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

[footballmouse]

Happy Thursday,

Holy moly, did the weather change overnight. Woke up to light snow/rain. Had to get my winter coat out. Tried to put the pond heater in for the fish yesterday since I knew it was going to get cold, but my outlets outside aren't working. Jacob said he would stop by this weekend and look at them.

Went to Evan's game last night and played with Mia. The screen saver on my phone is a picture of my late dog, Diesel. He was a black lab like Boomer is so when she sees that picture, she thinks it's Boomer. Last night as soon as she got to me, she wanted to know where the dog is so I gave her my phone and sure enough, she wanted to see "Boomer". I need to print out a picture of that screen saver and give it to her.

I recorded Survivor last night and thought I could stay up late enough to watch it. Nope, fell asleep before the end so once again, I don't know who was voted out. Normally I would go back and rewatch the recording but the cable service that I switched to doesn't give the fast forward option. Maybe I'll go back and rewatch the entire thing this weekend while I'm at work.

Stopped at Kohl's last night and finished just about all of my Xmas shopping. I just have Mitchell left and the stocking stuffers. Stocking stuffers are just fast food gift cards and lottery tickets so those will be easy to pick up.

QOTD: I might just get some Mickey icecream bars. Since it's just me this year, I don't need to make something big. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to make anything Thanksgiving related for dinner.

Have a great day.

 

[tazdev3225]

Good Morning.

Been a busy week. Went to Virginia last weekend to celebrate my nephew and his new wife. He lives in Colorado now where he is a police officer so I doubt he will be moving back to the east coast. It was a nice day for the most part but a long day. It's about a 4 hour drive each way and we had to do the drive down and back in one day.

Sunday we had a get together at my mom's house for my aunt's visit from Florida. Then I had to go to my grandson's football championship game. What a nail biter. My daughter and the other mom's were fairly sure the other team cheated with some of its players being from the "better" team they had in the league. My grandson led the game winning drive with less than 90 seconds on the clock. They won the championship with about 3 seconds left on the clock. I was so happy for him. He now can brag he won the Fall Baseball and Football Championships this year. He even cracked a small smile.

My storm door is getting replaced tomorrow. The company doesn't usually breakup installations but made an exception because we had a bad windstorm last week and the door is barely hanging on. They are also going to install the patio door and small window next week. I am so excited about that. The kitchen window will be last and not until Christmas at the earliest. Since I ordered 4 items and they were coming from 3 manufacturers, with 3 items in already they decided to break it up for me. The decks should have the boards down at least over the weekend and be finished in the next week or 2. I came home from Virginia to the basement half cleared out, a small miracle. The dumpster was full so one more in a couple of weeks when they demo the basement and we will be ready to get it all done. My grandson wants to get moving on it because he needs the extra money and he is afraid the price of materials is going to rise quite a bit in the next few months.

The kitten has settled in and the other 2 cats are beginning to accept him. I knew they would. They still make a few growls at him but one played with him for about 5 seconds yesterday. We are making progress. Futz likes to sleep on my chest all day while I am on the laptop. He likes to walk on it a bit too.

Thanksgiving QOTD - I go to my mom's on Thanksgiving so not sure what she will have. My SIL usually brings some kind of Vegan dessert, it isn't usually very good in my opinion. I do my Thanksgiving meal on the Sunday after. Dessert will be a Lemon Meringue Pie, my husband's favorite and probably a pumpkin pie unless his friend brings something or my granddaughter in law brings a Tres Leches cake.

I have a related question. When do you decorate for Christmas? I usually do some of it that same weekend as Thanksgiving. I have seen so many decorations up outside in my neighborhood and I find it a bit annoying. When I was a child decorations always went up magically overnight from Thanksgiving to Black Friday. It just seemed so magical. Now it seems like there is just one big holiday. I call it Hallowgivingmas. It just seems like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas have been rolled into one.

