I knew this day would ROCK ..if I could get that Hubcap thingy!

Background story:

Last week I came roarin' around the corner of 4th and Hulman -- headed to Coldwell Banker -- and HIT the curb... HARD. 

I thought "Check that tire when I get in the parking lot."  But -- I pulled in, grabbed my bag, my laptop, my purse, my coffee, -- and forgot to look at the tire.

Got home.. got back on the computer doing a little work, Matt walks in and says "You're missing the center cap on your tire."

"Crap!  I hit that curb at 4th and Hulman and forgot to check it!"  Drove back to 4th and Hulman-- cap has walked off...

This is what I had:

This is what I needed:

E was not happy about waiting.. I told her "Give me five minutes!" We leaned against the car facing the front entrance of Baesler's with the subject vehicle in our peripheral vision. 

...We had just walked out of Baesler's moments ago with a few things for breakfast tomorrow and SMACK it hit me in the face -- there was a car JUST LIKE MINE with 2 missing center caps on the passenger side.. Could it be?  Might there be one surviving cap on the driver's side?  YES!  There was JUST ONE! 

Well, if they've already lost three.. maybe they'll take 10 bucks for the fourth.  It's worth a shot!

E was already nervous.  "No Mom!  Don't ask.  Let's just get our groceries and go home!"

...So we wait.

Everybody walked out of Baeslers and towards that car.. I tried to size them up ... imagine negotiations.

Not all of five minutes later a friendly looking girl in a Harley Davidson shirt carried her one grocery bag over to the car.

"We got her!"  I said outloud and grabbed E's arm.  She resisted, so I had to drag her just a little bit as I ran.

"Mam!"  She turned and looked at me.  (I know the feeling when some stranger comes up to you in the parking lot and begins her question with "Mam"..  I wish there was a better way..)

"I've got a crazy question for you.."

"Well, I've got a crazy answer!"  (Oh good, she's a sport!)

"That's my car over there.. identical to yours, and I'm missing one hubcap."

"I'm missing one hubcap too!" She said and pointed to the front driver's side wheel.

"Actually you're missing 3!" I walked around to the passenger side, "You don't have any over here!"

Then I pointed out the center cap on the "one good wheel" and blurted it out.

"Would you sell me this one for $10..."

YES!!!  We shook on it .. I was so happy I tried to give E a high five.. but she practically backed into traffic to avoid me. 

So instead I asked her take our picture!

Her name is Ally.. and she's a great girl!!

There IS something to be learned here..

Don't be afraid to go for it!  **  Always keep your eyes open!  **  Don't buy parts from the dealer!