Can You Say "Oops"?

February was a very busy month for the Hayleys and I'm not even very sure why. It involved trips out of town, work deadlines, an ice storm and, of course, a marathon.

It was so busy that there were several days that we drove separate cars to work - me in the trusty family sedan (aka The Car That Will Not Die Despite My Frequent Wishes That It Do So) and The Boy in Old Glory. Anyone who knows us understands how unusual this is. We are devoted carpoolers and can sometimes go months without having to drive Old Glory. To drive separately several times in one month is unthinkable.

But we did and that's just the way it was. You can imagine my surprise when The Boy (the one who never calls and half the time doesn't answer when you call him) rang me just before lunch.

The Boy:

Hi there! I'm on the way to the mechanic.

Me:

Why? Is something wrong with Old Glory?

The Boy:

No, she's fine. The inspection sticker is out of date.

Me:

Oh no! You'd better get that replaced.

Him:

Yes.  It's strange how you notice things at weird times. 

You'd think I would have noticed the sticker was out of date 

when I drove her the last few weeks, but I didn't. 

Me:

True enough. Sometimes it works that way.

Him:

But I really wished I noticed four months ago 

when the sticker actually expired.