Hi, there...

We are still very cold here.  2 degrees above and 6 below with wind chill at present.  Any exposed skin turns red after just a few minutes of exposure to the cold.  The kids still go to school.  They just don't go outside if it is below 10 degrees above.  Dylan did have a "snow day" a couple of weeks ago when we rec'd a number of inches of snow.  We have had a grand total of 74 inches of snow so far with 25-30 more inches expected.  It could be more, it could be less.

Clearing the snow is a family effort.  Phil rides the ATV with a plowblade attached and I clean around the edges and where the ATV can't go.  Thankfully, that isn't too much.  Just as soon as you finish plowing, the city snowplow comes through and puts a 2 foot high berm of snow in your driveway. We try to wait for the plow to come through so we don't have to plow the driveway twice.  Also, the city snowplow hit the Scion XB last year doing about $5000.00 in damage. Rathdrum's City Administrator and his staff took care of the damage quickly.  But I digress...  The ATV also allows Phil to move large amounts of snow and clear the sidewalks and driveways of our neighbors.

A funny thing about clearing snow......  It is mandated by city ordinance that you keep the sidewalk in front of your house clear of snow or face being fined.  BUT, you are not allowed to shovel snow into the street either.  We have drainage culverts called swales instead of parkways like California.  We push the snow into the swales or onto our now DEAD lawn. Each Spring, our landscaper comes out and resets our sprinkler system and replaces any sprinkler heads that have been damaged by overzealous man on ATV/snowplow....  Having to pay landscaping company only 6 months out of the year more than makes up for the cost of sprinkler head repair.  We also do not use PVC pipe for sprinklers opting instead for flexible hose that doesn't freeze and BURST.

We have one frozen waterline to the master bath toilet.  When the temperature falls below 20 degrees, we let faucets drip and purposely make toilets run to keep them from freezing up. Being a born and raised Californian, it absolutely KILLS me to waste water in this way.

I got out of California in time.....  I saw on the news where Orange county is recycling water from sewage for drinking water.  I think they call it "toilet to tap".  The powers that be "floated" that idea (pardon the obvious pun) in San Diego a few years back...EEEEEWWWWWW!  I use bottled water when I am out and about because it is easier. The tap water here is wonderful and extremely cold right out of the tap.

All else is well.  No one is sick.  We are far more blessed than words can say......

We miss you all.