vehicular woes

A couple of months ago, we finally bought our first minivan. It had to be done, even after teasing our beloved friends for having bought a minivan themselves. To be honest, the minivan rocks! So much space! Anyone who has ever tried to load two kids, a stroller, a diaper bag, a playpen and x-number of groceries into a cavalier with know the joy I felt.


Then, the van broke. In a big way. That’s my precious van in the picture above. I didn’t even have to fuzz out the license plate for the blog picture, because (among other things) it fell off. Back into the cavalier our little family went, but not for long because two days later I called MPI to find out how my claim was coming along and pressured the poor unsuspecting lady on the phone to please help me get into another vehicle soon due to the growing family in the shrinking car. I am pleased to say that exactly one week after the unfortunate van-breaking incident I was driving a new van.

Aside: What's the deal with that caption anyway? It more or less WAS a fender bender, albeit an expensive one. Nobody was hurt or looked at by medics or anything. I think it was a very slow news day. Way to go Local Paper!

This is the conversation I had with my daughter a day or two later. She always brings this up at the exact location that the previous van ended it’s existence.

Jordan: Mommy, this is where you crashed.
Me: Yes Jordan, this is where I crashed.
Jordan: You have to be careful Mommy.
Me: I know Jordan, Mommy has to be very careful when I cross the street right? It’s very important.
Jordan: Daddy doesn’t crash.
Me: (deep breath) No, Daddy didn’t crash the van.
Jordan: Daddy is careful with these sings [things].

Of course Steven was delighted with this little story. Every single time we turn at that corner she remembers. She hasn’t brought daddy back into the conversation again though.

Our new van we purchased through a local dealer. It’s actually a very pretty little thing (maybe not so little, but pretty!). We liked it right away, except that it makes a bit of braking noise in the back when we stop. The dealer included on the purchase agreement that we can get the brakes checked. I made the appointment, and this morning I took the van over there. Wait, no, first I tried calling this morning from the van because I wasn’t sure where it was. Nobody answered. I thought hmm, maybe he’s under a car right now and didn’t worry about it. I found the place, parked the van and went inside. A lady was sitting at the desk and reading. I guess she was too busy to answer the phone. I told her I had an appointment and she said that the guy wasn’t in yet, and she hadn’t heard from him, but I was welcome to leave the vehicle behind and he’d get to it later. Apparently lots of days he doesn’t get in until 10.

Um, yeah. Great way to run a business. I left. He can call me and hopefully make good on his appointments in the future. Not to mention that he originally wanted me there at 8, and I changed it to 9! Had I gotten up early to be over there for 8 I’d have been really mad.

That’s my van drama for today. I’d have included a picture of the new van, but still can’t find my camera. Sure hoping it shows up.

ps: this is my 100th post!