It’s 10 below as I write this. I keep hearing weird house sounds that I now realize are the groans and thuds of a house dealing with sub zero temps. It’s unnerving.
A major storm is headed our way. I’ve poured over the various forecasts; some say as little as 8 inches of snow – some go for 18 inches. I don’t know where we’re going to put more snow. There’s already more than a foot on the ground. Yesterday, I decided to check the level of heating oil and I was shocked to discover we had much, much less than I had thought. I suppose this is due to all the very cold weather we have been having. I ordered some more, but it won’t get here until Thursday or Friday, so I’m trying to keep the thermostat at a lower temperature. Thursday is the snow storm. Friday, I’ll be digging out. Not sure how the oil truck will even get in the driveway.
My ‘adventure’ yesterday: Our gutters are filled with ice. The snow and ice create a dam that can bring water into the house. We’ve had this happen once before. I saw a hint of it the other day, so I started reading about the problem and everyone said you should get a roof rake to rake a couple of feet of snow from the edges of the roof near the gutters, which allows the ice to eventually melt in the gutters and away from the house.
I called Lowes. No roof rakes left. I went to Agway. They had roof rakes but they were really expensive. So I went to our local True Value where they informed me they had just sold the last two in stock. He said he’d had them in stock, untouched, for 3 years, and suddenly they were selling like hotcakes. But, I could rent one for $10/day. I just had to get it back the same day as someone had reserved it for this morning. Okay. I rented one.
I don’t know if you are familiar with roof rakes, but the end of it looks like a shovel pointed downwards, which enables you to rake the snow off the roof. There are a couple of extensions that you add to the main pole, making it very, very long – probably about 18 feet long. And awkward. And heavy. So I put it all together and started raking the edges of the porch roof. Every time I hit the wall of ice in the gutter, I would have to lift the rake and reposition it. Trying to maneuver the rake was tricky. Because it was so long and it had to reach so high, I could barely control it at times. I made my way around the house, though I couldn’t get to the highest parts of the roof. At one point, my struggles led me to fall backwards into a snow bank. So not only were my shoulders and arms sore, but I was wet in the bargain.
After I finished, I went inside to change and eat some lunch. Then I got ready to take it apart and return it to True Value. Two of the pieces wouldn’t come apart. I tried putting that section in the car to see if it would fit and it was too long. So I tried again. Finally, while calling True Value in a panic, I hit on burying it in the snow for a while and when I pulled it out, I managed to separate the two pieces.
Yikes.
I’m sore today. But I’ll probably have to rent it one more time after this storm.
I wish Don was here. And right now, I wish I still lived in San Diego. This has been a winter for the record books and I am beginning to hate it with a passion.
I’m thinking of everyone in the South and am praying your power stays on and that you stay safely at home. Send some prayers to the Northeast as well. We could use them.
Happy Wednesday.
Yes, I think we’re all sick of this never-ending winter. Stay safe and warm. And boy does San Diego sound good about now.
It sure does!
Stay warm and safe. I Am afraid you all are getting the weather we had on the west coast last week. Charge your phones and computers and or Kindle just in case.
I will, Michelle.
sending you warm thoughts from Arizona. Wouldnt it be lovely if you could pop over for a visit? You and Scout stay warm, dry and safe. Cindy
I wish I could!
It certainly has been a winter to remember. We have had snow on the ground for weeks and it is 14 degrees this morning which is actually pretty warm compared to past weeks. Ugh. Doing anything outside proves short lived. Even the dog does not want to go out. I hear more Winter is on the way in Feb and Mar, but then spring will happen and we will rejoice. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Spring cannot come soon enough, Kelly!
I’m glad you were able to get that taken care of before the storm arrives, Claudia. Taking care of a house alone is no picnic. Believe me, I know! The acrobatics we women get up to can be hilarious — not to mention dangerous — but when push comes to shove, we get the job done. (Wet clothes and all.) Being nearer the coast, we’ll probably only get about 6 -8 inches of snow before it turns to sleet and freezing rain. So I’m pretty worried about tree limbs, power lines and some of the shrubs in my garden … more than I am about the snow. No doubt I’ll be outside with the business end of a rake or shovel, knocking wet snow off my hemlock branches. Whose bright idea was it to name this thing PAX!?!?! Hahahah
I’ve done that – gone outside with my broom and knocked the snow off my trees!
