Hey Dummy...
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118442)
Gainesville, Florida
September 6, 2018 7:02pm CST
On my way home from work, I decided to stop and grab some fast-food, as it was late, I was tired, and I didn't feel like cooking when I got home. When I placed my order in the drive-thru line, the manager told me that my order would take about 7-8 minutes, and then directed me to park in a space to the side of the restaurant to wait for my food to come out. I parked, and shut off my truck, and checked my social media sites on my smartphone while I waited. A few minutes later the manager brought out my food, I thanked her, and then went to leave...only to find out I had a dead battery.
No problem I thought to myself, I'll just call AAA roadside assistance and have them come change out the battery in my truck. Upon placing the call to AAA, they informed me that it would be an hour before they could get to me. Not in a rush, I told them okay and then sat at an outdoor picnic table to eat my food. About 20 minutes later, the manager of the fast-food restaurant poked her head out of the drive-thru window and asked me if everything was okay. I told her I had a dead battery, and was waiting for AAA to come help me. She asked me why I didn't just buy a new battery, and I said I would once AAA got there to help me.
She then said, "Hey dummy, look behind you." I turned and looked behind me, and sitting there right next door to the restaurant was an auto parts store. Stupid me, the whole time I was sitting there waiting, I never once looked over in that direction. I quickly called AAA back and cancelled my service call, then went into the auto parts store and bought a new battery. It took me all of 5 minutes to change out the battery, and I was on my way.
I had to laugh at myself. How ironic that my truck battery went dead right next to an auto parts store, and I didn't even realize it!
46 people like this
44 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
7 Sep 18
So glad it was a quick fix for you! =)
6 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 18
@LovingMyBabies No worries, it's part of life. Besides, I found out today that my daughter's scholarship covered the entire cost of her college tuition, so I don't have to cough up any extra money to pay for her school this semester. That was such a relief.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
Me too! But my wallet wasn't too happy. It cost me $215 for a new battery. I just got down spending close to $1000 on tires, and another $200 on a coolant flush, so I wasn't too happy to spend even more money on the truck.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (458057)
• Switzerland
7 Sep 18
@moffittjc You cannot even change a bulb without dismantling big part of the car. It is becoming ridiculous.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 18
@LadyDuck They do that on purpose so that you have to take your car to a mechanic or to the automobile dealership to have them fix it. It's job security for them.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
I agree Anna. I've seen cars that have so many wires, cables, hoses, electronic gadgets and such that you can't even see the engine in the car, let alone fix something yourself. The same situation applies to changing the oil. Nowadays, you have to take half the engine apart just to get to your oil filter to change it.
2 people like this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
7 Sep 18
Fortunately, the manager of the fast food restaurant reminded you. 
Sometimes we really don't pay much attention to things around us.
Sometimes we really don't pay much attention to things around us.2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 May 19
@rebelann There's no doubt I was hungry that day.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
16 May 19
So you were having brain farts until the food finally got to your brain @moffittjc
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
7 Sep 18
Now that's funny! But AAA is still a great thing to have (you know, just in case you REALLY need them) LOL
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
It's funny, I've had AAA for over 20 years, and have probably used it about 2-3 times on myself. But I've probably used my membership about two dozen times to help other stranded motorists.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
@Namelesss I hope that is the case.
2 people like this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
7 Sep 18
@moffittjc That's pretty awesome. Perhaps helping others is the reason you haven't needed them yourself so much. 
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
11 Sep 18
That is funny. But you know sometimes I pass buildings dozens of times and don't actually notice what they are. So it happens. At least the waitress tried to help you out. it would have been even funnier if AAA got there and saw the Auto Parts store right behind you.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Sep 18
It would have been funny if AAA offered to tow me to the nearest auto parts store, and then literally towed my truck five feet and said, "here you are!"
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Sep 18
@RubyHawk Let's just be glad that it didn't happen, and I was saved from further embarrassment! haha
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
11 Sep 18
@moffittjc I can see the puzzled look on his face right now, and the embarrassed look on yours when you turned around.
look on yours when you turned around.2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
7 Sep 18
Hahajh. I can just picture the face you made.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
Which face...the disgusted look when I realized there was an auto parts store less than 10 feet away from me, or the disgusted look I gave the restaurant manager when she called me a dummy?
Okay, she smiled when she said it, and she did give me a refill on my drink before I left. But still, the nerve of that woman!
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
7 Sep 18
@moffittjc dummy dummy dummy .
Is it easier coming from me?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
@thislittlepennyearns It would have been more palatable if you would have stuck your tongue out at me when you said that.
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
16 May 19
Not stupid @moffittjc just not very observant but isn't that the way of things?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 May 19
@rebelann I'm so happy that my stupidness amuses you! 
