Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[easyas123]

Good morning everyone. Decided to pop on here since I had a free second.

Hope everyone is doing well. I went back and re-read the last page & a half or so to catch up - sorry if I missed anything/anyone!

laying like its her bed and her spot...

I like how she's got a expression on her face as if to say "hey! You are keeping me from sleeping!"

One of these days Snowy, I pray that you will be sitting out on your patio with a good cup of coffee, watching the birds and listening to their songs and have it hit you how much you have accomplished since Chris passed away. All the new things that you've learned, things that you never thought you would have to do but conquered them. I pray that this new home you will move into soon will be a balm to your soul, that you will make new friends to pass the time with, to laugh and cry with and feel a sense of belonging. Your grandchildren will love having you close by.

This 100%! Well said Kirby.

My friend who was diagnosed with early breast cancer had very successful surgery yesterday, a lumpectomy, and no lymph node involvement. She is home and resting.

So glad to read this. I have a family member who recently went thru a similar situation, it was a relief when she came out the other side even though we knew she would.

Then we launched into some cleaning.

That's what I'm doing this weekend. I need to mow this evening directly after work (my husband is out of town this weekend so I'll be doing all of it). I've got about a hour & a half on the zero turn and then about the same amount of time on the big tractor. But I want to try to get that taken care of since we are expecting weather this weekend. I've got all the beds around the house weeded and had 60 bags of mulch delivered yesterday, so I'll be able to put that down even if it's raining or whatever. It always looks so much nicer & fresher after I mulch. I'll need to get more mulch for other areas & trees, but this will get me started around the house at least. I usually get it delivered by dump truck, but for around the house the bags are convenient. In between all that I need to go big grocery shopping and Saturday AM I'm going to a 4H auction, but that should only be a hour or two. Last night I got a lot of the weed killer sprayed around the house, so that chore is done. The couple lbs of wildflower seeds I ordered arrived, so if my husband gets home in time on Sunday I'll have him help me put the discs on the tractor - I haven't managed how to do that yet! And then I'll get the area prepped and seeded. It's going to be bordering the small field we plan on using for parking for the wedding later this summer. I hope it turns out.
Not sure what happened to my quotes! Anyway - Footballmouse, I hope you are feeling better. That stuff seems to take forever to fully bounce back from.

Honestly, everyday life is full and busy and I've just not got the time to contribute to this thread like I did when we were at the beginning of the pandemic. I had more free time then because we were stuck at home staring at the walls. We always continued to work, I do feel like life has returned much to normal for many and, as they say - life goes on. Everyone is out and about, movies, theatres, travel, restaurants, shopping....it's nice to be able to have the hustle and bustle of everyday life resume as it once was, at least for us. But you know what? That's good.

So as I mentioned above, I'm off to a 4H auction tomorrow morning. I've never gone before but the large shrub auction I attend each year (fundraiser for a local VFD that was very well attended. They opted for a gun bash this year...yawn, there is one of those on every corner around here) isn't being held this year. To say I'm disappointed is a understatement! But my SIL told me they sometimes have some trees/shrubs at this 4H function - so I'll go with her and see what they've got. We already have 24 willows we have to plant later this season, but we won't bother with those until the fall. Still trying to decide where to put them!

I'm off to Florida on Tuesday afternoon for about a week. I'm ready for a bit of heat & humidity, and plan on taking a turn around the Barnes & Nobel down there, maybe getting a book or three read while sitting around the pool!

 

[PollyannaMom]

He's going to spend the summer with his Dad and he told me there was only 45 more caterpillar pieces until school break. I had no idea what he meant until he explained that they made a caterpillar on the wall in school, and each day was 1 piece. They tear off one piece every day, lol

Oh my gosh, I remember those!

I did this one with DS for a Disney trip when he was five:

 

[Judique]

Stopped at our Costco for a little gas today and it was $3.45! Yikes (just a little bit as I only needed 5 gallons to fill my hybrid)!

