Wow – what a weekend.
I knew that growing up in Eastern Canada that the weather is unpredictable and quite frankly we have already have at least one dump of snow this year so one would think that one would be prepped for it….yes?
Well….sort of.
Unfortunately this particular blast came with sub zero temperatures – gusting winds and just all around mayhem.
Looking back at my previous post with regard to the snow dump – I certainly was ready for it. My thighs are in great shape to trudge through the snow now and lifting bales of hay just gets easier and easier.
What I did not factor in was timing. Yes – good old timing.
Hubby is a heavy equipment mechanic for a snow removal company – how ironic that ours is the last to be cleared. I am used to him being called out in the wee hours -he is very thoughtful – he does not wake the bear when he has to go in which is incredibly nice of him. If I am sleeping when he leaves that is ok – I do not know he has left as I am after all sleeping .
His shift this blast was an 0400 so that would mean that he would leave around 0300 or so. He got enough sleep and I did not think he would have to work much past noon which still gave us enough time to clean up our driveway.
Unfortunately – it was a longer shift than he thought and when I asked him if he would like me to plug in “Max” (our tractors name is Max – Maximus Prime actually – I am a bit of a geek that way and if you saw this beat up old tractor you would think it was one of the Original Prime Transformers – google it – wow that was totally off track) Anyway – I plugged in Max in the garage – excellent – he’ll be ready to go.
Hub gets home – “Did you plug in Max?” All proud of myself – I said “Yep – he should be ready to go” – Hub smiles – that cheeky little grin when I know I did something wrong – “Ah – where did you plug him in” he grins – “In the garage…why?” – “Sweetie – you needed to plug him at the tractor part too” CRAP!!! SON OF A….$(&(*&(#&($#(*&.
Of course, Max protested loudly about that with NOT starting. By this time Hub is exhausted – I can tell – he is getting punchy and cranky and I told him to just leave it- we can clear it tomorrow. By this time I have shovelled little paths all over the place so I can get to the kittens – get to the barn – get to my car. We both have 4 wheel drive – we won’t get stuck. No- Max has to get running.
As luck – BAD luck would have it – it did not matter that I did not plug him in properly – block heater cacked and Max ain’t starting no matter what.
What to do? what to do? – well – I run into our local farm supply store to pick up a new one while Hub starts taking out the old one.
Now – I am all for women doing a job – however – when an idiot likes me walks into a farm supply store looking for a whatcamahoozit with a 5/8 intake – I really need someone who knows what I am looking for. None of the ladies did and nary a farmer to be found. A sweet girl pointed me to farm gadget stuff aisle – yes she called it farm gadget stuff and I looked and I looked. Finally on the bottom shelf – where a man in big ol’ boots and coveralls ways standing looking right at the very part I needed – I spotted the last one. I walk over – “Good afternoon sir – perhaps you can help me” (tilt of the head to the side with big doe eyes and stupid smile) can’t flash cleavage – I am wearing like 12 layers!!! – “Yep” he says “What can I do you for” (yes he actually said that) – “I am looking for a recirc heater – wattage does not matter with a 5/8 intake – can you show me what the heck that is” Grinning idiot. “Sure little lady (OK he did not say that I threw that in for entertainment value) – “This very part is what you are looking for” and of course it’s the one – the LAST ONE – he has in his hand. “Are you going to buy that sir? – my husband has been working all night and our tractor broke down and I have to get our driveway cleared and I have been shovelling all day and have barely made a dent and he is so tired” the sympathy music is swelling – the tears are starting to glisten in my eyes ( just in case I have to turn them on) and he smiles and says “Nope wrong intake size for me – here you go” SCORE!!!! I hear the theme from Rocky – Flying High Now. Man says “Do you know how to change it? is your husband home to take care of it for you?” – “I’m good – see – you take the old one off – take this piece and twist it here – shove this piece here – mount that bracket – attach, clip and make sure you don’t get soaked in anti freeze- I’m good sir have a great evening”
I actually skipped away!! Of course I did not know how to install it but I did look up installation instructions on line before I left just in case they did not come with the part.
In conclusion – Max started- driveway clear – hubby fed and sleeping for his late shift and I truly hope that Mother Nature cuts us some slack for a few days.
Orange Acres 