Proclivity- my car!

You know that red engine light that comes on in your car, when you least want it and least expect it? Well, mine came on 12 days ago - the first day being a weekend that I was taking CPR and First Aid courses all weekend. I can't get to a garage! SO... you say to yourself. "It can wait". I checked the manual -it says could be and maybe not be, serious, but get it checked. So I think, maybe the light will go off! Then I realize I need an inspection and summer tires put on, so I should wait until April 1st at least. In the meantime, trying not to freak out that my car is going to break down just like that, I drive as little at possible, borrow my mother's to go to a concert, watch that light like a hawk, and then decide, ok - forget about waiting to put on summer tires. We've had 4 snow days in less than two weeks. Who puts on summer tires on the east coast in April? Only idiots like me would even think of that. You don't do that until June at the earliest. So, I break down and make an appointment to have that stupid light checked and the inspection done. I make arrangements to borrow my mother's car, again! Well, my appointment was on the day of the biggest storm we have had this winter. I couldn't even SEE my car, let alone open the door, get in and make it to the garage. Another SNOW DAY. Quelle surprise! So I rescheduled for today, and you guessed it - the friggin' light went off on my way to the mechanic's garage!