I’ve lived in the mid-atlantic my entire life, and I don’t remember a storm like this. I shoveled once last night, and this morning you can’t even tell. The drifts are almost as high as our SUV.
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Thank God my wife isn’t due until June – I couldn’t imagine trying to get out to the hospital in this business. If you’ve gotta be outside, be careful. I’m sure Monk is out dropping off hospital staff in his 4×4 as usual!
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UPDATE – Here are some photos from my first round of shoveling
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Feb 06th by Brian S
all you NOVA-ites: please report in your totals. I’m in Lunenburg: a moisture event to be sure, but in the form of rain.
My report is that there is crapload of snow outside. News says 19 inches in Leesburg with an additional 4-8 on the way.
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I need to get my gear on and start shoveling. Good luck everyone!
In downtown Dunn Loring at 0715 this morning, I observed a measurable 22 inches on an outdoor table top. Not sure whether its location exaggerates the ambient totals, but I don’t see how that would be the case. Official totals seem much lower.
I shoveled the driveway three times before midnight on the theory that any flake I lifted yesterday was one that I wouldn’t have to lift today. Not sure my theory holds up. Could only vaguely tell the difference this morning.
Manassas is just south of us by a few miles, and supposedly got 26″. We are near that, or a bit over–hard to tell with drifting.
The western fence line is drifted up to the second rail in places, and there is a good foot and a half overhang waiting for gravity to do its work projecting over the back door.
There is a snowplow stuck and abandoned just up the street–reassuring!
The men on the block are out standing in line to play with the communal snowblower–very cute as they follow the current turn-taker around, itching to play themselves.
I have shoveled the deck and stairs umpteen times already (drat that overhang glacier over the back door!) so the dog can get out. He is in heaven, and doesn’t know whether to roll in it or eat as much as possible, and winds up doing both at the same time.
Anyone remember January 96? I was due with my son then, and we had a two year old. VERY reassuring to be a bit overdue and another foot on the way–lol! Hope you and your family are well, Brian.
Amen to those four wheel drive volunteers! We had one in our building back in 96, who took the trouble to come to the door and let us know he’d get us to the hospital if needed–just PLEASE don’t have the baby in his jeep!.
Hope everyone is well and safe.
Kelley, here is the local paper out of the county seat, with photos:
http://leesburg2day.com/articles/2010/02/06/news/9879snow020610.txt
That slide of the deck? Yep, saw something like that at 1:30 this a.m. when the dog wanted out–lolol
As of 1130-Burke 23 inches in our neighborhood…
yes, barbara, I remember Jan ‘96. We had our wedding reception in 18″ of snow. 250 people came from as far away as 20 miles on some back Lunenburg, Nottoway, Amelia & Mecklenburg roads. all wore Bean hunting boots & drove 4 wd trucks.
Brian, unfortunately, the MonkMobile- even with it’s massive tires and fourwheel drive, locking axles and massive winch on front….. is sitting under 3 feet of snow today.
The amount isn’t that bad. The truck was built in the aftermath of the 3 feet we got on Feb 22, 2003, and it will take the abuse of 3 feet. The problem is that what got shoveled and pushed up to 0130 last nite has been blown back into the driveway by the winds last night, and my efforts were negligible – short of staying up all night and plowing hourly.
I’ve elected to let it stop snowing first, and then resume pushing and winching my quarter of a mile long driveway out afterwards. I attempted a push this morning with the tractor and a snowplow. It is now mid-driveway in around a 5 foot drift.
A;; this may be for naught. Seems that VDOT is recruiting every resource they can find….up to and including snow shovels and individuals for $25 an hour.
My rural road is worse than my driveway.
Kelley, that sounds like a lot of fun! I bet the pictures are priceless, and happy belated anniversary!
I’m glad you have power to write, Dean. Some of the reports sound like there could be a lot of people in bad trouble for electricity.
I just got finished a bit ago dealing with what that durn roof-glacier calved over the back door again, and then I dug a path down the stairs and under the deck (again–lol) for the pooch.
He’s about 20″ at the shoulder, and while I was digging he started to cry like crazy–one of his buddies was out in the side street.
He was up on tiptoe with his nose above the edge of the dugout, whining to go.
Climbed up, bullied his way halfway across the yard, and had to give up.
