Wednesday, March 5, 2008

like a bad dream

Wanna hear a funny story?

Four days ago I wrote a little post about a roaring thunderstorm, and spring flowers, and the idea that spring really is coming.

When you read it, did you hear the maniacal laughter in the background? I somehow missed it, but truthfully I wasn't listening for it. I should have been, though. I'm sure it was there.

Wanna see the view out my dining room window? This is what it looks like right now...


And that is where the funny in this post ends. Yesterday we got about five inches of snow in about five hours. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to call yesterday's weather a blizzard. And in this lovely weather I got into the car to drive to the health clinic to hopefully get new medication for the Sinus Infection That Will Not Die. (This was the beginning, notice the date...) I could see to drive, and growing up in Michigan I certainly know how to drive in the snow...but it was very slippery. Very. I was not yet out of the apartment complex when I turned a corner, barely moving, and hit a slick patch. The wheels wouldn't turn, the brakes wouldn't brake, and my front driver's side tire banged into the curb.

I somehow managed to move the car out of the way. It can't be too damaged, I thought to myself as I struggled to make the car move and turn. I was barely moving. And all I hit was a curb. And I was fine, although a bit mortified that a seasoned snow-driver could do something so ridiculous.

Flash forward a bit to the Sergeant talking to the dealership, repeating to me what they say is wrong "so far": ...drive shaft, tie rod, tire, rim, power steering... And today we learned that if the frame is bent, which is entirely possible with all that damage, the car is totaled. Our 2007 Ford Focus, the car we've been driving for just about one year, might be totaled. Because I hit a curb. Going about 2 miles per hour.

It was a nightmare. The Sergeant had to bundle up the Little Mister (many, many thanks to Crazy Grandma Judi for the snow suit!) and hike down the very slippery, snow-covered hill to where I was with the car. We had to wait for the MP, go over it all with him, call a tow truck, call the dealership...a nightmare. When I was no longer needed I re-bundled the Little Mister and trudged back up the hill (In Baumholder, the hills are not alive. But they might kill you.), into the wind and blowing snow, carrying a twenty pound, screaming baby, with my body already weakened by the Sinus Infection That Will Not Die. Until yesterday I never fully appreciated the phrase "my lungs were burning."

See that sad, runny-nosed face? That was after our trek up the hill...

We made it up the hill and to our apartment, where I pretty much collapsed. And I'll fully admit this: after the accident, I wallowed. I was crabby about missing my doctor appointment, I was stressed about the car, and I was still sick. So I did nothing but the necessary mothering activities, and even many of those were handled by the Sergeant. I curled up on the couch, put M*A*S*H into the dvd player, and played my new computer game. When it was time I went to bed, although I couldn't sleep due to coughing fits...

But.

Today is better. We still have car troubles--obviously--but for now we have a rental and the rest is out of our hands. I got to the clinic this morning, where I was given stronger antibiotics and something to still this wretched cough. The Little Mister is taking a nap, I'm cozy in the house, and outside the snow has stopped falling.

And, somehow, I'm still hoping for Spring.

28 comments:

  1. Oh oh oh....I so hope your day is much better today dragonfly. Ouch.

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  2. that is awful! i'm so sorry this happened to you. i think everyone wants this dumb winter OVER no matter where we live!

    take care of yourself.

    Running on empty

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  3. Man.. this is just some AWFUL winter...

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  4. Poor you! What a terrible day that was.

    Spring is coming, though. It MUST be. Hang in there.

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  5. Take heart -- there is always one final storm before spring truly arrives. Of course, your encounter with that storm was not pretty...

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  6. Some days it's just not worth getting out of bed! I hope the new medication works! Feel better.

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  7. Ugh! Isn't it amazing how those low velocity accidents can cause tremendous damage? I hate that!

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  8. Oh my goodness! That was a BAD day! :(

    I am glad today is better...and hope that trend continues.

    But, honestly, he is so adorable that little boy of yours, I really couldn't concentrate on anything else. Sorry!

    Heidi

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  9. Ugh. That is a bad day. Stinking winter.

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  10. Oh you poor thing!! :(
    Do they have you on antibiotics for the sinus infection? I'm sorry you're still sick. :(
    And the car! That is crazy! Damn Fords. ;) Next time, buy a sturdy European car.
    I'm hoping Spring comes soon too!!

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  11. Okay, so I know your day was awful? But that was, like, a really well-written post. So at least you got something out of the day, eh?

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  12. Oh what an awful day and you still feel lousy, how miserable! I know you will not appreciate this comment but the picture is gorgeous of the weather, as is the one of little mister. Hoping the weather, your car news, and you start to look up and feel better.

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  13. That sounds like the day from hell pretty much. That sucks! Being home in Michigan wouldn't help get you any closer to Spring, I live in Ontario (hope skip and a jump from Michigan) and we got ANOTHER 15 cm of snow yesterday. I too am looking forward to Spring:)

    I hope you feel better today too:)

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  14. Oh no! How can a car be totaled after hitting a curb,?! That is insane. I'm glad it was "just" a curb though and that you weren't hurt.

    Here's to antibiotics and SPRING!

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  15. ohhh that sucks. I can't believe so much happened from a little bump. I mean, I can, but oh man!

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  16. WEll ... that was a truly bad day! I'm sorry about the car and the sinus infection - I hope the medicine helps and you get to feeling better soon. That's a precious picture of your little Sweetie! TAke care - Kellan

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  17. I so want spring to come. For you and for me.

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  18. I'm with you - can't wait for Spring. I'm glad youweren't hurt but I hate the fact that such a little bump could take out the car. Some days just suck!

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  19. Oh no! What an awful day. How aggravating that such a little bit of slipping may have done so much damage. Argh! And to be sick and miserable, to boot. I hope that you feel better soon, and that Spring springs quickly.

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  20. What a terrible day. I hope your medicines kick in and at least make you feel better physically.

    Your baby looks so sweet.

    Good luck with the car. That's crazy.

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  21. Oh GOSH, I'm so sorry. That sucks. And your CAR! Crappity crap crap. I hope you are feeling better, and that everything works out. Big hugs.

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  22. Glad you are ok. and as I read this I kept thinking "I hope Little Mister wasn't in the car!" And your hope for spring made me think of this:



    "Hope" is the thing with feathers—
    That perches in the soul—
    And sings the tune without the words—
    And never stops—at all—

    And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
    And sore must be the storm—
    That could abash the little Bird
    That kept so many warm—

    I've heard it in the chillest land—
    And on the strangest Sea—
    Yet, never, in Extremity,
    It asked a crumb—of Me.

    - Emily Dickenson

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  23. OH no. Poor Dragonfly. What a truly wretched day. I believe you were entitled to wallow. I hope you finally start feeling better SOON.

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  24. Spring is a tease. But if she weren't and we didn't get so desperate, we wouldn't love her nearly as well....

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  25. Oh no! Sorry about the car, and I hope your sinuses are better soon.

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  26. Sinus infections are horrid. Seriously horrid. And all that trouble!!

    I hope you get well soon.

    I live in the land of eternal Spring and Summer. Trust me, it's no picnic.

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  27. ugh. That just sucks! Hope you get it all figures out soon. It's always a pain to be without a car. (thank goodness for that rental!)

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  28. Oh, I'm so sorry for your horrible car-problems! I'm sorry you're still sick, too. Feel better--SOON!

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