Well I went out today to check on the coolant level in the overflow. I still have no idea where the coolant went. It was down again. I filled it to the top a few days ago. I am getting used to this, and it makes me consolidate my trips so I drive here as little as possible.

With the temperature around 0 degrees F, and the problems I have that makes me very suseptable to the cold so walking is really not an option. I fell in the alley 3 times trying to get up a snowbank. I tripped and went down like a turtle on it's back. I got up again and fell again,, and once more again. I was trying to get over a snow back the plow left when it plowed the church's parking lot. I was even following a path others' had made. Boy did I feel stupid groveling around in the alley. I was hoping nobody would come tearing down the alley. The soles on my boots are slippery, and with neuropathy on my right side I have fallen quite a bit; but the boots are sheepskin which is imperative in order to keep my feet warm. I feel like a little old lady. I have been training my younger dog to be a service dog and have been taking her on errands in case this happens. Besides, I was just going out to the alley


BUT! I digress! I opened the hood of "Ugly Betty" and there a mess of fluid running out of the power steering fluid filler. I couldn't get the top off, it was frozen in place. Somebody with more dexterous finger might. I know this has no relationship to the the coolant lost, just another fresh problem. The only thing I can think is that the power steering pump has seized, although at is point I still have power steering.

Tomorrow I am going to look at 2 Volvo station wagons, one a 740 with turbo, and the other a late model 240. I am hoping if I find one that is sound, the owner will take a deposit on it so I can figure out how finance the purchase. It doesn't help that I had to pay a "real garage" for rear brakes 3 weeks ago on "Ugly Betty".

But, this is just a material thing; just stuff. There are many, many more things in life to be concerned with.

As Volvo owners, perhaps some of you feel the same as I do. It is like putting down a beloved pet. I have been told that your dog will tell you when it is time, and it is true. I feel the same for most of the Volvo's I have owned.
Ugly Betty has given me 2 years of winter driving and has never left me stranded; but the time has come to end her service.