Merry Christmas and Happy 2025!
Typically Christmas Eve and day has been a big day for Water Remediation. We’ll get a call mid festivities and all mount up to go save the day. Thankfully this year we only had 1 call Christmas Day and we got back before midnight which is always a bonus. North Idaho winter has been a bit on the lighter side this year. Not as many pipes freezing and breaking. I do miss having some snow. But for those unfamiliar with North Idaho winters just because there isn’t snow Christmas Day doesn’t mean that in February there won’t be a large amount.
Since the snow wasn’t deep in the higher elevations, my mentor and I decided to hike to his cabin in the mountains to check on it. We discovered a small amount of water leaking around the chimney in the attic. He’d recently had a new metal roof installed and was understandably annoyed. The metal roofing does a great job of keeping snow off the roof, though.
When we were kids, he used to pay us to rope up and crawl out of a second-floor window to shovel the snow off the roof. We’d tie a rope to a tree on the backside of the cabin, secure ourselves, and carefully make our way along. Standing on the second-floor roof, we had to reach above us to clear the snow from the attic roof. At the same time, we scraped snow off the steep roof we were standing on.
The year that stands out the most was probably 2008 when we had seven feet of snow on the ground at once. The powder settled by the afternoon, but I vividly remember that morning. Our large golden retriever jumped into the deep snow and disappeared! I was worried he’d drown or get lost in all that powder, but he loved it and had a great time. Just one of the benefits of living in the snowbelt.
On the hike back from the cabin, my mentor mentioned a year in the 1960s with hardly any snow. a few years later, winter temperatures dropped to -40°F, and all the lakes froze. He even remembers driving his pickup across a frozen lake to get to his cabin. Maybe we’re gearing up for another big winter. That said, our winters here are still pretty mild compared to some Midwest states.
Hiking with the German Shepherd in the mountains
We’ve finally made it to 2025! What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Someone posted on The Local Rathdrum News Facebook page poking fun because the gym was packed. It’s no surprise—we’re all enjoying the holidays, eating, drinking, and being merry, with plans to burn it off after the 1st. Personally, I take a different approach: “Some of us are consistent year-round.”
I used to say I didn’t make New Year’s resolutions because I knew they wouldn’t last. That’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, though. Working mold jobs has taught me the importance of staying healthy and in shape. Mold exposure can cause all kinds of health issues, and when you work around it, your exposure is far greater than the average person’s.
I’m more of a trail runner than anything else. I’m too slow for marathons and can’t stand road running. The hardest part of training is staying motivated. Sometimes you run out the door and hit the trail, only to realize the last place you want to be is crushing miles. There have been plenty of times I’ve turned around and walked right back into the house.
But that’s not how you accomplish your goals, and it’s not how you keep your New Year’s resolutions. It’s about consistency, year-round, no matter how you feel. Set big goals—ones you’re not even sure you can accomplish.
This past year, due to work and scheduling, I had just one opportunity to take a shot at my trail-running goal. I missed the mark by 8.5 miles, but I still broke my record and trail-ran over 45 miles. Could I have trained more? Absolutely. 😁 But sometimes, you just have to give it a go and enjoy the experience.
As we step into 2025, remember that every goal, whether it’s personal or professional, starts with taking that first step. Whether it’s eating healthier, chasing a trail-running record, or simply committing to consistency, it’s the effort and determination that make the journey worthwhile.
At Pacific DryForce, we understand the importance of perseverance, whether it’s in tackling your personal resolutions or helping you restore your home after unexpected challenges. Life may throw obstacles your way, but with the right mindset—and the right support—you can overcome them and keep moving forward.
Here’s to a year of growth, success, and tackling big goals head-on. From all of us at Pacific DryForce, we wish you a safe, healthy, and happy New Year! If you ever find yourself in need of water damage restoration or mold remediation, remember, we’re here to help—24/7, rain, snow, or shine.