Dry Date / Snow Day

February 1 is my dry date. It is the day I admitted that I was powerless over alcohol and over the counter/prescription drugs and decided to do something about it besides be aware and pissed off.
No regrets at all. 25 years later, I am clean and sober and I know what that means.
So, since it is now after midnight, and officially February 3, that was slightly more than yesterday. My Dry Date, I mean. Nice day, slept in, did laundry, called family, had coffee with a good friend, watched the Superbowl with a great partner...... the storm began in the evening and dropped about 40 centimeters on us over night and into today. (That's about 20 odd inches, give or take.)
Wind gusts and lake effect. Lovely. But.... it was a snow day!!
Yes, today, February 2, was a Snow day. I have not had one of those in years. I liked it. I shoveled for about 7 hours all told, with some breaks for warming up and resting. Blew my nose about 500 times. Worked all day in a pair of shapeless sweat pants so baggy it looks like I am wearing a diaper and a sweatshirt that did not match the pants. Part way through, neighbour (subject of an earlier post on the Canadian flag.... yeah, that one!!) offers to break out the snow blower from his garage that has not been used to blow anything for two years.... and I forget all about the flag and the insults and the bullshit and say, yes, indeed. Much appreciated. He and his female partner, (also mentioned in that earlier post on the Canadian flag.... yeah, HER!!!) are chatty, friendly, happy to help. Freaking amazing. February snow, I guess. They even took the flag down .... it was ice crunchy and at risk anyway, and why desecrate a flag that way.... but, wow.
The driveways and road way are clear. It looks clean and white and organized. Quiet. My shovels lean against my front porch. I bought totally unhealthy chicken fingers and potato wedges for supper and ate them with partner. Sent a birthday present to my mom. Finished up a thankless task this evening. And mostly felt some pride in the completion. My hands and forearms and shoulders and legs are sore. Time to stop using them.
Snow day. Yay. This has been a damn fine 24 hours.
So grateful I am in a frame of mind to appreciate it.