Lily - Update #723

Last time I blogged about Lily, my still-new-to-me XTerra, she was in the shop after I rear-ended someone, causing $5,000 worth of damage to my own car. The shop ordeal took a month. In the meantime, I had 3 rental cars: Cobalt #1 that got a flat tire and was switched out for a sweet minivan. The minivan was then taken from me (after a good long run without incident) and was replaced with another Cobalt, this one with 4 functioning tires and automatic locks.

On Wednesday of last week I said "So long" to the Cobalt. Thursday morning I picked up Lily from the shop. It was a very exciting time, but a little nerve-wracking driving it again. She drives like an 18-wheeler, though I wouldn't know that from personal experience. It's what I imagine a trucker feels like: Sitting tall and being large and in charge. So, a few days of readjustment and enjoying having it back.....wha-BAM!

Lily broke down last night.

I was taking Ben to the dog park when a fan belt apparently slipped off its track and started making this wretched noise. You know the sound when you have mud stuck all up in your tires after off-roading? Once again, I don't know that from personal experience, but it's what I imagine the car would sound like. That clack clack clack noise was banging loud and suddenly, only it wasn't coming from the tires but the engine.

Fabulous.

Tyson (my now-familiar tow truck driver) came and towed her over to H., who took a look at her, fixed the problem (let's pray!), and sent me on my merry way with a new fan belt.

Oh, to go back to the days when I didn't worry about breaking my car every time I got behind the wheel!