This morning started off pretty good. We're enjoying a rainy, but warm winter day; we got out of the house right on time; Elaine was in a fairly cooperative mood. And then...
...I turned the key in the ignition and a rattling, grinding scream errupted from beneath the car. Too unnerved to give it another go, Mark got in and started it up. Again, the horrible sound filled the quiet morning air, but did settle into a slightly less angry rumble after a few seconds. So, at first, Mark thought it was a tear in the muffler (but, it would have had to be a HUGE tear that magically happened while the car was parked on the street overnight.) The noise started getting louder again and the check engine light appeared. This car wasn't going anywhere.
On the very slight bright side, we had a rental car at home, because Mark was supposed to be out in Evanston for an all-day meeting. So, at least we were able to get Lainey to daycare without having to take her on the train. I headed into work and Mark went back home to figure out the situtation.
After a $150 tow, we got the ever exciting news that our catalytic converter had been stolen (evidently a pretty common practice) and that the cost was going to be big...like we're making an insurance claim big. And we get to pay for a rental car for anywhere from 3 - 7 days, depending on when the insurance agent gets to the garage to inspect the car and approve the work. Of course, Mark set-up the car insurance pre-Kylie and pre-pre-Elaine, so our policy doesn't cover that expense. Why would a single guy living in the city need that coverage? And why would we ever think to revisit that post-baby?
Not that there is ever a good time for these things to happen, but this is a particularly hectic week for us. As mentioned, Mark (who has already been working nights and weekends) was supposed to be out in Evanton today, but instead missed the entire morning of work and has to leave early tonight get the rental. Then he has to leave early again tomorrow, because I have my Board of Directors' meeting at work, requiring me to stay until 9pm tomorrow and be in at 6:45am on Thursday. And for the grand finale, Mark is flying to San Francisco Thursday evening and won't be back until late afternoon Saturday, so really hoping the car is fixed before Saturday, so I don't have to drag Lainey to a) return the rental b) pick-up the car. What am I saying? I'll just shell out the $15/hour for a sitter, if it comes to that. Hmmm...wonder if that would be covered by insurance?
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