Babs,

    That's what my DM does too--cooks and doesn't eat it but she says it smells funny, doesn't taste right and she wonders now if it's from China.  She has a 130lb. yellow lab who can hardly get up off the floor she feeds it too. If the dog won't eat it, she KNOWS it was bad!  My DM can't cook and is famous for her burned green beans right from the can.  I learned to cook by reading Woman's Day when I was 8 or 9 plus home ec. in the 7th grade on. 

    Sorry Brandy but I'm getting off subject.  WHen we moved from Baltimore to the mountains and we were celebrating the move, buying a house at a local resterant the first thing the people told us was to start a pantry.  Stock it with foods you could open up and eat.  Have a woodstove for heat and to cook on in case the electric goes out because of snow storms,ice storms and just have enough incase you can't get out because the snow is so deep.  It has come in handy more times then enough.  Also make sure you have split, dry wood.  Plenty of blankets for beds, to throw over windows, or put on cold spots on the floor. We also have canisters of propane for lights and a small camp stove.  Store water in case the electric is off( we have a pump and septic system).  WHen I know a storm is coming I get all the laundry done, have everyone get a shower and then fill up the tub with water.  I use that and a bucket to flush the toilet.  We also keep a supply of paperplates, plastic utensils, paper towels, handywipes,purrell, garbage bags, toilet paper, matches, lighters, candles, kitty litter, Iams dry food, go to the library and get a supply of books and magazines. We meet up with the rest of the community doing the same thing and find out all the local gossip. When the storm starts we start calling each other to check on our neighbors. Also make sure you have a full tank of gas.  I know there is more but right now I can't think of it. Oh, also fill up the woodbox and bring some wood into the house and don't forget to get out the snow shovel and salt.

    Melanie

 This sounds like Vermont too. We try to be prepared for the storms. Wood stove, food, paper products that can go in the wood stove so the trash and dishes dont pile up. Wehave town water that is gravity fed so up until now we have always had water. Occassionaly, we have had to boil it. That tends to be more summer in the dry times or floods. Neighbors tend to watch out for each other or go visit the person with the wood heat for a few days. Sleeping bags on the floor work if there is a need. Babs

Melanie, stocking up items that are suitable for storms is not really too far off topic.

I don't at this time have much prepared for a storm. With the housing we have, we have to evacuate so our storm plans are a bit different. If/when we get housing that is stable enough to weather a storm in then I'll have to prepare for extended living without power and water.

 Liz, I like the grocery store, too, like your dh- sometimes what helps me on my 3 times a week shopping, is figuring I'll just get the 2 gallons of milk, then try to get just a bag or two of the cheapest items- try to fill the babt seat for under $10 or something like that, when it's full, I'm done!  Then of course there are days that is gone in an hour or two- but if I plan the amount rather than a list, it seems to work.  15 minutes at the store, 8 minutes commuting, 2 minutes to put away- easy to do during naptime on the weekend, dh is happy to see mr back in less than 1/2 hour. I do enjoy going by myself, or with one kid.

Tracy

 

Thanks for the tips, Tracy.  It's still a work in progress, trying to limit store-hopping as he/we are seldom disciplined enough to buy just the sale stuff.  I'll file your ideas - I like the less than $10.00 tip - I'll have to use that one on him!

An idea similar to yours that helps, I have recently found, is to let him go alone to pick up a specific sale item or two at a specific store or wait in the car while he runs in.  He gets done faster if I'm not in there with him, it seems, and can stick to a short mental list rather than both of us just strolling the aisles to pass the time together, which always winds up with more money being spent than I'd planned on.

Thanks for thinking of me!  Liz 

Keep us posted on the progress Liz.