What did you do today?

[shan2themax]

So.... the new roof was done in 2 days, its looks really nice. I didn't think a roof would lift my spirits but it has..... it can just in time also because we have had 20+ mph winds and rain on and all all afternoon and evening and I feel pretty confident that the other roof wouldn't have fared well at all. It's been nice to just listen to the wind and not wonder if there would be a problem

 

[zannej]

I've been sick the past few weeks and am just getting over it. So of course something had to go wrong. LOL.
Long story short, I was making a left turn & a drunk driver tried to pass me on the left (said he was swerving to avoid a car that passed him on the right & he couldn't brake in time so he decided to gun it and try to get around me at a higher speed). Other dude completely totaled his vehicle & had his gas tank bust open, pouring gasoline everywhere. His vehicle spun sideways and slid about 30 feet but didn't tip over. Firetrucks, cops, EMTs, and eventually parish sheriffs arrived.
I requested a specific towtruck driver bc their default one is a jerk.
While they were taking care of the accident at my location, down the road a woman hit a deer so they had to send some people over there.
One of the EMTs was asking if they had picked up the deer yet bc he wanted some deer stew.
My friend picked up my brother & the groceries and drove them home so my bro could put the groceries down & come back for me. We did that so the tow truck wouldn't have to wait. My guy was called 10 minutes later than the other guy but he showed up and carefully took my truck away and my brother arrived back to get me before the other towtruck arrived.
Not sure if the other driver got arrested or not, but the cop told me it was the other guy's fault completely and he was getting a "hard ticket". Luckily nobody was hurt but I'm already having sore muscles from the tension.
It wasn't as bad as the last accident so I feel lucky. I just hope the frame wasn't bent and that his insurance will cover all of the damages.
Pics aren't great bc it was dark and there are no street lights in that area.
Hard to see the damage to the tire-- there's an avulsion & the rim is scraped up.
Corner of the hood got bent, but I think it can be hammered back.

 

[slownsteady]

Whew! Could've been a lot worse. Glad you're okay. Maybe see a doctor just in case.

 

[zannej]

Whew! Could've been a lot worse. Glad you're okay. Maybe see a doctor just in case.

I will see when I can get in for an appointment with my doctor for a checkup. I'm not having any unsual pains this time around.
We were all lucky that I was in a truck with great safety ratings. One of the reasons I got this particular one was because it did great in crash tests for occupant safety. If I'd been in a smaller vehicle it likely would have been worse.
The other driver is damn lucky he didn't hit a car full of kids or a vehicle that wasn't as safe. But, he's probably going to lose his license for awhile & have to pay all sorts of fines. People around here drive while drinking so it's not unusual for even cops to have some beers before driving. Although, the cop who told me it was the other guy's fault entirely was pretty ticked off at the guy. Said he should have known better.
My insurance company's computer system was down last night when I called but they wrote down the info. I will have to go in on Monday & talk to the insurance agent in the office as well as contact the tow company.
I wish they had told me the guy's name and insurance policy # but they refused to, which means I have to wait 10 days to drive down to another town to get the police report.
Hopefully things will be smoother than last time and I won't get harassed by his insurance adjuster. My insurance company was telling me I'll have to pay the $250 deductible and I was saying "Hold up, this was someone else's fault, HIS insurance company better pay all that."
But again, I know it could have been worse.
My brother is nagging me to take him to the store-- good thing we have the CR-V as a backup.

 

[shan2themax]

I am so glad that you are ok! Hopefully you get your truck fixed and quickly with no problems

 

[zannej]

Thanks, shan2themax!
I tried again to get the info about the other driver from the cops but they said I have to wait the 10 days. The guy did apologize but apparently its not in the computer yet. The towing guy said it usually takes less time for the police report, but I guess bc there might be criminal charges filed it will take longer. They didn't even have me write a statement, just wrote own the gist of what I said. Last time the cops had me give a written statement.

