11 posts tagged “car troubles”

Our neighbors at the lake were in a horrific head-on crash June 12.  They were headed to the lake when a vehicle coming the other direction was passing on a hill.  At first, nobody was expected to survive.  The husband is now being moved to a rehab center with a severely broken leg and ankle and some short term memory loss.  His wife lost an eye and had one side of her face completely shattered.  She came out of her coma on Sunday and is starting to spend some time off the ventilator.  She definitely has a much longer road to recovery ahead but at least she should survive.  Nobody really knows the condition of the man driving the other vehicle.  Our neighbors were in this truck.

I think its amazing how they ended up side by side facing the same direction.  One of the trucks must have spun completely around.  Our friends are in their 50's and the other driver was 32.  Please keep them all in your prayers.

 

The kids got done with school at noon on Friday.  It was a hard day.  We left right away for the lake.  You may remember that the lake had gotten very low the past several years but was starting to come up.  Well, it was up 25 ft. from this time last year and is supposed to come up another 8 ft!  I think that will make it higher than when we first started going there.  It's awesome!

For a Memorial weekend, we were treated to fairly nice weather Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday was Cody's 12th birthday.

 

 

In addition to the rollerblades, Cody got some money from his siblings and uncle and a rebound soccer net from my parents.  After opening gifts, Ray, my dad, my brother, and the boys went out fishing.  The girls stayed back and played squeak and went shopping in town.

The guys had some good fishing success and brought in 9 walleye and saugers so we had enough for supper. 

 

 

Sunday, the guys went out fishing again.  Not long after they'd left, we got a call that my dad's truck had broken down.  I went and picked them up and we hauled the truck to town and then the boat back to the cabin.  Then, the guys used my Yukon to go fishing and they came back with 19 walleyes!! 

Lily helped grandma cook and they even made a german chocolate cake to celebrate our anniversary which is today - 14 years!

We have some new neighbors from Sidney at the lake.  It happens to be one of my old babysitters and her family.  She has 2 teenagers and a son who's Jace's age!!  I am totally psyched that we haven't even moved and he's already got a friend there.  They really hit it off.

 

My BFF from h.s. was also there with her boyfriend.  He's got a 4 yr old daughter so Lily and her played a lot and then Cody played with her son whose a year behind him in school.  Uncle Ray played his first game of Blongo Ball.

And we saw our very first fox den with at least 4 little foxes!

Our average high right now is supposed to be 30 degrees.  What I wouldn't give to see 30 degrees instead of the -30 windchill we have right now.  Ray didn't realize it was supposed to get so cold last night and didn't plug in his truck.  It's a diesel so really dislikes starting in the cold.  My Yukon didn't get in the garage so it wouldn't start either!  So, even though school started 2 hrs late because of yesterday's snow, we still had to call a friend to give the kids a ride.  I hope they start before my lunch date.

Thumbs Down:

1. Ray's diesel truck gelling up when he was 1/2 way to work (10 mile drive).  Thankfully, someone stopped quickly because he'd also forgotten his cell phone at home! 
2. My stupid house key not working in the door when I was in a hurry and had a car full of groceries and Christmas presents.  Ray was able to direct me to some WD40 in the garage which got the key to work.  I guess we each saved each other yesterday.
3. A local bank being robbed.  First time that's ever happened since we've been here.

Thumbs Up:

1. My grandma's lumpectomy was a success and she probably won't even need radiation.
2. My grandpa getting out of the nursing home next week so he'll be home for Christmas.
3. The kids' school Christmas program.
4. Cody's band concert.

Rascal didn't take a swim with the kids but got splashed a lot.

My parents' cat looked for some leftovers. The guys went out to the ranch hunting on Friday. This porcupine was the only thing they got. On Saturday, Lily joined the boys on her 1st hunting trip. Their luck was the same and they only ended up with 1 porcupine.  As you know, mom & I were more successful in getting a deer. Jace & Grandma played squeak. I didn't get near as many photos as I hoped to throughout the weekend.  Also, all the photos from the ranch were taken by Ray.

My mom and I had a nice visit with my grandpa today.  The nursing home he's staying at for now is pretty good but seems a lot like a hospital to me.  There must be some way to make those rooms more homey.  We picked up some finger steaks at our favorite restaurant there, the Airport Inn, and took them to the nursing home.  That was a nice treat for grandpa.