He turned around and basically swam back, then got on tiptoe and cried again.
In a bit we’ll take him out and about on the leash–blowing too hard right now to make me want to do that for long, and then clean him up! lol
Just put some stewbeef, onion and a marrow bone on to start the giant soup pot.
Tonight’s movie, The Hurt Locker–then maybe after the guys get their fix, my daughter and I can win a vote on what’s next.
Stay safe everyone!
Parked the Monk-Mobile by the house ….close enough to hook house power into the power generator inside it. So far, the power is holding, and I think we’ll be fine. ASPLUNDH finished with all the limbs overhanging lines recently out here, as well as the wind unloading those limbs prior to their collapse.
I love this guy:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77c_1265470552
As of about 11:00 this morning, I had 26″ in my backyard. The snowfall has tapered off to just near-flurry levels at the moment and I hope to God that’s going to be the end of it for this one. At the moment, I’m set to let this go until the snow stops completely. Even with the work I did this morning, it’s going to be worse than whatever I had to do last Wednesday. And the word is we’re looking at another one incoming on Tuesday night. With LCPS already closed for Monday and Tuesday, I’m guessing that one’s going to knock us out for Wednesday and possibly Thursday, too.
Totals here in Ashburn, around my house, range from 26″ to 33″ down by the fire hydrant, which I just dug out. I know of 8 pine trees that have come down. 3 of which are 3/4 of the way across Windmill Dr. I have heard plows have been on Claiborne and Ashburn Farm Parkway.
I’m glad we don’t have a hydrant (next door neighbor–whew!) but we have two storm drains to find. One slightly down, one to go after a major expedition–thank you plow piling up at corners! At least they didn’t select the handicapped ramp for cachement today (like yesterday–twice)–I go nuts trying to keep that clear on the corner, and the crud the plow piles there is like cement.
I am also glad the house faces south–our front door wasn’t drifted in as were the ones across the street. Neighbor directly across has a drift halfway to the doorknob…three steps up.
They are still looking for their mailbox–this a.m. they dug the post out, but no box. Plow got a bit closer on their side, apparently.
Barbara — I smiled at your post, since I was also pregnant during the storm of 1996, and so morning sick that I never kept food in the house. When the storm hit, there wasn’t much for three days, including no bread! (Just think, Brian, this is the type of story YOUR wife can tell 14 years from now!)
We have slightly less than the big totals. I measured about 20 inches — not as much as the storm in December, but I think our immediate area was spared a bit this time around.
I know he would never brag about it, so I’ll have to. Randy Minchew is ALWAYS out there doing 4×4 duty for the hospitals!
BO- That was hilarious – those wacky weather guys!
the meherrin river, on rt 138 between Kenbridge & South Hill, was lapping at the bridge today. the Nottoway River on Rt 40 was out of its banks today. Global warming my ass. Gretchen: give us your recipe for stew!
Randy Minchew could have settled for being an excellent fellow without doing that duty. That he also does that puts him up yet another notch in my estimation. Same with you BPM, even if you are stuck.
A huge SUV with diplomatic plates went bowling down our small, unplowed lane today and promptly got stuck. Several of us sprang to the rescue. The occupants were from the United Arab Emirates. I asked them how this compared to the snow they had back home. They said theirs was finer, less sticky, not as cold and they called it “sand.” The next SUV to get stuck was driven by a Russian, who probably had had more experience with snow. He said he hadn’t seen anything like this in Russia (but, then again, he’s a city boy. I’m sure Russia has enough snow to look at this as a rather common occurrence).
Well, the excitement is over for now. We had a fire truck from Ashburn 6 get stuck right next to our house. Even with neighbors pitching in couldn’t get him going. Finally an Ashburn 6 pick up with a snow blade on it showed up and plowed out a path for the big truck. Quite the scene. I am little worried about the transmission fluid they left sprayed on the snow. At least we now have a path plowed out around the downed trees in the road. We’re mobile. The only ones on the street, as my son’s lifted pick up has adequate clearance.
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One other good piece of news, satellite TV is back up. The dish was covered with snow. Luckily we’re back up. I was beginning to worry about the Super Bowl.
