When it rains, it pours.... (Hello Spring!)

It's not raining. Its still snowing..... Boo!! Even Matt and I, the two biggest lovers of Winter, are ready for Spring weather to be here.

So my title is more so in the figurative sense. When something goes bad, everything else seems to go to ---well poo. In our case, it was our cars...

Now, we knew Matt's car was on its last string. His loyal 2002 Toyota Camry with 200K miles on it nearly pooped out on Saturday. It may have been the fact that Matt left his lights on while he quickly ran into Family Video, but when he came back out, the car didn't start. So just like everyone else would think, Matt thought he needed a "jump" -- The battery was just dead, right?

Wrong.

After an hour of waiting, Roadside Assistance came out with jumper cables, tried to jump his car, and it didn't work. So, Matt had to call Roadside Assistance AGAIN for a tow. He waited another two hours before he finally got home. And to think, he ran out for a quick trip to the video store.

Oh, but wait... it gets better.

Once in our driveway, the tow guy told Matt that he needed to put the car in neutral to get it off the tow lift. So, just for the hell of it, Matt tried to start the car again. And...

IT STARTED! Wait, What?? Yeah, we don't know either.

On to my car:

Two days ago (JUST TWO DAYS!!), I received a post card in the mail from Chevy saying that 2006 Chevrolet Cobalts (my car) were being recalled because the power steering was going out. It also said, if you bring it into the closest Chevrolet dealership, they will replace the power steering free of charge. I looked at the post card and thought, I'll fix it later. In fact, this is exactly how Matt's and my conversation went:

Me: So, my car is being recalled because apparently it has bad power steering.
Matt: Oh man, that could be bad.
Me: Yeah.

Drop the subject. Onto something else.


Anyways -- Today, on my way back to gym from a director's meeting, I was driving on the Beltline (Madison's major highway) going 60 MPH when my car dinged and flashed "Power Steering" in the dashboard.

Hmm, (I thought to myself) I wonder what power steering is..... (I thought). Am I going to crash? Can I steer? Am I going to end up in the ditch? I should probably slow down....

So I come up to my "Greenway" exit and getting over to the right lane wasn't too bad... No biggie. Then, I came to the bottom of the ramp and had to turn right.

Oh-My-God!

I felt like my steering wheel weighed 100 pounds. I was literally pulling on my wheel with two hands to make a simple right turn. Luckily, I only had one more turn to go before I was parked safely at work.

And while we're here, can I just say that I LOVE roadside assistance! They hate us this week. But I love them. So they came out to help the Fennels. Again. And towed my car to the Chevrolet dealership. Luckily, they fixed it in the two hours left I had of work and it was ready for me to pick up after Matt picked me up from Little Gym.

The repair man even said, "Your grand total is zero. And you can even steer!!"

I wish it was always that easy.....

Back to Matt's car --- What's our immediate solution?

Everyday, before I leave for work, Matt goes out to see if his car starts. Once its started and he knows he can get to work, I am allowed to leave for the day. Of course -- he leaves it running until he has to leave.

Economical?? I think not. So what in the world is our permanent solution???

Well thank God we already had plans before this "storm" happened. On Saturday, Matt and I will be going to Lisle, Illinois to trade in his lovely Camry for a brand new 2013 Chevy Sonic RS hatchback.

WOOOHOOO!!!!

Now, this sporty compact car is amazing on gas and will be wonderful for all of the road trips we have planned in the near future. There is even space for a possible puppy that will one day be a large dog.... and a (someday) car seat......  sighhhhh

NOT ANYTIME SOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

.................And I can't wait to drive the hell out of that little 6 speed turbo.

But, I have to give credit to Matt's Camry. Up until Saturday, it was a very reliable car -- all two hundred thousand miles of it. We started dating in that car and shared thousands of memories......

RIP 2002 Toyota Camry -- you will never be missed -- but also -- never forgotten.

(((I can't wait to post a blog about Saturday and the brand new car purchase!))))

Wish us luck!