Re-Use for those Gift Cards

This one is a no-brainer! Ever been caught with no ice scraper and a icy winshield? Keep a couple of those gift cards or store reward cards (that you used the credit up) as scrapers in your Glove Box. They are slim enough to be flexible and sharp enough to scrape that Ice off your window! Doesn't work well with Ice caked cars due to ice storms!

Prepping your car for winter emergencies

Winter is upon us! I know we all prepare our homes for winter, but how often do we forget to prepare our vehicles? Here is a check list of items you might need for your car incase of inclement weather. Store this stuff in your trunk(Or behind the seat if like me, you have a pick up truck and no trunk or back seat) during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:
a blanket
extra boots and gloves
an extra set of warm clothes
extra water and food, including hard candies
an ice scraper
a small shovel
a flashlight
windshield washer fluid
windshield wipers
flares
jumper cables
a tool kit
tire chains
a tire gauge
a spare tire with air in it
tire-changing equipment
a first-aid kit
paper towels
a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.

Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.

SNOW JOB 2010- Batteries, wipers and belts- Oh My!

Make sure you can see-
When’s the last time you replaced your windshield wiper blades? They usually work effectively for about one year, so be sure to invest in some new ones if you’re due. Here’s another important step to take before you find yourself struggling to see in a blinding storm: Fill up your windshield washer reservoir with windshield washer fluid. (Plain water won’t do the trick at this time of year because it freezes.) Also check to see that your heater and defroster are working properly so you can keep the windshield nice and clear.
Give your battery a little TLC-
This is an ideal time of year to make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. Granted, you might be able to find a Good Samaritan to help you jump-start your vehicle in the middle of a blizzard — Another thing to consider is purchasing a battery jump charger station- handy to have and also nice to use in a power outage...but wouldn’t you rather avoid such a scenario altogether?
Make sure your belts and hoses are nice-
When you have that full service done on your vehicle, make sure the belts and hoses get checked for wear and tear — even if you’re driving a modern car. Cold weather can do a number on belts and hoses, so they deserve attention.

SNOW JOB 2010- Anti-freeze

Get the antifreeze mixture just right-
Antifreeze does not refer to having a bottle of Jack Daniels in your trunk! It refers to the fluid found in your radiator to keep it and you coolant/heating lines from freezing.
Aim for having a 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator. This will prevent the mixture from freezing even at ridiculously cold temperatures. It’s easy to check the status of the mixture with an inexpensive antifreeze tester, which you can pick up at any auto parts store. If the mixture is off, your cooling system should be drained and refilled or flushed. Be sure you’re equipped to dispose of your old antifreeze properly if you do this job yourself. It can’t just be poured down the drain- check your local regulations. And I should mention that there are low toxic anti freeze solutions out there.

SNOW JOB 2010- Tired??

Today let's talk about your tires:

Check your tire pressure-
Your tires must be properly inflated to ensure you’ll have the best possible traction as you drive along — and traction is often severely jeopardized in wet, snowy or icy conditions. The air pressure in your tires has likely dropped as the weather has gotten colder, so it’s important to see where things stand now. (You can generally expect that you’ll lose 1 pound per square inch whenever the temperature drops by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.) Your trusty owner’s manual will tell you what your target tire pressure should be. It is also listed on the sidewall of your tires.

Snow Tires and chains-
Think about switching to snow tires. Do you live in a hilly place that gets its fair share of snow? Then you might want to improve traction even more by investing in winter tires and using them over the next few months instead of your usual all-season tires. When shopping around for snow tires, ask about all the fees that might come into play, such as fees for mounting and balancing. You can accomplish this easily and make accurate cost comparisons by asking each store for the “out the door charge.” If you live in a mountainess region or normally have long snowy winters, you may wany to consider snow chains... purchase them now and make sure they are the right chains for your car... many tire stores offer a "buy them and don't use them return policy". Second make sure you know how to install the chains before you leave the store. And remember... if you drive a front wheel drive car- the chains go on the front tires!

4 WHEELING-
Do you have four-wheel drive? If so, it’s important to check the status of your four-wheel-drive system and be sure it’s working correctly — especially because most drivers don’t use their 4WD systems in the pleasant summer months. Be sure that the system engages and disengages easily, and that all drivers in your household know how and when to activate the system. And remember- 4WD is great... but it doesn't have any better stopping capabilities than 2WD

This is how I feel this winter...

How the hell could I live in a city that has no snow removal equiptment?

Making do with snow

My mom's neighbor's kids made this Snow Princess! complete with fairy princess shoes.

I look like Nanook of the damn north with 2 jackets a scarf and my tuque on.

Ahhhhh- for a few days in Vegas where the lights keep you toasty warm!