Called my local insurance agent and she was utterly useless. She actually asked me why I even bothered to call her. Said State Farm would not communicate with the other insurance company for me & that I had to choose which company I wanted to have pay for the stuff-- couldn't file a claim with them and have them deal with the other company. Said I had to deal with the company myself (towtruck guy said that was BS and it sounded like she was being lazy). She also told me I had to go call the claims department again & get all the info from them bc she couldn't (I suspect wouldn't) answer my questions. Towtruck guy said he'd give me an estimate tomorrow and was delighted that I'm considering using his services for the repairs. I read reviews of the honda place & it was only 1 review but it was 1 star & described how they kept the car for 3 months, didn't fix it, and screwed up more stuff. People at the scene told me the towing guy is good at repairs.

I wanted to see if I could find parts cheap so it wouldn't go over the limit & total my truck out. Went to Rockauto and the parts were reasonably priced, but then I had it calculate shipping.
Anyone see what's wrong with this picture?

On the upside, my brother's first day of orientation for work went well. Another one of the supervisors wanted to hire him for his restaurant when he heard him talking about how he does Japanese cooking at home. Near the end of the orientation they had sort of a jeopardy game about what they'd gone over to see who remembered & my brother won. One of the witnesses/volunteer firemen at the scene actually works in the restaurant part that my brother will be working at. Said he got promoted fast-- got a $2 raise within a few months & said they treat people well there.

 

[shan2themax]

That's a crazy shipping amount

 

[zannej]

That's a crazy shipping amount

Fortunately, it turned out to be a glitch in the system. I kept getting that same estimate when I reloaded but I went back a few hours later after contacting the company & they fixed it. Shipping was $173.

 

[shan2themax]

Much improved amount!

 

[havasu]

Flying to Paris, France. See you in a few weeks!

 

[tuffy]

Well I'm back been in the hospital the past 7 weeks with acute liver and kidney failure. They thought I was going to have to have a liver transplant but it started to heal its self. So now i'm home still week but glad to be home. they don't know what caused me to get so sick they are leaning towards taking to much Tylenol. I was in 3 hospitals one of them told my wife that they didn't think I was going to make it . but I was given a second chance at life now to see what I can do with that. I don't remember much of that as they had me in a coma while I was healing. on a bright note I got to take my first helicopter ride even tho I don't remember it.

 

[oldognewtrick]

Well I'm back been in the hospital the past 7 weeks with acute liver and kidney failure. They thought I was going to have to have a liver transplant but it started to heal its self. So now i'm home still week but glad to be home. they don't know what caused me to get so sick they are leaning towards taking to much Tylenol. I was in 3 hospitals one of them told my wife that they didn't think I was going to make it . but I was given a second chance at life now to see what I can do with that. I don't remember much of that as they had me in a coma while I was healing. on a bright note I got to take my first helicopter ride even tho I don't remember it.

Well, dang tuffy, you really are tuff aren't ya? Seriously, take care of yourself, hope you're on your way to better health!

 

[shan2themax]

I'm so glad you're better.... tylenol is rough on the liver, ibuprofen is rough on the kidneys.... Second chances are wonderful and I am thrilled you got one!

 

[zannej]

yikes, Tuffy, I'm so sorry you went through that but very glad you survived and I hope you are feeling better.

I've been trying to deal with repairs at home & dealing with the insurance company about my truck. Last week they were supposed to have it towed to a repair shop (the guy who towed it couldn't work on it because he has to be out of town for a few weeks for his recertification training for his towing license, but he let me know and referred me to another repair person who has good ratings). Last week the insurance made arrangements and got my authorization to have the vehicle towed to the shop-- but then the insurance didn't pass that along to the tower. So yesterday I went to see my truck at the shop-- drove all the way out to Mamou-- only to find they had never towed it. This was a surprise to the insurance adjuster who showed up a little before me to look at the truck. (They will not send adjusters to my town to look at vehicles but they will send them out to Mamou). I got along well with the guys at the shop. We commiserated about the insurance companies & all the red tape. I showed the owner some pictures of the damage that I took on the night of the accident and he took down the info on some of the replacement parts that will absolutely be needed. The truck was supposed to be towed to the shop yesterday afternoon, but I'm waiting for a good time to call and confirm. Another adjuster is supposed to be by today to look at it. I'll have to bring someone with a phone with GPS with me since the CR-V doesn't have gps and my phone battery is having issues.

