White World

Well, we just got our first real snowfall of the season. It really wasn't all that much, only 1-2 inches. However, we've had freezing temperatures for a few days, so the ground was really cold. The snow fell pretty wet, making an icy mess. People were sliding at only 5 miles an hour. So Julia walked to the bus instead of getting a ride. Sorry, Julia.

For those of you who don't know Spokane, it's a lot like Pittsburgh geographically. There is a river in the middle of town with hills on either side. The north side of the river is fairly flat for a ways, then rises. On the south side of the river is a few blocks worth of downtown, then you have the South Hill. Most of the roads going over it are like Wilkins and Negley Ave in Pittsburgh -- nothing you want to mess with when it's icy.

On the upside - the view out our windows is wonderful. All the trees are lined with snow, making for a winter wonderland (without the damaging weight you get from ice). Because we are on the fifth floor, our view stretches for a goodly way -- especially since we have a small park next door.

S

(no subject)

Well, some of the roads have gotten better; others have not. Most of the major roads a looking pretty clear (looking out my window at a major thoroughfare up the hill). Others are still really, really bad. The road on the other side of our apartment building (that we can't see) is currently closed and will remain so as long as the police don't get another call.

Why close the road? Because there have been well over 5 accidents in a one-block stretch, including a tow truck hitting the car it was supposed to tow. Buster got bumped - cosmetic damage only. The young lady was so shook up; she's in her late 20s and it's her first accident. She was going to turn down the road and changed her mind, but gravity had other plans. She slid over 1/4 the way down the block in 4-wheel drive and scraped along at least two cars.

I will contact her insurance company tomorrow to find out what they need me to do (I want to give her a chance to call them first.) I am a little concerned because Buster is a 1991 car with 133,000 miles on him. I am a little concerned that they might decide he is totalled (his bluebook value isn't much over $1,000) and I don't know what the fender repair will run. Ah, I'm probably being silly. There's no structural damage, just a minor dent in the fender and painting.

S

Possibly Good News

I just had a phone interview with a company I applied for a couple of weeks ago. Salary isn't nearly what I had hoped, but I might be able to wrangle a better benefits package out of them. They will be deciding who to bring in for face-to-face interviews later this week.