Taxi!

I think I might sell the van and start using public transportation.  After this past week of car craziness, it would definitely be cheaper.

Thursday, February 23

12:30 pm @ The Summit: The van starts to make a very strange sound...and smoke rises from the hood.  I call Robbie.  He takes a look and listens.  Nothing.

1:00 pm in the Chick-fil-a drive-thru: The van does the same sound/smoking thing.  Before I can pay, I pull into a parking spot and call Robbie.  He says to call a tow truck.  BOO!
1:30 pm: The van is whisked away to the car money-sucking repair shop.  
2:45 pm: Pick up Ellie from school.
3:15 pm: Go to the repair shop.  They have no clue what's wrong.  They give me a Ford Fusion loaner car.  Thankfully Bob and Mary have Mary Claire, because three carseats are not going in that backseat.
4:00 pm: FINALLY home!  And just in time for...
6:30 pm: Bunco at my house.  Mary made Brunswick stew AND came early to help me get ready.  Pretty sure she thinks I'm a loon!
Friday, February 24
Noon: Repair shop calls.  Brakes and ABS computer shot.  $2800.00.  Be ready sometime tomorrow.  Great.
1:45 pm: Go to Bob and Mary's to pick up their Mountaineer.  Ellie has a playdate, and I cannot pick up both girls PLUS have Robert and Mary Claire all in the Ford Fusion.  Bob and Mary = lifesavers (AGAIN!)
Monday, February 27
Van is still not ready.
7:45 am: Arrive home from dropping Ellie off at school.  Leave the Mountaineer at the top of the driveway to grab the paper.  Hop back in, and the car WILL NOT go into drive.  Seriously?!  I call Robbie.  He tells me to turn the steering wheel, put all of my weight on the gear shift to get it to engage, all while putting both feet firmly on the brake.  Nothing.
11:15 am: Jump back into the Mountaineer to take MC to ballet, praying that the silly thing will let me drive it.  Nope.
Noon: Bob comes and immediately gets the car to go from park to drive.  Whew.  Ballet missed, but crisis averted.
1:20 pm: Back out of the driveway to take the kids to Mary and Bob's so I can take Robbie to the doctor for a pain block in his neck.  (Long story...can't drive when you've taken a Xanex.)
1:21 pm: Going down the hill of my street and realize that the car is really in neutral, not drive.  Call Bob.  He can't believe it, but he and Mary are on their way.
1:40 pm: They come rescue me, and take the kids and drive the wacky car to their house.  Bob informs me they are out of cars to loan me. :)
Tuesday, February 28
12:20 pm: The van is ready!!
12:30 pm: Repair shop informs us that the steering column in the Mountaineer has to be replaced.  $1000.  Bob says not to worry about it, but that when he's 95 and needs money, we have to have $1000 for him.  Have I ever mentioned how incredibly wonderful my in-laws are?!  Robbie was also super-sweet and patient with me about this whole thing.
2:00 pm: Go to give back the Ford Fusion and get my van.  Total bill is $2911.80.  Combine that with the $1000 on the Mountaineer and I have done a nice amount of damage to two cars in less than a week.
Long explanation for why I will now be calling a taxi or riding a bus everywhere I go.