Thursday, January 28, 2016

Plowed Out -- Finally!

The snow may have been fun to watch fall, but on Sunday, the reality set in.  We had to dig ourselves out.
I had parked my van near the bottom of the driveway that is around 250 feet long. (about 76 meters), so we knew we weren't totally snowbound.  But Carl's car was in the garage, and was snowed in, kind of like this school bus below.  
In the past, we've shoveled what little snow we've had, or called someone to do it for us.  However, because of the amount of snow, the people who provide this service were coming at a premium.  One person promised to come on Monday. Then said he'd come on Tuesday.  After waiting all day, he finally said he couldn't come at all.  Frustration because of two wasted days.
~A skeptical Sunny watching the camera~
More calls on Wednesday and Carl found two people who would come, but each were charging a "trip fee" of $250 (!!) and the other, $150.  This fee did not include the $100-150 an hour just to plow the driveway.  Needless to say, we were feeling a lot of things -- overcharged and gouged to name two.  Added to that, they both wanted cash, and wouldn't take a check or credit card.  I'd returned to work on Wednesday and Carl who was home, didn't have enough cash on hand.  So, with that, warmer temps and the snow melting, he decided to do it on his own.  He had pretty much just started shoveling when someone with a tractor and plow stopped and offered to help.  He refused any money and only wanted something to drink -- In 20 about minutes our driveway was cleared!  Needless to say, we were both most grateful for the help of a good samaritan -- Who wasn't in it for money.

Today, I'm feeling relieved that our driveway is clear.
The snow has melted enough that Todd is back to guarding his yard -- Even somehow finding a mole to "make dead."  --How did he find one in all this snow?
And life seems to be getting back to normal.  
~Reggie and Bella~
Whatever normal may be.
Or not be.

34 comments:

  1. Glad that good sam stopped by! What a lot of snow!

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  2. Yes, thank goodness for the Good Samaritan!

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  3. Some people these days will take advantage of the situation - they shouldn't, but probably sleep just fine at night. Glad help stopped by to end your bad situation. Shoveling snow has proven to be dangerous for your health, good that guy showed up!

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  4. Glad you all made it through the storm safely!
    God bless. ♥

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  5. Every time you feel let down by people, a stranger (or friend) steps forward and shows that there is still goodness in the world.

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  6. Love those inverted faces... Doesn't it warm your heart when you fun into those wonderful strangers.

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  7. We stopped our plow service two years ago when they did extensive damage to some shrubbery. Plow service in WI was wonderful perhaps because the snow comes so often it is their winter livelihood. Here, since they are so seldom needed, the equipment is not the best and the charges are outrageous.

    So now we do it ourselves. Since we usually couldn't get out of the community anyway, we just work on it a bit at a time until the job is done. This time we must have shoveled at least six times since it kept getting snowed over. We are very fortunate to be retired so we don't need to get out to work.

    Hooray for kindly neighbors. Makes you feel good inside.

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  8. YAY fur Mr Tractor Driver!
    What great photos!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  9. Wow! that's a lot of snow and a lot of money for clearing it too. Brilliant that someone happened along to help out like that, it restores faith in human nature. As for the little mole hunter extraordinaire, he obviously had to have a good nap to recover from all that hard work, lol :-)

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  10. random thoughts....
    todd's butt is even cute!
    sunny's sweet trusting face even through his dreaded fear of cameras...
    i could snuggle right in between reggie and bella...
    and the next two are simply hilarious with the story... it is after all a topsy turvy world.
    and finally... BLESS CARL! what a guy. to tackle all that. and the samaritan renews my faith. always.
    XOXOXO♥

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  11. Good morning, wow the prices for snow removal are outrages. I am so happy you had a good samaritan come by and help. We were lucky, our neighbor helped us. Your furbabies are all so cute, Love their photos. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  12. It never seems to bother the animals does it? lol ! We invested in a snow blower and may not have to use it every time but it is there when we need it Like we only had to use it once this year and most of last year but it was easier then shoveling and cheaper then having to pay some one . Lovely photos I am just glad your all safe . Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !

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  13. Dog bless that good Samaritan who offered his help in exchange for something to drink! We are so glad you are finally plowed out and free to move about.

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  14. Yay for the "good guy" . . .
    Wishing you a NO SNOW weekend!

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  15. Yay!!!!!!!!!! That's wonderful!!!!! Have a great weekend my friend,Hugs Francine.

