Friday, January 13, 2017

I'm As Ready As I Can Be


Stormy wanted to play today, but I was busy with laundry, vacuuming, and all the jobs that require electricity.  We are supposed to have an ice storm moving in.  And that means a possibility of the electric going out.   

Schools have already canceled Friday's classes including the University of Missouri campus.  My daughter cancelled at her early learning center and our son said he was working from home.  BG is a rural electric lineman so he will have to work until any loss of power is restored.  Did you know that just a quarter of an inch of ice adds an extra 500 pounds to a power line?  


I went to the grocery store Wednesday and stocked up on some essential items.  What?  Ice cream isn't essential?  Of course it is.  Especially if it's Rocky Road ice cream.  ☺  Brownies will be made before the ice arrives.  I have sandwich fixings and chips.  So, if the power goes out for a few days and I'm not able to cook, I won't get hungry. 

I must admit that ice makes me nervous for a number of reasons.  And being without electricity means no internet!  Oh, what will I do?  Well, I just happen to have a stack of unread books, so I'm set.  Now I'm off to gather up some candles and get the flashlights out.

Stay safe and warm...and have a nice weekend!

xo Cheryl

40 comments:

  1. I survived an ice storm many years ago and it was serious business no doubt about it. You have a postive attitude and are prepared which is good. STAY bundled up. Prayers are with you and your hubby.

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  2. You have GOT this! You are so well organized, and thinking ahead. Your son is a linesman, WOW!! I really admire them so much! There are usually quite a few working around here, and I like to watch them, they amaze me. They have to go out and work when no one else will, and in the worst conditions. They are truly my local heroes. They do things that most people would be scared to death to do. In fact, I have taken pictures of them working and have a whole file full of them for future posts. Your fact about ice on the lines is amazing. We are having a wintry mix and sleet tomorrow night, but thankfully no snow. What an adorable kitty picture!! Rock on, Stormy!

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    1. Hi Ginny, the linemen are a brave bunch. My hubby is fearless and I'm the big chicken. You couldn't pay me enough to do what he does. Climbing a pole would do me in. lol! Our weather hasn't gotten too bad yet, hope you all don't have too much bad weather!

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  3. Cheryl, I do not like ice either, too scary. Power loss and tree damage. Hugs to your husband, he and the men like him are our heroes. I am praying for all of in the ice storms path. I like to be prepared too. Stay safe.Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    2. Hope this stuff doesn't come your way. Actually, it's not too bad yet around my area. Have a nice weekend!

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  4. Ice is scary. Glad you have made good preparations! Hoping it doesn't get as bad as they are predicting!! Stay safe and warm. blessings ~ tanna

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    1. So far the highways are okay and we still have electricity here...yay!

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  5. power controls my life completely. no AC no Heat, not Kindle, no internet, the list is long. God Bless and keep safe BG and those heavy power lines.

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    1. Same with me, Sandra. I'm especially lost without internet!

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  6. Around here when ice and snow are predicted everyone seems to be raiding the shelves of bread and milk. I'm thinking it would be much more fun to be at your house enjoying rocky road and brownies. On a more serious note, I know how dangerous those ice storms can be and I hope you are spared from the whole thing entirely. God bless your husband for doing the job he does.

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    1. The stores were really crowded with everyone stocking up. To look at the carts, you'd think we were preparing to be housebound for a month. lol! Thanks, Kim.

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  7. I forgot to get ingredients for brownies earlier this week when grocery shopping! But it's cold and rainy here and I've got beans and ham simmering in the crock pot. Had no idea so little ice could weigh that much!
    Brenda

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    1. Ham and beans sound good...comfort food! I bought a brownie mix at Aldis, they are very good.

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  8. Sounds like you have your ducks in a row but hope you don't need them and I am sure BG isn't excited about all that freezing overtime. Stay safe and power on. We are supposed to just miss the ice.

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    1. I'm glad you'll miss the ice...hoping we miss the brunt of it here. Not too bad as of yet. More supposed to move in tonight. BG actually has always liked working storms for some reason. Well, maybe until this year as aging is beginning to set in. :)

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  9. My husband is curious - you state "a quarter of an inch of ice adds an extra 500 pounds to a power line". Is that 500 lbs figured like from pole to pole or what? (Hubby said "per lane mile - can ya tell he's a retired highway maintenance worker?) So far ice hasn't hit our area of SE KS - 40 miles from MO border; 60 or so from OK border, but we are prepared as we will be... I don't like ice either.

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    1. Hi Joyce, yes, it is from pole to pole or a span of wire. Hope you escape the ice! Thanks for visiting.

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  10. Hi Cheryl, we live north of you in a suburb of Kansas City and we are getting ready for that same ice storm. I bought groceries yesterday and we are both in for the weekend now. We have underground lines in our neighborhood so it is rare to lose power but it does occasionally happen. Stay warm and safe!

