Hello February - I guess it must think it is March. Coming in like a lion?? Well, yippy-ky-ay (she says very sarcastically)!!! UGH.
OK, Cheryl quit the belly aching! My area of the country has seen little nasty weather this year. Think about an inch of snow TOTAL! It is time, I guess.
January started and ended with decent temps. We are to get to at least 50* today - then oopsy, it all goes south.
Much of the country is going to be hit at some point this week. It looks like a huge weather front coming from the north (we really don't appreciate that Canada)! LOL
We will be fine till mid-afternoon on Wednesday. We have rain coming in tonight and it will rain till mid-day tomorrow - then a mix then snow. Saying 6"- 10" here. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜¢
Well, that being said - I am as ready as can be. I had no need whatsoever to go to the grocery. NOPE I didn't have to fight all the crazies out there! I need nothing that badly! I keep seeing posts of "oh our shelves are empty", "the lines are through the store" - REALLY? that surprises you? I just shake my head. Of course they are out of goods and of course the lines are long. People act like they won't be able to get out and about for a month!!! I just have to laugh. I do believe we will survive a couple days. If we run out of something - we will surely get by for a few days!
Weather events bring out panic and hoarding at its worst!!!!
Now that being said - I did go to Lowes to get a couple things. I heat the small greenhouse for the cats and the heater I have is 10+ years old. I went to get a new one (well 2). I want to be prepared for them, as we have some zero-degree weather coming in for a few nights. I now have alternates should a heater fail.
I also got a 50' heavy duty weather appropriate extension cord. The house will have power, should the power go down (w/generator). The garage is not attached to the geni - therefore the greenhouse would not have power (it is all plugged into garage). I have an outside outlet (for when geni is on) so I can run a cord and plug in the house. I worry more about the kitties than myself.
I have my shovel out now, my boots are out and ready. I have my ice melt at the ready (in the house), I also have a car window scraper in the house. Later today I will rubber band a plastic bag over the handle/lock of the garage to keep it from icing. I plan on filling all the feeders up today.
I always have food and pet supplies on hand.
I almost feel guilty that we have had no bad weather as of yet (not really!) as many have already had so much snow and yuck.
THIS is one of the reasons we prepare. No need to go out and fight with the crazy crowds. Just do what is necessary around the house and be prepared for what nature blows our way.
My former neighbors (from about 5 yrs. ago) contacted me this morning to see if I need anything. They said they would get it and bring it by. How sweet is that!!!!!!!
Life happens - all our worry will change nothing. It IS winter! Being prepared is always good - worry accomplishes nothing.
So be prepared - and have all the items you will need close at hand. Stay warm and safe and most importantly STAY HOME!!!!!!
If at all possible - please stay off the roads.
We are getting ready for 7 to 10 inches of snow here maybe more. Who really knows? I have everything we are quite used to it here. Now if we had the grandson we would have to go get milk..he can drink a gallon a day. Your former neighbors are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are ready. Yeah, you are more used to it than we are here. Stay safe.
DeleteYes, the girls are super sweet.
Thank goodness we will just get a big rain event this time. It is wonderful to have good neighbors and friends!
ReplyDeleteGood. Hope that is all you get.
DeleteYes, nice to know there are so many sweet people out there!
We went from -1 (30F) to -22C (-8F) in less than 24 hours with a blizzard thrown in for good measure. Thankfully we didn't get much snow, it just blew what we already have onto the sidewalk and driveway. And even that wasn't enough to amount to much. I did have to shovel my way out to the bird feeder, couldn't get through the front gate so went out the back - where I haven't shoveled for some time. That was enough of being outdoors for me.
ReplyDeleteGood of you to care for the cats and the birds. Nice of your former neighbours to think of you!
Oh my goodness - that is cold. I sure hope we stay above zero.
DeleteYou sure have a strong will to live where you do and all the snow and cold you get. Not me! I am a wimp!
Got to take care of my babies!
Thanks for the tip about putting a bag over the door lock. The padlock on my shed gets water in it and freezes. I will definitely try that.
