And that's that.
Today I was thrown another curve ball in my life. About my vehicle. Oh dear, hear come the water works. You can judge me all you want about me crying over my truck but it's useless. It breaks my heart. My heart is breaking into so many little pieces that if I had a quarter for every piece, there would be no problem and he would be restored to his full functioning GLORY.
I should back up and tell the whole story here.
I went to the Evergreen State College class of 2011 graduation to see a few of my dearest friends walk across that rented stage and shake hands with people they had never met before. I decided to leave Friday night after the ceremony and a lovely potluck. It was late. I left Olympia around 11pm. I have done that drive up and down I-5 countless times and nothing bad has ever happened. The bad things usually just happen when I'm actually IN Olympia.
Anyway, almost exactly between PDX and Oly, a very loud pop came from under my hood on the drivers side. I start to slow down and loose all acceleration abilities. Quickly, on go the hazard lights and the right shoulder becomes my safe haven. Turning off my car I take a deep breath and check all my gauges (those that work). I had just put gas in and added a quart of oil. Everything looked normal. I took out my little flashlight and looked around in the engine to see if I could spot anything that I knew was out of place. I looked on the pavement to check for leaking fluids. Nothing. I got back in the cab and taking another deep breath, cranked the ignition. The engine was turning over. That was good. I still had all my electrical power. Curious. I looked at my clock and where I was (no off ramp, no lights to a town and no mile marker) and started to freak out. I called AAA. They said it would be an hour. I called my dad. He wasn't really much help but I pretty much just called to let him know what was up. Then I called my best friend, officially sobbing by this point. She is pretty good at calming me down. Somehow even then, I knew this was the beginning of the end for my great little red rust bucket.
I waited for the tow truck and got a $275 ride for me and my truck. He took me to my very wonderful and trusted mechanic Reborn Automitive. They are closed on Saturday and Sunday so I just chilled out and waited until Monday for the dreaded call. Three days later I heard. Ignition coil. Bad news. Toyota only made this specific type for 3 model years ('78,'79, and '80). More bad news. The dealer of course doesn't make them anymore and can't get them. Even more bad news. My wonderful mechanic said he would look around and see what he could find.
Now, a month later almost to the day, every wrecking yard in the Metro area has been called, the internet scoured and reasonable retro-fitting ideas exhausted. I have been avoiding the call all week to check in but today, I forced myself to do it. It was what I was afraid of. Big Rusty is seemingly done for. I'm out of options.
Tears.
Deep breaths.
More tears.
After my breakdown and some talking with my Dad and best friend I have come to accept that this is fine. I can deal with this. I have the money for a new car and I will be better off because I won't be stressed out about my truck breaking down all the time, completely debilitating me. I have also come the accept that I am not a bus person. I REALLY hate taking the bus. So a new car it is.
It just so happens that when I was walking yesterday I came across a late '80's Volvo 240 wagon. I stopped to look at it. I liked it. Very strange. Three months ago I would not have noticed it. So I have decided that is direction I am heading. Upgrading about 10 years and doing my research, which is proving to be fruitful and also impressive. I have 5 jobs. Two of them involve being in charge of children. I can't be late. I can't break down unexpectedly. I will not have it. And so far I am being convinced by the forums and research I'm doing that this '80's soccer mom car just might be the one for me. It's nuts, I am aware.
It's hard to be an adult who is still in so many ways a child but I'm learning. And trying really hard to accept mistakes as they happen and listen to real grown-ups advice. They know what they are talking about for a reason.
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