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

[bobbiwoz]

36° in Pigeon Forge today!

This Year Giant Pumpkins grown are displayed at Dollywood. This is the largest I’ve seen!


Then there are the Jack o lanterns! Just one display!

Have a great day!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Pretty big pumpkin dear Bobbi. There is a Hazeltine Ave in the Valley!

 

[footballmouse]

Happy Friday!

Didn't do anything last night. I'm mad at myself because I stopped at Chipotle again last night when I have food at home to make dinner. I need to stop, it's getting expensive. I also told myself that I was going to start back with walking at night. My doctor wants me to do that and start lifting arm weights. Haven't done either. Now we're at the end of the week and I accomplished nothing. I did play with the dogs last night.

Watched Ghosts last night, that was funny. Got caught up on The Summit. Brought my book home with me but never opened it once I got home. It's due back at the library in about a week, I don't think I'm going to finish it. The book is The Spare by Prince Harry, it's just really slow and I can't get into it.

Have to work nightshift this weekend. I think I'm done with dayshift, the girl who is supposed to work nightshift this weekend doesn't like that shift so I told her that I would switch with her on those weekends.

Have a great day and weekend!

 

[easyas123]

Good morning everyone -

Now they are getting a Ford Expedition,

I have a Expedition (but not 4 kids haha!!)and I love it. It's soooo comfortable! Of course, you need bow thrusters to park it in tight spots, but I manage! When the kids were , well kids! I had a Yukon XL and that was comfortable as well.

humidifer

I use two large humidifiers in my house once the heat turns on. One in bedroom & one in sitting room, I usually get them from Lowes. I did want to share with you something that has worked for both my father & I when traveling or without the humidifier - it's not perfect but it helps in the short term while you are deciding which humidifier to get. Simply take a wet towel, hand towel or bath - and hang it near your bed at night. If possible over a register if you have the heat on. Like - maybe on a clothes rack or back of chair some something. Anyway, it is a easy, simple temporary way to introduce some moisture to the air in your immediate area.

Dollywood

You know I've never once had any interest in Dollywood, but I've got to say your recent photos and comments on the area are starting to peak my interest! Would you say it's comparable to Williamsburg & Busch Gardens down in VA? Would you consider it a good area for a long weekend getaway?

Well, it is looking like a beautiful weekend up my way. Saturday morning first thing I'm headed up to the Dansko Outlet in PA, then back down to the Christiana Mall area in DE for a little retail therapy and meeting my cousin for lunch. Saturday evening I may have a fire outside if the wind cooperates. Sunday will be a mowing day. I'm looking about about 3-4 hours up in the big tractor and probably 1-2 hours on the zero turn. I've got almost 11 hours left on the my current audio book so I'll get to put a good dent in that!
Husband headed off yesterday for a week-long hunting trip up Lynn's way. Not sure when he'll be back, probably late next week. So it's just the pups and me - well my folks are up for a function in NJ this weekend but they are leaving Monday evening to head back to FL so it's mostly just the pups and me . I plan on transitioning my closets out from summer to fall/winter and getting rid of as much crap as I possibly can.

Have a good morning!

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning. Was 34 earlier, and we're going to 70 today and mid 70's this weekend. @easyas123 Your hubby should have good weather for hunting!

I got a lot accomplished yesterday I wasn't planning on. I started out to take the big flower planters off the front porch, and went to the shed to get the wheelbarrel out. I ended up cleaning out the shed, cleaning the little addition behind it and filling a big barrel with trash. I cut down my basil and parsley and set them up to dry downstairs, then dragged the big herb box (on wheels) to the shed. Managed to pull it in there myself and put a tarp over it. Moved my burn barrel to the side of the house for the winter, and covered the compost bin. I finally got to the flowers, and pulled them out and bagged them up for the trash. I pulled the rest of the petunias out of the 2 boxes on the side of the house. I got the AC cover out of the cellar, but haven't put it on yet
Then I still had energy so I came in and cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom. That was the end of my back so I called it quits.
But it means I don't have to do anything today, lol
I had put a small rack of baby back ribs in the crockpot so dinner was taken care of. I usually bake them, never tried the crock pot for them before, but they were delicious and it may become my new way to cook them. I have enough for another 2 meals.

I watched High Potential last night, I like that show. Also watched the 2 Chicago's, Hells Kitchen, and George and Mandy's First Marriage. Don't think I'm going to stick with that one. Going to catch up with The Summit tonight.

Have a good day all

 

[PollyannaMom]

I watched High Potential last night

We've been watching that too - I love it!

