And then there was ANOTHER dent

the camry can't catch a break

So, some kid backed out of their parking stall at the apartment today and hit Jared, in the Camry, as he was driving along. Which means we ALMOST went an entire year without an incident (as many of you recall, a girl pulled out in the front of me last July and almost totalled my car).

It isn't a bad dent, it is on the door of the passenger side. And his car, of course, looked untouched (it ALWAYS happens that way doesn't it?)

Jared says he honked and yelled right before he hit him. Then he called me, because apparently I have been in a lot of wrecks and I know what I am doing (which probably isn't something to be proud of). So I walked down there and this poor kid had his DL out, his insurance card, had written everything but his shoe size on this piece of paper. I felt kinda bad for him, he had never been in a wreck before. I remember that feeling, it isn't fun, especially when it is your fault. But, we were nice and cordial and got all his information and told him our insurance would be contacting his. No need to file a police report, it was in a parking lot anyway (so they can't do anything), there were no injuries and we weren't blocking traffic.

So, I guess we will see what happens. This poor car will have all new parts if this kind of stuff keeps happening. Maybe we should have kept the Dakota :)

We have exercised the demon!

say goodbye to the Dodge Dakota

We FINALLY sold Jared's old truck the other day and I couldn't be more relieved. It has been sitting up at Jake's warehouse in Pittsburg for over 2 years and someone decided they would pay us $800 for it! YYIIPPPEEE!!!

This truck brought Jared much joy during his high school days, at least that's what Jared and all his friends say. He got from his parents and, for a '94, it was a pretty nice looking truck at the time. But this is a truck that has seen its days of wrecks and bad luck. From bridges, to poles (one of which was my fault) and setting for over 2 years this truck was a thorn in our side and we are happy to see it go. Hopefully the buyer can do some work on it and get some use out of it.

GOODBYE DAKOTA (this is a stock photo, our truck is definitely not this nice, haha)

You know you have been working too many hours in the fireworks biz

if this is the conversation you have with your husband at 2:30 in the morning while half asleep

Jared: I need 10 cases
Stacy: what?
Jared: I NEED 10 cases
Stacy: (realizing what is going on now) of what?
Jared: I NEED 10 cases on that new order
Stacy: (just messing with him now) what new order? Who's it for?
Jared: (getting up out of bed and then laying back down) You know... it's for, uh, it's for, uh...
(Realizing, somewhat, that he has been talking in his sleep he gets up to go to the bathroom)
Jared: I am serious, I do need 10 cases for this customer.
Stacy: (laughing histerically)
Jared: I AM TELLING THE TRUTH, I need 10 cases right now
Stacy: Yeah, I'm sure you do need those 10 cases right now, at 2:30 in the morning. Go back to bed you big dork.

Oh, the stories of fireworks season!

My disappointing trip to Indy

it wasn't the BEST time I've ever had

So, my trip to Indy wasn't real exciting. It was for a Mental Health Conference that was geared toward the Corrections community. So, needless to say, I was a little out of my element. I am used to working with schools, communities and youth and in my new role we are focused on relapse prevention in the correctional facilities and after the convicts re-enter society. It is fascinating to me and I am eager to learn, but it was just a little hard for me to grasp. But... I WILL get it eventually :)

But, that wasn't even the worst part. This conference was held at the Adam's Mark Hotel at the airport in Indianapolis. My advice to you... DON'T ever stay there and NEVER host a conference there! The hotel staff were rude, the rooms were not impressive and the food at the conference was atrocious. A former inmate said it was worse than prison food!!!

We finally got away from the hotel on Tuesday night and went to downtown Indy, which I really liked! I am sure I will get to explore more of downtown Indy in the near future, haha. I will be about as tired of Indy as I was of Topeka.

I hope to post a picture later and have a story of hope and rehabilitation from a former inmate who has completely changed his life. I know... I was skeptical too, but what this man has done with his life is amazing.

Have a Happy Thursday everyone!

Mistakes

on a somber note...

I would love to write happy-go-lucky blogs all the time like my life is perfect, but a blog is a real life look into someone's world -- the ups and the downs. This is a down for me.

We all make mistakes, we are not perfect and there are things that we all WISH we could go back, rethink and redo.

Last week I made a mistake that has upset my family immensly. They are hurt, they are angry and they are dissapointed. As am I.

There is nothing I can do, or say to change anything. I never meant to hurt or cause sadness to anyone and it was simply bad judgment on my part. I've said my piece and I have apologized and to tell you the truth, I don't think it did any good. I am at a loss and not sure what to do. I'm not even sure they will talk to me... for a long time.

So with that said, here is my special message to all my readers... be good to your families, think before you act, and put yourself in someone elses shoes (these are all lessons I have learned from this and will strive to remember from now on). We all have things we have to constantly strive to do better, I will just have to give it 200% for the rest of my life.

With all this said, I am starting fresh. I will not dwell on it and I will not let the "what if" and the "why" consume me. I will strive to be the best me I can be and when my relationship repairs itself with my family it will be something I will cherish, hold dearly and never put in a path of destruction again. Like the saying goes, "life is too short".

My first trip to Indianapolis!!!!

woo hoo

I headed out yesterday evening to Indianapolis for a conference that begins this morning. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive from South Bend, which kinda sucks, but I was still excited to see a new place.

Coming into the north side of Indy was eerily similar to coming into the south side of KC and Overland Park. It made me sorta miss Kansas, :(

We are staying out by the airport for this conference, which sucks because there is NOTHING out here. But, we are going downtown tonight so I am excited to do that. Everyone says downtown Indy is pretty cool! I hope to take some pictures and have something more FUN to blog about later. This is more or less an update on my whereabouts, haha.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!!!