Murphy's Holiday Visit

Christmas is over, and we are looking forward to 2013 with hope and enthusiasm. Part of the reason we are so hopeful is because we had an unexpected and unwelcome guest for Christmas: Murphy!

Christmas morning started a little earlier than I had planned. Cub was wide awake and raring to go at 5 a.m. We started the coffee, let Cub and DD2 open their stockings while we tried to wake up. At this point I had only been asleep for a couple of hours, so it was really difficult for me to get into the spirit. We opened our gifts, gave Cub something to eat and drink to tide him over, then headed back to bed for a little nap before we headed to Grandma's for breakfast.

Everything was going according to plan, and were packing all the gifts into the van when Murphy reared his ugly little head. An open rear van lift gate, and an overhang in the underground parking are not a good combination. Hubby was trying to move the van forward a couple of feet with the back open, and the rear wiper just grazed the overhang. This of course caused the rear window to shatter into about 3 million pieces. With nothing open Christmas Day, there is no way to repair it immediately. We pile us and our stuff into the car and arrive at Grandma's late.

Because the window couldn't be replaced until the 27th, I had to turn away about $500 worth of work and pay the $325 bill for the repair. :(

I get it replaced and all is well with the world again. Or so I think. I start working again and feel relieved to have that over with. Fast forward to December 29th. A very busy work day for me. Hubby is helping me get some stuff done so we can spend time at home relaxing.

But Murphy was hiding in the back of my van, just waiting to pounce! With a very large and important package in the van, we arrive to the place of delivery. Turn van off, unlock doors, get out to remove package only to find the back lift gate seized shut. Not good. Not good at all.

With difficulty, we remove delivery package, and head to Dodge dealership to get vehicle fixed. (By the way, we already have an appointment on Dec.31st to have a piece at the rear of the van replaced where a decal has a bubble.) They are extremely busy. We wait for an hour to be told there is nothing they can do for us right away. They have to order a part. I ask for a loaner. I'm told that because the van still technically works, Chrysler will not authorize a loaner vehicle. I lose it.

After some tears and an explanation of why our work vehicle needs to have a working lift gate, they provide us with a loaner. It takes two hours of our day, but we're finally back to work.

We're on call January 1st, so can someone else please take Murphy off our hands? Holidays are stressful enough without his help. Thank goodness there was enough in our savings to cover the additional expenses.