Big Snow Is Coming!!!!

Chicago is about to get about 20 inches of snow by Weds!

We Midwesterners are a hardy breed.  We will make it through this.

Here's how you should act before the white stuff starts falling.

(borrowed from another source...can't remember where)

Don't Freak Out

Take a deep breath. It's going to be alright. I promise. We are adults who live in the modern world and this isn't going to kill you. Sure, you might get stuck in your house for a few days because the villages can't get the plows working, but you will survive. Snow happens every winter, and even though the nightly news wants to make it seem like a very scary and newsworthy thing, it's not. Trust me.

Don't Cancel Anything...yet...

Don't cancel anything tonight because it's actually supposed to start snowing tomorrow. We like to pretend like the science of meteorology is more than asking a Magic 8-Ball some questions and making educated guesses. It's not! Just look at the forecast. "Six to 24 inches." That's a lot of leeway. And they can't tell you when it's going to happen, when it's going to start, or when it's going to stop, exactly. Chicago might even get less...or more...  Yes, the weatherman can be wrong. So don't reschedule all your meetings, nix your dinner date, or cancel school just because we've been told it's going to snow. Wait to see what happens. 
This isn't Georgia afterall, where they don't know what to do when they see a bit of frost on their window.

Don't Get Caught Unprepared

That doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare at all. Make arrangements in case the heavy snowfall ends up affecting your life. Take home those files you might need in case you have to work from home the next day. Call your coworker with the SUV and let her know she might need to pick you up if the roads are nasty. Put the babysitter on notice in case you need someone to take care of the kids. Put all your little ducks in a row—just wait before you make your final decisions. All your planning might be unnecessary.

Don't Buy Bread and Toilet Paper, unless you REALLY need it

Since you're preparing, you might want to hit the supermarket for some food, but don't buy toilet paper, bread, and milk. This is what everyone does, like they're stocking a bomb shelter or something. Even if you are trapped in your house, you will be stuck there for a couple of days max, and even then you can trudge out if you really need to. So, what should you stock up on? Junk food, coffee, booze, and a few frozen dinners in case you need some actual nourishment. But milk, bread, and toilet paper? Please. It's not the worst thing if you have to wipe your bum with some Kleenex. But if you run out of Ben and Jerry's? That could be a tragedy!

Don't Wear Something Stupid

Since we're getting ready, let's talk about your outfit for Tuesday/Wednesday. You want it to be warm. And water resistant. And you'll need heavy socks and some boots. But just cause it's snowy is no excuse to look like a mess. If you end up having to go into work or somewhere outside of the house (other than shoveling the sidewalk) you still have to wear something other than sweatpants (or pajamas). Make sure your long underwear is clean and handy and take your time coming up with a layered look that is both warm and appropriate. Don't get lazy and think, "It's snowing, who cares?" because everyone who sees you will be thinking, "Who is that slob in the snow?"

Lastly, unburry the shovels...just because you will wish you had.

Enjoy your potential day off and snuggle with the kids- after sledding and drinking hot chocolate!  Enjoy the excuse to SLOW DOWN!