Sixth Time Not the Charm

What a couple of days. Yesterday, I took the day off to visit my parents and help with some yard work. It was hot and humid. Especially when the trusty ole Probe stalled on blacktop on my way down there in the morning. Waited for the tow truck for 45 minutes when it magically started again. So I finished the drive.

Decided to drive it back home despite its unreliability because the auto shop I go to is closer to me than them. It stalled. On 35E. After 45 minutes, while again waiting for a tow truck, it started. Poof. So I started moving again, hoping it would keep working, as in the morning.

But it didn't. And traffic was backed up due to construction (on 35E, at 9:30 at night). So when it died this time, I was not moving and could not get on the shoulder. Fortunately, the construction had just changed the traffic pattern and instead of using only the lane I was in, they changed it to using only the other two lanes. Phew.

Unfortunately, it was dark, and some idiot nearly nailed me anyway. So instead of waiting more than an hour for the tow truck AAA was arranging for me, I called 911 and patched me through to the State Police. They sent a cruiser to push me off the road for safety and called a different tow truck that would get there faster. The officer was quite friendly and waited there until the wrecker arrived to offer more protection against drunks or other idiots who might hit me.

Got towed to the auto shop, where Michelle came out at 11:00 to pick me up and transfer my stuff to her car. This morning, I woke up after barely sleeping and developing a huge headache. Drove up to the shop to drop off the keys to the car and explain that if it was going to be a spendy repair, we'll opt not to do it and get rid of the car.

Driving back in Michelle's car, I was sitting at a traffic light when I was confused to see quarters from the center console hit the dashboard. I think my brain heard it, then saw it, and puzzled over it until I realized I had just been rear-ended. Again. Happened 14 months ago to me in the Probe. This is now my 6th auto accident (I was responsible for only 1 but was driving for 3 of them).

The woman who hit me (she was probably mid twenties) looked fairly scared. I was shaky, having started with a headache and now having too much adrenaline in my body. We pulled off, called the police, and exchanged info. Had to wait awhile, so we talked. She was friendly, apologized, and actually thanked me at one point for not yelling at her. At that point, I was closer to just crying because everything auto-related seems to be falling apart in my life.

The St. Paul police officer arrived, was incredibly friendly and gave us a case number. So I called into work, came home, and laid on the couch with Harley for the day. Took pain killers, buried my head under the pillow and listened to the Director's commentary on Transformers. Feeling better now. Not great, but better.

It helps to have Michelle be incredibly supportive over the last 2 days and my family being there whenever I need them. So thanks. I'll try not mess up any (more) of your vehicles...