A Goal and a Flat

Sorry - no pictures, but I just had to brag on my eldest daughter a bit. Lauren scored her first ever soccer goal in yesterday's game against Calvin Christian. They won 4-3, the first victory of the season.

The goal was all practice and skill, but my witness to it was a little on the lucky side. See, it's been raining lately. A lot. And yesterday Deanna noticed a flat on the Mazda. Put some air in it and was getting where I needed to, but I wanted to get that taken care of. So we got to the field 30 minutes before game time (coach's rule) and there's a break in the rain. I decide this is a good time to put the spare on so I can drop the tire off for repair between Lauren's game and Matt's practice. I have the lugs off, car jacked up, and spare ready to go. Odd thing is, the wheel won't budge. There are no lugs holding it on, but I pull and pull (to the point that the car moves). The wheel will not come off. Jeremy (teammate's older brother) walked over to see if I need any help. He's got nothing.

It's been raining remember. Well, Ridge Crest field is too wet so the game is moving to Alpine Park. While Lauren catches a ride with the Herzogs, I pull out the manual to see what the heck is up with the wheels on this car. You know it's trouble when I resort to checking the manual. Kurt, the athletic director, and I are the only ones left at Ridge Crest. He stuck around to make sure any stragglers make it over to Alpine for the game. Kurt gives the tire a few yanks and scratches his head. No idea. The manual said nothing about the magic that holds the rear passenger wheel to the axle with no lugs. So I do the only logical thing, put the lug nuts back on and head over to Alpine.

By the time I arrive it's raining hard again and the game is in progress. No score according to Kathy. You already know how the game came out. I'm headed to the tire repair place this morning. Let's see if they can get the stupid tire off.