How is insurance legal?

In the mail yesterday, I got my renewal notice for auto insurance next year.  Last December I was in an accident that was my fault.  My car was totalled, but the car that hit me was not that bad.  Since I only had liability insurance on my car, I had to buy another car out of my pocket, but that was OK because I put one together for a couple hundred dollars.  What I am upset about is how much my rates jumped for one accident that had a minimal payout.  I was very well insured (beyond the minimum for the state), and have been with this same company for over 5 years auto and home policies.  I have not made a claim for either policy in this time and since I usually have 3-4 cars on my insurance at one time it is quite pricey.  So this is my complaint about how insurance is a scam...that is required by law.  I have been paying all of that money for years with nothing to show for my money and then the time comes where I need to use it, and what happens?  Yeah you guessed it, my rates jumped....40 PERCENT!!  I got online and found that this is the "normal" rate hike when a claim is made, so I don't know that there is much that I can do besides shop around.  I won't go into too much more detail, but I was thinking about it all night at work last night.

On the ride home from work this morning there was a car off in the median of interstate 76 near Palmyra.  It was just beginning to get light out, and I could see that there was still someone in the car and that the front end was crashed badly.  So I pulled off the road and ran over to see if I could somehow assist the person.  As I got closer to the car I realized that it was crashed bad, with both air bags deployed.  There was a  girl inside that was probably my age and VERY calm.  She was just patiently sitting in the mangled car.  I thank the Lord that she was not injured.  She told me that a deer ran out in front of her and she hit it straight on.  She did not seem shaken up or anything, I think I was more anxious than she was.   Anyhow, we talked for a moment, she assured me she was OK and she had help coming, the State Patrol showed up, and I was on my way.  Afterwards, I couldn't help but think of how her life will be affected by this.

Due to this deer running out in front of her car, she will now have to make a claim on her insurance.  Her car had some major damage so it is not going to be cheap (air bags are close to $1000.00 each to replace).  She will probably have to rent a car until hers is repaired.  I can't help but wonder what will happen to her insurance policy.  True, her insurance may not go up if this is the first time something like this has happened or depending on her past driving history the insurance could just decide to raise the rates.  I found out through my research, that every individual situation for the insurance company is handled different.  We are basically at the mercy of the insurance company's mercy.  To conclude my thought, this young woman may have to pay more to be legal to drive all because of something that was out of her control.  What happened to all of the money that we had been paying to the insurance company for years, where did it go?  Probably in the pocket of "the man" 

What I did on Saturday

22 Tons of crushed concrete..

One Bobcat

One barn floor -Check

I had 22 tons of crushed concrete delivered last week and was just waiting for the weekend.  Friday, I took my tractor, two riding mowers, and all of my other misc. garbage out of the barn.  Originally there were horse stalls and other garbage in the barn.  Out that went!  I needed room for all of my lawn equipment, car parts, 4 wheeler, etc.  Anyhow I moved it all out.  Saturday morning I went and rented a bobcat and then went to work.  I leveled out the dirt floor, and then began to transport the crushed concrete from the front of the property to the rear.  I was able to raise the floor height 2-4 inches and then with the rest of the aggregate, I put a top coat on the driveway.  I put over 5 working hours on the machine, and used all of the material that I had.  I could have used probably 5-6 more tons, but I will just have to wait. 

This is just one of the many projects that I have been working on with the new home.   To finish this project I need to rent a motorized tamper, compact the material, and then move my things back into the barn.  The sooner the better too.  My barn kittens were used to the equipment being in the barn, so when I moved it up to the lean to behind the garage the kittys came with it.  So the sooner I get the batn done the sooner the kittens go back to where they belong.  I would have put up more pictures, but they seem to take forever to put up.  

Next project:  Finish installing the laminate floor in the dining room, and then install my wood burning pellet stove.  I am waiting for the approval from the county.  I hope they approve it soon, I am going to need some heat!

