| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| prariehawk |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 3:05:09 PM
....by not driving for a while. I had an accident yesterday and my car is at the auto body shop. Still waiting for an estimate. so I'm going to be taking the bus to work, good thing I live in town. I'm OK physically but still pretty shook up about it. A driver was tailgating me and I was so distracted and unnerved by it that I rear-ended someone else. A Jeep. No apparent damage to their car. But the tire on the back of the Jeep sure did a number on my car. Fortunately my car has a long front end so the engine seemed OK. I tapped on my brakes several times to get the tailgater off my back but she ignored it. I couldn't pull over cause I was on a bridge. She followed down the exit ramp. then she left the scene after she saw what happened. I got the first few letters of her license plate. I just don't want to drive for a while. I've never hit someone else before, well, I bumped a car once but she didn't even realize it. I just had a meltdown after I hit the Jeep. I cried, I was so upset. I couldn't believe I'd hit him. I've had people hit me before but...
I just hope the estimate isn't too bad. the lady at the auto body shop said it looks worse than it really is. I could still drive it afterwards but the hood was pushed up and the grill was pushed back
a few inches. I had it towed, just in case. I have insurance, but I don't have full coverage so I'll have to pay for the repairs. But my confidence is shaken so I'm not going to drive for a while. I've been driving for over thirty years and this is the first time something like this has ever happened to me. I don't like tailgaters, and I like them even less now.
sorry, just had to vent.
Cindy
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| prariehawk |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 6:36:45 PM
Thank you, Michele.
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| vintagediva1 |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 6:19:24 PM
I am so glad that you are okay. Praise the Lord that the accident wasn't worse.
Hang in there. You know that we are always here for you
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
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| prariehawk |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 5:59:03 PM
Thank you all for your support and good wishes. You guys are the best! the estimate news is not good. It may not be economically feasible to have the car repaired. It's a '98 Buick LaSabre--the nicest car I've ever had. Actually, it may be a very good thing I've decided to stop driving for a while, cause lately I've noticed some weird side effects from the medicine I take (Wellbutrin). And it's been affecting my driving. I talked to a friend tonight who wrecked her car twice because the med she was on was causing small, unnoticeable seizures. She said maybe this was God's way of protecting me from something worse. I have to agree. I rode my bike around the neighborhood tonight and enjoyed it. The buses here are pretty good. They're always clean and I've heard of very few altercations on board them. They have racks on the front for people with bikes, so that may come in very handy for me. So maybe this is all for a good reason. the only thing I'm not looking forward to is I have to make a court appearance in a few weeks. Ugh. At least it's here in town and not at the county courthouse. My SIL once had to appear at the county courthouse for speeding (she argued with the officer who gave her the ticket). The judge recognized her last name and said "Your mother is teaching my daughter Spanish at the college in Springfield." He dismissed the case. Maybe I'll be so lucky. I really believe God allowed this to happen for a reason--a good reason. In the meantime, I feel less stressed out since I don't have to drive. Sometimes we all need a break.
Cindy
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| Kerbear |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 3:09:38 PM
I am glad you are okay Cindy! I have also heard that you can get so much stuff done while riding the bus! I have a lot of friends who ride the bus to work everyday, and they accomplish so much.... or they listen to headphones.
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
| JojoNH |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 1:45:50 PM
I am so happy you are okay! That is most important here. You will more than likely enjoy the break from driving for awhile. What a great time of year to get out on you bike too! Hugs!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
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| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 09:10:13 AM
What a shame and I'm so sorry you've decided to give up driving. I'm hoping for your sake this is a temporary pause. I'm going for my behind the wheel test in the next month or so and I know how nerve wracking tailgaters & the rush rush drivers can be-esp when you're getting used to being behind the wheel to begin with. I'm welcoming the freedom & independence that driving brings. Hoping you have a better bus system than los angeles does. Too dangerous here-gang members & thugs are regular passengers and the bus driver does nothing to protect the riders.
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mando pickin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
| Roxy7 |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 06:20:26 AM
I am sorry. Hugs. I am sadly a veteran at the car accident scene. Its never easy,but I am glad you are okay. Accidents do shake you up and its hard to get back behind the wheel. |
| homsteddinmom |
Posted - May 04 2010 : 06:02:24 AM
I rear ended someone in the middle of the nite! They were pulling a trailer with NO LIGHTS ON and i hit them. You know it was hard to get back behind the wheel and even arder to drive by where it happened! my dd and i both had to go to the er for injuries, but my dh and ds were fine. Hugs to you~
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
| prariehawk |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 8:50:26 PM
Angela--yes, it is very distracting when someone tailgates you and flashes their lights in your mirrors. I'm sorry you were hurt in your accident.And I'm glad the officer realized it wasn't your fault. About ten minutes before my accident, Iwas on a fourlane highway and the driver in front of me put on his left blinker, like he was going to get into the passing lane. Then he suddenly stops and turns right into a gas station. I had to swerve around him. I've just had enough of these crazy drivers.
