Winter Storm Advisory

We haven't had much in the way of winter storms so far this season.  Boy is that getting ready to change. The WeatherMan  is calling for blizzard conditions here in the next few hours.  4-8 inches of snow with highs in the low teens. Oh, I forgot to mention the sleet didn't I?  Nothing like ice covered roads mixed with folks who can't drive on DRY roads!  Thank goodness we are all prepared and don't have a reason to get out in all that mess.  So it looks like I will get to see my first blizzard up close and personal.  STOP LAUGHING!!  This is big stuff for this ol' Texas gal. My very first Blizzard!  Of course they are saying this may be one for the record books.  Figures doesn't it!

     Check it out - This is what "they" are calling for.

* 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW...WITH LOCAL AMOUNTS AROUND 12 INCHES...ARE EXPECTED. ADDITIONALLY...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SLEET ARE POSSIBLE. ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF INCH ICE ACCUMULATIONS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE FROM SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA INTO FAR NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. STRONG NORTHWESTERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED WHICH WILL PRODUCE SNOW DRIFTS UP TO TWO FEET.

IMPACTS... * TRAVEL WILL BECOME VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. POWER OUTAGES ARE LIKELY IN SOME AREAS

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... * DELAY TRAVEL AND STAY HOME IF POSSIBLE UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE.

     They are telling everyone to get ready for this storm. It may just make it into the record books.   It looks like its going to be a doozy. (ever wonder where that word came from?)  I hope you got your shopping done and are ready to stay home for a few days.  I sure wouldn't want to have to get out in this kind of weather because I didn't have something that I could have been prepared for. You don't want to get caught with your pants down. (so to speak)  Make a list and check it twice, because tomorrow there will be lots of ice!!  :D

      Seriously though, you might want to run through your checklist.  Do you have enough food put back to last until the roads clear again?  Do you have water stored just in case the pipes burst or freeze?  Is your heating covered?  For  example, do you have enough propane, wood, or whatever you use?  If you heat with electricity, do you have an alternate source of heat?  Do you have alternate lighting in case you loose electricity? How about batteries for your flashlights and radio?  Have you wrapped your outside pipes?  And be sure not to forget the animals. Even though they have fur they need some sort of shelter from the cold too. 

     This is a really good time to make sure all your proverbial ducks are in a row.  I know I have probably left out some things here but the point is that you have made sure you are as ready as you can get.

    I did make a trip to Braums and picked up some milk.   We have done up all the dishes and the laundry. Mrs M made a big pot of beans just in case we have to resort to using the camp  stove. That way we only have to heat them up. Besides, her order for some sort of beans came in and she wanted to cook some. I think she said they were called piquinto beans. We also baked a couple of loaves (well 4 actually)of bread.  Hmmm, what else did we do.... Oh, the oil lamps have to be filled and the globes needed to be washed.  I think that's about it. 

     The only reason I shared this stuff with you all is because I wanted to show you something.  If you are prepared in advance for a possible emergency then when the time comes there is very little left to be done. It is a good feeling.
If you have already prepared for these type things then right now you are sitting back and just waiting for the storm to come on through.  This is the reason we prep. If it gets bad we don't have to worry nearly as much as someone who hasn't taken the time and effort to prepare. Heck, even the government suggests you have emergency supplies to cover you for 3 days.  Around here I think we are as ready as we can be.  And honestly it feels good to know that. 
                    ~~~ Hey ... I'm Just Sayin' ... ~~~