12.16.2008

We're Not In Virginia Anymore Toto...

Today in Omaha, which I will now loving call "Snowmaha" or "Coldmaha" we woke up to snow. Nothing severe yet, but as the morning progresses we are supposed to get about 4 inches. No big deal.

My kids looked at me and said "Maybe we should turn on the radio and see if the schools are closed." My son was even eating breakfast with one leg in and one leg out of his uniform pants with the hopes that the fear of snow would cause the doors to the school to be locked up with chains and a sign posted that read: "No school today due to snow drifts and frostbite."

I just looked at them and said, "We live in Nebraska now. There will be school."

When we lived in Virginia, it seemed that every time we turned around school was being cancelled due to snow-or even the threat of snow in the forecast. We homeschooled at the time, so snow days did not affect us, but I had to laugh at the fact that if there were flurries in the air everything would shut down and people would make a run on the grocery store to stock up with potato chips and dip to weather out the "storm."

I must say that it was refreshing driving this morning, in the snow, with other motor vehicle operators that actually knew how to drive in these weather conditions. I am sure the reason everything was shut down in Virginia when a simple dusting of snow came through was because people did not know how to actually drive in the white stuff that was falling from the sky and causing their commute into DC to double from 2 hours to 4 hours! Curses!

I grew up in Chicago (but it was not as corrupt back then as it is now... back then Chicago had my father and he knew how to hunt people down like dogs. He had a group of Irish relatives and friends that would not tolerate corruption, or punk politicians. But that is a post for another time... and possibly another blog altogether.) Anyway, I grew up in Chicago and my father waited until a blizzard hit and there was 14 inches of snow on the ground before he looked at me and said "Are you ready to go take your driving test?" Needless to say, I failed my first attempt (hey, have you ever tried to parallel park in a blizzard driving a 1979 powder blue passenger van that could seat 16 and the drivers seat was being propped up by a stack of old newspapers? I didn't think so.) But I aced it the second time... but I had to wait a month for the next blizzard to hit.

So, unless you were raised by a father like mine, who has never been in a car accident and can maneuver the Dan Ryan as if he were driving the Indy 500, you should not drive in the snow. You will just make all of the people out there who do know how to drive in the snow mad. I am willing to bet that if you call someone who does know how to drive in the snow and say "Look, I am incompetent and do not know how to drive carefully and slowly and I don't know if I should turn my steering wheel in the direction of the way the car is spinning or the other way... could you please pick me up?" They would be happy to oblige.

As for me, I need to go shower because I have too many errands to run today to let a measly 4 inches of snow stop me. Christmas is only 9 days away!

15 comments:

Sagey said...

LOL! Last time we lived in NoVa (yea we are back). There was a "big" snow storm of about 4 inches and I came down with STREP. I KNOW when I have Strep Throat. I spent most of the night crying in pain watching the snow fall. We woke up and shoveled out the driveway (yes I shoveled with strep) as the temperatures rose above freezing. I showered and hit the road to Bethesda so I could get on antibiotics ASAP. The nurse on duty at the ER LECTURED me about driving from Ashburn to Bethesda in the snow and endangering my life and other people's lives just for a sore throat! Lady I am from BOSTON, not Georgia. I KNOW how to drive in the snow AND by 11 all the highways were clear. I sure hope she felt bad when my culture came back positive and she realized it wasn't JUST a sore throat! Enjoy driving in the snow where people know how to drive in the snow. Maybe we need to move to Omaha... ;-)

Anonymous said...

Here in Arkansas, we don't get a lot of snow...but we get ice from time to time. Today being one of those times! Everything here closes up - except my work of course... So this morning, my husband drove me my 30 miles in... We watched people land in ditches behind us - nothing like THAT to get you fully awake at 5am. :D

Jud said...

In the Deep South, we see snow as a punishment from God and we hide indoors (after snatching up bread and milk from the grocery store) until it passes. Well, we don't drive in it.

Your tale of your father made me think of the Paper Lace song "The Night Chicago Died." And when was Chicago not corrupt? It may well be worse than it was, but I had thought the Daley machine was something to behold.

Anonymous said...

I hate where we live. Florida. I am a Wisconsin girl, hubby is a Maryland and PA guy. So we are both way outta our element here. Its 75 degrees, its humid and gross. I wish I were in Omaha. Just smelling the new snow is a jou in of itself. Combine the smell with the fresh scent of pine trees and its heaven, or Lucys Narnia.......Enjoy the snow June. Beautiful isn't it? Sighhhhhhhhh.....throw a few snow balls for me.

Anonymous said...

You grew up in Chitown June?! Well go figure. I'm a born and raised Hegewisch boy myself, and if you know that neighborhood, I'll be truly impressed.

And for the record, having a super-cool Mustang in Chicago in the winter is not a bright idea. I think my wheels spent more time spinning futilely than grabbing pavement on the drive to work today.

stupidstupidstupidstupid

Aubrey said...

And when you're driving in the snow, you have to give a little extra room to cars with plates from Texas or Florida or California...

Anonymous said...

Aubrey-ain't it da truth! I also cringe when I see a Prius coming up behind me as I wait at a red light-big huge pick up trucks with plows in front of them do not scare me, it is the little bitty tiny wheel'd cars that make me close my eyes and say a prayer!

Trzupr-My Aunt Jerry and Uncle Porky are from Hegewisch, I am from the Hammond/Highland area next door in In. We are neighbors!

CJ said...

I live in Minnesnowta. I got to drive in some snow today...and baby it's cold outside. My oven just beeped...time to bake some sugar cookies:)

Has anyone checked out the trailer for New In Town? It comes out the end of Jan. LOL!

Anonymous said...

There are certain segments of TX that know perfectly well how to drive in ice and snow... but since you don't know that when you see a Texas plate your larger point stands. Ditto CA.

Anonymous said...

I hate Florida....this Viking Shielf Maiden is outta her element :(

Urban Mom said...

You would love it here tonight! Gobs of snow and a city budget that has cut back on plowing! Where's that van when you need it?

kat said...

I'm one of those terrible drivers, from southern VA, usually I just stay home when it snows. However, after our last tour (2.5 years to go!) we are moving to Maine!!

I think I'm going to need to take some sort of driving in the snow class or something.

Kim H. said...

I totally hear you on the bad driving thing. I currently live in Columbus, but like you, grew up in Chicago. And yes, until you've driven the Dan Ryan, baby you've not driven.

It's kind of annoying, but when people get scarred and stay in, I load up and go out and get the stores all to myself.

Wishing you the best in Nebraska!

Merry Christmas!

ehardin said...

I can not get you email to work. Please let me know

hardinfive@gmail.com
Ericka

Courageous Grace said...

I am a Texan transplanted from western Washington (the state). I grew up at the foot of Mt. Rainier and have seen my fair share of snow. Oh boy do I miss it!

Yesterday it was about 40* and a little foggy, and I can't tell you how many times I was cut off, caught behind a line of cars in every lane driving 20 mph in a 50 zone, or other just plain crazy stuff. I can't stand Texas drivers when it's not sunny and hot. Nobody down here it seems knows how to drive in bad weather.