Weathering the Weather.

Well, hurricane season has come awake with a mighty loud roar. Earl shook us up a little, leaving debris and damage in its wake. Throughout the season, we’ve been constantly reminded about having the right supplies and enough supplies. The dos and don’ts of hurricane survival. But no body ever talks about how to pass the time during the storm, when there is nothing to do but wait and wonder.  Now, keep in mind: a hurricane is not a joke or a matter to be taken lightly, and I would like to stress that this article is not meant to imply that in any way. All I’m pointing out is some fun ways to keep your mind occupied and reduce stress levels. Especially for those with families that include young children. The way people choose to pass the time range from being frantic with worry, sleeping through it or getting blind drunk.  You can find a happy medium with a little help.

Now, once you’ve made all your necessary preparations – which should always be a priority, take a little time to check on your ‘fun’ supplies. One of the most popular suggestions out there is board games and card games. That’s right! Dust off the old Monopoly and Clue and enjoy a friendly board game competition. It’s a great way to spend time together and you don’t need any electricity to do it.  Light a few candles and kick back for some fun. This idea isn’t just for the kids. Adults can have a blast, too. If you’re play with kids, try to spice it up a little. You can always raise the stakes by making bets on household chores for when the storm is over. The loser has to wash dishes for the next two nights, or the winner gets to relax for a week without cleaning. It makes for a more competitive atmosphere and will pass the time much faster. As for the grown-ups, well, you can come up with your own bets…

There is a very special group of storm riders that need extra attention. Those are the little kids. Keeping young children under control during any storm can be rough, especially during a major storm that has probably left you without any power. Arts and Crafts work as a great way to keep them busy. Simple household items can be loads of fun. Aluminum foil can bring hours of entertainment. You can make all sorts of great shapes, from snakes to birds, even crowns. Something as simple as a box of crayons and paper works really well, too.

For the older kids, a favorite thing to do it ghost stories. What a perfect setting! The power’s out {more than likely}, the winds howling and there’s candles lit. See if you’re up to the challenge of telling the scariest story!

Another fantastic idea is charades. Have everyone write down ideas, characters, movies, etc. onto small pieces of paper and place them into a bucket. Each person takes a turn drawing a piece from the bucket and acting out what is on the paper. You’re ready to have hours of fun. Again, this a great idea for people young and old, and the rules can be changed to fit the needs of the situation. You can spend the night acting out Disney movies…or adjust it so you’re acting out scenes from Aliens or Predator.

Scavenger hunts can keep people busy for hours and are particularly fun when a flashlight is required. You'll want to plan this activity ahead of time, so you can hide everything before the electricity goes out. For added fun, use a pirate theme and have guests wear bandanas or eye patches. Hey, we live in the Caribbean, right? Make your scavenger hunt maps by printing them on parchment paper, then lightly burning the edges to create a frayed, worn-out look. Roll them up and tie with twine. You can make the hidden objects appropriate for the age group. Candy and toys for the kids and rum and limes for the adults!

And of course, the island favorite: HURRICANE PARTY! This is the most popular way to weather out a storm. It’s a way for people to make memories and have the stories to tell. Plenty of photo opportunities, that may result in blackmail material. Look, we live in the Caribbean – hurricanes are a way of life, but they don’t have to rule our life! A hurricane party can be something as simple as people getting together for drinks in a storm, to big 3-5 day events. A hurricane party is a great way to insure your family and friends are safe and sound. If you plan on hosting a hurricane party, here are a few things you’ll need to consider.

Consider the needs of your guests. Ask yourself these key questions: Will children be attending or will this be an adults-only party? Will drinking alcohol be encouraged or prohibited? Does anyone have medical concerns such as heart problems or diabetes? Will any one bring pets? If so, do they have any special needs and are they socialized? Also, it's a good idea to have some form of support plan in place. Prior to kicking off the party, gather all your guests and talk about a safety plan and let every body voice any fears they may have. Getting things out in the open from the beginning will make it easier to cope when the hurricane hits.

Make sure everyone knows what they need to bring. Sure, the host will provide needed things, but it’s always a great help when everyone pitches in. Many times people are encouraged to bring along hurricane supplies such as food, beverages, jugs of water, batteries, first aid kit, etc. It's also common for people to bring their own flashlight and sleeping bag, along with a party item such as a board game, playing cards or coloring books and crayons. Of course, essentials like ice and a blender should be considered! Nothing’s worse than running out of limes in the middle of a storm!

Comfort food is a necessity at hurricane parties. Serve foods such as macaroni and cheese, nachos with all the fixings, hamburgers, hotdogs and steaks. Chicken and dumplings, pasta dishes, and pizza are always a welcome addition to any hurricane party. Start by consuming the food in your refrigerator and freezer, as well as foods that need to be cooked. Eat the items that will spoil quickly when the power goes out. This gives you a great excuse to eat ice cream first!

Last, but not least, you need to have a little music for your hurricane party. Reggae and island music are well-suited choices; particularly Jimmy Buffet. In fact, you can create an entire Jimmy Buffet, "Margaritaville" theme for your hurricane party.  Any music will do. Some people may want to rock out, others may want to chill out. Just keep in mind that radios and CD players use up a lot of batteries.

Hurricane parties should be fun, yet safe. Keep a close ear toward the weather radio and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Be creative, be prepared, bring plenty of food, water and supplies, be safe and have fun! When all is said and done, you will have a group of well-fed, happy people who can help you with any clean-up. And the party can spread to the clean up, too. Make cleaning up less of a chore and more fun.

Look, hurricanes can be a scary event. But there are a lot of ways to keep your spirits high while staying safe. Safety should always be the first priority. After safety comes good, sensible fun. Earl was a close call and Fiona fizzled and there’s not a single complaint about that. As we begin to recover we are keeping a wary eye on the news as Gaston seems to be the next threat. Get your supplies together, for both safety and fun to weather out the storm the best way you can!