Checked other areas online and found that Danvers, Ma has Costco gas for $3.09 and Dedham, Ma has it for $3.13.

Then I jumped across to Seattle, Washington and saw $4.04.

Down the coast to Alhambra, Ca where I immediately felt more fortunate after seeing that they are paying $4.35.

Midwest - Chicago - near city $4.23, $3.86 south in the state, $4.09 north in the state.

And south to Ridgeland, Mississippi where they pay $2.99, which I haven't seen in quite a while.

I know a lot depends on state taxes, and other factors.

 

[Snowysmom]

@Judique Gas prices seem to be getting a bit higher everywhere but it does depend alot on where you live. I paid 3.39 today in the Boston area. In Kenny's area in Central Ma it is higher, around 3.45 and a couple of places have it for 3.59.

@Pea-n-Me It is interesting how the bakery business goes. I figured bakers knew each other and their businesses. I have made a couple of mac and cheeses for the grandkids including one I made for my kids growing up. They like the boxed better. Go figure. Thank you for the kind words. I am open to some day finding a companion to spend time with, to help ease some of the loneliness of life. Online sites are not for me. I am too quiet and tentative. Chris always said he did not want me to be alone if he passed first and I felt the same way for him. You never know where life is going to take you.

@footballmouse Hope you feel better soon. Please rest before tackling any work outside.

It is so warm here today. Kenny did put on the AC yesterday. I cannot stand to be warm. Pizza and salad are on my list for supper. Kenny works late and then is with friends. Tomorrow I want to look for some basic house stuff for Kenny like a casserole dish, cake pans, and baking pans. Soon to be ex took most of the stuff. I will hit Target and look for some stuff.

Have a good evening.

 

[bobbiwoz]

@Pea-n-Me , you have such good advice and kind words.

Our friends have left, they live in Tarpon Springs. We have enjoyed spending this 44 year anniversary celebration with them. We missed their wedding ceremony because of a flat tire. I remember where we were, and my Tom, always the funny one, said when he was finished, well we missed the ceremony, we can go home now. No way!

Today, after Remy’s Adventure

 

[PollyannaMom]

@Pea-n-Me , you have such good advice and kind words.

Our friends have left, they live in Tarpon Springs. We have enjoyed spending this 44 year anniversary celebration with them. We missed their wedding ceremony because of a flat tire. I remember where we were, and my Tom, always the funny one, said when he was finished, well we missed the ceremony, we can go home now. No way!

Today, after Remy’s Adventure
View attachment 753248

I have that same Pooh and "Tigger" graphic on a coffee cup!

Glad you had more luck with their anniversary than with their wedding

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Afternoon

I say this often because my heartfelt thanks to each of you only grows. How truly blessed I am that God connected us to begin with and has grown our bond closer over the last three years. all for being a Quacker. I did read all ofyour kind and caring posts from today and as always was touched by the sincerity and support of them all.

I was so blessed this morning to have been able to speak with my dentist, Dr. E. I felt badly about calling because I'm not someone who likes to impose especially on someone perhaps still on vacation. Dr. E was back in the office and was kind to reassure me that patient care is what he's there for.

During the night, I definitely experienced more twinges. Thank God, none truly lasting or consistent just further indication that there is definitely trouble going on. I am also thankful that so far this is not impacting eating or drinking. I will be seeing him Tuesday morning most likely to have the filling. At this point, that takes priority over the cleaning which will now be the week after. I would appreciate extra prayers from all of you Tuesday morning and thank you for them. I will update afterwards

Thank you Pea and Snowysom for your concern for my dad. I am extra appreciative of safe outing prayers for him always. Dad won't be returning to that Skechers. He mostly goes to routine places right in our neighborhood. Costco on Monday, about 45 minutes away in Burbank (thriving and good area) will be an exception.

