Greetings dear friends from snowbound central! One of the best parts of having a blog is receiving comments and advice from fellow bloggers and readers. When I wrote about this week's Nor'beaster, many of you were kind enough to share your winter wisdom with me. Being a born again virgin where snow is concerned, I found your kind words and tips very helpful.
To my dismay, we are expecting more white stuff this weekend. This post will cover some valuable advice that I have received from my blog friends.
Mary and Kathy, two of the Sudbury Sweethearts, checked in on me and e-mailed me some great advice.
Keep the heat in the house higher than usual to avoid frozen roof lines.
Our thermostat automatically goes down during the night so I re-programmed it so it would be nice and toasty in the house. It stayed pretty warm for those 6 hours that the electricity went out, thanks to my buddies who gave me this tip.
Make sure dryer and other vents are uncovered and free of snow.
Rather than face the blizzard and checking the vent, I avoided laundry and other household chores as well.
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Keep laptops, phones, etc. charged.
The Mister bought me two of these trusty batteries that have enough power to charge an IPhone twice. Very lucky that I never needed it but at least I have them for next time. That is, if I can remember where I put them.
If you are wondering if this is me,
it is.
Keep plenty of gas in the car.
I haven't been in my car for so long, I probably forgot how to drive.
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Mary, an ICU nurse, also recommended keeping a small path shoveled for the doggies and in the event of an emergency.
I wish I could say that I did this. I let Chowdah and Chili out the back patio door. And I am ashamed to admit it, I never touched a shovel. I had to stay in the house to make sure our cable tv service didn't go out.
Melissa sent me 2 great ideas about making sure that I have coffee in the morning if the power goes out. Don't forget, coffee and wine are my two favorite food groups.
Make coffee before the storm gets bad and warm it up on the gas stove.
or
Buy a french press.
This is a great idea because Sista uses one of these and her coffee is nice and strong. Same way I like my men.
What are your favorite storm watch tips?
Chowdah
The only one in the family that actually loves snow.
Keep laptops, phones, etc. charged.
The Mister bought me two of these trusty batteries that have enough power to charge an IPhone twice. Very lucky that I never needed it but at least I have them for next time. That is, if I can remember where I put them.
it is.
Keep plenty of gas in the car.
I haven't been in my car for so long, I probably forgot how to drive.
Mary, an ICU nurse, also recommended keeping a small path shoveled for the doggies and in the event of an emergency.
I wish I could say that I did this. I let Chowdah and Chili out the back patio door. And I am ashamed to admit it, I never touched a shovel. I had to stay in the house to make sure our cable tv service didn't go out.
Melissa sent me 2 great ideas about making sure that I have coffee in the morning if the power goes out. Don't forget, coffee and wine are my two favorite food groups.
Make coffee before the storm gets bad and warm it up on the gas stove.
or
Buy a french press.
This is a great idea because Sista uses one of these and her coffee is nice and strong. Same way I like my men.
What are your favorite storm watch tips?
The only one in the family that actually loves snow.
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When we lived in NY, and had a well, dad would fill the extra bath tubs with water if we expected a storm so we'd have water to at least flush the toilets. Boiling snow on a gas stove also works for the same purpose. And, if the power went out for any length of time we would put our cold foods in a cooler outside and use the snow as "ice".
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you have your priorities in order...you lose cable you lose a lifeline or at least a week of serious On Demand catching up. Actually I love the reheated coffee idea. We live in an area where the mere threat of a slight breeze means we lose power...we finally purchased a generator several years ago.
ReplyDeleteunfortunately i can't offer any good tips for the weather you are experiencing....will you be mad at me if i tell you i ran the air in my car this afternoon for a bit and then came home and watered some plants outside? you got some great tips and BTW, i recognized you pumping that gas right away!
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I'm the last to ask about snow! Hurricanes, yes, but coldness, no. I've been thinking of you and everyone else caught in this storm. I can't help but be innocent and think of it as "cozy." I didn't know your power went out. How terrible. Hope all is well soon and you can get back to normal.
ReplyDeleteKatie - Pull out your special gas-pumping white tank top, pop on a North Face polar-fleece quarter-zip over it, warm up your car, and get out of the house to enjoy the winter wonderland that has enveloped/smothered the Boston area. Note: Any car built post-1990 only needs about 30 seconds to reach a warmed-up, ready-to-drive state.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice Paige. I am actually going out today to see a movie!! Good bye cabin fever... hello Kevin Costner!!! Have a great weekend!!
DeleteHow are you holding up?? These are excellent tips. We fill our big soaking tub in case we lose power (we have a well that doesn't work without electricity). Also, when you have the amount of snow that you did, make sure flat roofs are shoveled. Stay warm and have a great weekend!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI think you and I have the same attitude about the snow and freezing temps- stay in, cuddle up and eat something good and for the love of God be sure that cable TV does not go out! Lately it is like pulling teeth for me to venture out I could easily hibernate in my house until spring arrives but not even a chance.
ReplyDeleteGood tips, my mother calls me every time there is even 1/2" snow in the forecast to remind me of the filling the tub! My tip- be sure you have at least a case of wine:)
Enjoy your weekend....
Yikes, I have no snow tips. If the weatherman here says the words "snow flurries possible" the grocery store shelves are empty within an hour! Glad you are getting out to see a movie - I may do the same this afternoon. I guess my advice would be build a fire and don't let it go out! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteCoffee, wine, someone to make out with, books/magazines, cable TV, and a generator to keep it all going.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it, Lori. The bare necessities. Have a great weekend.
DeleteWe didn't get as much of the white stuff on Tuesday as expected but got more today... and it looks like more is on the way for Monday! UGH... Needless to say, we're counting the days until spring.
ReplyDeletexxoo
C + C
Great tips! My kids made sure that they had plenty of something else to survive the blizzard: plenty of diapers!
ReplyDelete