Not much time

I don't have a lot of time today to write anything. I'm running around doing all that last minute junk and all the stuff I've been procrasinating on. Though that should mean that I'll be good and tired early tonight since I have to get up before the crack of dawn tomorrow. My flight takes off around 7:30, so I have to be up and at the airport early. Though, with any luck, that will mean that there aren't a lot of people there being dumb. I always seem to get behind that person that "forgets" to remove anything that will set off the metal detectors. And they forget five or six times before security starts getting annoyed...It seems that when I take early morning flights, I tend to have better luck. If I'm super lucky, I might actually manage a cat nap on the plane. Probably not, because I am a bit excited to be seeing my parents and family. I will get to see my nephew for the first time! And it's only the second time I will have seen my niece. Hopefully, since it's closer and easier to make the trip, I'll be able to get there more often. It really sucked when I was in Alaska because you really had to have a good chunk of time off to be able to go anywhere. None of this fly down for the weekend kind of stuff. Heck, my flights to get back to Michigan took 12 hours, though on paper it looked like 16 because of all of the time zones. I certainly don't want to do that for only a couple of days!

And another job update thingie: I mentioned that I got the "you didn't get the job email" last night. Well, I replied back to my interviewer, and thanked her for her time and giving me the chance with the interview, and, of course, wishing her and her company luck. She replied back! She said she "would definitely" keep me in mind if anything else opened up and that she hated that part of her job, but she was glad that I had responded so graciously. I may not have got this position, but I think that if anything opens up, I will have someone in my corner. That was really nice, because I really did like this lady. She was very sweet, very down to earth, and she had a sense of humor. Who knows, maybe I made enough of an impression on her that she'd give my name out to some of the other folks she works with (i.e. lenders, attorneys, etc.). Just have to wait and see. Haven't heard anything about the store job. Figures, I thought that one was pretty much a cakewalk. With my luck, I'll get the call while in Florida and won't get it because I won't be available for an interview (Murphy's Law).

Okay, time to get my rear in gear and get these errands done! Have fun without me for the next week and a half!

Aww damn!

Just a quick update: I got an email about the escrow job this evening. They went with someone who had more experience. *Sigh* Missed another one, it seems. On the up side, it wasn't the typical form letter rejection, and the lady that I interviewed with said that she'd keep my resume on file in case something opens up. She even wished me a good trip to visit my family. So, even though I didn't get this job, at least it wasn't a "you suck" kind of feeling afterwards. Ah well, maybe I'm getting closer to a job when it's not an out and out "no way!". One can hope...

Gettin' Ready

Been getting ready for my big trip to visit the family. I'm not looking forward to being at the airport at 6 in the morning, but it'll be so nice to see Mom & Dad again! So now it's all about whether or not the laundry is done, if I have everything I need, what am I going to do on the plane, that sort of junk. And I guess I must have overestimated my appeal on these two jobs. Either that or I was just doing a bit of wishful thinking. I haven't heard neither hide nor hair from either of them. I guess it isn't a big deal, but I have this feeling that if either are still interested in me, that they'll want me to pop in sometime next week and I won't be able to. I hate losing out on stuff when it's something that you made sure that folks knew before you even started interviewing. Alas, not much that I can do, besides hurry up and wait. I've become a Master at that. I wonder if I can get some cool abbreviation to go after my name to signify my masterhood...

So there really isn't anything else going on. I think the Kitty of Doom knows that I'm going to be leaving him for a while because he's been even more super snuggly. I honestly didn't know that was possible. It's almost annoying the way he's following me around. I mean, not only into the bathroom, but he even had to peak around the shower curtain when I was showering! Maybe he thinks I'm going to escape down the drain. Obviously, that would mean that he has no concept of size at all. But then, most males don't, do they? Muhahaha! Bad joke. So, I'm rambling, so I'll spare y'all any further for the time being.

wow

What a weekend! I took the Kitty of Doom with me to visit the Mafia family this weekend. He did pretty good, though he hid in the basement most of the time. He seemed to really like the boys (who wouldn't?) and M.W., except when she was trying to get him to check out the dogs. He's really not sure about the dogs. He seems curious, but scared. Maybe scared isn't the right word, but definitely cautious. He decided to give us a bit of a heart attack on Friday night though. M.W. and I went out to grab some food, and when we came back, we couldn't find him any where. We searched the house from top to bottom and he was no where in sight. Finally we found him.



