Jay and I have been going to Kelley and Allen's house for Thanksgiving every year for enough years that it has become a tradition. Until this year. Our friend, Judy, usually goes with us and we take her van. This year, she said she couldn't go, but offered us the van, anyway. We decided to take my car, though, because we weren't sure her insurance would cover us in case of an accident. The last thing I need is to have to replace or repaid her vehicle.
Besides, my car might be old, and I might feel like Ma Joad driving it anywhere out of town, but it has always been very reliable. It just looks disreputable, as a car its age would. I don't look so good, myself.
Today was the day we were to go, and here we sit. My car, my oh, so reliable car, swarmed Monday. It is going to cost $1100 to bring all the maintenance up to date, and that might not even fix the problem, because the mechanic has no idea what caused it to act up in the first place. He just hopes that if he does an extensive tune-up, replaces all the decrepit hoses and filters, spark plugs, flushes the radiator and does something I don't understand to the transmission that the elusive problem will be taken care of, too.
It seems to me that there is a great deal of similarity between today's auto mechanics and today's doctors. If they can't plug you, or your car, into a machine for a diagnosis, they're lost as geese.
We didn't give up easily. We looked into renting a car for a week and GAWDAMIGHTY! is it expensive! Then, before I could call Judy to see about borrowing her van after all, I got an e-mail from her saying the van broke down and she was on the hook for over $700 in repairs.
So, what do you think? Did I just receive 3 very clear signs, telling me that my trip is not in the stars this year?
Stay tuned.
![](<a href="http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/Bettyann24/?action=view¤t=supcomment.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/Bettyann24/supcomment.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)
14 comments:
Pay attention to the signs. They can't be any more clear. Enjoy a quiet day.
Sorry about the repairs. I'd rather go to a doctor than either a dentist or mechanic for repairs.
Not me! The further away from a doctor I can stay, the healthier I am. They always want to do tests, tests, tests. Every time they can order that CT scan, they do. They never find anything wrong.
Patti: My car represents my independence. I hate to have something wrong with it, and feel I can't just jump in and get away. Not that I ever actually go anywhere any more.
Margie: I've always said, "Doctors will make you sick if you let them." So, I stay away, too.
Maybe the sign is just about taking care of the car. Still, I wouldn't risk talking back to the universe. I'd stay home.
Yikes. I think I might stay home.
I would definitely stay home this year. I have avoided so many bad situations just by listening to "the signs". Plan a little dinner for you and Jay at your place. You can actually buy a complete meal all cooked and ready to take home at many grocery stores at a pretty reasonable price but I can't vouch for how good they are. LOL
I have an old car too....only 50k miles on it. I bought it new in 1994 and she runs beautifully but I don't think I would drive out of state. Whatever you decide to do, have a safe and happy T-day and make some good memories.
I say find a new mechanic. That all sounds very odd. BTW who is Ma Joad?
I hope you have a nice day. I am sorry about your car.
Olga, Judy, Val: I never mess with the universe. We'll stay at home.
Grayquill: The mechanic is ok. I have neglected a lot of updating, such as hoses, filters, etc., etc., because I haven't had any problems in several years.
Ma Joad is a character in the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. That might have been a kind of obscure reference.
i'd stay home, sugar! this year, i'm going to have dinner with friends. it's a good thing for me and i think very much needed. enjoy yourself and don't worry about the car. xoxoxoxo
I have no way of knowing how old your car is but if it is really old I might get another car. 1100
is a lot of money to fix a car which might not be fixed after the fixes is in place.
truth be told i think if I could I would rent one for a week and let the car fixer cool down for a while or look for another fixer. if hoses , filters and spark plugs are the problem that isn't so expensive now if it is the tran mission not working, the way to tell is if you put the car in gear to go forward or backwards it doesn't move then I think you might need a new transmission which is costly. I really feel for you being at the mercy of a fixer if you or your son don't know a lot about cars.
I have an idea rent a car then when that is over start looking for a boy freind who knows a lot about cars.
Is grayquill married I wonder?
Yep, I believe in signs...and you have a few glaring ones Betty. I'm sorry your trip got fouled up and that you have to spend $$$ on your car; but it's better that you found out before you left than something happening on the road....I've been there, and it's not fun. Have a Happy Thanksgiving...no matter where you celebrate it. ~Joy
Savannah: We are staying home and I have invited a friend who is also spending Thanksgiving alone to join us for the festivities.
Patsy: My car is very VERY old, but has always been reliable. The transmission seems to be ok, and, as I have said, the high cost of repairing it is my fault for neglecting it for so long.
However, your suggestion about finding a man who knows something about cars is worth pondering. Hmm. OK, I've pondered. It wouldn't be worth it. lol
Joy: We'll enjoy Thanksgiving, anyway. Hope you will too.
I've become a freak about car maintenance and make sure I change the oil, etc. every 6 months. Miss Ruby is about 10 years old now and still reliable -- so far -- but I can't afford a newer car so I watch her carefully.
Hope you have an excellent Thanksgiving at home!!!!
Kay: I've had my car about that long, too, and in the past few years, about all I've done is have the oil changed regularly. I can't afford to buy another one, either, so will have to try to keep this one going.
Post a Comment