[Sparkle]

The Mayor just did a robocall and email blast letting us know about the ban on driving ($500 fee if stopped ). His message also indicated that we will be getting the blizzard winds and that we should plan for power outages for up to 24hours. Which will be annoying if it comes to fruition.

With all of the hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes and freak early snow storms we've had the past few years -- preparing for power outages is becoming old hat.

I've started cooking, I'm roasting a chicken breast and potato, parsnip and sweet potato, I'm going to make a salad and generally prepare things that will be appetizing both hot and cold. (Because goldfish crackers and granola bars grow old, really quickly). I'm doing my dishes as I go along. Clearing counters and cleaning them with disinfectant -- if we lose power I won't be able to wash/clean anything properly and things get manky really quickly. Cleaning pet food and water bowls for the same reason. Taking out the trash and recycling.

I didn't fuss about doing these things until I realized we might actually lose power.

I'm bringing extra duvets and blankets up from the basement so they're not freezing cold. And generally making sure everything I need is to hand (candles, lighters, matches, flashlights, batteries etc) and that things are generally tidy. Charging up my phone and computer and checking in on family and friends.

We have about 4" of snow. Its powdery and dry. But its falling at a moderate rate, it would be quite lovely outside if it weren't for the wind (which makes it feel icy and bitter cold).

Beloved, they've predicted that the worst of the winds and the heaviest of the snow will be overnight, and that the storm will keep coming until late day tomorrow. But they don't really know when it will end or when the roads will be deemed safe. If the snow and winds end early enough tomorrow (morning) they may be able to get the roads clear before the sun goes down and freezes them up again. The driving ban will stay in place until the worst of it is over and the roads have been cleared.