Saturday, December 13

Today I went to a memorial service for a long time friend. It was really tempting to stay home with all the snow and ice everywhere, but I didn't want to miss Gord's memorial, my only chance to say 'So long, friend"... and I wanted to be a support to Wendy and their 2 kids & 1 granddaughter. I almost got stuck in my own yard as I went to leave. That's happened several times in past years, but never since I got the 4 wheel drive. As I backed out of my parking spot, before I got far enough to turn around, the truck slid sideways down the hill, right at the top of the driveway. I tried to go foreward, but no way, so had to back all the way down, and it felt a bit stiff, but hey, the truck was cold and the snow was deep. Once down, out on the highway, I went to go forward and it stalled. Not usual, and not the first time, so no big deal except it flooded so took a long time to start again... thank God there was no trafic at the time. Finally it started and off I went. The roads are compact ice & snow, very slippery, and all the way the truck was feeling 'stiff'... I checked a few times and yes, the emergency brake really was off. Well, after the memorial when I went to leave and head home, the truck would not go forward at all, but would go backwards, just as if the E brakes was still on, but I hadn't put it on in town. However, sure enough, it was on... FROZEN on. A fellow I know was at the memorial and looked at it, said yup, that's the problem, but didn't know how to fix it except leave it sit in a warm garage to thaw. I don't have a garage, warm or otherwise, to put it into even if I could get it home. The garage/mechanic I use is only about a block away from where the memorial was held, but they're closed for the weekend so I was thinking I'd have to back it all the way there and leave it there for them to get inside on Monday, stick the keys through the hole in the door so they're there when needed. I phoned Art and told him what was happening, didn't even ask him for a ride home as he was laughing, thinking it was funny and not offering anything constructive, and also, I had Reba with me and knew he'd never allow my dog inside his van (no, nothing fancy, just he's a jerk). I asked George who was still there with me and who had been able to see that my front wheels were turning but the back ones were solid and just sliding... he would have driven me home, but not my dog (what's with these guys? obviously not men I'd be interested in having a relationship with). So I phoned Rev. Dale, he has a truck exactly like mine, but a year older. He suggested I try backing it up then slamming on the brakes and maybe that would break them loose. I tried that, about 3 times, and sure enough that worked and broke the E brake loose. YES! I was so happy. I drove to WalMart to pick up a couple things I needed/wanted, and when I went to leave there it felt like the brake was frozen on again, even though I had not applied it, but it didn't take long for it to start to feel normal and right again. I stopped at Tim Horton's as I drove by there, went through the Drive Thru and got a hot drink, then drove home. I put the truck into 4 wheel drive, low range at the bottom of my driveway and was able to drive right up with not a problem in the world. What a relief!! I sure hope it works right in the morning. It should as I did not apply the brake and will not use it again for the duration on the winter.

Tonight I baked a bread pudding. Was going to make a sauce for it too, but didn't get to it. I think I'll leave a bit early in the morning and pick up some ice cream to put on it. Reheat it in the oven at the Centre before our pot luck lunch so when we have it for desert the ice cream will melt on it. Mmmmm. It's the Centre's Chritsmas Party and we're having turkey with all the trimmings, etc.

Yesterday when I was in town, I bought a really nice new dress at a liquidation store... long, black, pretty for $13. It actually looks good on me too. I'm planning to wear it next Sunday at the Christmas Candle Lighting Service which is a very special one we have every year.

Gotta get off here and get some sleep as I have to be up early in the morning. I don't do mornings at all well.