I did plan ahead and tried to pry Mary Ellen the Weather Goose from her spot behind the shed for the occasion. I thought "How fun to have Mary Ellen measure the snow for us!", but alas, she was not cooperating--she stuck her ground and refused to budge.
Literally. Her concrete butt was stuck to the ground. Sigh.
So, I did the next best thing--I grabbed Howard the Tomato Plant Stake and put him into action. I even tied red ribbons on the bars, measuring each as I went along so we knew exactly how much snow we got. I wasn't planning on going out there with my ruler, pallies--this was a "life-threatening" snowstorm according to the news.
Here is my brilliant snow-measuring scene:
(note the Christmas tree still by the shed)
(note the Christmas tree still by the shed)
And while the snow came down, I shut the drapes and waited for morning.
Here is the snow report as of 9:00 a.m.:
(Note that Mary Ellen the Weather Goose got very jealous of
Howard the Tomato Plant Stake and she suddenly appears to
help us out--or just get in on the fun)
See how the tree is just gone?! EEK!And while this does not look too bad, please know
that there were 60 mph winds that created drifts
and this was actually the low spot in the yard.
The final report came around noon, when the snow
finally stopped. In the end, the final measurement
was 20.2 inches.
Mary Ellen did not find this as amusing as she
thought it would be.
Here is a "before" of the pond:
And the "After" shot:
The heater is at water level. It keeps an air hole
open for gasses in the pond to escape--which
allows the frogs and fish to live.
The heater is at water level. It keeps an air hole
open for gasses in the pond to escape--which
allows the frogs and fish to live.
Another "Before" shot:
And the "After":
I think you can see we are not exaggerating when I tell you that we were overrun with snow. It took us a full day to remove the snow from the driveway and help with the neighbor's. It nearly killed us all.So, unless that damn groundhog had stilts, homeboy wasn't reporting from Chicago yesterday. But Mary Ellen was.
31 comments:
Poor Mary Ellen, You could have least have gotten her a little goose parka. I laughed at her expression.
Yeah Mary Ellen I'm right there with ya with that face.
Great reporting; but someone should be credited with getting Mary Ellen off her butt. She didn't make it on her own?
Oh, that face! She looks seriously irritated.
But what's that? Grass? Does not compute.
that's just insane. I'd be held up in the house and have people bring me stuff so I wouldn't go out until at least summer if that is at all feasible lol
Do a before and after with Hobbes-that'll give everyone an idea when you drop him in and oh nevermind...
Definitely like the before pics best!
But did they close school? I ask because every time we have a snow day (8 and counting) you taunt me with Chicago not having snow days. I am hoping the kids got at least one for this.
Wow...that's insane! So I guess no treadmill for you- snow shoveling is tough work!!!
Sorry Mary Ellen is stuck. I hope you were able to plow yourselves out. My back is killing me today but at least I can leave if I need to.
While you drive through parts of Cook County think of my cousin who has not seen her husband since Monday morning--while he frees the roads snowmageddon.
Stay warm. It is back to school today here in the land of frozen tundra.
Highway--I thought about a scarf, but then she wouldn't budge! When Joe finally freed her, it was really coming down and I wasn't going out there!! I love her face--that is how I felt too.
Helene--Sigh. Me too, Helene. Me too.
Vanilla--Joe wrestled that beast until she gave in! Hooray, Joe!
Kathy--She would have been completely gone if we had moved her a yard in either direction. I was seriously bummed to see her face still sticking up. Maybe that is why she is crabby.
blueyes--In the end, it was fun to go out in it. NOT fun to shovel, but to play in it was fun.
Helene--Oh, Hobbes is another story! I let him out and he went right back in!
Grace--Sigh. Yeah, me too. I wanted to show how deep the snow really is. Hard to fathom.
Anne--YES! The kids got 2 days!! Even the Chicago Public Schools closed, which NEVER happens. It's kinda fun to be hunkered in for 2 days.
Nancy--My body is KILLING me! We had shovels AND the snow-blower going and it took us all day. Hurting still today...
Lydia--Yeah, like you, my back is killing me! And I don't want to go anywhere because I'm too sore. :) Go figure.
