A Husband And His Side Of The Story

On my last Not Me! Monday post, I wrote about how my husband had stopped to purchase gas for $2.39 a gallon instead of $2.09. Well, he was very concerned that all of my readers would think he was one of those guys and wanted to make sure you got to read his comment:

Tim posting here:

I'm glad everyone has enjoyed a few laughs at my expense over what can only be described as an impressive work of FICTION. Thus, while I appreciate the shout-out re: my chivalry at Marshall's, I must say that the gas-price post is (unintentionally, I'm sure) misleading, libelous, and truly unbelievable to those who really know me.

First - I pride myself on being economically rational. My kids have heard me rail non-stop about how those obliviots who pay $3.89 at the Shell when the Arco across the street is selling gas for $3.30 are negatively skewing the market by rewarding inefficient business practices (thereby diminishing the efficacy of our efforts to "vote" with our pocketbooks). In other words, cheap gasoline has no bigger advocate than Tim White. And to imply otherwise is calumny of the highest order.

Second - The charming Mrs. White apparently failed to appreciate that my actions were motivated not by fiscal foolishness or naivete, but instead by my overwhelming desire to keep my wife and children (terrestrial and in utero) safe and comfortable.

For the facts are these:

(A) I admit to not having committed to memory every point of ingress and egress along Highway 99 between midtown Bakersfield and the Grapevine, much less the price of gas at each service station along the route. I'll get to it right after I cure cancer.

(B) While leaving Bakersfield on southbound 99, Veronica's sole aim was to find a Sonic fast-food joint so she could get some shake or slurpee-like concoction that apparently is otherworldly. A family member in Bakersfield told me which exit to take to get to Sonic (it should have been visible from the offramp). Well, I take the exit, and there's no Sonic in sight. At this point, Veronica's quickly beginning to show signs of being, ummmm, "tired" (yeah, that's it -- "tired"), and she immediately (and unceremoniously) calls off the Sonic search.

(C) At that point, we were heading home, and the gas tank was a bit over a quarter full (which supposedly should get us around 110 miles or so -- but who knows, especially with the imposing inclines we were about to drive on). We certainly would need to refuel at some point on our trip (and sooner, rather than later). Previously, while driving around Bakersfield the prior day visiting family, I saw several gas stations selling gas for less than $2/gallon. [But that day we were focused on getting to events on time, not on getting gas.] On the non-Sonic exit, gas was going for $2.09. Far from being the fat-cat, big spender that the subject post makes me out to be, I actually was interested in SAVING money on gas that day, and thought that there would be a decent chance of finding something less than $2.09, given the lower prices I had already seen in town (the kids' college funds aren't going to fund themselves). Well, I apparently misjudged how many more exits were left in Bakersfield proper (apparently none), and needless to say, we soon found ourselves at THE LAST exit with gas stations before the long trek up and over the desolate, mountainous Grapevine. And, yes, the gas prices at all four stations there were $2.39. (Horizontal price fixing, anyone?)

(D) So, I quickly found myself on the horns of a dilemma. On the one hand, I absolutely HATED the idea of paying above-market prices for gasoline. But on the other hand, I had my wife and six children to think about. Should I pull a Kosmo Kramer, choose not to fill up, and risk running out of gas with my pregnant wife and young children in the vehicle while traversing the treacherous peaks and valleys of the Mordor-like Grapevine (with Donner Party images flashing through my mind)? Or should I pay the extra twenty cents per gallon (which totaled less than $3.00 extra), to ensure that my family remains safe and sound?

In other words, the central question is whether the assurance of my family's well being is worth more or less than the price of US magazine? To ask the question is to answer it, methinks.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today, unwavering in the conviction that my actions on that cold winter day were noble and just, and not an appropriate target of scorn or derision. What say you?



What say me, Einstein??
That's what me says.

I do have to share my SIL, Natalie's, comment, too:

I say you embrace the pregnancy hormones and mail me a dictionary so I can follow your comment! LOL

I just love my husband. He thinks too hard about everything. So, Baby, I wasn't mad about the gas price issue, I was just mad. Like Natalie so wisely commented, it had to do with pregnancy hormones! So, if it wouldn't have been the gas, it would have been something else, Tim Dear. Haven't you learned this by now?? This is only the 5th pregnancy we have gone through together, and with the way the Lord seems to bless us so quickly and consistently with children, it seems this may happen again. Timmy, just sit back, enjoy the ride...God made you my husband because He knew most men would not be as patient, loving, understanding, and compassionate as you are!! No, really.