My words have never tasted so...expensive.

Who out there likes eating humble pie? Eating your words is never easy or fun. Especially when it comes with a price tag.

Let me set the stage here. We live off Hwy 26 where the posted speed is 55mph. The signs do not say speed limit, only speed. Because it doesn't say speed limit, the cops are lenient and allow the flow of traffic to be around 60-65-which is regularly.

If you've ever gotten into a conversation with me about the speed limit and my driving habits on Hwy 26, you would hear me boast and brag that I have driven by cops with my cruise control set at 69. Cops with their radar guns out have never pulled us over. (They do ticket when you reach 70 and over...but that's for another post).

Okay, so last month I was driving along my familiar route down 26 and was asking the kids where they wanted to eat lunch. I sort of noticed a cop off the side of the road, but he didn't have anyone pulled over, so I didn't slow down. Another rule here in Oregon is that if you see a cop has pulled someone over, you must move into the other lane (when one is available) or slow down. The cop didn't have anyone pulled over anymore, but had his amber lights on. I cruise by at 69. Big mistake.

Bottom line is, I was supposed to slow down when I saw his lights on. Thankfully, he did not have the red and blue going because that would have warranted a steeper penalty. And, thankfully, he only cited me for speeding and not failure to yield to a police officer.

So, needless to say, I have set my cruise control right around 60 mph and you know what? I haven't lost time. Imagine that. :)