The accident

So I realized I never really blogged about being rear ended....probably one of the reasons I had stopped blogging for awhile...it so put a kink in my mood and outlook.

I was just a few miles from our house on the last Saturday of April. Hubs and I had planned an actual date day for the two of us and I was running to Kohls that morning. I was coming to a complete stop as there were cars in front of me when the guy behind me was paying any attention and slammed into me. He hit me hard enough that I hit the car in front of me. Needless to say, it ruined my day/weekend/week/month.  I was very thankful that Bella and I were not hurt, just some whiplash. I was devastated. We had just bought our new car a little over a month ago and then this happened.

Thankfully, the guy that hit me was totally at fault and received a ticket. I had to go to court as a witness just a few weeks ago and he plead guilty. And we were also very thankful that he had insurance.  However, they have not been the best to deal with. I can never get a hold of the claims adjuster and she has been very rude on the phone.  Will be so thankful when this is all over.

The vehicle was not totalled, but had $13,000 in damage which just sickens us.  The adjuster had to go to the body shop three times because they kept finding things that were broken or in pieces when they took the car apart.  The body shop was kind enough to give me pictures of the car and the pieces they took off, so I thought I would share just a few.

After a month and half in the shop...we finally went to pick her up on Tuesday evening.  She looks as good as new. Hubs found some paint over spray on the driver's side...but I took it back and they removed it right away.

It's good to have my car back and be out of the rental. I admit, I am nervous driving it now.  We are still waiting to settle with the medical portion of the claim and I have been told that we should claim diminished value for the car.  I was really hoping to be done with the insurance company...but looks like a few more issues we need to work out with them. Nothing like leaving a message for the claims adjuster and her never returning my phone calls. I know what insurance to never get for car insurance..that is for sure!

Happy Friday to you all! May you all have a safe weekend!

Ok ok

I'm here! And I am blogging! Surprise!  This spring and summer has already been super busy and the end of April/May was very stressful to me with being rear ended. I can tell you that I don't like dealing with insurance companies AT ALL!

We finally have our car back after a month and a half in the body shop. From what we can tell..she looks like new...and she does have the new car smell still..but it kind of has a paint smell too...so that is a little disappointing...but I will get over it. I am just thankful to be out of the rental car!

I am still wrapping up all the issues with insurance company. I think sometimes it is never going to end. And they are the hardest people to get a hold of!

Our birthdays came and went...all in all it was a great weekend. I got to see both my niece and nephew which was wonderful! And of course seeing my Sissie and SIL was an added bonus too! :) My mom made us (or should I say...ME) ha!  a Chocolate Angel Food Cake...which was DELICIOUS!

I am staying busy with my full time job and my team is a growing with Thirty-One! I will more than double my team in the next month or two....UNBELIEVABLE!   AND I earned the Leadership Trip to Cancun in October for both Hubs and I...and I also earned us a $2000.00 cruise of our choice! Super excited about both...I am dreaming of October already....I just look at pictures and can hardly wait!

Doesn't it look amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! The best part is the entire trip is FREE! We won't pay for one thing...not even parking at the airport or gratuity!  I guess...we will pay for Bella to be boarded..but that's it! AMAZING!

We now have a computer that works at home....and I just won a wireless keyboard and mouse at work yesterday...so I hope to get myself back into a routine of blogging at night.  It has been hard to find time during the day while working both my FT job and keeping up with being a Director with Thirty-One...but I wouldn't trade it for the world! Next goal...Senior Director by December....I have my eyes set on it!  God continues to bless my team and I and I am SO VERY THANKFUL!

Our neighborhood is changing.   We have new neighbors that have just started moving in across the street and one final home is going up on our block. Can't wait for this construction to be over! Can hardly believe how much it has changed in 3 years! We are even planning our first block party for August!  One of our neighbors is retiring from the military, so his wife is throwing him a party...should be lots of fun in our cul-de-sac. :)

My family is all doing good! My sister is due in September...can't wait to meet my new little niece/nephew! We will be heading to my brother's in July to stay with them a few days before driving on to Columbus, OH...excited to see them and their house and spend some quality time with Little Miss P. She came and stayed with us for one night last week. Growing up so fast! She even cried when hubs tried to give her back to me...she wanted Uncle Ike to not let her go. Too cute!

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!! Enjoy your evening!

Wordless Wednesday

Do you have a favorite cookbook?

I love cookbooks!!!!In fact, I LOVE collecting them! I have two shelves of cookbooks in my pantry!! I know that you can get pretty much any recipe online...and I do get recipes from there when I am in a crunch. However, to me there is just something special about looking through an actual cookbook.  It brings back memories to me of special times with my family. I also enjoy reading any notes/stories that  is put into a cookbook...ahhh...the history of recipes...fascinates me.

I have several cookbooks from my hometown....that I pretty much use almost weekly.....and then I have some that I have purchased or received as gifts. Here are a few of those:

The Pioneer Woman cookbook is one of my favorites. I love her pictures, stories and recipes. So does my Hubby....he says you can never go wrong when you use one of her recipes.  Maybe he likes the fact that she lives in Oklahoma...which is where he was born....so he is a bit partial...but the recipes are AMAZING!

The Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks are also ones that I use all the time. My sister was telling me that their Crock Pot Cookbook is one of her favorites...that will be the next one for me to get on my list. The recipes are simple and yummy!

Anyways...just wanted to share a couple of them that I love...

Do you all have any favorites....if so what are they?? Or...do you prefer finding recipes online?