Scared out of my wits...

I don't know about anyone else, but one of my biggest fears is something bad happening to my munchkin. I think that this is a pretty primitive and basic instinct in any parent. Last night, I had probably the biggest scare I have ever had. I got a phone call not long after I got home - which I missed because my cell was buried in the bottom of my purse. Just as I got to it - it was a "missed call". No sooner than I had put the phone down - it rang again - same number as before. I answered & heard such a loud commotion on the other end - I couldn't make anything out... then I heard my munchkin over all the other noises - crying.... the words I heard on the other end sent such a chill up my spine that everything stopped for what seemed to be an eternity...

"Momma - we were just in a wreck."

I could hear so many loud noises - I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly, (even though I knew I had.) We were out of the house & into the truck by the time I got off the phone. He was able to tell us through his tears where he was. I spoke with the driver too, & she told us to get to where they were. He is picked up every day from school by our next door neighbor - an older lady we have known for a while - she is my munchkins best friends grandmother. Yesterday, she had asked if he could go with her to the airport so she could drop someone off. I saw no problem with this - he runs errands with her sometimes, & this wasn't any different. They had just finished stopping for ice cream & were headed back home when they were rear-ended. A large SUV ran straight into the back of the minivan that they were in. The driver was obviously paying no attention to what was going on. Everyone in the lane had slowed down & just came to a stop when this SUV shoved them into the truck that was in front of them. When we got there - they were just pulling her out of the van. My munchkin came running up to us & broke down into tears & fell into his dads arms. I (as usual) had the "job" of getting everyone on the same page & everything coordinated - from my neighbors groceries in the van to her purse & wristwatch to give to her daughter. They wanted to check my munchkin out one more time - so he & his dad climbed up into the 'ambliance'

(when my munchkin was a baby - this is what he called the ambulance)

& got checked out...again.

In the end - he didn't ride to the hospital, but our neighbor did - but she was released later that night. She was up and moving around this morning (so that was a good sign). The thing that my munchkin said hurt the most was the finger prick when they checked his blood sugar. He is such a brave kid! I am just thankful that nobody was injured past a couple bumps & bruises!

Storms

Last night we got hit with a rather strong storm. It was full of lightening & thunder. It's the kind of storm I love to sit back and enjoy. Our power went out last night about 7:30pm & didn't come back on until this morning about 5:00am. For a little while, I sat by a flashlight & read a little bit of my book. We spent most of the evening by candlelight. It was rather relaxing!

Austin Trade Show

I attended my first trade show over the weekend. It was for the NPA SW (Natural Products Association). Another first for me was the trip to Austin, TX. All I can say is that it was a very long weekend.

For the trade show, we had lectures starting at breakfast and for a couple hours after at the hotel, then to the convention center for the actual show with all of the booths and everything. I think a lot of people go to see how many free products they can get and how many prizes they can win. Well - without even really trying - I won a prize with the ONE ticket I entered into the drawing on Saturday and also won 1 of the 2 grand prizes with another contest I participated in!! The prizes are the stores anyways, but I think that it was rather amusing that the only 2 tickets that I entered with my name on them both won a prize!!

Our hotel stay started out interesting. When we got there to sign in - they told us that they did not have the room we had reserved in JANUARY. They told us that all they had was a king or a queen (keep in mind - there are 3 of us). We had reserved a double with a lake view - they told us that they don't really honor the specifics of the reservation, just ensure that there will be a room for us... In the end, we ended up with a suite (had a king & a fold-out sofa) with a street side view. Oh well - at least we had a place to stay!

(this is the view from our room - definitely not lakeside)

Austin itself is a beautiful city! We were going to try to see the Capitol Building sometime on Sunday - but spent the whole day at the show (again). I got to see it though when we came into town while trying to get around traffic & make it to our hotel. We went out to eat with one of our vendors on Saturday night to this great Mexican food place. My dish wasn't all that great - I decided to try something new - but everything else was very good! The weather was great and we sat on the outside patio for a few hours until a short rainstorm drove us back to the hotel (where we finished up the night with dessert - the ultimate brownie!).

(progressive shots getting closer to the Capitol from the truck on the way in - it's as close as we got)

The first evening we got there - before all of the commotion - we were able to go outside & take a little look around. We watched the batflight from the Congress Street Bridge and walked around the path for a little while. I think I will eventually visit Austin as a tourist sometime in the near future.

(Renee & Sherry) (Me)

Bats under the bridge - very dark shot... and the bridge - different camera setting

The big blur just above the horizon is all the bats making their way our from under the bridge.

All in all - it was a very eventful weekend. I am still tired - but recuperation is coming along slowly.