Dealing With Ice

We had our first ice storm this week. Now to be fair, I don’t like ice when I live in the city and there is an entire team of city employees who are in charge of dealing with it. You can imagine my enthusiasm as I look out at the “mile-long” drive. I watched the ice grow to half an inch during the day, but Gene was able to get up the hill, so I ignored it and hoped that it would go away.

As Gene was getting ready for work the next morning, we knew we were going to have to put some salt down. I decided that the best approach was for me to sit on the tailgate of his truck and sprinkle salt out of a five gallon bucket while he drove us down the drive. Gene seemed to think there were safety issues involved with my plan.

We are nothing if not inventive and creative in this house. Gene rigged up a “seat belt” for me to make sure I didn’t fall out. You are going to have to use your imagination to picture this, but a tie-down strap around my waist and two bungee cords actually make a nice seat belt. I thought it was all overkill until we turned around and came up hill. As I was leaning over the tailgate at a 45 degree angle, I realized that I was just one bump away from experiencing a toboggan ride down the mile-long drive (sans the toboggan!).

The best part of my adventure was when we turned around at the foot of the hill and I got to wave at the county snow plow driver who was gaping at me. We’ve talked about him before, so I don’t really care if he thinks I’m crazy.

Shots Fired!

We took Dolly for her early morning walk down the driveway. It is so nice to be able to walk her without a leash. She gets in twice the miles that we do. Who knew the drive was so steep. It is fun going down, but coming up the hill is a challenge.

Just as we rounded the curve, I heard shots fired. I hit the deck . . . literally. I'm squatted down, my eyes are huge with fear . . and I look up and see Gene laughing. He says between gasping breaths, "It's just hunters." Who cares! They are firing guns for God's sake. I've seen the stealthy movements of soldiers and action heroes on T.V. The ones who duck when shots are fired live longer than those who stand and look around. And for those who laugh . . . I'm not talking to you.

Snow, snow and more snow . . .

Okay, whose idea was it to move out to the country?

I seriously want to find out the name of the county snow plow driver who keeps burying the entrance to my driveway. I swear he comes by fifteen times a day. No Christmas candy for him! Six more inches of the white fluffy stuff overnight, with another two to three expected. Oh, and did I mention wind. We are under a freaking "Winter Storm Warning" for another 24 hours.

The weather man smiles pleasantly as he says that blowing snow will create white out conditions and travel is not advised. How can you smile when you say that?

Here is a photo of Dolly coming back inside. She is a city dog. How does she find her way back to the front door?

Wait . . . do I hear the snow plow again?

The Long Drive

When we purchased the property, we were so impressed with the long, curving driveway that gently brought you up the hill and into the trees. Isn't it pretty? Well, it turns out that it isn't a gentle hill, and snow removal is a bear! Next year, we plan to buy about 500 orange stakes so we can find the darn driveway after six inches of snow!!

Things Should Be Easier

So we are moving to the country. Sounds great doesn't it? No leash laws. No nosey neighbors. No subdivision rules. Well it turns out that some things aren't as easy as they should be. To begin with. How do you get mail? You can't just put up a mailbox and start giving out your address. It turns out that you have to go to the post office and ask to add a new address. The problem is, which post office? When you are in the country, the nearest post office has no bearing on your mailing address. Which side of the street do you install it on? It took us three weeks to get a mailbox installed, and wouldn't you know, the gas and electrical lines run under it!!!!

Trash . . . seriously, this should be an easy one. But when you ask around, most people say, "You are in the country. Most people just burn it." So where do you get a burn barrel? I don't have one laying around. I don't plan to buy anything in a large metal barrel. Do they sell these things?

Ordering things. So going to the store isn't convenient. No problem, I'll just get on the Internet . . . it turns out that until your address has been listed for six months, many companies don't recognize it as a legal address and won't ship to you. Are you kidding me?

Oh, and the UPS man informed me the first of December that we needed a plan. Huh? It seems that when it snows or is icy, UPS won't try to come up the drive to deliver packages. So where would I like him to deliver them? Is he kidding? I haven't met my neighbors yet. Do you think the bank ladies will take my packages? They at least call my by my name. Mr. UPS says that maybe we can build a box and "secure it" out by the end of the drive to put packages in. Only, "It needs to be tall enough not to get buried by the snow plow." What????