Deja'vu

DEJA'VU

PART I

On Saturday morning I left the northwoods to travel down to my family's home. I wanted to leave Friday, but my dad said there was a bad snowstorm and to either leave Thursday after school let out, or Saturday. Not exactly what I waed to hear, ... but he's dad so how can I argue??It was a little frustrating b/c where I was we received very little snow, so it was difficult to comprehend that south of me there were mountains and mountains of snow. Everyone was telling me to drive carefully - which I had all intentions of doing, b/c this is a long break so I really wasn't in any great hurry.I got about 1 1/2 hours from home when it happened yet again. I got into wreck #4!!

It's 2 months shy of being 2 years from my last car accident, and 5 days shy of my 2 year anniversary of my initial car accident. If that doesn't make sense to you - I was in 2 car accidents within a month and about a week of each other.

Looking back to Saturday, I know I could have done nothing differently. It would have been easier if I would have been doing something stupid like changing radio stations or not being alert, but that's not the case. I was coming into a bigger city, in the middle of a freeway interchange, and decided to go 5 miles under the speed limit b/c it wasn't a nice divided hwy anymore -- which is what I love to travel on. A pack of 8 plus cars passed me and I thought, why is everyone always in a rush to go nowhere. And right then I noticed break lights all turn on simoultaneously, followed by swerving, and 3 cars trying to share 2 lanes!!! Oh boy!! I tapped my brakes, merely to slow down b/c I honestly thought I was going to avoid collison impact b/c I had such a great distance between me and then. But what happened next was only partially true of my initial thought.

When I tapped my brakes I didn't realize there was a patch of black ice (that's the only thing I can figure, b/c to this moment I never saw it), and all of a sudden it was like I was in an action-packed car scene of a Bourne movie or something. In a matter of seconds - which at times felt like a fast version of slow-motion ... if that makes any sense - I started out fishtailing really big, then going sideways, and then into a full 180. It was a very sereal, out-of-body experience. I sat behind my steering wheel not knowing what my fate was going to be. I pretty much knew something was going to come in contact with my car - but I did not know how severe it was going to be. It felt like a couple of seconds before something hit me and I stopped watching the roadway spinning all around me.

There were no cars directly beside me, and the ones that were behind me stopped completely - they were far enough away where they could see me start to spin and they were able to stop. I'm glad they did, b/c by the time my car stopped, I was facing them head-on!! I motioned with my hand that I was going to turn around so then I would be facing the right direction - but I didn't know where to go from there. I didn't know if I should get off the freeway and assess my vehicle or what b/c there were no other cars that I came in contact with. All of my other accidents were at the fault of others so I just always had to wait around for the police. This was kind of a solo deal - in a sense!

After I got my car facing the right way, and started down the road again I noticed 2 cars pulled over. I thought - nope - I am pulling over, b/c $10 says these cars are what started the initial brake tapping!!So I pull over. There's one car in front of me, and one car facing the wrong way with 2 guys standing behind it. The car in front of me didn't seem to be damaged. The car beside me had a semi-teppeed hood. One guy was dressed for the cold weather (single-digits!), the other had on a zip-front hoodie, shorts, and sandals!!! ??? I don't care if you're just going down the street - you never know what's going to happen and should dress according to the weather. I didn't get out at first b/c drivers didn't seem to notice that they should slow down. We're on a bridge of sorts, with 2 lanes of traffic heading south, and very, very, VERY little shoulder space. Finally I crawled over to my passenger's side and opened that door to get out.

Upon opening that door I heard a band of snakes all around me!! What?? OH NO!!! My TIRES!! I jump out, and right before my eyes by round tires are depleating rapidly!! :( *sniff* Not just one, both the front and rear!! Double Sniff Sniff!! All I could do is shake my head and say - oh this is NOT good!

I pulled out my boots, heavy coat, hat, and gloves and started dressing for the low temps. Then I went to the front of my car which was directly across from the 2 guys across the 2 lanes of traffic. I noticed one of them had a cell - so I skipped the introductories (I thought we could save those for later) and asked them if they had called the police. Sandal boy says - and I quote - "I Don't Know Their Number"! Mentally I shut my eyes, rolled them, and shook my head. Physically I acted unphased and said - did you try calling the operator. I thought - how can you forget the number to 9-1-1?? I didn't think it necessary to call 1-800-car-wrek to get the weekend police but whatever, I wasn't the one with the phone so I didn't think I had the 'right' to say anything.