Kris--the times I've ridden the bus, it is a lot less stressful than driving. I walked about six miles today--to the auto body shop and back and twice to the one stop shop. You notice a lot more when you're walking. I kinda enjoyed it. As my tagline reads "There is more to life than increasing its speed". Maybe God wants me to slow down.
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| natesgirl |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 8:20:19 PM
I had a real jerk behind me the one accident I had. It was bumper to bumper traffic and he was up my tailpipe flashing his lights at me. I was so upset and trying to move all my mirrors I didn't see the guy in front of me stop. I hit him pretty hard. I was so sore for a week and I refused to drive for about 6 months. The officer made it a no fault accident cause someone stopped to tell the cop she had seen the guy behind me blinding me and the guy in front of me couldn't tell the cop why he had stopped in the middle of a highway. He kept saying he thought the guy in front of him was gonna stop. Sounded intentional to me, but the cop said I couldn't prove that. I still wouldn't be driving except my mom got sick and had to go to the hospital and my DH was at work, so I had to get myself into town. Then I was okay, but I'm still hyper cautious. You'll be fine after some time passes.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 7:35:11 PM
Cindy, I am so sorry that happened. I hate that too. I will pull over and let the impatient idiots go right on without me. Life's too precious to have that happen. I hope you will be ok and are able to drive again soon. Just take it easy for now and take the bus. You'll see so many things you can't see when you're driving. I love when my hubby drives. I get to actually see things I miss otherwise because I am driving. It's fun!
Hugs, Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| prariehawk |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 6:17:31 PM
Marly and Laurie--thank you for your farmgirl support. It actually feels like a relief to not have to worry about driving anywhere. I have a bike as well, just needs the tires inflated. My car is medium sized and I'd really prefer a smaller one, they just seem easier to manuver. Since my car has a long hood, it can sometimes be difficult parking in a tight place. I've thought over the years of getting a large scooter (my best friend has one) as I just feel more comfortable with small vehicles. Back in the 80's I had a tank--a Chevy Caprice. I felt safe in it but I also felt out of place driving it. Nobody was hurt in the accident as I was actually at a stoplight, waiting to make a right turn, with the Jeep in front of me. The gree turn arrow came on, and I glanced in my rearview mirror at the driver was on my bumper. I started to go forward, not realizing that the Jeep hadn't turned yet. Thosr Jeeps are built tough, that's for sure. I really might be better off with a scooter. I took a class in motorcycle safety years ago but had to drop out cause I got sick.I was a very hot day, and I quickly discovered you can't ride a motorcycle when you feel nauseas.It makes you dizzy. Cars tend to lull you into a false sense of security, whereas on a scooter you have to always be alert and aware. I feel like driving a car has dulled my senses and I don't like the feeling. I would ride my bike to work but I don't want to ride on certain streets. and we're not supposed to ride on the sidewalk. I had a friend, a priest, who used to walk or bike everywhere. He lived almost like a homeless person and felt that cars were a luxary for the rich and he wanted to identify with the poor. I think he was on the something. We Americans are spoiled when it comes to our cars. So I'm going to see if I can do without. I'm going to try it for at least a month and see how much money I save. If I really need a ride, my parents live ten minutes away. They have two cars so it shouldn't be a problem. God has HIs reason for allowing adversity in our lives. It's weird, but I ate at a Chinese restaurant shortly before the accident, and my fortune read: You will overcome difficult times. Serendipity.
Cindy
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| laurentany |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 5:02:56 PM
Cindy- SO sorry to hear of your unfortunate day... but thank God that you were not hurt seriously.... Best wishes that everything works out for you!
~Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| Bear5 |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 4:11:09 PM
Cindy:
Glad to hear that you are okay. Simplifying life is a good thing, I'm trying to do just that. You will be in my prayers. Keep us posted.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| prariehawk |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 3:32:32 PM
Thank you, Sharon! I need prayers right now. I'll be OK, just need some time...
Cindy
"There is more to life than increasing its speed". Mahatma Gandhi
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - May 03 2010 : 3:13:18 PM
I am SORRY Cindy! I can totally understand how you feel. Accidents can really shake one up and trigger tears. I am so GLAD that you are physically fine despite being upset. I hope that the body shop is wrong in their opinion and that the cost will be minimal for you.
You can vent anytime! I am praying for you!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
