As Stephanie mentioned, we're getting fairly hammered here with snow. I used the snow blower for the fourth time this week, a new record.
When we bought the house in spring 2001, I wondered if I'd ever need a snow blower. That winter wasn't too bad, so we didn't get one. The next winter, I couldn't stand it, and got a little MTD. It got a fair amount of use, then a little use this year. This week was the first time since I got it that I had to buy additional gas and oil for it.
Like I said, the first snow is charming, but I'm done with it now. It got just warm enough, around 32, last night to cause it to melt a little and bring a little rain. Beneath the new four inches since I cleared the driveway last night, there was a nice layer of slush. The end of the driveway is even worse. The snow blower managed to deal with most of it, but only with a great deal of pushing and humping. I can feel it in my arms and back now.
Living somewhere subtropical gets more appealing every year.
That is why Gordon would love to move to the desert southwest someday.
Personally, I love snow, especially at Christmas time. What I dislike is driving in it. We got around 6-8 inches. A pittance compared to you.
The year before last our small snowblower died, and after busting my back shoveling, I insisted we purchase another just prior to another predicted snowfall. All the smaller, cheap ones were sold out, so we sucked it up and bought a large Toro. Frankly, I'm glad we did. It plowed through our snow in 20 minutes, and even when we get the heavy, slushy stuff, it's capable of removing it without a lot of humping.
Of course, now that I've got my white christmas, it doesn't have to snow again this year.