Yep, in the basement, hiding up in the rafters! The little snot scared the bejesus out of me! On the up side though, that's one less spot Mafia Wife will need to dust in the basement!

All in all, it was a nice weekend. I love spending time with my "family away from family". Even if the Lil' Train Freak is always trying to talk me into staying or leaving the Kitty of Doom with him! Crazy kid, he really wants another kitty. Ooh, and Mafia Wife took some nice pics of KoD too! She claims they're "okay" but not "professional" and all that crap. Though they were just quicky little snaps, I think she did a great job--but then, I also think she really underestimates how good her work is. You be the judge!

Murphy's Law

When it rains, it pours. It never fails, if I make plans that I can't really change without some sort of trauma to someone I love, something inevitably comes up. I think I did really well on that interview the other day (still no rejection note--YAY!), and I got an email from a friend telling me that there's an office assistant position in the store that he works at. Doesn't it figure? Two good chances, and on Saturday of next week I'm flying to Florida for a week and a half! It never fails. Of course, I'm rather torn now on the job thing. Assuming that I have an equal shot at both, I'm guessing that the Escrow Closer position will pay a lot more. But...when I did it before, in Alaska, I really hated it. The stress was just crazy, not helped by me always worrying about everyone involved. Plus, I really hate being on the phone all the time, which is basically all the time I'm not in a closing. So, go for something that would be nice and comfortable and allow me to sleep at night, or go for the one with the money? Money is always nice, especially since I really want to save up for all those nice little things like a house and a new car. But is it worth it when you can't sleep at night? If only the stress made it so I couldn't eat...then it'd be easy because the Gods know I'd really like to lose some weight! Hahah, I don't think starvation would be a good idea though. Well, I'll be seeing Mafia Wife this evening, so I'm sure she'll help me with some good old fashioned advice. Of course, there is one "bad" thing about the Office Assistant job. My ol' man really, really, really hates this friend (with reason), and it would probably stir up a bit of trouble in that department. Then again, things aren't that peachy in our "relationship" any way. In fact, I don't remember the last time we kissed or told each other that we love them. It seems that I have a more "intimate" relationship with my cat! (Now don't go reading anything kinky or gross into that!)

Another weekend

Well, just preparing to head on up to visit my favorite mafia family over the weekend. And I'm bringing my little Kitty of Doom with me. That should be exciting. Hopefully, he'll behave himself and not freak out too badly. I think he'll do okay. He's normally pretty mellow and happy-go-lucky. Now I'm just trying to remember to bring everything that he'll need. Though I don't think I'll bring any of his toys since he likes to hide them a bit too much.

On another note, I haven't heard anything back on the interview from yesterday, and I'm taking that as a good sign. She swore that she'd send at least an email, if not a phone call, regardless of what happens because she knows what it's like to sit around and wait for some sort of word. Thank goodness! I've actually had some where the emailed rejection was timed during my interview. Not very good for the ego. But then, I interview horribly. I have a hard time "selling" myself and making myself sound like some sort of a superwoman. But the truth is, I've never had a job where I felt comfortable taking 100% of the credit any way. Now, if I make a mistake, then I'll take the blame, but if everything comes up roses, there are other people involved that helped with that, so why should I claim the spotlight? That just doesn't sit well with me. But then again, I'm one of those people who blend into the woodwork, so to speak. I like my anonymity!

Interview

I just got home from an interview for an Escrow Closer/Processor position. I *think* it went really well. The lady I had the interview with was really nice, and instead of the traditional Q&A interview, we basically just sat there and talked for 45 minutes. I admit, I wasn't a huge fan of doing closings when I did them in Alaska, but the money on this is really nice. And I'm terribly nervous about the next stage in the interview process, assuming that I get there. The next stage is with today's interviewer's boss and I'd have to do the Q&A stuff and do a "closing" for her. Okay, I've done closings before, but I'm a bit worried that the documents here are totally different then what I dealt with in Alaska. Sure, I knew that stuff, but if everything is different, I'm afraid that I'll blow this. Oh well, if/when I get to that stage of things, I'll have my little panic attack and then suck it up since this job starts at like $32K a year. Which is a bit more then I made in Alaska. Scary. Which means that I could actually start thinking about getting a nice little house of my own. House, not apartment. Granted, I'd need to get established in the job first, but still...Look at me! I'm already planning on how to spend the money and I haven't even had a second interview! Maybe it's a sign. Let's hope so.