My wife was a trooper – she was out helping me in the snow, cleaning off the car even though it was piled high with snow twice as tall as I was. We only have one snow shovel so she helped clear some of the looser stuff with a regular shovel. Five months pregnant and she wouldn’t stay inside!
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We’ve got a lot of good pictures to show the kid in a few years.
Cascades- 26” Made it out at mid day got gas and returned. No one was out except plows and an a few 4wd’s. Shovel, shovel shovel fun day.
While the snow prevents us from all getting together to mark the occasion, don’t forget, with all the excitement of the day, to mark the birthday of Ronald Reagan.
I also justify another drink (although he himself was a teetotaler in deference to a vow he made to his mother) by marking the birthday (also today) of General James Ewell Brown (J.E.B. Stuart). I know that probably just doesn’t resonate with you young folks, but I am virtually old enough to remember him. You would have liked him, I think.
NoVA Scout – Salute!! to both Ronnie and JEB Stuart! And to the roughly 36″ of white stuff that landed in my area….and to the Kubota 2160B that enabled me to dig out. I think that this is worse than ‘96 – less drifting, but more snow.
I just came in from the last of the communal block work.
All cars dug out, all sidewalks clear, all driveways and mailboxes clear, AND my neighbors found their mailbox!
Women and kids did the digging, men took turns with the industrial, and we’re all fair knackered as they say.
I have a nice cold beer.
Then some more peeling and cubing for soup.
Gretchen, I was very lucky–no sickness with the first, and then the second, it was a very businesslike part of my morning for about three weeks early on.
Awake, event, on with the day.
We have some great pictures of my husband and our daughter (then two) playing in the snow while we waited for her brother to show up.
Sir Ben Dover, how about bringing that Kuboto out Ashburn way! 36″ damn, but then you have always bragged and made others wonder about your ability to accurately measure inches.
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Barbara, sounds like you’re in good shape. Team work! Adding to our excitement here, we just had the fire department return. A neighbor at the end of our cul de sac twisted her knee. The fire men and medics had to walk all the way down the cul de sac, and then carry the litter up the hill. That’s about 14 houses deep. They were definately out of breath when they returned. Rock on Ashburn 6! Those guys are working hard.
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Word is most of the calls have been medical in nature. Lots of twisted knees and back issues, some chest pain. One call for amputated fingers from a snow blower. Nasty! Ambulance got stuck getting that guy to the hospital. Also a call to Alexanders Grove for downed power lines. The fireman said they walked through waist deep snow for a good distance. They called the power issue to Dominion Power, and they said they were 1,000 calls deep and that this issue would have to wait. 6 secured the area and told the homeowner to call if the sparks started anything on fire. Nothing else could be done at this time.
Leesburg – Last night when I shoveled the driveway there was about 6 inches. At noon when I started shoveling I measured 20 in about the same spot. Of course It showed for 4 hours after that so maybe… 2-3 inches more for 28-30 total? Something like that.
Tell you what, I didn’t realize how tired it made me shoveling my townhouse driveway until I got back inside and sat down. I’m pretty much the fitness nut but even so.
I’ll bet my HOA is way over budget on snow removal. Word is the town will be just about up against it’s budget at the end of this.
And have you looked at Weather.com? They’re calling for “a few snow showers” on Tuesday and Wednesday…. yikes!
It’s times like these that I’m glad I live in a loft apartment. No shoveling for me!
Not as much snow this time here but this is the THIRD snowstorm this winter. The second was just the previous week and we got 14 inches. Another in December with around 16.
The last time I remember a winter this bad in Richmond was 1996, so long ago that I was in Middle School at the time! We had ONE really, really big storm in 2000 as well, but this reminds me more of ‘96 when it was just one storm after another.
It is cold but gorgeous outside, I took a walk on the state Capitol grounds today, and it is especially beautiful in the snow.
I am loving western Loudoun! In Vienna our power went out all the time, often for days. That never happens out here! Our great handyman plows the driveway and mailbox area. Plows are up and down our street often. It seems everyone in the country has a plow attached to their truck and tractor.
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We spent the day making greatl food. My son’s wonderful girlfriend made eggs benedict for brunch with the best hollandaise I’ve ever had. We made Boeuf Bourguignon for dinner with pecan pie for dessert. Oh, and shrimp appetizers with my favorite drink, Kir Royale. Fortunately we had two bottles of good champagne left over from New Years Eve. After that we played silly games and continued work on our impossible French Impressionist puzzle. If we don’t get out of here soon we all outgrow our clothes.
