Todd's Blog

As new homeowners, we're continually discovering things we need. As such, I've found myself at the Ace Hardware store down the road more than a few times lately. I even went ahead and signed up for the Ace Rewards card. As much as I'd like to think that I specifically went to this small, locally owned hardware store because Copperas Cove is now my home town; the honest truth is that Ace is 5 minutes from my house, while Lowe's and Home Depot are "all the way" over in Killen (at least 20 minutes away).

Even admitting that my intentions weren't entirely pure, I still find myself feeling somewhat proud and happy about supporting a small business here in town. Don't get me wrong, we still run down to Walmart for quite a few things, and we still get most of our food from HEB, or the Commissary on post. However, if we have the opportunity to support a small business, and all thing are nearly equal (I realize we'll probably pay a bit more), I certainl…

Well that was a fun afternoon.

Earlier today, I had to pop home real quick to grab some paperwork that I needed to take over to the Soldier's Center on Fort Hood. There's a traffic light at the corner of FM-116 and Lutheran Church Road, where I make a left to get to my house. When I arrived at the intersection, the light was green, but there was traffic coming the other direction, so I couldn't turn right away. I'd been sitting there for about 5-10 seconds, when I glanced up at the rear-view mirror and noticed a car coming up behind me "a bit" quicker than it should have been going. I thought to myself (and may have even said outloud):

Crap, he's gonna hit me

... and hit me he did.

I was pushed forward into the intersection, and slightly to my left (towards the oncoming traffic). Fortunately, I was able to steer back to the right a little bit, and the 1st car coming the other way was able to slow and veer onto the shoulder ... so no other cars were inv…