You've gotta be kidding me

I was out grocery shopping the other day, and noticed the headlines of all the crappy magazines next to the checkout. It seems that they want to let little Miss Hilton out of her whopping 45 day jail sentence because she's afraid of going to jail. Hmm, isn't that kind of the whole point of jail? I mean, come on! Who wouldn't be afraid? And it's not like this is her first offense for drunken driving. And all she gets is 45 days? I can't believe that she could possibly be stupid enough not to realize that drinking and driving are wrong. She's obviously got a brain in there somewhere; not many people can make a career out of looking cute and partying. In my opinion, if she was foolish enough to screw up not once but twice, then she needs to pay for her actions. And with someone like her, a fine is not going to do it. She's used to buying what she wants when she wants it. And I'm sure that in her day she's gotten out of many a bad situation by paying her way out of it. If jail time scares her so badly, then maybe she should get some mandatory community service. And not just making a "Don't Drink and Drive" ad. Something more along the lines of what New York City did to Boy George. He had to pick up trash in the park, etc. And if that isn't humbling, nothing is. And no, I'm not trying to punish dear ol' Paris Hilton because she's cute and famous. Frankly, I don't care one way or the other. However, since she does have some fame (or notoriety, depending on how you look at it), there are younguns out there who are seeing this and getting the wrong idea. They aren't going to realize that there is a different set of laws for normal people who can't afford the top attorneys. Okay, that was cynical sounding. But, if it were me, and I were in California and did the same "crimes" as Paris Hilton, would the judge let me off with just 45 days? I really don't think so. Ugh, this just pisses me off. I don't like the idea of her being used as an example, but I really don't think that they'd ever give her the same punishment that they would for your average joe.

Back

Finally got the internet back. There was some stupid screw up where they didn't credit the account properly which made the payment late. Then there was another screw up that somehow took a late payment and made it show to the tech peeps as a non-payment. So, they disconnected us. On the first call, they told us that it was just a "soft" disconnect and that we'd have service restored in 24 to 48 hours. Okay, no biggie. Two days past and still no service. So the ol' man called and was told that he was misinformed and that the service was disconnected and there wasn't an order to restore it. What?!? Any way, they wouldn't even give him a time frame of when it would be restored. Late Thursday night he finally got done with tech support because they had to redo basically everything, mind you, it was working just dandy before they did their mass screw ups. What a pain in the arse. I'd love to just tell these peeps where to shove their crappy service, but it's not really my call. Suffice it to say that when I get my own place (which can't come soon enough) and have to get an ISP, this one is going on the absolute bottom of my list. Unless they're the only game in town, they aren't getting my business. I'd like to say that even then they wouldn't, but I'm an internet addict. I'd go bloody crazy without my stupid games. I'd be buying stuff for the PS2 or the Wii until I drove myself into the poor house. Though at least I wouldn't be bored....

New thing

So, I added a new thing over there on the left. The "Cute Tracker". I admit it, I'm hopelessly addicted to CuteOverload. For the record, it's not an "ad". It doesn't link you anywhere. It just lets you vote for cute pictures. And if you don't wanna vote, don't. Enjoy them. Who doesn't lie to see a cute little kitty or puppy? Some real nutcase, fo' sho! I mean, jeez, I'm a self-proclaimed nutcase, and I like to look at them!

Conversations

The sun was out today! It was really nice for Mr. Sun to actually show his face for a change, especially after such a gray week. Now if only I could find someone to have a conversation with! I never knew how much I took it for granted to have someone to just sit and chit chat with. It sounds so silly, but I think it's really starting to drive me insane. That's one of the really nice things about going to see The Family, there are people there to talk to! I mean, like, real human conversations! Though I think I've almost forgotten how to have a conversation. I'm even starting to believe that the Kitty of Doom can not only understand me, but that he's answering me. Instead of painting the walls, I think I should have had them padded. I admit it, I'm crazy. I talk to the cat, mainly because he's the only one who seems to listen. Makes me miss my dogs all the more, then I'd have an entire audience. I wonder how long it takes before the complete art of conversation leaves me and I just begin to answer every one with grunts. After all this time, I think it'll happen soon. By the gods I wish there was someone to talk to!!!!!!!!

