600 miles and 4 tires later

So after all the stress and business of wedding planning all summer long, I decided it would be nice to wind down my summer with a convention! The kids and I took off Wednesday morning, an hour later than I had hoped, but still in good time. I needed to stop in Kearney and decided I might as well just travel the last 80 or so miles with Mom & Dad and the kids.

Since we are just going to make it in time for the evening meeting, we stop at the Wendy's drive thru and head down the road with our jr. bacon cheeseburgers.
I suppose we got about 25 miles down the road when I called Mom to see how fast they were driving, so I wouldn't "fall behind". Since 2 cars had just passed me going at least 85, I decided I would speed up a bit to make up a little time. (I rarely speed - just ask my family!) So here I was, speeding AND talking on my cell. (hands free - in my defense!) Then the front drivers tire blew. It was loud enough that even mom (on the other end of the cell)
heard it! I've never had a tire blow while I was driving, so I always wondered (and worried) what it would be like. You hear horror stories about people loosing control because of a tire blowing and that was one of my fears. Thankfully, it was nothing of the sort! I got pulled over pretty quick and Dad turned around (yes, illegally) to come back and help me. It's not much fun to have to unload the trunk of your car that you (ok, your husband) so carefully loaded, on the side of the interstate! I also learned there's not much to entertain a restless 18 month old boy on the side of the interstate either!
I called Ryan (my brother) and asked him to switch me cars so he could take mine to have new front tires put on it, and then bring it to convention on Friday.

So that all worked out great. Really hadn't planned on getting new tires of the car this soon, but oh well.
Now here I am today. (Monday) I stayed in Kearney Sunday night because I wasn't up to driving 300 miles home at 5 in the evening with 2 convention weary children. I slept in this morning and took my time, had lunch with Mom & Dad and then headed home.
Imagine my irritation when just a smidgen past the Ogallala exit, I realize I blew ANOTHER tire! Now really, in the average life span, how many tires does the average person loose?! I think I've exceeded my average.
After determining that there was no one at home who could come to my rescue, and deciding the prospect of ME changing the tire on the side of the interstate in a knee length denim skirt, with a car full of luggage and 2 children in tow wasn't a pretty picture, I drove in reverse (also illegal) back to the exit ramp and headed to the nearest gas station. 2 grubby guys in an old pick up truck came to my rescue and changed the tire for me. I was very thankful, and gave them the rest of my gas money. (sorry hon, you'll have to fill the car tomorrow!)
Off I drove, on the donut, and found a tire store on the way out of town. 2 more tires coming right up! Thankfully, I made it the last 70 miles home incident free!
It was a wonderful convention, by the way!