If it wasn't for BAD LUCK I would have no luck at all --SUCKS

[radfringe]

Laid off a week or so ago. Our Dog rips a nail off at the pad (requires vet visit) and now I TOTALED MY CAR

On the way to the vet's office this morning, I stop at the stop sign, check the road, start going across and some guy comes flying down the hill (No stop sign on his side of the road - so he had the right of way)

CRASH! front end of my car hanging off, frame bent - 10 year old car, cost more to fix than it's worth. Stupid me took the collision insurance off a year ago because I couldn't afford the premiums, so nada from the insurance company. (I'm fine, other driver fine, dog is fine - no one hurt)

Tow garage was nice, using some bailing wire they managed to secure the front bump panel back up so I could drive it home and avoid storage costs.

I DON'T NEED THIS - I REALLY DON'T NEED THIS. I have a very small amount of money in a 401k - was going to cash that out and use it to stretch my unemployment. Now I have to see about getting something to drive - so I can get to work (if the job comes through that I interviewed with last week) or to go out and apply for other jobs.

IT SUCKS!!! I'm really bummed out and can't stop crying. I DON'T NEED THIS - I REALLY DON'T NEED THIS.

Now would be a nice time to hit the lottery.... I just don't know what to do, I'm freaked -- and it's my partner that's dealing with this calmly - usually it's the other way around she freaks and I'm the calm one...

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. Have you applied for unemployment yet?

Good luck to you! ((((hugs))))

[radfringe]

2. yeah, I'm signed up already

got the confirmation letter etc.

[EstimatedProphet]

3. I'm sorry

It more than sucks being unemployed these days. I have only had my job for 6 months, and before that I was unemployed for over a year. Exhausted my 401K, savings, everything. I'm still getting caught up.

Keep plugging. You have to.

:hug:

[Carni]

4. I'm so sorry to hear this

I read this and I truly feel terrible for you.

I had a HORRENDOUS year last year, so I know exactly how you feel.

Just try to keep your spirits up and think of something pleasant -- like you weren't seriously hurt (I know that's small consolation)

You should be able to sue the other driver in small claims court and maybe recoup at least enough to get yourself another set of wheels. It might be worth a try!

On Edit: Damn I didn't see ethe part about the other guy having no stop sign.

[helderheid]

5. I am so so so sorry!

11 years ago I lost my job, divorced, and totalled my car (similar story) within a 3 month time frame. I then made myself sick as a dog for a month.

:hug:

[ninkasi]

6. I'm so sorry to hear this, radfringe

It really seems that sometimes, troubles multiply, and each new problem just makes the others worse. All I can do is to send you positive, loving thoughts. I really, really hope that things get better for you right away. :hug:

[WiseButAngrySara]

7. I know how you must feel. This is hard. But, you're still in the

running for the new job, you and your dog are OK as another poster pointed out, and maybe in a new cartoon you can use an actual photo of your car to depict the economy! The rear end can be B*'s perspective and the front end the rest of the sane world!

The best to you, and :hug:

[radfringe]

9. did a toon like that on the day I was laid off

[WiseButAngrySara]

21. I know! That's why I posted this. To get you to chuckle! ....n/t

[ThoughtCriminal]

8. If you Play a Country & Western Song Backwards

You get your dog back
You get your truck back
You get your job back
You get your wife back

[Mandate My Ass]

10. We must be born under the same unlucky star

I'm not trying to one-up you, honestly, just commiserate.

I also lost my job a couple weeks ago. Can't afford the COBRA. The only work I can get is bartending and I found out a few months ago I have arthritis and tendonitis in my ankles which makes standing in one place very painful. Doing heavy housework (daytime TV really sucks) I recently reinjured my neck where I had disc surgery years ago. I have to show up at work on Wednesday morning and work thru Sunday and I literally don't know how I'm going to do it. I can barely lift a can of soup and cases of beer are a lot heavier.

To top it off, my mom adopted my dog just a few weeks before I lost my job because I was working two jobs and never had time for her which made me feel guilty. Now I really miss her :cry:

[radfringe]

15. ditto for me regarding COBRA

sounds like we are both on PRAY-GO Health Plan -- Pray that you don't have to GO to the doctor

regarding your arthritis/tendonitis - have you tried the gel inserts in your shoes?

although I don't have those problems, I did work one summer doing trade shows for a small company - standing on my feet all day on concrete for two-three days at a time and I could barely put my shoes on afterwards. I used the gel inserts and had little to no problem after that

:hug: :hug: to you

[Mandate My Ass]

20. Actually I found some great shoes

The website is called Shoes for Crews and specializes in restaurant workers' shoes. I got a pair of Euroclogs for $50 and they are fantastic! The improvement was immediate and dramatic and they seem like they'll last forever.

Best of luck to you. I know it's not easy out there but maybe something better will turn up. :hug:

[radfringe]

25. thanks for the info on the shoes

have a friend in CA with real bad foot problems, and my partner's brother has problems with his legs

I'm sending them the website address - might be something they could use to help them out

[Norquist Nemesis]

11. So sorry to hear all this

FWIW, We're going through the same thing with our car. Ten year old car all paid off. Daughter took it out to go job searching, when a rabbit ran across the road she swerved and hit the curbed median. No one was hurt (not even the rabbit), but with the left-front wheen torn completely off, etc., the car was toast.

Even though we had collision insurance, the 'offer' was about $2800 after deductable. Luckily, our cats are fine but daughter goes to the dentist today and next week for fillings. :( I'll not go into all the other things that make it really, really hard day after day.

But, I'll keep the faith for you that you'll find something soon with regard to work and everything turns around for you. :)

[liberal N proud]

12. Hope your luck turns around.

Old wives tale, bad things happen in threes. Maybe you have had your three and things will get better now. Hope so.

