Open sesame
Yesterday it was 40 degrees. I finally had the weather-cooperating opportunity to wash my car. And after I washed my car, I could actually see out of my windshield! And my headlights actually penetrated the darkness!
And then I came home and parked the car in the garage, careful to leave the doors unlocked so they wouldn’t freeze like last time.
And then this morning, Jason & I skipped working out because the bed was warm and toasty and Jason could actually sleep in, and I got ready while Sunny snuggled underneath the covers with him, only her snout visible. And while I was drying my hair, Abby decided that I needed to pet her - right that minute - and started scratching her invisible claws on my jeans, so I sat on the bathmat and petted her as she performed her weird Martian meow-talking while headbutting me and making out with the vanity door.
And then I bade Jason a pleasant day and went outside, where the temperature had dropped approximately 57 degrees overnight and I pushed the garage door opener…and nothing.
The garage door had frozen to the ground.
Hello, Tuesday that I thought was Wednesday. Monday sent you, didn’t it?
Jason helped me pour pitchers of hot water around the door, which worked both quickly and like a charm, but I’m not confident that I won’t have to repeat that action once I get home from work tonight and seriously, THOUGHT IT WAS WEDNESDAY.
We also skipped working out this morning for the same reason. But tomorrow–back on the wagon! So I don’t feel too guilty.
Also, we live down the street from a carwash and as soon as the temperature hits 33 degrees, the line of cars goes all the way around the block. It makes me glad I don’t have a car.
Comment by Jess — January 29, 2008 @ 11:33 am
I always think it’s a different day of the week than it actually is. It’s a wonder I EVER make it to any appointments whatsoever. Are you SURE it’s Tuesday?
Comment by JMC — January 29, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Our garage door gets cranky in the cold, too. One of the MANY MANY things that irritate me about winter.
Comment by Sarah — January 29, 2008 @ 11:39 am
I poured salt on the ground now. Hopefully this won’t be an issue tonight.
Comment by Jason — January 29, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Jason,
Thank you! I didn’t know if we had any salt left. You’re so sweet!
Comment by Shauna — January 29, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Oh and that sounds like super sucky. But I didn’t know that keeping car doors unlocked would prevent them from freezing shut - is that for ALL car doors, or just yours?
Comment by Penny — January 29, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
All last week I thought it was Thursday, which got really depressing by the time the real Thursday rolled around.
Penny–that’s not true for all cars. I WISH IT WAS, STUPID TAURUS.
Comment by blacksheeped — January 29, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
This was surely not a good way to start your Wednesday-Tuesday, but it was too funny how you told it . . . and I totally would have had no idea how to release my car from a frozen garage door.
Comment by Flibberty — January 29, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Penny,
I don’t know if it works on other cars, but if mine are locked, I can’t even get the key to turn when they’re frozen. And the automatic door lock doesn’t work either. All I can hope for is to have enough strength to wrench the doors open if they’re unlocked.
Comment by Shauna — January 29, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
This reminds me that I still have a lock de-icer in the trunk of my car (WHY?). I wouldn’t have been prepared for the frozen garage door, though. Might have had to call in sick.
Comment by Tessie — January 29, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
“Hello, Tuesday that I thought was Wednesday. Monday sent you, didn’t it?”
Perfection. And so sad.
I would have called in sick. I wouldn’t have the slightest idea how to get out of that garage.
Comment by Artemisia — January 29, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
This makes me kind of glad that I don’t need a garage or a car. Just the subway. The crowded, pee-smelling, homeless person abode. Okay, wait, actually, I wish I had a car and had to pour hot water on my garage door.
Comment by Stephanie — January 30, 2008 @ 10:09 am
“started scratching her invisible claws on my jeans, so I sat on the bathmat and petted her as she performed her weird Martian meow-talking while headbutting me and making out with the vanity door.”
My cats. You have just described them.
Comment by Parkingathome — April 10, 2008 @ 2:23 pm