Y’all. In 2020 I moved back to Michigan from California. While in California we chose to go on adventures and see snow, but this week in Michigan (and many other areas) the snow globe was shaken! Please read on to see a day in my life; Snow Day Edition.
Everything begins the night before. My fiancé, Charlie, texted me while he was at work that he was planning to take the truck fro work the next day with the expectation of 6-8 inches of snow to accumulate through the night. We also agreed to go grocery shopping after Charlie got out of work since we were low on food.
After grocery shopping we sat in the living room, playing DnD with our virtual group and watched snow begin to fall. At first it fell softly in big flakes, creating the most beautiful atmosphere. Then the wind picked up and visibility became foggy. The winter storm was here. By the time we went to bed the winter storm was holding steady with no end in sight.
In the morning before Charlie goes to work he always tells me good bye and that he let the dogs out and fed them, but this time this brief routine was interrupted with a funny story. Charlie went to take the dogs to the back door, but the snow was over the dogs little heads! Charlie had to take the fellas out a different door that was easier to shovel. My poor small Bingo had barely gone outside and Jupiter retreated to do his business under the porch. Really this all made me laugh and I was excited to see this winter wonderland after a little more sleep.
Now, finally awaking from my slumber, it was my turn to witness the work of the winter storm. I quickly put on my leggings and socks, raced to get my boots on, and lead the fellas to the back door. Charlie’s description did not disappoint. While overall I think we got 10-12 inches, the wind must have blown a lot of snow to settle in heaps on our back deck. The snow was over my knees! After marveling at being snowed in from the deck, I took my fellas to the other door and just as Charlie had said they were so skeptical of the cold snow. My mom’s dog and Jupiter showed off their bravery and found little paths to take into the thick of the yard, but Bingo just sat in the garage doorway looking at me in terror.
Oh, did I mention it was still snowing? Much less menacing than when I went to sleep and boardering on those big, romantic flakes. I spent the rest of my morning drinking coffee by our big front window and calming down the dogs all barking at our neighbors snow blowers and tractors. All the neighbors were removing snow from their driveways up until early afternoon which got me to thinking if it would make any difference for me to take out the measly snow shovel…which I decided was too much work for too little payoff Wrong.
By early evening my sister and I decided that we needed to play in the snow a little before the sun went down. We bundled up in hats and mittens and took the dogs outside. The paths I made with my slumpy steps became the start of the trails for our dogs to comfortably traverse the snow. While I was walking further into the yard my sister was testing a heart-shaped snowball maker and creating a lovely snow Arsenal. Once I finally turned back toward the house my sister was throwing snow hearts everywhere! It was both beautiful and terrifying; she almost pummeled me a few times!
We did not spend much time outside (partially due to Bingo’s protest), and once we went inside we both chose our specific places to rest. After watching a few YouTube videos I decided to cleanup in the kitchen. I got some dishes done before I realized that our snowy driveway was plowed in. I was devastated. I had already not shoveled the driveway, making it hard enough for Charlie to come home, but at this point Charlie wouldn’t even be able to get past the giant snow bank to park the truck. This is what I get for saving my energy and not shoveling earlier…more shoveling.
I woke up my sister from her catnap and asked her to watch me at the window to make sure I stayed safe near the busy road, put on my old work coat with reflectors, and laced up my boots tight. I walked through the driveway to the snow bank and began to shovel it away. At the first scoop I already saw progress and with hard work I could free my driveway! I was shoveling in small scoops because this snow was packed and heavy. I was using muscles I had not used in such a long time. My wrists were on fire, my back muscles were pulsing. I was taking frequent breaks to catch a breath or backup to let a car pass. It was exhausting. Right after I had finished and gone inside Charlie safely pulled into the driveway.
I finished the night watching Netflix with people I love, beer in hand, body sore. Snow days are great! While I evaded a lot of work that comes with snow days, remember that they are not just fun and no school. If you are not doing the work to clear snow then someone else is. All I am trying to say is have fun, but have a plan to remove snow from your driveway!
Love,
Sara