Sick kid and an ailing, brand new car...

Rob is sick.  Not the flu, but perhaps Norovirus.  They have had it before and Rob says it feels like it did when they had Noro.  Not only is it just before their Christmas break, but they are supposed to be flying to Florida for 10 days in early January.  Not a good way to begin the new year.

Rob stayed home last night and slept when he was not in the bathroom.  Kate and I played games at Susan and Martin's house until about 11:00 PM.  We played a card game called "House of Danger".  It has five sections and in each one the group of people who are playing take turns reading a story card, deciding what option to pursue and gathering items needed to progress in the game with goals for each level.  The group decides on the options and it can result in good things or demise.  We did not succeed in the end, but it was a fun game that can be played by a fair amount of folks at one time.  We learned what to do the next time so we might have a better chance of winning the final level.

Kate and I packed up, unplugged their new car from the electric that was keeping fluids and metals in the engine warm enough to use in the way below zero temps.  We drove to my home, with not a single problem, where she and Rob packed up to drive to their home.  Rob said that when he started their new car that lots of the dashboard warning lights came on and stayed on.  But all he wanted to do was get home to his own bad.

That was not to happen.

He called me about 10 minutes or so after they left and said they were coming back.  Their car was not acting right and they doubted that it was going to  make it to their house.  Rob was not even sure that it would get back to me.  I told him to call if he needed me to come pick them up.  Going into constant prayer mode, I turned on lights inside and out... as I was already to crawl into bed.... and waited until I saw their car pull into the driveway.  They unloaded their stuff saying that something was wrong and headed for bed.  Rob got up and outside twice, once to plug the car in to my electric and once to retrieve his favorite coffee travel mug from freezing up and perhaps being damaged inside the car.

This morning Rob went out and started the car up.  The check engine light was coming on and the "S" indicator was flashing.  It took some time, but the flashing symbol is a sign of something wrong, so he made an online appointment for Thursday for the car to be checked out.  They took my Gaddy the Caddy out this afternoon.  Drove to their house on the mountain where they packed up food and clothing and medicine and returned here where they will be until they get their car repaired.  Gaddy did well traveling the roads up to their place and easily managed going up the hill that is their driveway, so I have to say that Gaddy is proving to be a very reliable, Alaska car.  If someone could please let Parmalle and Noah know, I would appreciate it.  Most folks use Toyota or Subaru All Wheel drive cars.  I thought I might have trouble with my Caddy.  But her front-wheel drive and traction control seem to be plenty to get wherever I might want or need to go.

So, the sun is setting here... it is just a little after 3 PM.  I am still in my pj's and will probably stay in them until tomorrow.  Chances are I will be without Gaddy so that Rob and Kate can get to work.  We have an afternoon appointment to finish my Estate Trust, Will and Medical directives and make changes in the deed on this house so we can get the maximum property tax deductions in 2020 on both of the houses.

Then we kick back, enjoy spending Christmas together and hope that Rob will get over his bug quickly and that neither Kate or I come down with it.  Prayers accepted.....