Confused Woman!

After my car disaster last week, I was certain I was going into financial ruin and my insurance would go sky high as a result of the pillar incident.  But, as luck would have it, I talked to a co-worker who referred me to an auto repair shop where I met my Auto Angel.

Initially, he quoted me the same obscene amount to fix the car as the other shops did.  However, what he did do that the other shops didn’t do, was offer alternatives.  He offered to touch up the scratches for free if I provided touch-up paint, which I already had to fix previous nicks in the paint.

It was refreshing to have a retailer not only offer various solutions, but to help me for nothing. How many times I’ve felt taken advantage of in an auto shop because they assume I’m a woman and know nothing about cars.

This man not only saved me from spending a lot of money and paying higher rates, but also restored my faith in the belief that there are still good and honest people out there willing to help another human being.  After daily barrages of bad news and hatred, it’s nice to know there are still nice, decent men and women who care and want to lend a hand.

I have always been kind of klutzy.  Over the years, I’ve managed to trip over cracks, walk into walls, break something that’s “unbreakable”.  You get the idea.  These moments usually happen once in a great while.  However, this week, I was on klutz overload…and not in a good way.

It all started last Thursday in the middle of the night.  I had to get up to use the restroom and on the way, I managed to roll my ankle on a cat toy.  Not a ball, not an animal…it was the plastic stick that has a feather attached to it, which Maddie loves, and I now despise.

I woke up the next morning with my right ankle looking like an ostrich egg.  Not glamorous and very painful.  It was tempting to tell people I sprained it on mile 20 of a marathon or while I was jumping hurdles at a track meet.  Nope.  I sprained my ankle on a stupid cat toy.

At the same time, I also somehow managed to pull a cheek muscle…and not one of the cheek muscles on my face.  I have no clue what I did, but every time I would sit up or get out of bed, it would cramp up.  So, not only was I limping around with a bad ankle, I was also lopsided from a cramped cheek.

Yesterday, I was driving into the office late due to an appointment.  I always park in the same spot in the garage, which is at the end of the row.  An Audi parks next to me and usually leaves enough space between our cars.  Since I was not there, they decided to park closer to my space.

When I arrived, instead of just going over to a different spot, my stubbornness and cockiness got the best of me.  I knew I could fit into the space and not hit this precious Audi or the cement pillar on the other side.

Well, I did miss the car, but unfortunately, didn’t miss the cement pillar.  It managed to jump out at my vehicle and leave some nice scratches above my left-rear tire.  I was fit to be tied.  Ugh!!

Normally, my klutziness is just fun and dumb but this time, it hurt…my wallet.  Maybe I just need to stay home in bed surrounded by bubble wrap!

Is it just me, or is the summer flying by?  One minute, we’re happy there’s snow off of the ground and it stays light past 6pm, and the next minute it’s mid-July!  It’s seriously crazy.

My daughter was so pumped for summer at the end of the school year and now she’s asking when it’s time to return.  Not that the activities aren’t fun at the YMCA, but now that she’s going into third grade, it’s a big deal to head back to class.

I love the Minnesota State Fair.  Every year I’m so excited for it to start, fully knowing it means the end of summer.  I’m always pumped for the announcement of the new foods, which appears to start earlier and earlier (in my mind anyways).  We have barely finished last year’s new foods and beverages and now we’re looking forward to the next batch of caloric bombs.

It’s funny how in the spring we’re so desperate for warm temperatures but by mid-summer, we’re complaining about the heat.  We so quickly forget how a few months ago we were shivering and waiting for the grass to appear from under the snow.

If I had a magic wand, I would slow down the summer, starting now, and slowly enjoy every single moment, sight and smell.  I know soon enough, it will be fall, and we’ll wish for these long and “Minnesota-tropical” days.

Rochester Women Magazine invited me to join them tomorrow night from 5-7pm for the Aphrodisiac Attack Tasting Party.  The details can be found here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/260324080997573/.

If you’re in the Rochester area, it would be great to see you there.  It sounds like a fun event and I look forward to meeting amazing women and tasting awesome food.  I can’t wait to hear all of your online dating disasters and successes!