Our friends, Michael and Julile Williams in Herndon, lost power at 8:00 Friday night. After 24 hours they found a hotel for their family and dog. Looks like they won’t have power until at least Monday.
Did I mention
Oops, posted before I could finish that thought.
Did I mention, I love living in western Loudoun, even with 26″ of snow, drifts over 4′ and another 6″ coming on Tuesday afternoon/evening? And did I mention that we leave for the Caribbean on the 26th of this month? Not a moment too soon!
BlackOut, we have a great block, and some great blocks around us.
I think we all are okay, but my back is reminding me how old I am!
Thank God for leftover muscle relaxers from throwing my back on vacation!
I almost think they give you a big bottle on purpose when you get to “a certain age” because they know you probably need them in the cabinet.
Kelley, it dawned on my you may have been asking me about soup?
Doesn’t need meat if you have a marrow bone, and vice versa. I just used both because it’s a blizzard after all!
If just meat, start beef and onions in pan, when browned add some water and start throwing the vegs in. If bone, start with bone and water, and skim as necessary.
A dash or two of Tabasco in the water reduces to the right amount of salt and pepper, and kind of wakes things up too w/o making them hot.
I usually start w/ celery and onions to get those flavors laid down, then carrots and green beans because they take a while, then corn cut off the cob, shredded cabbage, and potatoes. I usually shredd the tops and heart of the celery too–my mother said there was no such thing as too much celery). Last, a can of tomatoes with some of the juice. (My father thought there was no such thing as too MUCH tomato, or anything that didn’t GO WITH tomato, so I always use the whole ones. I quarter them, but my mother left them whole for dad.)
This time I used both beef and a bone, and didn’t have any beans or corn.
I’m really just cleaning out the fridge a bit–Thog bring home MUCH meat for blizzard (and much bread, and much donuts, and much …my husband is a very atavistic provider in crisis mode).
But it smells and tastes great!
If it wasn’t me you were asking instead of Gretchen, well, as Emily Litella would say…”never mind!”
What a beautiful morning. Looks like a post card out there. Some big trees down, but the power never went out. Yesterday the phone rang all day long, and never knew I knew this many people around the planet. Actually to come to think about it they were really calling to talk to Dalyn my wife. ha ha ha
Trying to determine if I should throw a ham in the oven around 2 or start chopping veggies for stew to throw in the crockpot. I think the ham is gonna win.
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Barbara, I agree with your mother and mine on celery. My dad is another tomato king – one of his favorite summertime treats is corn on the cob and sliced tomato with salt and pepper.
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We had kids in and out all day, continual wet coats, feeding frenzies and laughter – these are the golden years for kids! They make it all fun.
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Our awesome neighbors grilled up some sliders last night and we had some celebratory beers for having made it through the day. By midnight our ibuprofen was wearing off and we limped home and collapsed.
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Only 25 degree high today, we have a snow plow stuck in the middle of the street in front of our house for 45 min now, back deck has 40-50 in of snow from drifts off the roof and I need to wake up Mr Loudoun. Time to get our gear on!
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Be safe everyone – check on neighbors and clear your fire hydrants!
Beautiful blinding day out there–ouch my shoulders!
The neighborhood looks like an ant farm from the snowblowers: clearcut paths bordered by piles of chewed-looking detritus, but all glistening white–ouch my eyes! lol
Fantastic sculptural overhangs off of every roof etc.
Southeast corner of the front porch roof was an icicle pointed at a 45′ angle toward the SSW. Thick doublie zigzag at top (?), followed by a long tapering tail at the angle.
Loudoun Lady, that ham bone will show back up as navy bean soup, won’t it?
You dad and mine would have eaten well together, I’ll bet.
Dad’s favorite “spaghetti” was noddles tossed with tomatoes (mom always made sauce separately for everyone else) in summer there were ALWAYS sliced tomatoes (his favorite salad) and in winter, he would have a bowl of canned tomatoes with one swipe of salad dressing on top plus the inevitable salt and pepper.