Had a busy day yesterday between getting ready in the morning for some company last night and babysitting after school.

The sun is shining here today and it's really pretty out,

 

[footballmouse]

watched High Potential last night, I like that show.

I've never heard of this show. What's it about, and when's it on?

 

[lynxstch]

I've never heard of this show. What's it about, and when's it on?

It's on ABC on Tuesday night at 10.

Follows Morgan, a single mom of three kids and how thanks to her exceptional mind, she is able to help to solve a crime as she rearranges evidence during her shift as a cleaner for the police department.
She starts working with them and ends up getting hired as part of the team. I'm enjoying it a lot

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks dear Easyas. That would sure be much cheaper to try than a humidifer! The towel wouldn't be high up but lol it could hang from the extra walker or a three shelf cart I have. Definitely something to try

Afternoon hugs to all.

 

[PollyannaMom]

These also don't need electricity, @flyingdumbo127 -



(Amazon link)

 

[flyingdumbo127]

and thank you dear PollyannaMom. Amazon sure has a ton of choices that is for sure. There are even color changing options which I don't want. Amazing. Have a good evening dear friends.

 

[Snowysmom]

PollyannaMom Thanks for the humidifier pics. I will have to take a look too as I am looking for a small one.

Good morning. It is 37 now with temps heading to 70. I am off to watch Jeff's kids. I have Halloween bags for them with a book and some treats. We can read and play games. Christmas movies on Hallmark just seem a bit too early for me. I know they do it this time every year but I am not feeling it this early. But I do like some of my old favorites so I watch. Better than the news which I no longer watch even a little bit. I just go online to my local station's site and get the highlights or lowlights and weather. Then done.

Have a good Saturday.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Snowysmom. I am not a news watching fan much either. I definitely would rather enjoy a favorite Hallmark movie. Thank you always for all the unconditional love you give your grandkids. They are so blessed indeed to have you as their grandma.

Saturday hugs to all.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning, chilly 38 degree start to a 72 degree afternoon.

I can't even remember the last time I watched the news, any news. I just can't stomach all the bad stuff, and 99% of it is bad stuff, so I stay far away from it. It's going to happen whether I do or not, so I'd rather not.

Will do the mowing in the next few days as the temps are supposed to be nice, but it's almost time to let the mowers run dry for the season.

Luke is in town for a baby shower for someone he says is 'too old to have a baby' , or at least that's what Summer was told last night. As for myself, I haven't heard from him. Not a text, not a phone call, nothing. He's staying at Mary's (his mom) but she's gone for the weekend. The odd part is, she now lives less than a minute down the road from me, and the only way to get to her house is to drive by mine first, yet nothing. Am I a little hurt? Yes. Am I a little surprised? No. I've been in their lives for 24 years, yet the boys treat me like an outcast since Don died. The big surprise was that he actually let Summer know he was almost to town. It used to be that we were asked NOT to tell her when he was coming up. She has no idea why he bothered to call her either. Oh well,,it is what it is. I feel like asking him point blank what his problem is with me all of a sudden, I have nothing to lose.

Off to strip and remake the bed and clean the bathrooms.

Have a nice day


Had to edit. Luke texted around 11:30 and came to visit for about half an hour. Found out a lot of news I didn't know. It was an okay visit, he told me if I needed him to do anything or needed anything to let him know and he'd come back tonight. He's staying until tomorrow. Going to a baby shower this afternoon, then the football game, then a Cash Bash with friends tonight. He said he's going to scatter Don's ashes on his birthday, that he's having a hard time with the 'finality' of it. I know just how he feels.
I had to ask about his 3 girls, and he told me about 2 of them, but never mentioned the oldest one. Something is off, but I can't put my finger on it

 

[Judique]

Good morning, chilly 38 degree start to a 72 degree afternoon.

I can't even remember the last time I watched the news, any news. I just can't stomach all the bad stuff, and 99% of it is bad stuff, so I stay far away from it. It's going to happen whether I do or not, so I'd rather not.

Will do the mowing in the next few days as the temps are supposed to be nice, but it's almost time to let the mowers run dry for the season.

Luke is in town for a baby shower for someone he says is 'too old to have a baby' , or at least that's what Summer was told last night. As for myself, I haven't heard from him. Not a text, not a phone call, nothing. He's staying at Mary's (his mom) but she's gone for the weekend. The odd part is, she now lives less than a minute down the road from me, and the only way to get to her house is to drive by mine first, yet nothing. Am I a little hurt? Yes. Am I a little surprised? No. I've been in their lives for 24 years, yet the boys treat me like an outcast since Don died. The big surprise was that he actually let Summer know he was almost to town. It used to be that we were asked NOT to tell her when he was coming up. She has no idea why he bothered to call her either. Oh well,,it is what it is. I feel like asking him point blank what his problem is with me all of a sudden, I have nothing to lose.