Not much else going on around here. Hope you all have a good day

 

[easyas123]

I have a related question. When do you decorate for Christmas? I usually do some of it that same weekend as Thanksgiving. I have seen so many decorations up outside in my neighborhood and I find it a bit annoying.

I share some of the same thoughts as you, I like my Halloween - Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays to be their own independent celebrations. Any Christmas decor inside my house doesn't come out until the weekend after Thanksgiving. No Christmas music until dessert on Thanksgiving evening - that is a funny argument my husband and I have every year! I will put my outside lights - not doing a ton this year - up over this weekend but won't turn them on till Thanksgiving has passed.
Tree doesn't go up till a week or 10 days prior to the 25th.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We will have Christmas decorations up for Thanksgiving, at least some of them. We do that because of the recruits. Before we take them back to the base, we drive around Cape May where the many Bed and Breakfast hotels are beautifully decorated.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Please stay cozy and safe everyone especially those of you with true wintry weather!

 

[footballmouse]

I have a related question. When do you decorate for Christmas?

My Xmas decorations are up. I decided to do most of it last weekend since that was my only weekend off until December. With Thanksgiving being later this year, I wanted them up earlier. I don't have the tree up yet, I have to rely on one of the boys to stop over and carry it up from the basement. Hopefully that happens this weekend.

 

[lynxstch]

I decorate after Thanksgiving (which will be next weekend) but I don't turn any of the lights on until Dec. 1'st. They stay on until New Years Eve and everything comes down the next day.

 

[Snowysmom]

Lynn Do you have the recipe for the blueberry cream cheese pie? Sounds delicious.

Flyingdumbo127 Glad the All free and clear is working out. I have used it for several years and have been happy with it.

I am having Thanksgiving at Kenny's house. It is the year when my family gets together so Jeff and family will be there too along with a couple of Kenny's GF's family. I am making apple pie, chocolate cream pie, and I am going to try to make cake pops for the kids. I am not telling them that just in case they do not work out. I also make squash to bring along. Jeff will be making a pie of some sort, maybe custard. He likes to find interesting recipes.

I do not really decorate for the holidays. I have a few items I put on the mantel like a small ceramic Christmas tree and some snow globes as well as a holiday cardinal. I added a holiday themed fox statue and a westie with a child statue this year. I could not pass up the westie. I will hang a wreath on the front door and all done. That will be done after Thanksgiving.

Have a good rest of the day.

 

[Judique]

I'll be decorating/putting tree up sometime after the 15th of December this year. I'll be back from Disney and then have several other things to attend to.

The tree will probably get erected a few days before it gets decorated so the cats can get used to it. Phoebe, my 15 year old Persian tries to climb into our trees, especially when they are first put up.

Otherwise I decorate an existing tree outside with lights and I have a bunch of deer to set up near it, but they are getting older so hopefully they still light up. There are various other items in the shed but I doubt I'll bother with them this year.

Down the street there is a super decorator - place doesn't have an inch that's not lit up - so the rest of us are sort of low key. Cars come by to see that display all evening long during late November to end of December. Still, I try to do something because my grands love it.

 

[lynxstch]

@Snowysmom --Sure, it's as simple as can be

I call it Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie, but you can use any kind of pie filling you want. Cherry is good too

8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1/2 cup sugar
8 oz Cool Whip
1 can pie filling
1 graham cracker crust

Whip the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the Cool Whip.
Fold into graham cracker crust, Top with canned fruit and chill

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dad would love your blueberry cream cheese pie dear Lynn. God willing one day when I'm back to normal I can make it for him.

Thanks Snowysmom on the All.

I normally put up my Nativity set the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent so it's all ready. This year that will be a week from this comimg Saturday. Due to my mobility limitations that probably won't happen again this year Dad and I when Ralphs or Von's has one usually get a small potted Christmas tree maybe a foot at most tall that comes with some decorations. As I think I've previously shared, as we did with our Evergreen here, should the tree be healthy in January, we try to give it to someone with private outdoor space to plant. Tree ministry of sorts.