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
13 Sep 18
Oh, I am glad she notified you before AAA got there! Can you imagine the hard time the guy driving would have given you?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Sep 18
I'm just glad I didn't have to wait more than an hour to change out my battery. I love AAA, but I hate that you always have to wait so long for them to get to you.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
24 Sep 18
@moffittjc I really like that mindset. It makes everything light. And even people will notice that in your disposition and personality. It is infectious in a good way.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Sep 18
I like when things work out well! haha
Even when things don't work out well, I like to keep a positive, upbeat attitude about ti. I always look for the humor in things. Helps make this world a better place to live in.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Sep 18
@flapiz I figure if I'm going to infect people, it might as well be with my positivity and happiness! I surely don't want to infect people with germs and such! hahaha
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
8 Sep 18
@moffittjc wonderful that it was just another day in paradise for you.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 18
@bluesa I try to keep a positive disposition no matter what the circumstances are around me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 18
I'm pretty clueless on a lot of things, so it was just another day in paradise for me! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
I have a sense of humor, so I can laugh at myself for being a dummy!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
@DianneN And I'm okay with you laughing at me!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
7 Sep 18
@moffittjc And I can laugh at you, too!
To be honest, I wouldn't have noticed the auto parts store either.
To be honest, I wouldn't have noticed the auto parts store either.1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74553)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 Sep 18
You're a champ, Jeff! I hope you enjoyed your fast-food supper:)
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 18
@kobesbuddy My problem is, I splurge on fast-food more than once a week though!
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74553)
• East Tawas, Michigan
23 Sep 18
@moffittjc I use to eat fast-food often. Then I developed a heart issue and high blood pressure. Now, I eat pizza once a week, that's all.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74553)
• East Tawas, Michigan
23 Sep 18
@moffittjc To splurge about once a week, no harm will come to you!:)
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
16 May 19
Oh wow @moffittjc did they remember you?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 May 19
@rebelann I stopped by that fast-food joint today to pick my daughter up a burger for lunch, and it brought back memories of that day!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169937)
• United States
7 Sep 18
I have never attempted to change a battery myself..I would have waited for AAA too. However, I might have gone ahead and bought one..and just had them put it in.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169937)
• United States
7 Sep 18
@moffittjc Oh well, that is interesting. Advance Auto will sometimes help with installing things too, but in general they steer away from that..as they don't want the liability. One time they did put in a air filter for me though.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
One thing I learned that I wasn't aware of, the auto parts store had a little portable power kit that they plugged in somewhere under my steering column for me while I changed out the battery. When I asked the guy what that was, he told me it keeps power supplied to the internal computer in the truck so that everything doesn't reset to factory settings when I disconnect the battery to replace it. I never thought about the fact that there is a lot of things programmed into the onboard vehicle computer.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 18
@snowy22315 The guy that helped me out didn't even hesitate to offer to change out my battery for me. I think it helped that we both had the same make and model of truck.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22528)
• Palisade, Colorado
9 Sep 18
@moffittjc I usually am also. Course I know when the parts stores are around the areas that I go too. But, I am more apt to call my son and tell him what is happening. I am glad you are easy going. I can't imagine someone calling another person dummy but I bet she made you chuckle a little on the inside.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
You would think I would learn from this, but I'm willing to bet it would happen again. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to things going on around me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 18
@velvet53 Oh, I chuckled on the outside. I'm not afraid to laugh at a funny situation, even if I'm the funny situation! haha
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
7 Sep 18
That was nice of the manager to check on you.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
Yeah, that was pretty nice of her. She even gave me a free refill on my drink while I was waiting.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Sep 18
@toniganzon Yeah, sweet like you!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
14 Sep 18
In the end you didn't have to wait for a hour. You were able to get a new battery and changed quickly. Glad you were not stranded. 
You were able to get a new battery and changed quickly. Glad you were not stranded. 1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
15 Sep 18
@moffittjc You're welcome! I've been good! I took a little break (popped in here & there on myLot ) but not as much. My computer has been super slow and I bought a new one but going to use myLot on my old one still. myLot shows as a non secure site and I don't want to get any viruses or anything :)
I miss you and everyone else too! Still lots to do for me... but I've been procrastinating! OH and we've started house hunting officially. But still have until August 2019 to finalize on a home.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Sep 18
Thanks Michelle! How are you? I barely see you on here anymore. I'm afraid you are going to drop off the site and not come back anymore! I miss you!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Sep 18
@infatuatedbby I wish you the best of luck in your search for a house! Keep me updated on your progress. I love house hunting, and I'm excited for you to find the house of your dreams!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
7 Sep 18
That is funny but it has to do with your eyeballs being glued to your phone, lol
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
8 Sep 18
@moffittjc food and phone, a common combination, lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 18
@BelleStarr That would probably explain why I'm always cleaning crumbs and stains off of my phone case! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 18
It wasn't all about me being glued to my phone, some of it was because my eyes were glued to my food! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
@jstory07 Sometimes us men take a break from eating to look at the pretty girls walking by.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 18
I was too busy shoveling food down my throat to notice the world around me....
1 person likes this
