Nope, not going home yet - Yr 1, Day 349

Raleigh, NC

Unbelievable!  We left the kids' house around 10:00 this morning.  Got about 20 miles out of town and had a tire blowout!  Always looking for the blessings in everything, there were several:  (1) I was able to safely make it to the shoulder; (2) there were no other cars involved; (3) other than the cost of the tires, the insurance will cover everything, including up to $2K of hotel, rental car and meals.  We also learned later in the day that Tom Johnson's Camping World, where the rig has been in the repair shop, AS A COURTESY, is going to DELIVER OUR RIG to us in Raleigh tomorrow, which is over 200 miles away (they are only asking us to cover the costs to pay the person to drive it over; waiving the $3/mile charge).

We could look at this as a sign from the universe that we should give up the lifestyle (although we've had a blowout and several accidents where our vehicles were totalled -- once in bad fog and once from a deer), and we've had lots of major repairs needed in our house.  We choose to look at it as sign that God is still walking with us, and despite the inconveniences and financial setbacks, we still have it pretty good.  After all, Mitch just got a new, steady job to compensate for the finances and my business has been doing very well also. And most of all, no matter what has happened, we have remained safe.

Of course,unfortunately, there was a lot of damage to the truck.  This photo doesn't do justice to the extent of the front end and bumper:

The Ford dealership will replace the tire, but the collision shop next door can't see us until at least next Wednesday.  At least we have a rental car in the interim and the truck will be drivable once the tire is put on (hopefully tomorrow).  I suspect once the collision shop takes it, it could be at least a week or more before all the work is complete. Fortunately, Mitch's work continues in Raleigh so no rush to leave and we'll have our home back.

I hope to reread these posts in a year from now and laugh.