Dec 18 2008
Mid-week Monday (a post script to a flat tire)
As I posted earlier, I had a flat tire on Monday. On Tuesday, I found someone who came and put my spare on for me. There was a nail was in the sidewall of the tire, so I was going to need a new tire, not just a tire repair. On Wednesday, I began calling around to see if anyone had a decent used tire to fit my car. I found a place who said they had one and drove over there after noon, planning to also get a oil change and lube before picking up some groceries and going to see Mom. Here’s how it went.
I got to the garage and the guy working the counter happened to be the step-dad to my daughter’s friend. He personally took over with my car. Two hours into the wait, they’re still arguing about there being a tire on the lot that would fit my car. Finally, the big guy comes in to tell me he’s sorry, but he was wrong, they have no used tires to fit my car. So, I end up having to buy a new tire plus the oil change and a quart of tranny fluid. $108.10, to be precise, total. 
Finally, I get to leave and get on my way. By now, I’m hungry, because I hadn’t eaten lunch before going over, so I swing into Taco Bell and begin smelling burning oil. Well, there is a car in front of me, so I’m hoping it’s them. By the time I get my food, I’m beginning to see puffs of smoke coming up in front of me. As I drive, there is more smoke, more burnt oil smell. I’m thinking, great - they spilled oil on my engine. 
By the time I get to where I was picking up the groceries, I’m surrounded by a bluish white cloud that is pouring from under my hood. I pull over and open the hood only to see smoke everywhere, oil everywhere and the oil cap sitting neatly on top of the radiator. S.O.B!!!!! They forgot to put the damned cap back on!! God only knows how much oil I lost. 
So, I call them and tell them what I’ve found and where I am, and I again wait for them to show up and evaluate the damage. Thankfully, I didn’t lose too much oil, but they did give me a couple quarts (as well as profuse apologies) just in case to keep in the car. By now, I’m frustrated, considerably late in my plans and have a headache the size of Texas, so I just went home. To hell with it. I called Mom from the house and asked how she was doing and told her how my day was. Thank God she understood. At least I have a good tire on the car and a good spare.
