The steering rack on Jon’s car is threatening to go out again. For the second time in a year. And I’m just so grateful it doesn’t have anything to do with me. (Unlike the emergency brake.) And I’ve been thinking about this ridiculous story. Happy winter weekend everyone!
I’m wondering if you might help me conduct a Little Experiment. I’m going to tell you an interesting true story that happened to me today that I haven’t yet “mentioned” to my husband Jon.
Little Experiment by allie taylor
I’m wanting to find out if he reads my blog. I know he’s subscribed, but I’m just curious if he actually reads it. So mum’s the word, OK? You in?
OK, here goes. So today I head out to my knitting group Ravelry. We haven’t met in a while because I’ve been kind of busy otherwise with the blog, and I usually host it. But one of the other girls kindly offered to host and it’ll be so great to finally see everyone again. We get a group together and carpool over.
It’s a really frigid day, so cold that the local news station says that NH, at the tippy top of Mt. Washington, is the second coldest place in the world right now. IN THE WORLD folks. The NH temperature today is tied with that of Nunavut. I’ve never heard of Nunavut, don’t know where it is. And truthfully I don’t care. (No offense Nunavut-ites.)
But the only colder temperature in the entire world right now besides us and Nunavut is South Pole, Antarctica. WE TUNDRA. Seems like every day is below freezing. And with the windchill, it feels like -30 right now. So yeah, we’re gluttons for punishment, because we go out, carpool to our knitting group Ravelry. I drive, borrow Jon’s car.
We wind through backroads to get to her house, such a beautiful drive. She has a lovely home with a long, steep driveway that’s been plowed, but there’s still quite an undercoating of snow, as we had another blizzard storm just yesterday. So we drive down the long, long driveway, make it in just fine, no problems. I know I’ll have to turn the car around when we leave, because I know I can’t back up the steep with the snow.
We go inside, have a delightful knitting time, chat in her greenhouse family room. Basically a glass atrium with glass walls, glass roof. Thankfully heated and insulated.
Spectacular scenery every which way, an occasional clump of snow, looking up thru the glass ceiling.
But it’s so cozy and inviting inside….great company, knitting, conversation, coffee, even a fabulous sour cream pecan coffee cake. Dense and delicious. I really must share that wonderful recipe with you very soon, because guess what? She gave it to me!!! Yay us! She’s quite the cook, royally spoiled us.
So while we’re chatting, knitting, her husband comes home, parks next to me in the driveway. When it’s time for us to go later, he kindly backs up in the driveway just a short distance on the side, gives me space to turn around. So I pull forward with great difficulty in big snow tracks into their garage, narrowly miss their doorframe. Close call, phew. (Worse, I have an audience.)
Slowly, I back out of the garage, the car seems sluggish. I’m getting ready to tackle that steep, snowy hill. So they coach me to get a good running start before I gun it up the hill. I do what I’m told, promptly get stuck. I’m spinning my wheels dangerously near his car, sliding forward far too close. He’s smiling, but it’s that nervous smile. Know what I’m sayin’?
Remember, my car is chock full of knitting friends. So I let up on the gas, let the car roll back, try again, push the pedal to the medal. Stuck again. I see our hostess outside, wildly motioning to me. I roll down the window.
“Allie, Allie – your back wheels, they’re not even turning!” she yells.
And then it suddenly occurs to me. Like an idiot, I’ve left the emergency brake engaged. Yes, I’m trying to gun up this snowy, steep, icy hill with a carload of passengers within millimeters of another car with my emergency brake on. Yeah, I think you’re starting to catch my drift why I might not have told Jon this story yet.
So we all weakly laugh, ha ha ha, and I release the brake and we attempt it a third time. Thankfully we have no problem getting up that snowy hill. I drop off the passengers one by one, the last in front of my own house where she parked. I wasn’t even going to go inside because I’m heading north to pick up kids from school. But the snow is bright and I’m really needing my sunglasses for the afternoon sun. So I run inside quick, grab my shades.
I come back out, roll back down the short steep driveway, put the car in drive. The car’s not responding so well.
