To the preschool mom who left her Jetta running with the doors unlocked in the parking lot, my apologies. Normally I would not open your driver-side door and attempt to climb in your vehicle. But there were extenuating circumstances when I dropped Thomas off today. First, my husband has the SUV I usually drive because the car he drives is in the shop. That explains why I brought my son in a Chevy 4-door of a similar size and color to yours. The fact it also was running and unlocked right next to your vehicle is reason enough for a scatter-brained mom like me to get mixed up. What’s that you say? Your Volkswagen looks nothing like my rental car. Could be… but you see it was really foggy out and with the sun attempting to break through perhaps I was blinded. Did I mention I was wearing sunglasses to hide my tired and puffy eyes? By the way, I didn’t take anything but I would be willing to trade my boring black purse for your python-printed one in the front seat.
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 44
This post was written by Tara on February 2, 2012
Haha!! My experience–noticing the baseball glove and carry-out sack, which weren’t mine, sitting between the front seats of a van, while trying to stick my key in the wrong ignition–and STILL thinking, “Why doesn’t my key fit?”
Thanks for sharing the hilarity! It’s too funny, Tara!
I really hope I’m not reading any of this.
Do people not steal cars, purses, or anything else in your town? They do in mine.
LOL! Sorry you had that kind of day, but it sure added humor to this dreary day.
I don’t know if this applies to where you park, but my friend found out the hard way. In many states, including Iowa and Illinois, it’s illegal to leave your car running at a public place. However, drivers continue to do it. If you do plan to leave your car running unattended, in both Iowa and Illinois you could face hefty fines. It may be hundreds of dollars depending on the number of times you get caught.
Your story was quite funny, I’m sure you were hoping no one saw you. I can easily see how it could happen.
My daughter did that years ago to run into a Quik Trip for 10 seconds and when she came out…no car. It was recovered wrecked at the sand pits…don’t do that ever again!!
Leaving a purse in an unlocked car? Yikes!
I have to agree with the others…leaving a car running is a dangerous venture; an open invitation for trouble. Leaving a purse in the car is giving them the cash/credit any thief would want. I know that moms, who are tired beyond belief, don’t do these things to be meaningfully reckless but this is a dangerous habit. How often do you here about car jackings while a mom/dad went inside for a “minute” leaving the kids in the car and the car gets stolen, kids and all? Scary…however, your experience did turn out to be harmless in the end and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene as you described it.
Bet you didn’t think this would cause such an uproar, Tara!
) Have to add my own stories though…
Last year there was someone stealing items from unlocked/running cars in front of daycares. Then there was the time someone left their car running in front of our daycare in Waterloo (a well-known one)…..but forgot to put the car in park. The car went crashing through the front doors of the daycare, because there were no cement stops in front of the doors (and STILL are not after many complaints). Thank goodness there were no children or employees injured! Yes, I am still angry about this!!!!
We need to keep our children safe!
Kind of reminds you of the commercial where the lady is at the store yapping on her cell phone and tries to get in the nice car, and her husband has to tell her they drive a station wagon. And I thought it would only be in a commercial.
Had a similiar instance over the summer. I tried to get into a silver mini van at the arts center that was parked next to mine. Luckily the father of said mini van was doing the same thing to mine. Ha!
This makes me laugh. I live in a small town and I have left my car unlocked with personal belongings inside. I leave my purse in it unlocked all the time. We have never had a burglary in my town either. Tara, do whatever you feel comfortable with!
Tara!! You crack me up
Thanks for the laugh!!
I live in a small town as well and this is a very common occurrance. I can go to the store here and at least five of the ten cars parked in the lot are running and unlocked with either kids or dogs in them, lol. Same goes for houses, you could probably walk into most houses here at night as they are unlocked. Sometimes wished I lived somewhere bigger but sorry to say you can not beat small town living. My children are still allowed to be kids and live the “Mayberry” lifestyle. I work from home and during the summer months my littlest who is gonna be 4 here soon has always been able to go outside and play without me actually sitting on the step and watching his every move. Maybe someday when the kids are grown and out of the house I will choose to move but for right now as long as there is this kind of lifestyle, I will stick to where I am at.