We will put on a winter themed tablecloth on our kitchen table and Merry Christmas wall sign. For me anything Christmas intended has to be spelled out clearly. I also don't care for Happy Holidays again when Christmas is meant. Lower key but still festive. I also have an Advent devotional I will read/pray on each day. We have our stockings and will get some Christmas themed place mats and paper plates. To any of you with young kids in your life, I still enjoy reading every Christmas along with the Gospel of Luke, Santa's Favorite Story. I would highly recommend.

No Vivian today. She cancelled earlier this week. Not sure yet when she will be coming again. Next week is out for us. It sounds like by December 11th or earlier she is going out of town. I also know at this point recovery progress is much more up to me. I need to put in an increased effort to walk more with the walker and also remember to let my left foot move and breathe daily from the foamy sandal.

The new humidifiers have made an enormous difference. I hadn't had a nosebleed in weeks. Very teeny tiny for like a minute once or twice. This morning I tried getting up/down more as I haven't been practicing that and have become stiffer. That is a no go. Need to stick with rebuilding feet and leg strengh through walking. I did experience a more lasting nosebleed. No fun. To be fair part of that was rubbing due to dryness, also a no! Warm moist washcloth thankfully makes a difference.

Have a good evening friends. Hugs to all.

 

[Snowysmom]

Lynn Thanks for the recipe. I like the that it is easy. Have fun at the movie today.

Flyingdumbo127 I hope Vivian can get back at least once before she leaves town. But, as you say, you can do alot too to keep more active with walking.

Good morning. It is 45 here with temps not going too much higher. It has been raining which we need. Today is supposed to be better so I hope to walk at the lake. Tomorrow is back to rainy. I am having dinner with Kenny tonight and maybe GF, not sure. He needs to borrow my car to pick up some bigger stuff at Lowes.

Have a good day.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I usually decorate inside the week after Thanksgiving, one bin at a time.

When we had a real tree, we liked to get that two weekends before Christmas, but now with the artificial, we will do it a little earlier if it's more convenient to schedules.

I attach my outdoor lights on a random good weather day, and turn them on when we get home on Thanksgiving night. - But I don't mind that some people turned theirs on right after the time change this year, because it makes driving in the dark less awful.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good morning friends and Happy Friday

Thanks, Snowysmom. It's been cooler here with possible rain coming which means stiffer joints. I need to try and move more than ever. I pray to get past this sooner than later. I admit at times it feels as though I'm going backwards. Then I give God extra thanks for right then and the true joy of it. How beyond graced I am to know in my weakness His strength is made more perfect and that He long has this and me. This too shall pass. I hope you do get to see Kenny.

PollyannaMom, it sure does get dark early. I do love the idea of Christmas lights helping to brighten up your neighborhood. Dad and I God willing next year will get to go see some lights around here.

Friday joy to all. I will check back later.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning, it's cold and windy, I see a few snow flurries flying around, but it's not supposed to amount to anything. Temp will only get to 39 today brrr.

I have to get moving. I have an appt for a haircut at 9:30. then going to do a little Christmas shopping before the movie. Everything is in the mall so I only have to drive to one place, lol

Have a good day

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So nice to see this thread so active. I enjoyed all your posts. Lots to think about.

First, hugs to Bobbi. Keeping you in my prayers. PM if you ever want to talk about medical stuff.

Flyingdumbo, you may be on your own if these people don’t show up. Picture us there with you gently helping you along. You can do it. Move it or lose it has truth to it. I know it’s hard. But push. You have a Disney trip to take with Dad.