It's a 2 hour drive each way to visit him.  I drove but we had my mom's Yukon.  About 35 miles from Sidney right at dusk, I turned my head to say something to my mom, when a deer ran right in front of us.  I said "oh sh*#!" and stepped on the brakes but we still caught its hindend on the front passenger side.  I pulled off the road right away to inspect the damage.  Mom got out first and said we were just missing a headlight and that she couldn't see the deer.  I decided to inspect for myself and thought I could hear a hissing sound which made me concerned that the radiator had been punctured.  (See, I learned something watching Ray put together cars all those years when we were dating).  I looked under the car and there was a small drip.  It didn't look green like antifreeze but I was still worried.  I also couldn't see the deer but didn't do a lot of searching for it.

I climbed back in and mom said we should just go.  We were in a bad spot for cell service so mom wasn't having any luck reaching the boys.  She said to just keep an eye on the control panel because it would give a warning if anything was wrong.  We were 15 minutes from a small town with one gas station so I was just praying we'd get that far.  About 10 miles down the road, I thought it looked like the temperature gauge was higher than normal.  Soon after, it was definitely climbing.  Then, the following warnings started appearing on the control panel, in order, when the next town was in sight: 

1. Low Coolant Level
2. Engine Overheating
3. Engine Power Being Reduced
4. Something about a system being disabled?

We basically coasted into the gas station as we were losing power.  I couldn't get out of the car fast enough because I didn't know if there was danger of fire in that situation.  Rascal was with us so I grabbed him and got right out.  We went in the gas station and explained to the woman what had happened (figured she'd wonder why I was bringing a dog in even though I was carrying him).  She let us use her phone since we still had no service and mom reached the guys who had just gotten back to town from hunting.  She was so nice and opened up the employee lounge so we'd have chairs and a table to sit out while we waited for our rescuers to make the 20 mile drive to pick us up. 

Ray came and got us while my dad stayed at the house with the kids.  They hadn't had any luck on their hunting trip except to get another porcupine so Jace really wanted to come with and keep the deer.  He was disappointed that there wasn't one to be found. 

The car will be towed on Monday morning.  I filled out a police report and we called their insurance company.  That's the only accident I've ever had aside from having someone back into me in my high school parking lot 2 wks after getting my license.  I have to say I was proud of myself for not swerving to miss the deer.  I always thought that would be my reaction in that situation but it didn't even occur to me to do anything but hit the brakes.  Of course, the guys were giving me a hard time for not swerving because then I could've missed it.  But, we also would've ended up in oncoming traffic as it's a 2-lane road.

We try to go to the stock car races once each summer.  Saturday, they were having Scout night so both the boys could get in free.  We lucked out and had perfect weather for early in the season so we went with Gndsgang.  It was Lily's first trip to the races.  We took the boys at a younger age but she's always had an aversion to loud noises so I didn't think she'd like it.  However, it didn't seem to phase her.

My favorite part of the races is the crashes.  Nothing serious, of course, but it's boring if they just go round and round all night long.  The night started off very boring.  The first several races didn't even have one restart!  I figured we'd be getting done at a pretty decent hour but then things started picking up.

First, there was a car that ran part way over another and then slowly tipped onto it's hood.  It's rare to see a rollover so that was pretty exciting.  They got the driver out right away and he was fine.  Then, they tipped the car back over and a fire started up under one of the wheels.  Whoa!  Now we're talking LOL. 

For the feature races, you can sign kids up to be junior trophy presenters.  They give the big trophy to the winner and the winner gives the kid a smaller trophy.  Ray was supposed to sign up the kids but forgot.  One of the junior presenters didn't show up so they came out into the audience to pick a kid to receive the junior trophy.  Guess who they picked?

She was so tickled and excited to have her very first trophy.  After all, her brothers' room is packed full of them so she needs to get going on her own collection!

Later, there was another rollover where the car went over one complete time.  I kind of missed that one because I was looking at the other side of the track but the kids were loving the excitement.

