OK for 2010 it is Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 2 a.m. when Daylight Saving Time ends in the United States.   In the fall the clocks get set back one hour.  Hm that seems a lot later than usual.  But that’s right, the National Barbeque Association or somesuch wanted it changed to get more daylight hours for BBQ.  At least that’s what a co-worker told me.  But maybe he’s a conspiracy theorist, I’m not sure.

So I was browsing Home Depot’s web site to see what they had.  The first thing I noticed is that the units sold at the store are only the lower priced ‘consumer grade’ units.  Those are fine for most home snow throwing jobs, but we get a fair amount of snow here and I have a  large area to clear.  So I wanted something quality and with at least a 30″ clearing path.

Then I spotted the Ariens Professional Series 2-Stage 32 in. Gas Snow Blower Model  926039.  After comparing all the various models, I chose this Ariens.  It is heavy, up around 350 lbs, so I know there’s lots of strong metal in there.  I comparied it against the next size up, a 36 in. model.  The specs were the same, except the 36″ of course is four inches wider — but cost $500 more too.

Then I spotted the special financing offer of 12 months no interest on the Home Depot credit card.  And I thought, “self, you have a Home Depot credit card.  In the very wallet you’re carrying!”.  And the rest was Internet history.

But not without a small hitch of course.  I placed the order for the snow blower and also the cab.  I don’t hear anything for a few days and then I get a ship notification.  And I’m super excited.  But then I notice only the cab has shipped.  And then I get a fraud protection call from the Home Depot credit card.  It turns out my credit limit got cut at some point and I didn’t realize it.  (I hadn’t used the card in several years).  So they shipped the cab for the snow blower, but not the snow blower itself.  So I got the credit limit bumped back up, and Home Depot said they would try the charge again. 

I can’t wait for the snow blower to arrive.  Every man loves a nice piece of new machinery.  I’m already daydreaming about assembling it, changing the oil, running it in, etc.  One minor dissapointment is that I assumed the engine would have a pressure lubrication system with a spin on oil filter.  But it doesn’t; it’s splash lube.