Snowysmom, DH is in the same boat as you. Could retire anytime, and hoping to within the next few months, but just getting all his ducks in a row. Company that bought his company brought in a lot of new people who, well, don’t know about what he does, that he’s been doing his whole life. Lots of micromanaging. And, like yourself, more work - and days - added. He’s ready to tell them goodbye. They will be in for a rude awakening when he leaves. He has been recruited by an old family friend in the business who’s been asking him to come work for him for years. DH wants to do it, but it will be pleasant, something he wants to do, very part time, and - probably most importantly - won’t require getting up every day in the middle of the night. He’s really looking forward to that.

I enjoyed your post, Judique. I have a friend who’s 84 who volunteers in a place I frequent. She’s a retired nurse - we got talking one day and hit it off. Anyway, she told me that a lot of her retired friends are having to go back to work again. I think it’s great if people want to work but it stinks if they have to. I can’t imagine anything worse. It’s hard enough when we’re young, right? That’s why Mom came to live with us, she was still working at 70. Once here she didn’t have to work anymore. She didn’t have a lot other than her SS, but she was frugal, and did a great job managing what she did have.

Retirement is starting to be on my radar, too. I go back and forth about it, but I do have a working plan in place now. If that time comes and I feel like staying on, I will, we’ll just have to see. There are a lot of things I’ll miss, and I lot of things I won’t. I plan to work a little in retirement too, for something to do, but something less stressful and closer to home. It might even be something like driving for Grub Hub, lol. We need to sit down with a financial person and get a solid plan in place for our retirement funds. I am younger than DH so it would be nice for us to have, for once in our lives, some time off together where we don’t have to worry about our work schedules. That has been one of the biggest pains of our existence - in both of our jobs it’s been somewhat difficult to get time off at times. I mean, it’s actually gotten hairy a few times. So whatever we do we’ll only agree to do it if we can take the time off we need to for get aways. Otherwise, see ya!

Desserts. Well DH’s side is all bakers so there is a whole table full of desserts. FIL always did a homemade rum cake. (I miss that.) All kinds of cookies, pies, cupcakes, cakes, you name it. Very festive looking. They all go out once the table is cleared, on a beautiful tablecloth with candles burning. I’m usually so full from dinner I don’t have a lot of room for dessert, but I always have room for a little chocolate mousse cup my SIL does. And I’m not a huge choc chip cookie person but another SIL makes the real Tollhouse and I have to have one of those. I like a slice of pie, too, if I can stuff it down. DD will be making her beautiful cupcakes. (She’s bringing some to a function she’s going to on the weekend after TDay, too.) Lynn your pie sounds delish I will keep that in mind when I have to bring something somewhere. I like easy!

When do I decorate? Well I’ve really been enjoying my Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations a lot and I hate to take them down! But we will put out our XMas stuff within the next couple of weeks. We’ve just been so busy in the apt, currently putting the cabinets up (paint came out beautiful) so that takes precedence. But we will get the tree up and candles on the windows, too, at some point. I’m really not up for all the other things that have to be done like cards and shopping, but I’m trying to figure out a way to just keep it easy this year. Disney gift cards all around! I’ve also been doing some late night Amazon shopping. I just have to remember what I buy.

Today is Toto’s 11th birthday. DD bought him a nice toy and DH will be bringing him home a plain cheeseburger from BK. He loves those. (I wish we could stop the clock now.)

Enjoy the weekend everyone. I’m working!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Toto!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

View attachment 915081Toto!!

Haha love that!! Thank you!

 

[Snowysmom]

Happy Birthday Toto. You are a handsome fella.

 

[lynxstch]

The movie was 'wickedly awesome'. I was afraid it would be crowded, there were a total of 16 people in the theater, 15 of them women, lol. Gladiator 2 wasn't crowded either, I peeked in when I went to the ladies room

People who didn't know that it's 2 parts, the second not out till next Nov were a little confused, but I knew that ahead of time.

It was snowing pretty hard at the mall, but not sticking, when I got home it was just raining lightly.

I'm going again on Tuesday, I need to sit through it again. I loved the music, and Ariana Grande's voice was amazing. She's a pretty good actress too, and Cynthia Erivo made an excellent wicked witch.