Always leave your calling card!

Have you ever been driving along, thanking God for your blessings, especially the blessing of having a car?

Today I was driving along Rt. 20 in West Springfield doing just that. I was thanking God for my car. I also asked Him to forgive me for all the times I have complained about having a crappy car and told Him I was thankful to have a working car that was paid off:)

I came up to a stop light and I was a few cars from the light. I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed a large SUV coming up behind me. A couple of seconds later, I was jolted in my seat and everything on the passenger's side seat flew off onto the floor. I felt a quick pain in my jaw and left side of my neck, not horrible, but enough to make me catch my breath. I looked through the rear view mirror again and noticed a young man with a gray hoodie over his head calmly put the truck in reverse and pull into the right lane (we were in the left), and drive off. At first I thought he was pulling over out of traffic, but he kept driving. I got the license plate number and made a mental note of the color. He went to the light and turned onto the street and kept going.

               I was shocked. I couldn't believe he'd just leave me there in the middle of the road.
When I realized that no one was stopping, I decided to pull into a bank and call the police. I was thankful that I was able to still drive the car and it didn't seem like I was dragging anything behind me. The police asked if I was okay and if the car was driveable. I said I was and that the car was and he told me to go to the station to file a report.
I was on my way to see a friend and drop something off to my mom so I decided to continue on my way and then go to the police station on my way back home. I know it sounds a little crazy, but I was okay and it just seemed like the logical thing to do at the moment:) When my friend looked at the bumper she said, 'Oh look, you can see the plate number on the bumper.' We started cracking up! I thought, wow, he left his calling card, literally!!!! I had written down the plate number but wasn't completely sure of the order of the last three, but I was able to check them against my bumper:-) and I had them!
I finally made it to the police station and filed my report. The officer was very kind and was able to run the plates and give me the information I needed to finish the report. I was spot on with my description of the car and the plate number. The owner was much older than the driver I saw so the officer figured it was a son or friend driving.
Well, the upside to this story is that I'm okay. I'm a little sore, but I'm okay and the car is driveable. This situation also tested the sincerity of my prayer regarding my little car. I realized without a doubt that yes, I am thankful for my little rust bucket and I'm glad it wasn't totaled. It has been in several accidents since we've purchased it back in 2003, but it always bounces back. (I think some of the bouncing back is helped by the Styrofoam used in the bumper.) If anyone ran a Carfax report on our van, it would probably make a great commercial on why having this service is necessary; BUT! It's paid for and still working, so what more can I say other than Thank you God!

Well mystery driver, who ever you are, thank you for leaving your calling card so I could make sure I wrote down your plate number correctly. Maybe you were in a hurry to get home and play X-box. I hope you're okay and I hope you are current on your insurance policy...

You had me at 'Driving Ban!'... you had me at driving ban...

When my mom called me yesterday and told me that the governor issued a driving ban, I thought 'Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

I pictured myself reading and scrapbooking all weekend. Ask me what I've done? Let me give you a hint. It doesn't include books or pictures... BOO!

But it has been nice to be home and not have to go anywhere, or more specifically, not be able to go anywhere! I vote for more driving bans! Let's say once a week sans the snow:)

 

My husband called me around 7:00 am and I thought for sure he'd be stuck at work. He told me to look outside the window. I looked, but didn't see his truck. I did see someone who looked like they were kneeling in the road.

 

I realized quickly that Bobby wasn't kneeling. I went outside and asked him where his truck was and he told me he had to leave it a few blocks away because none of the secondary roads had been plowed and that included ours and he doesn't have 4-wheel drive. Now, that's funny! He walked home in the snow! In a storm, a few blocks is FAR!

 

The girls wasted no time getting outside!

 

This picture was taken at 1:30 and the road is still not plowed. We have 4 possible entrances to our street and NONE of them are passable!

 

This photo of the end of our driveway was taken around 4:30 and the plow made a small path down the left side of the street and only down 2/3 of the street at that. The truck blocked the driveways with more snow and we still can't get out of our driveway because, one, our side of the street was the side NOT plowed, and two, Bobby is exhausted from shoveling and working all night and the snowblower is almost out of fuel. Well, that's as good as it gets for now.

We will be spending another day at home if the plows don't clear this street by morning. Even when they do, we will still have to clear the end of the driveway because we will have a mound in front of it due to the beautiful plows and their design! FUN!!!!

It's a little disturbing to know that life is going on out there and we are stuck in here...

Okay people, just don't forget that there we are here:)

 

You had a birthday shout, ''bout time!"

 

Happy Birthday, Kaleigh!!!

 

With her birthday occuring at the busiest time of the year, my sister decided to wait until after the holidays to have the 'party'.

 

The birthday room at Yankee Candle is bright, cheery and inviting! I want to have my girlfriends join me there for a party!

 

Kaleigh is having a great time

 

 

The crew is posing for a pic in front of the chalkboard.

Oh wait, they don't have one....

 

 

Designing candles would be an activity expected at a candle store

 

 

They get to fill the jars with layers of scented beads from a large machine; then use a coffee stirrer to blend the colors together...

 

 and put them under a heat lamp to set.

 

 

The kids get to make their own pizzas with very generous portions of toppings including chicken and peppers.

As if pizza making and candle designing isn't enough, the kids get to choose a molded candle to dip!

Zachary picked the 'cute, little bunny!'

 

 

Aalyia's choice was a giant peace sign!

I had so much fun. I wonder if I can get my friends to join me for my birthday:-D

What a sight that would be!

2013 will be the best yet!!

You may or may not be wondering where I've been? I know I have:) I am amazed at how quickly time passes! I have been busy cooking, cleaning, working, working, and celebrating 21 years of marriage!  It's a wonder that I'm still around in one piece.
I have been focusing on what it is that I want to do with my life. I'm at a point where I have kids leaving the nest, but still have two at home that have more raising to be done. You would think someone my age would have a career or, at the very least, something they are passionate about. I have been clueless, but I know something will come up. It always does as long as I'm patient. I have to keep reminding myself that it always comes at the perfect time, God's, and not my own.
I hope to update my family and friends with fun photos and a few tidbits in the upcoming year. I will formulate a plan as I go along. That's code for making it up as I go. I'm the queen of that!!! Here's to 2013 and all the blessings it holds for us!!!! YAY:) By the way, thanks Aalyia for taking our picture!!

Happy 2013

Hey little blog! I'm back:) I have neglected you for so long. I have a busy schedule and with only

  so many hours in the day, I only do what I can do! Don't be sad though, I promise I'll be updating you a lot more often! Okay, let me not make hasty promises. I'll try like heck though!!!

 

 

Above picture was taken at our church Christmas party. I wish I had time to do a separate blog entry for it because it was wonderfully decorated and our family had so much fun! Any party that has costumes is guaranteed fun, right?? At least that is true for the Ackermans! 

 Kaleigh turned 9 December 16th! We had the privelage of spending it with her at Texas Roadhouse. Yes, we ate MANY rolls, Isn't that what you're supposed to do there?

 

 

 

Christmas Eve tradtion continues with everyone meeting at our place for Chinese food and games!!

 

 

 

                                    

My brother Gil and his family came to visit and it was so great to have the family together! Look at all those cute faces!!!

 

 

 

I wanted to go to Northampton, but we ended up staying home and watching, It's a Wonderful Life and Happy New Year's Charlie Brown. We ate popcorn and candy and I was able to get in some work from home. Mercedes called home at midnight (she was with friends; I guess that's what you do when you turn 18:( )
Here's to an amazing 2013!! It will be the best YET!! God is good! Thank you:)