I just have to brag about my accomplishment. On Saturday afternoon I 'raked' my roof. For those who don't know what that means, it's really more like shoveling your roof from the ground with this tool with a really loooong pole.

It's seriously intense fucking work!!!

But we had tons of snow the last few weeks, all added up it had to be more than 2 feet, and the sun was out and the temps are increasing so I knew that ice dams and leaks were inevitable in a couple weak spots on my roof.

So rather than waiting until the leak started and panicking and running to my neighbor for help (like last year, hehe), I pre-emptively shoveled my goddamn roof.

I got up on a ladder wedged onto my porch for the north-facing part so I could reach the very top.. A few hours later, most of the roof was clear and dry - it worked!!! I'm still sore three days later in some weird parts of my shoulders and neck.

Anyway, so I may be a pansy-ass ann arbor liberal hippie, but I am also a tough broad when I have to be. Woohoo!

This is sorta what it looks like but I had a lot more snow and a steeper angle (this picture is not me or my house):

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K4RTuqxf98c/R964wjhLpRI/AAAAAAAAALE/BLYysV9mdyk/s320/snow_roof_rake.jpg

awesome! After Hurricane Jean, our roof was peeled up and we had to rig some cords to pull it back down and then nail it back in place.

Then we had to take out all of the old saturated insulation with water still trapped in it and replace it.

Then came the caulking/sealing and finally putting roofing panels on top for protection.

It still looks like shit and has a has a minor leak here and there, but its held for 6 or 7 years so far.

That is the real Michigander deal there. Welcome to the club.

Or I suppose I should say we 'are having' a real winter...but I'm optimistic that it's nearly over. (please?!)

Now as long as I get through the thaw and the wet spring without water in my basement I will be one happy bitch :)

We've had accumulations of 2"& 4" this year.....which is more than we've had for the last 5 or so years. And it's been soo cold...actually got down to 11F one night...coldest winter in the last 12 or 15 years. Guess that climate change stuff is bogus....12 out of the last 20 years under drought flags don't mean nothin'.....

Yeah, yeah, I know what yer thinkin', "pansy"....mebbe so, somethin' like Habana or Carracas would suit me just fine.