ReplyDeleteWe're to get about 1/2" of rain Wed. night followed by 6/10" ice followed by @1.5" snow on Thursday. 6/10" of ice is more than enough to bring down trees and power lines. I am as prepared as I can be. We've had a snowy winter, and WM was out of ice melt and salt yesterday, though I did get an extra battery-powered camping light and extra batteries. I got one of the last 40lb bags of ice melt at Lowes. I had started winter with a lot of ice melt, but used nearly all of it. I topped off the car with gas today. Topped off the groceries, mostly perishables, at Aldi this morning. I was going to go tomorrow for my regular shopping, but decided not to wait. No crowds anywhere. Our only real problem is lack of a backup home heating source. We have nowhere to go, never mind that we would not be able to drive down off this hill. If the electricity goes out, we will just have to dress warmly and hunker down. Our phones are fully charged, and we don't leave them on anyway. Charged our flashlights yesterday. If I can't get out on the deck to put the bird feeders out, I will throw seed on the deck. Can cook on top of the gas stove and have all the makings for chicken noodle soup. Since there won't be garbage pickup on Friday, I got a spare trash barrel out of the shed and put it in the carport to hold next week's trash. Can't think of anything else other than to pray that the power stays on.
I pray your power stays on as well. It sure sounds like you have all the bases covered as well as can be. You might want to think of getting a kerosene heater after this is over. I have never had one - but know people that do, and they say they can sure keep the chill off without suffocating you!
DeleteI still have ice melt from last year and have 2 bags I got for this year.
Please stay in and stay safe. Yes, just throw the seed out there - don't try walking on the ice.
The latest forecast has us getting 9/10" of ice. We're going to shower and do laundry tomorrow in case of a prolonged power outage.
DeleteMy first husband and I used a kerosene heater as supplemental heat. I will have to look into getting one next year. Can't get one for love or money around here this time of year.
That is a lot of ice. I sure hope you don't lose power. Stay safe!!!!!!
DeletePrayers for all who are in this storm's path. In the last hour, we've gone from totally sunny to overcast, and we're expecting rain to begin late afternoon, changing over to snow overnight. I'm in the far south suburban area of Chicagoland, just north of I-80 -- the dividing line for a LOT of snow and a REALLY LOT of snow. While some areas are predicted for 2-4" totals, my area is predicted for 8-10" in round 1 (thru late afternoon Weds.), and another 2-4" in round 2 (overnight and into Thurs.). South of I-80, the snowfall is predicted to be even higher. My ice melt container is by the front door, along with my shovel (if needed). Our association is supposed to handle snow removal from our roads, parking/garage slabs, sidewalks and steps from or stoops to the sidewalk. Sometimes they wait until the snow has stopped, before shoveling. But when a pet has to go, they have to go. So I keep my shovel and ice melt handy in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI stocked up yesterday on perishables that I'd need thru the weekend and was shocked to see the VERY limited selection of pasta on the shelves. Virtually all of the store brand noodles were gone, and only a handful of EggYolks egg noodles were available. Of course, there were lots of the higher end gourmet varieties. I want to make lasagna over the weekend and was able to snag the very last container of ricotta. The meat selection was better, but I've got a freezer full of what I absolutely need and refuse to pay $7.99# for chuck. My taste for pot roast will have to wait until there's a sale.
Stay safe, everyone!
Two rounds they say - ick. Same here. It is almost 60* and cloudy at the moment. Rain starts tonight - then a mix then snow Wed. night and into Thurs. It is sure to be messy.
DeleteThis is the ONLY time I would appreciate a homeowner's assoc.!!! LOL
I can imagine the store was about empty. I use cottage cheese in lasagna - always have. I like to use small curd - in lasagna I love it - to eat it alone UGH!
I agree a roast would be nice - but nope, that will wait.
I hope you stay safe and warm.
Pantry and freezer full. Extra pet supplies covered. If I lose power, have fireplace for heat, gas grill for cooking. No trips to the store for me. Everyone stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!!! Prepped and ready!
DeleteStay safe and warm!
You are such a good teacher and keep all of us ready with your wisdom. I have to tell you a cute story about my bird feeder. It has been so rainy and yucky that I moved the feeder under our large outdoor table to keep food dry and it was no problem the birds found it and seem to prefer it. SO last Wednesday I made that pecan pie and I had it colling out on the table. I did not cover it as I really wanted it to cool fast. Hubs hollers at me and says,"Kim you should see all the birds out here on your pie!" I went into full panic and came running as he continues," I think they are blackbirds and I counted 4 and 20 of them...." Very funny, he just wanted to see me panic.