I went back to looking at my car. Ohhh the sadness and heartbreak. Besides my now ground touching rims, my rear bumper was detatched, the side was smashed in going to my gas tank - which made it look funky. I couldn't tell if the gas cover was messed up, or if everything around it was messed up and it was sticking out regular or what. ?? Both my doors seemed to open ok, and I didn't see any damage to them. Of course it was hard to tell with frozen tears going down my face. They weren't "pity party" tears, they were "I am freezing out here" tears! Then I went to the front. Part of my wheel well was hanging down, and on the front bumper an underlining of sorts was hanging down. By the headlamps there were also issues. My rear lights were still intact which amazed for everything else that I saw that was wrong. I only saw one cracked and broken reflectore/light - it's hard to describe b/c it's not a standard vehicle light - it was actually ON the bumper.

PART II

"Rick" from the other side of traffic comes over after quite a few minutes. He apologized, but I completely understood b/c people were just zooming by, like somehow they were excempt from experiencing the same kind of misfortune as the poor saps pulled over. I asked him if "Sandals" had called the police. He said "Sandals" didn't want to call 9-1-1 b/c he didn't want to get fined. ??? I was totally shocked - and angry. I had no clue if any passer-by called it in, and we had been out there for at least 10 minutes by then.Then "Rick" says to me - you better what out b/c quite a few people have slipped up there. I told him I was scared to be in my care, b/c if someone "accidentially" hit it, they'd probably push it over the little guard rail (which when driving by they look WAY bigger than when you're standing right beside them and semis are passing you, and you think - there's no way this would hold up against that!!!), but if I'm outside I was afraid someone would accidentially slide and hit ME and then I'd be a gonner. Seemed like a lose / lose situation!

Not 2 minutes after that conversation and BAM - WHAM - CRUNCH - SLAM CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH!!!! Car, after truck, after car were sliding and hitting each other in the SAME spot. I was very thankfully at that moment that we were up the road a ways. The only positive thing out of so many crashes was that traffic FINALLY started slowing up. After standing outside for nearly 30 minutes, I finally felt safe enough to sit in my nice warm car. I've never witnessed so many crashes. I tried talking to Sandals again and asked him if he got through to the police. That was a negative. I finally had it. I said, "CALL 9-1-1!! THIS IS A MULTI-CAR SITUATION HERE -- THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!" He finally dials, and tells me, "There aware of the situation." Whew! Good. Well, what does that mean? What's the ETA?? Little did I know it was far from over.

Some ironic things happened that I noticed.

• The salt truck made it to the scene before the emergency vehicles.
  
• The wrecker made it to the scene before the emergency vehicles.
  
• "Sandals'" dad went in his son's car and when he sat in the driver's seat he had to move the seat up and forward from the back seat -- and Dad "Sandals" was taller than Son "Sandals", which means Sandal's Jr. was not driving responsibly - he was driving like a punk!! I'm sorry, but I know some pretty tall people and even they don't sit in the back seat when they drive - and this kid was nothing more than average.
  
• There were more crashes, but not everyone stayed. at least 6 other cars - that I saw were in collisons, but then drove off.

The accident happened at 10:30 and the first officer finally arrived at 11:15. I seriously was glad noone was injured. Can you imagined having an opened wound - not only on that busy freeway, but in those freezing temperatures!! I wonder if we were on the back burner b/c noone had serious injuries. I don't know. I'm thankful someone finally arrived - but after my first look at "who" it was - I wasn't as happy as at first.

I mean no disprespect to our law enforcement - I Have no desire to do their job - but after seeing our first officer's demeanor I turned around and mumbled "Oh great - we get crabby cop!" Maybe he was going on no sleep, I don't know, but that was just my first impression, and I really did not want to deal with him. He first talked with the 3 cars behind me, (and they were down a good ways) then he crossed traffic to talk to 2 other drivers, then up to "Sandals" and then me. When crossing traffic he held up his hand - ok understandable - he didn't feel like being turned into a cop burger, but then when he got to the car - and mind you he is STILL walking, he furiously swings his arm and shakes his head at the driver he initially stopped, so he could cross the road, b/c he was annoyed that this poor driver couldn't read his mind and know when to start moving again! That's why I thought what I thought.

