Sunday, January 16, 2005

The rest of the story....

I woke up Friday morning with what I initially thought was good news.  My normal route to work was opened back up. I still left a little earlier than usual though, just in case traffic re-routed there that normally would take some of the other canyon roads. However, I quickly found out that something was clearly not going well with this plan. My concerns were confirmed when the guy on the radio said the route in the other direction had not been opened yet. However, what both the radio and television traffic reports didn't mention was that there was a lane closed on my side and a light out. Traffic was crawling at a snail's pace up the hill. I called to let my boss know that I would more than likely be late. What I didn't know was that I would be forty minutes late! I hate being late! But, it's not the end of the world.

As I inched my way up the steep incline behind the vehicle that insisted on rolling inches at a time, I rode my clutch since the inches didn't allow much space for me to release it.  Sure, I could sit there and let him get far enough ahead so I can actually release my clutch but I would risk pissing off the drivers behind me.  I hate it but I'm used to it, that's my drive any time there is congestion on that street. However, this morning I began smelling something funny. I was hoping it was the truck's exhaust a couple of cars up ahead. But, when I reached the crest of the hill, my fears were confirmed. My clutch was going out. I still wasn't all that concerned.  I was able to ride for a week on it before I was able to get it fixed the last time it went out. It did present a dilemna though that I pondered through out the day. Should I get the car fixed, or go ahead and buy a new one now.

I talked to both Trish and Kevin during the day, both had offered to help me out with a ride or something. I said that they didn't have to bother that I shouldn't have a problem driving my car home. I just wouldn't get on the highway going home since it took time for my car to pick up speed. I'd take an alternate route that was all streets, just not my usual route since that direction was still closed. I left work and nervously trudged along. My anxiety grew with every hill I came upon and then cablooie one hill did me in. My poor car took all that it had to get up it and I probably could have made it home from there had I tried but my nerves were shot. I pulled into a Mobil Mart, parked my car, and went inside to ask if they had the number for a tow service. They didn't but they let me use their phonebook. I gratefully accepted it with my outreached shaking hand. The first company I called wanted to charge me $250!!! Another company wanted $120!!! I was ready to desert my car right there and call a cab but dialed one more company. They would only charge me $85, that was reasonable enough for me to agree to.

I've been talking about getting a new car for over a year now.  I kept putting it off because I wanted to take care of some other financial matters first. I thought about getting my car fixed and prolonging my purchase but with car repairs and having to rent a car it just didn't seem worth it in order to buy me a couple of months.  So, I bit the bullet and went car shopping first thing Saturday morning with Kevin as my chauffeur. The car below is what I came home with. To break her in and celebrate, I took Kevin, and Freeepeace for a drive up PCH.

I created a photo album of the adventure.  Hopefully, it turned out okay.  I think I've only made one of those before I learned how to insert pictures directly in my journal. I also promised to share the picture of the house. The one with the arrow is where the mud came sliding down the hill. Does anyone want to buy a broken down '95 Ford Escort? If so, bring a tow truck.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG.  I couldn't imagine my house falling down..unbelievable.

Congrats on the 'Stang!  And LOL to the Hotel California. :)

~tara

Anonymous said...

Ran right out and bought another Ford, did we?  I'm partial to Fords myself, for all they say that F-O-R-D stands for "Fix Or Repair Daily..." (or Found On the Road Dead!)  My ride is a Ford...a fifteen passenger big-ass Econoline van.  
Anyhoo, beauteous little vehicle, and your photographer did a superb job.  Good thing you got your hair cut before acquiring that convertible.  You'd never get a comb through it again if it was still long!  Enjoy it!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

the pictures turned out GREAT! :D
and the car is FAB-U-LOUS!  LOVE that blue.
nothing wrong with that color.

so sorry about your clutch and making that drive, I would have shaking and
crying. I would have been so freaked I would have caved at the first price!  you did very well. and a beautiful car, that's ALL yours!! :D

Anonymous said...

Hey Robbie

Just dropping by with a little hug...hope it helps. :) (((Robbie)))

Love ya, Carly :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new wheels, hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it. Hugs Lanny

Anonymous said...

What a fun new car....I loved the pics.  I looks like you all had a great time.  Freee is as cute as a button!!

Anonymous said...

woooo a mustang! You will love it! I have a mustang convertible, it's an older model but I absolutely love it :) lol congrats!

Gretchen
http://livinginsavannah.blogspot.com/

p.s. Pictures are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new car!  My very first car out of college was a Mustang so I'll always have a soft spot for them...

Anonymous said...

I love the blue, love the convertible, love the Mustang! Did you get another manual trans? I thought I was the only woman left in the US with a manual. I think you guys need to take a road trip to PHOENIX!

As for the Escort, if you don't need to sell it for financial reasons, you can donate it to a charity, and they will even tow it away for you. I have done this with two previous cars that I basically drove into the ground. I think my poor old Ford EXP and then an Oldsmobile something-or-other went to the American Heart Association back when I lived in Texas.

Anonymous said...

The photos are great.
I kept thinking after reading, she's got this great new car and she has to crawl driving it up that hill. Not fair!
Angela

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that you are still having problems.  I know what it is like to be stuck in traffic.

Kathy

Anonymous said...

Its reading entries like this that makes me glad I have a company car.  Many a time I have called via cell in a panic stricken state.  I despise car trouble!

Anonymous said...

That car is YUMMY! Love the color too! EEEEE! Sorry...just had to squeal like a girl. LOL

Anonymous said...

I have a 99 Ford Escort ZX2...Next time someone asks me why I would bother having a sports car with an automatic transmission....LOL...I am going to email them a copy of this entry!

Clutches are highly overated....Good luck with the new vehicle!

Anonymous said...

Nice ride. Did you "Get Smart" and buy the auto tranny this time? I swore off manuals for commuting years ago... all that shifting cut into my road rage time.   ;)

wil

Anonymous said...

regarding picture 11 of 15 in the PCH montage... I wasn't going for a picture of your car girl...focus on the horizon, not on your shiny ass convertible roof cover thing-a-ma-bob...mmmmm'okay! :-P

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS YOU SO DESERVE A NEW CAR......I'M SO GLAD FOR YOU.  I SAW THAT HOUSE ON THE NEWS SO YOU LIVE NEARBY WOW.....OUR ROADS ARE STILL CLOSED IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT.....DEBI

Anonymous said...

Enjoy it! Getting a new car is fun! Nelle

Anonymous said...

What a cool car!  It sure puts my '87 black Trans-Am to shame!

Anonymous said...

Why did I know it was going to be blue...?

If you wait long enough, that hill thing will resolve itself one way or another.

Anonymous said...

nice car

Anonymous said...

Divine intervention, I'd say.  And the blue is so YOU, woman!  :D  So glad you finally got a new car.  Don't you just love that new car smell??  Mmmm...  LOL  DiAnne got a new mini-van recently too.  Something is in the air!  Enjoy it.  And burn the Tow Truck number.  LOL

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous sunsets, blue convertibles and houses that occasionally wander down from their appointed hills ~ what better way to say, "Welcome to California, Baby!" Great album... :)

Anonymous said...

Great ride!  Don't you just LOVE living in So. Cal?  Well, minus the mudslides and falling houses, and the traffic?  I love it too!  -Kari

Anonymous said...

Robbie!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!! GREAT Pics.. Yeah, I know, I'm late..... but you redirected me to this entry and what a treat!!!! LOVE THE CAR.. love the pics and love living in California!!!! Lisa