My Manly Man / The Hoopty

So today my manly man fixed the car (also known lovingly as The Hoopty). The hose that carries the power steering fluid broke loose from the clamp and happily dumped all of my power steering fluid on the driveway. Hubby went out in sub zero temperatures and diagnosed and fixed the problem. It was wonderful. The joy I felt at not having to take The Hoopty into the shop was immense.

Hubby warned me that the saga might not be over. He warned me there might be something wrong that caused a pressure build up in the power steering thingy (I'm paraphrasing now, you didn't notice did you?). Whatever caused a pressure build up would blow the hose and clamp off the thingy. His hope was that it was just a faulty hose. He was wrong.

Tonight I picked up the kids from school. I walked out of the school with them to the Hoopty only to discover a large puddle of power steering fluid under the front of the car. I have a car starter thingee, so the stuff must have shot everywhere while I was inside getting the kids (I had left the car running -- no keys in the ignition, perfectly safe and warm). Anyway, Hubby was at class and we had to get home. With a temperature well below zero (and a windchill factor equalling instant ice sculpture), I had little choice but to drive the poor Hoopty home.

Picture me turning on the hazard lights and driving the Hoopty home with NO POWER STEERING. I am woman hear me roar! I used all of my muscles and we limped home slowly (since I could not turn the wheel very quickly I drove slowly knowing the last thing I needed was an accident). My kids nearly peed themselves laughing as I moaned, and pushed, and pulled my way through each and every turn.

I got home to discover my neighbor had parked right up against my driveway -- causing me to have to cut a very tight turn. The neighbor across the street had decided to park on the street for the first time ever. I wondered if it was a plot. Did they know my power steering was out? Were they testing my super human strength?

It took three back and forth tries, but I maneuvered the Hoopty safely into the driveway. My children laughed as I lay upon the steering wheel panting and moaning. It reminded me of that absolute exhaustion that comes after childbirth, but this time there was no bundle of joy reward.

We have to take the Hoopty into the shop tomorrow to have the power steering thingee checked (to see what is causing pressure build up that blows hoses to smithereens). My manly man was quite disappointed when he called during his class break. I told him he was still studly even though the repair didn't hold. He is the one who will be steering the Hoopty into the shop while I follow in his car. I will be admiring his strength and determination all the way there. I know his manly muscles will bulge with every turn of that steering wheel. He is my manly man and I love him. At least he tried to save us the costly repair from the shop.

Poor Hoopty, she tries. We are at 116,000 miles and will shoot for 300,000. This Hoopty is paid off and I love her. Please be a cheap repair.... please?