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

Thank you, all! I do feel peaceful right now, finally. 🎄🎁 💞

Everything is done, the house is decorated and feels serene, and as of right now, things are quiet. :tiptoe:

My grievances all all covid related. First, all the White House staff and politicians who refused to wear masks and had huge gatherings are now first in line for the vaccine.
It‘s been infuriating watching gleeful politicians posting on Instagram their getting shots this week, bypassing essential caregivers (many of whom could not get shots as supplies ran out); over 65s; and the infirm.

I don’t have an issue with the most significant leaders getting shots to set a good example for the public, especially minority medical leaders.

The rest? Well. Shameless.

Ah. Thanks, Carol, that feels better! :rotfl2:Happy Festivus (for the rest of us)!

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So thankful you both were negative, Carol! Love that your church does an Advent study.

:) Pea, I'm glad.

Waiting for quite a combo of deliveries today: 8 gallon trash bags and a card table! Late last night Amazon delivered some last minute Christmas decorations :)

ETA: I have one Hollywood sign postcard ready to be addressed! The first card has been taken.
 
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Last night was my last Advent study Zoom. Tonight we have one with old friends. We usually get together at Christmas for the Baltimore Symphony Pops concert and dinner. Thing folk date back to my high school days. I known them over 50 years. Crap, I am old.

Don't feel bad, we are still ticked off for having to miss the Glenn Miller Orchestra holiday concert🥳 and we aren't even 50 yet!
NextYearNextYearNextYearNextYear, that is my current mantra.


Office luncheon is over, and everyone is slowly filtering out and heading home. A Viking cruise catalog (speaking of being old) came in the office mail, so I'm going to enjoy that for a few minutes before wrapping up this day -
 
DH and I tested again Monday because he had a cold on the weekend and we wanted to be safe before Christmas. Both tests came back negative again.

DS got one Monday as well, and just got the (thankfully negative) results this morning. It was a weird few days, and I am very relieved!

@Pea-n-Me, I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL. It has truly been a rough year for your family, and I'm sending whatever virtual comfort I can. :hug:

No Christmas star for us last night either. It was just too cloudy again. I found this meme in another thread here on the DIS:

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@Pea-n-Me, I'm sorry to hear of your FIL's passing.

:grouphug: to all here. I lost track of when I last posted.

So glad Josh is on vacation now. No assignments or meetings until January 4th now! I'm going to try to get him to continue his I-Ready math path and Lexia (reading) apps. He's doing really well with both, and Lexia sends him a certificate every time he levels up. I'm proud of him, he's on level 6 and I think he's ahead of the rest of his class.

After his meetings on Monday, we braved Aldi for "a few things." It wasn't too bad shopping in there...just a few people moseying up the very center of the aisle and leaving their cart right there when they wanted to look at something, then another one or two people who would subtly "push" you ahead when you were trying to look. But just a few like that, otherwise it was okay. I took 3 or 4 things off my shopping list, but still managed to spend $78 (???!!!!)

We did get to see the Christmas star. It was a bit cloudy here but we managed. We couldn't see it last night at all, but we're going to go back outside as soon as I post this. I took a few photos using Night Sight with my phone and I think they came out pretty good, for cell phone photos!
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On Tuesday, my mom made some deliveries of goodies and found out that a former coworker/friend's entire family had COVID just after Thanksgiving. A multi-generational household like us, with the 2 kids (ages 10 and 15), the parents, and the grandparents. They all reported nothing more than fever and fatigue, even the 89-year-old grandfather. Very grateful that they all came through it "easily."

Josh finally got his hair cut by our hairdresser on Tuesday evening as well. She uses the exact same clippers that I do, but he didn't scream at her that it hurt :sad2: She gelled the top, too, and he was VERY excited to show it to Ava this morning at their online meeting... :eek:

This morning they only had their morning meeting and a few easy assignments. He told his teacher about Festivus and she knew what it was! She even explained it to the class while I helped Josh display our Festivus pole ;) We will be watching that episode later this evening, as I recorded it last year.

Surprisingly, all of my orders have finally arrived (well, except my Duran Duran mask on its way from the UK). I got my Kohl's frame yesterday, and today I received the Shutterfly ornament that wasn't expected until the first full week of January, and also the QVC gift card that we ordered for my mother. We took a ride out to deliver some goodies to my mom's friends, and then Josh and I finished making cookies. We did sugar cookies (with red and green decorations on them - sugar, sprinkles, little round candies, etc), Rice Krispie treats (using the holiday Krispies where some are red and green, and I also mixed in some of the cookie decorations that we didn't use up on the sugar cookies), and "buttery potato chip cookies" that are actually quite good! I wasn't sure about them but they worked! Tomorrow I'm just making appetizer-y type food so we can graze all day. Bacon cheddar pinwheels, smoked salmon pinwheels, cranberry brie bites, toasted ravioli (frozen; we bought a box each of beef and cheese at Aldi), and we also picked up a shrimp cocktail ring. That plus all our cookies should be plenty for us - although I'm beating myself up at not thinking of pigs in blankets until now. Those would have been good as well.

