How I Spent My Summer Vacation-Grade 5

Today is Saturday August 16th and I home from my.....well, vacation really isn't the right word. Hellacious experience, neurotic adventure, ridiculously awful travellings would be better descriptions for the week I have had!

It all started about two weeks ago when my car was experiencing some technical difficulties. I took it to the local mechanic who replaced the timing belt, gave it a tune up, and an oil change. Things went swimmingly from then on and I took off for North Carolina on Monday the 11th. Oh yes, but first I got a new tire. See, the mechanic told me I may need a new front driver's side tire soon and my father freaked me out enough about getting stuck on the side of the road in the God-forsaken countryside of rural North Carolina. My parents and I were worried about a tire! Ha!

So, after a quick tire change I took off down the road in 80 degree weather and the tunes blaring from my car stereo. Then........three hours into the trip, on the 295 bypass around Richmond, my lovely and fixed car lost all acceleration and I ended up stranded on the side of the road. After a quick and tearful phone call to my parents I was dialing a tow-truck and my mother was calling Patti who has a cousin, Angela, in Richmond.

Just then a State Police Motorist Assistance vehicle pulled behind me. Mr. Henrick, an older, distinguished gentleman assisted me with a tow truck and waited with me until it arrived. Once in the tow truck though, a Gough-like, twist of fate occurred. Mr. Henrick handed me HIS cell phone and told me I had a phone call. "How in Hell do you have a phone call on a stranger's phone?" you ask. I had the same question. I answered the phone and Angela was on the other line. Turns out, Mr. Henrick is her father-in-law! Small world huh!?

I towed my car to the local Ford dealership in town and waited for a diagnosis. TIMING BELT! Seriously, the timing belt was shredded. Terry, the service manager informed me I'd have to stay over night. So, I called Angela. Thank the good Lord for the kindness of strangers. Angela and her family were so kind and I stayed overnight with her three boys and husband. I have never played so many card and board games (and lost!). I even had the best ice cream in Richmond thanks to the begging of Ryan!
The next morning while I waited for my car to be fixed, Angela took me to the pool with her and Ryan. There I got some sun and an introduction to the water slides-which have left me bruised and battered but were so much fun. And then I found out I was staying another night.

Wednesday rolled around and my car was finally fixed. I got in, turned the ignition and turned on the radio--oh, wait--the radio didn't work! Easy fix and I was on my way at 5:30pm for home. At 6:02 I was on the side of the road on 95 North having a nervous breakdown. I called my parents. Dad called Ford, and they were sending a tow truck. My parents were in their car heading up after handing their dinner guests the entire platter of food and throwing clothes in a bag!

I got to the car dealership and they immediately took my car to service. Guess what....the timing belt was broken! Huge surprise right?! So I went to a hotel, watched the Olympics, and waited for my parents to arrive.

Thursday morning they found the problem and told me how much it would cost to fix. But fixed or not, I would never feel safe in that POS (you can figure it out I am sure!). So, after much haggling I got a decent (psh!) price on a new Ford Focus and drove home on Friday morning. Funny part of the story is I bought the Escort on August 12th, 2001 and I bought this car on August 14th, 2008. Happy Birthday to me!

So, I have to give a shout out to Angela and her family for taking in a stranded motorist and I have to thank my parents for dropping everything (including a crucial hair appointment!) and rescuing their scared and extremely tired daughter from the brink of a nervous breakdown. I love my parents very much.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I spent my summer vacation!