How to Put a Stop to Errands
Thu Jul 01 2004

I took #3 with me to run some errands today. We picked up tickets for Spiderman 2 tomorrow, and then started hitting a few stores looking for a canner. After checking out a couple stores, we hit Target.

Then we tried to leave.

My car decided that it was tired of running errands, and wasn’t going to run anymore. I headed back into the store with #3 to do some browsing, hoping beyond all hope that I was only dealing with a vapor lock, and that time would resolve this little stumbling block in my day. There was a curious tingle in my stomach though that told me that this would involve lots and lots of zero’s. It wasn’t a vapor lock, so I gave Hubby a call to ask for him to come out and take a gander.

I should mention here, that Hubby is not a mechanic. He can change a tire and the oil, but this wasn’t a tire or the oil. I was actually hoping that the presence of testosterone would scare the car into working. #3 does not count as a testosterone generator as he is only 10; I needed some big guns, so to speak. That was when I discovered that my car is male. Testosterone did not intimidate it whatsoever.

Damn.

So we call AAA, and had the car towed back to our house with the intention of going through the Chilton Guide to see if we could fix this ourselves.

As it turns out, what I though was a Chilton Guide for the Mazda, proved to be a different animal that appears to be more geared for professional mechanics as it takes for granted that the owner has tools and gizmos we have not only never heard of, but wouldn’t recognize it if it bit us on the ass. Fortunately we do the van I can drive until we can afford to have the Mazda fixed.

I never did find a canner today, so the search for that will need to wait until next week.

9 Comments
  • From:
    InStitches (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 02 2004
    Personaly in a situation like that I prefer to do my intimidating with a sledge hammer. Not very subtle, but it makes me feel better. *evil grin*

    What type of canner are you looking for; water bath or pressure?
  • From:
    Salamander (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 02 2004
    I've always maintained that you can sex cars by their transmission. Male cars are stick shifts. Is your car manual transmission?
  • From:
    ImNotLisa (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 02 2004
    Here's hoping it isn't as many zeroes as you fear. They always have a way of finding you when you can afford it the least. Rick has found a lot of great websites that tell of basic fixes for my Mazda and his Jeep by doing some Googling, such as my horn that wouldn't stop squawking at 7:30 in the morning on a Sunday. It might be worth trying for your Mazda, just put in what it is(n't) doing and the make and model and see what comes up. It could give you an idea of the number of zeroes you are facing. Even if it isn't a technical website, people talk about so many different things on their own websites that you are bound to find someone who blabs about it. Most of all, good luck!
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 02 2004
    I sure like your firemen.... :-)
  • From:
    InStitches (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 02 2004
    Where was the article? I have been a home canner for years and everything I have ever read warns against steam canning unless you are talking about a steam pressure canner. Just steam that is not under pressure will not get the contents of your jars hot enough to kill harmful bacteria.

    I have a Mirro pressure canner with a weighted gauge. I prefer that over a dial guage because they do not have to be calibrated every year, but either works well. I bought my large one at a High School Pharmacy many years ago. About three years ago I bought a small one online.
  • From:
    Monstergue (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jul 02 2004
    *says the funeral mass for the car* It wasn't acting funny or making funny noises? If it wasn't, you could well be talking about vapor lock.(whats the ambient temp??) Had a cougar years ago that vapor locked every time I turned a corner when it was hot. Damned car was GORGEOUS, drew stares where ever I went but it refused to run.

    Let us know what happens, please?
  • From:
    MagicWhiskey (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Jul 03 2004
    I'm pretty sure I was going to make a comment but that hunk lineup above knocked it out of me.
  • From:
    Labyrinth (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Jul 03 2004
    teeheee! now am not alone with the third eye. some gals can see the dogs now, too. lol!

    Orient:)
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Jul 03 2004
    oh no, car troubles :((

    hope they're not expensive repairs. actually i just came from somebody elses diary and they too were having car troubles