Think of the last thing first

Sometimes we make things harder than they really are. Allow me to illustrate...

For his birthday, Dale got one of these:
He was pretty excited about it, don't you think?

In case you can't tell what that is upside down and in the box, here's a better pic:
(And if you're still wondering, that is a Carl Edwards Nascar Cup car)

Now... there is one problem with this toy. For the 2008 season, Nascar completely redesigned their racecars. The new design included a very standy-up spoiler (that black wing-thing standing across the back for you non-car types). And the only reason I know all this is from living in a predominately male environment, okay?

So... new spoiler... safety for drivers, faster car, blah blah blah. You know the problem? It makes a very breakable toy.

Dale had only had his for a week or two when that spoiler broke right off. And boy did we all start thinking of how in the world to reattach the thing. (Because no respectable racecar can be without its spoiler, of course.) Super glue? Epoxy? What to use?

Finally PawPaw gave it a try, and Dale was pleased as punch to have his spoiler back.

Until the next day.

Dale, in tears: "Alan broke my spoiler!!!" Exit Dale, in tears.

I took the car to my junk drawer and immediately saw something we have lots of: medical tape, left over from Alan's feeding tube days.

I tore off a strip of that textured tape and wrapped it across the spoiler. And then colored it red and black with some sharpies, for good measure.

I found Dale, amazingly already recovering from his upset.

Me: "Do you know how sometimes the pit crews use big ol' pieces of tape when the cars come into pit road with damage?" (this is true, btw)

Dale: "Yeah..?"

I presented him with his newly repaired Carl Edwards car. He LOVED it.

And several of his other cars are now sporting pretend tape repairs.

To think it was that simple all along!