I just spent a nice chunk of change. Two hundred and thirteen dollars, to be exact. And I feel so much better now that I have.
Have you ever been driving somewhere and wondered when your husband installed the snow chains on your car? Wondered who left their 100 pound sacks of marbles in the trunk? Asked the kids to stop jumping in their seats, then realized that the kids weren't in the car? I've had all of those pleasant experiences in the last week. My ancient Dodge Caravan, normally a smooth ride, has been very rough lately. Chris has asked me several times to take it in and have the tires rotated, have it checked out.
I meant to take it in, really I did. Every day I'd go out and I'd tell myself that after I'd run X errand, I'd stop in at one of the local tire places and ask them to check my tires. How long have we been in Tulsa? Nine months now? And I haven't found a mechanic. So I put off taking the van to someone. I've had bad experiences with chain mechanics. And you can't just trust your car - and your wallet - to anyone. So I didn't go.
Yesterday I told myself that I would take the car in, but Nathaniel was very sick (sinus infection and swollen "imph" nodes), so I wound up at the doctor's and the pharmacy. Then lost my check card and spent half an hour tearing up my car and purse. Had to cancel the silly thing. Dang. I hate writing checks. Once we were home I wrote Than's teacher to ask for his schoolwork, since the doctor wanted him to stay home another day (he was pretty peeved). Teacher asked me to pick up his schoolwork at three, so Than and I climbed into the van about 2:40 to head out. I backed out of the garage and made it to the end of the driveway when I realized that I had a flat tire. Argh!
When's the last time I changed a flat tire, you ask? Hmmm ... let me think ... hmmm ... never? Okay, I partially changed one once when Chris swooped in to rescue me and finished the job (it was raining). This time there was no Chris and no rain. And no thirteen year old son (still in school). So I had to change the tire by myself. Fortunately I read well. The manual is also written well. Still, it took nearly an hour. And boy was I FILTHY! Yuck!
This all leads to my expenditure today. Having taking Nathaniel to school after lunch, I drove (still on the spare tire that I tightened by hand - scary!) to Robertson Tire in Bixby and told them my story. I really like the people there, and their costs are reasonable. Turns out my two rear tires were at least seven years old and were literally coming apart at the seams. The one I replaced had holes all over. So now I have two new tires! Hopefully my gas mileage will improve. And hopefully I won't ever have to change another tire. If I'd just listened to my husband ...
Until I write again ...
Flea
6 comments:
*blush* I haven't found a mechanic yet either. Oh great, now I've probably jinxed myself. *sigh*
I'm glad you found a nice place. :)
No jinxes! But I know what you mean. Don't you have a fairly new vehicle? Mine is eleven years old, so I knew finding a mechanic was a priority. And all winter I added antifreeze to my radiator because it was leaking, but it stopped after the last freeze. The guy yesterday said there was no sign of a leak. We'll see come first freeze. This old car's a Florida van, not accustomed to the winter here.
Don't wait till an emergency to find a mechanic. It's no fun. :( I lay in bed after the flat thinking of new friends who might know a good one. Chris suggested I call the local Christian station and ask, but a friend who lives nearby is better. Mike's mechanic is very far.
We have an older car too, so it doesn't hurt to have a few recommendations. I've asked a couple people, but never went beyond that.
It's like looking for a good GYN. Everyone you ask isn't happy with theirs. Where on earth are the good doctors and honest mechanics? Hard to find.
Hmmmm.....this tire thing sounds familiar. I wonder who I know who's had some experience with flat tires....could it be.....ME?!?!?!?! hahahahaha! I became very skilled at changing flat tires. LOL! So glad that freaky flat tire time period is over!!! lol :) And I better not have jinxed myself either!! lol
Surprisingly, Jeni, I didn't think of you when I had the flat. That must mean something! It's been a very long time, right? At least some of yours were fixable. They dragged me back to show me how all of the tread was separating and holes were forming all over the place.
On an up note, my gas mileage is improving and the van rides beautifully.
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