Thursday, February 12, 2015

Things That Annoy Me Thursday: Bikes Breaking

I went to call Natalie inside for the night and she was crying.

"My bike won't move!" she shrieked.

Sure enough, the front tire would not spin. I asked what she did and she was like, "NOTHING! Just RIDING!"

I had to carry the bike inside, which was no easy task. I crashed into the bush. Next, I went into the garage, opened Tom's tool drawer, and pulled out the one I needed. I think it's called a wrench. Then I marched back over to the bike and said, "Mommy will fix this," because I want Natalie to know that girls are quite capable of fixing their property.

I peered at the bike and behaved like I knew what I was looking at. I didn't. But I wanted Natalie to think I did, so I went, "It's the brake. It's clamped down on the wheel. We have to loosen the brake. Simple." So I clamped the wrench on a silver domed screw thingy, there was a clicking sound, and then the brakes basically fell apart.

But the wheel moved again.

"So," I said, not panicking. "I'll just have to tighten the brake again. But not so much, because we want the wheel to move."

The thing was, I couldn't tighten the brakes. I don't know what I did wrong. I tried to tighten the silver domed screw thingy, and it wouldn't.

I called the bike a worthless fu*k, because I curse when I'm upset. Natalie reminded me to use friendly words, but I was not feeling friendly. What was wrong with the bike? Why wouldn't the brake work anymore?

"So," I said to Natalie. "You'll just have to stop yourself with you feet."

Natalie's eyes went wide. "I can't! I'll crash into things. I'll mess up my SHOES!"

"I don't know what to tell you. Daddy isn't here and Mommy is confused."

I posted this picture on Facebook, complaining about my ordeal.


Luckily my friend Jennifer said her husband Bobby could help. They came over the following day and Bobby was able to fix the brakes. I have no idea how he did it. I probably should have watched in case it happens again. Oops.

But I am so grateful they work! Thank goodness for helpful friends.


15 comments:

  1. :) Most likely the wire that pulls the brakes closed slipped. Glad you got it fixed (hey, knowing who to ask to help fix things is part of getting it fixed!)

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  2. its great to have friends who can help fix things!

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  3. Oh wow! I would have had NO IDEA what to do, so props to you for even trying! I'm glad someone was able to fix it right up for Natalie! :)

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  4. I hate when anything breaks. So annoying. Glad someone was able to fix the bike!

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  5. Side note: thank you SO MUCH for spelling "brake" the correct way. Someone on facebook the other day called them "breaks" and I died inside. Although I know that kind of thing also makes you crazy so I expect nothing less from you ;)

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  6. So glad it's fixed, that's scary.

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  7. Ugh! My bike keeps falling apart too. Plus, it was a gift from my husband, so he always acts like it was his fault for buying it for me. I tell him he's being stupid, but he won't listen. Bikes are a pain!

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  8. I'm impressed that you did as much as you did - that kind of stuff is not really my thing. I would have found a neighbor to help:) And, I guarantee I would have been cussing, too!!

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  9. It's awesome to have friends who help fix things!

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  10. Thank god he got it to work. I would have been soo annoyed. I hate when I cant fix things!

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  11. Teaching her that sometimes you need to ask for help isn't a bad lesson, either :)

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  12. Friends that help are the best kind!

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  13. Helpful friends rock!
    Also, I totally curse at inanimate objects, and yes, in front of my kids.
    I'm glad I'm not the only one.

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  14. You taught her how to ask for help, so it is a good lesson. Glad it is fixed!

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  15. I love that you pretend you know what you're doing just to teach your daughter that females can fix things too....even if you didn't. Still! I respect that big time. And yay for someone fixing it!

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