Pea, for eye healing. Sight is such a precious blessing. Irritation is so....irrirating Dad has gotten shoes online over the last three years from Amazon and most recently Old Navy. I'm so glad you were able to get some new safely from home, too. Grandma often said to, "let your fingers do the walking." Wise words all the more so today! Off Broadway is now out of business, the only shoe store is a DSW in busier Hollywood where the couple times we went to never had anything. I miss real shoe stores! Blue stitching on your shoes sounds very cheerful. Wear them in all good health, my friend. May they provide your feet especially in all the kind care to patients they allow you to deliver, much comfort. Extra hug and thank you for your beautiful and trusting in us all share. God's ways are indeed not of our human understanding. However in all, His love and mercy, very Presence is with us. He is forever on time in a perfect way. One thing for sure is your family are very blessed to have you in it!

Dear Snowysmom, just along with extra love. ITA with what others have already shared. I especially like the idea of a gratitude/affirmation journal or daily trying to meditate on one. Are you a scrapbook fan? I am, like you, a sentimental lady who appreciates being able to physically look back on positive memories and cards. I pray the spdcial stuffed animals a quilt, I believe, give you an extra, more tangible hug from Chris and always from God. What about writing down or printing out/pasting into a scrapbook a daily gratitude and or affirmation plus a photo or memory that it brings to mind of a happy experience with Chris? I remember at one preschool I worked at, each child had a family book which was a 2 inch binder with maybe 10 pages front and back in sheet protectors that showed their family and memories of happy times. The kids loved sharing these books and when feeling homesick or just in need of extra comfort would quietly look at their book. I am thinking this could be an extra visual way of healing to complement the letters you write to Chris. Truly and always my prayer for you is a time to soon come of a lighter heart all-around, peace, and JOY. Chris will forever be with dear you and so is God! We love you, too.

As two extra additions having just read your latest post, I also loved the box mac and cheese most all my life. Simple and comforting. I was so upset when Kraft ruined the cheese as did Signature Select, Pavilions store brand. To me, there is more often than not much truth in leaving what is well and long enjoyed by millions, alone! Extra hug and prayers that should you feel God's call and connection that one day you will enjoy the extra companionship of a new friend who might be a man. Enjoy your pizza!

God Bless you, PollyannaMom, what a thoughtfully kind person you are which, of course, I knew already! Thank you for making such a caring difference to the young lady who was a helper to you. Love your mac and cheese share, too. Truly is small every day acts of kindness that can make a life changing and often saving in some ways difference. Plus, your son although very young at the time had the blessing of spending time with his young baby-sitter while still having the loving security of you, his mom, present. Definitely a beautiful and kind way to raise a child.

Bobbiwoz and Footballmouse, much that you both are feeling better!

Bobbiwoz, I'm so sorry you were ill in general, of course, and especially while at WDWI do hope overall you and Tom had a wonderful time. As I've said before, I wish Disneyland had a Flower and Garden Festival. I would love to be able to go if they did. Enjoy the beautiful and topiaries and for me. Safe travel prayers home. Adding what a happy and beautiful group picture. I'm so grateful you and your friends were able to celebrate their Anniversary together, what a special gift extra to them and you and Tom, too!

Footballmouse, take care of yourself! Yardwork can wait, being kind to yourself and healing to feel better can't! How tragic Prayers indeed for your son, you of course, too, and the family of his friend most of all.

for you finally getting extra Lynn! Definitely please send me some of your heatI hope like dad at the laundromat this morning, all of your laundry and yours as well PollyannaMom went smoothly. May this message find you and Don enjoying a relaxing evening.

Easyas, cheer big time! I'm so thankful you will soon get to enjoy downtime in Florida. You know whenever you are able to post means a lot to us all but what matters, my friend, is that you are happy, safe, and well. It is so reassuring for me to hear about and also truly believe that this pandemic really has turned a positive corner By the Grace of God. Lynn and B&B should go into house cleaning business together as a side job, you both of them, and all in our Quacker family with yards, ought to go into the gardening/landscaping business together!

Judique, prices sure have gone back and forth here. Dad pays $4 something at the cheapest station near us. At one time it was uowards near $6. Another sad and wrong example of pandemic pricing. I do hope you were able to fill upand that your car in general is still running smoothly.

