In Serenity We Trust

 

Well, I do believe that Terry and I are seeing the final stages of our car dilemma. Kia is soon to be in the rearview mirror and we will hit the gas hard to get away from that experience. 

For those who follow the blog, you know the facts about the Sportage we purchased in Eugene in 2023. It was a brand new vehicle, and long story short for those who do not follow the blog, we put 14,000 miles on our beautiful vehicle before it broke down. Into the shop it went. For one month actually. Nothing. Nada. They could not figure out what was happening, but our vehicle had dropped to 24 miles per hour drive speed and would not let us move any faster. 

After the month was up, they still could not figure it out. Back home it came. Lasted three whole days and then boom! It pooped out on us again. But this time I pulled out my camera and snapped shots of the car's dashboard that lit up like a neon sign on the Las Vegas strip, with the words, "Hybrid battery system failure." 

Car and photos at the shop again, this time for about two months time. Nothing. They could not reproduce the failure. I brought it home. Once again, three days later, it shut down on me for the third time. I snapped photos of the dash again and carefully, slowly drove the car home. I called the tow truck and off our beautiful, yet unfaithful car went again. 

Now the car ran for another three days, then back in again. We were fed up with the entire situation. The tow truck driver was getting to know me pretty well by this time and began to joke around. We were laughing over the situation, but he did apologize that we had to go through this too. Nice guy. Maybe we will set up a cot for him. 

A month and a half went by with me using the loaner Sportage. Sure, this one drives like a dream. All was good with this loaner. It was not a hybrid but did fairly well on gas. Not as good as my original vehicle though. I let the vehicle go, out of my heart, out of my head, and out of my life. I settled on it never coming back. Terry and I knew it was time for a lawsuit under the Lemon Law clause. 

Again, after a few weeks, we received a call from Kiefer. They claimed they found the issue. I was ecstatic, but held onto a strong distrust of that car. They told us the oil sensor had broken, which leaked oil onto the car, thus telling the car to go into safety mode in driving only 24 miles per hour. I was behind the wheel of our car again, only this time with a knot in my gut. 

After a week, I slowly began to figure the car was trustworthy. It was all going to be fine. A second week went by with me using the car, and all was right with the world. I finished my day of deliveries when the car slowed to 22 miles per hour, the dash lit up like it was on fire, and once again, I had to pamper the car all the way home. Several tears welled up this time. Tears of frustration and of pure anger now. 

We had not heard from Kiefer in almost three months. The one day Terry finally got the call, they informed us they still could not get the car to replicate the trouble it gave us. But, we could come and pick up the car. Terry laughed and let them know we were far beyond that step now. They could keep the car, as we had obtained a lawyer and we were suing Kia. Once he heard that we were suing, he demanded that we bring the loaner back to the office immediately. 

They were informed, in no uncertain terms, that the car would be returned, but not by us. Terry chose to tell them that the car needed to be picked up as we were tired of running loaners back and fourth four times, from our home to Eugene. He threatened to call the police and tell them we stole the vehicle. 

Two drivers showed up at our home later, and once we had a receipt written out by Kia, we released the car to them. That was in the beginning of July. We have not heard from anyone since then, including the attorneys that tell us it takes a while to accomplish the lawsuit. Kia had agreed on buying us out of the loan and that we had a bit of money coming to us too. Here we are, over three months later, and we are just hearing from them. 

Terry pulled a letter from the mail a couple of days ago. It happened to be the settlement letter that was supposed to be signed and returned and our lives could go on normally, without Kia. Yeah. That's not happening. The amounts were written wrong. It was also written for someone who lives in California, not us. There were many mistakes in the letter that had to be corrected before signing. Terry informed the attorney once again, that all of that has to be fixed and that he was done dealing with amateur hour. 

Roll forward to today, Friday, October 24, 2025. Terry and I went to the bank and then the store. We stopped in at Starbucks and snagged a couple of drinks. As we were standing there, waiting for our drinks, Terry received a message on his phone. He opened the voicemail and listened to the comedy that ensued. 

It was Kia, wanting to know if we would like to bring the 2023 Sportage in and upgrade it to a '25 or '26. I had finished speaking to the barista when Terry let me know what the message was. We both stood there, and we laughed and laughed. Unbelievable. That was their joke for at least a year or two. 

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Since I'm killing time until I get a car and can get back on the road with deliveries, I have been messing around with the AI programs. I came up with a few logos for Pearls & Baubles, and have also used models and various items in my photos for the jewelry. It's been a lot of fun. 

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Saturday rolled around as it tends to do, and so do the Oregon Duck games. Today's game was against the Wisconsin Badgers. It was a strange game, so to speak. Beginning the play with an onside kick, meaning they started it all off with a short kick to regain possession of the ball. It worked. The Ducks got the ball and off they went, into complete nothingness. No score. No big cheers. We punted the ball to the Badgers shortly after. 

This seemed to be the theme for quite a while, the back and forth, handing the ball to the other team shortly after getting it. It was quite odd, really. Finally, the Oregon Ducks scored the first touchdown with one minute and seven seconds left in the second quarter. Halftime came and went, and then boom! Once again the Ducks scored. Another touchdown a bit later, and one for Wisconsin, leaving the score 21 - 7, Oregon. 

In defense of all who played in this game, it may have seemed like a snoozer, but in reality the rain was coming down hard and the wind was blowing. When the weather is that nasty, it makes the chances of dropping a ball or having a ball slip out of your grip so much higher. It also throws in the chances of having your foot slip and injuring yourself. It's time to slow things down and really watch your grip and your footing. Kudos to both teams for playing through that harsh weather. Congratulations, Ducks and thank you, Wisconsin for hanging in there. 

This weekend's game also included the Grateful Ducks fun. Eugene and the Grateful Dead are connected in several ways. The Dead used to play in Eugene quite often. On top of that, the Merry Pranksters, or at least some of them, were from Eugene. Ken Kesey was a Eugene boy and he too was connected to the Pranksters and the Dead. 

The Oregon Ducks team visited the Grateful Dead museum, including climbing onto the psychedelic bus, saw all of the memorabilia of the Dead and the Pranksters, the concerts, and all of the Eugene fun. Instead of the typical Harley ride into the stadium, this time the Duck arrived in style on a psychedelic Volkswagen bug. Literally on the car. He hung onto the back as the vehicle made its way into and around the stadium. 

Photo by USA Today

Many Grateful Dead songs were played over the time the game was on break. Dancing and singing and all kinds of fun was had in the stadium to hold onto those Grateful Dead moments they provided to us over the years. Tie dyed t-shirts were the common shirt of the day, worn by fans and students alike. It's always a fun weekend to have in Eugene. 

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Our weather has turned to rainy and slushy is some places. Of course, that's typical for October and late October at that. We are coming up to the month of November and that always means family, fun, and good times to us. We will be heading to Eugene once again to let loose with everyone for the big day, also known as Thanksgiving. 

Terry and I are healing from our nasty colds or COVID, whatever it may be. I still can't hear due to clogged ears and he is still coughing and his voice goes in and out. We are both rather tired of the nastiness and could do with some healthy days soon. 

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Since we have had a quiet week, I will end this post here. We hope all of you have a safe, happy Halloween, if you celebrate. If not, enjoy some quiet time with our favorite people, you. 

Until our next post, have a great week, filled with love, joy, and best wishes for the following days. Terry and I do send you good wishes all the time, believe it or not. Take care and eat a Snickers bar for us!

Terry and Vicki Macrae

Ghoulish partners in crime