9/365...2011 STILL waiting on more of this Winter Storm!

This has been one LONG DAY!  We woke up this morning preparing for a big winter storm for up to 4 inches of snow, thanks to the warnings from the National Weather Service and KSLA News.  I know the local stations exaggerate a bit much, but the NWS?  It was COLD this morning.  It was sleeting and very messy out.  We had a game plan!  Wash all the clothes, vacuum, mop, pack up toys, clean, cook a few things, get candles, batteries....  After all by noon today several friends in the area already experienced power outages.  I figured we would be ok as we have gas heat, a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter and 2 hot water tanks to last us for a few fast hot showers. 

I cooked us a great bfast of Christmas Cranberry coffee, breakfast burritos and bacon.  I decided it was cold and that meant soup.  Thank goodness for my meal exchange I do every two weeks and the amazing MOMS who are cooks!  We had my friend Kristen's homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.  YUMMY and comforting!  I baked someones lasagna for dinner tonight.  These meals are suppose to serve 5.  Well they will feed Eric and I much longer than that.  I think tomorrow I have to share some of this with friends too!  Tons of clothes and underwear were being washed.  Eric focused on going to Dollar General for batteries and candles.  After all, we have lost power here before and gas too in the winter!  $60 later we have enough batteries to last us for days and cinnamon bun and vanilla cupcake candles to make us crave some yummy desserts!

Our counter has four flashlights charging, candles, weather radio, a pot of soup, a carafe of coffee and paper products.  We have burned a fire all day.  We kept our fingers crossed as our electricity went on and off several times throughout the day.

We have a BIG hill in our backyard.  We were hoping for all our friends to come sled.  I don't see that happening unless the snow starts again (I think we got 1/2 to 1 inch) or the sleet goes all night.  It has been coming down all day.  Our big concern is the limbs on trees and power lines.  But we will deal with that when it happens.  We will have heat and fire and I have friends with gas stoves.  I have two freezers full of food and I think they would welcome me in with that! 

Savannah had fun playing in the "snow/ice" and made snow angels on the trampoline. She hung her socks up by the fire to dry.  She thinks Santa will come fill them tonight.  I think I might just have to help "Santa" out a bit tonight!   I sure hope one day she can experience the real winter snow that I loved so much living  in OH, IN and KY.  It was nothing compared to this.  But those area's are much more prepared for a little ice and snow than Louisiana is.

We will hang out at home tomorrow as preschool is cancelled.  Eric will have to figure how to get to the plant tomorrow if the roads are still closed.  The problem is how to cross the Red River when all the bridges are closed.  I am sure he will be ready to pull out any hair he has left if he is couped up again tomorrow.  I know I am.  Chocolate is the answer.  I think Savannah and I will be making Buckeye's tomorrow and will share with friends whenever we can meet up!  And she does love sitting right in front of the fire!