Yesterday, we had our first snowfall of the season. It wasn’t more than a few inches but out here where the roads are rural as the day is long, driving in the weather can be a challenge.
The snow played it’s part in getting everyone into the holiday spirit. I was slated to work the Santa Shop at the elementary school yesterday afternoon. (Santa Shop is a school fundraiser where little kids are able to purchase junk for their family for the holiday.) Just as I was preparing to walk out of the door for my 12 - 3pm shift, the county announced that they were dismissing schools 2 hours early. HOT DAMN!
Now facing only one hour to work and the afternoon free, I was really feeling festive - right until I almost lost my ass driving down the hill from my house. My precious hybrid that takes so little and gives so much, gave out as soon as it felt ice under it’s feet. I can’t be sure because I was in a full panic but I think the car’s computer said something like “You’re on your own with this shit, Kimberly”.
Yeah, no brakes and my back end sliding towards a line of mailboxes was not the way I envisioned my day unfolding. I got the car under control and drove like a little old lady (steering wheel in a white knuckle grip and under 10 miles an hour) the rest of the way to the school.
Once I got there and cooled off (I tend to sweat like a pig when I almost die), I put a call in to the middle school.
Hi, my daughter is scheduled to ride the bus home but I’d like to make a change. I just came that way and the roads are awful. I’d like her to be picked up by my friend Marina instead. She’s on my pickup list.”
That’s fine, ma’am. We just need it in writing.
Ummm, In writing? Don’t you have my list of allowable persons to pick up my child right there in front of you? That’s already in writing. Right?
Yes, but we still need a note from home as well…or you can fax something over.
Fax? Look, I’m in Santa Shop right now and I can’t possibly fax you anything but I don’t want her riding the bus.
We need it in writing.
I hear you. I’m not sure what to do about that but I do not want my child getting on that bus. Okay?
I’ll see if the principal will make an exception. Is there a number where we can call you back?
Yeah, the f*cking North Pole. Ask for the pissed off elf with sweat stains under her arms.
Of course, I didn’t say that last part but boy was I mad.
The school did allow my older daughter to go home with my friend and the roads improved as the day went on so I began to feel festive once again. Festive enough to take both girls Christmas shopping at Borders and then swing by the grocery store for some hot chocolate and other snow day essentials.
With the car packed to the brim with girls, book bags, groceries, Christmas gifts and even the dry cleaning, we headed home to enjoy a quiet evening by the fire. The main roads were clear but once we got back into our neighborhood, my hybrid got nervous.
Ooooo, oooooo…I think that’s ice I feel!
It’s fine. We can make it. Just keep going.
No, no, no. Let’s pull over. I can’t do this.
Yes you can. Forward motion. Envision yourself in the warm, cozy garage.
Oh no! That hill again! I can’t make it up that hill! It’s a sheet of ice!
You can do it. Look, I’m going to run one tire on the edge of the asphalt for added traction. It’s just one little hill and then we’re home free!
I’d like to tell you that we made it but that’s just not how it went down. My hybrid totally chickened out and got itself stuck in a ditch a little less than a mile from the house. The girls and I in our ballet flats had no choice but to carry the groceries up the hill in the snow and leave the good for nothing car behind.
I’m not sure how green I was feeling when I got home but I sure was red with anger and my toes were turning blue. It was a colorful day in the Ding Dang Woods, that’s for sure.
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear your car wussed out on you like that, but I’m glad that you and all the munchkins are safe and sound. Stories like this make me glad that I live in SoCal where we go TO the snow, it doesn’t come to us.
Wow! I’m so sorry your hybrid let you down. That’s a first and a real bummer. Did it balk at your hill last year??
Will you be getting a SUV just for winter weather driving?
I think the hybrid manufacturer may have to officially cancel your endorsement deal now.
(Glad you made it everywhere safely though - winter driving is terrifying!)
Does it have snow tires and everything? What is it? What’s its problem?
I dunno, we moved to snow country and had just bought a Jeep with all terrain tires, but I’ve done about 3 slow speed slides. It’s scary cuz it’s doing its own thing!
Oh, and in November? I just pull out the Sorrel Pac boots and those are my winter shoes. What the heck you doing out in ballet flats? Ha-ha-ha!.
I’ve just helped my Mum make 45 cards for the kids in the Breakfast Club she helps run at the local primary (elementary) school… but I think we had it easy compared to you. So the whole having parents ‘volunteer’ for things in the school’s in America is a real thing and not just a Sit-Com invention?
Mum’s school has had to cancel events recently because they had NO volunteers…
So, I think that somewhere out there is some mis-directed good karma and you just got in the way of someone else’s bad juju… Here’s hoping the good stuff comes soon!
Who makes the Hybrid? Is it FORD? I love the fact that it is electric and not a gas guzzler, but if it is a Ford, those cars never drive well in the snow.
I, too am glad you made it safe. Have a better day today.
I don’t think I could do that snow thing!
Yep, I gave up my four wheel drive and went with something better on gas, without 4 x 4.
Which was great, until it snowed.
Here’s to hot mamma’s cruising along at 15 mph, white knuckles and wishing they could just bring themselves to start smoking.
I’ll be thinking of you on my commute home.
You are a gifted story teller!
Let’s see. Four miles a day plus three jazzercise classes equals one fit momma.
There’s gotta be a catch, right? Like there’s realy a snow and ice switch that you forgot to flip? Right? No?
Will changing tires help?
Oh, Lord how I hate driving in that crap and…MAN…now my armpits are way sweaty, too! Glad your ass seems fine, though.
Liz’s last blog post..If the shoe fits, then you’re right, I’m mean and it’s probably NOT my shoe, anyway.
Poor car! Poor Kimberly! Hopefully things have improved. And you did have hot chocolate!
InterstellarLass’s last blog post..Lame, But With House Photos
Thank goodness you came out of that nightmare unhurt. And the car is ok too, right? I know of two people I work with that weren’t so lucky and have ‘bruised’ cars to deal with. Maybe you can leave a barrel of sand near that steep hill for just such crisis! Going down it sideways had to be frightful!
Better luck next time.
BTW - why not give Marina some undated notes for the ‘next time’ which of course will never happen again.