Jodi--Oh, I cannot even imagine! But I'm sure the OT is ringing up!! Nice paycheck coming.
Lin-I noticed the first pictures you were further away taking them as the snow got deeper :-) And at least you could get your door open for Hobbes. Our back door had a pile of snow inside and the screen wouldn't open. Had the front door not been 4 steps up we would've been trying to get out through the windows.
Jodi
My ex used to work for Evanston's Streets and Sani. That town works round the clock and has their roads looking like it never snowed no matter how deep. I remember years ago he'd keep going days at a time.
Pricilla would drool over the tree....
Stay warm. I hope it doesn't snow on your snow.
I am hoping you will market both of your snow measuring devices on QVC very soon.
You folks in Eastern USA and out in Eastern Canada have really been getting a ton of snowstorms lately...I feel for you all coz I can totally relate! Your yard now has almost as much snow as mine!
Holy COW that's a ton o' snow!!!
Brave, brave Mary Ellen to accompany Howard in his snow forcasting.
I hope you guys thaw out soon!
Yikes!! Hope you are staying warm! We are still trying to get rid of the ice! A third day of no school is getting to me!
Mary Ellen does look very unhappy. But OH you know how geese are! Next thing you know, she'll be complaining that spring is too wet and summer is too hot!
I'm glad somebody else got the snow this time. :D We only saw 3". Bummer.
We worried about you and the snow hoping that you weren't trapped with those other Chicago people on the blocked road.
Helene--I was in the house taking half of those shots, Helene! I'm no fool!
Pricilla--I wish I could send you the tree! I think we are having a bonfire come spring....when we finally see it again. :)
Betty--Oh, nobody could afford the shipping on Mary Ellen--she weighs a TON! I can't lift her.
Hot Rocks--I'm in Chicago and we haven't had too many like these in years. I guess I can't complain. I can't imagine getting this much very often.
Jen--I just thought it would be funny to drag Mary Ellen out, but when she got stuck, I grabbed the next best thing behind the shed---Howard. Joe was the one who dragged Mary Ellen out. I think he secretly likes her.
Jo--It is freezing cold now, but nobody is going anywhere anyway--the roads are still icky. I can't imagine 3 days of no school! Yikes. Hang in there, pally.
Rebecca--I think she is wishing that she had her dress back on to keep her warm. And NO, I'm not buying her a coat and hat!
Ozark Mtn Cats--There were a TON of warnings about Lake Shore Drive very early in the day and told not to take that road. In storms, the waves are like 25 feet high and they have to shut it down. Those who took it and got stuck are idiots. I love that they are all complaining now. Silly gooses.
We're just glad it's Mary Ellen out there measuring the snow and not Hobbes! It is Hobbes Thursday you know!
How thoughtful of Mary Ellen to keep track of important things like this. But you are a meanie, not to give her a warm hat or at least earmuffs. She is a very brave goose.
Snow snow go away
do not come another day
sigh
it's so disheartening isn't it?
Stay warm Lin!
xo Catherine
LOVE the look on Ellen's face!!! HAHAHAHAH
Holy hot momma in hip-waders, Batman! It's gonna take a while before that goose thaws out!
Beaded Tail--Hobbes won't even look outside! I sort of lost track of what day it was and forgot Hobbes Thursday! GASP!
Sharky--I thought about a scarf, but I wasn't going back out there to dress a darn goose! I can't believe Joe actually went out there to move her. I think he secretly likes her.
Catherine--Disheartening is going to be driving to work in this on Friday. Ugh. I hear turn lanes don't even exist anymore.
peewee--I think all of Chicago looked like that on Wednesday.
Fish--I knew you'd like the wader photo, pally!
Mary Ellen looks pissed. Seriously, her feathers are in a ruffle. I'd be pissed too if I had to dig my way out of that cold mess.
we saw some of reports on the news about how bad you guys got it. We got lucky and just had a few inches and some freezing rain.
Someone needs to remind Mary Ellen that she lives in Chicago and get over it so she can go sledding and have fun instead of standing there pouting about her cold webbed feet ;0)
Post a Comment