks for the gift of gas, see ya..." so I think I lucked out here.

We finished our little transaction, and then I put my 'burb in gear and started to drive off. (I guess in my distracted, deranged mind I thought I was all done with this gas station!)

Suddenly, a guy ran over and banged on the passenger side window, and another dude in an old blue pickup pulling into Good Guy's lane next to me started honking and pointing.


I realized - The Nozzle Is Still In My Tank! and I hit the brakes.

Luckily, the hose was just long enough that no damage was done, just a slight gasoline spill.

No Exxon Valdez here.

As I was out of the car and checking for damage, the dude who'd tapped on my window came over to check me out. He was scruffy, in a work coat and beanie cap, but he stood there looking at me like I was on drugs or something. I guess I can't blame him for that, can I? So I gave a quick explanation of what'd happened and he wandered off...
Meanwhile, my boys were in the car, still being wild and crazy (which I am sure had contributed at least a little bit to my distraction).
So I opened the door and stuck my head in and calmly (but NOT quietly) proceeded to chew them out, saying that they needed to get back in their seat belts and be quiet and quit jumping all over the place. I shut the door, and went to check on the progress of my tank being filled. (Dang, these 26 gal tanks take forever to fill up!)
Then I noticed the Dude in the Old Blue Pickup watching all this happen will almost a grin on his face, so what else could I do? I laughed and said "do you have kids, too?" and he said "yes" and so I said that then he must know how it is. . . and I thanked him for saving me and my car and the whole entire gas station from blowing up (not exactly in those words, but ya know what I mean).

It was one of those situations where I felt like I had to explain what had happened, so that he'd know I wasn't drunk or on crack. . .

Just a crazy mommy having a really crazy day!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is too funny! It's such a relief to hear that other moms get a little forgetful when the kids are crazy. Better luck next fill up!

Mrs. O said...

I haven't done that one before, but I have left my car running and not noticed until I got back in after filling up. Oops!

Glad I didn't blow anything up.

Rick Carpenter said...

As a matter of fact, my wife did this several years ago. She ripped the hose right off the pump, just like in your picture! Fortunately, the gas pump manufacturers had accounted for 'blonde' (yes she's blonde) moments like that and have installed safety switches on the pumps. It cost me $157 to pay for the repair.

Erin said...

Wow, what a crazy story!!!

CB said...

That is hilarious! I have never done that but I could totally see the whole scenario in my mind and how kids could definately be distracting! Glad you all lived through it with a great story to tell!

Buckeroomama said...

Oh my! :) That hasn't happened to me (yet!)... only because we don't have self-service gas stations around here.

Rachel Sue said...

I hope you don't that I'm laughing at you a bit.

And it took me a second to realize that the gas was still pumping as you drove away. . .

I have had days like that!

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

That makes me feel a little better - my worst gas station snafu involves the little auto-kick off function when your tank is full not quite functioning to the tune of a gallon or two spilled down the side. Smelled horrific until I got to wash it off. No bystander involvement. I too hope you have a better go next time you need gas!

wendy said...

Oh my gosh, that is funny. I have never done that and I'd be laughing hysterically actually.

you asked me about the green paint color I used in my house ---I have to try and find some left over cans that might have it on it, as hubby can't remember. I love it though.

Lara Neves said...

At least you can laugh about it now! That will be one for the family archives! :)

Pedaling said...

one of those moments.
thanks for sharing so the rest of us know we're in good company!

Grace said...

i read this and laughed so much...i can so much relate. I did something similiar a number of years ago. This is much better detailed than the blurb on facebook too. Thanks for the good laugh :)

Amber M. said...

Holy COW woman!! That is some story! I'm glad it was a good guy, too.

I've never pulled out with the hose still in, but I can't count how many gas caps I've had to replace...

alpinekleins said...

Yes! That is a crazy mommy day! I'm so glad you survived:) I think my blog is back online again - it is a problem with internet explorer. As far as I could tell everything was visible okay with firefox and chrome. But I've spent waaaaay to much time on it :)

Kristin

mCat said...

I hope you at least got a diet coke for yourself before leaving behind the whole gas station fiasco!

CareyClan said...

This was the funniest story I've read in a long time!

Emma said...

lol!!! That is something I would have done!!!

I'm glad that no real damage was done!

thecrunchywife said...

hahahahahaha that's too funny...so glad everything was okay though!!

I'm following you from MBC FFF, that would be awesome if you could stop by my blog when you get a chance :) www.thecrunchywife.blogspot.com

Jenny :)

LyndiLou said...

OH DANG!!! So glad you didn't end up at home with an unexpected souvenir!!! That would have been CRAZY!!! Glad you're ok and that good guy was truly good guy! :)

tammy said...

So, I take it you don't want to go fill my car up for me?

At least it gave you a funny story to blog!

Melissa said...

Oh, I have sooo done that....I only wish I had the distraction of kids to blame it on.......