Today sucks. Short version? Inexperienced driver (me) + snow + very steep driveway = tow truck.
So, hey it’s snowing! And raining! I HATE this crap. I never used to hate snow, but now that I have to drive in it in this very steep, hilly area with my kid in my 2WD minivan I HATE IT!
Let’s start with this morning. I look outside and see a blanket of white over the whole yard. I started worrying about driving in it. Then I’m sitting in the car while Mr. Silly is shoveling and I see a SUV sliding backwards down the road. Then I start tearing up. Panic. Then Mr. Silly is driving down the hill toward the main road and can’t stop. Instead of turning right like a normal person, he turns left since that’s the way he goes to work. Even though there is a huge line of cars on the left and no where for him to go. That pretty much did me in. Hyperventilating, shaking, sobbing, and I almost threw up at least 3 times. I do not tolerate this well. I hate driving and cars and when you add in bad road conditions I turn into a big puddle of panic and fear.
Mr. Silly is freaking out about being late and not being careful, I’m freaking out because WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE! and Smushy is in the back saying, “Mommy, you okay?” No. Mommy is not ok. We finally get turned around and I bawl and hyperventilate my way to the base. Mr. Silly is trying to be reassuring (only because he wasn’t late), but it doesn’t matter. I have to drive. Me. On the road. With the snow/ice/slippery death. I decided to take the front gate since the back gate has more curves and everything. I don’t usually go this way, but I figured it’d be safer. And it was. I was slow and careful and made sure to take the roads that should have been cleared and avoided the steepest hills and yeah, it took almost twice as long, but we made it to Smushy’s school safe and sound. Going home was fine since I live all of 3 minutes away and by this point the worst of the snow was plowed or melted in the rain.
I decided to park in the yard since the driveway is really really steep and scary. The yard is big enough that I could just pull around to get back to the private drive our house in on (not to be confused with our driveway). I puttered around the house on the phone for a couple of hours and then got ready to go to the store before I had to pick up Mr. Silly for lunch. Turning on the private drive, I got stuck. In my yard. I reversed and went forward and tried rocking it and jumping up and down, but the car would budge. Mud is flying everywhere. I calmly go back inside and proceed to cry my eyes out for a good 15 minutes.
Why me? Why my first driving in the snow day?
I called Mr. Silly at work and left a message for him to call me back. Then I called our insurance company (roadside assistance, baby!) and asked for a tow truck. Mr. Silly called me back and I bawled a little more to him. The tow truck driver was there in 10 minutes and had me out in 5. He was so nice and understanding. Even though I’m sure he thought I was a crazy woman for crying over a stuck car. I picked up Mr. Silly and Smushy and nothing bad happened the whole rest of the time. Going to ask the neighbors across the drive if I can park there a couple times a week since I am still not going down the driveway.
Today is now officially and decompress and veg-out day. We will stay in pj’s, drink hot chocolate, and watch Christmas movies. I will eat my entirely huge bowl of mac and cheese and not worry about anything else. Today I don’t care if Smushy makes a big mess or watches too much TV. I don’t care if the dishes pile a foot high and if the floor is covered in dirt and toys. The laundry can sit happily in the hamper for today. I am done.
And I pray this is a short winter. Seasons are overrated.