So last night absolutely sucked. Completely. It started when I went to get Cole from tumbling. At first the van wouldn't start, and then it did and there was a weird smell. So I had Cory run to get Cole, which was not fun since Cory had to eat quit and get to work. Since the van is overdue for an oil change, I asked Cory if I should just run out to get the oil changed just in case that was a problem, and he said sure. So we went to Wal-Mart since their tire/oil express department is open until after 8 p.m. They told me it would take 45 minutes to an hour. Nearly an hour later my name was called and I walked back only to be told that they hadn't been able to start the van!

That really wasn't the best news to hear at any time, but especially not with a baby waking up and starting to fuss, a 2-year-old and 6-year-old getting pretty close to crankiness, and a 9-year-old complaining about being hungry. So, since there was nothing they could do, I first called Cory at work and told him what happened. We would have been able to keep the van at Wal-Mart overnight and have it towed in the morning, so I first tried calling the Yankton Transit Service (a fleet of mini buses), but apparently they close at 4:30. Then I tried calling a cab, but they closed at 6:30. Yeah, 24 hour public transportation is not something that happens in a small town. So then I could think of only two people who had vehicles large enough to give us a ride home. No luck getting in touch. So I went out to the van and tried starting it. It started. So I figured I'd get us all home and worry about getting it to a shop in the morning.

Well, I made it about a mile from Wal-Mart when the van died and I was able to pull over to the side of the road. I called Cory, who called back with a tow truck number after getting back from a delivery. So I called and about 20 minutes later the tow truck was there. Cory was able to come and get us and squeeze us all into his car on his way to a delivery. In retrospect, I should have left the van at Wal-Mart, not even chancing that drive and had Cory come right away even though it wasn't the safest of driving circumstances.

Now the van is at the repair shop and I hope to hear back from the mechanic today about what is wrong. Please let it be minor and inexpensive and able to be repaired quickly! This has just been a really crappy year for our vehicles.

The good news is that the kids and I are warm and cozy at home with plenty of food to eat, things to do, etc. Right now the kids are dancing to Halloween music and have been doing things like coloring and creating Halloween/autumn images to decorate the house.