Wednesday 6 February 2008

Somebody Likes Me

I have some catching up to do. First, some very kind people have given me awards. Kelly and Debio have given me this award:



And -ann gave me this award:




Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I shall ponder who next to bestow these on.

In the meantime let me tell you what's been happening. I had a lovely lunch and walk with Pixie yesterday. She wanted to see my beach (well, it's not "my" beach but you know what I mean). But our glorious morning turned to rain so we went to the park instead. Then, as happens so frequently in this country, it cleared up a bit so we went to a part of the beach. Sadly, though, I don't think she got to see it at its best. Next time, Pixie.

I also have been trying to deal with insurance companies. Maddening! They won't be able to take our car in for repairs till tomorrow. And they wouldn't authorise a hire car till late yesterday, which would be replaced tomorrow anyway by a courtesy car. They haven't bothered to contact the independent witness to the accident and are saying they're going to accept dual liability. I lost it on the phone and told the guy that while I'm sure this is just a routine thing for him, it has been very stressful for our family and that my husband and daughter could have been killed in that accident had my husband not been such a good driver. That shut him up.

There have been quite a few near-misses lately in my life, what with my mother's mammogram, the accident, my husband's job (which is still up in the air), my dog nearly running out into the road yesterday. Someone is trying to tell me something, I think. And I think it's about my priorities and what's important in life. I thought I had those straight in my life but maybe not.

I've been flitting around different blogs that participate in Fun Monday. It's been very interesting to read others' Bucket Lists. Many (mostly American) have said they'd like to live in another country. That ties into a post I've been working on about my immigration experience, which I will post tomorrow. Living in another country can be a daunting experience, much more difficult than you can imagine. Of course, it all depends on why and how long you plan to live there. I wouldn't say I went in with my eyes wide open. No, they were covered by my idealistic, lovelorn, rosy-coloured glasses, which got ripped off pretty damn quickly. But enough. Stay tuned to tomorrow.

14 comments:

Vi said...

Congrats on the awards! (I've gotta do mine tonight).

He, no one is trying to say anything, if they were, these things wouldn't be 'near misses'.

It all works out in the end.

Flowerpot said...

well done on the awards wakeup! Well deserved. And hope the near misses carry on being that.

laurie said...

a series of near-misses is definitely sobering and food for thought.

and i'm one of the zillions of fun monday-ites who said they'd like to live abroad. so i do look forward to what you have to say about it.

(do you ever read iota's blog? not wrong, just different? quite interesting perpsectives on life in america by a brit.)

DogLover said...

Insurance companies!

Got my new documents today, having renewed my car insurance for a year. Seven sheets, printed on both sides. Eventually I found the only bit I wanted - the certificate of insurance.

It was for a month only - no explanation. So I rang the company. "We always send you a certificate for a month - it's while we note in our records that you have paid the year's premium", said the girl. "We'll send you the certificate for the full year in a day or so".

I said that that was not explained in any of the 14 pages they had sent me. "Well, it's true," she said. "I suggest you make it clear in the documents", I said, "It would save people being puzzled, like myself, and it would save you from getting unnecessary enquiries".

She said she would tell her team leader, obviously having no intention of doing so. So I asked her her name; maybe that will make her do so!

I feel a little man again, as I always do when confronting these superior beings!

Kim said...

I'm really interested to hear about your experience living there. I have always wanted to live in England, even more so after visiting.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Hey VI: Yeah, I guess it does work out eventually.

Flowerpot: And I hope next week when I'm skiing, there are only near misses.

Laurie: Yes, I read iota's blog once in a while. You should read enidd, also an ex-pat living in San Francisco. She's a hoot.

kaycie: Hmm, well you'll just have to read it.

-Ann said...

Ooh, I am very much looking forward to tomorrow's post!

the rotten correspondent said...

Congrats on the awards! You totally deserve them.

I'd be very interested in your perspective on living in a different country. I'm sure you have lots to say!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

-ann and RC: I hope it lives up to your expectations.

Expat mum said...

The biggest shock to me is that you think you're moving to a not-so-different place and then discover that we really don't even speak the same language!

jenny said...

Catching up on your posts and I am so so so glad that everyone has gotten through their near-misses in good form. A little worse for the wear, but otherwise ok. Things like that certainly do put things into perspectives and make you want to change things in your life.

I'll be thinking of you and your family and pray only good things to come for you all! A start was that nice award for you!! Congrats!

Keeping It Real said...

I was gonna pass on that E award. Oh well. I need to widen my circle of bloggy friends.

Congrats anyhow. You certainly deserve it.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

doglover: Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out. Who works for these insurance companies anyway?

Expatmum: Oh, yes. The language. There'll be a whole post on that.

Jenny: Thank you, sweetie. You are so kind.

Fire Byrd said...

It was a great lunch and I really enjoyed meeting the gorgeous Jake. Hope he didn't suffer too much as a result of the enormous walk he ended up having.
Looking forward to next time !
pxx