Nasty Bad Day

Seriously, this is going to try my patience this weekend!

About 3 weeks ago, we had a substantial snow storm. Enough that I dragged the snow blower out, to tackle the 8 or so inches (20 cm). Sure, it's beautiful for the first few hours, but soon enough, it becomes dirty and icy. Our town has a ordinance, that we must clear our sidewalks near our house, within 24 hours of the storms. It's best to do it right away, before it freezes to become ice.

I went to the garage to fire up the Snow Blower, and Murphy tagged along. Whatever Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong! And so, the snow blower engine worked, however, the transmission that powers the auger blades to chop up, and the auger fan to throw the snow, failed. All I was doing was burning gas and not moving snow. Yesterday, after watching all the predictions, I went to buy a new Machine. My current machine was old, and had been repaired many times, and was not able to be repaired again.

Now, looking at the forecasts, we're expecting 12 to 20 inches (30cm to 50 cm) depending on last minute shifts and wind drifts. It's been called a Bomb Cylone, sometimes even called Bombogenesis, but I grew up calling it a Nor'Easter. Snows and winds tracking in over the ocean, from the Northeast.

Winds between 40 and 50 MPH, expected. That's up to 80 kph. (Photo screenshot from weather forecast)

The machine was heavy, and in a carton that was loaded into my truck at the store. It took three of us, and a metal ramp, to slide it down OUT of my truck at the house, so that I could open the carton, and begin the EASY assembly. The sales guy explained that there was very little to do, once I opened the box. He was not 100% accurate.

Did I mention that I hurt my back a couple weeks ago? I did, and this morning, I didn't feel any pain, for the first time a while. Unfortunately, the process of putting the machine together reminded me, with a vengeance.

CoVid Sucks!
Ahhh, forgot to mention, that somewhere in the last two weeks, my daughter was exposed to CoVid. She tested negative, twice in 3 days, as well as having zero symptoms, so, she was fine. My Brother-In-Law, however, was not negative. He tested positive twice, with the rapid test, and once with the PCR, positive. He's isolating, until Monday.

Back to the Snow machine:
The instructions by the sales guys were simple: In the box, it was mostly put together, simply add the chute for the snow thrower part, and attach the handle bars and my snow blower was good to go.

EXCEPT, It was anything but simple
At Noon, 3 of us went outside to get the massive box from the truck. It took us, plus a neighbor to slide it down out, about 45 minutes

The actual instructions were a two sided page
AND
It was clearly written by someone who’s command of English was anything but clear. 3 hours later, I finished assembling.

Hands and fingers frozen
My back, so sore
Not a good day at all

I also bought a 50lb bag of ice melt salt, and a box of Duraflame logs for the Fireplace. I usually use one as the fire starter and add a few other real logs from a tree we had cut.

The salt and box of Duraflames were the last straw on my back!

Dinner tonight, was a Chicken Pot Pie, with vegetables,
some of my Garlic Smashed Potato, and a salad!
I was having none of the agony and aggravation, and only looking forward to the comfort food in my head. So, comfort food, some Motrin for my back and a nice relaxing playlist of music on the headphones... THAT'S my evening.