Internet is back after being out since the storm. All I can say is wow about the snow. Thank God I own a piece of heavy machinery! Spent all day yesterday after the snow quit digging myself out, now on to the neighbors.
We’re out! If we want to go somewhere we can! Our handyman cleared the driveway and Loudoun county has cleared the court, all the way to the black surface. Since I don’t know what’s open, I think we’ll sit tight until tomorrow. I am so blessed to live where I do.
Looks like lots of Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William counties are still without power.
http://outagemap.dom.com/DomComFlexOutageViewer/index.html
http://www.novec.com/customcf/novecmap/summarynew.cfm
Caps win in overtime! 13th in a row!
During the Blizzard of ‘96, my wife was three months pregnant with my oldest son. I wouldn’t let her outside. The next year, I bought a snowblower.
Just finished clearing a path about 10 feet through the wall of crud from the handicapped ramp to the street.
Excellent progress with garden spade to cut blocks, then much fun pretending to be an ice titan and HEAVING them into a pile, with regular snow shovel to clean up scraps.
Can’t wait for the plows to close it off again! (sarcasm alert)
I have just finished moving 600 feet of snow, and opening the driveway up to 6 feet in width. Half of that weas done by hand with a shovel, and the other half with the tractor, once I’d dug it out and exchamged the snowplow for the huge bucket. Only 600 feet more to go, and I’m mobile!
Good heavens, Monk, you must live in the boonies. I must visit you sometime….
Do it in the summer. I’m mobile and generous then.
Here is video from my neck of the woods: http://youtu.be/_1xH1eY5IVI
Hey, why is my previous post being held up in moderation? Can someone please free it?
Thanks
Holy Moley. That is alot of snow.
Sigh.
The good news is, the plows worked in the night again.
The predictable news is: my 10-foot path through the crud at the ramp is now blocked off at about 4 feet in with a wall that is today head high instead of just waist high.
Oh well, not so far to go this time.
Onward, ice titan! growr! lol
Mr. Lazaro,
What’s up with all the ads on your video link showing the snow in western loudoun? does the Town get paid per view? or do you?
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Been spending the morning reading http://brleader.com/
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The pleadings in the lawsuit the town has with the county are posted there under the article about the Town forcing another lawsuit.
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Loved the Town’s affirmative defenses! The bad agreement we made is “ultra vires” and violates the Dillon Rule, and is not supported with any consideration! HA! so you admit you did not have effective or competent counsel to inform you of this BEFORE you signed on the dotted line?? I am just amazed that Pville’s Town Attorney is not embarrassed to make these arguments in front of the Court–but maybe your hired gun did it, and she did not understand that the only way you win is by saying you made a bad deal, that you had no authority to give up your legislative power and the County has no authority to require you to honor the ridiculous agreement where the Town gave up its legislative authority..
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Hey heard she tried to offer your “confidential” and “privileged” settlement agreement into evidence at the bond hearing??? by saying it showed the county agreed that some of the $$s in the settlement were for the SCR, and when Jack Roberts complained that was not what the settlement agreement said, did not go down well… Guess the agreement is no longer confidential or privileged, because your attorney waived that by trying to enter it i into evidence… so let’s see what it really says, Mr. Mayor…
And we are going to get another 5 to 10 inches of snow Tuesday evening and Wed. And I don’t know how I will be able to make my commute from my bedroom to my library. ha ha ha ha
And I am hearing more and more roof collapses. And weird I have been seeing the same people going in and out of the neighborhood as much as 10 times a day over the weekend. Weird people. 
Sally, can’t you give it a rest! It’s been kind of nice just talking about snow and weather something everyone is dealing with and something everyone can’t change. Follow the lead of everyone else and chill for a while.
Congrats lovettsville lady!
(isn’t it VDOT that does your subdivision street? Once a road is accepted into their system it becomes their responsibility. I don’t think the county does any plowing in neighborhoods, but could be wrong)
And MORE snow is coming!!! This is a really great time to help make phone calls for Kerry Bolognese (running for Delegate in the 41st District) if you are still stuck at home. Please email Justin @ jshaffe1@gmail.com or call him at (516)680-1188 and he’ll send you call lists. The special election is March 2nd and we need Kerry in the HOD, so your help would be greatly appreciated.
