What a way to start the new year! Last night Prof offered to buy my dinner at an Applebees in the next city south of us. We dropped off Kiddo at a buddy's house, then took off for the city. We had a wonderful dinner at Applebees. I had ribs, she had steak. Then, after stopping in at Starbucks, where I had nothing, she had her vinte peppermint mocha, we started home. We were almost back to Our Town when I heard a not so familiar rumble. Prof said, Daddy-O, I think we have a flat tire. Damn! She was right. I just had that slow leak fixed in that tire two weeks ago, too. So we slowly limped into the nearby Builder's Mart parking lot, parked and got out to inspect. Same tire...flat again. We called my daughter-in-law who came to our rescue. It was about 8:00 PM and about +15 degrees with snow flying and wind gusts up to 40 mph and dark! I left my car sit in the parking lot, under a flood light and came on home. The tire shop where I trade all the time was closed for the night.
This morning I arose around 6:45 after a restless night's sleep (knowing I have to get up at a certain time sure puts a kink into my sleeping since I retired.) I took Prof to work so I could use her car. I then went to the tire shop. I know the owners well, and have traded there for about 40 years. They agreed to send someone to do what ever was needed to get my car to the shop, fix the tire and call me. I am waiting on their call now.
When I had my car serviced last month, the 16 point inspection showed that my back tires were in the yellow "caution" area and they even told me how much tread was left. Since I only drive about 10,000 miles or less yearly, I wasn't too concerned. But, I guess I should have been. I am expecting that when Scotty, the tire guy, calls me, I will need two new tires. This wasn't in the financial plan for this month since I just bought a plane ticket to Texas and plan to be gone a month. But I also can't rely on shoddy tires in the winter.
I have had very few flats in my 50 years of driving. Most of them have been in the dead of winter. When I was young, I would hop to it and get it changed, but now, with the new style of jacks, and having it placed just so, and the new fangled lug wrenches, I don't know where to begin. And, I have arthritis in the knees, ankles and hands. It's just easier to call Scotty, the tire guy, and let them do it. I am thinking about joining AARP's Auto Club! At least if I get caught out of town, I would have someone to call!
Peace,
JE
3 comments:
Hmmm, I'm not getting the best vibes from 2012 so far. You had a flat tire problem. Our clothes dryer died. This does not bode well for the days ahead.
I'm glad you were able to be rescued and could leave the car, rather than have to fix it yourself in that cold night! Makes me shiver just to think about!!
I sure hope 2012 gets better real quick!
Sorry you had such bad luck. At least you made it back to hometown before it happened. Also glad to hear that it was only one tire. For now anyway.
Why is it that flat tires seem to always happen in the winter? In the cold? When it's snowing? In the dark?
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