Pink Thoughts

The accident happened on the block where I park my car near Alan's daycare after leaving him at the sitters. It was about 8:20 or so, I had parked my car behind a large delivery truck as there was a nice large space behind it. I got out and was across the street when the truck started up (I hear the engine rev) and he shot backwards into my car with a loud crunch and I screamed!

A police report was filed on the accident - I got the license plate of the truck as it was leaving - I had yelled but he didn't stop. Police cars circle the block since it is near the schools and a permit is required to park there. One drove by right after accident and went looking for the truck - the next one took down the police report information. Later in the day, I called the police department - the driver turned himself in (so no charges apparently) so all the information is there. I also called the apartment complex's office (I park next to a large complex) and they were able to give me the name of the company that delivered stuff at that time (the superindendant saw what happened to my car, although he didn't see the actual accident). I have the insurance info (Traveller's) but not the policy # as the company didn't seem to give me the right info. But my insurance (Geico) has the contact info for the company, so maybe it will get corrected very soon. (I claimed under my policy to start things ASAP, the other company will reimburse Geico and me and I should get my deductable back). The correct info may be on the police report but I won't get it till Friday afternoon (argh).

I had to drive to a town about 20 minutes away to get the damage inspected. Oddly enough, the adjuster's first name is "Attilah" (as in Attliah the Hun). He doesn't look like an Attaliah, more like a 20 something geek. Then I drove back to a repair place closer to me to get the work done.

I got picked up at the shop by the rental place (Enterprise). While I was waiting I spotted a Chrysler PT Cruiser parked in the lot. I figured it was someone's car but did ask if it was available. It was. And the rental place lowered the price by a few cents so it would fit under the 30.00 a day limit after tax (I didn't want to pay 2 something a day for an indefinite period of time). The last time I was there, the insurance company I had (Palisades) paid 50.00 a day for rental. (Maybe this is why Geico's cheaper, they are cheaper on rental cars!). So at least I have a cool car for now :)

I also had adventures in home repair. Both our toilets were running oddly. So on Saturday on the way to my SILs I got 2 toilet kits at Lowe's and figured I'd try to replace the stuff myself. I'd also gotten a new Smoke Detector earlier in the day at Target. I chose the 10 year battery one, not the replaceable battery one. Sunday after a visit to our friends with twins (which involved a trip to the Englishtown Flea Market on the way where it was cold and muddy and not many vendors there and a stop at Old Country Buffet (yum!) for lunch), I went to work to fix things.

First I replaced the smoke detector. Went ok, but I could only use 1 of the existing screw holes as the new detector is smaller. So it wound up that the detector is on an angle - the light on top is off to one side. But it works. if not esthetically perfect. Then I tried to fix the toilet in the master bath. Went pretty well, except there was a link on the intake valve. I made an emergency trip to the 24 home depot to get pluming tape. Meanwhile I was doing laundry and the stupid machine shut off early. I had to leave wet laundry in the machine now overnight (Blech!). I came home and managed to break the intake pipe off trying to adjust things. So I shut the valve off the best I could (but meanwhile the handle on the valve broke off making it hard to shut off). It still seemed to drip, so I ended up sticking a basin under there and some towels and figured I'd get the parts on Monday night.

Well, while I was at the body shop, I was on cell phone to DH saying I'd take care of pluming as soon as I got home (I figured I'd just call a plumber and give up). One of the workers at the shop heard me - he was an older man who worked part time and was a trained plumber. He ended up following me back to my place where I paid him to fix the pipe (he got the parts - although he couldn't find the handle in his car, he'll come back with it). So for 55.00 I have one good toilet now. I may use him for the other stuff to (the other toilet and the other bathroom sink faucet). Whew.

I did take yesterday off work, so I'm a little nervous about this morning. It starts a crazy few days for me - tonight is a discussion group with the local mom's I've met. I'm going to try to make a quick dessert this morning before work. Tommorrow night is a bowling thing with my company (at least it is at the Port Authority bowling alley - which is the bus station I take home) And Thursday AM is a MANDITORY work town hall off-site. And today is my monthly 1-on-1 with my boss.

Better get back to bed now!