Mazda - Zoom Zoom............errrrrrrr NOT

I had to say bye-bye to my car this morning (well, for a day - but this is Extreme Lauri talking today). I went out to my car to leave for work and turned the key - just to hear a clicking noise that sounded like a machine gun, but no engine firing up. My friend Marino suggested opening up the hood and looking at the battery. I did and found a ton of corrosion (white crap) on the connector between the battery and the black cable running from the battery. He said that if I cleaned that all up, I might be able to start the car. He suggested baking soda and water, but I didn't have any baking soda (and no way to get to the store to get some!), so my boss suggested pouring Coke over it. I happened to have some Diet Coke and tried it. WOW - Coke really gets rid of that corrosion! (Kind of makes you wonder what it's doing to your insides........as I gulp down my Diet Mountain Dew........)

But in the end, the car just wouldn't start. So I had to call a tow truck/car repair place that my friend Erin recommended. Thankfully my car insurance covers towing, so I'll get that money back, but I'm sure I'll get a hefty bill for the rest - I'm hoping they just have to replace the battery or something simple like that.

Here is a pic of Maggie looking out the window and watching that towing guy like a hawk - she's very protective. hee hee

I know that cars break down every day and that it's not the end of the world - and quite honestly, I should be thankful for a number of reasons:

1. It happened in the comfort of my own home.

2. I work for a fabulous boss who is understanding about these kinds of things.

3. I work for a company who lets me work from home when circumstances like this come up (I have my work laptop with me).

4. No one was hurt and it is relatively minor in the grand scheme of car problems.

But for some reason, I just panic when car problems arise. I think that in some ways, no one will give me as good of advice as my Dad would have - he was a car wizard. I wish I could still call him when things like this happen and he would know what to do. I surely will get through this day just fine, but I just wanted to burst into tears this morning! Am I weird???