The 2nd to last race was the Street Stocks and it started with 18 cars.  There were a few minor collisions early on and then a huge one right in front of us.  A few cars collided, one flipped onto it's roof, and was then slammed into while upside down by two other cars!!  It was horrible.  I like crashes but that was too much.  I can't remember if they turned the car back onto it's wheels or if one of the collisions flipped it back over but the roof was basically gone.  All we could see of the driver was his helmet and he appeared to be slumped over in the seat and not moving. 

In the far right, you can see the other white car that was involved (behind the red truck).  It was smashed up badly, too, but the driver got out on his own right away.

They finally got the driver out.  He was conscious and walked to the ambulance with assistance.  I haven't heard any update on his condition but I don't think it was serious.  I couldn't believe there were 3 rollovers in one night!

The only driver I know is the father of one of Lily's preschool friends.  He was in this particular race and was actually minorly involved in this accident.  In addition to that, he had 2 different flat tires during the race.  After the crash, the field of 18 cars was down to 8.  Because of the flat tires, our friend had to start at the back of the group.  With one lap left to go, he moved up to 2nd place and in the final turn pulled ahead to barely win.  It was such an exciting finish!  The best I've ever seen.  He's had several wins but I'm pretty sure this was one of his favorites as he was really stoked.  It's definitely the best night of racing I've ever seen. 

Read in the paper that the driver was treated and released at the hospital.

Yesterday, Ray had a dental appt. in Fargo to have a tooth pulled.  We made arrangements for the kids and decided to take Gus.

 

I was pretty nervous about this arrangement as I haven't driven Gus since we first got him and that was around the parking lot.  Remember, he's a 5-speed and I've never been able to figure them out.  I drove him to the Interstate so I'd have a little practice while Ray was lucid enough to give assistance.  It didn't go too bad but I was still really anxious about having to do it in Fargo.  That's kind of like trial by fire.  Add to it that the pedals don't adjust forward so I had the seat so close to the steering wheel that I was practically hugging it.  I just knew if the air bag went off, it was going to decapitate me!  After all, I'm only 3 inches past the recommendation to be in a booster seat.

Ray's appt. was at 2:30.  It was expected to last 1.5 - 2 hours so the plan was for me to run to the mall and exchange some clothes.  That's right.  I was going to drive Gus alone in Fargo and the mall is nowhere close to the dentist's office.  I wanted to wait for them to call Ray back first and they did at 2:25.  I really debated forgetting the whole mall thing until afterward but I needed to be back home for AWE practice and knew we'd already be cutting it close.  So, I put on my brave face and kept telling myself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".

Ray had parked so I wouldn't need to reverse.  I did get out of the parking spot without killing it.  I decided to turn right and drive around the block to avoid pulling out in front of traffic to turn left.  Not sure why it didn't dawn on me that I'd still need to go left when I came back around, but at least it was at a light.  So far, so good.  Then, I came to a red light.  I've never hated red lights so much in my life.  The light turned green.  I tried to go.  Killed the car.  Tried again.  Killed it again.  Tried to start in 2nd gear as Ray had said that might be easier.  Killed it again.  The light turned back to red.  Meanwhile, there are pedestrians on the sidewalk and a car behind me that I'm sure was getting very annoyed.  I just kept reminding myself that I'd never see these people again.  When the light turned red again, I said a little prayer and managed to get through the light without killing the car and minimal jerking.  I don't have any trouble shifting between the rest of the gears but first just kills me.  It was a straight shot to the interstate and I did a fairly good job of avoiding red lights by watching ahead and slowing down or speeding up to anticipate them.  Made it to the interstate, back off, and to another red light.  Killed it once.  Then, I arrived at the mall really wishing that I did not have to make the return trip.

On the way back, I killed it getting out of the parking lot and again at the first red light.  Of course, there were people behind me at all the lights.  I made it to the interstate, killed it at the red light on the off ramp, and off I went trying to avoid red lights again.  I didn't make one and was sitting there with this giant truck behind me really close.  I could just tell that he was going to have no patience for me.  I prayed that I'd get going on the first try and I did but he was still behind me.  I have no idea why I was getting so worked up about complete strangers but I was fairly sure I was going to have an anxiety attack.  Thankfully, I made it back to the dentist's office without anymore trouble by 3:30.