There’s a lot of snow, ice and frozen slush out in front of our house right now, but I just can’t believe how the car won’t even go. So I lay on the gas pedal harder, sliding sideways. Basically, I’m stuck in the middle of the road, in front of my own house. And now I’m paranoid someone’s gonna come around that corner, hit me hard in the middle of the road. I’m scrambling for the hazard button on the dashboard of his car, pushing the pedal hard, when suddenly I realize the problem. You guessed it. The emergency brake. Yup, twice, in the space of half an hour. Guess I should be hoping (and praying) right about now that he doesn’t read this blog….
Related post: Misery Loves Company
Julie says
Lol. I’m waiting with bated breath…
John says
I think I’m going to tell him!
Allie Taylor says
You wouldn’t!
Barbara Child says
Oh, Allie! Guess you better stick with your own car!
Laila D says
Allie this is such a funny story. You should tell him, he will enjoy it but wait a little to see if he brings it up. If he does, then you know he reads your blog.
Cindi B says
Chuckling. Allie you make life’s little moments so funny!
Susie says
I’m going to be checking back throughout the day to see Jon’s response, heehee. Your first picture of the scene outside your window is incredible. The icicles have made a sort of window covering…amazing!
Tracy Costa says
Laugh out loud funny! Wish I had been there! Ha, Ha, wink, wink! Can’t wait to find out if he reads it!!! What nice compliments to the hostess. Wink, again…… Let’s hope the car issues are behind you now, wink….. Yet Again! 🙂
clarke says
You should ask your friend how much she wants for her house…pretty nice. She’s probably about ready to move to Florida anyway.
You should also do something about those icicles on your house lest they pull off the gutters.
You should ask your husband, who was once nearly a NH best driver champion, for some driving lessons.
BTW, I heard your mother got her car stuck in the driveway yesterday.
cer
Allie Taylor says
I don’t think it’s for sale, but are you interested? Yes, driving lessons would be good, and Jon is very patient. That would be a major plus with me as the student.
sandi says
Too funny.
Aunt pinkie says
Oh, my- , Allie, what a story! Are those icicles on the window on your house? Absolutely amazing!
Allie Taylor says
The icicles on the very first picture are at my friend Tracy’s house. It’s a picture window in her foyer that’s on the second story. I climbed her stairs and took it straight across from the landing on the second floor. I’m sure they would very much like to get the icicles down, but it is too dangerous to get up on a ladder right now with all the snow and ice.
lsse says
Oh My, this is so funny. I just started reading your blog and it has become a must read for me everyday.
I think John reads your blog,and I think he has done the very same thing and will totally understand 🙂
Allie Taylor says
Welcome lsse, thanks for coming on this crazy blog ride!
Linda says
Too funny, Allie! 🙂
Linda Jenkins says
Oh Allie, I can smile at this story right now, but I really share your disbelief and embarrassment since all of those people were watching. Plus, I didn’t even know that would happen if the emergency brake was engaged. So…thanks for the laugh and the information about just how tricky an emergency brake can be. Has Jon seen this yet?
Allie Taylor says
Haven’t heard anything yet…
Ginger Worrell says
No comment on the brake Allie because I’ve done it myself. No big deal unless you start smelling smoke from the back brakes burning. . Margot Leeson and I used to go to one of those knitting groups that used to meet in a coffee shop over in Powdersville, but we have not been in several years. She takes crocheting lessons at Hobby Lobby and then teaches me what she has learned in knitting and hopefully, soon, crocheting. I did a big blanket before I was married in 1986 that Ginia keeps on her bed, especially last night. It went down to 12 degrees here…..who knows what wind chill was as it was quite breezy out. Love you Allie (and family too!) xoxoxo
Allie Taylor says
Good for you and Margot! Sounds fun. XO
Mary says
too funny, i think you need some time out in Sc
Jon says
Ahem.
Honey, do you have any suggestions for getting your Suburban out of a ditch?
🙂
Susie says
I KNEW you’d see it, Jon!! =D
Allie Taylor says
Oh you funny, funny man. One of the many reasons I married you. XO
nikkiana says
And you’ve just reminded me one of the reasons why I’m glad I don’t have to drive anymore. 😉
nancy mcmahan says
Laughing as I so often do reading your blog. God has given you and your husband quite a sense of humor.