ReplyDeleteLOL - now that is funny. I am sure you didn't think so at the time - but it is pretty clever!
DeleteSilly man!!!
Thank you - I just hope all are ready - this looks like a big one.
Haha! Thanks for the 😆
DeleteMary
Our storm path is much the same as Lori's. We're on the line between 4-6" and8-10". It'll be a surprise. It's starting to drizzle now and the snow comes overnight. If it is on the heavy side, I pray that hubs will get a snow day. His work already told them all to take home their technology just in case. He went and filled the car last night and said that the lines were all long. Otherwise, I think we're all set. I've got towels rolled up in front of all the doors and windows, plenty of food, and plenty of closets to tidy if I get nervous!! A little funny from my first tornado season in Kansas...as soon as the weather radio would beep a tornado watch, I turned into a maniacal cleaner. I never stopped, clean or not. I'd just start over!! My mom would tease me from Cali and say, 'You know if there's a tornado, nobody's gonna know it was clean, right?!'. Didn't matter lol.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, it warms the cockles of my heart that you're so kind to your outside critters. Those kitties are so lucky to have found you! Bless you for your kindness.
I'm making a real old timey dinner for us tonight. Creamed tuna over biscuits. I loved it as a kid and still do. I didn't know until I was older that it was one of my mom's desperate meals. She said she always saved a can of tuna just in case. When it wasn't quite payday and the cupboards were bare, it would fill everyone up when served over some drop biscuits. If she was lucky, there would be an egg or two to boil, slice, and add to it. She saw it as desperate and I saw it as one of my favorite meals!
Well, now I wait for hubs to come home and hope the ice/snow waits until he's safe inside.
It sounds like you are ready for 'whatever' you may get. They are now saying between both rounds 8 - 12 here. It will be what it is - nothing we can do.
DeleteFunny on the cleaning and yes your mom was right - who would know if the tornado hit!! LOL
I will be out shoveling pathways and sidewalks several times, I am sure.
Those cats would be in here if Coogy hadn't been in for so long - I don't think he would understand, and the others wouldn't be happy with him. They tolerate through the door - but I can only imagine the ruckus that would insue.
I love all animals - and I will do what I can to make sure they are taken care of.
It has been years since I have had creamed tuna. Sounds yummy. Funny how they thought things were desperate and you just remember wonderful!
I hope you all stay safe AT HOME!
It is 58 degrees here and feels wonderful today. Let’s hope it stays that way.
ReplyDeleteLOL - you are funny! It aint going to stay! Looks like things are dropping farther south according to what I just watched - get ready in case!
DeleteI hope it misses you!!!!!!
I am all prepped also. I am in the 10-18 inch band with the 2 bands of snow coming in... Part of my family does snow removal for a landscaping company and are dreading all of this. They have already been told they are doing parking lots for the nursing homes and private citizens are on the back burner until it blows itself out. IF we get alot of snow and high winds the authorities will tell people to stay off the roads anyway.
ReplyDeleteI have creamy chicken pot pie soup simmering on the woodstove and have made a dozen hamburger buns. They were out at the store and I only wanted them as back up anyway.
I want to mix up some cookie dough here in a bit. People ask why I just don't buy convenience things. Those things started as homemade anyway.
Glad you are prepped. I hope your family stays safe and warm with all their work. They will be busy for sure.
DeleteMost schools have already announced they will be closed here on Thursday and Friday and many businesses as well. The Mayor has asked everyone to stay off the roads tomorrow night into Thursday for plow trucks and such.
Mmmm pot pie and homemade buns. Yes everything did start as homemade - so why not continue> I love it!!!
Stay safe.
I realized I forgot sliced cheese while grocery shopping this week, so I had to run to the grocery store yesterday. The shelves and freezers looked like the store was going out of business, it was CRAZY. Meanwhile, here I am with my decently-stocked pantry at home, standing in line with my sliced cheese, my extra milk so my daughter can have cocoa while it snows, and my impulse-buy dip, shaking my head at everyone panic-buying. I don't understand that mindset at all.
