Is it me, or does this seem to be a recurring theme?
This afternoon. Car trouble. AGAIN.
So I turned a corner and the left front wheel started making this horrid loud clanking and creaking noise. Kinda as if the car was YELLING for help. Or complaining, "Sunflower, you've grown entirely too heavy and I can't take it any more! Please! Save me!!"
I pulled over and called trusty ol' AAM, whose operators probably recognise my voice by now. They're just being polite by pretending they don't know who's calling, and asking for my membership number and all that stuff. Procedures must be followed, you know. That's what the procedures are there for.
The AAM mechanic eventually came along and, after poking and prodding and asking questions -- which, like any good mother, I answered on behalf of my baby, who cannot speak for himself -- came up with a diagnosis: the wheel bearings were worn out. Towing was in order.
After that, I opened an umbrella and stood next to the car for 30 minutes waiting for the tow truck to arrive. Meanwhile, I sent text messages to keep myself distracted from the heat of the sun. One of them went like this:
It's very hot.
But thank God it's not raining.
I'm very frustrated.
But thank God I still have a car.
This means more expense.
But thank God I can afford it this time.
*trying very hard to be positive*
Then the tow truck came along and I got to ride in one for the very first time. My car was sent to a hospital for outpatient treatment. Good thing it didn't need to be admitted overnight. I sat outside the operating theatre and continued sending text messages (I am the text message queen. My phone bill consists of two-thirds text messages and one-third phone calls). That seemed more constructive than pacing up and down, wearing a path in the carpet. Err, cement floor.
The hospital bill came to $250, exactly the amount I had in my purse. After paying the mechanic, I had $5 and some change left over. But at least I had my baby back -- minus the scary noises!
I'm starting to think that cars are like the opposite sex: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em...