Then, just to add a little cream to the top, while walking to Sandals, he looks glaringly across traffic at me and yells "WHO ARE YOU" I really didn't know how to respond. I was raised to be respectful to authority, but I was in shock of this officer's behavior. Not like he has to wear kid gloves around me or something, but sheesh, a simple "I'll be with you in a moment ma'am" would really go a long ways.

I finally found my voice and said loudly, Uhh, JESSICA. His response ... "WHO" My response "JESS - I - CA" Officer "WERE YOU INVOLVED WITH THIS??" Me "YES" Officer - shakes head. And turns to talk with Sandals Sr and Jr.

At this moment I am praying for God to intervene. I am very expressive and heaven knows, given the opportunity with Officer Crabby, I would DEFINITELY do something expressively damaging. Either tone of voice, body language, sarcastic answer - or a combo of all 3.

My prayers were answered. Two more officers arrived on the scene and I was assigned a very nice "Officer Hines". He spoke professionaly, yet not rudely, he was considerate and said I could sit in my car and talk to him through the window, and he offered to call in for assistance when he saw my tire and damage situation. Calmness in an unpleasant situation is the best way to go.

PART III

The wrecker came for me a short time later. He was very nice also. I asked him if putting on two new tires would get me home. And he said, "I don't know where you're going to get 2 tires today." :( Not what I wanted to hear. It was Saturday, everything - mechanical - was closed, and then he added that even with 2 new tires there was no gaurantee I would make it all the way home b/c of other damage we couldn't see. He asked where I wanted it towed and I informed him I was not from the area, I was just traveling through, so I had no clue. We talked for a few minutes and finally decided on a body shop he had personally done business with, and recommended highly.

I watched helplessly as my car was loaded up onto the back of a wrecker, and it just looked so sad and pathetic. :( When it was finally sitting on top, it was leaning to the right, with all its other damage, and I felt like I was on a non-animated episode of "Cars" - the junkyard part.

The officer finished talking to me - so I climbed up into the wrecker and off we were to the body shop. The vguy driving was easy to talk to. Found out that he was actually the owner of the towing company, which really put my mind at ease about where we were dropping off my car, b/c he had used them to fix his trucks - and to do body work. As the owner, especially, of a business where your trucks are your livelihood, I don't believe he would recommend a shaddy repair shop.

He told me he would drive me to the airport to rent a car, and then he added that he'd make sure there was actually something available for me to rent before leaving. Ahhhh I just thought that was so considerate. After crabby cop I really wasn't sure what to expect from anyone else on the scene, so I'm glad the Lord had my fate in this man's hands and not CC's. The plan was to drop my car off, go to the airport, rent a car, and then he'd leave and I'd go back to the bodyshop to unload EVERYTHING in my car. Since he wouldn't be with me on my trek back, he made sure I knew which roads we were on, and how to get back. Thankfully, there weren't a lot of turns.

We got to the airport, and they had either 1 mini-van or 1 dirty vehicle. A car's a car so I didn't care what they put me in at that point, I just wanted to be home - off the road - and with my family. I asked Mr. Wrecker for a business card, and then thanked him for all his help and wished him a Merry Christmas. Miss Avis hooked me up with a white Chevy mini-van setting me back $100.80 -- I was really hoping for a $60- but nothing more than $80 charge - but I wasn't in any position to barter. Then she went through all the extras. Bumper-to-bumper coverage for an extra $40 - which after just coming from the scene of an accident I thought maybe I should consider - but I did decline. Oh, and this one you'll love. She asked if I wanted the convenient fuel fill-up, or I wanted to return the vehcile with a full tank of gas. I really didn't know. I asked her to explain it. And she said, you can return the vehicle and they will fill it up for $13.99 a gallon, or I can fill it up and return it with a full tank of gas. HOLY COW!!! It didn't take very long for me to say "I'll fill it up myself!!" That's crazy!!

After I signed all the paperwork, I walked over to the phone station. There was a lit up picture of a telephone on the ceiling above a group of stainless steel cubicles. The first one had a seat -- but no phone. Instead there was a box with a keyhole. I thought - what in the world?? I looked at the ceiling sign again to make sure it was really a telephone sign I had seen. It was. So I walked to the next 4 cubes and they all the looked the same. I thought I was in the middle of a horrible dream. I went around to the other side and that side did have phones. whew! I sat down and went to call my mom. My phone card had died, and even though I could renew it, I knew that would take time so I decided to call collect. Our family, has always declined collect calls from family (unless it was Dad when he was hunting and calling from a gas station or something), otherwise, it usually means - call me back at home, my phone card died. We used this system all the time in college. So when they asked my name I said, "JESSICA-Call-Me-Back-Emergency" What an odd name hey!?? It's all computerized so I didn't feel too ridiculous. My mom wasn't in, so then I called my sister.

