A really bad weekend

[resonant]

I would love it if I never again had to begin a phone message or email with the words, "First of all, we're all OK and no one is hurt ..."

I wrecked my car on Sunday because some irresponsible oik of a tractor-trailer driver left a spare tire in the middle of the lane on a twisty, shoulderless section of Iowa 52. On the coldest day of the year, I stood and watched my beloved sky-blue-lavender Hyundai bleed its oil and antifreeze all over the overpass, and now I'm on tenterhooks waiting for the insurance company to tell me whether they're going to pay for repairs or total it.

If you're inclined to exercise your pull with the universe, the decision I want is "pay for repairs." I was planning to get another twelve years out of that car; in no way do I have the money to buy a new one. I love that car. And they don't make that color any more.

(Possibly I've used up all my allotment of good luck in the fact that no one was hurt and the fact that the kidlet wasn't driving. I don't want the universe to think I'm not grateful for both of those things, because am I ever.)

By the way, did you know that tenterhooks are hooks used to stretch wool to dry? Knowing that makes the sensation that much more vivid.

Comments

[norah]

Terrible and scary! I'm glad everyone is okay and I hope you get your car back good as new.

[resonant]

It was terrifying. And if it had been dark, and I hadn't even known what I hit ...? Horrible.

[jelazakazone]

OMg, I didn't know that about tenterhooks. I've been hearing that phrase since I was a kid.

Best of luck. I hope you can get your car repaired. Is it repairable? Too bad you don't know who left the tire in the road. Then you'd be sure to be covered.

[resonant]

The estimate for repairs came in today and it's almost precisely the same as the value of the car according to the Kelley Blue Book site. So, yes, it's repairable -- just a question of whether the insurance company will find it more economical to repair it or pay out whatever they decide it's worth.

I wish there were some way to trace that tire, because whoever left it there really ought to pay for my repair and then some ... if it had been dark, so that I'd hit it off-center because I couldn't see it, then we might have been thrown down the shoulder and right into the Mississippi when the temperature was 12 below. (OK, realistically there were a lot of trees we'd have hit before, but still ...)

[jelazakazone]

Ugh. I was in a similar situation when my 9 yr old Volvo was declared totaled. I looked around at what I could get for the insurance money and felt there weren't any cars as good as mine, so I had mine repaired and drove it for a few more years before it started becoming too unreliable for me to feel good about driving around with a toddler in it. I should not have been paying for collision on it, but otherwise it was the right thing for me to do.

keeping my fingers crossed for you

[fox]

Meep. I am glad you and the family are okay, and I will hope the same can eventually be said about the car.

[resonant]

Thanks. "Meep" is just the right small bedraggled noise.

[sineala]

Eeek! I'm glad no one was hurt! Sorry about the car, though.

[resonant]

Thanks. They still haven't made a decision, and may not make one for another week. The last time I bought a car (this one, in fact), I did research for like six months; it's crazy to tell me I might need another one right now but on the other hand maybe not.

[out_there]

Firstly, I did not know that.

Secondly, I'll cross my fingers for "pay for the repairs".

[resonant]

Thanks. It's not sounding good ... but at this point I'll take even an unwanted decision over this limbo.

[umbo]

Sending good vibes & hugs your way.

[resonant]

Thanks! It stinks.

[runpunkrun]

Oh no, how stressful. I'm glad you and your family are safe. <3

[resonant]

I have to keep reminding myself of that.

[laurenthemself]

Oh Res! I shall think good thoughts for the safe repair of your car.

[resonant]

Thank you! It would be pretty funny if the reason they're taking so long to make a decision is because of all the fandom vibes.

[panisdead]

Oh wow, I'm so glad you're okay. Best of luck with the car. I have complete sympathy for wanting your preferred color!

[resonant]

[sigh] I loved that car.

[blnchflr]

Glad you're ok!

Good luck with insurance.

[resonant]

Thanks! At this point I just wish they'd make a decision.

[aunty_marion]

I'm glad you're OK, though I'm sorry about the accident and the car damage. If there *is* some way to trace who left the tyre there, then they should definitely be paying! That sort of thing is Just Not On.

I did know about tenterhooks!

[resonant]

I would love to know who was so careless with the tire -- and so would the deputy who processed the accident and took it rather personally that someone dropped a tire on one of his roads.

[the_shoshanna]

yikes, glad you're OK, and hoping the same will come to be true of your car!

[resonant]

Thanks! I didn't cry at all today, so I must be recovering.

[cesperanza]

I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE OKAY. DON'T DO THAT!!!!

[resonant]

Suddenly the roads seem full of mysterious hazards.

[cesperanza]

They are though - I nearly had that happen to me when a truck in front of me dropped an axle in my path. I swerved and luckily nobody was there but if there had been, I would have been smushed or if I'd had to drive OVER THE GIANT AXLE I'd've been smushed. So yeah, fucking terrifying. I've seen dollies fly out of the back of trucks and mattresses fly off the tops of cars and all that; hellish!

[resonant]

I once knew someone who had been crossing a bridge around D.C. when a tank rolled off a transport! Not right precisely in front of him, but close enough that he got caught in the crunch when everybody braked at once.