I owe someone a big thank you......I just don't know who!

[Deleted]

Central MN got our first snow storm of the season over the past couple days. My town got 6 to 8 inches of snow. I had made arrangements with my snowguy to clear my driveway when the snow had stopped (expected to be sometime yesterday evening). With the storm, my patients were eager to be seen early, so I actually ended up getting home about 2 hours earlier than normal. I was completely expecting to have to shovel enough to get my car into the garage. But, when I got home, I found that someone had already shoveled about 2/3rds of my driveway for me (enough to get my car into the garage). It wasn't my snowguy, he came later in the evening as expected. It must have been one of my neighbors. I plan to ask around and find out who it was so that I can thank them.

I was thinking that a thank you note and a gift card (maybe to one of the close gas stations or the nearby pizza place that is really good) would be appropriate once I find out who it was. Any better ideas?

[The Captain]

It seem like they wanted to help someone out.  Trying to find out whom may ruin it (if they wanted you to know they could have left a note).

I would just play it forward.  Maybe mention your appreciation to a few neighbors and mention you made a donation or something in appreciation.

[Timberwolf]

txsbbtc,

Lucky you, you have nice neighbors!  I live in the same area and spent two hours yesterday moving snow.  There is something kind of fun about the first snow, I think your neighbor probably wanted to give their snowblower a little workout for the first time this year and they probably like you, too.  I would give them a thank you note to show your appreciation but I don't think you have to go so far as getting them a gift card.

The new snow will get us really in the mood for Christmas!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I baked cookies for our neighbor when he snowblowed (snowblew?) our sidewalk.  Usually my dad does it so when I heard a snowblower I looked outside expecting to see him but it was my neighbor.  It was very nice of him because DH was really sick that day and didn't feel up to shoveling.

I delivered them on my way to work and said thanks.

[busymom]

We've been blessed with neighbors who were generous with their snowblower over the years, too.  I don't always catch the culprit.  But when I do, they get a plate of homemade cookies, or some other treat within the next couple of days.


Glad to hear you've got great neighbors too! 

[tskeeter]

Dec 5, 2013 13:54:02 GMT -5 @txsbbtc said:

Central MN got our first snow storm of the season over the past couple days. My town got 6 to 8 inches of snow. I had made arrangements with my snowguy to clear my driveway when the snow had stopped (expected to be sometime yesterday evening). With the storm, my patients were eager to be seen early, so I actually ended up getting home about 2 hours earlier than normal. I was completely expecting to have to shovel enough to get my car into the garage. But, when I got home, I found that someone had already shoveled about 2/3rds of my driveway for me (enough to get my car into the garage). It wasn't my snowguy, he came later in the evening as expected. It must have been one of my neighbors. I plan to ask around and find out who it was so that I can thank them.

I was thinking that a thank you note and a gift card (maybe to one of the close gas stations or the nearby pizza place that is really good) would be appropriate once I find out who it was. Any better ideas?

A six pack and a tube of Bengay.

[sheilaincali]

Sorry about your snow-  It pretty much missed us down here.  We got maybe an inch?  Not even enough to bother with shoveling.  My Brother lives in Duluth and my nephews missed 3 days of school so far this week.  DS was not amused when we woke him up today- he was hoping for a snow day but it didn't happen.

When my neighbors sneak over with their snowblowers I always say thanks and usually make them a big thing of cookies- a variety of kinds.  I usually end up giving them like 3 or 4 dozen cookies.  They seem to appreciate it.
Like others have said- sometimes they just get excited about getting to use their snowblower. 

We have one guy that will go through a snow blow all of the sidewalks in the neighborhood just to be a nice guy.  We have a short driveway but it's steep so the bottom gets buried in by the snow plow.  We usually shovel by hand or else I pay a co-worker $20 to hit it with his plow truck. 

[sesfw]

Any better ideas?

Pay it forward, as many times as you can. 



Maybe mention your appreciation to a few neighbors



With any kind of luck you will let the correct person know how much you appreciate the kindness.

[Tiny]

LOL! When I'm home and I see who's doing my sidewalk etc... I usually provide Beer or Cookies. Sometimes I grab my shovel and broom and while the men snowblow/shovel what they can - I go house to house and clean off the steps/porches - to help them finish the job. Sometimes us girls have a bit of a 'party' doing the walkways/porches/stairs as the Go Cups and Wine appears. Everything in my neighborhood requires or involves alcohol.


I'm always grateful to find my snow removed and like other's have suggested I'll mention how much I appreciate it to neighbors when I see them - just on the chance they did it OR they are nice enough to pass on the word. I pay it forward when I can - to a neighbor or a stranger.

[TheOtherMe]

In the 80's, when my neighbors and I all shoveled our driveways and sidewalks, my next door neighbor and I would usually be out together shoveling the drive.  When we got done, we'd start shoveling the sidewalk and just keep shoveling until we met.  Sometimes I did more and sometimes he did more.

One day, we got a really big storm.  We both worked for the federal government.  His agency closed but mine didn't.  I shoved my way out to get to work, but it snowed all day.  When I got home, he had shoveled my drive just before my arrival.  I was so happy that I didn't have to park on the street and shovel. I had dropped off some co-workers who walked in and gotten stuck a few times getting home.

I did a lot of babysitting for these neighbors, so I gave them some beer for the shoveling.

[Sammy]

Dec 5, 2013 13:54:02 GMT -5 @txsbbtc said:

I was thinking that a thank you note and a gift card (maybe to one of the close gas stations or the nearby pizza place that is really good) would be appropriate once I find out who it was. Any better ideas

Both are good ideas, TX. 

We got a messy wet snow storm yesterday that made using snow blowers impossible so most of the neighbors shoveled their driveways....  all women.  My husband was out for the afternoon, various other neighborhood guys were working, etc., so the task fell to the women.   Once all of us finished our driveways we headed over to our neighbor who is a widow and did her driveway and deck.  I needed to get my daily exercise BUT

[zibazinski]

That was very kind of you and I'm sure she appreciated it.

[Deleted]

Shouldn't you be in FL by now, Sammy?