Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Wrecked!

Why can't people be honest? Why am I gullible to believe that they will be?

I had just dropped my son off at work and took the 'back way' home to avoid 'traffic' on the main thouroughfare...when I rounded a corner and spotted an SUV stopped in the road - not on the curb, not at the stop sign...but about 3 car lengths ahead in front of me. I stopped and the next thing I know he is backing up. I start honking and honking my horn, he keeps coming. When I realize he is NOT going to stop, I turn my wheels hard to the left, trying to avoid him hitting me square across the front of the car.

His back left bumper hits my front right corner, grazing the hood and breaking the headlight, smashing the hood and bumper. He immediately gets out of his car and says "Its my fault! Its my fault! That was my dog over there (pointing to the lawn on the right). Here is my insurance card - you go ahead and file". I asked if what he gave me was the only card he had and he said, "Nah, I have plenty more". I gave him a card w/my name and number and off we went, no police report, no witnesses.

I immediately called my insurance when I got home, and they took the report and instructed me to call HIS insurance, which I did. The next day I get a call from his insurance wanting my statement.
At the end, the agent said "we have conflicting stories". Seems he didn't admit to saying it was his fault, didn't mention the dog, and said I kept approaching him when he was backing. All lies.
They say they will accept 70% liability, and I will be responsible for 30%. I said, excuse me? It was his fault - and repeated what he had said. Of course, now its all his word against mine. The agent says he discussed it with a manager, and thats all they would do.

Now I have to file on my insurance and be responsible for the deductible. After the car is fixed my insurance company will seek 100% reimbursement from him and his company as they will have a vested interest.

The guy who came to give an estimate for repairs said it totals about $3,000. I am still waiting to get my fax of the report that he said he would send today. THEN the check should be in the mail. In the meantime, I have a nice view of the trees on the right side of the street when I drive in the evening!!

Friday, September 21, 2007

It's Time for 55 Fiction Friday!

Here's my latest attempt at a story of just 55 words....inspired by the wordy person's link at the right....take a look when you have time. You'll see some of my other stories in the archived comments.


“Good night” she said breathlessly. “Don’t go” he whispered, his voice quivering. Deep sighs surrounded them as the evening breeze tickled the trees. Her eyes turned toward the illuminated face of her watch and suddenly she remembered….his touch, his kiss…just one more sweet word from his lips…clink! Free minutes expired at 8 on the weekends!

Monday, September 17, 2007

No title...

Remember parents who said..."Nothing good happens after midnight" (or insert other curfew time here)...and that's the reason you got when you asked if you might stay out later? Flash forward about 30 some odd years...and um..er...um....don't know that I necessarily agree with that statement! At least as it applies to me...between the hours of about 10pm and 1:30am..this past Friday and Saturday. (*smile*) :-P And I am still smiling...can't seem to focus my attention 100%...so um.....thanks for that....you know who you are!! ;-)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Earliest Memory...I mean memories........

I was reading a story posted by a colleague, where she recalled her earliest childhood memory. I thought I would try to do the same...but I can bet there will be inaccuracies.....but hey, its my memory, what can I say?

I remember riding a train...yes, a train on train tracks...a choo-choo.... with Mom and Billy, and baby Beth in what was then the earlier edition of today's "pack and play". It was red tartan plaid...red with yellow and green lines. I don't recall where we were going or how old I was...but the train and the 'playpen' somehow stick in my mind.

I remember living in a duplex (of course I didn't know it was a duplex at the time) with a wooden door and a diamond-shaped window in the middle of it...looking outside and across the street to the little white house with a carport where we moved. Hardwood floors, linoleum, and a dinette set with vinyl seats...white with black flecks I think...and of course, the ever present high chair...with adjustable metal tray. I wonder how many of 6 went thru that highchair? I also remember pink sears-sucker shorts and top...and I think Beth matched mine in yellow...or maybe it was the other way around.

