Again, thank you one and all! I cannot believe all the helpful information here! I even know where the "fuzzy hole" is now, and what it is used for!

If anyone is interested, here is a link to some shots taken at my house last winter. As you can see, So Cal does get snow at times. This is why I need a snow car... you can almost make out the street in the first shot... and that was right after it was cleared.

http://gallery.me.com/lavaitaitis/100146