Gray Days

The last few days have been gray and dreary. Just the sort of day that makes you want to stay in bed. I haven't had much energy to actually do anything. It's funny, I've always known that these kinds of days affect humans, and if I hadn't known, three years spent in Southeast Alaska sure would have taught me, but I never really noticed how it affects our pets. My little Kitty of Doom (who's first birthday is just around the corner-if he lives to see it) has been extra snuggly due to the gloominess. Now he's my first ever cat, so I'll admit that I don't know that much about them, but I've never known a kitty to be so touchy-feely as he is. He loves to snuggle and is normally really close to where the people are, even when he wants to be alone. And if I'm around, he spends a lot of time curled up in my arms-not my lap-like I'm toting around an infant. He gives so many kisses that sometimes I think he's going to peel the skin off of my face! (no, I don't think that'd really happen, but if you've ever been kissed by a kitty, you know they're tongues are like sandpaper). And if he's about to doze off in my arms, he puts his little paw up to touch my cheek. It's like he actually wants that contact. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's how it seems to me.

And on a different topic: Mafia Wife will be pleased with this one. I told the ol' man that when I get back from my parents that we were going to sit down and discuss me moving in with The Family. He's clammed up completely since then, and our conversations have been even rarer than normal. It's making me feel pretty awful. It's starting to seem more and more like he's doing everything possible to avoid me, and that if he is stuck or can't come up with a way to go elsewhere, he pretty much clams up and doesn't say a word. I'll admit, this last year hasn't been the greatest for me. I'm in something like year number four of depression, so I'm sure I'm not a joy to be around. But it would be really nice to have a conversation once in a while! And I honestly don't remember the last time he even made a suggestive comment to me, let alone put the moves on me. If you've never been depressed, and I hope you haven't, let me tell ya, feeling unattractive and unappealing is like a knife through the heart. I'm not going to lie and say "It's all his fault!" because I know better. It is really difficult some days to get dressed let alone put on makeup or do my hair. And the worst part about that is that not doing those things makes you feel even worse! Such a double edged sword.

Of course, with this constant crappy feeling hovering about me, I'm really unsure about inflicting others with it. Gods, what if it rubbed off on the boys? I know, I know, it's not contagious, but it's one of those weird things that run through my head. And yeah, I get a little too protective of the boys. Sure, they're not mine, but I couldn't love them more if they were. Heck, I might even love them more because they aren't. Blech, I'm rambling and making myself feel like poopy. I guess that means it's time to sign off. Cross your fingers for some sunshine!!!

Extended Weekend

So I went up to visit Mafia Wife and clan this past weekend and she and I "camped out" (okay, it was only for a few hours) to get me a Wii. Guess what I've been doing the last few days? Can you imagine, I'm playing the Wii!! I'm having a great time with it, and strangely I'm getting sore from it. As sad as it sounds and is, I think this is the most activity I've done in a long, long while. Feel the burn, baby! Well, it's not that dramatic, but I know I've been moving around a lot more. But it's rather encouraging, because I have a bit more energy. And that's after only two days! I'm excited. I even went to WalMart (*shudder*) to just wander around for a bit. I'm still not brave enough to wander through the mall. I've got to figure out a nice secure place to hide my checkbook and credit cards before I do that. But if things keep up, maybe I'll actually have the desire to do it.

I know it's so silly that a video game has helped me to feel this good. I think my biggest problem was the whole "I don't wanna get up!" thing. Once I'm up, I seem to manage for a while. And at least this is sparking some desire to get off of my lazy arse. Now I just need to find more inspiration to get off my duff.

When I grow up...

I wanna be a dog. Or a cat. To hell with the whole "I want to be a programmer/doctor/lawyer/astronaut" crap. What I really want is to be a dog. To have people who feed me and clean up after me. To have someone available to snuggle when I feel like snuggling. Or playing. To nap whenever I want to. To be loved for no other reason then that I'm fuzzy. That's what I want to be when/if I grow up. Now mind you, I haven't grown up yet, and I really don't think I'm ever going to. But if I do, I wanna be a dog. I mean, imagine, your biggest worry would be whether or not there's another bone after you finish chewing up this one. That's the life.

