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

[lynxstch]

Well, the snow started falling about an hour ago, almost on the 11:00 time frame they said. Right now it's big fat flakes but the ground is getting covered. I really hope it doesn't pile up. I am getting too old to be out there shoveling,,and we have no neighbors with kids that can do it. Our trash company usually comes around noon on Wednesdays,,this morning he flew down the street before 8:30. I was one of the few that had our trash out that early, so a lot of people put it out after that, and are going to be surprised to find their trash still sitting there in the snow later on today. Had to straighten out a Drs office who submitted a claim under medicare..I said that's a good trick , since he doesn't start medicare until Jan 1. They have to resubmit with the right code. Then I called US Cellular and had them remove the phone insurance off both new phones. It was mandatory for 3 months..at $12.99 per phone per month. We get it for free through our bank, so I had them take it off our accounts. Hey, $26 a month is better in our pockets than in theirs? lol! Trying to decide what I want to bake today. I love baking when it snows, it keeps my mind off what's piling up outside the door waiting to be cleaned.

@easyas123 --that is wonderful news about the Quail study and the local Riverkeeper. Great work on everyone's part! Hope your hubby makes out well at his Drs appt.

@tazdev3225 Sorry about your friends fall. That's not very nice that her company wouldn't help her, since she fell at work I agree that she should be contacting Workmen's Comp or anyone else that needs to be notified. I too, once liked driving in snow, when I lived in MA. Now that I live in MD, I don't even want to think about driving in it.

 

[easyas123]

Well, the snow started falling about an hour ago,

Nothing here on where I'm at, although my husband is just 20 minutes west of me at the moment and he reports sleeting. Youngest lives in the greater Ft. Meade, MD area and just texted me that he is getting heavy snow.

 

[easyas123]

And in the 5 minutes since that last post, it's started snowing here.

 

[lynxstch]

And in the 5 minutes since that last post, it's started snowing here.

Well since we are going to get it, and not enjoy it, you might as well have it too. We have had maybe 1 1/2" so far. Its light snow though, I was able to clear the steps and walks and a path to the sheds.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Please do stay safe friends in snow! I still (think) I would enjoy experiencing a white Christmas once from the warmth of a lodge like in the movie Time to Come for Christmas or one of the others but definitely have no interest in living in it.

I got a nice email from a friend who I haven't heard from in ages so that was nice. I know I've asked this before but should any of you like a postcard from LA in the New Year, let me know

I'm finishing watching Sharing Christmas. I've fast forwarded parts of it but now it's nearing the end and finally the actor seems to appreciate the Christmas ornament shop the owner and her family are trying to save.

Have a good afternoon everyone

 

[easyas123]

Well since we are going to get it, and not enjoy it, you might as well have it too. We have had maybe 1 1/2" so far. Its light snow though, I was able to clear the steps and walks and a path to

and...it's raining.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

@Kirby, I'm sorry to hear that your mom tested positive, but I'm glad to hear that her symptoms are mild. I hope she and you both feel better soon!

@AuntieMe3, I hope you all feel better quickly as well!

@tazdev3225, I'm sorry about your friend! Her company probably didn't want to do anything for her because that means taking responsibility for her injury, and that in turn would lead to a workman's comp claim. Now they can say "Didn't happen here!" (That happened at a bank where I worked for a short time a few years ago...someone fell on the ice right in front of the door, and several people saw it happen. But when it was reported to HR, she said "Prove it" and refused to make a claim. So I'm always suspicious when a company turns the other way when an employee is injured on property.)

We've actually been doing well with remote learning so far this week! Today we were done before noon - and that included a few assignments from yesterday that Josh didn't feel like doing. I've tried telling him every once in a while that he's doing a great job and I'm proud of him, which seems to bolster him a bit.

Would you all believe that my missing package finally arrived? This morning, to my surprise, the USPS tracking said it was delivered to the hub at 5:03 p.m. yesterday. I swear, not 5 minutes later, our truck pulled up and Chuck, our carrier, brought it up to the door. So it took 3 weeks total. There is a thread on our FB open forum that our hub in Springfield, MA is operating on 1/3 the staff and "they're a mess," people are saying. One lady is upset because she has some medication that she needs by tomorrow, and the package has been sitting there since 12/11, she says. She's tried calling and they can't find it. Another person is reporting that she ordered one of those battery-operated ride-on kid's cars and that it was delivered with ID verification yesterday "at the loading dock of the house," but she was home all day and nobody delivered it (and she doesn't have a loading dock at the her house...who does? )

My mom got up very early this morning and went to Target when they opened at 7. Did very well and came home with a blue raspberry Coolatta for Josh and an iced sugarplum macchiato for me from Dunkin (she's got a bunch of coupons burning a hole in her pocket ). Now we're waiting for our 16" of snow, but it's not supposed to start until about 7 tonight. We expect that DH will not be going to work tomorrow, nor will Josh have his gymnastics class in the evening. Garbage pickup, for those who have it on Thursdays, is pushed off to Friday, since the DPW will be out plowing.

