But it was the freezing rain that wreaked havoc. Losing limbs and bending supple trees to the ground were bummers, but when the power went out and the cell towers shut down that was really uncool.

So we did what any pioneering family would do. We went to Amy's parents' house where they have a whole-house generator.

I worked from home for about four days and then spent much of the weekend cleaning up the yard and shoveling what was left of the rotten snow.

I'd say that's likely to be the end of it for the winter, but I think we all know that's not going to be the way it plays out.