After not having enough T-paper and dog food (with two hugh dogs) during the blizzard in Indianapolis in the late seventies and having to walk 10 blocks to get some to hold us over, I swore that would never happen again so I always have a good supply of both. Then, after we first moved down here to the boonies on top of a high hill and experiencing many power outages while living in a mobile, I decided what I would do and get to be prepared when we got our house built. The first thing I did was research woodburning stoves until I found one that didn't take up all the room in the world yet would provide all the heat we could want, light and plus I'd be able to cook on it. Bought it a little over a year before the house was done and stored it. Then we bought a generator which the one dog tore all of the wiring out of before it could ever be used much. Lesson learned. The next generator we bought is encased. I also started stocking my pantry, overstocking it as DH always complains. I don't think there is such a thing as overstocking it. Also put in a good supply of flashlights, batteries and candles. Since we were on a well, everytime they predicted a good storm or tornado or the wind just got up high, I'd fill the bathtubs and washer plus have drinking water on hand. About two months or so ago we went on county water. Just in time. No more problems with flushing. We heard this storm was coming in and got extra gas for the generator. I'd just bought a 40 lb. bag of dogfood and had my normal back ups of everything else. Didn't need to go to the grocery at all. The ice storm hit but power didn't go out until about 1:30 a.m. so the generator, already set up and filled, was fired up and we already had the woodstove going strong. We watched some weather reports on television for a little while, then on to bed where our CPAP machines worked great off the generator. When we lose power, we also lose our land line, so we make sure our cell phones are always well charged and we can always contact relatives to make sure they are well and let them know we're okay. We do have our backpacking stoves and some battery operated Coleman lanterns as well. When we got up, the house was pretty much as warm as we always keep it. The young man from the place down the road came over to make sure we were okay. He said no one could get up the steep hill that we live on or down it. I heated water on the woodstove for hot drinks and we had cereal and fruit. Later I started dinner on the woodstove, smoked sausage, onions, carrots and potatoes, and the power came back on. This was around 4:30 p.m. Finished cooking on the kitchen stove and its just like nothing out of the ordinary never happened. When we first found out this storm was coming, DH went out to the 5th wheel, put the slide in and started up the furnace. We figured we'd just move into it if the power went out. He'd just had the two big propane tanks filled so we'd be able to stay warm and cook in there. However, he didn't like the way the furnace sounded so decided to turn it off and stick it out in the house. I'd say the first thing we were going to do once we can get out of here was take the 5th wheel to have the furnace checked, but I know better. We were supposed to leave here for a warmer climate shortly after Christmas and kept getting delayed. When we can get it out of here, we're getting in that RV and heading south or southwest. We can get that furnace checked wherever we wind up and our ceramic heater or two will work until then. Something else everyone should think of is sleeping bags. Even with heat and blankets, my DH has been putting his Marmot -20 sleeping bag over the bed. He chills so easily and can't easily warm up. I, however, do not have that problem. Anyway, sleeping bags could be life savers for some and kids love them.

Power tools, eh? LOL I agree with foodona, too many blades have various coatings on them. Not to mention I'd have to kill somebody if meat got sucked into the vents on the tool. I used to get 60# chucks and cut them down. What I do is let the large meat thaw some, in the fridge of course, then when the outside three or four inches have thawed but the big core is still quite frozen, I cut it in two or three pieces. It's much easier when some of the meat has thawed. You can get some purchase on the meat with the knife and it still goes through the frozen part. A good big knife works best. I use my 14" chefs knife, but any chefs knife you have should do a good job. Holding the meat with a clean kitchen towel helps too. If you want to try a power tool to help, perhaps the electric knife. I do agree that asking the butcher who did the job originally would be the easiest. Also in future letting him know nothing bigger than ten pounds, five pounds or whatever your preference is, would be appreciated.

Thanks for the kind words about my kids! Im glad to hear all of the positive comments about my granite. We love it, but I know it's bold. I was initially looking at the quartz marble lookalikes so this was a big departure but DH was adamant he didn't want Quartz and he's deferred to me on almost every other decision on the kitchen so when he had such a strong opinion I wanted to make sure he liked what we got. We went to a couple of places with no luck and thought we'd have to schedule another day to run to Salt Lake for the bigger slab yards when I remembered that one of the local tile and granite places had a branch a few miles from where we were. We stopped in and walked around the warehouse separately for a bit and then together and when I asked him what he liked best he picked the same slab I did. I knew we wouldn't have that luck again so we put it on hold! desertsteph- I'm reasonably sure that knife tray came from Walmart but I've had it for years and years so I'm not positive. I need to find a larger flatware tray since we just got a new set of 18/10 stainless and I'd love to find another knife insert too. If I see one I will let you know!

May I share what I read today in a little devotional book that a coworker gave me for Christmas? The book is "Jesus Calling" and the entries are written as though He were speaking directly to you. It's lovely. December 21 My plan for your life is unfolding before you. Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back. Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears -- through no effort of your own. What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift. You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse my power and my glory. Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which my power and glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on my strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles -- and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see my glory.