By the way, why or why does The Weather Channel need to name their storms? Answer: hype. They love hype!
Trivia for Today – I read on Wikipedia that a high school Latin class in Bozeman MT is responsible for the 2013-14 winter storm names. It doesn’t say how they were chosen, but only storms that are anticipated to be “disruptive” to people will receive a name. I’ll take Potent Potables for $200, Alex… :>)
I think Hurricanes and tropical storms being named is fine. But snow? Oy.
Hey, this is America! We have to allocate equal opportunity to the cold weather, don’t we?? Just like we now use men’s names as well as women’s for the storms! – just as much as the hot!!
Ha ha! Now a Nor’easter like this one – okay, maybe a name for that. But the others? It’s winter, it snows in winter. Although I have a name for this particular storm and it’s not anything I can write in this space.
Oh I agree. And I read that the Official Weather Guy only names a storm that is expected to be “disruptive” to people. The trouble now is that THIS year, they’ve ALL been disruptive!! I can’t remember the last time a local weather report here in Rochester was for “a dusting of snow, or maybe 1-2 inches at most…”
It’s true, Claudia! They work themselves (and sometimes us) into a complete lather about these storms. Although I agree that I think this one is going to be a doozy. I wish I could push the rain line up your way to relieve some of your shoveling! Be careful! xx
Claudia,
I am a spring, summer or fall girl but never a winter girl! This winter has just been the pits. Living in Annapolis, we also seem to get the freezing rain or dreaded wintery mix to go with the snow. I must say that a few weeks ago I decided my least favorite phrases are Artic Blast, Polar Vortex and Wintery Mix; I could go the rest of my life without them all. We do lose power from some storms so today I have to get prepared for that possibility. Let the cookie baking begin! LOL!
Though I’ve never been to San Diego I must say it does sound pretty good right now. I went out last night and bought the ingredients for key lime pie since I decided we could at least have a tropical dessert. Stay safe and warm!
Kim
I hope you don’t lose power, Kim! Stay safe.
Praying you get the least snow predicted not the most. After reading your blog for so long I am glad we don’t have to deal with snow. My sister lives near Atlanta after having spent 56 years in our area but they don’t get nearly as much snowfall as you. Please be careful when you have to get out and stay warm.
Well it’s looking like it will be at least a foot. Some predictions are even more dire. The fact that the 8 inches on the low end would be welcome is pretty ironic.
Ugh, this all sounds awful. I’ve never heard of a roof rake – we don’t use them here in my area. I wonder why? I’ll have to ask Brian about that. I hope and pray that your area gets “only” 8″ of snow and not anymore than that. Sheesh. At least we don’t have to worry about heating oil – we have natural gas.
Everyone has heating oil out east. I grew up with natural gas and often wish that’s what we had here.
Claudia, a roof rake is standard equipment here in Minnesota! We have had 40+ days below 0 this winter but not as much snow as your area has gotten. I am sorry for you that you must handle it alone. I would be completely overwhelmed. Today the forecast is for 34 degrees! I may put on some shorts (I won’t be the only one) Minnesotans are kind of crazy when we get even a slight warm up.
Take care and be very careful lifting all that snow.
I’m over this winter, Carolyn Marie. I’ve had it!
Hi Claudia!! Spring can’t get here fast enough for me… The very cold temperatures combined with all this snow has really been a drain this year… and now another storm on the way…. My mom had a roof rake years ago and I remember doing exactly what you were doing.. It was quite a job – I hope you stay safe and warm during this upcoming storm and maybe it will go easy on us… Take care, Claudia. Francine
I tried to buy one today but every store was out of them. Stay safe yourself, Francine.
