What a day...

[GardenStateGirlie]

This is too amusing to not share...

So i'm on my way to my childhood friends wedding. She and her husband have already been married for two years (he's a marine) but they're doing the gown, the reception, etc. I already feel terrible because her bridal shower fell on the day I left to go to North Carolina back in March so I had to miss that.
Well, don't you know, as only I could possibly manage, I've now missed the wedding and reception too.

I'm driving down the highway on 295. For those of you not familiar with New Jersey, 295 is a major interstate that runs through New Jersey and eventually turns into I-95--very heavy traffic all the time. I'm coming around the curve after the highway splits from Camden/Philadelphia to Trenton (i'm heading towards Trenton) and i'm in the left lane (at that point, there are only two lanes and then it splits into three). All of the sudden, I have no steering. The car locks up completely. I'm swearing like a sailor and pressing the gas to see If I can somehow manage to get over into the right lane and then coast over to the shoulder pending that there's no traffic next to me. Thankfully, I manage to squeeze in between a car that isn't going very fast and get myself to the shoulder.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/meadowsoprano/Random%20Pictures/carsucks2.jpg

However, i'm in a bad spot. Incredibly bad in that i'm now sitting directly after the curve so when you're flying around going 65 miles an hour, if you're not paying attention, you're going to hit my car. My parents are in the car with me. Mind you, were all going to a wedding so i've got on a white linen suit and my dad is dressed in black--it's 90 some degrees out and were on the side of the highway. I call my cousin--leave a voicemail--call his fiance--leave a voicemail. I call one of my friends--she only has room for two in her car and she's on her way to a graduation party. Finally, my cousins finace calls me back. Turns out my cousin is at work (he's a state trooper). However, he's at a fatal on the highway that connects to 295 and isn't sure when he'll get to us due to traffic and things. A zillion phone calls later, he ends up coming to meet us.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/meadowsoprano/Random%20Pictures/abd8199a.jpg

We call for a tow truck--he says he's on his way--we call the Buick dealership and let them know my car is being towed (they know us well). Eric (my cousin) gets his flares out and starts flaring the highway where my car is sitting in order to get people to slow down around the curve. Of course, while sitting there...my fathers nostrils flaring and my mom and I near tears in between laughter and sheer hysterics (we don't just need to buy one car now...we need to trade mine in and buy TWO because my good old car has been giving me hell the past year as has my parents but oh wait, i'm returning to college this fall...BAD TIMING), I pull out the camera in my handbag and begin to photograph (because traffic is now stopping behind us).

The tow truck comes and Eric gets me out of the car and helps me over to the tow truck (in my heels and white linen suit). My mother and I sit in the back of the cab when I notice things crawling up my legs. What's on the side of the highway? Tall grass. What's now crawling up my legs? Ticks. Awesome. The topper of my day. I'm screaming, my mother is screaming for my dad to pick the ticks off of my pants as she sinks further into the left side of the cab as to not get them on her. He's furious. He starts grabbing them off of me and throwing them out of the door while the guy hauls my car onto the flatbed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/meadowsoprano/Random%20Pictures/carsucks3.jpg

If any of you want to swing by here and pick me up, i'd love a beer right now :laugh: Yes, Jake. This will teach me to make fun of you and your window.

How was your day?

[amber]

:eek: :eek: :eek:
That's incredibly sucky, yet, yes, slightly amusing.
good luck. seriously.

[dudden22]

That sucks. I am glad you are ok though.

[strandinthewind]

AND - isn't that a realtively new car? That Sucks. If I were there, I'd buy you a bottle of tequila and put a nippled on it :laugh:

[WelshWitchPMD]

Car trouble is the worst! I tell you I could write a book. At least you and your family made it out safely.

[lagringader&r]

:eek: Weddings are boring anyway.. Sorry you had a sucky day. :(

[GardenStateGirlie]

AND - isn't that a realtively new car? That Sucks. If I were there, I'd buy you a bottle of tequila and put a nippled on it :laugh:

Well, my parents purchased the car for me back in 01'. It had barely any miles on it but it is a used car...1997 Buick Regal Gran Sport. It's exterior and interior are gorgeous but I have a feeling, even though my uncle the mechanic checked it, it's always had minor issues that have over time become bigger issues (it was just at Buick three weeks ago for a complete overhaul). Everything in the car is electric so it works on a central microchip. If that's what went (which I have a feeling, it is this time), I mind as well get another car because i've been sinking money into this for electronic issues for the past year--especially now that it's over 100,000 miles. Of course, before I trade this in, i'm going to have to fix it. Who knows how much that will cost me? Needless to say, no more Stevie this summer. It's all about wheels now and I have not a clue what i'm going to do :distress:

Not the biggest fan of Tequila but hey, I'll take anything at the moment :laugh:

[GardenStateGirlie]

:eek: :eek: :eek:
That's incredibly sucky, yet, yes, slightly amusing.
good luck. seriously.

