Day 314 of 365: Oh Deer.....

There's Aggie, once again "hurt" because on our way to the pub quiz tonight (with Lucy and Chris in tow), a young buck ran out in front of the car. Its head smacked right into the headlight and bumper there, rolled up onto the hood a bit, and then skidded off to the other side of the road. If you click on the picture, you can see fur stuck in the car in two places.

I can't remember everything, because I closed my eyes thinking that the deer would come through the windshield and really hurt Ian and I.

After the guys examined the damage, we drove back to the house. Lucy drove the rest of the evening.

Buuutt....I managed to lock ourselves out of the house (had to go to the local pub to ask for a knife to break into our house. The barman said "Yeah right....you're going to go on a murderous rampage!"), then we did the worst EVER on the quiz last night. I think it was just because we couldn't think. My head kept bouncing from the deer to the car, and now I'm worried about how much the repairs are going to cost.

So hopefully tomorrow won't be as bad as today. And atleast we ended the evening on a nicer note because we ate some pumpkin pie.....

Day 311 of 365: Flying Purple People Eater...

Our car, Aggie, is back at the garage getting a few things fixed at the moment, and the guy we purchased our car from is letting us use this Rover that I named "The Purple Monster" until we get Aggie back.

The Purple Monster

It's not a bad car to look at, but it's INCREDIBLY basic.....and it's as noisy a lorry, not a car.

Oh well....HOPEFULLY will get Aggie back tomorrow...we miss her.

Our beloved Aggie

Come back to us soon, darling!

Day 286 of 365: Crash, Bang, Boom!

Tonight Ian and I went to IKEA to try and spend the rest of our gift card that his aunt and uncle gave us.

We picked up the new rug that you see above, but the most exciting bit of the evening was our minor car accident at a roundabout.

Basically, someone wasn't signaling when they were coming around, so Ian waited until they passed by. The woman behind us was watching this wanker drive as well, and thought that Ian and I were driving off as opposed to what we were really doing, which was still sitting there.

Next thing we know, BANG! into the back of the car.

We pulled into the bus stop that was nearby and go out to assess the damage. When it first happened I thought we were on fire, because I didn't know how far back the gas tank on the car is, and plus all I saw was steam coming from the exhaust.

Then, as I got out of the car, I called the people that hit us "fuckers," which was a bit dramatic, I know....but I was upset. Ian said while we were still in the vehicle "Well, I DID love this car..."

It was a young girl and her boyfriend that were in the car that hit us. She was quite relieved that no damage was done to either car. Ian and I did tell her though that we had a stiff back and headaches. We exchanged details, and drove off.

So now, we hope that we don't wake up with completely stiff necks tomorrow.

Day 177 of 365: For Christine

Ask and yee shall receive!

The sign that hangs in the back of our car so if I happen to goof up just a little bit while driving, people can understand. :)

And it's on the driver's side, Christine, so I can barely see it in the back window while driving. Just makes me feel a bit more relaxed on the road. Which is strange because it's just a little sign!

Although, I don't know about anyone else, but I feel that I drive better as an American than any of the elderly that are still driving. I mean, roundabouts have been around since the 50s...you'd think that they would understand them better than Americans do.

Day 148 of 365: "I Am Not a Crook"

Woke up this morning, all amped to have my first drive to ASDA to do the grocery shopping with my MIL, annnnddd......

....the car died AGAIN. *sighs* The thing is so incredibly stupid. I can now say I officially hate that car.

Now it looks like I'll probably have to take driving lessons again and learn how to drive a manual. Ian said atleast then we'd have more variety to choose from as well as a more reliable car. *sighs again*

But, on a plus note, look what I got in the post today!


So that's one down. Now I just need to wait for the FBI one, and the UK CRB, and I'm golden.

Day 112 of 365: Beep Beep, Beep Beep, YEAH!

We FINALLY got our car back from the shop/dealership today.

About a month and a half ago we traded in the BMW for the Clio above. It was difficult to get insured on the BMW since I'm American, so we got something smaller, more practical.

Well, needless to say, we were sold a lemon. When we test drove it, we smelled an awful burning smell. The dealer said they'd have that taken care of, it was some oil switch, and that was that. Well, after about two weeks of driving the car (which we only drove it a handful of times), the burning smell was still hanging around, and it was barely changing gear.

We took it to our friend Jon's place because he works for the AA and is a mechanic. He said we were low on transmission fluid. Jon filled it up, Ian took it out for a spin, and came back with the car smoking up a storm.

We had a leak.

Soooo....we took it back to the dealership, and after about a week found out that a band in the gear box had broken which was causing our leak. Since it was a warranty job, it took longer since the warranty company had to go to the garage and approve EVERYTHING that happened to the car.

So yeah...drove it back tonight and seemed all right. Ian said we'll probably have the burning smell for a bit since there was TONS of fluid all over the place, but at least now I'll get driving in again. Ian reckons after I go out a few times with him in the car, he'll be satisfied that I can drive on my own, but for now I'm only allowed to drive by myself locally, which I don't mind.

Buuuutttt....while we were there, look at what we found!


It's Simon's car (from The Inbetweeners)! I didn't think these things ACTUALLY existed, but apparently they do! lol

Oh, and heard from the nursing home today. The email said "No word yet but don't despair" so that must be a good thing.....

Day 11 of 365: I get by with a little help from my friends...

This here is some of the inside of my car. Took this photo while I was waiting for my friend Stephanie to meet me at Chipotle. The dashboard monk I bought in NYC with Steph, and the monkey I got from my best friend, Jessie, when I had my breast reduction surgery about 7.5 years ago.

Steph and I had a lovely catch up dinner. She asked me MILLIONS of questions (as usual), and she was mad that when I was going through my rough few months after getting back from England I didn't call her, but she understood.

And she got me lots of yummy chocolates for Christmas...which I MUST eat in moderation.