My SIL is now pushing for us all to get together on Christmas "for just a little bit." Like the COVID has a grace period or something..."Okay, I'll stay away for the first 2 hours, but after that, you're all getting me" In the first place, she's the one who was adamant about us not going into my in-laws' house for ANY reason - she wouldn't even go inside to use the bathroom; she'd actually go into the enclosed side yard and pee there (seriously)! And now she wants us to get together for a few hours on Christmas? It's not just my in-laws that we're worried about...our other SIL is a type 1 diabetic (and also overweight, to be honest) and since diabetics haven't fared well with COVID, she's basically stayed home for the past 9 months. I don't know what to do...it's Christmas, Lord knows at this point any Christmas could be Dad's last (he'll be 84 on Monday and he's given us lots of scares in the past few years), but we're so close to getting that vaccine that, should we really take that chance right now?

Yay, we just got a message that the superintendent of schools has called off online learning for tomorrow! We are going to have a traditional snow day! Josh is very happy to hear that - he can't wait to make a snowman and have "sugar on snow" (we did it last year, the maple syrup on fresh snow - it's really good!)

 

[PollyannaMom]

Yay, we just got a message that the superintendent of schools has called off online learning for tomorrow! We are going to have a traditional snow day! Josh is very happy to hear that - he can't wait to make a snowman and have "sugar on snow" (we did it last year, the maple syrup on fresh snow - it's really good!)

Excellent!!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Yay so happy to read a positive schooling, package, and treat report from you, Apirateslifeforme I've read about maple syrup on snow, but of course have never tried it! I also have never built a snowman. As for Christmas, keep it in prayer and know you need to do what's safest for your immediate family. It doesn't sound like a safe idea to have a get together sadly Such a hard and sad time. Hugs to you and everyone in a similar situation not being able to see extra family right now.

My pajamas that were supposed to come Monday are maybe finally coming today. At least they are "out for delivery." Our poor old card table is literally on its last legs but still standing. Replacement to come next week. Hopefully the old will hang on a little longer! Don't wait until your own table (or any daily used piece of furniture) is literally at this state to replace it!

All is starting to warm up a little here, sorry it is so cold for a lot of you out there!

 

[easyas123]

My SIL is now pushing for us all to get together on Christmas "for just a little bit." Like the COVID has a grace period or something..."Okay, I'll stay away for the first 2 hours, but after that, you're all getting me" In the first place, she's the one who was adamant about us not going into my in-laws' house for ANY reason - she wouldn't even go inside to use the bathroom; she'd actually go into the enclosed side yard and pee there (seriously)! And now she wants us to get together for a few hours on Christmas? It's not just my in-laws that we're worried about...our other SIL is a type 1 diabetic (and also overweight, to be honest) and since diabetics haven't fared well with COVID, she's basically stayed home for the past 9 months. I don't know what to do...it's Christmas, Lord knows at this point any Christmas could be Dad's last (he'll be 84 on Monday and he's given us lots of scares in the past few years), but we're so close to getting that vaccine that, should we really take that chance right now?

Glad to see I'm not the only one with nutty inlaws!! One of SIL's is pure crazy, while another one today make chicken parm soup for lunch and brought it into work and ohmygoodnessitwasthebestthingever!

We are going to have a traditional snow day

Yay!!! Enjoy..we were getting snow, but it turned to rain. Tonight it will turn to ice. I wish it was snow.

 

[lynxstch]

Snow slowed down a little..so I went out and spent an hour shoveling. Did the driveway all the way to the bottom, cleared the top all the way to the sheds, cleared off the car, and did the sidewalks and steps. State plows do our road, since it leads to a main highway, and they have been up and down the road every 20 min. I just don't want all the stuff they are dumping at the end of the drives to freeze solid, or I will never be able to chop through it. Temp is only 26 so nothing is going to melt today anyhow, and I think right now it's too cold to turn to freezing rain.

 

[easyas123]

Snow slowed down a little..so I went out and spent an hour shoveling. Did the driveway all the way to the bottom, cleared the top all the way to the sheds, cleared off the car, and did the sidewalks and steps. State plows do our road, since it leads to a main highway, and they have been up and down the road every 20 min. I just don't want all the stuff they are dumping at the end of the drives to freeze solid, or I will never be able to chop through it. Temp is only 26 so nothing is going to melt today anyhow, and I think right now it's too cold to turn to freezing rain.

