It Gave a Big Shudder, a Big Sigh and then Died
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18612)
Jamaica
March 5, 2013 4:03pm CST
Fortunately, this happened right outside of my house. I had just driven the children to school, came home and parked. I stepped out of the car and opened the bonnet and peered inside. Hard to see really because there was a lot of gurgling and steam and puffs of smoke.
I knew that my car needed servicing and the last time it was serviced the mechanic told me that it needed bearings or a hub or something. I really cannot do without a car because of job and doing the school run most days. So I called the son who sprung into action and told me that the mechanic would be here soon.
He came and then after inspection took me into town where a lot of parts were bought. So I was flashing my credit card.
Ouch! This hurt as I have been trying so hard to pay off credit card debt and the first invoice was near US$300 and then there were more bills.
My whole day, with all my little plans went pear shaped but the important part was that I got someone to come with me to collect the children.
But basically, nothing was really accomplished apart from spending time on mylot and having fun with one post. Life's plans can just change in a flash.
So how was your day today?
3 people like this
14 responses
@celticeagle (190005)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Mar 13
My day went pretty well. My daughter and I went to pick up my grandson and I took them to their meds check appointment. My ole jalopy made it again(1991 Legacy Subaru that I have had about sixteen or severnteen years)to get us there and back again. It needs to be taken in for its annual check up but am putting it off. I am usually very good to it and buy it premium gas and get it serviced annually. Mechanic told me once that if it was well cared for it should be good for 250,000 miles. It is at about 173,000 now. I hope to get it in next month. Happy days.
@celticeagle (190005)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Mar 13
Oh I hear ya! I really don't know what I will do if and when this car go by the wayside. I have no way of getting a new one. The mileage I gave was just for this model, not sure if that would hold true for something else.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
The mechanic turned up this morning so the children cold get to school and the car sounded wonderful BUT I now need ball joints. However, my son called an Auto place where he is well known by the owner and we just went and collected them without paying as the son will pay the owner tomorrow. Son said he will pay mechanic too so at least I know where I am financially. This stuff just has to be done as this car has to last me out. Forgot to ask mechanic about mileage. so I should get the car in time for me to pick up children this afternoon. sometimes - it just gets me down b ut I am looking for another part time job. an extra US$500 a month would pay all the difference to me as |I hate asking my children for the extra things
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
Wow! I didn'tknow about mileage and I am sure that mine may be over 200,000. will check tomorrow. I drive a 2004 or 2005 toyota Yaris. It does give excellent mileage - about 33 to the gallon I believe but it is in need or ducoin and things are missing and the windows don't go down. All sorts of things like that. irritating really. It should be tken care of in a better way but just can't affort it at present.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
6 Mar 13
Oh car repairs, that is a big money expense, we just recently had something done to our van that took a big chunk of cash. As for my day today, I finished cleaning the kitchen other than the oven; I didn't do as thoroughly as I usually do. For example I didn't take down the curtains, they looked good enough. I would like to finish the living room and my Sociology by Thursday so I can have a complete "DO NOTHING" day on Friday, except for preparing for Shabbat, but that isn't work, that is fun..:)
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
6 Mar 13
Yes, I do remember you telling me your husband history, that is exciting..Yeah, considering I spend 6 days a week working on my homework or cleaning the house, only for Shabbat to come around and though I try to not worry about "what is due" the next day, sometimes it slips in. I think if I can just get over the Sociology work and try to stay ahead, my stress levels will lessen...
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
What a wonderful idea to have a 'do nothing' day. I like that so much. I probably told you about the Synagogue out here. Beautiful and made out of mahogony. We had a syngagogue in Jamaica before New York. The history of the Jews in Jamaica is amazing. Fascinatng history. My husband was of Portuguese Jewish ancestry but they had had inter racial marriages or relationships. The family Great House is still in good repair and not owned by us! However, beside the Great House is a cemetary that was for the family only - all Jewish. Well, the history leson will be continued at another time..........
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
It is not being in control that causes stress and as you are a wife and mothrr there is always the unexpected.
Hope you get through it all
Hope you get through it all1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121140)
• United States
6 Mar 13
I wish we called them bonnets in America. That's so much cooler than hoods. Anywho, I haven't been to sleep yet. I woke up Tuesday morning and here I am Wednesday morning still wide awake. Of course I've done things during that time - errands and such. I went and bought myself some Nyquil too. I wanted to head the cold off at the pass. But shoot fire, the Nyquil did not put me to sleep!
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
If I cannot get to sleep then I sometimes take Melatonin. It is an OTC medicine. Non habit forming and it does help me. But I do at least sleep some hours and you not sleeping at all is very worrying to me. Does this happen often? I am he*l if I don't get enough sleep. As I am still stuck in the huse (the car now needs ball joints) I will try to get a nap. I find wearing a sleep ask helps me to sleep as well. Gid bless you my dear and tryto get a nap today
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121140)
• United States
7 Mar 13
I've tried Melatonin. It didn't work for me. But I did get an hour nap today. So that's something. Since a car wreck at 18 (messed up neck and back, and triggered fibromyalgia)I've had trouble sleeping, but in my late twenties I started to do better. It's just lately I've been having problems again. I'm sure it's just a cycle, and soon I'll be just fine.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
7 Mar 13
I am glad that you got a nap. If it does continue then please get help
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
I think that you need a break too.
I am going to go all out to look for another villa to manage so that I can earn a bit more each month. Wish me luck.
