Car Insurance...again

I'm alone when I write my blog. I know nobody reads it. So it's strange when I get comments from "electronic voices" out there. I call automated type messages - "Electronic voices". Its probably a computer picking up key words and sending automated responses.

I had three response notifications in my email today. When I looked at them they seemed to be dated from months before, but only came in my inbox today. The lady that I am, I attempted to thank them for their comments, but it wouldn't go through...spooky...

I have come some way in dealing with insurance renewals....be it Car or Home or any other. I made a sheet of sorts containing blank fields pre-filled with information that was permanent...such as Make and model of car, date purchased, number of years at address etc. It made things very simple.

Then I used 2 search engines to enter the information. I chose the top two reputed companies on the list, went to they websites and got direct quotes from them as well. It didn't take very long and I renewed quite easily.

Two things Ive learnt. First I no longer go with the cheapest company. One year, I had a query with my 'online-only' company and didn't get to speak to any human at all. In the end even my query wasn't answered satisfactorily. I ultimately had an email with printed jargon that wasn't good enough. So now I go for reasonably priced companies which have people I can speak to.

By the way, this year some tax has gone up, and all quotes I received were dearer than last year..made me very annoyed. In the end I stuck with the renewal quote from my existing insurer.

Finally, I still haven't managed to figure out how to fill air in the car tyres. Prince Charming who I married 16 years ago still hasn't taught me either. Im not happy with myself, but hey...Im still a Spectacular Mummy to Tara...so minor lapses are forgiven. :-)

I love you Tara..8 years old, and a pleasure to raise. Every Mum should have one of you to know how easy it can be to raise a child...almost as easy as renewing insurance ;-)

Scott Dinsmore

A few hours ago, I had never heard of Scott Dinsmore. I came across him while reading someone else's blog. With the power of the internet, in a matter of minutes, I knew Scott, his wife, his parents and saw happy pictures of a man who seemed to deeply inhale his life...not just live it.

Scott, rest in peace you happy soul. I didn't know you, but in a matter of hours, can feel your presence and your grace. You lived your life beautifully for 33 years. Thank you for inspiring me. I'm still lost,  but I promise I won't stop trying...

Off on holiday!!

We are off on our Disney holiday...

Im nervous travelling with Tara, but not displaying any emotion. I think Tara is now so psychologically affected with her vomiting and travel sickness (like me) that she feels ill as soon as she gets in the car.

Fingers crossed this trip will go better than the last.

I had a hairdresser come home and trim and re-shape my hair. She was very sympathetic...and horrified when I showed her old pictures of my scalp and the trauma I suffered. She did exactly what I wanted and I now have tidy hair :-) Watch out Prince Charming..here I come !! (Not The Husband...I mean the real Prince Charming)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Warrior-Ladies out there. What we do is often unacknowledged and unaccounted for,  but most of us do it with enormous pride and love.

The Husband is booked on a weekend out of town (Yes..I know..don't get me started on that), so it's business as usual this Sunday morning. Tara woke up and came into my room armed with hand made objects of art. There was a bit of desperation about her as she presented me with her favourite raggedy pink satin ribbon and blue stick on jewel. She looked around her room and looked for anything else that would make me a good present. I stopped her, gave her a big hug and said I was very happy with her presents and didn't need more than a lovely hug and a kiss.

I got a few hugs and kisses then she went to her money box, emptied out a handful of coins and asked me to spend it! I politely declined saying she was very generous but I couldn't accept them as she was my little girl and I was happy just spending the day with her. Still not satisfied, she sat on the edge of her bed-thoughtful. She said, she would eat just bread this morning-not toasted, and dinner also should not be cooked by me, as it was Mother's Day and I shouldn't have to cook.

In all her little gestures, I understood that SHE understood and was aware of everything I do for her. What better gift could I ask for? That understanding and thoughtfulness.

There was a call from The Husband for Tara that had her rummaging somewhere in her room. She emerged triumphant with a box of chocolates for me, and a chocolate cake, (a day past its best by date) for us to share. She relaxed visibly, and I gushed about how I appreciated all this but my favourite was still the card and art she made herself.

Tara gave me a warm hug and we went down for breakfast together. Perfect.

Hell on wheels

I hate sitting in the car when The Husband drives. We are two people with two different driving styles.

I am completely defensive. I let crazy people overtake me, I slow down at amber, and I press the brakes gently with adequate distance between the vehicle in front of me. The Husband gets into a hissy-fit if a crazy driver cuts in, he feels that amber means hurry-the-hell-up-and-get-through, and he hits the brake when he can probably see the grey hair of the passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle ahead.

Yesterday as I got in the car with Tara and him, I tried my best to relax. I turned on the radio, pulled the sun visor down (to see as little as possible) and tried to day dream looking out of my side of the window. I was nervous. A few minutes later as we curved around a roundabout at good speed, I suddenly saw my gazing eyes blur as the traffic lights gleamed bright red. I saw speeding cars get closer towards me. I let out a blood curdling yell, "STOP!!" The Husband hit the brakes, and nodded condescendingly at me when I screamed that the light was red. That was it. My mood fell at a steep angle..

It was a bad evening after that. I noticed the mess in the house, I could barely rustle up dinner for Tara and I had no tolerance of Tara's rolling eyes when I helped her with her school work. Finally I exploded into smithereens, dragged myself to my room - without any dinner got into bed and went to sleep at 9:00 pm - fully dressed in my jeans and jumper. It was the safest thing to do for all concerned.

Like the rest of our personalities our driving is as different as chalk and cheese. The one common factor we have is Tara. She has been created by taking the best bits out of two different people and making a near perfect child. Everyday she sets an example of how I think I should behave...except the odd days when she is coming down with a bug and behaves not-so-perfect :-)

I woke up today, quiet. I completed the daily routine and prayed like hell as The Husband took Tara to school.