Be careful!

I have a short drive home and I don't much care for the chance of ice. Snow I can handle...oh well. Eldest has to drive home from Ocean City, so almost 2 hours north till he gets home. I'm sure he's going to run into ice, specially since he doesn't leave until later. I've already texted him and 'pre-yelled' (that is that the kids call it!) to him to be careful driving home. Once a mom....

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Please be careful both (all) of you driving in frigid conditions!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I'm sitting here a bit jealous of all of you with snow! Well, at least to look at from indoors anyways... You couldn't pay me enough to drive or shovel the stuff anymore.

It's just cool and rainy here. I've been sitting here working on my Animal Crossing island, lol I warmed up a turkey breast from Honeybaked Ham, and made cornbread stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes (for me and DS; and baked sweet potatoes for DH) and gravy, green beans for DS/me and carrots/broccoli/cauliflower for DH, and crescent rolls. I didn't make a pie, because I made gingerbread cake last night. I felt like having a holiday meal today, ha.

(that is a horrible picture, lol. You can see the rug and my leg, as we were sitting in the living room, watching tv. And that fork, jeez...)

My Reddit secret santa sent me a new game....Marvel Villanous, along with some cat springy toys. I have another gift coming from a candy shop; anyone ever had anything from Original Murdick's Fudge? (I only know this part, because I got the shipping notice from FedEx, haha). very lucky giftee, I am! I have to hop on and thank her later. Still waiting for my ornament and card santa. I ordered all my gifts last week, and am just waiting for them to be delivered to my giftees.

DH got a bonus from his company, woohoo. We paid off a loan (taken about 6 years ago, to help pay for his transplant), paid some on 2 credit cards. Bought a new computer chair for DS and gave him his Christmas gift (money) as some things he wanted were on a pretty sweet sale. We'll be able to upgrade all 3 computers, as well, after the holidays (so we can have semi-reliable shipping). Also, DH surprised me...


I was not expecting that. A full keyboard, with just the right amount of bells and whistles for me. I ugly cried. I haven't touched a piano since DD#1 was about 9 months old, and she just turned 30 so... I'm on Amazon right now, ordering some songbooks, lol.

We donated about a dozen toys to Toys For Tots (did you know you can do that online??!! You can either donate funds or actually 'buy the toys' on their website...very grateful for that this year!); I tried to buy some for the Angel Tree (Salvation Army) online, but it links with Walmart, and everything on the list (for our area) EXCEPT for gift cards is either sold out or delivery after Christmas (to the SA directly), so ToT got all the toys. I'm going to the grocery store tomorrow, and I'll load up on some basics to add to the food bank box there; and I might have some stuff shipped to the no-kill shelter here that we got 3 of the cats from. I figured that we were blessed this year, as the only real worry we have had to deal with is keeping Covid out of the house, we should give back.

I just wanted to stop in and say hey. I don't spend a lot of time on the boards lately; I've just not felt..well..IDK. Just not felt.
Anyways....((huggles to y'all who need it)) Stay strong, stay safe, stay warm (or cool, if you are having a heat wave, lol).

 

[easyas123]

A coworker just mentioned wrapping gifts, and it made me think of a good Question of The Day, since it's been a while!

QOTD: Gifts under the tree - before or after Christmas Eve/Day?
In other words, do you put your gifts under the tree as you get them - or all at once at a specific point?

For me, when the kids were little, all the gifts from us & Santa went under the tree on Christmas Eve after they went to bed. They are older and grown now, but I still wait until Christmas Eve to put out the gifts! I just stopped waiting for everyone to be asleep! I can't recall what we did if they received a gift from their grandparents who don't live nearby...I think we put them under the tree when they arrived?

EXCEPT for the christmas pajamas! No pajamas this year, kids are older and don't need or want them and I can accept that. Not every little thing can carry on from year to year.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am enjoying watching the snow knowing that I have absolutely no where to go. DH commented how nice it was not to have to worry about closing the office and getting the lot plowed.

We wrapped more than half of our gifts today. All the ones for DD, her husband, and the grandkids. Just have DS and his wife left. We can do them another day.

I was going to make chicken soup with Rotel tomatoes and black beans but just wasn't feeling it. I wanted homemade chicken noodle, which I have never made before. I had everything but carrots and celery. So DH went to the orchard farm store and got them. I think it is going to be good. Its been in the crock pot since noon.

So that treat I had yesterday at 4:30 of a latte was not a great idea. I went to bed at 11 and was still awake at 1. Hopefully tonight will be better.

I just tracked my test sample from yesterday and it is at the lab and testing has started. I don't think the last one ever made it to the lab.