Of course, being a cat wouldn't be too bad either. If I felt like being rude, no one would care, they'd just say, "Well, she IS a cat." Again, someone would feed me and clean up after me. And be there for the playing and snuggling. And my biggest concern would be that the sunbeam that I'm laying in is moving away from my spot. Yep, being a cat wouldn't be too bad either. Except maybe the hairball thing. Of course, being a dog has some drawbacks too. It might get annoying to constantly be blamed when someone else passes gas. Of course, I could always poop in their shoes. Can't really do that when you're human. Probably a good thing ;)

One of Those Days again

I'm having another one of those days again. For some reason, and I really can't figure out exactly why, I woke up incredibly blue. I couldn't stop thinking about my dogs and how much I miss them. It's been almost a full year since I've seen the fuzzy little goobers, and it hasn't gotten any easier. Now granted, I don't want to forget them, but I thought that after some time, I'd stop questioning whether I did the right thing or not. For those who don't know (assuming any one other than Mafia Wife might read this), when my ex-husband and I divorced and I moved back to Michigan, from Alaska, we decided it would be better for the dogs to remain there with him. Harley is getting on in years and I was afraid that the trip would be too much for him. Roxy is and always has been a daddy's girl and would be so heartbroken to leave her daddy. And Kyrie, my little monster, she so loves to be outside romping about, how could I stuff her into a little apartment where she could only go outside once in a while? To this day I question whether or not I shouldn't have just taken Harley and Kyrie with me. Roxy was the ex's before we ever met, so there wasn't a question there. Sure, we bonded and I love her like my own, but the bond wasn't ever like her bond with my ex, and I couldn't tear her away from that, it would have been beyond selfish. But Harley, my darling boy, we were together for 13 years. Whenever I come home, I still look for him to greet me at the door. I wake up wondering why he's not at my feet. And Kyrie, we brought her home when she was six weeks old (yes, I know that was way too young!). I took her to her first vet appointment, I held her when she was so sick with giardia and she could barely lift her little head. And every night I wake up wishing that she were snuggling up next to me, burrowing her face into my hair (this was her "thing", she loved to cover her face up with my hair). For some reason, it's worse today. I wish I knew why. I just hope and pray that it's not because there is something wrong with one of my furry angels. You know, some sort of sixth sense thing going on. I miss them so much. I know, some folks would say, "They're just dogs..." but they were more than that to me. Whenever I felt lost or hopeless, which was a LOT when I was in Alaska, they were there to snuggle with me. Whenever I just needed to vent my thoughts, they listened (which is more than the ex could do) and didn't judge me. They gave me love for no reason other than to be loved in return. It breaks my heart to think of them so far away from me, considering everything that they did. Yes, I'm a sentimental fool, but I don't care. They are my babies and nothing will ever change that. No matter how far away or how much time passes, I hope they know how much I love them and treasure the time I had with them. And hopefully, someday they'll forgive me, even if I can't forgive myself.


An old picture of my Harley



Kyrie, with Roxy in the background

Ramble ramble

It seems I've been slacking this last week with the posting. I was doing so well too! But then, it's easy to jot down ideas when there is stuff going on. This week the weather has been crappy, my back and joints have been staging a revolt, and all-in-all, I really haven't wanted to do much of anything besides nap. I really hate it when I get like this.

I found out this week that my ol' man gets his kids for Memorial Day weekend. It's not normally his weekend, so that will mean three weekends in a row that I have to find somewhere to vacate to. I'm actually thinking about taking my parents up on their offer to go down to Florida for a visit. I hate to do it only because they'll insist on paying for the airfare and any dinners out. I appreciate it so much that they want to do this for me, but it just makes me feel rather slimy. I mean, jeesh, they're retired, they aren't fabulously wealthy, they've raised their kids already, why on earth do they have to support me for a week? But on the other hand, it'd be a chance to see my parents for a while. And probably my sister. And my niece, whom I've met once, three years ago. And to meet my nephew for the first time, and he's almost three! I'm a horrible aunt.

