Blizzard heading our way!

[RobinRTrueJoy]

STUPID, STUPID me, I listened to my husband... "No babe, we just don't need a Snow Thrower".

Well for the last 2 days( after finally convincing him that we need one, we went out shopping for one. Well, they are sold out except for a sissy one, the only one left at Sears. Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, Sams club and others are sold out. I should never have listened to him and just gone out to get one myself well before this.

So, I will be shoveling continuosly for the minis, from the barn to the heated water troughs, turn around areas and other paths. I have done it before with other blizzards and its just not fun.

My husband shoveled a short path for me through a drift right after Christmas through an area 8 foot high and ten foot in legnth and collapes with a weird fast heart beat, so no more shoveling ever for him. Fortunately my shoulder surgery from one month ago is on my non dominant shoulder.

The feed bins are full as is the hay barn, I am filling containers with water as we are all electric, heat, well, septic.

I food shopped. I bought kerosene. I am going out now to fill the back of my truck with the remaining firewood leftover from last year. It will weigh down my truck a little and be mostly dry kept in the garage.

I am moving hay from the hay storage to another barn for convenience in the deep snow.

What have you done to get ready???

Robin

 

[Marty]

But did you buy any comfort food? All we have right now is rain and a bit of sleet. Robin you have my sympathy. I cannot believe I grew up in a large city in Connecticut in several feet of snow and never thought a thing about it. All us kids thought was school closings and oh boy, that's good sledding snow and plenty of ice to skate on. Never occured to us what our parents were going through. I don't know how they managed. I remember vividly my dad out there shoveling trying to dig the car out of drifts and clearing paths for us to walk. How I walked a mile back and forth to school wearing uniform jumpers in that white stuff is beyond me.

And now here I am complaining like such a wus about weather in the south. Shame on me. I'm sure glad it doesn't last long as up north and the idea of shoveling several feet of snow would send me over the edge for sure.

You seem to have it under control and taken the steps you need to. That's the good part. Bundle up and stay warm sister!

 

[Sterling]

We're ready Robin. A few years ago when hubby suggested getting a snow blower, I was the one that said we didn't need it. Well good thing he didn't listen to ME!! Lol..... He got one and we have used it practically every year. Back in Dec. when we got 24 inches, he did paths all over the property. In the corrals too with stations of open banks so the boys could at least get out of the barn for a couple of hours. Tonight when he comes home he will probably have it standing by close to the shop door and ready for tomorrow. Yes, I've run all my errands, gone grocery shopping, bought extra dog food, even filled the bird feeders. Be very careful with shoveling, especially if it's the wet kind. Do you have a neighbor that can help you out with possibly coming over and snow blowing your area? I noticed last month that practically everyone in this area has one. It was like seeing everyone outside with a lawn mower in the summer. Winter is not over yet...can you possibly have one ordered in from Home Depot? According to the Farmer's Almanac, this is only the first of two major snowstorms we're suppose to get this month.

 

[eagles ring farm]

I hate snow

Oh well your right its coming

We were lucky enough to buy a snow blower

in 2005 after the 2' then.

we almost sold it this fall

since we hadn't needed it since so glad we

drug our feet with that one

Take your time with the shoveling

remember don't overdo

 

[Miniv]

BATTERIES for flashlights.........Candles and Matches.........(Just in case) We also fill up buckets and containers for water, both for the horses and for the house........(Even if the power goes, you can still flush toilets with water pressure)....Trust me, I'm getting to be an old hand with this.

Interestingly, Larry FINALLY bought a small generator for this winter.........Right now we are at 50 degrees......go figure.... Although I shouldn't chirp too loud since the winter isn't over yet.

Oh......get some rock salt if you can. You'll be glad when the worst is over.

 

[Coventry Lane Farm]

We are to get 16 inches of snow here at the base of the Laurel Mountains and right now its coming down fast ...at a one inch per hour and starting to get windy with blizzard conditions tonight.

We put the blade on the 120 Horspower four wheel drive Duetz farm tractor that has a cab and heater yesterday while it was decent out, brought in round bales of hay for the cattle from the field, went and got a load of grain for the horses and cattle at the feed mill yesterday.

I stopped after my doctors appointment last night and picked up a few things at the store, milk, bread and some comfort food and filled the gas tank on my truck. Our driveway is 1100 feet to the main road so we need something to move the snow to get out with our four wheel drive trucks to work, which I am to go in tomorrow morning.

If the power goes out, well since Scott works for a power generator company, we have a 10 KW generator that runs off the PTO from the farm tractor in case the power goes out, we can run the whole farm off of that system with a transfer switch in the basement. Also..since we do have electric fencing for the cattle and they can tell if the fencer doesn't work, animals can sniff if their is electric current on thru the wire without actually touching it and we didn't need the cattle wandering off next door to the ajoining golf course that is behind our farm.

We are to have another storm system come back thru this area again on Tues.

I will be glad to see the robins appear for the sign of springs arrival. Somebody should have kidnapped that groundhog (Punxsutawney Phil) for seeing his shadow for 6 more weeks of winter earlier this week.

 

[sfmini]

I am ready, dog treats, parrot food, and for me a rotisserie chicken, pop tarts, and bourbon!

We are supposed to get a foot of snow here. I just hope the power doesn't go out, we have a big generator, but I don't know how to start it.

I'll have to take pictures tomorrow.

I was supposed to deliver my foster dog to her new owner this weekend. Guess that isn't gonna work.

 

[Coventry Lane Farm]

Right now we have 18 inches of snow and its still coming down and not letting up here. The state hasn't been plowing the roads around here at all yet. No work for me today at my day job, at least this storm came on a weekend than if this happened during the week.

