Last night I went to Scrapaholics to teach our second cupcake decorating class. There was a wonderful group of ladies and we all had lots of fun creating some gorgeous Valentines cupcakes to give to our loved ones today - Happy Valentines Day - here's what we created....
Well, they were the 'official' ones. Like with all my classes, I love to give a little extra and we made a couple of extra cupcakes too. Like I said, it was FUN!
Anyway, afterwards, I was on my way home and I saw a cop car with their 'victim' in front pulled over to the side of the road, blue and red lights flashing in the darkness. Whew I thought, they're already busy. Won't bother me. Hmmmmm. Famous last words.
And this is where I get to thank SANDRA MASON. Because the other day she put a post up on facebook talking about how her drivers licence had nearly expired and she had to go and get a new one. Well, guess what on reading her post I remembered that mine was due to expire in January. Yep, we're now in February!
What had happened, me being clever and all, I'd put reminders on my outlook diary every day in December to remind me to get a new one. But of course December was busy and I kept pushing the 'snooze' button and when Jan rolled around I just plain FORGOT!
So seeing her post, I pulled out my drivers licence, had a look and yep, expired late Jan.
Oh my goodness!
We had swimming that night with the kids, but there was a one hour gap between Dan and Matt so off we trotted and got my new licence done. They took my 'actual' licence, and gave me a paper one to carry with me 'just in case'.
Ahhhhhhh. The feeling was so good. But that was just two days before!
So coming back to last night. I saw the cops coming up behind me fast but in the other lane and thought they must be on the way to get someone/something, but no. They stopped next to me and told me to pull over. I was stopped at lights so couldn't figure out what was wrong. But duly put my indicator on, and pulled into the street right there, past the yellow lines, and stopped.
The lovely lady cop walked up and asked me if I knew why I was pulled over. I was truely surprised. After seeing the cop, I wasn't speeding, so I couldn't figure it out.
Turns out my lights were off. ARGH! You see my car is one that when you get out of the car, the lights automatically turn off. So I leave them on forever. Day or night. Then I never forget to put them on. But either Andy or my BIL had recently used my car and had turned them off. Not thinking (yes, those are the operative words! Cause I still should've checked). I got in the car and drove without lights.
So I explained that to her, and even turned off the car, and opened the door to show her. Like she wouldn't know that?! LOL!
But the story gets better cause they ask me whether I've just pulled out of anywhere, so I tell them 'why yes, 90 Springs Street, Scrapaholics - I was teaching a cupcake decorating class there'. She looked at me like I was weird. I had to laugh. So I did. Nervously. Did I really squeak/snort? I Nearly said, would you like to see. Thank goodness I didn't. I'm sure she didn't want to see my valentine cupcakes! LOL!
So she asks all these other questions, my address ('you're a long way from home aren't you?'), phone number, mobile number, job - oh yeah. What do I do? I'm a Mum I say proudly. Oh and I teach scrapbooking and cupcake decorating on occassion. Again that weird look.
'I'll just go and check on a few things she says, wait here'.
She was obviously checking all the details and whether I had previous tickets or anything. Meantime Andy calls. Laughing cause I'm sitting there with a cop car red and blue flashing lights behind me because of HIM!
And then the kind lady came back and said to me, 'normally not having your lights on would be a $150 fine, but this time we're going to give you a warning'. I was like seriously? THANK YOU!
And inside the whole time I was sitting there thinking, thank you Sandra Mason because if I had an expired licence too, then I would be getting the $150 fine PLUS whatever it costs for an expired licence.
I recon by having that in between licence, no past / outstanding issues, they thought I was quite trustworthy and let me off. So thank you Sandra! I owe you!
And so I got off at least $150. I was lucky. A couple of days earlier. I would've been in even more trouble! Whew.
So my 'Sunday Shake up' which turns out to be a Friday shake up, is check your licence, check when it expires, and put it in your diary, then don't ignore it!
Have a fabulous Valentines!