h/t Drudge:  graphic from “WeatherBell”.  Shaded areas represent anticipated snow fall.
Record breaking cold temperatures with snow are anticipated across the country next week, sparing only six continental states – New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.

Here are some tips from the “Fun Times Guide”  (!) on how to prepare for winter weather.
Some of the ways we at su casa are getting ready earlier than expected for “snow season” are:

-Laundering and checking the sleeping bag inventory.  If and when you lose power, issuing sleeping bags and a hat at night to everyone goes a long way to ensuring a toasty night’s sleep.  It’s also a good time to get ahead of your laundry pile, if you’re a procrastinator in that department.   😉
-Stocking up on salt-free ice melt EARLY and OFTEN.  Last year, all of the “ice melt” from our region was redirected to the northeast, and then when back to back ice storms hit locally, there was none to be found.  We quickly ran out of the meagre supply we had on hand.  Forewarned is forearmed!
-ADD:  I just ordered a case of gas line antifreeze – those who mock it have never dealt with a frozen gas line.  I found it is not as readily available in the south as I was used to in Canada (duh!)
-Ensure that you have adequate stocks of food, water and other essentials for your family well ahead of time – so that you’re not “one of those people” raiding the Costco at the last minute.  I always make sure we have a couple of cans of sweetened condensed milk on hand for “snow treats”.
-It is a family custom here to whip up a big batch of chili and/or soup for people to help themselves to before a storm or loss of power.  Lodge cast iron ware holds its heat for a long time.  Bricks warmed up in the oven beforehand will also radiate heat and keep food warm for hours.
-Plan for the loss of power and stock up on alternative sources of heat and light/power.  Consider investing in small solar powered rechargers for your electronics/cell phones.
-Stock up on some out-of-the-ordinary games and activities for wee ones that will quickly be stricken with “cabin fever” especially if power is lost for more than an hour or two.  “Manual” ice cream makers like this one are always a fun way to pass the time, as is learning how to make snow ice cream or snow taffy with maple syrup.
How are you preparing for the inevitable?