We had a huge snow, turned rain, turned slush, turned frozen wasteland st0rm come through this past week.

It was really awful to deal with. Shoveling slush, because the snowblower can’t handle it, is heavy and back breaking work. My 13 and 10 yr old sons helped me (Not to self: Buy more shovels so more people can help.)

I had offered anyone who helped double their allowance for the week. They were the only two who took me up on it. We were out there for well over two hours. It was pretty hellish, if hell were a rainy frozen wasteland, which it just might be. We were completely drenched all the way through our coats and gloves.

We called it quits when we had half of the driveway done. It is a horseshoe shape so cars still would be able to drive in and out on one side.

The next day we went to leave and our van was frozen to the driveway. My 13 yr old son had to get the ice chopper and chop the ice from around the tires. I was worried he was going to puncture one of the tires, but he didn’t . And then he had to help push the car while I floored it in reverse.

When we arrived home hours later, I parked the van far down the driveway so that it wouldn’t get stuck again. I went inside with the kids, I was carrying all the stuff. A little while later I looked outside and noticed my 13 yr old diligently chiseling ice from the driveway. Without even being asked. Or my having mentioned it.

And for this I rewarded him with an extra $20 in his allowance this week. Without being asked. Without mentioning it.

I don’t do things like that often so it is always a surprise. No one expects it.

Now I’ll just try to remember this the next time he gives me the teenage eye roll.