Of course, dad was pissed mumbling things under his breathe (we've collectively not had a good year)...my mom and I laughing more than likely wasn't helping matters but hey, life happens and you can't stop it...gotta laugh it off or you'll go insane :nod:

[GardenStateGirlie]

That sucks. I am glad you are ok though.

Thanks! Me too...it's just about the last place I ever want to break down.

[GardenStateGirlie]

Car trouble is the worst! I tell you I could write a book. At least you and your family made it out safely.

I'll contribute a few chapters to that book of yours :nod:

[amber]

Of course, dad was pissed mumbling things under his breathe (we've collectively not had a good year)...my mom and I laughing more than likely wasn't helping matters but hey, life happens and you can't stop it...gotta laugh it off or you'll go insane :nod:
I guess so. I thought it was funny that you started taking pictures, too. And I think Strand is right, this is a case for........TEQUILA!!

[GardenStateGirlie]

I guess so. I thought it was funny that you started taking pictures, too. And I think Strand is right, this is a case for........TEQUILA!!

So did my mother (dad, not so much). I was like, "I think it's necessary that I document yet another fun family outing." Trust me, If I had a car right now, i'd totally be out and having a drink (and I am not a drinker)...especially since I CAN'T GO TO WORK TOMORROW BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY TO GET THERE :laugh:

[amber]

So did my mother (dad, not so much). I was like, "I think it's necessary that I document yet another fun family outing." Trust me, If I had a car right now, i'd totally be out and having a drink (and I am not a drinker)...especially since I CAN'T GO TO WORK TOMORROW BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY TO GET THERE :laugh:
Oh, no, you can't get to work without a car??? I didn't realize that. Can one of your parents give you a ride? NJ is just a big suburb with freeways, then? No public transpo? You probably live far from your work. awww.... :o Hang in there.... :xoxo:

[golden braid]

I'm glad that you and your family are OK. I once got pulled over on the freeway shoulder by a cop and that totally freaks me out. The shoulder is like the most dangerous place to be. You know there's a bunch of idiots out there not paying any attention to where they're going and the next thing you they hit you.

[GypsySorcerer]

Oh, that sucks. But I'm glad you're all okay.

One of my friends eloped almost two years ago, and I was unable to be there. So they had a reception this May. Well, I ended up not going to that, either, because I sprained my foot and couldn't walk. :rolleyes: Very strange.

[estranged4life]

sounds like some of the luck I usually have...My Nissan brokedown a few years back stranding me 13 miles from the nearest town so I pounded the pavement for awhile until someone picked me up and dropped me off at the hospital to tell Deb the bad news.

Glad yer alright, That would suck being dressed for a wedding and having yer car go kaput...

Now I pray I have no bad luck striking me down this coming week (Knock on wood!!!), I will get to finally meet my 2 older sisters in the town I was raised in.

[Violet]

Damn, Marissa...
If only I'd read this earlier, I'd have invited you to swing by Sicklerville to have some of the (many) cosmopolitans I shared with my neighbor tonight. They were GOOD... :thumbsup:

At any rate, I'm glad you're all okay. Was the fatal accident on 42? I'd heard that 42 N was backed up pretty bad, just as it was last night. They were closing it and diverting people off at my exit. And shore traffic has been a bear both yesterday and today. I was on 295 yesterday (had to go to Mooretown and didn't realize 73 was a MUCH easier route), and I know curve you're talking about....

hmmm....going to check and see if we have the makings for more cosmos....

