With all the news about horrific road accidents the past few days, I feel like God is looking out for me.

I heard the squeaking noise whenever I stepped on the brakes and that got me worried. When I bought the fridge last Saturday, I heard and felt the tugging on my rear wheels whenever I released the brake pedal. I told myself I shouldn’t be driving my car anymore.

Monday was hectic because I was the only editor alive and everyone else was off because of Golden Week/Labor Day weekend off. Today was more relaxed so I finally was able to bring it to my go-to autoshop.

There you go, the rear brake shoe spring broke and it was scraping the brake drum. I have to have the brake drum replaced as well. The mechanic told me I can still drive my car since the front brake shoe spring, which is bigger, is still ok. They tested it and it worked fine so I can still go home.

I immediately ordered a set of brake shoe springs online and let the autoshop order the brake drum. I will have them installed on Saturday before I leave for the airport on the dawn of Sunday.

I won’t tempt fate. I’ll borrow my sister’s car for my coverage on Thursday.

Ah well, that’s all part of keeping a 20-year-old car with over 200,000 km on it.

Why am I not replacing it yet? Because I’m still hung up on having a solar power system on my rooftop. Still weighing my options.