I'm happy to say that the water has stopped flowing into my yard.  When the pump finally finished sucking the water from the basement next door, the flow of water slowed to a minor trickle, then a few drops and finally the sound of silence coming from the sump pit.  I was able to remove my contraption of pipe in the backyard so I no longer have an obstacle course to step over to get to my garage.

The industrial ice melt is working on the driveway.  Good thing because it was and still is a treacherous area to be walking.  I have ice cleats on the bottom of my boots to walk across it.

The yard is an icy mess that will remain until spring.  The deer are staying away from the hanging feeders because they slip and slide on the ice each time they try to come near them.  The ice did not deter them from finding the tray feeder that held the pileated woodpecker's peanut bell and a suet cake.  Both bird treats were gone in the morning and I'm thinking that one of those deer probably had an upset stomach after consuming all that fatty food.

With the water situation finally under control, I'll finally be able to get out to the trails and the local rink more often.  No more being house bound having to watch to make sure the pipes didn't freeze up causing a back up into the basement.

I'm sad to say that I still have not taken out the new skis that I bought last spring.  My ski boots have been sitting in the back closet for a couple of months now, collecting dust.  The snow conditions are not the best but they are good enough for me to try out the skis.  

On my upcoming days off, my granddaughters will be over for a few days.  They are beginners but their skating skills are phenomenal and we will definitely be visiting the rink.  I picked up a couple of hockey sticks for them so I'm sure we'll have lots of fun.  I might just pick one up for myself as well.  That will wait until all the Christmas shopping craziness is finished.  I have no intention of being close to a store for another week or so.