Ode to that Damn Car

There were two before, our now vehicle; 

My 1st car, a 1 -ton Toyota (I loved it), 

Our 1st car together, a put your whole body weight into shifting the damn thing '86 Ford Wagon.  

Our now vehicle is a red '92 Volkswagen Golf.  It cost us a $1000. and really looking back that was too much.  It was well used; with a hole in the muffler and many little cosmetic problems to be fixed, we blissfully drove it home thankful to have a car.  We now could go get groceries and not have to think about how to pack them to take the bus.  And best of all I could sleep in on days with Dr's appointments, as it would only take me 15 mins driving a car, while the bus took 1hour + 15mins.

Wahoo! Dr. appointment morning.  The appointment is for 8:45am, which means I will be ready to go and in the car by 8:15am.  This plan would leave me with time just in case of a little traffic or I take a wrong turn.

I start the car,

I haven't put the car key on my keychain yet, that's how new it is

I turn on the heat and grab the window scraper

I shut my door and clear the window from a thin layer of ice.

Ah, not bad 2 minute delay and off to my appointment or I thought...

I grab the car door handle, squeeze and pull, 

Pull harder

Squeeze, jiggle, and pull with two hands

What the Hell!

Squeeze, Squeeze and pull

Damn it the door handles screwed up!

Ok, I am resourceful... I run inside and get  2 coat hangers and a fork.

Fork was useless, not really sure what I was thinking- (I love MacGyver)

With the coat hangers bent out of shape I jimmied one through the drivers window and the other through the backseat window.

Well I only have two hands and well I am not MacGyver

Time to call Matt

He wasn't able to come home and it wouldn't do any good as we had planned to get a 2nd car key cut the night before but forgot.  So, it was up to CAA to save my day.

I re-booked my appointment for later that afternoon. *2 hours Later* The CAA guy finally arrives.  Within 7 mins the car door was open.  Well actually it was the passenger side door that was opened, as the drivers door handle was broken.  Yes, all that and the door was never locked, just broken!

So I turn off the car and let it cool down, with the heat on full blast for 2 hours it was toasty.

I eat lunch and then leave almost 2 hours early for my rescheduled appointment.

5 mins down the road....puttttttttttttghh...car died. of course it needs gas.  I walk three blocks to get gas.

I buy a gas jug and fill it up half full, remember pregnant and its icy.  By this point I was praying to make it to the appointment and if anything else happened I was going back to bed and writing off the whole day.

Yes! I finally made it to the Dr and the appointment went well.  Back to the parking lot and off to work for a half day.

I unlock the passengers side and climb over the seats to push open the drivers door.  This is not going to work much longer as soon my baby belly would not do this task so gracefully.  Note to self try to park on level ground or the door swings closed before you can run around the car and jump in. What a sight.

Off to work...The oil light is on and the car won't work. AHHHHHHH!!!!  F***'n CAR!!!

Well I had already called work and told them that I was finally coming in for the day.  Leave the car, no one will steal it.  I don't think a thieve would climb over the front seats to open the drivers door.  Three blocks and wait for the bus.  I make it to work. I work. I wait for the bus to bring me home.  Matt puts oil in the car and drives it home before I make it in the door for the end of I can easily call the most frustrating car day ever.

Our little red car still has its days and I always pray before I start the car because you never know what might happen.  Someday I will remember this "Damn Car" while seated in a much better one.  I will think of all its horrible quirks and our ordeals.  But for now I will continue to pray as we motor along in our damn car.