Hit & Run

Today, I was the victim of a hit and run. I was driving through an intersection and another driver decided to turn left at the same time. The crazy thing is, he wasn't in the turn lane and I had a green light. I guess technically so did he, but he shouldn't have been turning. He hit my back driver's side wheel and it spun me almost around to where I was facing oncoming traffic. I tried to find my phone but it had fallen on the floorboard. When I finally found it, I called 911 and explained what happened. He told me I could move my car out of the way since no one was hurt. As soon as it happened, I wondered if I had run a red light because another car turned after him. I didn't know he wasn't in the turn lane until another car had stopped to see if I was ok and tell me what she saw. I waited for the police and the woman who stopped with me assured me that I did have the green light and it wasn't my fault and that the driver who hit me wasn't even in the turn lane. When the police showed up they got all of her information and she left. I was thankful she stopped because I didn't really know what happened. While the police officer was getting my information, another car showed up and an older man got out with his wife. He handed the police officer a piece of paper. He was the man who turned after the guy who hit me. He followed him until he could get his license plate number. The police officer told me they'd start to work on the case and if I didn't hear from them by late next week to call back. Jack was so good during the whole ordeal. He sat calmly in the car and let me do what I needed to do. He said, "Mommy, your car said, 'eeeeeeeee'". I asked him if it was scary and he said, "Mommy, was it fuuuuuuun?" Thank goodness it didn't scare Jack, because it sure scared me! He also said, "Mommy, did you bonk your head?" I said, "No, did you?" He said, "Yes, right here and right here" pointing to the head rests in his car seat. Fortunately, he seems to be just fine and thought the whole experience was fun. I didn't think my car had much damage. I was surprised because just the wheel and the bumper had black scratches on them. When we got to my parents' house Dad and Jarred noticed that my back wheel is bent pretty good. We were planning on staying here this weekend anyway, since Kelly & Abbott are on their way so I'll just stay here til Monday morning and take it to the Chevy dealer down the street from here (the one they advertise for). It was a nerve racking experience and I was pretty scared. I realize how much worse it could have been and thank the angels that were watching over Jack and I today. Here are some pics of my car. I'll keep you updated on the status of the wreck and the driver who cowardly left the scene. I also thank the nice lady who saw what happened and stayed to give the report to the police and my hero of the day is the wonderful couple who chased him down to get his license plate number.

Black scratches on the wheel and bumper.

You can see how the wheel slants out compared to the front wheel.

Compared to the other back wheel.

I noticed driving out to my parents' that my steering wheel was turned to the left, even when I was driving straight. When I tried to straighten it up, I veered to the right. This is how it looks in the "straight" position. What an interesting day.

Mighty Musical Monday

On the first Monday of every month they put on a free concert at the Tennessee Theater. It's been totally remodeled and it is beautiful. The concert hosts different performers every month but always features a Wurlitzer Organ (picture the music on the merry-go-round). It was very entertaining. Jack enjoyed the music but was also ready go after each song. Here are a few pictures from Mighty Musical Monday.

The lobby of the theater. The picture doesn't really do it justice.

Jack with Popo and Moma Jo.

This was the best picture I got of the stage and the organ.

The outside of the theater from down the street.

After the performance we ate at the Tomato Head on Market Square.

Walking back to the car after a fun morning in downtown Knoxville!

Help Feed the Children in Honduras

A friend of a friend of mine is raising money to help feed the poor in Honduras that live in a place so cozily named "the dump". Here is a link to his blog where you can donate if you like. Please don't feel like you have to, just thought I'd pass the info along.
http://www.treymorgan.net/

Motivated in May Meals

I know it may be a little late to make this for Cinco de Mayo but I thought that for whoever wants to be Motivated with me, I'll share some of my healthy recipes. None are creations I've come up with but recipes that we've either adapted to be healthier or from a healthy source. If you have some recipes that are good but not too healthy, email them to me and I'll try to "healthify" them. I'll try to share some healthy recipes every few days so we can all stay motivated. Oh, and if you have healthy recipes, share those, too. You can either blog about them and let me know or you can email me volgrad01@aol.com. I'll share those with everyone else too. Here is what we're having for Cinco de Mayo instead of going to our favorite restaurant (which is really kinda bumming me out, but I keep reminding myself about the 4 pounds I've already gained).

