So, the hatches have been battened down. The electronic devices have been fully charged. The pantry and fridge have been stocked and the perishables cooked up to nosh on throughout the impending weather fiasco.

Hurricane Sandy is coming to town.  Also dubbed, “Frankenstorm”, the “Perfect Storm”, and “Hurricane 2012”, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Mother Nature has been churning up a doozy of a weather system to bring the majority of the eastern seaboard to its knees.

It’s not like I’ve never experienced a hurricane before.  I can vividly recall Hurricanes Andrew, Hugo, Katrina, Gaston, and Irene.  This is the first time, however, that I have ever been expertly outfitted and prepared.  Oh, look at me, all grown up!  Maybe my maternal instincts are kicking in — better late than never — or my pre-disposition to Darwin, but either way, when news of Sandy’s imminent arrival became more and more prevalent across social media, I was patting myself on the back for having my little bitty shiggity together.

Last year, with Irene, we went out and got a few things, but we weren’t prepared for the impact that was several days without power and hot water.  We were able to snag a generator and keep the fridge going, as well as power up the computers so the girls could remain alive entertained.  Still, after coming through it, I told the hubs that I was going to put together an emergency hurricane kit.  Call it forewarning, but several weeks before Irene mad landfall, there had been an extensive article in Parents magazine about disaster preparedness.  I tore it out, filed it with some other things that I had planned to get to, and then promptly forgot about it until the school closings were rolling across the bottom of the television screen.  By that point, it was too late to do anything, but jump headlong into the fray to try to score whatever remnants of batteries, water and bread could be had.

Following the return to normalcy, I set out armed with my article.  I purchased a new can opener, a variety of canned goods whose expiration dates I cataloged. I bought wipes, plastic utensils, matches, rain gear, Pop-Tarts, and assorted other non-perishable, essential items to fill a big ol’ rubber maid tub.  This past Friday, as the frenzy started kicking in, I pulled out the tote for an inventory.  I think we’ve got batteries from A to Z, matches, a first-aid kit and an extra land-line phone.  My father-in-law was kind enough to grab extra water, an additional loaf of bread and some formula for Vivi.  I think we’ve got everything covered.  The car is gassed up, the grill has been pulled in, and now it’s just a waiting game.

Yesterday morning, the sky was overcast and it was day that called for a really comfy type of breakfast or a hearty stew, possibly both.  I had been feeling crafty as of late and decided to make some pancake cups (come back on Friday for the full story).

Mmmm. . .bacon, nuts, chocolate chips. . .

So good, so easy and so very quickly consumed.  I figured, the dark clouds were gathering, time to belly up to the fridge and make sure stuff doesn’t go to waste.  Friends of ours had the same thought and they came by with enough provisions to feed a small army.

Quality time Mar and Char!