I had an interesting experience on Wednesday night.  A friend asked me to come to the Chapel's kids ministry and instruct 1st thru 6th grade boys how to change a tire, down at the Green campus. Wow, what an experience that was.  I have never really had any experience with children of this age.   I learned alot.  Before  my instructional period we spent some time playing games with the boys.  I learned not to underestimate the ability of a 6th grader playing P-I-G (I got beat),  I also learned how good kids are at video games. After I had that learning experience it was time for me to do the instructing.  We went out to the car in the parking lot to begin.  We split the kids up into two groups 1st thru 3rd grade and 4th to 6th.  The older kids came with me first.  They were all wanting to help (this was a "hands-on" instructional).  They did very well, but they had ALOT of questions, so I spent most of the time answering really random questions and also trying to instruct.  After this came the young boys.  They too were willing to help...and ask even more and even more random questions!  Some were helping to change a tire, others were tackling each other, some were running around the parking lot, and yet others were playing a drum solo on the car itself!  I guess my lesson this time was that the attention span (if any) is very limited on small children. 

In closing it was a pretty good time, the kids actually were very excited at what they learned, I was even asked to consider returning for more instruction.  I am happy that I got to have a small experience of what some of you teachers experience everyday.  I also got to see why you all enjoy what you do.  I imagine that with a few more sessions I can teach them to weld on derby cars

What????

Does anybody ever listen to the radio show "Delilah"?  Now this is a little embarassing to admit, but I have heard it a few times.  The main reason is that it is on the radio station I listen to when I go in at night.  Regardless of why I have heard I just cannot get over the fact that so many people actually call in and listen to her absolute terrible advice for relationships.  They main focus of her show is that "if you love someone, nothing else matters"...FALSE! 

        I heard a girl call up and say that she is 19 and wanting to date a guy who is 34, separated from his wife and kids, and fresh out of jail.  He has No job, living with her, and basically comfortable with the free ride that he is on.  I am sure it isn't as glamorous as this picture I am painting, but does sound pretty good, right (Since this is writing some of you may not pick up on the sarcasm:)  The problem is that her parents don't like the situation.  Now this would be a real issue for some to consider, but not Delilah.  Her advice is that if you love this terrific guy don't think about the negative that people on an observance level tell you, proceed with the relationship carefree!!  Now what kind of advice is that? 

     This second one is one of my personal favorites.  A young girl calls up and is in love with a certain young man, but before they proceed with marriage they want to get a few things straightened out such as financial issues, and possibly some religious differenced and some other basic relational hang ups before proceeding with the marriage. Sounded pretty intelligent to me, right?  Oh no not for Delilah.  Are you ready for this response?   Drum roll please!.......Delilah's response: "You are too worried!  Financial issues, religious differences and what not, are NEVER going to be OK, so you would be waiting forever.  If you love him, just go ahead and get  married!!!" 

Now all of  this is coming from "Delilah-relationship expert" a participant in not one, but two failed marriages and another whole complex of other issues.  Why is this woman allowed on the radio to give advice?   The show is sometimes very entertaining.  Some people have some real "issues".  Instead of calling Delilah, they should be calling 1-800-Rent a Clue.

Cats, not for dinner anymore

I have never been too wild about cats.  I did however adopt two kittens to be barn cats, and help keep the mice population down (hopefully to 0)  I kept them in the basement for a few weeks and when they began breaking everything,  they graduated to the barn.  For now I still have them in a sectioned off room ,until they are big enough to roam the property.  I have had the kittens for about 5 weeks now and they have grown on me.  Now I only go to the barn to visit 2 times daily, to make sure they have food and water and of course to make sure they are still alive.  I am surprised at how affectionate they are.  They are always very happy to see me and always anxious to play.  I still say that I am more of a dog person, but I am not totally against cats anymore.  Now keep in mind that they are just small kittens still and my opinion may change back once they grow and become cats.  I just really hope that they catch mice for me!    About another week and I am going to give them the free roaming key.  It should get interesting then.