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    1. Hope it doesn't get too bad, Bonnie. Our son lives in north KC. I thought he might go to his girlfriends but I think she went to her parents house for the weekend. But he stocked up on groceries and has a fireplace, so he's set. So far so good here, but tonight more is supposed to move in. Thanks for visiting!

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  11. Of course nothing is better than Central Dairy ice cream either!

    Thinking about your hubby and all those linemen out there. My son work for the G and T in Jefferson city so, if there are major outages he will be sent to the coops for phone coverage. It's times like this I almost wish I hadn't retired from the electric cooperative!

    Stay safe, warm and hope you keep electricity!

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  12. where's the french onion dip? lol stay warm & safe!

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    1. Thanks, Marie! Gotta have dip and I did make some...spinach dip!

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  13. Praying for you ... please give us an update!
    Hey, I love that lamp!!! Where did you find it?

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    1. Thank you Carla! It's not too bad here yet. The road crews have kept the highways in good shape, but the heaviest amounts are supposed to move back in after 6 pm until Sunday noon.
      I found the lamp at a flea market a few years ago. I covered the lampshade and it was hard getting the gingham check on straight! I was going to put trim around the edges but never got around to it. :)

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  14. Hope that all goes very well this weekend. You do seem to be all set for whatever comes your way...except how are you going to dare to open the freezer for your ice cream?

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    1. It's sitting in front for a quick grab and go! :)

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  15. I have been given my instructions from the kids. I am to stay home. I went to the store and got food so I can have sandwiches if I have to. I have survive other ice storms and I know that I will again. I saw pictures of Columbia, St. Louis, and down in that area. Just be careful and be safe. My daughter is home with a broken ankle, but it wasn't from the ice. It was the slimy mud. The ground had just thawed enough and down she went. She broke it on Tuesday, had surgery on Wednesday. The doctor told us after her surgery. That we were all staying home this weekend. Right? I don't want to get caught in it for sure. Take care. Hugs and prayers from Your NW Missouri Friend Shirley

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  16. To me- that is the worst part of being home during storms- losing power. We don't have that as much here as we have had in other homes but it is still spotty. I so appreciate our linemen that are out there working in all kinds of weather to restore power to people they will never meet in person to hear a Thank You.

    The big one for us when the kids were little was always MILK. Lordy- you never wanted to run out of milk!

    Hope your power stays on-stay safe and warm. Love to you- xo Diana

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  17. I totally agree that ice-cream is an essentialAfter all it contains milk, which is something we all need, you know the calcium and all that good stuff. Wink,WInk.

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  18. You sound as if you are totally organised. Please keep safe and warm as the storm passes. Have a wonderful weekend

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  19. I hope the storm wasn't too bad Cheryl. I agree, that ice cream, chips and snacks are important for survival during storms. Haha. I am usually stocked up here. I do admire the linesmen that have to brave the elements to restore power. It's a difficult job. We have a lot of power outages it seems....more than we used to....so I appreciate their work. Take care and stay warm.

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  20. Hope the ice storm wasn't too bad. Just rain here. Too warm and it is going to get even warmer this week. I'm grateful for a mild winter so far. xo Laura

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  21. I loved the endearing photo of your sweet Stormy. I liked all of your preparations for a possible ice storm. I think ice cream and books are perfect. You are wise to get the candles ready. We had an ice storm many years ago in Spokane and didn't have electricity for a few days. I spent my 50th birthday in front of the fireplace in a sleeping bag and read a good book. It is a sweet memory in many ways. The worst was not being able to find my candles when I needed them. I was taught some lessons on being prepared. Sending loving thoughts and prayers your way to have a good experience if the lights go out!

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  22. I hope the ice storm did not effect you too severely! It is good to have an advance warning and be able to stock up and take precautions. This appears to be another wild weather winter! Love your kitty and his toy--I hope eh had a chance to play with you later one.

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  23. It sounds like you had thought of everything and were more than ready! Hopefully, you didn't need your emergency plan . . . although you probably needed to eat that Rocky Road ice cream no matter the weather! :)

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  24. Hi Cheryl~

    I love that photo of, Stormy, making his own fun!

    I have never experiences an ice storm, but I have heard that they are horrible! I hope all was well for you.

    Ice cream is an essential part of any food group, and a must for survival! I hope yours stayed nice and cold. Just looking at your groceries, you had all the necessary food groups.

    I hope all was well.

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  25. If I was not watching what I eat I would have made sure that ice cream was on the NEED list. But if you are going to be iced in I guess that it is not really considered food. Hoping you got all done before the ice storm hit and that you were able to keep kitty warm when it did.

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