This time last year, the fuel pump on my truck went in a smaller town outside the capitol city of the state where I live. I completely broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, because although I got the truck into a safe parking spot in a parking lot, it was after 9 pm and I didn't know who to call for a ride home, I didn't have money to get the truck towed, and I was entirely overwhelmed by the situation. Last fall, the ball bearing went on my wife's car while I was driving it, same town. That time, My dad had purchased AAA for me, so the major issue I had was working with my mother-in-law to figure out where to tow the car and explaining to the AAA call center where I was. The police officer who had his lights flashing and parked behind me finally took over to explain things to the call center worker, who really couldn't wrap her head around the fact that I was not located in the state of MN and therefore could not find the city. 

Yesterday, one of the gaskets blew on my new-to-me Kia. Outside that same town. As I was dealing with things, waiting for the tow truck, etc. I reflected on the difference a year makes. Although I have already used all of my roadside assistance calls this year and had to pay for the tow myself, this didn't put me in crisis mode, because I have over the past year built up a very small savings to help deal with things like this. I called my supervisor and left her voicemail updates without worrying about not being at work. I was able to reschedule my meetings from the car while I waited for the tow. I was able to get my truck started when we got the car back home and headed to work to continue with my day, most importantly without losing my serenity. 

The AAA call center still could not find me, and so I think next time I call (with vehicles as old as mine are, I am positive that there will be a next time) I am going to start with: "I live in Wisconsin. I am currently in Wisconsin, and I need to be towed within the state of Wisconsin." Maybe if I repeat the state often enough, We can start with the idea that I am not in Minnesota, lol! It really must be hard to find Madison if you are looking for it in Minnesota! 

The Kia, by the way, will be headed to Minnesota next, where my dad will decide whether the gaskets or the engine itself needs to be replaced. He seems excited about this new project, probably because he will need his garage space back to work on it, so my sister will have to finish sorting through her things and get them out of his garage before winter. It is times like this I wish I lived closer to home. I am going to miss out on all the fun of this car repair because I live too far away. 

I am forever thankful for AlAnon for helping me to develop the tools I need to hold on to my serenity in times like this. 

And, on the up side, I do not need to worry about replacing the cracked windshield right away. I can wait a while, give my wife a bit more time to sell enough baseball cards to be able to pay for the repair