Carol

[GardenStateGirlie]

Damn, Marissa...
If only I'd read this earlier, I'd have invited you to swing by Sicklerville to have some of the (many) cosmopolitans I shared with my neighbor tonight. They were GOOD... :thumbsup:

At any rate, I'm glad you're all okay. Was the fatal accident on 42? I'd heard that 42 N was backed up pretty bad, just as it was last night. They were closing it and diverting people off at my exit. And shore traffic has been a bear both yesterday and today. I was on 295 yesterday (had to go to Moorestown and didn't realize 73 was a MUCH easier route), and I know curve you're talking about....

hmmm....going to check and see if we have the makings for more cosmos....

Carol

Damn...cosmos :distress: I'm just thinking about the open bar I missed today...drink one for me!

Yes, it was that accident. I don't know if it was released to the public yet or not but if it wasn't, I didn't post it on here :p When he got there, there were witnesses at the scene. The driver of the vehicle that crashed was speeding big time and tried to pass a another vehicle. The person involved in the accident ended up in the woods and hit a tree...it was his own fault and thankfully, he was the only vehicle involved. My cousin showed up there, pronounced him fatal and then the fatal unit came out and did their job (that's a totally seperate portion of the state police, apparently).

Ugh. Shore traffic...I always forget where you live. I can imagine what it's like there.

[Livia]

Sounds like a Seinfeld or Will & Grace episode...glad nobody was hurt though...I had my brakes go out in rush hour traffic - luckily, I was able to cut over 2 lanes and coast into a parking lot and stop w/ the hand brake. But it was f*cking scary - I can't imagine having no steering! :eek:

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Sounds like a Seinfeld or Will & Grace episode...glad nobody was hurt though...I had my brakes go out in rush hour traffic - luckily, I was able to cut over 2 lanes and coast into a parking lot and stop w/ the hand brake. But it was f*cking scary - I can't imagine having no steering! :eek:
Indeed... have no steering must have been very scary! Glad to hear you're ok!

Pip

[Jessica Leigh]

yikes that sounds super scary.... but hey, the situation could have been way way way worse- someone could have swung around the turn and hit your car, or you and your parents when you got out of the car! you should get a jeep! i'm on my second one and they are awesome! the only time it has ever left me stranded somewhere (except for old batteries and needing a jump) was at the mechanic... i drove it there for a little check up and when i parked the fuel pump died- i broke down in the best place in the world to break down! and they run and run forever! i took it in for a checkup last year (she's now on 176 thousand miles) and told the guy i was trading it in for a new pt cruiser and he told me my 10 yr old jeep is better than a cruiser... he said they can last up to 500,000 miles on the original engine. so i kept the jeep and you should get one! and they are safe- if someone hits you you are totally protected and they are smaller sized suvs so they get better gas mileage than regular suvs. and jeeps retain their value like luxury vehicles... i have a friend with a ford with only 50,000 miles on it (and 5 or 6 yrs newer than my jeep) and my jeep blue books higher than his ford does.

just a suggestion :)

[GardenStateGirlie]

yikes that sounds super scary.... but hey, the situation could have been way way way worse- someone could have swung around the turn and hit your car, or you and your parents when you got out of the car! you should get a jeep! i'm on my second one and they are awesome! the only time it has ever left me stranded somewhere (except for old batteries and needing a jump) was at the mechanic... i drove it there for a little check up and when i parked the fuel pump died- i broke down in the best place in the world to break down! and they run and run forever! i took it in for a checkup last year (she's now on 176 thousand miles) and told the guy i was trading it in for a new pt cruiser and he told me my 10 yr old jeep is better than a cruiser... he said they can last up to 500,000 miles on the original engine. so i kept the jeep and you should get one! and they are safe- if someone hits you you are totally protected and they are smaller sized suvs so they get better gas mileage than regular suvs. and jeeps retain their value like luxury vehicles... i have a friend with a ford with only 50,000 miles on it (and 5 or 6 yrs newer than my jeep) and my jeep blue books higher than his ford does.

just a suggestion :)

We're all laughing about it today. Turns out on top of all the aforementioned, when I got out of my car yesterday, I somehow ended up with a tiny spot of poison ivy above my wrist. My mom was like, "I guess you should run over and pick up some lotion to put on that...oh wait...YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR!" Finding the humor in the situation, definitely.

My parents have had their SUV for 15 years (I kid you not) but they're ready to pack it in and get another car and then run the SUV into the ground. I'm thinking whatever I get is going to be whatever I can afford but I love my Buick because there IS a lot of car around me. We're not sure what the damage is going to be on repairs but no matter what, it's going to have to be done if i'm going to trade the sucker in. I have to decide whether I want to keep it and pump money into it or get something else. I'll have to check out the Jeep's (do you have a Cherokee?) What kind of mileage does it get?