I finally got around to pulling the valve stem from the shower (I know, procrastination is bad). Took it to Lowes to see if they could find anything comparable but struck out. Took it to HD where they had a book and a guide that you could stick the valve stem in to in order to find a matching end. Nothing in stock, but the book had a contender. The screw and washer didn't come out with the valve stem so I didn't have a match- it's stuck in the valve seat so I'll have to get pliers and pull it out later (after I shut off the water again and pull the valve stem). I bought some spare washers & screws to use just in case that is the problem and I got the tool to pull the valve seat. I wonder if the screw coming out of the valve stem & staying inside the valve seat has anything to do with the issue.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to get things moving on replacing Mom's fugly shower/tub combo. The Sterling one I wanted is becoming harder to find, so I'm considering the Delta Classic 400 but I'm not sure if grab bars can go in due to the curves. They have them in stock at the nearest HD so I wanted to take my mother there to look at it and see what she thought. I got her to order the Moentrol valve that has threads and she ordered the Moen Kingsley trim kit (handle & escutcheon) but lamented that it's chrome & not polished brass. But, we found the chrome one for around $45 and the cheapest I could find the brass was $190 but it averages around $250. I'm wondering if she would prefer a Lasco Simpatico Legend kit (if it works with the valve) with an acrylic handle. It's much less expensive, but not as nice. But then, if she went with polished brass, it would limit her options for slidebars, handheld showers, grab bars etc if she wanted to match. She ultimately agreed that it's not worth the expense for having things so fancy in this old farm house.

My brother was telling me about more of the perks at his new job. They have a very fancy coffee machine that does cappucino, mocca, espresso, hot chocolate, etc and they can even tell it how many cups to make-- all free. There are dispensers for sodas, water, different juices (apple, orange, etc), and Borden milk. That's just in the kitchen. In the break room they have free cereal and milk as well as a less fancy coffee machine- also free. The employees all get paid breaks. The other day he wasn't feeling well so his supervisor told him to go sit in the break room and eat a hamburger that the customer didn't want (bc they put onions on it by mistake). The philosophy of the business is to be hospitable & courteous and they extend that to the employees as well as customers. He just got his first paycheck for the orientation and said his next one should be almost double. I think they said he may be eligible for promotion in 3 months and the supervisors think he'll move up the ranks quickly. They also offered to pay for him to take culinary classes to officially become a chef. Yesterday between looking for the valve stem replacement, we stopped in to a store and found him some running shoes that he can wear at the gym. They were the only pair in his size and he said they fit perfectly.

I've been getting political calls today even though I did early voting last month. The last one was from some group involving fantasy sports that wanted me to vote "yes" on the bill to allow gambling on fantasy football online. Seriously, with all of the problems this state has, and they actually had fantasy football on the bill. I voted "No". People get in enough trouble gambling over real sports. Gambling on fantasy sports is just absolutely ridiculous & is just asking for trouble.

I'm about to call the auto repair place to find out if my truck made it. Hope everyone is having a good day.

Edit: I called and they are going to tow it today and it should be there by 2pm. Insurance was still giving the tower the run-around after I talked to them again.

 

[Gary]

Just got back from our annual Wedding anniversary vacation. Great time, but too short.
Went to Lancaster PA - Amish Buggy ride and a musical at Sight & Sound. Saw the Mayflower II being restored at Mystic CT, Went to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and whale watching.

 

[Gary]

Toured a cranberry bog. Saw all things Pilgrim in Plymouth MA. Went 1/2 way up Mount Washington. That's as far as the cog rail would go after a foot of snow the day before, -6°f on the summit, burrrrr.

 

[Gary]

Toured the Ben & Jerry's factory (mandatory tasting). Drove down Rt 100 through Vermont for a little more snow and some fall colors

 

[Gary]

Stopped at Niagara Falls on the way home.....

 

[shan2themax]

What a wonderful trip! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I used to live in Carlisle, PA it is quite beautiful in that area

 

[Gary]

Thank You Shan. It was our 43rd.