Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Here's What I Learned Today

1. When it's minus 2° diesel fuel will gel.
2. When diesel fuel gels it stops up the fuel filter.
3. When the fuel filter stops up the truck motor stops running. Even if you're going 60 miles an hour down the highway.
4. When it's minus 2°, the hazard lights on your truck are flashing, and you're hitchhiking someone will pick you up. There are still people with kind hearts out there.
5. When it's minus 2° and your truck stops you cannot stay in it because you will freeze to death. And eggs inside an ice chest (with no ice) will also freeze. But there are also kind convenience store owners who will welcome you and tell you to hang out until the tow truck arrives.
6. When it's minus 2° floors never get warm, even in McDonald's. Even when you stay there for 2 hours waiting for your truck to get fixed. But you can get on a first name basis with the cleaning lady and the cashiers.
7. Minus 2° is beyond cold - it's brutal. I've never liked to be cold. I will never like to be cold.
8. I've always told my husband we would get along great as long as I was never cold, stranded or broke. Lucky for him he had a little money in his pocket so I could buy chocolate in the convenience store. And chocolate, even frozen, is a comfort food.

25 comments:

Needled Mom said...

That sounds downright nasty to me.

Paula said...

Bless your heart! I cannot imagine temps that low. It's supposed to be 29 here tonight and I'm shivering. I'm so glad you were able to get help. I've heard horror stories of people stranded in the cold. So glad we didn't hear about you on the news tonight! Much to be grateful for!!!!!

judycolby said...

I hope you didn't have to wait to long for a ride.

Di said...

What a dreadful predicament. So glad you can still raise a smile, Marlene. I've learned from you to try to see the positives in every situation!susla

Lea and her Mustangs said...

That is colder that here but we got about 6" of snow today. Its wet and sloppy snow. Would rather it went away. Sorry you have to go thru that. Not fun.

Grammy Staffy said...

That sounds awful. It was in the teens and 20s while we were in Utah and I was freezing at that.

So sorry your gas turned to gel and caused all those problems.

I have an idea. You could buy the house that is for sale down the street from me and rarely see less than 65 degrees again. Come on.... I'd love to have you for a neighbor. Hugs, Lura

FabricFascination said...

Yikes, glad that is behind you!

Joyce said...

I guess you wouldn't like our -40 wind chills then. It's 5 above today (That's -15 Celsius, which sounds a lot colder) so we are enjoying a balmy spell. I didn't realize that diesel would gel in cold weather. Lucky thing we use gas.

Tracy P. said...

Oohh, sorry you had to learn all that the hard way. I always say that below zero is below zero. At that point it's all just cold.

nanny said...

Oh My that's beyond cold!!! Makes me appreciate being inside!!! BUT I am gonna stockup /ha on staples today for the next round of snow tomorrow.....

Amelia said...

I am sure you must have thought these were lessons you could have done without...I agree this weather has been cold...and weatherman says more to come and even colder.

Anonymous said...

This cold winter's extreme chill is spreading and lasting a while. I've been watching the weather on TV more than usual to keep up. It seems that our coldest locally is yet to come later in the week...brrrr... I am so thankful for my warm home and having a place to be.

Glenda said...

I don't know where you live,but that's way too cold for me! It's 23 degrees this morning in Dallas and I'm shivering! I was worried about you hitchhiking until I got down to number 8 on your list and realized your husband was with you. Glad it all turned out well and you had some chocolate to see you through!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

it got colder for you then me - our truck is diesel and hubby has been plugging it in at night so it will have no trouble starting - he hasn't mentioned anything about the fuel possibly gelling - I will mention it to him and see if he knew that.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Elaine Adair said...

Tooo cute! Gave me a smile early this morning,.

I'll add one ... when it's that cold, and you have to go into the Post Office, you leave your vehicle running, and UNLOCKED, so if someone really needs it, they can use it for a while.

(It's really friendly and safe in some small communities.)

Phyllis said...

Oh my gosh - I'm glad you're ok. minus 2 is really scarey and I hope I don't ever get to experience it!

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness! So glad you are okay. It has been absolutely freezing here too. I am glad there are still good people in the world! Love the way you told your story ;o)

Arkansas Patti said...

What a dreadful time you had but I was warmed by your always positive thoughts on what would make most of us horridly cranky. So glad you are home. Please stay there, more cold is coming.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Oh, BRRRR! Your tale makes me chill to the bone.

Stay warm!

Tipper said...

Reading that made me feel like my high of 26 is a heat wave : ) Stay warm!

Mary L. Briggs said...

Oh no~glad everything turned out okay. I don't like being cold, either--and it's cold here right now. Outside and inside:( It's only going to get colder, too:( I'm glad you at least got some chocolate out of the incident.

Janet, said...

I am sorry you had to learn all of that. It is cold everywhere. This weekend it is supposed to get down to 2 degrees here. I think I will stay inside, too bad our cars can't stay inside where it's warm (Got to get the garage cleaned out).

Love Bears All Things said...

Bless you!
When we lived in PA, I kept food,water, blankets, sand, a shovel and flares in my car just in case.
I still keep blankets and pillows in there.
Mama Bear

Jacquie said...

I'm NOT a happy camper in the cold, either. Needless to say, I think I may be quite grumpy for the rest of the week! Ha!

Angie said...

Comfort food eh? It's snowy and well below freezing here so that must mean I can make Keith get down the boxes of chocolates he's hidden too high up for me to get.