Ray wasn't out of surgery yet so I settled into a comfortable chair to watch "Ellen" and enjoy the complimentary pop and cookies.  Four o'clock rolled around and still no Ray.  I was starting to worry that there was a problem with the anesthesia or something.  Meanwhile, the waiting room is an absolute ice box, my nerves are fried over the thought of having to drive Gus through town again, and I'm starting to stress out that my husband is going to die in the dentist's chair!  Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.  At 4:30, I asked the receptionist if she knew how much longer he would be, assuming recovery was just taking awhile.  (I obviously wasn't going to make my 5:30 rehearsal at this point).  She returned and said he was still in surgery!  Now, I was really starting to panic.  It was taking much longer than it was supposed to.  Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.  At 5:00, a nurse came in to tell me the surgery was done and they'd take me back to see him in a moment.  I was so relieved.  I got back to the recovery room at 5:15.  Ray was awake but groggy and talking funny because of the gauze in his mouth.  He introduced me to the dentist and assistant as his trophy wife!  Awkward!  Then, he told me that he was going to have them let me know before he fell asleep that they didn't start the surgery until 3:45!  He actually fell asleep waiting for it!

Back we went out to the parking lot to see Gus again.  I was not excited.  Two rides in a day were enough for me.  I killed it right off the bat getting out of the parking spot when Ray offered to get us to the interstate.  He seemed lucid enough for me so I agreed!  We stopped for gas and discovered I had another problem that I'm not going to bring up here but I was so ready to be home.  Ray safely got us out of town and then I drove the rest of the way home without any problem.  We got back at 8:00.  Ray told me not to give up now because I've almost got it.  Stick shifts just have so much to think about!  I was thrilled to get back in my Yukon, put it in drive, and go off without giving it another thought.

Have you ever had a premonition about something that came true? 
Submitted by Sheri.

Not really but my husband did.  Around his high school graduation, he kept having dreams about something bad happening to him and his sister but didn't know exactly what.  A few weeks after graduation, he woke up one day and looked in the mirror.  He was wearing the same shirt he'd been wearing in the dreams and knew "this was the day".  He was down in Wyoming visiting family at the time.  He was driving a truck with his sister in the middle and his best friend beside her.  They were driving down a gravel road on the way to his grandparents' house when they blew a tire on a curve and rolled.  Of course, none of them were wearing seat belts.  When they stopped, Ray & his sister were standing where the windshield had been.  Ray wasn't hurt but his sister had blood running down her face and he was worried she'd damaged her eye because he couldn't see it through the blood.  He looked around for his friend but couldn't find him.  Finally, he spotted him laying in the middle of the road, unconscious, where he'd been thrown during the rollover.  Ray started administering first aid until the paramedics arrived. 

Turned out his sister just had a cut on her head from the rear view mirror.  However, the paramedics told Ray once at the accident site and again on the way to the hospital that his friend was dead.  He was losing a tremendous amount of blood.  It took several weeks, but his friend recovered.  They had just been back in Montana for a few days when we first met.  He was still pretty traumatized over the whole ordeal.  His friend is doing fine now and has even battled testicular cancer.

I knew this challenge about not complaining would be difficult but not as bad as it has been.  I haven't even made it a day.  I can say its been in the back of my head and has kept me from making a few complaints but its just soooo hard!  Then, there's the problem of how you define a complaint.  The Pastor who started the program said it is up to each person to decide whether they're complaining or not.  Personally, I don't think that's a good plan.  You would not believe how I can rationalize a comment so that it is not really a complaint.  Some examples:

1.  We're had 5 inches of snow this week and its 10 degrees outside.  A complaint?  Of course not.  I'm simply giving out information.

2.  The circus was really, really bad this year.  A complaint?  Wrong again.  I'm simply making an observation.

3.  Cody's grades were not good and I'm unhappy with one of his teachers.  Think you got me on this one?  Nope.  I'm problem solving.

4.  We've spent over $1500 this month on car repairs.  Most recently, we were charged $260 in labor for 1/2 day that Ray's truck spent at the repair store yesterday when another dealer only charged us $100 when my SUV was at their shop for 2 days!  Now surely this must be a complaint, right?  Wrong!  I'm simply making a comparison between what different dealers charge for car repairs.

So you see my dilemma.  To try and help, I decided to look up the definition of complain in the dictionary.  Here is what it says:

com·plain      /kəmˈpleɪn/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuhm-pleyn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation