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

[flyingdumbo127]

Snowysmom! I believe in you, always!

Lynn, cool off, please! Take Care

Easyas, safe lots of prayers, my friend.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Omg, I was hot like that yesterday, Lynn! At one point I had 100 degrees registering in my car, but mostly 90s.



And I was in and out of stores with nice AC (had some shopping to do and returns) but outside was gross, so even being out just a little made me sweaty like that. It was nice when I got home. I can’t imagine what it’s been like at Disney, DH told me it “felt like” 117 the other day?? How could that be? Probably why parks have been kind of slow from what I’m reading. No way would I be able to do the parks in that type of heat. Done them many times at “feels like 100” and I was miserable. I do not love the heat, at all! And I can tolerate it less and less as I get older, due to my rosacea (which is blood vessels close to the surface of the skin that expand in the heat and make me look like a cooked lobster!).

(This is not me. But an example of what it’s like to have rosacea in the heat!)



Btw I’m so glad you had a nice visit with Don’s family and that you could show off all the beautiful upgrades you’ve done to the house!

@Snowysmom, congratulations on finding your assertiveness! Nothing wrong with it. I am assertive myself (I have to be, on the job), and it’s a good thing. There is a difference between being assertive and being aggressive. As long as you keep things civil and professional, it’s fine to be assertive. I hope you can find resolution to the problem soon, just so you can feel comfortable going forward. I’m glad the town stepped in, so now they are in your camp. Perfect.

Great advice given to Snowysmom @easyas123! Thank you! Can’t wait to hear about the actual wedding!

@Kirby I’m so happy to hear that James is doing well, and so glad you got to stay with him. Both really great.

And it was nice to see @frog3101 pop in. I wonder how Auntie and some of the others are doing.

Mona, glad you and your Dad have been well and getting some safe shopping done. It must be so nice to be able to go out again.

Well today I am planning to work on some of those books in the boxes downstairs, so I can get rid of them, and we will probably use up some leftovers for dinner. Starting tomorrow life gets a little busy as I have plans most days for the following ten days or so, between work, meetings, games, packing for our trip to NH, more work, haircut, and getting the dogs to the kennel, etc. I saw and bought the dogs some nice camping beds that roll up and have a handle to make it easier than lugging and washing their real beds when they come home from there, so I’m glad about that. And they’re getting to know this kennel which is good (although I did read a really scary and sad story yesterday about a dog in a kennel who died but I think that’s not going to happen here). I also bought a host/hostess gift which was a nice woven basket with handles that I filled with some nice jarred jellies, pickles, relish, garlic, beets, coffee and granola from a local specialty store, so I don’t have to worry about what to get anymore. (Maybe I should add a bottle of wine in there.) I bought some cute summery dresses and sandals that will make it fairly easy to pack, as well as some cute summer pajamas (this is all with my extended family on my side, so, cool to be casual). We are taking two cars up as I have to drive one couple (isn’t there always one? lol) that doesn’t like to drive. Glad I just had a detail done in my car (but did you see all the dust in that first picture? ugh!) and I probably still need to vacuum it out anyway, check the air in the tires, and take all the dog stuff out of it, as well, to make room for everything. I’ll be glad when we’re on our way. Thought you might enjoy seeing the hostess gift. I would like that bag myself! (The lady in the store told me someone else had done the exact same thing earlier in the day. She even added the tissue paper at the bottom and top.)







(Oh, and btw, that is not Toto on the counter, it is a dog treat jar that looks like him, lol.)

I hope everyone has a nice Friday!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

and thank you dear Pea. It definitely had been a blessing to safely get out a little bit. Beautiful baskets! Grandma had rosacea for a time, definitely hard on her. You, please, take care and keep cool also! In/out of heat and cold A/C always made for my getting sick years ago on trips to swampy Houston!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dad is safely home, thanks to God. I did call a smaller donut chain, Yum Yum, very close to Sue that I used to go to often pre Covid. They kindly said they would be happy to give me a couple free to bring Sue on her birthday. The corporate office, said I would have needed to contact them a month in advance. I will still reach out on Monday to the local Krispy Kreme manager to try once more. At least, this was a step forward and will be enjoyable to Sue

Have a good afternoon everyone!

 

[tazdev3225]

Good afternoon

Wyatt's team lost their game last night. I saw so many little things that I would have handled differently in coaching them, but I am working on sitting back and just enjoying him. Parents really do bother me though. The jeers and over all mean attitudes. These are little boys, not professional men, and win or lose there should be nothing but positives. There were quite a few arguments with the umpires also. This doesn't support good sportsmanship. Wyatt was disappointed but I am taking him to the draft league game tonight and that will cheer him up. Of course he does con me into spending extra money.

I have decided to plan the trip to Disney but will be going in October. I want to see Air Supply at the Food and Wine Concerts. The airfare will be minimal as I have the credit from last year and enough points to pay one way. It will be a shorter trip and a quick get away but I'm looking forward to it. I plan on booking over the weekend; if I don't Jim will and he would pick the most expensive resort. I like values and he knows it.

I did get some sad news today. A very sweet woman from my church passed away this morning, and she was my age. She was diagnosed with cancer right before I left for my trip and it had already spread, so she wasn't given much time. I'm glad she didn't have time to suffer but I feel so bad for her children, they lost their father last year. She helped me so much after Jim's strokes as she had been through the same thing with her husband. Sue was the type of person who was always there to help out no matter what was needed. The last time I saw her, she went with my mom and I to get the stoves for the church hall. I had the feeling she had something wrong with her. Her passing is a true loss to all who knew her.

Nit much else going on here. Hope you all have a great night and stay cool. I am hoping the game will be cooler. It's right off the river so that may help.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

dear Taz and full of love. I'm so sorry about your friend.

 

[Judique]

@easyas123 Thank you for the kind words of advice. I am planning on being firm about this. I know the frog got in through an open door but seeing him just sent me over the edge. During the walkthrough I will definitely express my concerns and ask them how they will be taking care of the issue and I want a long term guarantee of the fix. I won't close until it is spelled out for me, in writing, and signed with my attorney. I do not trust alot of contractors (no offense meant to you) and I know at the end of the day they just want money. I want the new build I am supposed to get. I have nothing to lose by being firm. They have about 6 more condos to sell in the development and so far, no takers and they have been listed for a while. If they want to add another one to their list then so be it. I am fortunately in a position where I can stay with my son. He has told me I have 22 years to stay with him. After that I have to pay rent. The 22 years is how long he lived with Chris and I. I really would not stay with him that long as I don't want to be that mom living with him and his significant other down the road. I don't want to lose my deposit with them as it is a good amount of money. Maybe if I really make a stink about it they will give me the money back. But, I doubt it.

@Kirby Glad to hear that James is doing well. How nice it will be when he can go home. Your DD's ex is just a mean, shifty character. I hope her attorney can help her out with this.

@flyingdumbo127 Glad your ventures to the post office and stores went well.

Another hot day coming up, temps near 90. I take walks but I take it slowly and if I feel like the heat is getting to me I stop. Off to work.

Have a good day.

I absolutely agree with @easyas123. No settlement until the water problem has been resolved.

 

[Judique]

I just got an email from my agent. The town has refused to do final inspections on my condo due to rain and land issues around the condo. The conservation commission has stopped any inspections on the condo. Yay Town! The contractor is delaying the close and bringing in a third party to work on the issue. I told my agent I will not close on the condo until the water issue is resolved. I also told her I want to talk with her when she gets back on Monday. I let her know I am very unhappy and will not move forward until it is resolved. This is so unlike me. Assertiveness is not my strong point. But, I have to advocate for myself as no one else will. My sons agree with me 100% and Kenny saw the water in the basement.

Thank you all for listening and giving me some good advice to think about.

Good for you!

 

[Judique]

You sound like you are in the right headspace to deal with this! And you aren't offending me in the least...even us other type of Contractors know to watch residential builders close I've got my fingers crossed it all works out in the end, because it does really sound like a nice place! Also - we have a new salt cave that has opened up near us, and after reading of your experiences with them I'm going to give them a try once the craziness of the next few weeks is behind me and I have time, so thanks for sharing that info.



Glad you had a nice visit with your family.


Well gang, what's new? Not much here. I've lent my truck to the eldest as his is getting new tires and he needed to get to work...leaving me to drive my "play" car with I usually only drive a few miles- 20 at most - down to thru lower Delaware and the eastern shore this afternoon as I make my way to a few jobsites. It's going to storm, so can't even put the top down. I should have made him drive it and kept my truck haha! Hoping to get a fair bit of our mowing done tonight. Tomorrow morning I'm picking up our 7? 6? year old niece for the day & overnight. Son's new in-laws popping over Saturday mid-day to survey the wedding site (yes, this is a repeat from last weekend when they were also supposed to come over to see but never made it - they are perpetually late and it's starting to give us great anxiety over the timing of the wedding), then we'll take our niece down to the fire pit so she can go fishing and roast some marshmallows. Sunday afternoon niece gets picked up and we will collapse and say we have no idea how BIL deals with being a late-in-life father as we found the last 24 hours exhaustingand then it'll be Monday and we will start all over again.

Dinner this evening will be grilled venison tenderloin, roasted potatoes and corn on the cob if I stop and grab some on the way home.

Heading for the beach next weekend!

Had my once a year eye appointment with my ophthalmologist yesterday. Everything is fine and eyesight is still 20/20. We got to discussing our tomato plants. He says he only grows cherry tomatoes now because they are easy. In summer he gets his summer tomatoes on the Eastern Shore and they have a variety he loves. I think he said candy. Anyway, I'll try to drop by Ma and Pa's Market near Bridgeville and check them out. Another spot he mentioned that he likes was Sugar Shack Bakery also on 404. I always take a cooler and sandwich stuff plus snacks when we go to the beach. Often I'll pick up fruits and veggies on the way. When we have a kitchen it's so much better to fix some of our food. I also like to get takeout from several places and there are a few I'll do sit down in if I'm feeling it.

I ate my first large tomato from my patio plants today. It was delicious! I had it on a sandwich. I'd watched it turn red all week. The cherry tomatoes are growing red much faster. I tend to just eat them from the plant outdoors, rinsing them with the hose.

 

[easyas123]

Ma and Pa's Market

Went by there earlier this evening!

 

[Snowysmom]

@Judique I hope you have nice trip.

@tazdev3225 So sorry about your friend. It sounds like she was a kind, lovely person.

It is cloudy right now. Temps are supposed to get into the mid 80s. I have to take my car in for the 30,000 mile checkup. This is the expensive one but I want to make sure all is working especially with my weekly commute to work and our trip to NH. Once this checkup is done with the dealer I will probably use a local place for oil changes and checkups in the future. It will be easier and less expensive. Jeff is going to pick me up at the dealer and we are going out to breakfast while the car is being checked out.

My real estate agent called yesterday right after I sent her the email saying I would not close until the water issue was resolved. My attorney was also on the email list but he is on vacation until Monday. Interested in his take on all this. My agent is trying to get compensation for me for having to put off the closing and the inconvenience. I told her I can stay with Kenny as long as I need but don't tell the seller that. I want the issues fixed first and foremost. I asked for an extended warranty on water in the basement. I told her ask for 3 years. She doesn't think they will give me that but I told her to ask. Plus, if it is fixed well, 3 years will not cost them anything. She said issues like this do come up in new construction and I understand that. But I am still upset and not happy about it. We are going to do a walkthrough next week. I feel like my prayers were answered with the conservation commission coming in and stopping any inspections. Now they have to take it seriously. And what are the odds that it is my condo that has the issues. I have looked at the land near my condo and was concerned that it was not graded well. I hope and pray the third party contractor identifies the problem and fixes it well. The conservation commission meets Wed evening and I hope they extend the ban on inspections until the contractor can prove the issue is fixed. The seller's attorney wants to push the close off by one week but realistically I think we are looking at 2-3 weeks. Plus I am away one of those weeks so not available. I don't see being in the condo until late August or early Sept.

Have a good day.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning. Another day of summer heat. Already 80, heading into 90's. Yesterday it felt more like 105, too hot to even stand out there for more than 10 minutes. I've resigned myself to staying inside with the ac going. I keep bumping it down a degree now and then, hoping he won't notice. He would feel cold no matter if I set it at 80, lol. I have it at 72 now and it's comfortable enough. I remember the days when we kept it at 68 and it still felt warm, lol.

@Snowysmom I get the frustration you have at having to keep extending the closing date. But it's better to do that and resolve the issues now. I hope everyone gets on the same page, and that they properly grade the area around the condo's. You're probably right in that you aren't the only one who is having, or will have these issues if they don't. Sending you prayers and pixie dust that it gets resolved soon.

I'm going to strip the bed and wash the kitchen floor. Everything else is still neat and clean from the other day when company came. I'm going to take some time today to go through my dressers and throw out some clothes, and reorganize my closet. Anything to keep myself busy. I just can't sit and watch tv all day like Don does. I have been watching maybe 2 hours at night, and that's it.

Have a wonderful day, stay cool if you're in the heat wave.

 

[Judique]

Good morning. Another day of summer heat. Already 80, heading into 90's. Yesterday it felt more like 105, too hot to even stand out there for more than 10 minutes. I've resigned myself to staying inside with the ac going. I keep bumping it down a degree now and then, hoping he won't notice. He would feel cold no matter if I set it at 80, lol. I have it at 72 now and it's comfortable enough. I remember the days when we kept it at 68 and it still felt warm, lol.

@Snowysmom I get the frustration you have at having to keep extending the closing date. But it's better to do that and resolve the issues now. I hope everyone gets on the same page, and that they properly grade the area around the condo's. You're probably right in that you aren't the only one who is having, or will have these issues if they don't. Sending you prayers and pixie dust that it gets resolved soon.

I'm going to strip the bed and wash the kitchen floor. Everything else is still neat and clean from the other day when company came. I'm going to take some time today to go through my dressers and throw out some clothes, and reorganize my closet. Anything to keep myself busy. I just can't sit and watch tv all day like Don does. I have been watching maybe 2 hours at night, and that's it.

Have a wonderful day, stay cool if you're in the heat wave.

View attachment 775903

I'm replying out of order here.

I keep my thermostat at 74. When I get sweaty and it feels too warm, I move it to 72 and then back to 74 later. Winter is 68 or I can't breathe with the heat. Hopefully a new ceiling fan I've had sitting around for ages will be installed today.

The closet full of clothes is an issue I have to get going on. When I worked I could bundle it up, put it in the back of my vehicle and some female employees would be ready to go through it and picked what they wanted. All simple classic stuff so 'new' again. I also ran the gamut of sizes. Nothing was ever left and I got to see my stuff walking around. I didn't mind one bit and a couple would say, I like what you are wearing, first dibs. This was the older crowd mostly and my stuff was very lightly worn.

Yesterday I rearranged the furniture again. With my long open space, I created living room area, office space (small 3x5 desk and chair) family room (love seat with tv on opposite wall between the windows), and the dining area which now is an armoire, a dresser which serves sort of as an old fashioned buffet, my 30 inch round table with 3 chairs - I have 8 but not needed in the space, and my console table against the wall under the tv. The console table opens up to become a 6 seat dining table 36x60. The end of the room has a wine area, a coffee area and a marble topped row of cabinets that runs the width of the room.
It is spaced out well enough to walk along easily. In my previous life I've always wanted to push out this area and make it about 16 feet wider. Hasn't happened and probably for the best as I have plenty of space, just too much stuff!

Next stop will be the kitchen.

 

[Judique]

@Judique I hope you have nice trip.

@tazdev3225 So sorry about your friend. It sounds like she was a kind, lovely person.

