Day 3 Ohio: January 4, 2008

Temp: 19
Wind: Gosh, 12-15 mph
Snow: 2-3 inches on the ground

Today, I shoveled snow for the first time. Boy, was this comical! I know, some of you would have paid money to see this little event. I’ll attempt to tell you about it . . .

This morning, I took a glance outside and saw lots of snow on the steps. Thinking like an Ohioan (is that what they’re called?), I decided that the steps needed to be cleared. So, I bundled up – cap, check; scarf, check; coat, check; boots, oops, still haven't bought those yet. I picked up the shovel from the back porch and threw it over my shoulder with confidence. And I must admit, I headed outdoors, nose in the air, in a cocky, sort of fashion. “Shoveling snow . . . how hard can this be? This stuff actually reminds me of Splenda. So light and fluffy. Oh yes, this will be easy peasy.”

So, I picked up the shovel and dug into the fluffy stuff. So, neat – I had a big heaping shovel full. And then it occurred to me . . . now that I have the snow on the shovel, where do I put it? Seriously? If I sling it to my left, the wind will just pick it up and blow it right back. If I sling it to my right, they’ll be a huge pile of snow right there against the house.

Now, unbeknownst to me, shoveling snow is apparently a fine tuned skill. And in my run down of “things to know”, Hubby and I never covered the “shoveling snow” section.

So, I stood there, contemplating my plan. Where do I put the snow? Where do I put the snow? To the right, yes definitely to the right. And so I did. And I even shoveled the front steps. I stood back, gazing proudly at my accomplishment.

Fast forward about an hour later. My father-in-law, knocked on the door. Glad to see a familiar face, I invited him in. But, he declined and said he had just come down to bring a couple of items and to shovel the snow. And I thought to myself . . . "Can't he see that I just did that? I mean, I know I'm a newbie, but surely what I did will suffice, right?" Now, let me tell you about my father-in-law. He’s an older man of age, but with the body and energy of a teenager. Seriously . . . he can run circles around most people my age. So, he went to shoveling and man was I impressed! He had a shovel and this huge broom. Now when it comes to shoveling snow, my father-in-law has “skills!” By the time that he had finished, he had the whole patio and steps clean as a whistle. He even did the sidewalks. Not a drop of snow remained! Wow!

So, I guess I write all of this to tell you that this Florida girl shoveled snow for the first time. Oh, and I guess to say “thanks” Dad W for taking care of me and my girls.

And now . . . I'll leave you with this picture: