Urgh.

So, the ice storm was so pretty. The trees just glistened like they were made of glass. My favorites were the ones with the red berries still on them. It was like someone encased these trees in glass with these brilliant red berries glistening in the light.

Ahh, such a peaceful thought. Then the phone rings, and it's the insurance company, and I am on a wild chase to prove that I was not at fault for an accident involving a 16 year old boy and his buddies out joy-riding. Yes, I had just backed out of my driveway. I was not "backing out" I had just "backed out". My van was in drive, I just hadn't pulled forward yet. I'd cleared my driveway. I had the right-of-way flippity flapping ARRRGGHHH. I am printing pictures and taking measurements and doing recreations and everything. We've just got to recover our out of pocket losses and the only way to do that is to prove I wasn't at fault. Of course, the teen may do the right thing and tell the truth that he was out joy-riding and goofing around and all, but I'm not holding my breath. I'd bet money (if I had some) that he hasn't even told them. They'll find out the hard way, lol. I've already reported it to my insurance.

I'm picturing myself on Judge Judy pleading my case, lol. I'm pregnant, was going to the store for milk for my baby. The store is 2 blocks from my house and I am an experienced winter weather driver having grown up in Colorado. My husband was at the door watching because I knew that anyone coming down the street would need extra time to stop. I had clear sight up the street because my neighbor's car was not parked where it normally is. In fact, there were no vehicles on my side of the road 2 houses up. There were vehicles behind me on the other side of the road which is why I pulled out at the angle I did, so I didn't hit them or slide into them. The front door where my dh was standing afforded him clear sight over the top of our vehicle since our house is above driveway level. The front of my van had just cleared my driveway but had not quite cleared the sidewalk. It would have been close though. I have debris in the street as well as photos of the skid marks of his vehicle and drive marks of mine. It's clear where contact was made based on the pictures. I had the right of way. He was going too fast, especially for the conditions. He applied the brakes and slid 20-30 feet before hitting me. Under normal conditions he would have been fine, but with 6 inches of slush/ice the consistancy of a snow cone on the road, he was going too fast.

Man, my kids are only getting gifts this holiday because of the Adopt-A-Family program. This is our only vehicle. We are both students and my dh is full time and almost finished. We have no money. Our bank account is -$437. Yes folks, that's a negative symbol in front of it. I can't afford the $20/day to get a rental vehicle that will seat us all, but I can't afford to not have any transportation either. I can't afford the $250 deductible either. I can't cancel the mini-vacation we're going on in less than 2 weeks or we lose the money. Might as well go, except we have no VAN! It's almost comical. Perhaps another cup of coffee will make things better. I'm out of chocolate, that would really help.