Last night, we all went out to dinner, and on the way home, I was in a car accident. Luckily, because of logistics and plans later in the evening, I was in the car by myself. I escaped with a splitting headache (which is still there), a sore neck and toes. My car, although damaged a little, was in relatively good condition considering the moron who hit me was driving 40 miles an hour when I was completely stopped in front of him (Hello? Red light?). And his car? The accident rendered his one-year-old BMW undriveable. That’s what you get for not paying attention. ;)
Over the past few months, I have been contemplating trading my car in for those new four-door Jeeps. Love them. But after last night, no way. I drive an SUV and while it might be a gas guzzler, the thing is virtually indestrucible. A few months after I got it, some 2-1/2 years ago, a guy missed a stop sign (couldn’t stop because of snow and ice) and plowed right into my driver’s side/passenger side area. I got out of the car and started helping him pick up pieces of his car from the middle of the street. His car? Completely totaled. Mine? Just a little bit of white paint transfer. After last night’s accident, I’m definitely keeping my car — the extra gas it costs me is totally worth the peace of mind.
So dinner tonight? Not happening.
Between dealing with insurance adjusters, doctors appointments and general life and work thrown in, I didn’t have more than two minutes to sit still all day and wasn’t feeling up to cooking, but this gives me a great opportunity to tell you how to get great deals on dinner out. Have you been to restaurant.com? In case you haven’t, you’re missing out. Punch in your zip code and you will instantly see a plethora of restaurants that you can buy gift certificates for. They are $25 gift certificates that you can buy, download and print for $10. Not bad, eh? Occasionally they have coupon codes available (go to currentcodes.com to check) that will give a nice extra 50% discount. Update: Just received an e-mail from them today, and if you enter the code LESSON, you can get $25 gift certificates for $5. They had a code available a few weeks ago, and I bought a few … $25 gift certificates for $3. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than that. Each restaurant has a few minor restrictions (i.e., dine-in only, excludes Fridays and Saturdays), but nothing insurmountable.
Using a gift certificate tonight (which cost me $3), we had dinner for 3 for $11, including appetizers and drinks. No guilt eating out. My kinda way to start the week.
I completely agree with you on the car thing. If you meandered by my blog in the past few weeks, you know I was involved in an accident during a monsoon recently. I likewise couldn’t really stopped and made a stupid move and this guy plowed into my passenger side. Yes, I need two new doors, but man, I’m lucky. His car, not so much. At least no one was hurt.
Before this, I seriously contemplated buying a smart car when they come out next winter. Now I don’t know if I’ll ever downsize.
Hope you’re okay.
The Sister In-Law
I am so sorry to hear about your accident!!!! When you have to watch out for the other drivers it’s better to be driving a “tank”.
I’m so glad to hear you’re okay from your accident. It’s just plain scary how some people drive!
Glad to hear you are alright!
Looking into that link now, hoping they have something for Canada!
So sorry to hear about your accident…glad to hear you’re OK!
Val
hey cate,
glad you are ok and this is my 2nd expedition and love the new 4 door jeeps but who knows. glad you are ok. death in family for reason coming to jersey. will call you. love to all.
hey Cate,
sorry to hear about the accident. Glad that you are alright. Hope the “splitting headache” will go away soon.
A little old car wreck won’t keep Cate from blogging! ; )
You even manage to tell about your bad news in a lighthearted manner–and you included handy foodie info, too!
So glad you’re okay.
Sorry to hear about the accident but I’m glad that you are well.
Kelly – I completely agree. Big is the way to go. ;)
SIL, Valli, Alisha, Quelli, Val, Mandy, Cynthia – thanks! :)
Susan – you crack me up. ;)
Chris – sorry to hear the reason you’re heading for Jersey, but it’s been so long since we’ve seen you (3 years?), we’ll take what we can get. ;)
I usually like to visit restaurant.com through CouponAlbum.com site. It is a great coupon code site….