Thursday, May 20, 2010

Just call me Mrs Bumblebee...

I had been looking so forward to this day for several weeks now. My alarm clock went off early on my day off, but I eagerly jumped out of bed to take on the new day! There were 5 of us labor and delivery gals that were all heading to Cincinnati to check out the huge IKEA store! Two of us had never been before, but had heard great things about it! We could hardly contain our excitement!
I was the chosen driver as I have the biggest vehicle! We wanted to be sure we had plenty of room to haul our purchases home! So, with our cell phones, purses, cash and debit cards in hand, off we went!

There was lots of happy chatter going on in the vehicle as you can imagine with 5 nurses on board. This was a special occasion...all of us off work at the same time, no spouses or kids, and a huge store awaiting our arrival!

I was driving on highway 46 towards Greensburg, In. I had just crossed highway 9 and was almost to Newbern. It was an overcast day and a slight chill in the air. The traffic began to slow down and we all wondered what was causing the traffic jam! After all.. we were on a mission! There was a long line of slowed traffic and 5 impatient gals in my SUV. We finally saw the culprit up ahead. It was a big truck that was spray painting those bright yellow lines down the middle of this two lane road! As we got closer, we could see a flashing sign in the back of the paint truck saying, "Warning, do not drive on paint!" Well, no duh........ We followed the truck for several miles until we got a break in the road and were all able to pass on the right! We were so happy to have finally gotten around that silly truck, but not another word was mentioned about INDOT painting the road! Until...............................................

We arrived in Greensburg and Nicole wanted to stop for some caffeine! We made a quick stop at McDonald's and grabbed something "to go" and were out the door! As I was walking out of McDonald's, I heard the shock in Nicole's voice! She squealed......"Oh no, Karen.....look at your car!" At that moment, I turned and looked at my "new paint job!"
I had apparently crossed over the freshly painted, yellow, center line in the two lane road and it had gotten all over my tires. It then splattered all over the inside of my wheel wells and onto my quarter panel and back bumper! Terri teased me about adding racing stripes to my car on the way to IKEA, while Amy teased me that I now looked like I was driving a bumble bee! We all were laughing hysterically and at the same time, I had a very sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach! You see, I was going to have to try to get this off before my husband saw it!

However, we did not let this slow us down one bit! Onto IKEA we went! I couldn't help but think of my horrible mess that was awaiting me as I walked up and down the isles of IKEA! (By the way, I loved the store and definitely want to go back again someday!) Over lunch I talked to my husband and dad and told them what I had done! Jonathan took it much better than I expected, but it was just because he could not even picture what this vehicle looked like! :o)

Later, the gals told me that they saw people pointing to my car and laughing at us! I am glad I was able to give them their laugh for the day!

Once we arrived back in town, I went to the car wash and inserted several dollars into the Super Power Wash. Unfortunately, you couldn't even tell that it helped! I went to the auto store and a body shop, and all the men basically said to me was, "Good luck!" :(

I've gotten a police report filed and will be going to see Mr Insurance agent in the morning. My dad also has a friend that has some sort of "potion" that he declares will get it off! So, I now have new plans for my Friday! I'll probably be spending it in the garage, de-striping my bumble-bee!

We had a great time in spite of the circumstances! And yes, I do want to go again, but next time, I'll let someone else drive!!!!

7 comments:

Vanessa Froelich

Hahaha. Sorry about your vehicle, but funny story.

My good friend Brittany loves IKEA. I have never been, but she has gotten a few things from there for me.

There is an IKEA near Chicago, so I want to stop there during our trip next month. Can't wait!

Angie D

I love IKEA, but I usually just get furniture or household items--not a paint job! That's purty... ;o)

Unknown

That happened to Wesley's blue car. It never came off...
A little more noticeable on your bold black vehicle though! LOL!

Sheila

Oh no....not encouraging words, Jenny! You do realize if it would have been me, I would just have driven on to the East coast & started a new life! Hope Rudy's potion does the trick!!!

Stephanie Lynn Burley

I guess I'll have to be the first with an "I don't like IKEA" comment, but I'm all about a girl's day out, and it sounds like you had a blast! I can also sympathize with the "knot in the stomach" feeling...had the same one this winter when I backed into my dad's car...in his driveway. Ugh.
Glad everything turned out ok for ya!

Anonymous

Oh, that's terrible but funny. I want to go to that store so bad, but haven't made it yet. I will try not to follow any paint trucks though:0

The Dickinsons

Your shopping trip sounds fun, except for the sad bumble-bee paint job. =) Sorry about that!