The last few weeks have been crazy leaving me with no time or inclination to post. Car troubles have put a serious whammy on us. Started out with my Camry. I took it in for an oil change and discovered that there was some seriously wrong. The dealership ran some tests, which we failed. That actually was good news as it meant the repair would be on Toyota. I was supposed to drop it off at the dealer on July 22 but the special tool they needed was on back order. We left with instructions to keep an eye on the oil level. We are still waiting.
Ron’s Transit was next. First the brakes needed to be replaced. Then the ball bearings, both sides. Not even a week later, Ron was back at the shop because it was making some weird noises. This was a bad one, the transmission was going. Now it was time to cry. We had some serious thinking to do. Ron had applied for and been accepted into a week long workshop called “Armed to the Farm”. It was being held at Houghton College about 150 miles away. Reliable vehicle definitely needed. He would be leaving on Aug 2nd and would not be home again until the 7th. I had been so looking forward to that. We were both getting a vacation. All you married women know just what I am talking about.
Dishwasher was fixed on July 28th when the repair man found a watch battery sticker in the drainage hose. Must has gotten stuck on the bottom of a dish and then made its way down until it could go no further. Ron said that there was no way we could have figured that one out on our own. It was nice to have it working again.
Our decision was made; Ron would drive the Corolla, Jo would use the Camry and the Transit was coming to work with me. In the midst of all this Ron’s computer was again showing its age. I had been setting money aside and nagging him to agree on buying a laptop. It took a couple more computer crashes but he finally caved. We ordered one and hoped that it would be here in time for his trip. Lovely day when it arrived in plenty of time. I got it all set up and he was a happy camper. One less thing to cause us aggravation.
On Sunday we loaded up the car. He was taking a fan, sleeping bag, sheets, pillows, clothes for a week, snacks, his laptop, small coffee pot… boy, was he missing his Transit. One last hug and kiss and he was off.
Monday all went well. Jo and I both off to work then home. Dinner cooked, a few things done and then off to sleep. Tuesday I went to work as usual but my trip home was anything but usual. I got into the Transit and headed out of the parking lot. When I turned onto the road there was suddenly a horrible noise. Like something had fallen off and was being dragged. I pulled off into another parking lot and looked underneath. Nothing. Started up again and the same noise. With nothing else to do, I called Ron. We assumed it was the transmission going. I needed to get Transit back in my work parking lot and call Jo to come and get me. It was 50 yards maybe back to the parking lot but halfway there, I totally lost first gear. That was scary. I had enough momentum to get to the turn in and then was able to coast. I tried 2nd gear and it caught. I got into a parking spot and turned it off. Now I needed to figure out a ride to work on Wednesday. Back into work to catch Jenn before she headed home. Thank goodness she was still there and more than willing to pick me up the next day. Jo arrived and home we went. Now this was officially the worst week possible. Ron called and we talked about our options. We really had no choice now to but to get the Transit fixed. Even if we had wanted to try and sell it, we would get next to nothing selling it as is.
Wednesday Jenn picked me and my fun day began. I had to call AAA about getting a tow then meet the driver outside with credit card in hand. Call the dealer about getting the Transit in to be fixed and still get my work done. I was so ready for a strong drink by the time Jenn dropped me off. It was an odd relief to have the decision made though. Bless her heart, Jenn was my ride to work for the rest of the week. Jo came and picked me up and we got through the week. But it was all ruined. None of my planned projects got done. The current situation took up all my thoughts. It was great to have Ron home again on Friday. It wasn’t all on me now. But we were a 3 car family with 2 cars. That was going to take some juggling. Of course he came with the Corolla now making a rattling noise. The heat shield had partially fallen off. So we had to get that fixed and will be down to 1 car for 3 working people. And guess what, the dishwasher isn’t draining again. Thank goodness Jo wasn’t working on Wednesday so we dropped it off Tuesday night to have it fixed. Ron and I drove to and from work together. Until Wednesday when he got the call saying Transit was ready. So now we have all three cars back and life can get back on track. Deep breath in, let it out and move on.
Back to THF business.