I remember Grandma & Grandpa's "rock house"...on a crowded little street...where we collected hail in plastic banana split trays one afternoon....wonder if they came from a 'dairy queen'? The porch was a cool place to play.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Bouten...Mom's grandparents...lived in another town somewhere in Missouri I think...I remember the black and pink tiled bathroom and the sweet smell of pink soap - which turned out to be dove as I recall. I remember riding with Great Grandpa in what was a "HUGE" black car (from a toddler's point of view of course)...and also picking up 'helicopters' from the ground...seeds from a tree with what looked like a blade-like leaf attached - that swirled around and around when you threw it in the air. Maybe from Mimosa trees?? Ooh...and acorns.... and digging in the dirt with a big metal spoon from the kitchen...and yes, eating dirt. I actually can remember eating dirt...or was it sand...and feeling it in the back of my throat. I also have a memory of playing on a wooden cover for a water pump, sort of like a flat with slats nailed together...and squishing spiders with bare feet....not quite sure of where that happened, but there were lots of kids around, at least brothers and sisters. Eating honeysuckle...and catching fireflies. Funny what is remembered, huh?

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Are you ready for some.....football?

Its time for football...and time to proudly cheer for your favorite team!! Whether on TV or at the game, fans are everywhere. Of course, everyone loves a winning team....but die-hard fans will be there for their team, regardless!! So, is there a REASON I am blogging in GREEN today???? Hmmmm.....Could Be!!

In attempt to blog on my lunch hour last week, I discovered that blogs are now blocked. Thats no fun...cause lots of ideas seem to come at lunch lately!! Oh well, guess it will have to be 'home style' for now.

Don't know why, but my sleep has been restless lately, even with the mask in place. Seem to wake up about 1 or 2, and have a difficult time getting back to sleep...until the alarm rings at least! Isn't that the way it always is? The best sleep ever is always in between snooze alarms.

Visited one of my favorite blogs - now listed on the right - and played a "55 Friday" game. Lots of fun for people who love words. You'll have to see if you can find my 'short story'....one with only 55 words, but with characters, conflict and resolution. Too fun. Leave me a comment if you read the story!!

The other blog listed on the right is one for a sweet little boy named Paul, who lost his battle with cancer about a month ago. His parents and friends have updated the blog with inspirational words, thoughts and prayer, so if you get a chance, take a look. Cancer never sleeps.

Speaking of cancer, our "Relay for Life" event is just around the corner, and as always, sounds like a whole lot of fun to raise money for finding a cure. The 'theme' for the event is "dancing" for a cure..so our team is "Cancer-A-Go-Go". Go-go boots and all the stuff that goes with them! Maybe wigs...leather skirts...and dancin' 'the pony'. Whoo-hoo! Stay tuned for more!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

3-day weekend

So....a 3-day weekend is upon us....and here I am between loads of laundry and lifetime movies. Not to say I feel sorry for myself...after all, laundry does happen! Lots of opportunity to rest...although working in time for some fun would be nice.

I am so happy my friend Karen was offered a new job! She has been so unhappy for a long time, and deserves all the best. I hope this will be the beginning of a wonderful opportunity.

I am looking forward to a little less stress at my job - if thats possible!! I guess I need to slow it down a bit and take time to learn a little at a time. I have been working early and late...and not paying enough attention to Ryan and the house....so a little self-imposed guilt comes along.
How can one.....evening's conversation.....knowing glance......sweet hug.....breathless kiss.....surprising smile.....stay embedded in your memory so long and become the substance of dreams?

When did that happen? Is my memory selective? Is my imagination too active for reality? Do daydreams make everything plausible? When can I hope for reality to catch up with my dreams? Or is hope and dreams all there is?

The world goes by....things change....but also stay the same. All too cliche?? Probably. Finding words that aptly describe what I feel is difficult. Someone to understand what I am thinking, what I am feeling...without having a conversation....is that possible? Longing to look lovingly into the eyes of that someone.....or offer a whisper....or feel that breath on my neck... or those fingers entwined with mine....a soft kiss....all longing....with deep, deep sighs. Goosebumps.