After more than a year of intermittent problems, and six months of pretty
much being non-functional, I *think* Matilda has finally gotten her health
back!

Knock on wood...

She got a new air flow meter last summer.  But still was running terribly,
the engine dying unexpectedly, etc.  Then (as usual) I left for two
months.  Came back and she seemed okay - the first time I drove her
(Sunday).  The second time (Monday) she died going up a hill and wouldn't
restart.  After half an hour of intermittently trying, I phoned a tow
truck, waited for two hours in the cold (in the middle of an intersection
in downtown St. John's), and off she went.

But this time, having picked her up from my mechanic yet again, she feels
RIGHT!  No hesitating, no loss of power, starts right up, not kicking and
bumping, even the coolant light went off when it should.  She hasn't felt
so good in longer than I can remember!  I'm not nervous that she's going to
die on me!

Now let's just hope this lasts!!!!  I've really missed having a live van to
keep me company.

So she and I will both wish you all happy Chanukah / Christmas / Kwanzaa /
New Year's / solstice / festivus / whichever holiday you prefer!

Joy & Matilda