Jinxed!
by Kerrie on Jan.25, 2007, under Thoughts
Every third Friday of the month I play Bunko with a group of 12 ladies. Last Friday night I drove and two others carpooled with me. Our car had been making funny noises so I said, “I hope this car doesn’t break down on us.” I jinxed us then and there. As I was driving home the car all of the sudden powered off. The gas would not accelerate and the brakes and steering wheel locked up. Somehow I was able to pull over. I didn’t have my cell phone on me. I’m still not used to carrying a cell phone around; it’s the last thing on my mind when leaving the door because I usually have a million other things (Allie’s stuff that is) with me. My friend, who had her baby 4 days later, had her cell phone. I called Jake and he and a buddy came to the rescue.
Let me set the scene for you. It was close to 11PM on a VERY dark road; a road that we had never been on before. We were about five miles away from home. Three women were in the car (one large with child). It began to get quite cold after 15 minutes. A scary looking man walked toward our car and began to look inside. At that very moment, Jake pulled up. The man continued to walk on. Whew!!! We were getting a little nervous. If Jake had showed up a moment later I was certain my friend was going to have a nervous breakdown. She doesn’t handle stress well, which made us all a little tense. To make a long story short, we got home safe and sound and the car was towed to the Toyota dealership the next day. The timing belt had snapped. Several hundred dollars and a few days later, we have old Gold Digger back with us. Here is a list of things that I have learned from this experience:
1. Always take a cell phone and always have it charged. (What’s the point of having a cell phone if I don’t ever use it?)
2. Purchase an emergency kit for the car. (i.e. tow rope, flashlights, blankets, etc)
3. Lock all your doors when stranded on a dark street.
4. When you know something’s wrong with your car, take it in before it breaks down. (Jake had a feeling something was wrong with the timing belt but we just procrastinated it).
P.S. Congratulations to Kelli and Matt on their new baby boy, Abe!
January 25th, 2007 on 12:40 pm
That is a terrifying story. I am afraid that is going to happen with me in our car, especially since it makes that loud noise. I am glad to hear that everything turned out OK though.
January 26th, 2007 on 12:06 am
Freaky! What did you do when he looked in the window? I’m glad Jake pulled up when he did! I have the same problem with the cell phone, but I think I will remember it now!
January 26th, 2007 on 8:18 am
The man bent down to look in the window at the same time that Jake pulled up so he walked on. I’m not sure if he walked on because he saw people in the car or because Jake pulled up. Now that I think about it, I wonder if he was going to see if he could help. Either way, I’m glad he kept walking.
January 29th, 2007 on 6:53 pm
Sure glad your friend had her cell phone. What would you have done? Happy to hear that Gold Digger (good name) is up and running again. Did you ever find out why the wheels made those funny noises over the bumps?
January 30th, 2007 on 1:12 pm
Another good idea I heard from my boss, is that you should leave the drivers side of the car empty giving the appearance that your husband has just stepped out of the car and will be returning very soon. Then if any one asks, make that your story,” Oh my husband just stepped out to use the restroom or something.”
February 16th, 2007 on 6:33 pm
We finally got our car fixed yesterday. 300 bones later we get a new wheel bearing. It almost seems too quiet now when we drive, it used to put Hannah to sleep. Hopefully we can go the rest of the year without any money put to the car, we already replaced two tires last week.