[valerief]

13. Bootstraps. Neocons expect you to buy bootstraps.

Best of luck.

[NorthernSpy]

14. I'm sorry, Radfringe...

That DOES suck! Hope things get better soon.

:hug:

[Terri S]

16. OK Rad -- deep breath!

My Sicilian grandma told me bad luck comes in 3's! -- it's done for you! Now....

I've been pretty close to where you are now, and somehow it's worked out. You've got so much more going for you... you are so damn talented.. I just know it's going to be ok. So deep breath, hun... try to roll with this... I know that's tough.. but hang in there.. it's coming...



you've got people here cheering you on you don't even know about.

[radfringe]

17. cashed out my 2 very small IRAs

very small, but it helps a bit.

My partner said we will go look at cars this weekend, with no word on the job yet, our tentative plans are to put the car in her name, I'll fork over the downpayment from the IRAs, but I'm hesitant about saddling me (us) with a car loan at this time when there's really only one income coming in and it's really really paycheck to paycheck

[demnan]

18. I feel for ya, I've been there

unemployment is a laugh, it hardly covered my condo fees, I wrecked a car too one time I was out of work. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. You will get in a better situation. The important thing in the scope of all this is the dog. When the dog feels better, you'll be looking up. My cats and I are going to send some positive energy your way so you'll get that job. :hug:

[ChiciB1]

19. I'm So Sorry To Hear About Your Bad Luck... Unfortunately I Think

it's contagious. I WON'T go into mine, just wanted to wish you all the best. I would donate some bucks, but as you, my 401K took a BIG HIT recently because of some of "our" problems!!

And even though this may sound "sarcastic" it REALLY REALLY isn't... but for me, I just have to keep saying "I know I have it better than some" only because I do have "some" money left in our 401K!!

I will share one thought with you though... About a year & a half ago I lent money to two different families because they just weren't making it. Both families got more than $1500.00 each and I KNEW at the time that I would probably NEVER see the money back, but I thought I would try to be a "good" person and help them out. I can't say I'm sorry I gave them the money, but it did start something I never anticipated. Both of them call me all the time and ask for small donations all the time now and I just HATE turning them down. They know I saved some money and I KNOW they think I'm being selfish even when I try to explain what has happened to us since then. I need to keep what I have now because everything is so "scary" these days!

And as far as dogs go... I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN!! We love our dog like a child, but she's a chocolate lab and even though we give her the best of care... she's likes to lick everything and I've had to take her to the Vet THREE times in the last year because "somehow" she got a tapeworm. We have yet to find fleas around our house or ON HER, but as the Vet says, all she needs is to sniff one or lick one. The Vet thinks she must be picking them up on her long walks!! The pills alone cost $75.00 for 10!!! Living in Florida, I really don't want to think about the next 8 months of heat! We had NO WINTER and I just know we are going to be over-run by mosquitoes and fleas!!!

I did recently order some worm medicine from Pet-Meds that doesn't cost as much, just hope it works.

Sorry I got off the subject... it's been "bugging" me a bit!

I really hope things get better for you, we live on SS and my Disability and I KNOW it's getting worse everyday to survive!

[Nickster]

22. So sorry to hear, BUT remember, you're ok, your dog is ok. The car can be

replaced. Your health is the most important thing, the rest of it is just fleeting. Don't run out and buy anything too expensive, see if you can get a reliable "clunker" to get you through.

I say this as I've been trying to get all Zen today because I got notice that they are "assessing" the viability of keeping the office park where I work open. So in other words, I'm probably facing a layoff soon myself. After I turned down a good offer just about a month ago! :-)

[catmandu57]

23. That does suck

Great big green slimey ones. I hope you get the job you interviewed for, soon, you can't survive for long like this in bushworld.

[radfringe]

24. Thanks for your kind thoughts and support

When you get slammed like this it's just so overwhelming.

I did call my mother...no matter how old you get sometimes you just have to talk to your mommy... She was supportive, made me feel a bit better.

She said would tell my dad about my run of luck - I asked her to wait until he was in a good mood - not looking forward to a call from him, I could write the script

on the other hand there is that slim chance he may surprise me...maybe lol

[radfringe]

26. worked out a plan of action

If I get that job - then I'll look for a new car

If not, then I'll pick up something that will allow me to toodle around town for now

Meanwhile, my partner can catch a ride with a co-worker if I need a car, or I'll drive her to work...

[WilliamPitt]

27. You walked away from a wreck, your dog is alive, you are astonishingly employable,

...and you have a small galaxy of people here (like me) who adore and appreciate the gold you deliver to their lives.

Look into Zipcar and see if they exist in your town (Zipcar is a cheap short-term car rental company). Barring that, you might be able to barter a cheap rental out of whatever mechanic is fixing your car.

The rough spots come into our lives to make sure we fully appreciate the blessings we have all around us. You are one of my blessings. I'm sorry about your troubles, but if I know anything about Radfringe, I know this: ain't nothing gonna slow you up for long.

If I can help, let me know how.

[radfringe]

28. sadly the car is not worth fixing

frame is bent and the car is 9 years old, over 140k on it

and it had reached the point where it would soon start nickle/diming me with problems... If this job comes through, I would have needed something more reliable to drive up that big mountain - especially in the winter

ahh well - as Friedrich Nietzsche says: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

[radfringe]

29. just sent my resume out to another place

what the hell - right?

haven't heard from the other place yet - maybe today...

excuse any typos - typing with fingers crossed is difficult to master :D

[madokie]

30. Bummer,

if its any consolation, remember its always darkest before the dawn.

[lonestarnot]

31. Sounds like a crappy period to me.

But you never know what tomorrow holds. Hang in there radfringe, it will pass. Sending positive vibes! :hug: