Transmission update

Ben left a comment on the Car Troubles post, and it reminded me that I should probably post an update.

We did get the transmission fixed. We got a great local recommendation for a mechanic (the type who will tell you up front that you plain just don't need something, if you don't), and while they don't work with transmissions, they did have their own recommendation for a family-owned transmission shop. That shop is not far from our Stake Center, which is normally a 20 minute drive by freeway. Since the van would only drive in 2nd gear, we had to take the backroads through the outer city. It took a good 40-50 minutes to drive that way, but we made it. Everything seems fixed very well, and they even (cheaply) replaced a broken CV boot that they found while they were working on the van. Meanwhile, the payment went on the credit card, and we're eager to get all our tax papers in the mail, so we can get refund money ASAP to pay it off with.

And we're thrilled to be back to 2 cars again, and having an easier time getting out to do things, even the mundane types like grocery shopping. It's much more convenient to do it when you want to instead of when you have to, based on your car availability schedule.

Although it would have been super nice this morning when it was 19 degrees outside, to have the cloth seats of the Nissan instead of the leather seats of van. Eeek!! Cold seats and church clothes!!