Truck Crash Update

Today is the first official day with no ties to my former truck. Last week State Farm Insurance declared my truck to be a total loss. The estimated repair cost was nearly $7000. The Kelly Blue Book value was about $3000-$4000. They offered my $4500.

We settled with State Farm on Tuesday. They said that I could have the rental truck until Wednesday. It was really nice. It was a 2007 white Grand Cherokee Laredo. The gas mileage sucked. It had one of those digital displays. I was constantly monitoring the mileage to get it higher. However, it only went lower. It ended up being about 15.4 miles per gallon over the 3 weeks that I had it.

Anyway, Enterprise Rental called my house on Wednesday and wanted to know where the truck was, it was due on Tuesday. I immediately called State Farm and told them they told me that I had it until Wednesday. They quickly went into the system, saw that it was actually set to Tuesday, but updated the contract to allow me to have it until Wednesday. I have to say, other than providing me with barely enough money for an '82 Escort, my experience with State Farm was favorable.

I returned the Cherokee last night. A fine looking young lady was running the office. I told her I was returning the vehicle. She was super friendly, almost to the point where you think she wants to take you home with her. She inspects the truck, get the mileage, then asks, "Do you need a ride home?"

I know that I stammered and stuttered, but finally got out, "Um,....I,.....I think my.....uh, wife...is picking me up." She smiled a happy smile and said, "Okay!" Oh, my, I hope it wasn't that obvious. I think I may wreck my next car just to get another rental from her. I'm kidding, course.

So, speaking of my car - today was my first day driving my 1995 Mercury Mystique since before Christmas. OMG - what a piece of crap! I knew it was old and needs some work, but after you drive a brand new vehicle, you realize what a piece of crap you have. My brakes are shot, the car is LOUD. The steering is off. It rattles and shakes. Not good. Hopefully it will last until August 2009 when the payments on the Ford Windstar are done.

And another thing. My back starting hurting last weekend. It's getting worse. I guess I have to go to the doctor again. I'm sure it's related to the accident.

I complained to a coworker yesterday that it was hurting, but I didn't have any Advil with me. She ran to her office and offered me 2 pills for pain. I took both with my lunch. At the 1 o'clock meeting, she asked if I took one. I told her that I took both. The look of horror in her face scared me. She said that I was only supposed to take one and not to exceed 1 in 12 hours.

Oh, my. I didn't exceed 1 for only about 5 seconds. Throughout the meeting I suffered phantom symptoms of an overdose. My lips were numb. My concentration drifted. My hands tingled. My stomach became nauseous. However, by the end of the meeting, I got distracted and my phantom symptoms disappeared.

Hopefully I can garner the courage and strength and reach for the telephone and make that call to the doctor today - assuming it doesn't snow too much, because then I'm sledding.