My bumper damage was much worse than I thought. The estimate I got was $1700, so of course I decided to go through insurance. I will have to pay a $500 deductible.

To my surprise, I learned that the other party had opened a liability claim against me. I was shocked, since to me it was clearly a case of two people backing into each other accidentally. I suspect she saw white hair and decided to take advantage of the situation. I talked to my claims agent and gave a statement. At this point I am so shell-shocked from accident problems that I don't care what the outcome is. I know what I think is right, but right doesn't always prevail. I just keep thinking I'm going to get past all this.

Anyway, I dropped off the car for repair and it will be about a week without a car. At least I know the ropes now for getting around on the bus and train. But I don't plan to go anywhere until the cold lets up.

EXCEPT -- I'm going to GS1's birthday party tonight at a local restaurant -- hitching a ride with them. I don't have the cash in hand that I was planning to give, so I'm going to send money on Zelle and have DIL put it on his debit card. And I'll create a clever (I hope) little certificate to put in his card. Thank goodness I do have that already.

Florida GD's birthday was yesterday, and DS sent me a picture of her posing in a pair of Frozen pj's. I kind of wonder if they think that was my gift -- it wasn't -- but I guess they'll figure it out when my packages are delivered. They were supposed to deliver one yesterday and one today, but I know they don't always meet those goals.

Before the news about my car, I got some stuff done yesterday. I spent $22 on groceries, $56 on cat food and $20 on gas. That takes variables to 33%.

I also went to the library and checked out two books which will help me get through this week!