Well, there's this really menacing looking wind storm bearing down on us this afternoon.

If you happen to be home today, get your house ready. Put all lawn furniture and loose items around the yard where they can't blow away, and rake your leaves so they don't end up in the storm drains. (I should have done this earlier in the week when it wasn't raining!)

Other things to do: make sure you have a working radio and batteries, and a flash light. Check that you've got enough clean blankets and warm winter jammies in case the power goes out tonight. (There's not one event in the life of a mom that does not seem to come down to whether or not the laundry is done. I'm not at peace with this. I'm just pointing it out.) Find any items children cannot live without before you're scrambling around in the dark looking for that beany baby your three year old must have in order to go to sleep.

Also: the storm is expected to hit peak strength right around the evening commute, so plan to stay in if at all possible and if you've got kids, check with their school about after school activities. (I say skip 'em, but I'm a slacker.)

Anybody have another storm-prep tip? Feel free to share!