Here I am, in a stainless steel box, cold, unnerved, and then I heard my sister's voice. She asked if I was in an accident right away. I told her yes, but that I was alright. I don't have a cell phone so I call home to say, "I'm leaving, see you in a couple of hours", and then noone hears from me until they see me face-to-face. I said I haven't cried yet, so I'm probably going to start. And sure enough, good ol' niagra falls started streaming down my face. I said a lot of different things. I was glad the accident wasn't worse. I hit a cement block - I could have flipped over and plumeted a couple of stories to the ground. Surprisingly, I was very calm - even though I know that's hard for people to imagine, but from somewhere really, really, really deep down inside, this person I never knew emerged. No tears, no wild imagination, it was a thought provoking, sensible person. I didn't want to get back on the road again - especially in a vehicle that wasn't mine. I wouldn't be familiar with it, I NEVER drive mini-vans, and now that I'd been delayed so long I knew it was going to be getting dark and that the roads were not getting any better.

I know God has a reason for all things. After I thanked him for protecting me, I asked, am I not getting something?? I mean technically 4 accidents in 8 years. 3 within 2 years of eachother. None, and I repeat N * O * N * E, of them were my fault, and there were never any life threatening injuries, but still traumatic and stressful. I've always attracted bad drivers for some reason. I get tailed, cut off, flipped off, you name it - short of being shot (which I'm not saying I want this to happen so I can be all inclusive here) I've had just about everything happen to me now.

With each of these things, I've been more alert as a driver. I know my limitations, I know how fast things happen - people really do "come-out-of-nowhere", that's why it's important to be SURE you're alert so you're not the cause of something horrific. Some things I avoid - drivers talking on cell phones -- I try never to drive beside them or directly in front of them. Vehicles that are iluminated with techno gadgets - monitors in all shapes, sizes, and colors. From tv's, gps units, to palm pilot / music gizmos and I try to stay far behind them so I can avoid them -- they're usually in a big hurry anyways so that's usually not a problem.

I know I'm deviating from my story - and I know I've said this before - but we really drive with a false sense of security. We drive plasitc cars, with pop-out-pillows (airbags), and little blue buttons (onstar) and think "driving is so much safer with all these new cars!!" It's NOT!! Well, whatever, my little words, on my little blog, are not going to change the driving habits of the world - it's just my "opinion" from real - life experiences. I drove all the way home with no more close calls. The vehicle I drove had traction control, so I 'felt' safer, even though I didn't rely on it. I drove 5 mph under the entire way home. Felt bad for the guys behind, but wasn't about to change my speed. Having out-of-state license plates helped b/c I felt people passed me much quicker instead of staying behind me for long periods of time.

It was sad leaving my car all alone in a snow-covered parking lot, with a little white Saturn beside it with a major teppeed hood, pillow case hanging from the steering wheel, and no front end, being the only thing it had for company. :( *sniff sniff*I finally made it to town. I took the long way through the city, b/c even though I grew up here, I'm not familiar with the freeway system and I needed to "fill up" prior to turning in the van at the airport. There were more accidents, and now there was slush on the ground. I had told Mr. Wrecker, it seemed like everytime I've been in an accident, I've just filled up my car!! From now on I'm keeping it at 3/4 of a tank!! ha ha After I left the filling station I had a bad feeling -- uh oh! I have a full tank of gas. Thankfully, I made it to the airport just fine.

I get to the parking garage to turn in the car, and there's a sign that says Return Avis Rentals Here ... DO NOT BACK UP. There's a speed bump with spikes sticking out, and no attendant. Ummm yeah. Don't know exactly what I'm suppose to do. I mean, I've already lost 2 tires, I really cannot afford to blow out 4 rental tires also. I waited there for what seemed like forever, and finally thought - maybe they only pop your tires if you go the opposite direction over them (like you're trying to steal a rental) like what they have on military bases. Finally, after debating in my head for several minutes - I creeped over the spikes at 0.00000001 miles per hour - holding my breath the entire way! Whew! Everything was fine.

