First Snow

So the first snow of the year comes and I get in my first ever winter car accident (or first ever period I should say). I was being careful and driving significantly slower than other drivers. I was going north on the East Beltline just south of 3 mile in the right lane. I was going about 30mpg when the truck 5 car lengths in front of me decides to stop right in the middle of the highway. Well, they decided they were going to pick up whoever it was that was running down the shoulder. This lady had a huge Ford pickup on a lift with the biggest snow/mud tires I've ever seen. She was going 40mph and stopped on a dime, even in white out snow conditions. I, on the other hand, did not get so lucky. I braked and realized the ABS did not kick on. I started pumping as I was sliding but had no luck. I slowed down signficantly but ended up sliding into them at around 3mph. Since their truck was on a lift, the corner of their bumper slid right up my hood and right corner panel curling it in upon itself and smashing my headlight housing. Not a single scratch on the bumper of her truck though, go figure. And even though she stoppped without pulling over in the middle of a moving highway, it was my fault for rear ending her.

What luck.

Man it's Cold out

Michigan sure has a change of weather fast. I know I should have expected this being the end of November and all, however, I really have been a slacker at winterizing my house. I got MOST of the storm windows in but 4 of them broke last year and I have yet to take them in to get fixed. I also haven't even purchased the insulating plastic I normally hang on the windows in early November to save energy.

I am still doing good though. My gas usage was the lowest it's been in 4 years for November. This could only be because it has been so warm and we haven't seen an inkling of snow yet. I did install a new digital thermostat last year that is programmed to not go above 60 during the day (when we are at work) and 66 when we are home. It's chilly but comfortable with a hoody or sweatshirt on.

I have to lay out hay in the dog house as well and hang a new swinging door. He isn't out there 24/7 so don't freak out. The dog is only out there when we are at work. He has a covered insulated house with a floor 5 inches from the ground which is generously supplied with a thick layer of hay. It's inside a covered and wind protected kennel that has plenty of space. He wears a neoprene body suit that keeps him perfectly warm all day long. I have a thermometer in the dog house and even when it is below zero it is still a nice and balmy 45 degrees in the dog house.

Either way, I have a lot to do yet and I'd better hurry. Forecast calls for a snowy mix this weekend. I really have to get to it before there's a blanket of snow.