Cars and Trips and Cliffs

I can no longer pretend I am on vacation, even though we aren't home yet. We traveled to my hometown in Kansas for my 20-year high school reunion! But we have been stuck here with car trouble, waiting for a part for our high-maintenance (never again) VW Eurovan.

Breakdown of the trip so far:

• Miles from home to destination: 802.9
• Cost of Fuel: $125.67
• Fast food and eating out: $69.48
• Reunion tickets for two: $108.00
• Cost of car repair: ?
• Total (so far)... $303.15

I'm sure I've missed various sundry expenses, but no matter. Despite our car breaking down, things could be so much worse.

1. It could have happened en route.
2. My parents have plenty of room for us to stay while we wait for the repair.
3. We have lots of family here and our expenses are minimal, especially for food, with so many people taking care of us.

A little part of me can't help but be suspicious. We had just taken our car in for some maintenance before we left: new tires; new front light bulb; wheel alignment... Was something tripped in the process? Just waiting to go? (See #1 above.)

Just to clarify, we love driving and traveling in our van. But The Hubs has been frustrated with its maintenance ever since we got it two years ago -- simply because he can't maintain it. He's a car man, but this car requires a shop even for something as basic as an oil change. The Hubs is ready to drive it over a cliff and be done with it. If we could drive it, that is. Ahem.

It's been a good trip otherwise, with some unexpected down time that has allowed us more time to spend with family -- and for me to spend with friends that I haven't seen in a long, long while. I will just feel better when we get the final tally for the repair, and we make it home safe and sound.

Luckily, we will pass no cliffs on the way. We still owe on this van -- it's Debt #3 -- and I'm begging The Hubs to hold off on doing anything rash ... at least until it's paid off.