6 Car Pile-Up in Deas Tunnel

Saturday evening Crystal was in a 6 car pile up in the Deas Tunnel and was rear ended - hard enough to push the car right into the back end of a pick up truck and to cause her and MY car damage. She was in shock for a couple of days, has a sore back, muscle relaxants, a police report, doctors appointments, ICBC appointments, a story to tell - and me... I have a car which had very low mileage, garage kept, was in perfect condition, one owner and destined to become a 'collector'. Now, I have a piece of s**t car... no, what am I talking about - actually I don't even have a car - it's in the wrecker's yard.



Do I sound bitter? Maybe just a tad - this car was my 50th birthday present from Kent - 5 1/2 years ago and I was proud of the fact it was still in nearly perfect condition - other than one insignificant 'rub' which perhaps happened in a parking lot. Crystal and I had just talked about the fact I didn't want mileage put on my car and it was safer sitting in the garage, but she REALLY, REALLy wanted to borrow it for a special date. It was Trevor's birthday and she was driving him downtown and they were going out with a group of friends. I knew my car would be sitting in a secure garage overnight and she doesn't drink and drive - so I let her take it. My mistake.

Sure enough, traffic came to a sudden stop in the tunnel, with the truck and car ahead rear-ending someone who stopped because someone else stopped ahead of him. Crystal was able to stop before rear-ending the truck in front, but the car behind was following too close, going too fast and slammed into the rear end of my car, slamming it into the truck in front. Lucky, it wasn't an 18 wheeler or a larger car following her as my car accordianed with the impact and the damage to Crystal and Trevor would have significantly increased - never mind the car.

Anyway, Crystal took photos for the insurance company - and me as she knew I would blog it. Every fire fighter, ambulance attendant, and policeman in their BDU Pants were out in full force as any accident in the tunnel is always major, usually causing serious injuries, traffic snarls for hours and headaches (and lots of work) for the tow trucks.

Spring Has Sprung

It's so nice to see the sunshine and to know the temperatures will be increasing and the weather will improve. The winter seemed to drag on forever, with dull grey skies and drizzle. I think Spring has finally sprung!

The early flowers are blooming, the trees are budding and even my roses are sending out new bright red shoots. My neighbours are pressure washing and the golf course is getting much busier. I even feel like walking the dyke occasionally with Hugo.

He found this golf ball and carried it all the way home. His Mommy doesn't like him chewing golf balls as they are small enough to choke him, but how could I take it away from him when he was so proud of his find, and carried it all the way home? I let his Mommy take it away... heh heh.

Playing the Odds

Who bought a slot machine? Not me, so it must have been....

Kent, yes Kent, bought TWO slot machines when we were in Vegas early in March. He's never even enjoyed playing the slots and he bought two vintage 10 cent machines at the antique auction we attended. One is a table top slot machine which doesn't seem to work - well, it works fine but doesn't pay... you can put in the dimes but nothing ever seems to come out! I guess that's good if you own the machine. The other is a floor model and does pay - but the maximum payout is $2.00 for 3 bars.

The machines are sitting in our entryway - and every day I hear Kent plopping in his dimes and pulling the handles, laughing when he wins 50 cents. Who'd a thunk it?

I love playing slots and quite often check out the Online casinos, trying the various games, sometimes winning, sometimes not. USA online casinos allow players from all states, with no restrictions. There are free casinos, big bonus casinos and no deposit casinos - even flash casinos, which are 'no download'.

Online casinos are a LOT of fun and very player friendly with tons of fun slots. Not everyone can financially manage a trip to Las Vegas or take the time, but the excitement of the slots is available, easily. You can check out the guide before getting started, so you know exactly what you are playing and how to play and win.

Maybe once Kent gets to really enjoy our old 1950's machines, he'll try out the online casinos and maybe even start enjoying playing in Las Vegas! What do you think? Can an old dog dinosaur learn new tricks?

Nascar Dana 1:24 Scale Stock Car

BID NOW ON WP AUCTIONS!

Would you like to own this replica Nascar Stock Car?
The starting bid is $1.00!

You may see the auction widget on my blog and place your bid.

WP Auctions is a free auction widget - no fees to buy or sell and it is simple to install on your WP blogs. Owen from UGH!!'s Greymatter Honeypot is the coding genius behind this WP Plug-in.

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Mortgaged to the Hilt!

No, I'm not, but for a young couple starting out there doesn't seem to be any other way to own a home.

I do believe your home and property are the absolute best investments you will ever make and will eventually build your net worth. Renting a home equals paying your landlords mortgage - now that doesn't make much sense. Why put money in his pocket - start filling your own!

Buying a home and taking out a mortgage of your own will show you positive returns, small though they may be in the beginning. Part of your mortgage payment reduces the amount owed to the financial institution but a large part goes toward interest. As years go by and the home appreciates in value, your equity equates to an increase in your overall net worth.

Pay your mortgage weekly to save interest charges and reduce the amount owed much quicker than paying monthly. Check and compare mortgage lenders rates and terms. Educate yourself before making this huge financial comittment.

Let me know in 20 years how it worked out, okay? I think you'll be glad you took the plunge and bought your own home!