Linda Kisker says
Allie, I have done that myself over the years and know the embarrassing feeling you get when you realize what you have done. Love your blogs. No matter what kind of day I am having, your blog either makes me laugh or tear up and takes me away from my problems. Love that greenhouse family room. Please tell your friend I think it is beautiful. Love to you and your family. We miss you all.
Barbara B. says
Absolutely loved your friends home and what a wonderful place to kibitz with a group of like minded people, while enjoying coffee and pecan cake. Almost makes the atrocious weather worthwhile even forgetting
Barbara B. says
(sorry about the mishap) all about the emergency brake!!! When your in a hurry trying to get everyone home, then picking up the kids, it is an easy thing to do, so don’t feel too badly, I have done the same thing myself and am sure others there have done the same thing!!!! Don’t try to put anything over on Jon, he is faithful in every situation and just wants to be available to help in any given situation, embarrassing not withstanding!
He wants to keep his beloved safe in every castrophe because you are so sweet…………………
Jan says
Loved the pics of the atrium in the snow! As for the first brake incident, you didn’t set that brake, the husband did so you didn’t know it was on. I would have done the same thing and then had a good laugh about it. The second brake. ..probably would have done that too since the description of your panic at being hit felt rather familiar. Thanks for the laughs friend! Stay warm and safe up there with the frozen chosen.
Linda Holder says
I don’t think I’d have told that story. In fact, I’m SURE I wouldn’t have. 🙂
Aunt Margie says
Hilarious! Think the family could combine our resources and buy that cheap house? Looks like the atrium might fit the fam! Like mother like daughter, so what can we say? :~)))
Angie says
Okay – that was hilarious!!! I laughed out loud!!! That is totally something I would do and no I would never tell Eric lol – some things he just doesn’t need to know ha!!! Loved the house you had your get together at – what a gorgeous room with an incredible view!!!
Bob D says
Now that’s funny. It was like I was there. Twice!! makes you wonder if your ll losing it.
Allie Taylor says
Oh yes Bob. I wonder that. Every. Single. Day.
Carina says
Lol!! All I can say is I live in Winnipeg, so I can totally relate! ❄️❄️❄️
Carina says
Haha! This story made me laugh again! ? Gosh that greenhouse is gorgeous. One question, though: What results did your experiment yield? Did your hubby read this before anyone else could spill the beans? ? Hope you are enjoying the weekend! Xo
Aunt Pinkie says
Hysterical!
Susie Mandel says
This goes hand in hand with our move from CA to SC. Our moving truck broke down and we had to transfer all our worldly goods from one truck to another…thankfully with the help of Hertz Penske employees. What we didn’t realize was that when we hooked up our little Civic to the back of the new truck, someone left the emergency brake on and it rode all the way from Arizona to SC that way. Needless to say, our emergency brake needed some attention when we arrived at our destination.
Allie says
Oh Susie, that is so funny. Sort of. Maybe in retrospect. The moving truck breaking down. NOW THAT IS BAD. Maybe it was an omen that you were supposed to stay in CA? But then I probably wouldn’t have met you. So I want to know WHO left the emergency brake up. You or Jac. Because I don’t think J was on the scene yet. Or maybe someone else in your caravan? (You are not expected to answer.) I only ask because I am the guilty party here with the emergency brake, and misery (guilt) loves company….:)
Christy Smith says
This story entertains me yet again and Infind myself furiously scrolling to remember what Jon commented and I laugh again!! The gift of extracting the humor from the ordinary is one of the great ones!! ?
Kathy says
O M G !!! Sounds like someone thing I’ve done… Thanks so much for the smiles, Allie! 🙂
Adina says
🙂 🙂 This is something that might happen to me… I actually asked my husband to drive me shopping on Friday because we had a snow storm and the roads were looking just like in your photographs. And I go to a knitting club too (my closest neighbour is hosting so I don’t even have to wear a jacket to get there) and although my husband is always interested about how my blog is doing, he would never take the time to read a post… 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Hahahaha oh Allie! This story is too funny, though you shouldn’t feel too bad about forgetting about that parking brake cos lady, you are one brave chika to be driving in THAT amount of ice and snow! Gosh – my Atlanta roots are flabbergasted! Also, left you a comment on your cupcake post and it went AWOL!