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mara williams
on May 21 2013 - 06:00 AM
Summer break has this mom on a house upkeep war path.
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He always seems to do this about this time of year. I think it’s his enthusiasm. He gets all jazzed when he talked about several inches of snow and a little ice. Doesn't he know we (I really mean I) have to drive in this stuff?
But this time is a little different. I’m filling water jugs and getting candles out. I’m doing laundry and preparing snacks. I went to buy another shovel, but they were out.
And I’ve already imagined the car crash I’m going to have either Tuesday or Wednesday, maybe even tomorrow. Better to be prepared, I say. I’ve already talked out what I’ll say to my husband when I call him and the police officer who comes to help me out. I don’t plan on driving much faster than 25 mph, so I’m thinking it shouldn’t be a catastrophic crash.
I just got off the phone with a girlfriend and she’s doing the same thing, well the preparation anyway. Only better, I think. My typical pattern is to focus more on the panic, less on the preparation. Seems I panic just a little better than I prepare.
Each winter I get this way. But it seems the older I get, the more freaked out I get. The thing is, I’m a horrible driver in the kind of wintry mix Gary is talking about. I mean I’m no expert when the roads are dry as bone and the sun is shining. I didn’t drive until I was almost 18 and failed the first test.
So add some ice, eight inches of snow and a crazy wind, and I might as well be trapped in a bumper car ride at the county fair. I've watched all the Today Show tips on how to go slow and to turn into the slide when you’re sliding. And don’t push on the brakes. Try to pump the breaks, the experts say, but if that doesn’t work, just turn into it. … I don’t even know what all that means. I just know I will scream.
About eight years ago, when oldest was about six and I was a single mom, I got caught in a severe thunderstorm as I was driving him halfway to St. Louis to meet his dad. It was dark and the lights of my big Grand Prix boat wouldn’t work unless I put one of my turn signals on. Let me add that I don’t drive well in rain either. I was headed around all these curves just outside Rolla in southwest Missouri, with huge semi trucks whizzing past me – and don’t forget, my blinker constantly blinking. I was just sure that was the end for us.
So I panicked. With one swoosh of heavy rain and lightning filling the sky, I yelled “We’re going to meet our maker!!!!”
Our maker? Who even says that, much less with a six-year-old in the car? See, I’m one crazy storm driver. Rain or snow.
Two weeks ago, when we got this snow stuff they're talking about now, I was caught at an assignment and had to go from North Kansas City to Olathe in the thick of the falling snow. My car never went faster than 35 mph on the way home and I was just fine with that. Actually, I only got up to 35 for a few seconds, then I got crazy scared and took it back down to 25. Took me two hours to get home and when I did, my fingers were cramped for 30 minutes. Seems I white-knuckled it all the way to Olathe.
Please tell me there are other moms out there who just can’t handle this stuff. I’m thinking you may not be as panicky and insane as me, but maybe just as scared.
Any tips? Right now I’m already planning a talk with my boss, wondering if I can work from home. I may just start that conversation out, “Yes, I’m a big, fat wimp …”
But this time, Gary has me freaked. (For the record, I heart Gary. We're actually a Gary-exclusive household. If only he could just forecast the good stuff. ... )
If I may suggest finding a friend who is more comfortable with bad weather driving and going to a empty parking lot with snow. Also and I know that they sell for a premium during the winter; next time you get a car pick one with four wheel or all wheel drive. You really will feel more confident if you know your ability to drive is enhanced with all the wheels helping out.I know just how you feel, Laura! For years I blamed my winter mishaps on "cars that don't drive well in snow," but after several cars that didn't drive well in snow, I had to admit that perhaps the problem isn't the car. As far as Gary Lezak, though -- Katie Horner is much worse. There's actually a Facebook group called "Katie Horner Frightens Me Unnecessarily."I feel you pain, Laura. I don't enjoy this, either. I'm actually praying we get enough that my office will close for it so I don't have to drive in it. Or praying that for once the weather people are wrong!I'm ok driving in the weather, I just slow down and watch out for the idiots that seem to think they are above the sciences that govern snow and ice and wet and slippery. If you really wanna be freaked out by weaather, go to one of the coasts and listen to hurricane forecasters. When we lived on the Gulf Coast I had to get my info from my hubby 'cause those people scared the crap out of me!The one time I tried to follow the "turn into the skid" advice, I did a 180 and was hit by two other cars, who, amazingly, couldn't stop either. UghPack (prep) a days clean clothes, wash cloth, soap, Big Heavy Blanket and pillow, meds, $40 in all coins and go on to work. (advice to kid) Just for the worst. Taught him to drive in ice/snow by 4/4 melody and to take roads in rhythm, slow -steady. Gary doesn't scare me, prefer Bryan (9) or Mike (4). Joel (am 9) is Wisconsinite, if he's non-plussed, so am I.I would love to see Wal-Mart's/Lowe's/Home Depot's special inventory of what gets sent to stores before major winter storms. Would make a fun article, and one that could be written from home, too, I bet!I was just talking with my husband about how different it is now vs when we were little 'cause we have to drive further. So many people work outside their own town (my husband drives 45 min in good weather each way.) My sister drives 35 min. to get her hair cut. It's not unusual to have a doctor or dentist 30 min. away. That makes this ice/snow stuff bigger than when we were little, I think. That's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it.I've become wimp as I have gotten older. I used to drive twice a week for an hour (1 way) to a job in grad school--through corn fields (in Indiana) across a 1 lane bridge with no cell phone. Now? I left an hour early before it got too icy.
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