My Driveway is a Luge Run
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
United States
February 18, 2008 8:58am CST
The rain is falling and the air is warm. The snow melted from the road that leads to our house and left us with an icy mess. When I started the car and put it in reverse it slid sideways. I put it back into drive and the tires spun. My hubby came to my rescue with ashes from the fireplace. I was able to get the car back into the driveway. Unfortunately I was unable to go to work because of the condition of the road.
When I called into work to advise them that I was unable to leave my driveway and the road that lead to the main road safely, I was told that a few other people had called in too. I still feel badly for having to call in. But, I know that I am better off not leaving the house and risking an accident.
I long for warmer weather and long sunny days.
5 people like this
15 responses
@kareng (80243)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I'm glad you stayed home and safe! I can't wait for summer either and sunny days!! Although we haven't had much in the way of cold weather here, we had way too much rain in January (over 10 inches). The ground is still soggy! So far we have been having one to two storms a week so the ground is no where near drying out. It's gross!
I hope it dries out there faster for you!!
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
The rain has stopped for the moment. We are expecting the temperature to drop tonight. Snow may be on the way, but not much.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
You are so lucky. I am so sick of snow.
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
19 Feb 08
We are not allowed to call in due to weather problems. That is grounds for dismissal. You are lucky to have such an option, Is it considered to be sick or vacation time?
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
23 Feb 08
They do consider it to be personal time. Fortunately we have earned time and the time lost doesn't show in my paycheck.
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I am longing for the warmer days as well. They lift the spirit and relax the tension in our tired old bones. It would really not do your clients any good for you to be in a wreck while trying to care for them and maybe end up needing care yourself. I have issues with my driveway myself, but have some alternatives. When reading your discussion I am picturing the area where my sister in law lives in New Hampshire. Her driveway and road would fit that description.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
There were quite a few clients that needed to be cancelled today due to the condition of their road. The ice isn't safe to travel on.
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Well, one thing is true, hospitalized employees end up having to call off more than one day, so you did the right thing. Calling off is something that makes me a nervous wreck; bad weather, sickness (even with a Dr.'s note), or family emergency...does not matter. Calling off is a stressful activity for most of us with a strong work ethic, so you are not alone there.
...nor are you alone in longing for warm sunny days.
Winter is half over, E.B., and we shall make it to see those sunny days & dry roads!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I try not to worry about the people who I cannot see when I have to cancel. They tell me not to apologize when I have to cancel. They would rather see me safe.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
18 Feb 08
It was raining in Chicago all day yesterday with 50F, now is 18F with ice all over....
It is scary, ice is everywhere....
Tell me more, I am looking for Spring...
HUGS!
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
It was almost 60 here today. The rain was almost torrential at times. When I drove to my last client the streets were flooded in places. The temp is supposed to drop again, that means icing. Yuck.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Hey my friend good idea. I can not wait for warm days and nights again. Today it is 60 degrees and yesterday was the same. But unfortuneatly this will not last. Right back to cold weather again. I think the weather is just teasing us!LOL Glad you are safe!
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I know that we will soon get warm weather to stay with us, but yes you are so right about this tease! I whine.
@Polly1 (12644)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I long for warmer weather and long sunny days too, you took the words out of my mouth. I almost fell a couple of times yesturday. I have fallen 2 times this year. Mostly just bruised my ego. My knees did get bruised one time, sometimes you can't see the thin layer of ice. We have had some up and down temp, thaw and refreeze. Glad to hear that you are safe, you don't want anymore accidents.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
We are expecting more snow and it will cover the icy patches. That will make for slippery walking conditions. I think I should buy some ice grippers for my shoes/boots.
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
18 Feb 08
That sounded like a pretty scary situation that you were in my friend. I am glad that you are okay and that your husband was there to help you out. Do you and your husband put rock salt on your driveway to help prevent icing? That could help if you do not do it already. We have had very little snow and ice here so it has not been a problem here yet but winter is not over yet. You should not feel bad for calling in as it was too dangerous. I would have done the same thing. I too am longing for warmer weather.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
We actually go through a lot of rock salt. Usually we have an extra bag of kitty litter around to toss on the ice for traction. Hubby didn't advise me that we were out!
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
18 Feb 08
yes it is always better not going out when it is dangerous like that
1 person likes this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
19 Feb 08
You did the right thing by not going to work. I called in myself a couple of times this year kinda of the snow and ice.
I am so sick of the snow, ice, cold and wind. I wish it was spring.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
19 Feb 08
That would be scary. It is not something I experience with icy & snowy roads. We do have problems with wet roads, if it rains a lot.
So do ashes help prevent sliding? That makes sense.
If you can't get to work, then you can't. No point in risking your life.
Glad you are okay in your terrible weather conditions.
@mimatexas (1818)
• United States
22 Feb 08
That's bad, sorry you had to miss work! But like you say is better not to leave the house and cause an accident. Where do you live? Here in the Rio Grande Valley (south Texas) is warm, we are in the 80's.
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I've had enough of winter too. My driveway has been thick with ice for weeks. When you can't even get out of the driveway safely, there's not much you can do but to stay home. It's too bad you had to miss work, but you really can't help that.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
18 Feb 08
If the landlord kept better care of the roads here we wouldn't be in this predicament. After a snowfall he plows once if we are lucky. Rather than apply salt and sand to the freshly plowed snow, he leaves it as is. The ice builds up and builds up.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
19 Feb 08
Hello my dear elusive butterfly friend. The weather really influences us a lot in our daily life and work, especially the bad weather. This year we also had very bad snowy and icy weather that there were many places that could not have electricity to use because of the damage to the electricity infrastructure at the power station. I agree that it is better to stay safe at home than drive on the road to work. Take care, my dear friend.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I'm glad you are safe Elusive. I wish you could send some of the snow and cold weather my direction. We have had only a light dusting of snow on one night and a few nights of weather in the low teens. Otherwise,many days of 50 degree weather. I miss winter. I can remember the one and only time I had to call in due to road conditions. I was working as an RN in the ICU at a large hospital in North Carolina. When I called in and said that I couldn't get off the mountain ( I lived at the top of a mountain) the supervisor said, "Give me directions and someone will be there to pick you up within the hour." I told her that I didn't think anyone could get up the hill. Less than an hour later, a humvee arrived to take me to work!!!!
1 person likes this
