Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Today the sun is shining

Lilac buds
When I stepped off the bus today on my way back from town, I saw that the lilac buds have increased in size overnight. At this rate, it won't be more than a week before I see the first blossoms. Yes, spring is definitely busting out all over around here. I'm hoping it won't be long now before the snow is gone from the East Coast, too. It's crazy to see the difference in weather patterns between the coasts for the foreseeable future. Take a look at this:
Climate Prediction Center's temperature outlook for USA
Yikes! It looks like it will be warm and dry here for the next week or so, although we have rain predicted for tomorrow, it will remain warmer than normal. Sorry to see those below-normal temperatures just where they don't need it.
A little snip
Although I was assured by the claims adjuster that my car is safe to drive, it worried me to have that piece sticking out from the right side like that, so I was hesitant to drive it anywhere. My fisherman friend Gene was kind enough to cut off that offending snag hazard, and now I feel much better driving it. It just seems weird to me that it will be an entire MONTH before it could be fixed by Olsen Auto Body here in Bellingham. They received the payment from my insurance company on March 10th.

If my car had been unusable, they would have fixed it sooner. At least now I'm more comfortable driving it around. People still look at me funny as I drive by, though.
:-)

23 comments:

  1. at least your bumper is no longer waving hello! :)

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  2. I suspect that less people are looking at you funny than you think. Have you noticed how many cars have a 'bingle' or two on display. Some of them MUCH worse than yours.
    Yay for lilac. Such a beautiful scent. And colour.

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  3. Surprisingly we are seeing signs of spring all around here - even though the weather has been saying different. It gives me hope that winter is pretty much over and done with.

    I know it's frustrating that it's taking so long to get your car fixed. But it sounds like they are dealing with the worst cases first.

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  4. I guess the auto shop is very busy...Around here the first signs of spring are peeking through the dirt. More than ready for the first flowers of the season!

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  5. Yea! We have sunshine too (and rain, but that's OK).

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  6. I can't believe lilacs in bud already!

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  7. If your car had been undriveable , would they give you a rental car?

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  8. Maybe they had to order parts. I would make sure that I was on the waiting list in case someone cancels an appointment. Seems like along time to wait. Yeah for Gene ...getting rid of your snag:)

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  9. Sigh.....the "winter that wasn't" continues in the PNW.....

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  10. DJan - Ya gotta think why people are looking at you as you drive by - they're thinking "Oh Yeah that's that senior that jumps outta planes" - that's what they are thinking. ha,ha Gene did a good job. Did he ever get another parrot? Have a wonderful day.

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  11. Phew, sure looks hot for the west and even Alaska.. Hope the map is wrong for your sake.
    Nice and neat job Gene did. Hope that makes you more comfortable driving.
    We had a beautiful day and I got in a lot of first time yard work. I always forget how much everything hurts the next day. Can't wait to shed my winter softness.

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  12. Sorry about your car situation, it's always an annoyance. We have had two encounters with deer on separate occasions, requiring the car to be in the shop for a bit. I can almost smell those lilacs. We have the mountain laurels here in Texas, but their tender buds were nipped by a frost. Not sure if they will come out, but they look lots like lilac blooms. Have a great day!

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  13. Maybe they think--oh!oh! I'll stay out of her way! And that is a really good thing--LOL! Keep those crazy drivers on their toes. ;)

    Looks like we might just warm up a little according to your weather map. Maybe not much, but some. I love the smell of lilacs in the spring!! :)

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  14. We had the same problem with our daughter's car. The insurance company paid promptly, it took them 3 weeks to repair the car.

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  15. Wow, your weather is warming fast !
    Is there anything more lovely than the smell of Lilacs in Spring :)
    Good luck with your car repairing, I 'spect they didn't want to refuse getting the insurance money, so you went on a waiting list .
    ~Jo

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  16. I felt for you with your car DJan. I hope you soon get it repaired. Our lilac is a little behind yours, but like you I can't wait to see it again.

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  17. Sure wonder why it's taking so long to get your car fixed? Maybe there are fewer body shops in your neck of the woods than in other parts of the country? Or, is that your insurance company will only use that particular company?

    Although 3A lets us pick the shop, they highly recommend a couple of spots here in Fresno. One is really top notch so I've taken my car there twice to be fixed. Both times, though, 3A has offered a rental car as it's part of our coverage. We have Terry's car as backup so I never take the rental.

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  18. That was a great way to fix the bumper.

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  19. Who cares how people react!!!!?! There are worse, and a lot more dangerous cars on the road!!!

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  20. It always gives me the creeps to drive a damaged car, even one that is not damaged that much, so I know how you feel.
    Anyway, it is so good to see that it was warming up there where you live.

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  21. You're so lucky. Our snow is melting but not fast enough considering at one point we had a base of at least 6'.

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  22. Hope you get your car fixed soon. Our car insurance or the other car's insurance always pay us directly. We then pay the car shop...

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  23. It is bummers when our cars get banged up. I hope they do a fabulous job on your car, DJan.

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