Happy 2011

After a nice start to the year - lunch and Hobby Lobby shopping with my mom; a good week at work; my family in a good mood - things took a small turn today.

That's right, those dreaded words - car trouble. UGH!!!!
(Go refresh your drink or pop some popcorn and settle in...)
What started as drop off the van for an oil change and oh, could you check the sloshing sound we keep hearing from the dash. (A problem my hubby properly diagnosed a couple weeks ago - heater core) Anyway, I ask for it to be ready around noon - 'no problem, we'll let you know when it's done'. Uh...huh.... (by the way, I no longer believe that line) As noon is quickly approaching and still no phone call and I am keeping one of my co-workers from her lunch since she is going to drive me to the dealership, I decide to call. (Here's where things start to get ugly)
After waiting on hold at the dealership for 10 MINUTES (nothing urks me more [besides automated systems]than being kept on hold for more than a couple of minutes [at the MOST!]) I FINALLY get to talk to the service guy. "Oh, ah. Well...you diagnosed the problem right (laughs) but, ah..." Sigh-oh god, here it comes... "We aren't going have that done for you today."
So I take a deep breath. "Ok," I say, "when can I come get it and set up the fix day?"
"Ahhhh...." Oh crap, no please no - it's in pieces, isn't it?... "Ahhh, we have it all taken apart and are working with the warranty company but they're fighting me on a few things." Stay calm, stay calm while your blood pressure is starting to soar higher. "So, I'll get you a rental for the night on us and we'll get it taken care of." Oooookay. "I'll call the rental company and have them come get you."
"Fine." At this point I am not only PO'd because I had to wait on hold that long, I am PO'd because they had my van apart without calling me first to tell me it might take longer than a day!!!!! REALLY?! You didn't know at 10:00 that it might not get done today? On our busiest evening of the week? Sigh...
So, a little bit later, rental company calls me at work. "We have a car for you. What time do you need it?"
"Well, as soon as possible."
"Ok, I'll set the car aside and when you get here, it'll be ready."
"Ahhhh, you can't pick me up?"
"I'm the only one here today."
Great... "Ummm, ok then. See you later."
SERIOUSLY???!!!!! So, my co-worker drives me to the rental place instead (God bless you, B!) where I get to do all the very exciting paperwork with the 'only one here' who OBVIOUSLY loves his job! I really wanted to point to the poster on the wall and say "Hey, your company likes you to SMILE at your customers. Why don't you try it? You're not the only one not having a banner day here."
"Ok, your car is the one on the end."
I close my eyes and turn around to see - (and HOPING for a red Camaro, Charger, something REALLY cool!) a Toyota Yaris. If you haven't had the 'privilege' of driving one of these - you are really missing out... (insert eye roll here) This thing is like driving a tin can on wheels and handles about as well - the instrument panel sits in the middle of the dash - not in front of you so you can actually see it, but to the side. How is this safe?
BUT the upside to driving this fine piece of machinery is that it SHOULD just be until tomorrow and I don't have to leave town with it.

Ladies & gentlemen - this ends the story for today, but stay tuned to see what further adventures MAY come of this saga tomorrow... Until then - cheers!