ReplyDeleteStay warm and safe, everyone!
I don't understand either. They act like they will be trapped forever! My goodness, in a couple days things will be OK.
DeleteI saw my cousin post a picture of the grocery today - and I asked what the h*ll was wrong with her. LOL! She said if her grandma (100) hadn't "needed" her bananas she wouldn't have gone out. I guess you have to grandma what grandma wants!!
Stay safe!
Sounds like you're all ready. Hope the storm passes through quickly and sunshine returns soon! --Elise
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ears!!!!!! We got a couple days of yuck - then the sun does come out, but it will be pretty cold. I can handle that. The sun works wonders even in the cold!
DeleteI do understand the panic buying, I would say they don't read this blog. I have learned so much from Cheryl. I now have a well stocked home, so much so that I could get through a couple of months. I might mix the fresh produce and milk but I have canned veggies and powdered milk. I no longer have to worry nonstop if something happens. I hope if people find this blog like I did and go back and read from the beginning they will find valuable advice.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart. Such sweet words. Thank you.
DeleteIt just always pays to be prepared - we never, never know what could happen from one day to another.
Yes, we could do without those fresh items for a while - and fill in with something else. It sure won't hurt us.
Thanks!!
Boy, I was sure hoping we would get by without any appreciable snowfall this winter. Guess not. Sounds like the southern part of the state will get quite a bit of ice. Rather have snow than ice.
ReplyDeleteDo you have other stray kitties come around looking for a warm place to sleep or a meal?
That was sweet of your former neighbors to ask if you needed anything. I believe folks respond to kindness shown to them and return the favor.
My daughter and I are going to hit GW tomorrow and get home before the rain turns icy. Erin has snow tires on her car but hasn't had anything bad to drive in yet. The car came from New Hampshire so I'm sure it's been through lots of snow and ice.
Stay warm!
I was sure hoping too. Guess that hope goes in the toilet!!! UGH.
DeleteNot many others come looking for shelter. There are many "cat safe houses" in the neighborhood. I have extra shelter as well as the greenhouse. More other cats show up in the summer than winter.
Be safe out there and good shopping. I am following a neighbor this morning - he is taking his car to the shop and I will bring him home. Just rain during that.
Stay safe
Yay!! Hubs gets a snow day tomorrow! Possibly Thursday, too. From the looks of the TV ticker, the state of Kansas will be entirely shut down tomorrow....
ReplyDeleteYAY for your hubby. Glad he doesn't have to get out in it.
DeleteAll schools have already announced closure for Thursday and Friday - basically entire state! Many others will follow suit.
Stay safe!
No panic buying, we have all we need for the storm that's headed our way. We'll see 4-6" which isn't much compared to some but we're still excited for some snow.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being prepared. That isn't too bad - I could handle that. Stay safe.
DeleteThe temps will only get to 30 one night, just a few hours in the dark. There will be a bit of rain, except for Thursday when it is 90% chance of rain. So, no worries. However, we do not drive in the rain or dark, so we need nothing and will stay in. There is plenty of food here. I may get another half gallon of milk when I have my covid booster tomorrow at Publix.
ReplyDeleteWe have a minus night coming up this week. Brrr.
DeleteStay in and stay safe out of the rain. Rain and dark are no fun to drive in.
Oh, how I wish everyone would take as good care of the animals as you do! So glad you’re prepared for them and yourself. Good post!
ReplyDeleteMary
Thank you. I wish everyone did as well. Shoot we can't even take care of our people, let alone animals. I think about all the homeless out there on these awful days.
DeleteAs a Canadian, let me apologize for the storm :).
ReplyDeleteThank you for your quote. Today as I"m reading this (Feb. 13, not watching the Super Bowl), we lost power to our well. The repair guys will be here tomorrow, so we will be ok soon. We keep telling each other it could be so much worse. I heated some water from the neighbors on the stove to wash up the few dishes that cannot go in the dishwasher. Wiped out as much as I could from the ones in the dishwasher. A sponge bath will not kill us. Thankfully it happened on a Sunday in the winter, when we were mostly quiet in the house and didn't get too stinky. :)
ReplyDelete