Of course, this brings up all of those really selfish thoughts as well. Every time I have to pack up and head out of here, I get a little bit more resentful of his kids. It's not really fair to them that I feel this way, but it's how I feel. I know that my "anger" is misplaced. I just keep trying to come to terms with it. I mean, it's not really their fault that they want to spend time with their dad. I can't blame them for that, can I? Though I do blame him for not standing up for me. I think he should explain to them that he loves me and that he wants me to be a part of his life from here on out. But he doesn't do that. And of course, with my paranoia, you can just imagine what thoughts that puts into my head. I mean, he tells me that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, but I can't say that I've seen any evidence to that fact, so is he lying to himself and to me? I wish I knew. We even had our "discussion" about having a family again. The most that I can get out of him is that we will have a family "when we're more stable." What does that mean? Financially stable? Emotionally stable? That won't ever happen! And I'll be damned if I have to wait until his kids give their "approval" of us having children! But I fear that's exactly what he means. I think that I've waited long enough, and I think that I'm not asking for the world when I ask for the "when" of it. I mean, give me a time line of sorts. Three years? Five years? Give me something more than an abstract idea that you don't actually define. I'm very much afraid that this is his unconscious way of delaying it to the point where it's impossible. I'm not being fair, I'm sure, but that's how I feel. I've waited for sooooo long, and this is something that I've always wanted, and yet, it's still so far out of my grasp. I never thought that my dreams were that unattainable. Gods, sometimes I just wish that I could scream! Instead, I just cry until there aren't any more tears and wonder how on earth I could have let my life go the way it has. And times like this, I have to wonder why I ever left Alaska. Yep, hated it there. But at least I had a shot at those dreams. Even had taken steps towards fulfilling them. Oy vey, sometimes I think that I wasn't made to live in this world. None of it makes any sense to me.

And with that, I think I've rambled enough. Which you can actually read as: If I don't stop typing right this instant, I'm either going to weep uncontrollably, or toss the computer out the window. Laterz dudez!

Nooooo....

It's snowing. Yep, snowing. Has been all freaking morning. Non-stop. We're expected to get like three inches. As if the grayness of the last few days wasn't enough! Jeepers, I've forgotten to do everything lately! Especially make a post. Truth be told, there really hasn't been much on my mind the last few days. It's been so dreary, and I've been dealing with the icky joint pain and back ache that comes from the coldness. So basically, I didn't make any posts because I didn't think that any one would want to hear me ramble on about "Owie, it hurts!" and all of that. I mean really, I sound like a sickly old lady on days like that. It's annoying even to me. I keep trying to run out on myself, but I can't seem to get away. What a nuisance! So this is my lovely apology for missing the last few days of posting. I repent! Mea Culpa! And all that jazz. I'll try to come up with something brilliant for later on. No really, I'll try. I'm not going to promise to succeed, but I'll try!

Happy Easter!

There's not a whole lot going on this weekend, except for that stupid dusting of snow, yuck! I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

Nothing much happened yesterday, so there wasn't anything to write about. The weather's been chilly and gray, so it was basically just a blah kind of day. One of those days where it would be perfect to curl up on the couch, wrapped in a nice cuddly blanket, sipping hot chocolate and either watching an old movie or reading a good book. As for today, it's pretty much the same. The body shop called this morning to tell me that the car was finished. So I went to pick it up and return the rental car. They did a really nice job. Not only did they make it look all purty, they washed the car inside and out. Now my car has that ultra fresh smell that only body shops seem to have access to. It's not a bad scent, but for some reason it reminds me of scented toilet paper or kleenexes. Yeah, I'll just chalk that up to my ultimate weirdness. So the Caddy's back home and you can't even tell that he got smacked around. They did a really good job on it. The paint matches exactly, the pinstripes are lined up perfectly. I'm just glad it's finished. Though, I kind of wish that it would have taken longer. I rather liked driving that Buick Lucerne around. Oh how I miss having a brand new car! I am such a snob!!!

A New Background

Well, Mafia Wife subtlely hinted to me via email that the crappy template that I was using was too boring, and she sent me a link to this one. I really like it, but for some reason it's just not quite right. Yeah yeah, I'm picky. So, for now I'll leave it up because it's cute and a lot better then the boring thing I had before. We'll just have to wait and see if I find anything else. Maybe the "big issue" that I have is that this isn't even my Kitty of Doom. Hrrmmmm, maybe I can talk the ol' man into getting another kitty...or better yet, a puppy!

And on another note, I just got a call from the car shop and the insurance appraiser. When they got inside, i.e. took the fender off, they did find more damage. Nothing too dramatic (a support for the radiator was bent) but the appraiser went out to the shop and authorized the repair and gave them a check for the additional charges. Then everyone called me to let me know. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with how smoothly everything is going with the insurance company and the body shop. So far the only pain in the arse thing has been with the rental car, and that wasn't too bad. I have to say though, I'm not sure I'd ever rent an economy or the next step up from a rental agency. Those cars are used so much they're just this side of trashed. I think I'd spend the extra couple of bucks to have a vehicle that didn't smell like dirty diapers when the sun was shining...