What a bizarre year for Mother Nature. She has sure been off her rocker. Here at our Darien, CT headquarters, we at ECommerce-Guide were resorting to parking lot rain dances in September after four straight months of hot, dry weather. Our lawns have turned to dust and our flowers look like twigs. Now, of course, October hits and we've seen nearly a week straight of soaking rains.

Mother, make up your mind!

If the rest of the winter is going to look like this, we're going to start preparing for it. So, we went over to eBay to see what we'd need in order to survive.

Considering many areas this week received several inches (or feet) of rain, it looks like many are going to have to find a new way to get around. Unfortunately, no one is selling a full-size Noah's Ark on eBay, so we went the extra mile and found the supplies to help you build your own boat and survive the deluge.

Seller BuildDirect has a few palettes full of Western red Cedar boards to make yourself not only a durable, but pretty, Ark.

Build your own ark!

"For centuries this species has been known as a durable and beautiful wood that ranges in warm tones from a mellow gold, to cinnamon, to a rich brown," says the seller.

Of course, we have no idea how such wood would hold up in the water, so use at your own risk.

Now, once you get your Biblical flood vehicle built, how are you going to move about? We wanted to suggest adding a bit of class to your boat, so our choice is this piddly 'ol 2.5 horsepower, classic Johnson Sea Horse motor. Sure, it's slow, but if you need to go any faster, you can work of a few pounds by rowing.

For $300, why not?

Give your ark some get-up-and-go.

Since your going to be braving the elements for quite some time, you'll need the appropriate attire. Will you go cheap or go high class?

Have a Goth fetish? Then this shiny, black vinyl raincoat is for you.

As the seller says, it's "Easy to manipulate, super fun. Truly, a fabulous find, just for you. Of course a fabulous collectible, and you will be the center of attention anytime you wear this sweetie."

Um, we're not exactly sure how one "manipulates" a raincoat...Anyway, it can be yours for only $10.

OK, so maybe vinyl isn't your thing. Why not look at our next item: a sassy leopard print raincoat?

Command your ark lookin' hot.

For a mere $18.50, command your ark in style.

For the guy who's always dreamed of being the Gorton's Fisherman, we present this fine yellow getup for only $9.99. It's a two-piece fisherman's rainwear overalls and raincoat set.

Don't forget Fido! He'll need a raincoat, too.

Finally on this dark and dreary Friday, if you happen to be one of those not soaked by all this rain, you can join everyone else in spirit by listening to Enya's "A Day Without Rain."

eBay News
Next week, ECG will have a report from our contributor and eBay aficionado Frank Fortunado who is attending eBay U in New York this weekend. Stay tuned...

And that's the news.

Devin Comiskey is the Managing Editor of ECommerce-Guide.com. He's all wet.