Baked Turkey and Jack Cheese Chimichangas

2 serving cooking spray (5 1 second sprays per serving)
1/2 pound uncooked ground turkey breast
16 oz. fat free refried beans
8 oz. salsa
4 1/2 oz. canned diced green chiles, drained
1 tsp. chili powder
3 Tbsp. scallions, thinly sliced
1 c. shredded reduced fat monterey jack cheese
8 large burrito size whole wheat tortillas
1 c. salsa- optional
1/2 c. fat free sour cream- optional

1. Preheat oven to 350. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Coat a 13x9x2 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Add turkey to skillet and cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 5 min. Drain any access liquid from pan and add beans, 8 oz salsa, green chiles, chili powder and scallions. Cook until heated through, about 3 min, stir in cheese.
3. Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in oven for 10 min.
4. Assemble chimichangas by spooning 1/2 c. turkey mixture onto each tortilla, fold in sides and roll up.
5. Place chimichangas in prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered until tortillas are crisp and brown, about 20 min. Serve each with 2 Tbsp of salsa and 1 Tbsp of sour cream (if desired).

I will serve this with a whole grain spanish rice that I found (Rice a Roni, I think) and I'm slicing up a cantaloupe. It won't be Abuelo's but it will be much better for me!! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Motivated in May

I was pretty much gone for most of April and I hate to admit that I didn't stick to my weight watchers plan while I was gone. It's so hard to do when you're out of town. I know it's possible, but difficult. Needless to say, I've gained about 4 pounds since I've been gone. I've decided to get re-motivated in May. I'm getting back to tracking points and getting back on the treadmill and getting back on the program. I'm inviting anyone who reads my blog to get motivated in May, too. Post a blog about what you want to get motivated to do, or re-motivated to do and leave me a comment about it. I'll help you stay motivated and you can help me stay motivated. Invite your blog friends to get motivated and we can all help each other out. It's kind of like a mid-year (almost) resolution. At the end of May we can see if this helped anyone reach or get closer to a goal and if it does, we can keep it up. Anyone with me?

A few more Texas pics

I have been home for nearly 3 days and am just now managing to download 597 pictures from my 3 weeks in Texas. Yes, I know I have a picture taking problem but the way I see it, if you don't document it, who knows what you might be missing out on. We had such a great time. It was great to be back home but I always love going to Texas. It's really my real "home" and it always will be. Even though I have a lot of reasons to come back to Tennesee: Jarred, mom, dad, Kelly, Ryan, Abbott, friends, it's always so hard to leave. Here are a few reasons I love it so much, besides the fact that it's Texas and is the best state in the country:

Look at this. How is this not awesome? Jack loves his Poppa as much as I do and I love that.

Two silly Jacks.

Poppa has put up bird houses on each side of his fence. This bluebird has built a nest in this one and has laid 5 little blue eggs. On the other side of the yard, another house had 5 baby birds in it. I couldn't get a good picture but Jack said, "aawww they are so cute" and he was right, they are.

I caught this picture of a mockingbird.

And I know I have a sunset picture on nearly every East Texas post I make but they are almost as pretty as a Texas Panhandle sunset.

Although I'm home now, I'm not slowing down. We will be heading back to East Texas 3 weeks from today for a baby shower for my cousin. Kelly is off for a week so we'll stay most of the week. One of my best friends is coming at the end of that week and we're going to get some good girl time in. Jack will tag along for most of it but we're planning a trip to the Biltmore, just the 2 of us so I'm looking forward to that. We're pretty free most of the summer except for an unexpected trip to Red River that we are super excited about. Next to Texas it's my most favorite place in the world. If you'd like to come visit us, come on. We're ready!

East Texas Arboretum

We've found a few treasures this week in Athens. First the fish hatchery and today the arboretum. You wouldn't think there's much to it from the sign at the road but there are over 3 miles of hiking trails, an old house, a new little red schoolhouse that was used for Sunday school today, a kids playground area and kids garden. It is a beautiful place. We didn't come prepared to hike so we'll make sure we're ready for that on our next trip. It was a great day, overcast but not raining and warm but not too hot. I was hoping to find a bluebonnet patch but had no luck with that.

This is the kids garden area with the school house and playground. There was also a learning barn, playhouse and sandbox.

Jack's checking out the old plows.

It was so hard for him not to pick any of the flowers. You can look closely and see a little one in his hand. It was in the gutter in the parking lot so we let him take that one.

Runnin' around the corner.

This house was in another location and moved to the arboretum in the 90's.

A flower bed in a flower shape.

Jack & I on the bridge.

Jack & Aunt Lissa

He's getting good at posing for pictures.

Jack & Rebekah.

He almost picked a flower.

Here we all are, minus Aunt Lissa who was the photographer.

He stopped to read the signs. This one said, "This is where we are." Well, at least that's what Jack read.