Nina is back on the road

    Yesterday was no picnic, but, much to my happiness, the day went very, very well.

    All I needed was a new battery. The considerably more expensive starter or alternator were just fine.
    Cost of the battery with a three-year warranty: $94. Sold!

    So what happened yesterday?

    The first few hours sucked while I tried to find a way to get to my car (which I had towed to a local Sears Auto Center after it died in the middle of the road), then get a rental and then get to work to complete an assignment due early in the afternoon.

    I had to take cab to Sears to give them my car keys and tell them what happened. That was $7 including the tip. I got a Jamaican driver from Chicago who chatted away happily the whole ride. He talked about how his boss drank cold coffee, but he himself didn't like it, but now he thinks it tastes pretty good. I was feeling pretty salty that morning, but I had to relax with this guy.
    "Just live life and don't let these people ruin it," he said with his jaunty accent. "It'll be ahl-right."
    Amen brother.

    The Sears guys were very nice and shot straight with me. I didn't feel like they were trying to get over. I tried to find a rental car, but the closest Enterprise only had a Yukon available for $100 a day. Uh, no. Called several other rental companies until I found one with a plain old compact car for $32 a day. Trouble was, I couldn't get to them and they had no one available to pick me up.
    I called a co-worker and buddy with fingers crossed that it was still early enough in the day that she was on her way to work and could drop me off at the rental place. She was. She did. God bless her.

    I got a car, went to work, busted my hump on the assignment and somehow turned it in EARLY. Thank ya Lawd! And my boss thought it was terrific.
    After work, I had a great time doing my volunteer gig -- a college radio show I took over while my friend recuperates from her cancer -- but it was too late to pick up my car. So I went out for drinks with the girls from work including the lovely lady that drove me to the rental place.
    I got home late, watched the Cosby show until I fell asleep around 1 a.m. and sometime around 6 a.m. I got a wonderfully sweet text message from my guy, who is not a slacker and works out early in the morning. It was nice because I was kinda snippy with him yesterday while I stood in the road waiting for a tow truck.
    I drove the rental car back and was fortunate to get a ride back to my car (which was several miles away). Nice, because I thought for sure I'd have to pay a cab.
    I paid for my car -- $117 total -- and got a free tire rotation thrown in (because I bought my tires from Sears).
    Nina is sitting in the parking lot and she didn't wipe out my emergency fund.

    The lesson? Normally, things like this make me pitch a fit and get salty with everyone I come in contact with. But I'm learning that being hostile doesn't solve any problems and it doesn't save me a penny.

    My corny advice: When it rains it pours, so let a smile be your umbrella.

    Be blessed.

    DH

Comments

[mapgirl]

Glad it worked out for a lot less than you thought!

[Michael]

Cars can be a pain in the butt. I should know. My 1992 Nissan Sentra practically fell apart after I finished paying it off. Glad everything worked out.

[Constance]

I'm glad your efund is still in tact. I hope Nina stays healthy for a long time. You inspired me to start a seperate Ing savings acct. just for car expenses.

[Mare]

Hi Nina,

I've been reading your blog for some time now and I love it! You are awesome! i have nominated you for a Rockin Girl Blogger Award. You deserve it, your blog is great!

[Sistah Ant]

boy do i not miss the days when every thing in my car threatened to wipe me out. being sick of that is what prompted me to get the four-year-old i have now. and she better not give me any problems!

i'm so glad you got through relatively painlessly. congratulations!

[Debt Hater]

Mare,
Thank you for the kudos and nomination! But just so you know, my name isn't Nina, that's my car's name :-) Yeah, it's silly, I know

[Mare]

LOL - don't I feel silly :)