Does anyone recall how excited I was about my truck hitch? I was in love with the hitch and freedom it was going to bring me. Tonight, however, I feel very far away from the hitch and all of its empty promises. Yes, the hitch was installed. The purchase of the bike carrier attachment was looking and putting me back another $200 so I was shopping around looking for a good deal. It was during that time, October 24th, when I went to early vote with Hazel and ended up in the car accident that is sucking my bank account from all directions.
I was cited for "failure to yield" which I did while making a left turn out of a terrible library entrance into oncoming...unyielding...speeding...traffic. I was struck in the direct middle of my Jeep, damaging both doors and significantly damaging the horizontal frame bar that goes between them. I had USAA, my save me from this deployment hell with no one to call for help, representative on the phone before I even turned the engine off in the driveway I pulled into. The guy in the 87 Buick that hot me was obviously fine and cussing in the parking lot adjacent to mine. The USAA guy gave me a claim number and made sure Hazel and I were "OK". We were both fine but my neck was feeling potentially sore but it all ended up fine. As I figured out where to take the truck (obviously to the same Jeep dealer that I bought the truck from 4 months ago and had in the body shop 4 days after I bought it for $4000 of hail damage repair due to a very unfortunate storm here in Jacksonville). So after I received my $139 citation and felt guilty enough about that (I have not had a ticket since High School (although I have been in a few accidents...random), I drove the truck to the dealer and dropped it off so it could wait for the adjuster. I was reminded at that time that I have a $500 deductible which I was fully aware of because I paid it on the hail repair. I was also reminded that we had declined rental car coverage when we bought the policy. I do recall the rep saying that I could add it at any time....what was he suggesting? So, I rented a smelly, crappy compact car and drove home in despair. The car for 4 days was around $120. Since then I have been borrowing my in-law's minivan because they are in South Africa. It has been two weeks. Now, however, they are due to return and Lee is coming home for 4 days prior to going to Iraq. I spoke with the body shop today apparently the truck should be repaired by December 4th! What? You have got to be kidding. So I looked up the estimate from USAA...and they are right. 21 working days. December 4th. I need a car for the next three weeks. Lee and I sold his car prior to deployment. I looked all the deal I could through USAA, AAA, Military, Mayo Clinic etc....easily another $600. That bike rack will not be happening even when I do get my truck back.
Everyone thinks it is so great when you have a spouse go to Iraq because you apparently make a ton of $$. However, we currently bring home $600 less from Lee and $400 less from me and I pay $200 more a month for childcare because he is gone. Today, I put the dogs in the Kennel for 3 days because I work and will not be able to take them out on these days and they would be in for over 12 hours--so that is another $100. So, it is not as if I do not have money. We are eating well and doing fun things. We spent the day at the zoo today and I am able to buy the kids the cloths they need as they grow out of everything etc.....but when something like this car situation comes up----it sure makes me feel for the soldier family. The stress and anxiety that deployment brings to the home financially is just as large as it is emotionally.
I did pull myself together tonight and add rental to my auto policy. It was only like $18 per 6 months. Now I have to get the guts to call the USAA rep and ask if it can be applied to the current claim. Is this a form of a pre-existing condition? And if it is I will need Obama to help me convince the rep that he should let me use it anyway. At least for half of the time I am out of transportation. Don't you think?
Did I mention that I have phone anxiety? Strange. I know..I am a never at a loss for words but I will do ANYTHING in my power to not call and sort business or order food on the phone. I find it very stressful. But without Lee I will have to do it. I usually pass it to him because it is so horrifying for me. But if I don't do it. It won't get done.
We are looking forward to his 4 day visit. He looks really tired on skype and is currently sleep deprived. He wants a bath. the kids and I cleaned the bathrooms so he can have a good, clean bath. We bought him a leg of lamb and some beers.
Liam is just realizing that Dad arrives late on Sunday and leaves on Wednesday. So, with school, he won't really see him much. I am torn with how to handle this. Missing school is stressful for the kids with the amount of work they doing right now. Especially Liam and his writing. Hazel can't and won't miss her patrol/techno cat responsibilities. It will be difficult. So see him just a little and have to say adios again until next October.
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