So Long, Farewell Dear Escort...

Who knew that saying goodbye to a car could be so emotional?

We decided to donate our car to Kars4Kids.org instead of paying to have it towed anywhere or trying to do a trade in. Actually, the non-profit was Lee's idea. I was trying to figure out how to sell the new tires, new water pump, new timing belt, etc. that we had put on the car in the last year. Lee said he had no problem donating the good tires and all to charity. I have a lot to learn about selflessness from my husband...

I met up with the towing guy and asked him to take a few pictures of me with the car before he towed it off. I couldn't help myself, I had to kiss it goodbye...
The truth is, our little Ford Escort has been a really good car until it decided one second to quit being a car at all. I was driving home from Layton with the girls on Monday when the car suddenly started having trouble. It was like the fuel was not making it where it needed to or something and was gurgling and not accelerating. There was also a loud knocking noise that sounded like the bottom of the car was going to drop out from under us. I decided to get off at the nearest exit, which happened to put me at a Ford dealership with a service station (darn place charged me big money just for a diagnosis!!!!). Since it was Labor Day, I had to leave the car and have Denise come drive us home. Talk about a good friend!!

Turns out the car needed a new cam and lifter (whatever those are) and possibly a new engine too. They estimated $2500-$4500 to fix it. We debated trying to get it to another service station for a second opinion, but then we realized we weren't really willing to pay much over $500 for any fixes no matter what. It was time to move on...

I like this picture of me with the car because you can see my new Honda Pilot right behind me. It's like moving on to the next stage of life. (Denise pointed out that it really is the next stage of life with Lee being around more too. [That was you, right Denise?].)

I took this next picture of the car on the tow truck; then I climbed in my new SUV and drove off. I'm big enough to admit that at that point I cried... I called Lee 'cause I needed someone to cry to. It was like we were losing a child or something. We bought the Escort when Morgan was three months old, and it has been across the country and back with us. I saw the car for the last time as I was driving up the freeway ramp. I looked down and saw the tow truck leaving the parking lot. Surprisingly emotional...

On the bright side...I won't have to be bugged anymore that my BYU sticker in the back window isn't exactly centered. :)

Now you know what happened to my car and why I got a new one. And for those of you who read Lee's post about my buying TWO cars, stand by. I pick up Lee's car next Wednesday. Then I'll put more pictures on a blog along with the story of my great purchases! :)

P.S. Another HUGE thanks to Denise for letting me drive her van around for the past few days!! Yet another person from whom I can learn selfless service...