Now that we’ve hit local and state politics, I will add this:
http://leesburg2day.com/articles/2010/02/08/news/9879snow020810.txt
LI, somebody, new thread?
Re this part:
“Loudoun and Leesburg government offices are closed today, although County Administrator Tim Hemstreet will present his recommended FY11 budget as scheduled at 4 p.m. today and the Board of Supervisors will hold its public hearing tonight.”
The Government is closed, but we WILL present the budget and we WILL go on with the public hearing. Here. With just us. And anybody who has electricity and broadband to tune in by proxy, or has a tank to get here in.
THAT should boost participation! lolol
Talk about the mills of the gods….
BO,
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Know you don’t like it, but I am ever vigilant to point out abusive practices by Towns and the County, and bogus lawsuits that cost all of us beaucoup bucks…
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This one particular attorney has given so much incompetent and abusive advice, that has caused so many lawsuits, and wasted so much of all of our money, I could not help myself from pointing out to Mayor Lazaro that the affirmative defenses in the Town’s lawsuit are basically: “the County made us do it” – made us sign an agreement that is illegal because it cedes too much of our legislative power to the County, and the Agreement violates the Dillon Rule, and is not supported by any consideration, and is therefore invalid! Ummm where was this attorney when they signed the @#$( agreement???? Isn’t it a little late now to say they were too stupid to know their rights? And why do they continue to retain her??? and not hire someone who will give them constructive helpful advice to get out of their troubles, not just dig themselves in deeper, destroying relationship with the County, trust and any semblance of integrity in the process?
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As for the snow, we did get dug out with the help of a neighbor’s plow (thank you!) and my husband went to work to find no electricity (in Tysons.)
Barbara,
Yes! Finally something we can agree on! I had to laugh when they said that the budget presentation would go on AND the citizen participation. They are counting on no one showing up! They are so obvious.
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I don’t know who has responsibility for our streets out here. We are a neighborhood of 35 or so houses, fairly spread out, on large lots, 4 to 18 acres. The main road back here, Householder, off Berlin Turnpike is always cleared too and I think that may be a state road, with three digits. I read somewhere that contractors get paid $25 an hour to plow. Since everyone out here seems to have a truck or tractor with a plow, they are anxious to make money so they plow early and often. Those are my best guesses. DH just said that you are correct and it’s the state who hires the contractors.
Just say this weather forecast for Tuesday through Wednesday: “There is a good likelihood of snow in excess of 10 inches.” http://www.wunderground.com/US/VA/042.html#WIN UGH!!!!
Running out to Giant, again.
Amen! (back to McG’s past as a concerned citizen, I can’t think how many times the action alerts etc moaned about things being done at inconvenient times which would prevent THE PEOPLE from PARTICIPATING, as well as Chaloux’ derailment of last summer’s public hearing on the CTP because it was vacation time and no one would be able to weigh in. Funny how things change, isn’t it?)
Back to the handicapped ramp from my water break–only FOUR feet high now, and about 2 more feet broad. Thank God I have experience digging beds for plants and planting trees in our wonderful clay soil over diabase rock! It is eerily similar to this durn snowplow detritus in the corner ramp!
3:04, ramp cleared.
One more thing to do–take old t shirt out of rag pile, and make two Jolly Rogers out of it, and post on either side of igloo path.
Maybe with blood dripping from the teeth.
And tomorrow, it begins again–lolol
Ohhhh, fragile nature!
Loudoun County just announced their schools are closed until NEXT Tuesday…
See leesburg2day online…
Well, sounds like this snow isn’t over. Another 10-20 inches predicted for tomorrow and Wednesday.
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Lovely.
Jolly Rogers flying.
Funny thing is, we live in western Loudoun and our driveway is something like 1000 feet, and we got out in just an all wheel drive– my husband went to work, and people who live in McLean just a few miles away have no electricity and not had their streets passed over even once yet, some of his employees/colleagues are stuck–out here so many folks have tractors equipped to plow, people who have to get to their animals, etc. Also heard the roof (or part of it) of the Giant in Purcellville collapsed….a message my daughter gave me, from one of her friends–can anyone confirm?
School closed for the rest of the week, 10-20 inches on the way – whoop dee frickin do! It’s going to be LONG week.