The Semi-Hangover Pt. 1

Names have been changed to protect identities *In my law & order voice* And this is a pretty long post, so brace yourself!

*Law & order gavel sound* Labor Day 2005: Me, Christi & Rhonda were just hanging at Christi's house, being silly as usual. Nia was at her dad's house for the weekend, so I finally had  a chance to cut loose. Ken, who is Rhonda's cousin, called the house and asked if we would be so kind, and join he & his friend Omar to Tijuana for the holiday weekend. Omar's father owned a house on Rosarito Beach, so we had a place to stay. All we needed was $50 and we were set.

This may seem insignificant now, but we stopped at Taco Bell ( how ironic, seeing as how we could get real tacos in mexico) in San Diego and filled our bellies, since we didn't know how long the line to cross the border would be (no pun intended..hehe). Everyone make fun of me because of all the napkins I took, but I'm a napkin hoarder..and I never know how many times I may be required to wash my hands...or my feet when wearing flip flops ( which I was).

Upon getting acorss the border, we went to Omar's father's beach house and much to our surprise, someone was staying there for the weekend. Omar negated to ask his father if the house was available, and just assumed since no one ever goes, it would be free. Not the case! So, no biggie. We could just get a hotel room when the time came!

Road trip to HELL

As excited as I was to be moving to California, I can’t help but to think that the universe is trying to tell me this isn’t the right decision. Thanksgiving was ruined. My daughter is going to be enrolled in school a few days late and I no longer have a car.

In the beginning, I was so optimistic....my car checked out ok, and I was making great timing. I left Tacoma at around 7:30 am on Wednesday and made it past Grants Pass, OR by around 3pm...if everything went smoothly, I would have made it into Redding, CA by 6pm. Redding is usually the point where I stop and get a hotel room. The worst part of the drive is over, and the rest of the way is smooth sailing.

Then, the worst thing that could have happened....HAPPENED. My car began to overheat. I decided to let the engine rest . After sitting at a gas station for about an hour, I got back on the freeway and AGAIN, the engine started overheating. I then got lost in some little remote mountain town, and ended up on a shoulder off a street without lights and no gas stations in sight.

I called AAA, they gave me priority since I have my daughter with me, and the tow truck was there in 10 minutes. I decided to be towed to a motel 6, and stay the night. However, I knew that all the auto shops would be closed on thanksgiving, so I decided to just stay put and wait until friday.

Thanksgiving day, we were out of all of our snacks & sandwiches. Luckily, we were able to drive to the nearest grocery store without the car getting hot. I ran ok, so I thought wasn’t going to be a big problem one I got it to the auto shop. Ooooh, all I need is a new radiator fan or thermostat. NOPE! I had diagnostics analysis done, and once the mechanic said “new engine” I didn’t hear anything else. I’ve been stuck in MEDFORD, OR since Wednesday 5pm!!!!

I called around for a rental cal, and I can rent a car one way for ONLY $509.00!!!!  Oh, a small U-Haul would have cost more. Only problem; I don't have $509.00 readily available in 24 hours! If I didn't have 7 small to medium boxes, I would just say screw it...leave my car & hop on the train ( Oh, but the nearest train station is 2.5 hours away too!) 

FML.