Off to strip and remake the bed and clean the bathrooms.

Have a nice day


Had to edit. Luke texted around 11:30 and came to visit for about half an hour. Found out a lot of news I didn't know. It was an okay visit, he told me if I needed him to do anything or needed anything to let him know and he'd come back tonight. He's staying until tomorrow. Going to a baby shower this afternoon, then the football game, then a Cash Bash with friends tonight. He said he's going to scatter Don's ashes on his birthday, that he's having a hard time with the 'finality' of it. I know just how he feels.
I had to ask about his 3 girls, and he told me about 2 of them, but never mentioned the oldest one. Something is off, but I can't put my finger on it

View attachment 904767

Everybody has their problems. Luke is obviously no different. At my age I am on the edge of my own children's lives. It's not that they are purposefully trying to exclude me. Sometimes they just don't want to share or hear any great advice, lol!

They know I'm here when they need me and at some point I've let go of feeling the need to be in the middle of all of it. In return I always get to play Grandma. And cooking big dinners is a thing of the past.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Lynn and Judique, too, wise words.

 

[Snowysmom]

Lynn Glad Luke did contact you and stop by. Family dynamics can change when there is a major loss in the family such as the loss of DH or a parent. Like Judique, I am on the edge of the kids' lives but sometimes I do get nosy and ask. It really isn't being nosy but things they should be telling me. I am happy to help out when needed.

Good morning. Cold again this morning but warming up to 70. It was fun to watch Jeff's kids yesterday. Little Sam knows what he wants and boy he wants it now. He is talking more and letting his wishes be known. Luke did paper towel art and Charlotte and I played games. Ellie had a birthday party. They got their new car or tank as I call it. It is huge! But it does fit in their driveway. On the way back to the condo I stopped by Kenny's to let Clifford out while they were gone. Today Kenny invited me to breakfast so will head over in a bit. He enjoys cooking breakfast on his blackstone grill. Then the kids have soccer games.

Have a good Sunday.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug Snowysmom, your grandkids sound so precious indeed. Enjoy your breakfast!

 

[bobbiwoz]

@easyas123, we have been coming to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Great Smoky Mountain NP area for more than 30 years, and the “Dollywood” part is the one that we enjoy most in this time of our lives. Dollywood is not as genteel as Colonial Williamsburg! It definitely has rides similar to Busch Gardens.

The National Park is what brought us to the area. I brought our youngest son there when he was around 9, as our older son was in Alabama in Space Camp, and I was driving down to Huntsville with Greg, Tom would fly down to Huntsville and meet with us, and then all 4 of us would drive home to NJ but driving through Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia to see the sights. That was our first visit to Mammoth Cave NP, what a highlight.

We started to go to Dollywood many years after that, because we heard they do Christmas celebrations! Boy they do, religious themes and secular. I love Appalachian style music, and even before we went to Dollywood, there would be featured in the NP Appalachian music.

Dollywood has Roller Coasters, and many, many rides. Now, the steam train, and the merry go round are the ones we may go on, but it’s the shows and music that keep us going there. During the Harvest/Gospel/BluegrassFestival, we mostly enjoyed the music. The only show we went to was Wings of Flight. It’s an informational bird show, where they bring birds out, like this screech owl, and bring it into the audience and talk about it.



Dollywood has a huge Eagle enclosure that houses Bald Eagles that have been injured. These birds do have offspring and with the American Eagle Foundation for 30 years these young ones have been released into the Smoky Mountain region where they are thriving!



We thought we may retire to this area, and both of us would have worked in some capacity at Dollywood, but in the end, this Jersey Girl went back to NJ.

So, yes, I would recommend a weekend stay in the area, but be sure to plan out what you want to do!

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning, chilly start, but going to be mid 70's today and the rest of the week. Maybe it's summer's last hurrah, even though it's officially fall already.

I did a lot of cleaning yesterday and was tired, but feeling accomplished last night. I didn't wake up until after 9 this morning, very unlike me.

Not planning on doing much today. I'm trying to let the grass sit for another few days, and hoping it's the last time I have to mow. but this weather has been so crazy, who knows. The spearmint is growing and blooming again, it's been a nutty year for everything flora and fauna.

Have a great Sunday