If you have a gas generator that starts pull start or electric starter, you should start them every month no matter what and let them run to clean off the brushes inside, the brushes can build up corrosion and the brushes is what makes the electricity, run it for about 10 minutes and that prevents the engine also from gumming up from varnish in the gasoline.

 

[eagles ring farm]

we have 16" and counting not suppose to stop till tonight

looks like at least 8' more for us

Hope every one in this storms path is dealing ok

we got to the barns to feed this morning

all the horses are cozy in their stalls at least.

what we cleared not too much has blown over and filled with snow again

we'll have alot of work when this is done. But for a change we

have decided not to drive ourselves nuts and just go back out and clean stalls

as usual and let them stay cozy in the barns

At least for now no freezing water buckets makes it easier

Hang tight everyone and stay warm

and don't shovel too much (for us older people) just the necessities

your health is more important once the horses are fed comfortable

This weather makes it so much harder especially for those of us not used to it

stay safe

 

[Coventry Lane Farm]

They just had on the TV that our area was decared state of emergancy and nobody to be on the roads or will face fines. Everything is pretty closed down around here.

Scott went out to move our trucks out of the way and try to get some of the snow plowed out of the driveway and make some paths around the barn to get the John Deere gator out to haul buckets to the horses in the barn. I am not allowed to do much of anything let alone shoveling so I have to stay indoors and watch some TV, do some laundry, ect. Everyone is pretty much tucked in and comfy in their stalls for now keeping warm until the next round of snow, wind and colder temps arriving within the next day.

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

Its not stopping and the flakes are getting BIGGER! We have atleast 24inches of snow so far. Poor little Lucy is barely 28", so I was shoveling paths for the horses.

In a bit I am going back out and shovel more paths for the horses, and turn around areas. I need to go hit the trees with a broom, at least as high as I can reach because the snow is heavy and weighing branches down.

Last month the bad snow brought down a huge branch and actually shatter my beautiful PVC fence along the stallion paddock.

Yes, Marty, I did remember to buy comfort food, I will gain another 5 pounds before the snow is over, But heck, I forgot the bourbon(Jody's idea and a good one too)!

Well everyone, be careful out there... take lots of rests between shoveling and keep warm.

After seeing all the pics from Oklahoma, I can't possibly feel sorry for myself with this snow.

Robin

 

[REO]

Oh Sis, please be careful! I know you have no choice but to shovel snow, but try to be careful with your shoulder! Please don't hurt yourself

I hope everyone keeps their power and stays safe!

So many of us will be glad when Spring comes!

 

[AnnaC]

Hi Robin! I see the dreaded white stuff has reached you. Please be very careful with your digging, shovelling and clearing - look after that shoulder of yours!

For a good few weeks around Christmas and through january, the UK experienced extremes of snow and freezing temperatures (for the UK - but nothing like you are having in some states right now). We actually got snowed in for a while, mainly because we live near the top of a Welsh mountain and our narrow lane down to the village is both steep, twisty and with several places where it is possible to simply drop off the side (no protective barriers!). Not worth risking once the road had turned to sheet ice! Further on over the top of the mountain the drifts were higher than the cars as Cathy found to her cost when trying to return to her place one evening! She managed to about turn, come back here and then swop her 4 wheel drive for one of the quads and going home via the forestry/off road (mad fool!). But she made it - was a bit cold though!!

Dragon and the other boys are now back home here as the building they used at Cathy's place is now full of lambing sheep and cattle indoors for the winter. It's good to have him back again - we are looking forward to some 10 or 11 of his offspring this year, and if they are anything like the two we had last year, we shall be thrilled to say the least!

Robin (REO) just want to say that you and all the others suffering in your extreme weather right now are in my prayers and thoughts constantly. Here's hoping that you all stay safe, that the weather soon improves, that you get power back soonest and that you all get the help you need to get your lives and those of your beautiful minis, back on track as soon as possible.

Hugs to you all from us here across the pond!

Anna

 

[Barbie]

Stay warm and safe everyone - be careful not to over do!!!

Barbie

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

Well, the worst of it is over for now. Another storm is coming tuesday to wednesday. I just don't know where I can put more snow! I shoveled paths and turn around areas. They will be ok, unti it melts... someday!

The minis faired well. Icicles on their fur and all.

AnnaC.... Oh my, Dragon is the MAN, with all those babies coming, can't wait to see the pics!

Love to all!

Robin

 

[Coventry Lane Farm]

We ended up with 2 feet of snow here and like mentioned...another snow storm headed here Tues/Weds, the state actually got the graders out to plow the snow here past our farm it was that bad. Sure hope this next storm doesn't dump as much snow as this past one did, running out of room to put the snow, and it was zero today here this morning with flurries yet.

Come on SPRING !!!

 

[Marnie]

I wish I'd be there with you Robin, I'd love to help you shovel snow And meet you and say hi to your little horses.

 

[Sterling]

We finished digging out this morning. Dug and plowed and blowed three times yesterday. Man that stuff just would not let up! We ended up with 30 inches when it was all said and done. Yep...hear the same is coming again on Tuesday and then again over the weekend. This really needs to stop!

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

Yep, we are going to get hit again with another foot or so of snow!

My newly operated shoulder is zinging me good, but I had to shovel for the minis, my husband can not shovel any more because of his heart. I only have one pain pill left and am holding on to it for the next snow!

The minis are doing well though, better than I thought.

I wonder if I can order a snow blower on line from LOwes? Does anyone recommend a brand, type, etc? I don't know a thing about them.

Marnie,

Wilie and Misty send their love!

Robin

 

[Sterling]

You know I don't remember what brand of snow blower hubby has. I do know he got it at Sears tho. It's really nice and easy to maneuver. Next time I go out to the shop I'll have to look and see. It is gas powered tho. He uses it to go out into the corrals and back property to make paths in too.