It is cloudy right now. Temps are supposed to get into the mid 80s. I have to take my car in for the 30,000 mile checkup. This is the expensive one but I want to make sure all is working especially with my weekly commute to work and our trip to NH. Once this checkup is done with the dealer I will probably use a local place for oil changes and checkups in the future. It will be easier and less expensive. Jeff is going to pick me up at the dealer and we are going out to breakfast while the car is being checked out.

My real estate agent called yesterday right after I sent her the email saying I would not close until the water issue was resolved. My attorney was also on the email list but he is on vacation until Monday. Interested in his take on all this. My agent is trying to get compensation for me for having to put off the closing and the inconvenience. I told her I can stay with Kenny as long as I need but don't tell the seller that. I want the issues fixed first and foremost. I asked for an extended warranty on water in the basement. I told her ask for 3 years. She doesn't think they will give me that but I told her to ask. Plus, if it is fixed well, 3 years will not cost them anything. She said issues like this do come up in new construction and I understand that. But I am still upset and not happy about it. We are going to do a walkthrough next week. I feel like my prayers were answered with the conservation commission coming in and stopping any inspections. Now they have to take it seriously. And what are the odds that it is my condo that has the issues. I have looked at the land near my condo and was concerned that it was not graded well. I hope and pray the third party contractor identifies the problem and fixes it well. The conservation commission meets Wed evening and I hope they extend the ban on inspections until the contractor can prove the issue is fixed. The seller's attorney wants to push the close off by one week but realistically I think we are looking at 2-3 weeks. Plus I am away one of those weeks so not available. I don't see being in the condo until late August or early Sept.

Have a good day.

Good to hear you are taking control. Water is so wonderful yet so destructive. Not only the possibility of a flooded basement but foundation issues which could lead to expensive cracks in the walls.

I still use the dealer for oil changes. It costs about the same here (except for at AAA). I'm past the 30K milestone but with the hybrid I had little to do. I ordered my own air filters and I change my own wipers. The rear wiper is a dealer part. $22. Front are 2 sizes and I use the ones from Costco which I stocked up on at $6.99 sale price earlier this year. Thankfully, cheap and works just fine. My van needed new wipers while I was on a trip a year or two ago and it cost me $60. Won't let that happen again!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Have a wonderful time to come at the beach, Judique. I would love to join you

Easyas, perhaps sometime you and Judique can meet! Still keeping in prayer that you along with Carol and Lynn can work out a get together

Snowysmom, I completely agree with Lynn! Prayers always that you are enjoying Summer.

Cool morning here so far that already feels later than it is. Dad and I are expecting cases of Aquafina along with a few other things from Ralph's via Boost Delivery today. We chose free delivery between 9-11. I'm so grateful that dad has become open to using Boost to at least get heavy water. In fact, it meant a lot to me a couple of days ago to be able to surprise him with money towards most of the cost of a year's Boost service. When I thought about it and realized that within the remainder of this year alone, I would be giving him a month of Boost for $7.99 at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and most likely one additional time beforehand, it made both sense and financial cents for us to do the cheapest 1 year option which gives us a good 4 months free. For us, saving however we are able is an extra blessing always as it is to me as all of dear you know, to be able to help make daily chores (heavy water cases delivery) easier on dad.

All is quiet otherwise. Have a great day everyone. I will check back later

 

[Judique]

Other news. DD and I have stripped most of the carpet out of the upstairs. Now the carpet tacking has to go once I get some other stuff done. I'll work on this when she doesn't work from home.

I also found a spot where the previous guy did not fix the floor before laying the carpet but it was not visible to us because it was under a piece of furniture. We had demolished a closet area and reconfigured it last renovation of the rooms. So the subfloor is wooden and then there is a thin material laid over this to to make the floor all level. There is about a square foot of area without the thin stuff. Not a problem with the thick soft carpet (it's maybe a quarter inch lower, but will need to be fixed for the new flooring. Mostly because it will bother me to know it's under there being different.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Judique to you and your daughter. Both of you are so handy and talented. Good for you

 

[Snowysmom]

@lynxstch Busy as always. I know what you mean about watching TV. I have some days when I watch some TV in the afternoon but I don't want to watch it all day. I try to keep busy. I am frustrated about the closing delays but I do believe it is better to get any issues out of the way now. I am going to ask my agent if any other units are affected. And I am fortunate to have a place to live and don't have to worry.

