Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Post Christmas Day Crash, or as I like to call it “Good Riddance 2007!”

Yep, that’s right. That says “crash” not “bash.” Because Christmas wasn’t exciting enough for the Belknap family, I had to get into a car accident two days later. Here’s how it went down.

I was taking Kaleb to the dentist. The van was nearly out of gas and I was less than 5 yards from Conoco when I tried to slow down.

Let me pause for a moment to describe the Winter Wonderland that is Idaho Falls. For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas—your dream came true—in my area code. Over the Christmas break I’m going to estimate we got approximately 6 feet of snow (and for those readers from Idaho Falls, you and I both know that number’s probably closer to three, but we’re going for effect here, people. Run with me on this one). And in spite of all this snow, by December 27th few of the side roads had been plowed, and the main road I was traveling had probably not been plowed as much as it had been talked about in the plowmen’s breakroom (effect, people!).

So back to my story. When I went to slow down for that gas station, my brakes locked and I began to skid into what looked like a 2007 Ford Taurus, color Merlot. Now hindsight is 20/20 so I can tell you now that I should have either 1) hit the Ford Taurus (Their bumper looked pretty hearty and could have withstood my 10 mile/hr skidding speed – although my bumper would have done neither of us any good). Or 2) turned into the curb to my right. Of course I went with #3, or as I like to call it “stupid”; I turned into the left lane.

Lucky for me the left lane was NOT oncoming traffic, although there was someone clipping along at an insane speed who WASN’T watching for stupid drivers picking option #stupid in their first skid of the winter season. He hit my door, right at the hinge and knocked out his headlight in the process. (At least he was in a '91 Toyota Tercel...)

That’s when Kaleb perked up from the backseat. “Were we just in an accident?” he asked. “Did we just crash? Wow, that was cool. Lucky I was in my seatbelt. I could have died!” He was far more excited about the event than I, let me tell you.

The kicker is, in the time I spent idling in wait for Mr. IFPD, my van ran out of gas. I coasted into the gas station and had to be pushed up to the pump. As if getting in a car accident, holding up traffic for 20 minutes, and having my son narrate the entire experience wasn’t momentous enough, I had to top it off with an empty gas tank. Brilliant!

It’s been less than one week since we “survived” said accident (at least that’s how Kaleb’s describing it) and I have to tell you, while not pretty and definitely not my year-end of choice I have to say it suits 2007 well.

Bring it, 2008. Because you and I both know you’re bound to be a helluva lot better than last year.

Happy New Year, blogworld!

14 comments:

Suburban Correspondent said...

You can't help instinct. Once my husband swerved because a crazy driver looked as if she were about to rear-end him - and he ended up spinning and having a head-on with a cement truck. The police officer said, "You know, there are worse things than being rear-ended in a station wagon." Yes, that was very clear to Larry by that point. But he was just glad to be alive.

Becky said...

Totally laughing outloud. Loved the part where Kaleb thought it was "cool". Well, maybe on the bright side....insurance might pay to get a whole new bumper and you can forget the duck tape?
Wishing you a wonderful 2008 Shauna!

Karen said...

Yikes. I'm glad things didn't turn out worse! But I must say, running out of gas after that just added a certain "something" to the story!

Carrie Wilson Link said...

Yes, good riddance indeed!

Liza on Maui said...

Happy New Year ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you're okay!! 2008 will be better. I'm sure of it.

Mary

GustoBones said...

UGH, car accident. Glad you and Kaleb are safe! Hope 2008 brings with it many good things.

lindsey said...

That really sucks. At least your accident makes for a good story. I was laughing. I hope you get a brand new bumper. I also hope 2008 is accident free for you guys!

Anonymous said...

Yikes. Yes, that does sum up the #@*&! year. But tell me: is there another reason people live in Idaho Falls? I mean, other than the falls?

Crazed Nitwit said...

Oh Yeah! Let's here it for 2008!!!! Glad no one was injured. :)

Rhonda Barnes said...

2008 will be the hottest year for you...a NEW beginning is in the air!!! Enjoy Enjoy! love mom

Anonymous said...

Shauna,
I am so sorry to hear about the car accident. It is funny to laugh about now, but I am sure at the time, it was so frightening. Just thinking about it gives me the chills. I am so glad you and Kaleb are ok.

I am with you on Good Riddance to 2007. 2008 will be better, I just know it.

Love your idea of a bloggy party. Lets do it some place warm, tropical, and where we get pampered all day.

Take care!

XOXOXO

Candygirlflies said...

Hi, Shauna, Happy New Year... And I'm POSITIVE it's going to be wonderful for you, this brand spankin' new 2008!!

So sorry about the car mishap, but very, very thankful to hear that you are ok.

Lots of love to you and your 3, from me and mine!!

xo CGF

jason said...

The Barnes Kids saga continues with... "I choose option #stupid"
Shauna - I am not poking fun because I know that my time is coming. Good job surviving that one!