LarryC’s World

Here is a cute online game from Lufthansa. It tests your knowledge of geography. See if you can navigate from the US to Europe. Give it a try. Here is the link: http://www.lufthansa-usa.com/useugame2007/html/play.html

So what’s been happening with you? Well, let’s see… here in New Mexico, Spring has arrived. The temperature almost hit 80 today. We’re up to over 700 clients visiting the AARP TaxAide program. I’ve filed almost 600 federal returns so far, and done another 130 or so NM State returns, other than those filed with federal returns. Between TaxAide, Meals-on-Wheels, and the Dripping Springs natural area, we’ve been working 5 days a week. Oh yes, I had to replace my car.

As noted previously, we had a little accident at the end of February, and our Accord was totaled. So, we had to replace it. The vehicle at the top of his post is our new chariot. It is a Hyundai Tucson. I bought it because: a) It was cheap, b) it is a high-clearance vehicle which is important on our dirt roads, and c) it got the best mileage of all of the small-SUV’s. The trade off was power. If I had opted for the bigger engine, it would have had good power, but mediocre mileage. With gasoline topping $3.19 a gallon in Las Cruces, I opted for the small engine.

In other news, Cristian won Project Runway, not my favorite, but my favorite has never won. I hadn’t seen any of the Academy Award best picture nominees, although Irene had see “No Country”. And, we did enjoy Paris. That’s all for tonight. We are working Easter Sunday at Dripping Springs. Traditionally that is the busiest day of the year there, lots of Easter picnics. I’ll update again soon.

I changed the web site software last year to make it easier to update. And, it is indeed easier. But that doesn’t mean I update the site any more often. I actually have good intentions… but you know that story.  Anyway, I have an update coming, and will get it posted this week. I have been busy. AARP TaxAide has kept me running. With the Economic Stimulus Act, we are seeing plenty of new clients. After spending the day doing tax returns, and then spending the evening checking returns, and transmitting to the IRS, I am often too lazy to update the web site.

But, I will post an update this weekend. I have lots to add. I’ll post a photo of the new car, and finally get around to my thoughts and comments about Paris. So check back in a couple of days.

Larry

February was not a good month for us. The month began with us having to put our poor Simba to sleep. And it ended with a terrible car crash. We were heading home on Tuesday, February 26. On Soledad Canyon Road, less than a mile from our house, I slowed down and almost came to a stop because there were some dogs close to the side of the road, and as I approached, one of them walked into the road. Unfortunately, the kid driving his brand new pickup truck behind me was talking on his cell phone and never looked up. He hit us doing 45, and never even braked!!

For a second I wondered what that noise was, then I realized we had been hit. I had the presence to steer the car off the road onto the shoulder, but I was clearly dazed. I couldn’t open the door to get out, but eventually realized it was locked. Irene could not get her door open because it was jammed and had to climb out the drivers side, but neither of us remember her actually doing it. When we did get out, we took stock and realized that miraculously, neither of us was seriously injured. I obviously had some whiplash because my neck and shoulders were sore, but no broken bones or cuts or even bruises. Today, 5 days later, it still seems like a dream. My neck is still a little sore to remind me what happened, but it is hazy in my memory.

Now I have to get another car. It was not an expense I planned on. After the trip to Paris, I hoped that my car would last another year. The only part of this that was pleasant, was dealing with my auto insurance company, Progressive. I called them Tuesday afternoon after the accident. They sent a claims adjuster to look at the car on Wednesday morning. We met her at the tow yard. She took one look at the car and said ‘”This is obviously a total loss.” She drove over to our house Wednesday afternoon, and since I held the title to the car, she gave me a check (less the deductible) right then. So, less than 24 hours after the accident, I had a check in hand. Then on Friday, she called to say that the other driver’s insurance company had accepted liability and I could pick up my check for the deductible. Unfortunately, since it was a 10 year old car, the payoff will not cover the cost of a replacement!

Still, I am grateful that we are both OK and that we will need another car. Things could have been worse. But I’m hoping March will be a better month.