As a full-time stay-at-home dad and entrepreneur, I decided to take a part-time job at Lowe’s last year. It felt like a good way to get out of the house, learn more about home maintenance (important as the owner of two homes), and take advantage of employee perks like discounts. Little did I know that this job would also prepare me for my first big snowstorm of 2025.
When I returned to work after the New Year, I noticed customers stocking up on salt, snow shovels, tarps, and bungee cords. Curious, I asked an older gentleman why people were buying tarps. He gave me a golden nugget of advice: “Young fella, you use the tarp to cover your car. That way, when the snow comes, you won’t have to scrape ice or snow off your windshield.” He went on to explain that bungee cords help secure the tarp in place. Genius, right?
Armed with this knowledge, I grabbed my own supplies: salt, a tarp, and bungee cords. I also snagged the last sled in the store, thinking of my daughter, who loves sledding in our backyard.
The Calm Before the Storm
That evening, I went home and covered my car with the tarp as instructed. Living on a quiet street, I was slightly worried someone might take it off my car, so I kept glancing out the window. Thankfully, it stayed put.
The next morning, I woke up to a true winter wonderland—at least 8 inches of snow had fallen, with more still coming down. The weatherman, who usually exaggerates, nailed it this time. My daughter’s school was closed, and I knew the day was about to be a memorable one.
Putting the Prep to the Test
I ventured outside to shovel my walkway and sidewalk. First, I noticed my car was covered in snow, but thanks to the tarp, clearing it off later would be a breeze. Shoveling wasn’t too bad, and the salt I had bought helped melt the remaining snow.
Neighbors started to emerge, and we joined forces to help one neighbor clear her sidewalk. That sense of community is something I truly appreciate about our neighborhood.
Once the snow finally stopped, it was time to test the tarp trick. Let me tell you—it worked like magic. I brushed the snow off the tarp, removed it, and my car looked like it had been parked indoors. No scraping, no hassle. Shoutout to the Lowe’s OG for that tip!
Winter Fun
After clearing the sidewalks and driveways, it was time to enjoy the snow. My daughter and I bundled up, grabbed the sled, and headed to the backyard. She loved being dragged around in the sled, laughing and enjoying the winter magic.
Later that evening, after some serious YouTube research, I finally lit the fireplace for the first time since we moved in. It added the perfect touch of warmth and coziness to our snow day. We huddled by the fire, sipped hot chocolate, and just soaked up the moment.
Ready for Round Two
The first snowstorm of 2025 was an adventure full of lessons, preparation, and fun. I’m now fully equipped and ready for whatever winter throws at us next. In fact, I hear another storm is on the way tomorrow. Bring it on—I’ve got my tarp, salt, and sled at the ready.
Stay tuned for round two of our winter adventures here in D.C. Until then, stay warm and stay prepared!
– Social Dad DC
SOCIAL DAD DC 