Just Trying to Be Nice

This event took place way back in November and December, I've been meaning to blog about it, it's been on my 'to-blog-about-list' and I'm finally making time for it...ok, the truth is Ryan has no idea I'm even here, he's glued to those stinking March Madness games like his life depended on it.  He does come out of his coma during commercials, just long enough to grab a Pepsi or an ice-cream sandwich.  Every so often he actually gets out of the recliner (my recliner, by the way) during the games and plays catch or soccer with Lane in the living room...March Madness makes me mad.  I get why it's called that now.  Seriously, how much basketball can one watch?  Anyhoo.  On with my story...

*Disclosure* Since most of this was kept secret from us, my facts are as I assumed them or have been told...however, I'm not good with 'guy' stuff so none of this may make any sense...

Back in October my Dad saw an ad for a sale on running boards. (ok...time-out...I'm talking about the thing-ies you step on to get into our SUV) Dad knew that our passenger side running board was starting to show rust and thought he'd be nice (actually, he always is!) and buy the new running boards for Ryan and I ... since our anniversary was coming up in November, he thought he could use that as an 'excuse' to give them to us.  Now, he just had to come up with a reason to 'need' our car for the day so he could have them installed. 

Turns out...it wasn't that easy.  He and Mom went to the store to get them.  While there learned they were a special order for our model of car.  Ok, no big deal.  But that would cost more money.  Dad proceeded with the sale...I think he questions now if he should have.  A few weeks pass and our anniversary has approached.  The boards were in and he and Mom went to pick them up just in time to give them to us on our 8th anniversary.  But the sales person comes out with a teeny-tiny box and hands it to Dad.  He explains that those can't possibly be what he ordered... They realize they need to re-order a different style and once again, the price has increased.  But Dad has committed to this purchase and waits another couple of weeks for the new boards to arrive.  Once he's notified they are in, Mom and Dad return to the store to pick them up.  While there they learned they need to purchase the brackets to attach them to our Expedition.  Fine.  They finally get them home and now just need to 'get' my car from me. 

Just so happens that my 4-Wheel Drive light on the dash would flash back and forth between 4-Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive, it was now December and we already had snow, I wanted to get it checked out to make sure it was just the dash lights, not the actual 4-Wheel Drive stuff flipping back and forth ...I don't claim to know anything about automobiles, hence my wonderful description.  I made an appointment, asked if Mom could follow me and pick me up after dropping the car off.  Rick (the car guy) told me it should be done by noon.  Perfect.  I can't remember exactly what was going on that week but I'm sure I had places to go, people to see, things to buy... When I called at noon to make sure I could get it, Rick said, "uh...no, we're pretty busy it's going to be 4:00 before we're done."  I could handle that.  That night I went with my parents to my great-aunt Betty Roll's visitation at the funeral home.  I decided since I had a ride, I'd have them drop me off to get the car.  BUT, the Expedition was not sitting outside like it should have been. 

So...  Either my car had been stolen...or it wasn't done.  Yee-Gads.  I kept thinking, What was wrong with it?! I didn't think it would be that big of a deal! Glad I took it in but how much is this going to cost me!?  I don't want to spend too much on it!  It was paid off then "hailed-out" and we bought it back for only $500...I don't want to spend more than that on it!

So, the next morning I call to NAG  check on the car.  No answer.  Mid morning I called Ryan and asked him to call to see what the heck was wrong and tell those guys not to put too much into it if it's going to be crazy expensive.  He called me back a minute later saying he couldn't get anyone to answer.  So at noon I nag some more check on them again. Rick finally answered and said, "we're having a little trouble.  it's taking a little longer than we expected."  I voiced my concern about the money and he kind of fumbled around, not really knowing what to say.  But he assured me it would be done that afternoon. 

Mind you, I've been telling Mom &Dad all about my nagging to the guys at Quality Auto.  They managed to come up with some kind of answers and miraculously keep straight faces all while calling me funny little names or referring to me as some nosey/ naggy neighbor Agnes off of the old Bewitched.  After Betty's funeral, Mom & Dad dropped me off at the shop to pick up the Expedition.  I was getting a little nervous after I called so many times to bother check on the guys working, that I asked Dad if he'd please just go in and get the keys for me.  He did.  He came out with a little smirk that made me think they all had a good laugh about the several times his favorite daughter called.  Dad handed me the keys and I walked to the car. 

I went to step up... and froze.  I noticed the new running boards right away.  I turned back to look at Mom & Dad & Shawn and they were all laughing.  I still didn't get it.  I remember thinking, "Why would Rick put new running boards on without asking us? Who would do that?" 

Then it dawned on me.  Oh my! How embarrassing. How nice!  And how beautiful! They looked so good!

Little did I know or understand all the trouble it took for that to happen, just for Dad trying to be nice!  Ends up the running boards were harder to get on & off than anticipated. They also had caller ID and saw our numbers and decided not to answer (smart on their part!)  I don't think Rick & Eric will put another pair on for anyone...ever.  Just last night Dad saw a similar ad in the newspaper and said, "oh, I think I just got a little sick seeing that!"

We've all had more than a few good laughs over this whole thing and I just want to say Thanks Again, Mom & Dad!!!   Dad may never 'try to be nice' again!