Hurricane Sandy was so horrific that I have two, count 'em, TWO gift guides this year devoted to disaster supplies. The first was one was here. 

1. Charging the iPhone, iPad, DS units, and the radio was essential. After a few days in the cold and the dark, we became obsessed with fire wood and charging units. Thank God, for our multi-charger in the car. Every morning, we would sit in the car with a crappy cup of coffee charging up the electronics. If you don't have a car charger, you need to get one. Jeremy T. lent us his solar powered charger, which was also fab.

2. A standard flashlight is fine for a one day crisis, but for a full week, you need more creative light gear. We used the Gorillatorch
heavily. It is the only way to read a book in the dark. I recognize that Headlamps
are not fashion forward. But I don't give a fuck anymore. Head torches for everyone this year. 

3. When you are cold and in the dark, the only thing that  you want to read are dark Swedish thrillers set in the cold backwoods with brooding miserable characters. Well, maybe that's just me. I reread the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

4. While I threw myself into a Swedish thriller, Ian pulled out the portable DVD player, which had a surprisingly long lasting battery and watched Schoolhouse Rock: Grammar
over and over and over. My boy can diagram a sentence after that week and can sing every word of " Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here." 

5. At night-time, we broke out the old blankets from the hall closet. The boys had five on them. Even the old baby blankets were used. It was decided that we really need to update our blankets, some of which date back to my childhood. I really like these wool blankets from Garnet Hill.