no stuff, there i was, minding my own business.

really! honest!

the boys and i were bringing phillip home from his having dropped off his car at the shop for basic work when we (amazingly enough) joined the long line of cars stopped at the red light. it was a long line, and clearly took a few of us by surprise. the folks behind me left over 30 feet of skid marks before they plowed into the back of Charlotte The Jeep, they were so surprised (and clearly going so quickly toward the intersection).

We are fine. really. i have the x-rays to prove it. i ache like the dickens, given that just as it became apparent that the car would indeed hit us i remembered the ice skates in the cargo area and turned around to look for them. sometimes the subconscious works in weird ways, as twisted around from the front seat is not the ideal impact position. the skates stayed in the cargo area where they belonged, of course, just to prove how silly humans are.

Charlotte runs. She clearly won the argument between her and the white Altima, which lost all of its front bumper and sustained quite a bit of damage in the hood area. The people in the other car are fine as well. Charlotte's exhaust system was scrunched, and she makes horrible rattling noises when she starts up and drives. I am hoping this is related to the exhaust system but am taking no chances and will take her to Wayne The UberMechanic. Think wonderful it's-not-the-drivetrain thoughts for her, please.

Many kudos to phillip and johnny for dealing with the boys and me last night. they were wonderful and deserve a gold star. i'm not certain where the points-and-stars score sheet is located; perhaps i'll need to build a website for it. Kudos to Nana for being school taxi this morning and afternoon. She gets points and stars too. Much love goes to Mags and Jules for being so wonderful and reassuring and accommodating given my lack of transportation. stars and points in abundance to you, m'ladies.

as to the medieveal event in fincastle this weekend: I have arranged a ride and will be attending without the children. I have been assured that even though i'm sore tot he bone, my job is simply to sit around and look regal and at this event i plan to put that to the test. the boys will stay in roanoke as I am not up for managing them during youth combat, even though they are naturally wanting to go. I am certain we can arrange a home-grown whack-a-knight for the boys to feel accommodated in the coming weeks (hint hint, dear chatelaine!). while Tiger is the one most noticeably excited, Dragon is the one with the sneaky little gleam in his eye every time such youth activities are mentioned. We SCAdians should get together and discuss a possible spring event for them, as the boys have a clear event bid put together where it can be All About The Children. I'm looking forward to getting to see such of you as will be in attendance at the event -- please be delicate but forthcoming with the hugs and swoopings (you know who you are).

for those of you expecting to meet with me for lunch or other things this afternoon and evening: i'm not going anywhere. i'll give you a call in the coming week to reschedule. i'll be out of cell reach tonight after 6 or so. i plan on taking a long hot bath tonight, and so will likely not be inclined to sit in front of a computer to check my mail, despite having one available.

i hope your coming weekend is wonderful, whatever you might have planned. for those of you traveling, be careful and well. i'm spending the afternoon reading Terry Pratchett and snuggling with kittens and covers.