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.