A Comedy? of Errors

Suffice it to say, I was not running on all cylinders Monday morning.  Knowing pretty much everything was frozen, I got up early because I knew I would have to drive 30 to get to work. 

Sunday evening, I cleaned the first wave of sleet off of my car, steps and back porch.  I was under the mistaken impression it would help me Monday morning.  Bwa-ha-ha.  I had to use channel-locks to get my back door open.  The dogs did manage to get down and back up the steps without damaging themselves.  That was encouraging.  Then I took my first foray outside.

Since I was just checking things out, I didn’t take water with me.  Not good.  The screen door snapped shut and I was locked out of the house.  With no water, I couldn’t get in the car.  I did have my heavy coat on (that isn’t always the case if I’m just going out for a minute).  But, my gloves were in the coat inside the car. 

Now you might think, go in the back door; it’s open.  Uh, no.  The gate into the back yard was at the edge of my old trailer.  The new trailer is 12 foot longer so we took the gate down.  That was three years ago and still, no gate.  I have climbed over the fence but with all the ice…

Went to Brenda’s to get water.  Of course, the gate was frozen shut and by this time, my fingers were ruby red from the cold.  Finally kicked it hard enough to loosen the hinges and get it open.  Got the water and some gloves.  The water didn’t work on the car or the screen door.  Went back to Brenda’s (without the pitcher, of course); got a screwdriver.  No amount of prying would get the car door open.  I finally hit the knob on the screen door hard enough to press it in.  Yea!!!  I could get in my house (thankfully it didn’t break the handle). 

By this time, Brenda was headed over with another pitcher of water.   She walks up and says why don’t we try this door (passenger side away from the onslaught, very little ice—grrr).  Got the door opened and started the car.  She also had deicer which didn’t work on the driver’s door.

So, I crawled across the console (no it doesn’t raise up).  That alone was an America’s Funniest Video moment.  Shouldered the door open and stepped out to clean off the windshield wipers.  Remember all the water I had poured on the door trying to get it open?  Left foot slid away from me leaving me half in—half out of the car.  Sigh…

Finally leave the house and point my nose towards I-20 like always.  The roads were fairly clear and I was turning toward the on ramp before I realized what I was doing.  To my surprise, I-20 was almost completely clear.  Smooth sailing all the way.  Seems this side of Longview didn’t get all the stuff we did.  Was only four minutes late.  Imagine that.

After the fact, a friend told me “Next time use WD-40.  It will loosen the seal on the ice.” (grrrrrrrrrrr).  Bought a BIG can.