Just a warning - it took days before we got another visual of our ship Tagus after it left the Panama Canal. It caused major nail biting and pacing before she was picked up again visually. I thought the hubby was going to have me committed.

 

Hello from the Palouse! WE are in Pullman, WA on a visit to WSU for our daughter. Frodo is at home safe and sound, we took the Subaru. Good thing too, rain, hail and snow (on the road) on the way here. AWD is a nice safety feature.

We finish tomorrow and head across the state to Bellingham and Western Washington Univ. I'm not even sure how long that drive will take across the state. Any drive is long with two "unhappy to be taking up their spring break" teenagers

 

The Marathon drive is over. From Pullman to Bellingham and then back to Vancouver. Nice triangle.

We all survived a new driver (5 mo.) and a student driver on a temp permit on the highway. The new driver got a $144 ticket for 12 over. Ouch!

I get to drive Frodo tomorrow!

Hope everyone is safe and happy!

 

OUCH!!! Is right Mini2na. It might have DOUBLED had they been driving Frodo!!

 

Just heard that my wife backed into a pickup open tailgate and creased the boot and the left rear quarter panel near the tail light.
More when I see it tonight.

Kimberely, any suggestions for body repair and painting? I'll need to get an estimate before deciding if we will turn it in for insurance... Oh, poor Frodo.

My wife feels HORRIBLE. I won't say anything negative to her. She knows how much I love this car. At least it is not frame damage or anthing that will effect the drive. But still.....

 

OMG- the women in your family lately!!!!! Poor Frodo! I'm sure your wife feels awful. Best of luck with finding the perfect repair place. Check with your local driving club. . . someone will know somebody!

On a related, but lighter note, my hubby has to take my car in for another unofficial oil change, and had a nightmare about driving her. He dreamed he was in reverse, and couldn't stop. He woke up JUST before he rammed into something big. Scoop sends her best wishes to Frodo and hopes for a fast recovery.

 

Sticks head up... Oh no... So sorry!! I feel so bad for you all! BlueBelle sends her best...

On a happier note...Readers digest version... The trip was unbelievable!! Full novel with pictures to come in about two weeks

 

She backed into a pickup with their tailgate down. Thought she was in first, but was in reverse. Low speed smack. It creased the whole boot about midway up on the license plate. It just clipped the driver's side rear panel next to the tail light, but no damage to the light or surround.

The estimate is for a replacement of the boot and a pound-out and fill of the panel area. $2100. We'll sleep on it and decide if we want to put it into insurance. $500 deductible.

It looks bad, but maybe it's because he's my baby. I'll get pics up tomorrow.

 

Oh my Goodness poor Frodo! Of course Frodo needs to be fixed! High deductible though - ouch! But anything for the ones that we love.

Talk to Rasmussen and see if there are any bodyshops that specialize in Minis. Understand, they all will paint them, but not all work is the same. Insurance companies will send you anywhere. My hubby is currently between work - or I would have him on the case. All body shops right now are dead and need work badly. (Don't ask me why but tax time just kills autobody business.) Anyway - when you think you know where you are going to take him, let me know I will find out if they have a good reputation among painters/bodymen. Spousal says that "Alpine Autobody" (there are a few of them in Vancouver) are reputable shops. Good luck.

 

I called the dealer and he sent me to Nu-Way Body and Fender Works. I already had estimates from Bell's and Alpine. Alpine was the lowest, but they were going to re-form the boot. Bell's and Nu-Way were going to put a new boot on. Nu-Way was recommended by Rassmusen and the bid came in a bit lower.... no tax.

So, Frodo is in the hospital for minor surgery. He should be back up on his feet by next Friday. I miss him so.... and they do not have visiting hours!

I was not able to get pictures. I think my wife conspired to distract and keep my busy so I didn't. She worked fairly non-stop to get estimates and get Frodo into the shop.

The funny story in all this is that the shop were we took Frodo told my wife that she was not the first that mistook reverse for first gear, sometimes with much more damage than she did.

 

Never heard of the place that you are taking Frodo, but if Rasmussen recommended them, then you did good. Spouse used to work at Bell's and isn't fond of their work. Glad you didn't go there. Kermit wishes all the best to Frodo and looks forward to seeing him in one piece soon!

 

I came within a hairs width of doing the same when I stopped at the Woodburn mall after getting Jarid's loaner when BlueBelle was having her second treatment. The thing that scared me the most was that hubby told me I should NOT stop at the mall on my way home... that would have been hard to explain. I'm sure you get used to it - but I think that reverse should be down and toward the back of the car...

Glad to hear Frodo will be on the mend soon. Probably best not to remember the owee. My mom wanted to take a picture of BlueBelle on the big flatbed towtruck but I wouldn't let her do it... NOT the memories I want to have...

 

Taxes. Yuck.

 

I got to visit Frodo today. The boot is not in yet and the guy said he'd paint my scoop black for me.... for free.

I'm glad I've got my remodel going to keep me busy and out of trouble while Frodo's gone. By doing lots of the work myself I might be able to justify getting some new speakers for the doors/pillars!!

We'll have to wait and see!

Taxes are DONE!

 

Ahh ...yes.. taxes... I get to be the hero and goat many times a day! At times that is 'hero' for someone only owing 50k and 'goat' for someone not getting a huge refund (why don't you lend ME the money interest free for the year) Go figure... it's always a study in people this time of year (among other things)

Mini2na. I hope you are getting a big fat refund so you can get the SPEAKERS!!

Oh and my taxes are ON EXTENSION...

 

Too funny! Mine were done in February!

 

No refund at all, paying big time. I have to count on "saving" money on the remodel to finance the speakers. Maybe when I buy the speakers for the new room I can throw in the car speakers and no one will be the wiser.

 

Hey Gang!! Got word yesterday that Molly will be ready to take Delivery Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of NEXT WEEK!!!
And though Taxes are a sore subject, my Refund is going towards Molly's Down Payment!!

 

Congratulations RJ! I'd call next Wednesday to see if Molly arrived and ask if they can specify a day yet.

Make sure you inspect fit and finish of paint, panels and trim - both inside and out closely before you take delivery. There are lists someplace on NAM, but they can be quite technical. Don't let anyone rush you. I'd look and feel just about every inch of the car (It took me about an hour.). Anything noted now will get fixed with no questions asked (make a list). Also get the Service Advisors email address so you can CC them in with any further reports after you take delivery. I found Rassmusen good at taking car of anything I found within the first few weeks of ownership.

 

Congratulations!!!!! Motor On!!

 

Molly should be Delivered on Saturday and Hubby says if we call 1st and she is there, we can go for a short visit. With camera in hand!!!

 

That is so exciting!!!! I took the camera as well, and was so besotted it took me a few months to realize my bonnet was slightly crooked. I had the pictures I'd taken in their lot that showed the problem, and the dealership fixed it right away. HAVE FUN!

 

Very exciting RJ!!

Just wondering if you all figured out how to fit your new dependent's VIN on your tax returns

 

LOLOLOL! Can you make one for Scoop???? I love it! Off to bed to dream of anything other than numbers!

 

Very cute! I want one too.
It is going to hit 75 today and Frodo is still recovering at the hospital. He'll be out on Tuesday.
Have great weekends everyone.