This post could have so many titles.

Let's consider those for just a moment. 

1.  You did what?
2.  Again?
3.  Is God not screaming loud enough?

So, now that I got that out of my system, allow me to share with you the call I got today.  My mom phoned to let me know that my sister had, once again, wrecked her vehicle.  If you are keeping count, this is the second vehicle in slightly less than 2 months. 

My sister had a truck load of 4 children.  She had my two nieces, ages 7 and 9, her 20 month old son, and her friend's 15 year old son.  She was busy driving her friend's son to school, then onward to drive her two to school because I think that they missed the opportunity to catch the bus.

Enter black ice.  My sister doesn't watch the news, so she must have missed the multiple warnings on the newscast last night. 

She slid.

She panicked.

She hit the brake.  (You want to throw it into neutral, but there is no guarantee that will stop you.)

She dropped her truck onto the drivers side and right into a ditch.  She looked up to have an Amish face looking back at her.  The gentlemen were out in her area building something, must have watched her twirl and came to her aid.  She said that she opened the window and started handing children out.  My 7 year old niece popped out of the back slider window.  After the 9 year old was released, she helped to free the 15 year old. 

Yes, they are all fine.  My sister's back is wrenched, but everyone is fine. 

The truck is not.  Neighbors came with their tractor (she lives in the country) and bales of hay.  They were able to use both to pull her truck back upright.  She was able to drive it back home. 

Needed part inventory is:
2 new doors
1 driver's side mirror
1 running board
1 tail light
1 rear bumper
1 tail gate
1 support (I have no idea what that is connected to.)

Oooo, and a new car seat and boosters-- again.

They'll know more once they get the bed off. 

They are certain that IF! they had full coverage, insurance would total it.  That was not the case, though.  Once again, she only had liability insurance.  It appears that losing a $6500.00 van only 2 months ago didn't quite sink in enough to fully cover the only vehicle that she has to drive.

Now, she has been given clearance to drive the wreckamobile 4/10 of a mile to the bus stop and back and that is it.  Frankly, I wouldn't trust it that far, but that's just me.

Yes, I sound heartless.  I'm irritated.  You see, I called my sister after I heard.  I asked, "How are you?" in a not terribly fluffy way.  "Okay, shaken up.  [insert pause]  What do you think?"  "I'm fairly certain that you don't want to know what I think.  I'm positive of that."  "I'm sure that what you think is what has already gone through my mind.  Tell me."  "LeAnne, it's going to come out wrong, but I think you'll understand what I mean.  You have to make your family first and you need to stop.  I don't know how loudly God can yell at you.  Next time, I fear that you won't be alive."  "I know.  My family is first, but I know what you are saying.  I already told [my friend] that I can't do it anymore."  The last wreck she was in was because she was rushing the kids in the morning in the very same way.

My brother Billy has given the truck the once over.  He's going to see what he can do to help pull it around.  It's going to be a lot of work. 

To my sister's credit, we are women that are rescuers.  We were brought up to be fixers.  You have a problem, a tragedy, a something-wrong-in-your-life?  We'll do what we can to fix it.  We'll turn ourselves upside down, walk on our hands and balance balls on our noses to get what needs to be taken care of handled.  An admirable trait, yes, but occasionally a personality flaw. 

We can't fix it all.

We shouldn't fix it all.

I've learned to say no.  Not always, but the word has entered my vocabulary.  Is it hard for me to say no?  Yes, but sometimes it needs done. 

Once again, send prayers of thanksgiving, please. 

Smiles in my day:
-  They all came out okay. 
-  I figured out the reason that my face, neck and hairline is all broken out.  I've flipped over to using some liquid Arm & Hammer detergent I had on hand and it has color safe bleach in it.  It is also a different scent that I'm used to using.  One or the other is causing a sensitivity.  The sensitivity isn't a smile, but the fact that I figured out the error of my ways-- great! 

Have a great day!