When you know that a storm is coming, make sure that you have on hand:

1. Basic groceries (i.e., milk, butter, bread, cereal, vegetables, meats, anything you need to create good meals at home). It's no fun to have to go out driving when the streets are wet.

2. Hot drinks (tea, coffee, cocoa), your choice of sweetener, plus marshmallows if you like them!

3. Cold drinks (water, juice, soda) because it may get stuffy indoors.

4. Favorite snacks (popcorn, crackers, chips, pretzels, and dip if you prefer)

5. Food for your pet(s) (if applicable)

For weekends, a leisurely exploration of a dish you have never tried before is a treat. If it is a weekday, you may wish to turn to foods that require little preparation. Frozen pizzas are not what they used to be. Today you can find restaurant-quality pizzas in the freezer aisle (Tombstone, Red Baron, Stouffer's, Marie Callender's)

A can of Campbell's Condensed Cream soups (Cream of Chicken, Asparagus, Mushroom, Broccoli) over cooked pasta is another quick dinner.

Getting off food, make sure you have clean, fresh, cozy nightwear or loungewear. You certainly don't want to be cold inside when there's icy rain outside. Have a thick blanket, quilt or comforter on hand, too.

I hope that you have a working heater and/or fireplace. And especially a roof that does not leak! (I can't tell you HOW important a watertight house is!)