Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Downturn of the Economy

Well our snowman is back - or at least there is a flatter version of him coating our porch. It snowed 5" today. On the news this morning they were telling people that it would be a good day to take public transportation....so we drove in! Well that wasn't the reason - actually Andrew and I are both really busy at work so in an effort to get more time in at the office we decided to drive in. The drive in was quick, we left plenty early and there were few people on the road. The way home was a different matter. It took us over an hour to get home, at 8pm - it was really amazing - it appeared that nothing had been plowed...AT ALL.
Now, for those not accustomed to driving in Chicago in the winter - it is usually not much different then driving any other time. It always seems that when a big snow is predicted they get the full fleet of snow trucks out and cruising hours before the snow is supposed to start. The roads - especially the main arteries - are usually well plowed and salted by the time we head home for the night.
Tonight was a completely different story. Politicians in Illinois aren't usually known for their honesty, but when Mayor Daley said he was going to reduce the numbers of plows on the streets and cut the amount of salt they use in half - he was not kidding around! The whole ride home I only saw 2 snow plows and neither of them were going in our direction. Even Lakeshore Drive was covered in snow and unplowed. It was the first time I have ever seen cars abandoned in the middle of Lakeshore Drive with snow piled so high, it looked like it had been there for hours - and we saw two such vehicles.
The snow driving seemed to put Andrew in the holiday spirit, as he spent a great majority of the ride either singing or humming Christmas carols. He even got to do a few fun turns when we got into Evanston. I am so thankful that he is so comfortable driving in snowy conditions - lord knows I get tense and scared enough for the both of us.
But we are home now and warm - and there is no snow in tomorrow's forecast.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Andrew sounds like your dad in snow! I'm on a two hour delay today. (Bryan has cancelled.) We're getting down to zero hour; will the phone with the instant alert message call or not? That's right, I no longer must camp by the radio station or even have to use the internet they call. It's wonderful I have work for students so I relly don't want a cancellation, yet cancelations are so nice cause I don't have to drive! We'll see what comes. MOM

Dust and Ashes said...

I don't hum Christmas tunes, do I?

Lindsay @ 402CenterStreet.blogspot.com said...

Would Andrew like to pick Lily up from Day Care today? I am dreading the trek out there in this slushy snowy madness.

I don't know if you noticed. . .

IT'S ALMOST SATURDAY!!!

EEEEEEEEeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!