 

[lynxstch]

Be careful!

I have a short drive home and I don't much care for the chance of ice. Snow I can handle...oh well. Eldest has to drive home from Ocean City, so almost 2 hours north till he gets home. I'm sure he's going to run into ice, specially since he doesn't leave until later. I've already texted him and 'pre-yelled' (that is that the kids call it!) to him to be careful driving home. Once a mom....

I took my time.. I just did the whole thing again, it's still snowing but big fat flakes now. They said it will be done by midnite. We have probably had maybe 5-6", hopefully it's not going to snow more tonite and get to the 12-18" they had predicted.
I don't envy your son having to drive home from Ocean City, it might not be ice by then, it may turn to rain they said. Hope he makes it home safely! I had to lol at the 'pre yelled' ..still do that to the stepkids..you are right..once a mom..always a mom!

 

[AuntieMe3]

Thanks for the good thoughts...we are all positive but thankfully we all are already feeling better. DD still has a cough but says she's feeling much better. Hubby says he's still achy but he's back to being as obnoxious as always so I'm sure he's feeling better too. I am soo thankful we all seemed to only have had mild cases even though this is definitely messing up my Christmas prep.

I'm not even close to being done shopping which will now have to be done via Amazon, or Target, Walmart and Kohls drive up pickup. Food has been delivered via Doordash and Instacart and our friends have offered to pick up stuff for us if needed. The most upsetting is no real Christmas tree. We were supposed to get it this past weekend but felt too terrible to go get one, now all our local tree lots including Home Depot and Lowe's are all sold out of trees. Oh well....I'm happy we, at least, have the one....which I'm not sure I shared yet. So I'll add a pic. Its soo pretty but I'm missing a real tree with our sentimental ornaments and colored lights. This is the first themed tree I've ever done...its soo pretty.


Edited to add...the berries, pinecones, and snowy tips with white lights were all on the tree before I added the other ornaments. I just love the look of it.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I totally missed an entire page when I posted above.

We got about 3-4 inches of snow then rain and ice on top.

,and we have no neighbors with kids that can do it.

Two elementary kids from across the street came over to ask if we wanted help with our driveway. I thanked them profusely but said we weren't going anywhere but maybe another time. I guess you are too far. LOL

QOTD: Gifts under the tree - before or after Christmas Eve/Day?

Until this year everything went out Christmas Eve. When the kids were little, after they went to bed. More recently, just before us old folk went to bed. But this year, except for gifts for DH and myself, everything is going out as we wrap because they are pretty and no one is here.

Funny story, the first Christmas we lived in this house, DD was almost 3 and DS was 2 months. We had gone back to Baltimore for Christmas Eve church. Got home late and the power was off in the neighborhood. We had to get the kids to bed and all the gifts from the attic to the tree, with flashlights.

Good news: Just got a text that my COVID test was negative.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

First of all, so glad you are safely home, Lynxstch!

Good to see you B&B! Missed you. Thank you so much for your donations to Toys to Tots and other organizations So glad you and your DH both got early Christmas gifts as well!

Carol, so relieved for you that this test is officially being counted! Extra prayers the result is negative. That is it exactly: I would enjoy watching snow peacefully fall from the warmth and safety of some inn or lodge knowing I did not need to go out or drive in it! Lol that is so funny now, though I'm sure at the time, present hunting in the dark was not fun!

Great, QOTD, Easyas123, we needed a new one, too

QOTD: Gifts under the tree - before or after Christmas Eve/Day? I don't have a live indoor tree this year so will just hang stockings. In years past I have (when asked by the giver) opened an early present, otherwise I have learned the joy of waiting. Means more to me (same with on my birthday) to open a gift on Christmas because it's a way for me to give extra thanks to God for His gift of the human friend who gave it to me. I admit this year being the plague, I have opened all Christmas cards I have received already. I am already semi sorry to have done that but the thanksgiving, of course, is still there, just not the same but that's okay

I received very unexpected happy snail mail today along with some lovely flowered Cross stickers from a friend. I hope each of you got something fun and cheery in the mail or email this Wednesday.

I want to thank each of you again who have/are contributing to the kindness book project I'm helping to spearhead. Truly to have some of you included in this has meant so much. I also am posting this here this one time (please keep any replies on this via PM only) just because I do know some of you declined to join in due to original length ideas I had for shares. Know what matters is the share, the testimony. NOT the length! Should any of you care for more information on this, some updated, since I originally asked, please PM me.

Sending some CA sunshine, which at the moment there is some of, Eastward to those in snow!

ETA, AuntieMe3, you and Carol, posted just as I did! I am so sorry my friend but thankful you are feeling better. Please take care! Your Christmas tree is lovely!