[Jessica Leigh]

yes i have a cherokee- my last tank got about 21 /22 miles per gallon- and i drive mostly on the freeways.... when i had a job where i was driving a long distance on city streets everyday i was only getting about 16/17 mpg. that can get really expensive but considering how much it has retained its value (a 13 yr old car with 176k miles on it and it blue books at $4,800 and trade in is about $3,200) it kind of makes up for it. and i rolled my last one down a snow bank in a blizzard- the thing was absolutely f*cked but i walked away without a scratch... i would have been dead in any of the cars i had before i switched to jeeps. i figure that my life is worth a few cents in gas...

buicks are good cars- especially safety-wise. do you get a lot of snow where you live? i like 4wd for snow and here in the desert when going through mountains and stuff. jeep is like the no.2 stolen vehicle in the nation though- mine was stolen once last year but unfortunately my gas tank was on fumes so they didn't get far until they abandoned it... i was hoping for insurance to buy me a new jeep liberty but no... the cops found it two weeks later :(

good luck with all your car troubles... hope you got all the ticks off of you ok- ticks suck... lol literally

[GardenStateGirlie]

yes i have a cherokee- my last tank got about 21 /22 miles per gallon- and i drive mostly on the freeways.... when i had a job where i was driving a long distance on city streets everyday i was only getting about 16/17 mpg. that can get really expensive but considering how much it has retained its value (a 13 yr old car with 176k miles on it and it blue books at $4,800 and trade in is about $3,200) it kind of makes up for it. and i rolled my last one down a snow bank in a blizzard- the thing was absolutely f*cked but i walked away without a scratch... i would have been dead in any of the cars i had before i switched to jeeps. i figure that my life is worth a few cents in gas...

buicks are good cars- especially safety-wise. do you get a lot of snow where you live? i like 4wd for snow and here in the desert when going through mountains and stuff. jeep is like the no.2 stolen vehicle in the nation though- mine was stolen once last year but unfortunately my gas tank was on fumes so they didn't get far until they abandoned it... i was hoping for insurance to buy me a new jeep liberty but no... the cops found it two weeks later :(

good luck with all your car troubles... hope you got all the ticks off of you ok- ticks suck... lol literally

I'm amazed that you can still get that much back on a 13 year old vehicle. Should I end up getting another vehicle, I'm really going to check them out. If not for myself, then for my parents (because I'll end up driving that as well :nod: ) We do get a lot of snow each year and my car has been good but of course, not as good as a 4 wheel drive.

It's being worked on today and more than likely for the rest of the week so it's a rental car for me for now. Hopefully they find the problem.

The ticks came off immediately thank god (damn white pants). My luck i'd end up with lymes or something.

[golddustwoman77]

I'm glad you're okay, and you were able to get to the side of the road! Wow, that was an amazing feat. :shocked:

[GardenStateGirlie]

Car update: Buick calls today. Asked me if I've had anything electronically installed in the past few weeks or so. I say no, but i've got a 10 CD changer in my trunk that hasn't worked in well over a year and a half. Somehow, when they first hooked up the CD player, they found an open spot to put it in where the electric was coming from and said, "okay, let's put it here!!" Not smart.

There was a short where it was hooked up (hence why more than likely when I purchased the car, there was nothing running to that spot) and that because of that short in the wire and the fact that over time, it's been rubbing against the wire where electricity is heading to my fuel pump (which is apparently also electric), i've been having issues.

When it would short (which was every once in a while and the reason as to why my car has been acting like ass for the past two years) it wouldn't allow gas to the fuel pump which is what happened the other day to me on the highway. I'm happy they've found the issue but i'm pissed that this has been the problem for the past two years and they've just now made this discovery. I'm hoping it won't cost much (except for service) and with any luck, maybe my damn CD player will finally work again. Hooray! *KNOCKS ON WOOD*

[skcin]

Stupid electric car stuff. :mad: Glads they figured it out though.

When I first saw the pics but hadn't read your post yet, I was like "OMG, Marissa did NOT just take pics of getting pulled over!" :D

[Janet]

I hope everything works out Marissa :)