Oh, Claudia, my heart goes out to you! A few years back I had the same situation with Noble being out of town and 2 feet of snow on the roof and ice dams. And learned about roof rakes then but they were sold out. So I went to the Tractor Store and bought a stable sweep and poles and tried to build one. And I ended up renting one as have you but for $25 an hour, yikes! What I didn’t count on was the snow in the yard was about four feet deep and I could not get out far enough to get the rake on the roof. Eventually, I ordered one on line and we use that now. You are welcome to borrow it. Unfortunately the snow has frozen into ice so the rake is not that effective. We are off to Hartford this weekend for Malcolm Morrison’s memorial but will be back Monday. If you lose power, you and Scout are welcome to stay with us as we have a generator. The roof rake is also great for knocking snow off branches so they don’t ice up and break. The other thing to consider is Roof Melts, which are salt pucks you throw on the roof that melt and create a channel that the melted snow travels down. Lowes has them. Or you can do what I did that year. Create Ice Dam socks, which are old socks you fill with rock salt and tie off and throw on roofs, which also melts the snow, Google ice dams socks diy and they have instructions. I will work from home tomorrow because of the storm so we will be here if you need us. Tina and Noble
Thanks Tina. I hate this weather. Enough already, don’t you think?
I feel the same way. I’ve been stranded at my daughters in Portland, OR. I’m finally driving home today between storms. Portland never gets as much snow as they did last weekend. A few years ago we had to have roofers rake our roof. It’s so high we can’t reach it Nd we had almost 5 foot of snow on the roof. The guys tethered themselves up there and raked it all off. I’m SO ready for spring. Will be sending prayers that you will stay safe and warm in this storm.
Blessings,
Betsy
I cannot wait for this winter to end. Thanks, Betsy.
It’s unbearable, isn’t it? We’re expecting it to start around 6 tonight, ice and snow, about 10″ they’re guessing. It’s the ice that takes down power lines, and that’s what I hate. We plan to stay warm (if it happens) by running our gas logs and camping out in the den with all the den doors closed. And flashlights to read by. Makes me wish I had a smart phone so I could stay online :) BTW did I tell you I’ve shut down my blog? It was time, I’d begun to lose interest in posting, but I still love reading others’ blogs.
Mary
I hope you don’t lose your power, Mary. We are all electric here, so if it goes out we have nothing.
I’m sorry you stopped blogging, my friend. But I understand. xo
Keeping most of the nation in my prayers today! Then saying one just for you. Sounds like a massive, terrible storm. My hat is off to you for getting all that roof work done yourself. And I hope you get your heating oil on time.
Tana
It hasn’t been delivered today – I’m crossing my fingers for tomorrow morning, but these guys are overloaded with deliveries right now.
The hardest things hit when hubbies are gone, trust me. It’s melting around here but more rain with some days of freezing temps so you know I’m not going out to slide around in that mess. Yesterday was gorgeous—considering—so hubs and I went to the Apple store and then to lunch. Nice day all the way around. Today I promised a friend I’d “ruffle” some fabric for her. It’s a good day to stay inside. I’ve been wearing double socks to keep my feet warm. I do NONE of the maintenance outside. I’m an insider person. Gets too HOT and too COLD here for me, but I struggle along because I absolutely LOVE where we live.
xoxo,
Connie
Don and I sort of split the maintenance, but he does a lot of the salting and stuff like that in the winter. Now I have to do it all and this storm is going to be a whopper.
I have never heard of a roof rake! As lovely as the snow looks in everyone’s photos, it sure is a lot of work that I don’t envy anyone. I’m in the south and we are lucky we didn’t get the ice storm here. In fact, we have spring temps for the next week. I’m sending good thoughts your way. Try not to over do it with Don gone!!! Hugs.
Hard not to when the long driveway needs to be shoveled!
Oh…I feel for you! Yes, we have a snow rake…and it IS difficult to use. Quite the adventure you had! This winter has been horrible…no doubt about it. And, ice dams…we had problems several years ago…hence, the snow rake! San Diego sounds absolutely wonderful…so, would you ever consider moving back? Take care of yourself…stay warm, and cuddle with Scout! ;)
Probably not to San Diego but someplace warmer? Maybe.
Ok Claudia-
I learn something new every time I come here to MHC-LOL!
Yesterday I admitted my ignorance of shoveling all the snow and wondering why you just don’t leave it be.
Thank you for educating me on that point,by the way.
Now, roof rakes?
Is there now end to your snow detailing?
Poor thing. I do feel for you and falling down in the stuff is only funny on the occasion as your not having to work in it!
Thanks for the education ;).
Pat
Roof rakes are rather new to me, too, Pat. But they sure are selling like hotcakes this year. Everyone is out of them.