@flyingdumbo127 Glad that you could save money with the Boost delivery. That is a big help.

@udique You keep busy too. And you do so much yourself. It is nice to be able to do that.

Back from the Subaru dealer. 30,000 mile checkup all done. The service guy was kind enough to find a coupon to cut the price by about 12%. I was grateful for that. I may use the dealer for the oil change as I do get to the area to see Jeff. Also I may need to have my rear brakes done by then. They are good now but he said they would check again when I come in for my next oil change which will be in the winter. My tires are still good but I am having them replaced just before winter to all season tires. Chris told me the summer before he passed to buy Cooper tires. He did the research. Jeff and I had a nice breakfast. We chatted about alot and I did touch upon the grief issues and my loneliness issues. I don't want him to think I have not made any progress. Plus I have been looking at online groups a bit but have to limit my reading as it can make me more depressed. But, the overwhelming theme that comes through is loneliness and sadness. So he knows I am trying between the therapist, salt therapy, and online blogs. We talked about our trip to NH coming up and his Disney trip and my Disney trip. I enjoy having alone time with each son so we can really talk.

I took a walk and it is hot out there. I stopped at the coffee shop and got an iced coffee. I have not had my coffee quota today.

Stay cool.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

SnowysmomPlease feel how YOU feel! YOU, dear friend, matter and are so special!

 

[Kirby]

I actually saw last night, A When Calls the Heart ad on Hallmark. for thinking of me. I've actually never watched this show. Do you like it? Also, since you shop at Kroger, do you know whether Boost ever offers a discount on a year's subscription? It costs $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year. I will be calling Boost directly just wondered if you, dear friend, might know. Thank you!

Mona, I do like the When Calls the Heart series. I thought it was done but am glad that another season has been made.

I looked up Boost this morning. I get emails occasionally about it and have seen it online/app but had never looked into it. They do offer the $59.99 as a lower priced option. At this time I probably won't join in but if I ever get to the point where it becomes difficult for us to get to the grocery store, I will consider it. Right now we are less than two miles from our local Kroger.

I unintentionally cooled off outside, when I unhooked the hose from the mower deck cleaning thing and the sprayer didn't turn off.

This made me smile!

I let her know I am very unhappy and will not move forward until it is resolved. This is so unlike me. Assertiveness is not my strong point.

Good for you Snowy!

Thought you might enjoy seeing the hostess gift.

I have a basket just like that except with red and green stripes. I love it and keep it in my car to hold stuff.

She helped me so much after Jim's strokes as she had been through the same thing with her husband.

She sounds like a very caring person. So glad that she was able to be a part of your life.

I keep bumping it down a degree now and then, hoping he won't notice. He would feel cold no matter if I set it at 80, lol. I have it at 72 now and it's comfortable enough. I remember the days when we kept it at 68 and it still felt warm, lol.

We keep our thermostat on 74 in the warm months and 72/73 in the cold months. Sometimes it gets a little warm this time of year but the AC usually kicks in fairly soon after it does. Same for the winter.

It's currently 93 but the heat index says it feels like 104. When I was with James in Houston, the heat index got up over 110.

Water is so wonderful yet so destructive. Not only the possibility of a flooded basement but foundation issues which could lead to expensive cracks in the walls.

Definitely! And you don't want a water claim either.

Carol and I went to the Urban Market this morning. It's an event that takes place the second Saturday of each month in a neighboring town. They were indoors which made it very nice, usually they are outside on the town square. She bought some macaroons, I didn't see anything that I really needed but it's always fun to look at the different crafts people do. Then we went to a local coffee shop that James had previously introduced us to several years ago when he lived in that area. We sent him a picture to let him know we were thinking of him.

I guess I should get off of this computer and get some laundry done plus clean the kitchen. Have a good day!