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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Snippet of My Crazy, Random Life

Yesterday I was driving between schools, when all of a sudden my air conditioner stopped working. It was blowing hot air and the light on the knob was flashing. Since it was almost 90 degrees yesterday, this was quite an issue. I rolled down the windows to try and cool down, at which point I started hearing this awful sound coming from my car. A few minutes later I realized that when I braked (?) my oil light came on.

The combination of malfunctions made me nervous so I stopped at the Midas near one of my schools. I normally go there to get my oil changed; in fact I was just there last week. I told the guys what was going on, and one of the mechanics took my car out for a spin. I waited patiently in the waiting area, but I was pretty sure it was taking longer than normal for the test drive. After about 30 minutes the guy finally returned.

Next thing I know they were pulling me into the garage and had me under the car to show me the steady flow of oil that was leaking. The mechanic told me that he had to stop at his house down the street and put oil in the car because he wouldn't have been able to make it back to the shop without blowing the engine. AWESOME. They said they couldn't fix it, it wasn't related to my oil change last week, and that I should call to have it towed to the nearest Toyota dealership. The best part...they didn't charge me a dime. I will be dropping by later this week with some coffee because I really appreciate their help!

I called AAA and they had a guy out to tow me away in less than 15 minutes. I rode with him to the Toyota dealership and only had to pay him $4 for the entire trip. AAA is so worth the money! Here is my poor car on the tow truck.

After explaining the issues to the service consultant, he stopped me and said he had another V6 Camry in that morning with the same problem. Apparently there is some tube that has been rupturing on these kinds of cars (yay, factory warranty!). He said it would take a few days to fix it, that I would have to leave the car, and he would get me a rental. The next thing I know I am walking across the parking lot to Enterprise and picking up a rental car. The only problem...they didn't have any cars available and I was stuck with a van. I about died. I have ALWAYS said I will never drive a van.

Well, never say never right? Here is my van in all its soccer mom glory.


All of this literally happened within a two hour time frame. Nothing in DC happens this fast! It was so crazy. But, because we live in the city and you have to have a permit to park on the street, I had to stop at the DMV on the way home and pick up a rental car parking permit. This took about as long as the entire car breakdown/tow/rental process. Ugh, the DMV! Why must you be the bane of everyone's existence.

Now, the funniest part about this whole experience...I can totally see myself driving a van one day. If I have kids, of course. There is so much space! And the convenience features are out of control. Mirrors built in so you can see the kiddies in the back, automatic sliding doors, more cup holders than I would know what to do with, etc., etc.... We would definitely have to be in the 'burbs though, because parallel parking that thing on the street was almost a catastrophe.

What are your thoughts on the van? Will you have one someday? Seriously, my 17 year old self is dying right now.

17 comments:

  1. this is too funny!! i've got a $100 bet going with a friend from high school that i'll drive a mini van one day. i say NO WAY - and still say no. :) i think you're stylin' in it though!

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  2. I feel the same way that I won't. I say that when we have kids I will get a crossover. When I tell other mom's that they laugh and tell me how wonderful vans are with kids. Much easier. We will see... I still would like to think that I won't!

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  3. MOM, can you take me to the mall please??? :)

    I am laughing at the pic of the minivan today just as much as I did last night. You MUST promise to take a picture of yourself in front of it in your best soccer mom dress. I am DYING!!

    Oh PLEASE tell me you are going to drive it on Friday! :) I need a good, almost-peeing-in-my-pants laugh :)

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  4. You're going to get knocked up just from driving that thing around.

    Just sayin.

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  5. LOL you should wear mom jeans tomorrow!

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  6. Wow that whole thing just sucks...well except for the free and AAA thing. But hooray for liking mini vans :)

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  7. I could never see myself having a van, but my boyfriend does have a Volvo station wagon, and it is a pretty awesome and roomy car! And I love AAA! I have to admit, I called them to jump my car once. Jumper cables are beyond me - I'm always afraid I'm going to end up blowing up my car if I do it myself.

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  8. Sorry, that last comment was me! I didn't realize that I was signed in to my boyfriend's account.

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  9. HAHAHA!

    OMG I can't believe all this! Well. Actually I can. Shit happens in DC dude! All in 2 hours... wow. Oh and I hate the DMV! There is NOTHING WORSE. If I know I'm going there I literally have to brace myself.

    xoxo

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  10. I won't knock the van b/c my dream "Mom" car is a Volvo Cross Country. Can't get much more Mom than that!

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  11. You know, as anti-environment as SUVs are, I'd probably go more with those SUV crossovers. Aren't too big, aren't too small.

    And for some reason I think the image of you in a van is adorable, haha.

    We are all growing up though. Instead of sneering at vans now we're all "Oooo! Look at all the features!" We're responsible now!

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  12. You are hilarious. My dad found some vulnerable neighbors a couple of years ago, moving to Germany & needed to sell all their things. My dad bought their van for $1000 and was VERY pleased with himself. My mom refuses to drive it & calls it "your father's van."

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  13. Wow, you got some great service!

    I'm hesitant to write this as I know one day I will be eating my words, but I will never drive a van. Nothing wrong with them--they are just gi-normous!

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  14. I'm so impressed with the Midas guys! How nice of them to take such good care of you. Jon and I have sworn that we will never, ever buy a van. Though, I did learn to drive in a mini-van!

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  15. Even with all the great features...I don't think I can ever drive a van! I might turn into my mom in a lot of ways as I get older, but that will never be one of them!

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  16. haha. Vans, I'd rather drive and suv

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