Before this grows longer I will post.

to all.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have that same Pooh and "Tigger" graphic on a coffee cup!

Glad you had more luck with their anniversary than with their wedding

I have the pin as well!

 

[lynxstch]

Good rainy Saturday. I'm glad it's raining, I need the rest. I mowed the lawn again yesterday, couldn't believe how tall it got since Sunday. Then I got the whole deck, ramp, rails, and caps all water sealed, just in time apparently, lol. Calling for rain and thunderstorms all day. Temp is 74, right where it stayed all night. I have a feeling my sore knees and feet are a combination of the weather and overdoing it. But at least I got a lot of my list crossed off

Gas here was $$3.29 for the last 2 weeks, jumped to $3.39 this week. At least it hasn't gone higher

Off to strip and remake the bed and figure out meals for the week.

Have a nice Saturday

 

[PollyannaMom]

Love the Mickey and Minnie in the rain pic, Lynn!

It's sunny here for the moment, but we're due for rain on Monday (hopefully after the race).

DH has a Lodge thing later, so I think I'll offer to take DS out for something "carb-y" when it won't be teasing.

 

[Snowysmom]

Good morning. It is sunny here, around 55 right now going to around 70. I see rain listed for this afternoon but I hope not. Monday will be our rainy day as PollyAnnaMom noted.

I have been up and out doing some errands. I went to Hannafords to get birdseed and salad mix that was one sale. Then off to Target to replenish Kenny's kitchen stock. I got the needed pans, salad tongs, and a nice bowl. Sometimes I just want to put salad in a bowl and there is nothing around. Now there is a bowl for a large salad. I was walking to the kitchen dept at Target when I noticed a lovely sundress in the girls dept. It just stopped me in my tracks and I thought how lovely it would look on Ellie. I felt so drawn to it so I bought it. She has a birthday in June so it will be one of the clothes gifts. It is blue and pink tie dye in a really nice pattern. It has spaghetti straps and a crisscross back strap. It is so her, not too girly. I feel like I had some guidance in finding this dress. I have bought all her clothes gifts so I will just add this one to the mix. It was one of those must buys.

Now I am off to the Paper store to look for a couple of birthday gifts for Ellie. I have a coupon and some things in their mailer looked interesting. Something to keep me busy. Even though I am staying with Kenny I am alone most of the time so I need to keep busy. Tomorrow Jeff is finishing the wall at the condo and I will be going to see his kids afterwards. Sam took his first steps the other day. He is so proud of himself. Jeff did a video of a few steps Sam took last night. Sam is laughing as he steps towards Mama.

Have a good Saturday.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Happy Saturday

Dad is home from Pavilionsalong with a few other morning errands. I'm so grateful he'll be staying home tomorrow. He changed his Costco appointment to next week to be pick up and be fitted with his new hearing aids to make my Tuesday morning dentist appointment work better for us. I am so thankful to God to not be in any discomfort right now and to have enjoyed the blessing of good's sleep as well. It's also a relief to know that in a few days this will be taken care. I'll definitely feel a whole lot better once this is behind me. I thank you all for your continued extra love and prayers dentist wise and of course in all to me and my dad. I appreciate so very much each of you.
Bobbiwoz, thank you for theSaturday cheer! I'm so grateful you and Tom had an overall wonderful time at WDW. for safe travels home and a happy Gusto greet you.

Lynn, praise extra to God that it is out there! I'm truly thankful to read you're relaxing today. May you still be doing so as I type this. I also love your rainy day picture. God willing, I really do look forward to dad and I being able to get our picture taken with our two favorite mice one day.

PollyannaMom, cheers! I hope your DH enjoys his lodge meeting tonight while you and your son enjoy a tasty treat together for dinner.

Baby SamSnowymsom! God Bless him indeed. Ellie's new dress sounds pretty. what a kind grandma she has in you!

Did any of you watch The Blessing Bracelet? I have it recorded waiting to be watched

Have a dry and happy rest of the day, friends.

