Comments on: Driving in a Winter Wonderland http://novapages.com/ideablog/life/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland/ Designer * Blogger * Mother * Geek Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:37:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Velda http://novapages.com/ideablog/life/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Velda Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:31:56 +0000 #comment-112 Hey Amy, I wish that'd work here! The closest school here is technically within walking distance .. about 1.5 miles, but it's a steep road without sidewalks.<br /> <br /> And my kid was so unhappy at that school last year. He didn't fit his teacher's idea of an average kid, so she was mean to him... maybe mean isn't the right word? She was sarcastic and discouraging... making sure he knew he wasn't "all that." I talked with the teacher and with the principal. By the end of the year the teacher seemed OK with him, but his schoolmates had taken cues from her through the year and treated him like an outcast. He'd come home crying all the time... and it's not like he'd always been that way. He used to be this really this happy go lucky kid who loved everyone and was eager to learn and work. I'm still fighting to help him find that again, but the charter school he's at now has helped in a big way. I would seriously consider selling my house before going back to the local elementary.<br /> <br /> Sorry I keep editing this comment. I have to say that I know of a few kids now who have her and think she's the greatest. I wouldn't say she was a bad teacher in general. It could well just be our problem. But if so, his new school helps us handle it well :-) Hey Amy, I wish that’d work here! The closest school here is technically within walking distance .. about 1.5 miles, but it’s a steep road without sidewalks.

And my kid was so unhappy at that school last year. He didn’t fit his teacher’s idea of an average kid, so she was mean to him… maybe mean isn’t the right word? She was sarcastic and discouraging… making sure he knew he wasn’t "all that." I talked with the teacher and with the principal. By the end of the year the teacher seemed OK with him, but his schoolmates had taken cues from her through the year and treated him like an outcast. He’d come home crying all the time… and it’s not like he’d always been that way. He used to be this really this happy go lucky kid who loved everyone and was eager to learn and work. I’m still fighting to help him find that again, but the charter school he’s at now has helped in a big way. I would seriously consider selling my house before going back to the local elementary.

Sorry I keep editing this comment. I have to say that I know of a few kids now who have her and think she’s the greatest. I wouldn’t say she was a bad teacher in general. It could well just be our problem. But if so, his new school helps us handle it well :-)

]]> By: Amy Rigby http://novapages.com/ideablog/life/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Amy Rigby Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:12:54 +0000 #comment-111 Velda,my answer has been to simplify. I Never get in the car. I chose a school the kids can walk to (even though its not my first choice) and they walk to and from with a walking group- rain or shine. Its made my life so much happier and eaiser than trying to get everyone in the car and commute. Its fun to hear from you! Would love to see your cute kids. Velda,my answer has been to simplify. I Never get in the car. I chose a school the kids can walk to (even though its not my first choice) and they walk to and from with a walking group- rain or shine. Its made my life so much happier and eaiser than trying to get everyone in the car and commute. Its fun to hear from you! Would love to see your cute kids.

]]> By: Velda http://novapages.com/ideablog/life/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Velda Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:31:34 +0000 #comment-108 Thanks Dave. Most of those things are in my shed, but I'm often so unprepared I don't even have an ice scraper with me, and end up using my Fresh Values card as a substitute. Jared and I switch cars alot, and when he drives the little car he pretty much empties the trunk to fill it with his tools. Hence their being in the shed. I do have a crate, though, that I use to carry some of those items in the trunk normally. I'll just have to add the other items and then switch the crate from car to car if needed.<br /> <br /> And one more item for the list - extra wiper fluid... Thanks Dave. Most of those things are in my shed, but I’m often so unprepared I don’t even have an ice scraper with me, and end up using my Fresh Values card as a substitute. Jared and I switch cars alot, and when he drives the little car he pretty much empties the trunk to fill it with his tools. Hence their being in the shed. I do have a crate, though, that I use to carry some of those items in the trunk normally. I’ll just have to add the other items and then switch the crate from car to car if needed.

And one more item for the list – extra wiper fluid…

]]> By: Dave http://novapages.com/ideablog/life/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Dave Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:22:32 +0000 #comment-107 This is what I suggest having in your car (keep in mind to do as I say, not as I do):<br /> <br /> · a bag of sand or kitty litter (to put in front of or under drive tires, for traction)<br /> · a small shovel<br /> · snow brush/ice scraper<br /> · portable battery charger<br /> · jumper cables<br /> · flares/hazard-reflectors/emergency lights<br /> · flashlight (plus extra batteries, if needed)<br /> · blanket(s)<br /> · extra clothing<br /> · first-aid kit<br /> · emergency food and water<br /> · matches and candles<br /> · hand-warming chemical packets<br /> · probably other crucial stuff that I've forgotten This is what I suggest having in your car (keep in mind to do as I say, not as I do):

· a bag of sand or kitty litter (to put in front of or under drive tires, for traction)
· a small shovel
· snow brush/ice scraper
· portable battery charger
· jumper cables
· flares/hazard-reflectors/emergency lights
· flashlight (plus extra batteries, if needed)
· blanket(s)
· extra clothing
· first-aid kit
· emergency food and water
· matches and candles
· hand-warming chemical packets
· probably other crucial stuff that I’ve forgotten

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