Journey to 1000 Paper Cranes

Day 35:  My last client of the day reminded me it was Hanukkah.  The family I nannied for in Pittsburgh from 1997-2001 is Jewish and really the first family I knew really well who observed Jewish holidays.  I got to attend my first bat mitzvah for their daughter, it reminded me of a wedding except that the focus was on her and her family celebrating her, their culture, and each other.  It was very very sweet.  I was paid to attend because I was helping out but I definitely would have done this either way.  They were generous that way and help keep me from needing.  I love them like extended family and wish very much I lived closer to any of them!   My morning started out going to the auto shop to sign some paperwork about the car I crashed the day before and did a walk around with the guy and explained what happened.  While my pride was still hurt, he talked about how things like this happen all of the time.  Realizing I am talking ...

Day 34:  Driving to work I hit another car about three minutes from my office.  I headed earlier than normal because I worked a new client in (after telling myself not to take any new people for a minute).  Just as I pulled over she let me know she was running 10 minutes late so I responded I was not far but would be a minute as well.  The car was drive-able.....sort of with the frame bent in such a way the wheel was rubbing against it and the driver's side door while not damaged would not open but an inch.  I any case I wasn't hurt and the other driver wasn't hurt.  He was also really really nice.  This brought me such relief because I know people can be really shaken up after something like this and don't always react well.  Information was exchanged, he let me know he too worked just down the street and off we went.  I pulled in at exactly 8:30am at the same time my new client did (on time at that).  I wasn't scared, but I was sweatin...