The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly


The Good:

 

 

 

 

Hurray!   Dad and Mom both passed their road tests this week!  They went out to celebrate on Thursday at the Blue Duck, a tavern/grill located in a store front in town.  We drove right by it several times and never even noticed it.  But it got decent reviews online, and Mom and Dad were more than satisfied with the portions, price and taste.  Mom’s pork chop dinner came with my favorite, mac and cheese.  Since she brought it home for me, I can tell you it was yummy to my big rat tummy!  Elbows baked with not one, not two, but THREE types of cheeses, nicely seasoned with parsley!  Lip-smacking good!

 

At last, we can settle in and unpack, hang our pictures, and turn the RV back into home!  We couldn’t do this previously because we had to take the rig out 3 times in the past 3 weeks:  once for inspection, once for Dad’s road test, and once for Mom’s road test (unfortunately, the DPS could not schedule their road tests for the same day).

 

After five days, the torrential rains have ceased and the sun is shining brightly!  Now I know how Noah felt when he finally was able to leave the Ark!  Everything looks so green, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, the squirrels are scurrying.  Spring has finally arrived!

The Bad: 

 

 

 

 

Would you believe the ABS system warning light in Big Boomer lit up just minutes before Mom’s road test?  Yes, the same ABS system that cost us $1,052 just 3 weeks ago.   You can’t make this stuff up!  To say Mom was upset is an understatement.  Having to do a road test is bad enough, but to have the dashboard warning signal lit at the same time is quite nerve-wracking!  Boy, did she have a few choice words!

 

International Truck in Houston, we have another problem!  “Bring it in first thing tomorrow”, they say.  Daddy treks back to Houston on Friday.  Diagnosis:  Worn ABS sensor ring.  Cost:  No charge since they should have seen it when they fixed the prior ABS problem 3 weeks ago.  Ya think?  Unfortunately, they need to order the part.  It won’t be in until Monday. 

 

Mom’s in Spring Cleaning Mode!  She has vacuumed, dusted, washed, scrubbed, and polished every nook and cranny of the RV!  She is even talking of sending me to the dry cleaners!  Get out of the way or you will be her next victim!

 

Sweet Cheeks is driving us all nuts!  She hears the birds outside chirping at dawn and starts talking to them!  She’s like an alarm clock!  If Sweet Cheeks starts singing, it is 6 a.m.





Sweet Cheeks

 



 

 

The Ugly:



International Truck in Houston finds an unrelated problem with Big Boomer:  The tie-rod is bent (maybe all that off-roading we did in the Arizona desert finally got to Big Boomer), which has worn down the front right tire.  So in addition to replacing the tie-rod, we now need 2 front tires.  Unfortunately, International Truck does not sell or install tires.  Daddy must get them elsewhere.  He locates a nearby tire dealer, who orders them for delivery on Monday.  So tomorrow, Daddy must go to the tire place, have new tires installed and balanced, go to International Truck, have the tie-rod replaced and an alignment done.  Somehow, I think Dad will end up paying dearly for that “free” ABS repair.  Stay tuned for the finale of this drama!

 

Thanks for listening. Talk to you soon!