I will be thinking of you and Scout during this terrible storm..I am glad to know that Tina and Noble are close by so you have someone to turn to if you need help..Bless them for being good friends and neighbors..May everyone be safe and warm..
Thank you, Nancy.
I grew up in NJ, but never heard of a roof rake. I guess they didn’t have them back in the 1950’s. This has been quite a winter…even in the south.
They didn’t have them when I was growing up in Michigan, either.
Of course we have to expect blizzards or, as they seem to call them now, superstorms. But this year? Good grief!! This year really has been different. People will not be talking about any specific storm this year. This one is going to go down in the history books as THE WINTER OF 2014. Miserable and never ever-ending. The only good thing is that it will make Spring all the more welcome – when it finally gets here. Good luck with this week’s forecast!
This year has been insane, Janet. Miserable, indeed.
Oh Claudia I am so glad you are OK and was able to do this, but it’s so much!! Wishing Don were home with you and that Spring was here already! Hugs!
Oh, I really wish he was here, too. He’d keep my spirits up and keep me from worrying so much.
My Charlie is out of town right now so I will have to tackle the snowstorm by myself. He did call today and said to make sure to clear around the downspouts as best I can. That way, when it does begin to melt, the water won’t back up in the drainpipes. It’s the thawing and refreezing that causes all the problems with gutters. Just thought I’d past his suggestion on to you.
I will clear them if and when it ever starts to melt, Elizabeth!
I ached just reading about raking the roof. You’re a trooper, Claudia. But then, we all do what we have to, don’t we? I hope the storm passes safely by you. Such a dreadful winter for you all, while we sit here in the sun wondering why it has barely rained this winter. Crazy weather.
I would give anything to sit in the sun right now, Lorrie!
next house lose the gutters ;-) That’s what I say every year when we have to climb ladders to get all the leaves out…I think there’s some kind of gutter rake for that too. I hope you and Scout can snuggle in and have a warm comfortable night and that you do Not lose power through this awful storm. Get all your flashlights and candles ready. We’re rooting for ya!
Thanks, Tracy.
Oh, roof rakes. Yes, we do use ours! And ice dams….. they are awful. We had a mess in our dining room the last winter we had so much snow ~ about 10 years ago. We ended up needing a new roof. And, at least at that point in time, ice dams were considered an “act of God” and we were told we could have worked harder at stopping them. We have seen people using those salt things that look like hockey pucks and they seem to work if you get them up there early ~ and often!! They say our frost level is down over 5 feet this year and people are suffering water pipe breaks that go to the street where the water main is. We have been asked to keep a trickle of water running 24×7.
I bet Don is fretting about you and Scout being home w/ this storm on its way, too. Take care and here is to wishing and hoping that you don’t lose power.
I have the faucets trickling all the time, Chris.
Did you also know that if you have a septic tank your roof vent can freeze over during extended periods of extreme cold and trap the septic smells in the pipes and house. Yes, it is true. That was one we learned this winter. Not at all pleasant. I was frantic.
Good luck with all of your snow…we are getting it as well, but there are several of us to take turns shoveling. Of course we have more square footage of driveway than we do of house. Fun…I do love a snowday however.
Claudia, on our local news tonight they were talking about roof rakes and showing how to use them. lso showing what happens if you don’t. They said hardware stores were sold out here as well. But, they showed how to make them with a piece of wood.
I worry about you being alone. I am sure you are stocked up with food and water. Hope the oil gets there. Pray you don’t loose power.
We are having a break but I hear snow is coming back. We got above freezing today atfer being so cold. Back under freezing tonight.
Be careful. Your poor shoulders have to hurt.
((((HUGS))))
Bless your heart! I sure do wish Don was home – as I’m sure you and Scout do – for many reasons! Stay warm and take care. Be awful careful out there in all of that snow!
Judt
I look around as I drive and see others with the same issue you are having. Tons of snow and ice on the roof and Im sure they are having troubles inside. We are lucky and have a very steep pitch so the snow doesn’t collect on ours. Hubby made a snow roof rake that swivels and is much easier to operate than the ones in the store. Wish we were close I could bring it over and help you.
We got 9 inches on top of 6 and are expecting 5 more tonight…Thanks goodness Pa knows how to handle it..Our roads were pretty clear last night…I used to have to worry about roof snow..No more Yay..Hope you are safe..