CARS - AND I DON'T MEAN THAT CUTE PIXAR MOVIE!

I HATE dealing with cars. I absolutely hate it. First of all - I know nothing about cars - and really, I don't WANT to know anything. I just want to put the key in the ignition and drive. That's it. So - taking my car into the shop is always a big deal. Friday, I took it in for the State inspection. Actually, I was rather proud of myself for getting it done before the last day of the month. The car (van, actually) was driving just great - no problems. I just wanted a quick inspection - pay the 10 bucks or whatever it costs - and get on with things. No such luck.

First there was the bad news. The brakes would pass inspection...but just barely - so they needed to be replaced. I agreed. I had visions of my van careening down a steep road and my brakes failing. Okay. AND the roters (roaters? routers? rotars?) needed replacing. Have no idea what they are, but, I agreed. Okay. There was something else I agreed to, but I can't remember what it was. Then she said something about "seepage" in the racket pinion steering...but I was not agreeing to anything else. SO - it cost me $464 for my state inspection. When we picked up the van and drove it out of the parking lot it started making this horrible vibrating sound whenever I turned the steering wheel. I was not happy. It seemed to happen when I was driving slowly - not on the open road - so we turned around and went back to the mechanic. Some little guy got in the car with me while I drove around the parking lot and he heard the noise and said.....(drum roll here) "Something's wrong." No fooling! They had a mechanic look at it - and then they announced it was the racket pinion steering! (Remember the seepage???) AND - they insisted it was making that noise when I brought it in. I was furious. As a consolation, they added that they didn't think it was life-threatening. Can you believe it??? I decided I would have to take it in to the dealer - and I will NEVER go to that service station again. Never. I drove it today - and it only made the noise once or twice. Not that it makes me feel any better. It is so frustrating when you feel like someone is taking advantage of you. That is how I always feel when dealing with cars. ARRRGHHH!!!

On a lighter note - Marilyn and I had another fun lunch with Marty. As always, we laughed bunches - which is definitely good medicine! Eased away all the tension from the car fiasco...and that is saying a lot!