Tow Truck

Yesterday, on the way home from school, the car started to sputter and the power braking went out. Fortunately I was on level ground and going slowly, so I was able to stop with no danger (the brakes worked, but it was more difficult to stop the car--I had to press really hard). We have towing service with our insurance, so I called Farmers' and after 15 minutes of talking with a very courteous phone rep (who sounded outsourced to Mexico), we were informed that the tow truck would arrive in 30 minutes. We had to stay the car, even though we were about a half-mile from home. Seth immediately began exclaiming how terrible this was, and why couldn't we just go play out on the sidewalk? After much button-pushing up in the front of the car, a bathroom break shielded by the door, an attempted "nap" in the very back with the snow blanket, a few tic-tac-toe games, and a dots war game with Zac, the tow truck arrived. We all stood on the sidewalk as the tow truck used a pulley to crank the van up the ramp, then the ramp leveled on the back of the truck, and they secured the van. It was a fascinating sight for three little boys. I told them where to take the van (Scott was already in contact with our mechanic) and we went home. Of course, it had been 70 degrees at 2 pm, so Blane, Seth and I were in shorts and T-shirts, but a cold front had since blown it, so it was a bit nippy walking home. Fortunately, Seth had left a coat in the car, so he was okay. Blane and I made it without too much trouble as well (it was only a 5 minute walk home--especially when we were cold!). We will see what the diagnosis is today!