Poor, poor Petra.

So, apparently when the city decides to build a new roundabout out of concrete they are forgetting that we get ice in the winter and concrete has no texture to help provide traction. Drive to work Monday morning was cold and there was a bit of frost on the ground here and there, but the roads were dry. Until entering this  poorly designed roundabout with two lanes to enter from one side, but only single lanes the rest of the way around, very faint lines to designate these lanes, confusing and little signage to explain it and a sudden change from normal, dry asphalt to slick concrete.

I was happily about to exit this roundabout, when a fellow entering from another street hit the concrete and although he was on his brakes, they weren't doing anything for him and the front left corner of his Bronco invaded the personal space of Petra's front passenger door. My first thought was "Yay, Volvo!" as one of the reasons we selected it was for it's safety ratings and I have a simple bruise on my knee and no other injuries. I also drove away from the scene (after given permission from the officer of course) and got myself to work while the owner of the Bronco had to wait for a tow truck.

Arranged to have it towed to a body shop while at work (because I wasn't really keen on driving it around more in the state it was in.) and worked out the rental car details, had Enterprise pick me up from work and drove home a beauty of 2013 Mini Cooper. I am already attached to the little thing, named it Petri, and pretty sad that I have to give it back. (I keep telling Ed that we're going to trade Mini's with other owners around town, so that we get to keep one and they have to return one.) It makes the cutest little sounds at me, has a Start Engine button push, two sun roofs, and more storage space in the back than I expected (although it's still not a lot). Ed has a swim meet out of town next weekend and I am trying to convince him to take the Petri for a road trip but he's pretty set on taking Hans.

In less fun news, we found out Wednesday that the damage to Petra is over half of what she's worth (by just $70) so the insurance has decided she's totaled. Ed and I are going to get my stuff out of her tomorrow, try to pull out the new CD player, and the new tires, and the new battery, and hopefully be able to siphon out some of the $60 of gas I had just put in not 5 minutes prior.

We've been doing a bit of car shopping, mostly just browsing to see what I like and such. Can't buy anything anything we settle with the insurance company and get the loan taken care of. I've been trying not to think too hard about it because I don't want to get attached to car but not be able to buy for a week or two and have it gone by then.

Besides being in my first car accident ever in my life, and getting to drive my dream car around for a while, the week has been uneventful. Nothing remarkable happened at work. I finally bought my own pair of goggles to swim with, so I'm not using Ed's any more. Still swimming at least twice a week. I'd like to go up to four nights a week, but currently around two or three. KD and I have started "Pedometer Races" each day since I did a fancy pedometer a week ago at work. She usually wins.. but after a month of these races, she's going to swimming in the evenings as well.

Also in the swimming world, I told the head coach that Ed works with that I'd be willing to maintain the team website for her. Since it hasn't been updated in over a year. Apparently they are about half way though a contract with Go Daddy which is fairly cheap and not so great so I don't know exactly what all I'll be able to accomplish with it, but mostly I just want to find a way to be involved and help out with the team so I thought that would be something I could work on.

Now that Ed has the coaching and lifeguard tests and such behind him, he's working on training for a lifeguard supervisor position. There are a couple of lifeguards who have given their notice and leaving soon so there are spaces opening up, but I also  happen to know that the supervisor position isn't usually offered until after life guarding for a year. March will be Ed's 6th month working there so it's pretty exciting. Swim team practice is amping up with an extra hour in the afternoons for all the meets coming up, also many of the older kids were at State competitions last weekend and sectionals last month. He's also going to have some morning lessons start up again in a week or two. Things are continuing to move along nicely for him at work.

As I type, I'm in the middle of crafting (waiting for paint to try). Trying to make some cute picture frames to take to work. My inspiration comes from a "frame" I found on Etsy that looks simple enough to recreate. The wood plaques I got are, not as fancy. Just cheap little things from Walmart. I've painted up the edges and will soon be adding scrapbook paper. A few weeks ago I ordered 4 x 4 prints of some of my favorite Instagram pictures that I plan on using. All I need to do is put it all together, and get some of those metal clips to attach. And looks up how to make some Mod-Podge at home. Which I think I know how to already but should double check.

Well.. I suppose that's all. I have more I could ramble on about, but I think this is long and rambly as it is.. so I'll save it for the next update. :) Perhaps the next one will be a little more focused and organized.