Up in flames

While I was driving to work on Monday, I spotted a disabled car billowing smoke in the lane next to mine. As I got closer, the smoke turned into flames and then really big flames. I moved as far away as I could, but by this point, the flow of traffic had come to a standstill. I was stuck.

I could feel the heat of the fire inside my car, and I sat there helplessly, reminding myself of an old Mythbusters episode that proved it was actually quite difficult to make a burning car explode.

Eventually, a couple fire trucks arrived on the scene, the fire was put out, and I was able to continue on my way to work. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief as I drove. I was so glad nothing had happened to me or my car.

I wasn't as lucky on Friday. My car failed catastrophically while I was driving it home. It was rush hour, in the dark, and of course, I was in the center lane of a busy road with high speed limits. I was stuck there, my car completely dead until a policeman came and pushed my car to the nearest gas station. It wasn't a long way, but he went fast, and I had no power steering. I'm kind of a weenie when it comes to driving, so this was definitely not a life experience I needed.

We towed the car home, where Seth tried valiantly to revive it, but to no avail. Karen the Lexus is really, truly dead.

Since I finally got my Christmas pony, I guess this year I'm asking Santa for a new-to-me car.

Unfortunately, it's a historically bad time for car shopping. Inventory is low and prices are high. I still need to buy a saddle for Olive, so don't be surprised if you see me listing a lot of models. I'm not getting out of the hobby. I just need to raise some funds.

Someone please buy this!

Here's hoping the rest of December will be happier and less eventful. This first week has really been a doozy!