6 winter lessons in 6 years

I took my first trip to Philadelphia in 2002. It was the middle of February, and I had traveled cross country from California with my friend Lisa and her six week old daughter. I remember the three of us girls standing in 20+ inches of shoveled snow and being paranoid we would run out of food! We walked to the local WaWa (gas station) for lunch meat and milk, and played board games inside the house all day long. When Joe arrived at her doorstep, I cried. Then, I sat white knuckled in the passenger seat while he drove all the way to his parent's house in Maryland.

This year marks the sixth year since Joe and I made the move East. With every year that passes, I seem to learn something new about living in this winter wonderland they call the North East.

1. When your car is parked on the street, and you shovel it out to leave, placing a chair in the empty spot on the street means the spot belongs to you.

I learned this firsthand from a passionate male neighbor our first year in Philly.

2. Never trust a weatherman.

When they say 1-3", they really mean 12".

3. Neighbors make great friends.

Especially on cold, snowy winter nights.

4. It takes two hours for 2 members of Team Clark to shovel out.

But, only 30 minutes with 3 friendly neighbors and their snow blowers.

5. All sidewalks, mailboxes, and fire hydrants must be cleared within 10 hours of snowfall.

If not, you will receive a nasty gram from the Township. That is, if you have a mailbox following the plow run.

6. The words..."Snow Day"...can make a couple of kids giddy happy!

I wonder what next year has in store...