 

[Snowysmom]

Good Morning. Rainy here for now and then it is supposed to just be cloudy.

Bobbiwoz I hope you had safe travels home.

@flyingdumbo127 It sounds like you have a good plan for the dentist.

Jeff told me Sam is running a slight fever so they are calling the doctor. Since Luke has strep they are wondering if Sam does too. Sam is doing OK so that is good. Once I hear back we will decide when to go to the condo. I just hope and pray that the wall can get done today and it will be one less thing to stress about. I so want to hand over the keys next weekend and just walk away.

Have a good Sunday.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Aww, poor Sam! It's hard enough when older kids are sick, but when they're too little to tell you exactly what's wrong, the uncertainty just adds to it.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning. I don't know where the weathermen are that gave our forecast today. They claim it will be raining all day with thunderstorms into tonight. The sky is blue and the sun is out. The temp is 60 and heading for upper 70's.

@Snowysmom I found it hard to believe it when I read that baby Sam is walking already, time flies! Sorry to hear he and Luke aren't feeling well. It's hard when they are that young to watch them feel ill. I hope they both getter better quickly.

I'm glad I did the mowing Friday. Now I'm looking at a nice neat lawn, and seeing all the other neighbors grass (and dandelions) even taller than they were the other day, lol. I'm sure I'll hear mowers going all around me shortly.

I puttered around the house yesterday, cleared off the kitchen counters and wiped everything down. Chopped up some of the Easter ham in the food processor with bread and butter pickles and made ham salad. We had that on grinder rolls for dinner along with cantaloupe.

I think I might empty the cabinets today and put fresh shelf liner down and reorganize them a little since I don't have to do anything outside. I sat out on the deck after dinner when it had stopped raining, but I still can't get Don to go out there and enjoy it, even though he's the one who wanted to have it done. It was nice to see the water beading up on the boards, so I know the water seal is working already.

I'm putting 2 good size bone in chicken breasts in the crockpot with McCormick's Baja Citrus marinade for dinner , to have with baby yellow potatoes. I'm going to cook them most of the way, then smash them slightly and put olive oil and garlic seasoning on them and throw them in the oven to go with it. That and a salad will enough, and will give me enough left over chicken to make chicken salad tomorrow.

Have a lovely Sunday

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Happy Sunday

It's chilly here right now but when I saw weather.com shows 84 for Friday! What an extra blessing that will be. I'm so grateful. I look forward, as always, to watching online worship in a little while. Dad and I will check out The Blessing Bracelet as well. Have any of you watched it or last night's new movie? I don't remember its name. I always appreciate and enjoy reading each of your movie and book, TV, too, reviews.

for Sam and Luke, Snowysmom indeed. I'm not a parent but even as a teacher or caregiver in some way, it was always so hard to know a child of any age was ill. Many prayers both boys recover easily and quickly. Thank you so much on the dentist. is being a little temperamental this early morning. It will definitely be a relief and blessing to have whatever is going on taken care of on Tuesday. You know how happy for you I will be when you are able to hand over your current condo s and truly start moving better forward into a future of greater JOY!

PollyannaMom, I hope you and your son had fun last night along with a tasty dinner while your DH had a good time at his Lodge's dinner. The younger the child in a similar way to a much loved furry companion, the more their being sick really does weigh on your heart!

Lynn, it doesn't sound as though you did relax yesterday Please do more today! Watch something fun on for Don and, of course, always for you.

Have a great day, everyone, I will check back later.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just picked up Gus! The kennel had these dogs painted recently and one has fish painted on it. Missing my fish, but we’ll be home in 30 minutes!
Passing a gas station $3.37 here near Rio Grande NJ.


This didn’t go out yesterday! We are home and happy!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

and welcome home, Bobbiwoz!! Gus must have been such a happyto see you and Tom. Get some rest, all of you, this afternoon and enjoy being back home. I'm so thankful to God you had such a special trip

Quiet afternoon here. I just watched online worship which as always, I enjoyed. I was also blessed to receive an email reply from a friend who was at one time the choir director of the church I was so active in pre pandemic. He and his family moved back East in 2018. Those years were truly a blessing as we did become a small choir family connected by Christ. Miss those days but will always be so thankful to God, of course, for them. It was wonderful to hear from Josh.