I am going to go all out to look for another villa to manage so that I can earn a bit more each month. Wish me luck.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Mar 13
Glad you were able to get it fixed, although it was expensive. I'm coming down with a head cold, so I've been miserable today.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
5 Mar 13
I'll have to send a parrot over with some rum. Drink it in hot water with lemon juice and honey and that will get rid of it. So look out for a parrot! Get well soon. Dose yourself up and get to bed early
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 Mar 13
GIRL, if it wasn't for bad luck u would have no luck at all.
. Hope it is fixable & not too expensive.As for my day had to have a toe nail removed so i could think of more fun things to do, lol. Hope your weekend goes great!!
. Hope it is fixable & not too expensive.As for my day had to have a toe nail removed so i could think of more fun things to do, lol. Hope your weekend goes great!!@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
9 Mar 13
Glad u got it fixed. I dread the day i have to give up driving. Hope it's not anytime soon, lol.Making it o.k. My little grandaughter stepped on my sore toe yesterday, that was not fun. Bless her heart, she didn't mean to.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
8 Mar 13
Thay must have been a horrible experience for you Jo. I hope that it is not too painful. Yers, most of it has been fixed. Expensive but what to do? I cannot manage without a car
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169585)
• United States
7 Mar 13
Those unexpected emergency car repairs really put a dent in the mortgage. I spent today in waiting rooms at a heart cath lab, while my sister had an angiogram. She is mad because they could not fix all her problems today and she has to do it all again in two weeks and maybe a third time as well However not mad enough to do what she is told and quit smoking.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
7 Mar 13
Oh dear! I do hope that she will be all right. Smoking really does kill as the arteries are narrowed. But she knows all of this and she alone is responsible for her own health. HYou cannot do anything except give support if she does try to give up. My car now had to have ball joints and yes, more money spent and now bearings in a back wheel. After that it should run so much better. Actually it is sounding so much better whilst driving it today
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
6 Mar 13
My day was wonderful. We had a big snow so due to the weather I got off work early....a plus when I am getting ready for a craft sale. Then afte working for a while here I skyped with my daughter in California....talked to my sister for almost an hour....then my son called and invited me out for dinner.....so the whole day was wonderful...Glad you got your car fixed though...nicer to have it behind you then ahead of you! And it happened at home and not out on the road someplace!
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
I am so happy that you had a great day. You touched base with so many family members s well as doing craft work. Now the car needs ball joints. But when the mechanic came to take the kids to school, the car sounded so much better.I know that it has to be done but I was trying to get my credit card down as 47 percent is no joke!
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
5 Mar 13
Um, haven't you exceeded your quota of disasters for the decade?
My day was better than Dearra's. She started to print something this morning, dropped her laptop, shouted "I hate my f*cking life", got it sorted, then couldn't stop giggling while trying to be mad. Went to school sick because she had a test, but Tony brought her home at lunch. Poor dear...
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
No she did not have a good day but at least she expressed her feelings! What can I say I an glad that Tony brought her home though.
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
6 Mar 13
Well I am very glad it was atleast right outside your house when it did die.
I think I'd be cringing over a bill like that as well. Now I've been doing some calculating. I'll have $53.00 left over each month in which I'll have to buy groceries with after all of my bills are said and done.
Yesterday I went for another driving lesson with my instructor. I will go tomorrow for another lesson, then Friday for the test itself. I went to the eye doctor yesterday too and I have astigmatism in one eye. I'll go pick up my glasses next Wednesday.
I'm nervous about the big test.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
7 Mar 13
I was so nervous when I took my test too. I just talked myself through it and kept going and was so proud of myself when I passed. I am glad that you got your eyes tested and have glasses as this will help you. You will have to keep up with your couponing to help you exist. Are you still doing it? I have missed you here and was wondering where you were. Glad to see you back. The instructors will see thta you are nervous and will n=make allowances for this, Try to keep calm and not worry too much.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
6 Mar 13
oh so sorry. i know how that is to think you are going to have money to pay for something then it happens theres no extra. im about to do a discussion about my day in a little bit here.
some good some bad of course but it could have been worse.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
I'm glad that your day wasn't all bad. Mine could have been worse as I could have broken down on the highway or something
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
7 Mar 13
This reminds me of the old junk that I'm driving around. It's a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. Aside from the busted lights, and the squealing when I step on the brakes, I'm pretty sure that it's on it's 'last legs' and very badly needs some mechanic's TLC.
Sometimes I wish that it would also just shudder, sigh, and die so I'd be forced to get another one. And then I'll remember how expensive it would be, so I keep driving it.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
9 Mar 13
I know exactly how you feel. Sorry I could not respond earlier but I was without internet for two days. Really frustrating. HYou will hqave to change one day but not yet, please God. We do what we have to do, my friend to keep going
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
8 Mar 13
oh dear Cynthie I am so sorry your car needs such expensive repairs...... and I hope it will not be as expensive as you thought it will be.
Tuesday was an additional day off for me, I was grateful for this cause I could clean up online a bit more as I still had so many e mails to tend to after not having had the internet access for more than three weeks.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
9 Mar 13
I am so glad that you got a day off. I did not have internet for two days and felt so out of it. Really frustrating for you. I do hope that there are no more onternet problems for you
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
6 Mar 13
So sorry to hear that, we all hat to have to fork out money like that.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 13
I know we do but was trying to clear credit card debt and had just put this same sum on the card and now |I am back to square one. Just part of life
