We cleaned the remainder of the snow from the drive on Tuesday afternoon

 April 18, 2018 - Wednesday
29 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds
Pentoga Road

Thanks to all who expressed their concern for Sargie. She's just fine and mentioned yesterday that she has no unusual aches or pains. It appears my girl dodged a bullet in Monday night's fiasco.

My main goal Tuesday morning was to take the Kia to different auto body shops for estimates. It seems that even a cheap fix will be a fairly expensive one.

I could attempt to change the door and install the electronics myself and if all went well, would certainly save some big money, but a mechanic I'm not. I don't have the knowledge or confidence.

I talked to our insurance agent who wouldn't and couldn't guarantee me that my premiums wouldn't skyrocket even though a deer collision isn't considered a chargeable offense. Our former insurance carrier raised the rates a couple of years ago. When I asked why, they cited the fact that we'd had a deer claim FOUR YEARS prior. In fact, the only claim we've ever turned in was that deer collision. 

As Sargie said, auto coverage is about like health insurance. You're required to have it, but unless it's catastrophic, you can't afford to use it. 

Anytime the politicians and insurance companies work together, it's not going to turn out well. We have the worst of both in Michigan.

Sargie and I have about decided to get the Kia fixed right and made to look pretty.  Hopefully, our little car will survive for the next two and a half years until Sargie retires and ends her long daily commute. The car is in good mechanical shape, there's no rust, and we can't find a similar one in such good shape for what it would cost to have the Kia fixed.

It uses no oil, starts every time, gets between 35 and 40 miles to the gallon, and who knows, it could be around after Sargie retires and we'd still have it for daily use. Besides, it only has 200,000 miles registering on the odometer. We'd like to get at least half a million or more. 

So, I ordered four new tires yesterday and the body will be restored. As I told Sargie, I didn't really want to buy a new riding mower anyway. I've gotten used to repairing the old one.

In the grandbaby department, some great pictures have come our way over the past few days. The first two are of Wyatt and Ellie riding in their first competitive mountain bike race of the season on an eight mile course near their home in Connecticut.

Josh said both did quite well in the competition.

Here's the latest picture of ol' Wes. Matt says he's doing great and sleeps for as long as five hours a night.

Em and Ben are doing great and proud of their baby brother.

Note: a water pistol in each hand. That little guy wouldn't have ulterior motives, would he?

 I'm most proud of my oldest granddaughter, Abigail, who volunteered to help with Bennet and Emerson as Baby Wes adjusts to his new life. Luke drove Abba down to Matt's last weekend and giving up her spring break, is helping her Aunt Jess.

Finally, from out west in the Cowboy State, it appears that Grady's BFF, Isabella, is enjoying a nice spring day.

Sargie closes tonight and I'll go over this evening and ride back with her. I've laughed about there being two people in our household and owning three vehicles, but in our case, they come in handy. 

I'll go for my walk this morning then head into town, talk to the auto body man, and make arrangements to have the Kia restored. I hope to work on the bowl I started the other day and start a new project in the shop. It looks to be a busy day in the neighborhood.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The snow's not disappearing very fast.