Followed the arrows, parked the car in front of a sign that told me if there was no attendant I needed to *Note my returning mileage * retrieve my personal belongings * lock the vehicle * and go to the curteousy desk to turn in the key. I turned and looked at ALL of my "personal belongings" and laughed. ha! I didn't have just a suitcase, and a toiletry bag. Oh no, that would have been much toooooooo easy.....and this is me we're talking about! I had:

• Medium Wheeled Suitcase
• Small Wheeled Suitcas
• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Basket
• Laptop
• School Bag
• 3 Pairs of Shoes
• 1 Pair of Boots
• 3 Shopping Bags
• BIG Fleece blanket
• Dressy Winter Coat
• Traveling Snacks
• Toiletry Caddy With everything from my Poof to my razor sticking out!)
• And just to add to the humor -- MY BIG NOODLE EXERCISE ROLLER!!!!!

Ey-Yi-Yi!! Now do you see why I laughed. I locked the van and went inside for a cart so I could unload everything. I couldn't find a cart - then I had to stand in the rental line forever to ask for a cart. The clerk nicely told me to - go all the way down this hall - take a right - go to the third floor - go through the east doors - and on the right you'll see them. I had a "huh??" look on my face. I finally shook my head, to clear it a little, and said, Uhhhh what floor is this?? I followed his directions, but before the elevators I saw a line of carts. Woo-hoo. I thought they looked a little small, and maybe the carts on the 3rd floor would be bigger, and not wanting to risk getting lost in the airport, I decided to get one of these carts on Not venture to the 3rd floor.

I went to take a cart, and my arm jerked -- the cart was stuck on something. Hmmm. That's weird! I tried from the other end, and they were stuck that way too. I've used caddy/carts before, but I've always just grabbed one that was "laying around." Then I noticed they were on a track, and it was locked. Hmmm - that's crazy. Ohhh wait. It hit me! They must want you to pay for them. Then I saw it - and ATM looking machine. I read the little monitor and it was flashing: "No Carts Available." ???? Huh!?!? I looked back at the row of carts, and then read the sign again and then just shook my head. Sheesh! What are these 18 carts on reserve or something?? So I was forced to be elevated to the 3rd floor. I went to the monitor and caught myself shouting - 3 BUCKS FOR A STUPID CART!!!!!!!! I quickly looked around - whew! Noone was passing at that moment. No cash or change small enough so I had to use my credit card! :( I couldn't believe it. I think I was more shocked b/c I was expecting it to be like the Aldi system. You put a quater in, get your shopping cart, put your shopping cart away, get your quarter back. This was NOTHING like that.

Made it back to the Avis counter. All pride was completely squelched by this point. The worker said, wow, you weren't kidding. I explained that I had been driving down, it wasn't that I was coming from a flight. Then he says. Oh were you in car accident today. ??? Again, I had the HUH?!? look on my face. I was wondering if I had it written across my forhead. I tentatively told him, with a questionable look on my face --yyyeesssss. He then went on to tell me my sister had called asking if I had checked in yet, b/c she hadn't heard from me and she was really scared something had happened. Awwww. It cracked me up that this guy remembered this! I assured him I had called Rebecca as soon as I had arrived.

We had just finished talking when all of a sudden I hear someone say, "Jessica?????" It was Rebecca, but she had the funniest look on her face, as she was trying to figure out if this bag lady in a bright orange winter hat, with TONS of bags hanging EVERYWHERE was really her sister!! I was already mortified b/c all of the public could see me, and I was just trying to keep my head up. I finally said, JUST GET ME HOME!!

Let me tell you. I have a whole new respect for bag ladies!! They make it look WAY easier than it really is!! Did I share with you trying to get it all together?? After I got everything on the cart, neatly stacked, I realized I forgot my exercise noodle in the back seat! :( I had to start over trying to get all my "personal belongings" to balance on this itzy-bitzy cart. Then when it's all stacked, I'm pushing it, filled to overflowing, while my laptop is crossed over me going one direction, my school bag (which is busting at the seams due to extra loose packing), and then my purse is dangling from my wrist.

We finally made it home. Merry Christmas to all - and to all safe road conditions!! :P

*please know what I "meant" to write in areas where I jumbled my thoughts - or the computer put my cursor in a new spot when I was typing and I couldn't find it!! :( ----I'll be editing later.*