If there's one thing we do well in the D.C. area, it's get all worked up about snow. I read that Chicago-based President Obama was incredulous when he encountered the first snowfall here and the schools closed right away. I'm sure many of my northern readers will laugh, too, but I haven't been able to do much of anything else except prepare for ... SNOWPOCALYPSE! Run for the hills! It's SNOWMAGGEDON!
The first flakes are hitting the ground now, but if the weather forecasters are right, we're in for an historic storm. Somewhere between 20-28 inches is what they are calling for now. But it's not the snowfall itself that has me preparing. It's the blizzard winds we're expecting tonight. In my neighborhood, we lose the power if someone sneezes. So I'm fully expecting that though the snow itself may not be dramatic, the power loss will be rather inconvenient. I'm charging everything I have and am trying to crank out as much work as possible ahead of time.
I have bought the usual supplies: ice melt, candles, batteries, toilet-paper (why? I don't know, it's a reflex), snack foods, etc. I am well stocked with DVDs. I even dug out the solar-powered emergency radio my folks gave me a few years ago, just so I can be amused by the snow hype when we lose power.
And all this for a 24-hour snowstorm. Which will melt in God's gracious design. So while we have a good laugh at ourselves around here, I am going to give the rest of you another reason to laugh: Check out last week's Friday Funnies from the Girl Talk blog. It's amusing what children "learn" from us--especially on how their baby siblings arrive!
But if you have any survivalist tips, make sure to pass them along! ;)
Well, some things you should have already had in place:
1. wood burning stove w/ a supply of wood. I miss my stove and splitting the wood to burn in it.
2. gas powered generator. Even a small one that can only run one appliance at a time can save you lots of spoiled food.
Remember that your grill can be used even in a power outage,.... just think of it like camping. :)
I've already been through one Snowpocalypse and one Snowmaggedon here in Nebraska already. :) I love the snow and winters.
One question, though. Why DVDs? If the power goes out,............. ;)
Posted by: Fritz | February 05, 2010 at 05:22 PM
I'm one of your Northern (Canadian) readers who is laughing at all of the fuss...partly because although our Toronto winters usually bring plenty of snow and cold, I think that most of it blew South this year :)
Really though, I get through the winter storms by enjoying the awesome beauty of the snow falling, blowing around, melting on the windshield and accumulating on the tree branches.
Dealing with the cold is another matter...really, who can withstand His cold? I am so thankful for down-filled parkas and warm boots.
As for the power outages, well...enjoy the adventure of it all!
Posted by: HD | February 05, 2010 at 09:06 PM
I make a lot of coffee when the power is on, amd put it in a thermos just in case the power goes out!
Posted by: JO | February 06, 2010 at 06:46 AM
Snowmaggedon has delivered 26 inches officially to my local area and will continue to dump several more inches through tonight. I did learn one interesting shoveling tip: In heavy, wet snow, coat your shovel with Pam or some other cooking spray so that the snow doesn't stick.
Posted by: Carolyn McCulley | February 06, 2010 at 12:54 PM
I was thinking of you and hoping you are staying warm:) Last night my heater went out, and even though I bundled up, it sure was a cold night! I'm so thankful for people who know how to fix things~ like broken heaters. By God's grace:) I'll be sleeping in a warm, cozy bed this evening. I hope you are able to do the same!
Posted by: Rosie | February 06, 2010 at 05:32 PM
Hi Carolyn, I live down the road from you...about 50 miles south, and we have experienced Snowmaggedon also! What a snowstorm! We lost power for a couple of hours and it was kind of nice not to hear the hum of all the electronics. However with a two year old, it wasn't quiet too long!! Thank you so much for your encouraging site...I'm a devoted reader just never commented! Stay warm and enjoy God's beauty.
Posted by: Marian Martin | February 06, 2010 at 05:50 PM
Best wishes as you survive the snow storm and possible power outages. Praying for you.
~ Christiana ~
Posted by: Christiana | February 08, 2010 at 07:55 AM
Nice list. I was less bothered and here's what I was able to salvage off as a meal then http://desigrub.com/2010/02/pizza-food-of-an-indignant-in-a-snowstorm/
Posted by: DGrub | February 08, 2010 at 12:49 PM