Wishing each of you a peaceful rest of Sunday.

 

[tazdev3225]

Good evening and hope all is well with everyone.

I have been so busy this week and working on a couple of problems, and trying to find solutions has not been easy. One is just me needing to be mature enough to ignore the person but since my daughter is getting upset it is hard. Anthony is not back 100% yet with baseball. We knew he would have some things to deal with, especially with the mental game and just shaking off the cobwebs. We figured out in the past couple of years between covid and 2 injuries he has played about 6 months total in almost 3 years. The problem is that one mother thinks her son is the BEST baseball player there ever was and will be a pro one day. He is a nice boy but not that good. After one of Anthony's minor injuries, a hairline fracture but it kept him on the sidelines for 2 months, he dropped a ball. The coach yelled loudly enough for all to hear, "How can my BEST player drop an easy pop up???" Of course, this started an intense jealousy on this woman's part. She has been saying some nasty things about Anthony every time he makes the slightest "error". Some of the plays have been judgement calls and he has struck out a couple of times. Her son has made some errors and struck out too but that is OK. I would love to say something but of course I won't because Anthony and this other boy get along really well. I have always disliked those types of parents and do not want to become one so I am trying to take the higher moral road, but it is difficult.

The other problem is very complex. I have to preface this with I am not homophobic. I belong to classmates.com. I don't always keep up with the paid membership, but I do have a profile on there and every now and again I get a message from an old classmate. There was a boy in high school who had a crush on me but the feelings were not mutual. He was a FRIEND, that's it. About a year ago I started getting complements from someone, quite a lot of compliments. I didn't recognize the name or profile picture at first, then I realized it was this same boy/man. However, he is now a SHE! Weird but if he/she is happy I don't care. Recently this person has been paying to send me private messages as I have let my membership lapse again. The messages are strange. Am I still as beautiful as I was in high school, telling me what a serious crush they had on me back then, how I was so beautiful and a real babe. I haven't seen or spoken to this person since we graduated high school in 1974. I don't want to be mean because I know enough to know from their profile that they lost their kids and spouse when they decided to become trans. He is planning on coming to our reunion next year since it will be the 50th. I need to figure out how to respond before then. I would like to be a casual friend as I don't really like hurting people especially with what they have gone through, BUT these messages are Twilight Zone weird. It has been bothering me quite a bit and I keep hoping I'll get some clarity on how to respond but so far nothing. I will say I am not interested in this person beyond a casual friendship no matter what gender they are. It's just weird.

Oh well another long week and hopefully tomorrow I will be officially out of the boot. The ankle has some soreness but I am walking on it in the house with no issues and have an almost full range of motion. I still have some tenderness in the one spot but today I just couldn't handle the boot and used an ankle brace. I feel fine so we shall see. Prayers that the doctor lets me stay in the brace would be appreciated. Anthony has a couple of baseball games and Ella started with her new volleyball team, so another busy week ahead. Thankfully it is supposed to get a tad cooler. I don't mind the heat per se, but 60 degrees one day and 86 the next is hard to adapt to. I prefer the more gradual change.

Hope you all have a nice evening.

 

[Judique]

Just picked up Gus! The kennel had these dogs painted recently and one has fish painted on it. Missing my fish, but we’ll be home in 30 minutes!
Passing a gas station $3.37 here near Rio Grande NJ.

View attachment 753557
This didn’t go out yesterday! We are home and happy!

Love those dogs!

Took a drive with the grands to the shore yesterday and had a great day! Lovely, warm and sunshiny.

Saw some Shelties for sale and got really close to getting one. I've always wanted a Sheltie. But then, still have a Yorkie and three indoor and 1 outdoor cat. Not a good time. DD said she was glad I didn't bring another pet home.