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  16. I'm so happy that someone stopped and helped.
    That's a lot of snow and it's scary to think of one person trying to tackle it!
    Love the critter photos.
    And nice to see Todd is such a good watch dog!
    See's so cute.
    xo

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  17. Wow! You guys were trapped! I love the photographs you have been taking...the first one of Todd is especially GREAT.

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  18. Shame on the gougers who take advantage of people in that way! That is DEPLORABLE! What a ridiculous amount of money! You seriously should have reported them to your local TV station. That is scamming and AWFUL! Thank God for the good samaritan who DID help!!!!
    DakotasDen

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  19. Just an FYI...I see a number of interesting blogs here that I would love to follow, but most of them do not have the "follow by email" option on their sidebar so that I may follow...that's a shame...hoping they will consider adding it!
    DakotasDen

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  20. It is not a very good feeling when you know you can't get out of the driveway but it is too bad that it has to be so hard and so expensive to get someone to help. With all the people out of work, there should be plenty of peeps looking to earn some money. But even here the teenagers don't want to be bothered shoveling. Mom and Dad have a service that charges $60 for 2-6 inches and then the cost goes up for every 2 more inches. Crazy. But we sibes do love our snow.

    Happy weekend.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

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  21. Wow, those are rather extreme prices for plowing! We live on a private street so we have t clear it. Fortunately there are some farmers around that enjoy playing with their plows and come practice on our street.

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  22. lol welcome to Canada! Well, Canada east of Vancouver, that is! It's pretty disgusting that people were trying to gouge you for snow clearance, up here we pay 200$ for the entire Winter and our driveway, front walk and stairs are cleared every time it snows more than four inches, which in a normal Winter happens about every two weeks. Mother Nature is being unusually kind to us this year though and we've only had three snowfalls that warranted our driveway being cleared. As for bigger storms, like 8 inches and more, we get those about four times every Winter on average. It sure was something to see how you guys 'down South' handled that storm, we felt pretty bad for you! I'm really glad that it didn't take you too long to get cleared out, God Bless that good Samaritan! Also, good for Todd on catching that mole, he could probably out-hunt my cats!

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  23. Well that was lovely! I am delighted by the kindness of strangers and shame on those price gougers! Now you can enjoy the snow and still get around. We had an evening of freezing rain and icy roads this morning.

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  24. People helping people....it's the neighborly thing to do.

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  25. Glad to hear you had some help in the end and saved all that cash! Around here we have seasonal contracts for our snow plowing. With a driveway longer than yours it's essential for us. Of course so far this year we are way under the normal amount of snow so they are making out but last year we got more than our moneys worth.

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  26. Unbelievable how people take advantage of others, instead of everyone helping everyone. But there is always a good person out there to help. Glad he found you and helped out.
    I live in Florida and we have never experienced snow, but I have always wished for just one day. I mean only one day, well maybe 2.
    TFS stay safe and warm. Ana

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  27. I bet if you asked Todd if he'd dig for treats, he would have dug you out sooner.

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  28. You really got a LOT Of snow - I'm glad you got some help. What a beautiful landscape surrounding your home!

    Abby Lab

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  29. You really got a LOT Of snow - I'm glad you got some help. What a beautiful landscape surrounding your home!

    Abby Lab

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  30. Your snow story reminded me so much of our blizzard in 2003. We got 7' of snow in 48 hrs. I moved my truck to the bottom of our 1/4 mile driveway but my husband didn't move his. Well, you can guess where this story is going.... We finally ended up going out on the road and flagging down a front-end loader who was helping everyone, and in about an hour, he had my husband's truck out. And he wouldn't accept very much money. There are great people in the world!!!

    I love the upside down photos at the end. Priceless!

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  31. I especially love the first photo, hope you don't get any more snow!
    xxx

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  32. I know that feeling with our gravel road being about 700-800 feet and what a good feeling it is!...:)JP

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  33. Now that is a lot of snow. It is beautiful. I use to live in Buffalo. We have had crazy snow. Now I'm in Atlanta and of worries are ice storms. So glad the pups have a place to run now.

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  34. Look at all that snow!!
    That was awful having to wait and wait, and ohhh the amount they were charging people was out rageous.!
    So glad for the good samaritan!
    Beautiful photos!! So deep- the snow!
    love that first one of Todd looking out!
    love
    tweedles

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!