Yep, I had a fender bender, and it was my fault, though in a way it wasn't my fault. I actually fainted while driving, so I was very lucky it didn't turn out worse than it did. What did happen -- a slow-speed crash that damaged my vehicle and the other one, a trip to the ER and overnight observation, lots of tests, and more tests to come. And I'm grounded at home for the next two weeks, while my heart is monitored by a sticker device I wear on my chest.

I'm trying to take this all in stride.

Because I wasn't planning for this to happen, I have had to do some Amazon shopping for things I am going to need. I have spent $38 on toiletries, $39 on household supplies, $13 on fish food, and $53 on medical supplies. My son bought me some groceries, but I spent $60 myself.

BFF is coming up in four more days to take me to some medical appointments. My son is going to take the car in for repairs. I am a person who hates to ask for help, but I am needing a lot of help.

Luckily, I don't feel bad. I wasn't injured aside from a few bruises. As far as I know, the other person was not injured either. Insurance is handling that side of it. Since I was passed out, I didn't see or speak to the other person involved, but my son followed up with the police and the insurance compnay while I was being treated in the ER.

What a mess. I guess I will just look at like I have a two-week staycation and hope for the best.

Well, April has been interesting so far. I got the shower rehab installed, and it's beautiful! What a difference! 

I've been talking to several plumbers, what with the install and the problem with my kitchen sink (all resolved, and no cost to me). I asked their advice about replacing my old flush valve toilet with a tank toilet, and they said no! The toilet works. It's ugly, granted, but they said it is better than anything I could get installed today. And it would be such a hassle to do it. So now I am concentrating on beautifying it. I have ordered a new toilet seat -- and what a journey that was! The old toilet is a non-standard size, but I finally figured out that it is the size of a marine toilet -- the type installed in boats -- and I could order a toilet seat made for that. I have yet to receive it, and I hope it will fit. It wasn't too expensive -- less than $30.

Now, because I don't have to replace the toilet, I don't have to tear out wall and floor tiles to accommodate a new one. (Yes, it would have called for that!) Suddenly, my bathroom rehab became a lot cheaper. The tile I have, while not gorgeous, is unmarred, and I will keep it. I still want to build a cabinet under the sink, where I can store things, and I want to replace the wood trim around the window. I also want to install an exhaust fan in the ceiling. That will be more expensive than it sounds like, because the building has rules about not installing anything that shows on the outside of the building. My electrician said it is possible to comply, but it will be more expensive than a normal installation. And then, after all is said and done, I want to paint the upper walls, and I want to replace the ceiling fixture with something -- well, less ugly.

So, I've paid the balance on the shower install, and I still have about $2K in my emergency fund, which is a relief. I have paid a handyman to remove a towel bar that was in the way of the shower install -- that was $65. That may sound high, but you wouldn't believe what it took to remove that thing. It was meant to stay there for the ages.

My normal spending has been in line. I've spent only $25 so far on groceries, but I used about $30 of credit on my UCard (a UnitedHealth benefit) to augment my supplies. Otherwise, just the normal spending on gas, bills, laundry etc.

I pulled something in my hip area, trying to do a yoga pose I should have known I couldn't do -- it's been bothering me something fierce for several weeks, so I'm seeing my doctor on Wednesday, hoping to get some answers, and relief.

Grand Total                 3675

It's very rare that home improvement is at the top of the list, but this month I paid the down payment on having my shower/tub area refurbished. (This will actually happen tomorrow, when I will pay the balance).

Most of the fees/services spending was for the work permit.

Gifts included Easter "baskets", a sumptuous Easter dinner, and some charity.

Clothing -- mostly Goodwill finds, basic lounging stuff, also underwear, which was not Goodwill!

My travels included a trip to Michigan for a last-time visit with my good friend, and a trip to Indiana to see BFF's granddaughter's play.

Household supplies were water filters, sponges, dishwasher detergent and razor blades.

Everything else is self-explanatory.

It's been a weird few days. On Easter Sunday, as we were cleaning up after dinner, my neighbor knocked on the door to say that his sink was overflowing, and could we stop running water? He got a friend to look at the plumbing; he snaked the pipe, but still it was jammed. Yesterday a regular plumber was supposed to take a look. I have not heard the outcome. I have been washing dishes in the bathtub and bathroom sink. The dishwasher is jammed full of dirty dishes and I hope to be able to run it soon -- as soon as I get the all clear!

There is a possibility that the pipe will have to be replaced, which will probably be an expense that the three of us (me, my upstairs neighbor, and my downstairs neighbor) will have to take on. I am trying to be calm about this.