Blizzard Preparations. I'M ALIVE! LOL

[Camilla and Darwin]

From 5:30 tonight until afternoon tomorrow, there is a blizzard warning for my city. Everyone is closing businesses and being sent home from work early. All college classes are cancelled, etc. DH is being sent home by his employer at 3pm. Power outages are expected, and could last hours into the night. The power company issued a warning saying that everyone should have food prepared or can openers, as well as matches and a lot of blankets. I have gathered some flashlights, candles, matches, blankets, etc. I am planning on taking Darwin out as late as possible so he won't have to go out during the blizzard.

When the power went out on Sunday the house got VERY cold very quickly, and that was in the daytime. I am planning on letting Darwin hop in the bed with us to stay warm. We won't be able to drive anywhere. I think I'll feed him early, to reduce the chance that he'll have to go to the bathroom. Apparently this is going to be worse than any blizzard we've experienced for at least 3 or 4 years. It's also expected that there will be damage due to strong winds. I haven't experienced anything like this since I lived at my parents, so I'm a little at a loss for what else I can do to prepare. Darwin's food isn't an issue at least. This should be an adventure!

UPDATE:

Well, true to what the news said, there were many power outages and very bad roads. All of the colleges have closed early for Thanksgiving break, businesses closed down, and Tuesday the airport cancelled a lot of flights, as visibility was so low. apparently there were hundreds of power outages in SLC. The roads are going to be horribly slick this morning until about 12 because it's so cold that the salt can't melt the ice.

No power outages for us though! I have no idea how, because our power goes out so often, but we had solid power all night. Darwin, true to his mischievous self, wanted to go out to pee every 10 minutes. It was extremely frightful outside. That is all we really experienced of the storm though. In fact it was so NOT dramatic that DH and I felt silly. We briefly considered turning off the power ourselves so we could utilize all of the flashlights and snacks we bought... LOL We ended up having a Harry Potter movie marathon and pigged out on crackers and cheese. (I NEVER want to see a ritz cracker again.)

Thanks everyone for your concerns and great advice!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Cheryl, no generator, no fireplace and an electric stove. :-/. It will be fine though. The reason why I am fairly sure the power will go out is because the power at our place seems to be pretty finicky. We have quite a few outages, probably two or three times a month. They happen with slightly fast wind or even simple rain. It's never happened during the night though, and not for very long. If it's a heavy blizzard, I am almost certain there will be an outage. Hopefully it won't last too long though. I'm kind of at a loss as to food for DH and I, in case the power does stay out. Crackers? Granola bars?

[Kathy Spyker]

We will be thinking of you and hoping the power stays on..be safe.

[Leslie and Halas]

I hope it isn't as bad as they are predicting. Keep us posted if you can.

[cheryl & oliver]

I am hoping that you have a fireplace and plenty of wood? Or maybe a generator that you can use by gas? Is your stove electric or gas? I remember as a child we had a gas stove, and my mom would put the stove on and heat the kitchen that way when the power went out. so that we had one warm room. Of course someone was always in the kitchen to make sure all was well with it. Mom or Dad would take turns, and that room was nice and warm. We didn't have a fireplace, so we had to do something, and lots of blankets and air mattresses, so we could sleep where it iwas warm. I remember reading by candlelight with my sisters. We thought of it as an adventure, today I don't think I would feel the same way....We prepare for hurricanes here before the season starts, and hope for the best. We dodged several bullets this year, but we have had 4 in a row several years ago. the loss of power, the lines for gas for the cars and our generator, etc. Just make sure u have all your family meds that you take, enough for at least a week, enough non-perishable food for all, including the dog, and plenty of bottled water, batteries for lanterns and candles if you need to use them, matches, or lighters, and if u do use candles make sure they are in a safe dish or candle holder away from people or animals. We bought the lanterns that take batteries, And they are much safer of course. Just stay safe, and be well, if you can let us know when all is over that you are ok....Good Luck, and be well...

[Pat and Traveler]

Sounds like snuggle time! I hate when the power goes out too. Keep forgetting and trying to turn on a light or use the stove or something. Darwin should love it--and he can be your big fuzzy hot-water bottle! Be safe, all of you!

[Doris]

Darwin will make a very good heater. Snuggle up and let us know how things went after the storm passes!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Oh I hate when power goes out!! I hope it doesn't for your sake. Make sure you have extra batteries and bottled water too!! Be safe and stay warm!!