Oh well, maybe next year. Let's go see if we can see the star again...
 
Happy Christmas Eve eve....:laughing: Went to Walmart this morning to pick up a couple things. The store was not to bad until I went to get in line....holy cow. All the self checkout lines went down the aisles to the back of the store and all the other ones were snaking around the clothing section. We were two people away when they finally opened another checkstand and we went to the new line behind the lady in from of us. Another lane opened and they pulled someone from the near by line and a few people who weren't even in line jumped in and got ahead of a lot of people. The man they pulled next and the first person who got in line behind him started arguing. OMG...it was just crazy. I have two different Target pickups(two different stores) and I think I'm good for tomorrow. Now I just need to wrap for it all to get unwrapped in 2 days. :laughing: Well not everything will be unwrapped then....we'll have to deliver some after Christmas, of course.

Hubby got sent up to the SF bay area yesterday after work for a last minute job breakdown. He got there late last night, slept a couple hours, worked all morning and now he's on his way home. Everyone is happy he figured out the problem so he's glad he went....makes him look good. LoL I was worried he wouldn't be home until tomorrow night so I'm glad he got it done so quickly.

My mom took a test Monday and got a negative result yesterday. My dad is going today even though he feels fine but we just thought he should take it to be safe. With my mom is negative, hopefully my dad is too.

This year will be the first Christmas eve in I don't even know how long, we won't be going anywhere. It will be weird but nice I think to just relax.
DS got one Monday as well, and just got the (thankfully negative) results this morning. It was a weird few days, and I am very relieved!

@Pea-n-Me, I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL. It has truly been a rough year for your family, and I'm sending whatever virtual comfort I can. :hug:

No Christmas star for us last night either. It was just too cloudy again. I found this meme in another thread here on the DIS:

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We saw tbe two planets two days in a row. Sunday and Monday, last night it was cloudy. But I didn't see them that close to make the "star". I guess I expected something a little more spectacular. LOL. Still pretty cool to see and experience.

This meme summed up my experience....:laughing: 545534

We saw this big, bright thing and were oohing and ahhhing when we noticed it started blinking and moving towards us. It was a plane. :laughing:
 
Hello Everyone, Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, why hasn't that fact suck in? Usually I am so excited, Small group this year, just immediate family, which is probably a good thing because DH surgery is scheduled for January 4th. It will be about a 7 hour surgery, with a 6-8 day hospital stay.
I'm really scared but trying not to show him or the family.

My sister is also in the hospital, and I don't think she will be coming home, probably a rehab. It's so hard when she can't have visitors. She has two disabled adult children and this is really hard on them.

Oh well, I'm going to put on a happy face and try to enjoy the next few days. Sorry to be complaining. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays and gets to spend some time with those you love( at least some of them)
 
Easyas123, I hope the luncheon was fun! Hugs on things missed this year.

I am so thankful to hear of your DH's negative test, PollyannaMom, praise God. I am sorry you also missed seeing the star.

Hug, Apirateslifeforme. I'm also glad for both you and Josh he now has a school break. LOL about Josh being excited to show off his styled hair to the little girl. That is sweet though. Your cookies sound Christmas-y and tasty.

AuntieMe3, thanks for the pictures. I would have expected to see the first image, too! So glad your DH and continued prayers for you and your whole family. Please stay well.

:hug: and 🙏 DazedX3 for you, DH, and your sister and her family. Remember we're here and care!

Card table came and we are pleased. Such a relief to not need to be concerned about the old table collapsing at any moment any longer! It literally, poor table, was on its very last legs. Dad said he thinks it was at least 30 years old!
 
We saw the Christmas Star! It was barely clear here long enough to see it at all, but I found it with no problem but not clear enough to get a pic of it, but we got excited to see it at all! I should have thought of setting up the telescope this afternoon..I think we might have used it 2x in the 17 1/2 years we've lived here..dumb me didn't think of till I was writing this post :( Oh well, since we will never see it again in our lifetime..it was still a bit of a thrill to see it at all!
 
@Pea-n-Me: Even when expected it still puts a knot in one’s heart and a renewed sense of our place in the world. I’m glad your FIL’s passing was relatively painless and the family had time to absorb the meaning of his final rest. This is a blessing we do not all get.

Keep his memories close and share them freely with those dear to you He’s now firmly embedded in the family’s past,present, and future . :hug:

Good thoughts your son’s celebratory plaque arrives on time!


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Brrrr!!! It's getting chilly outside, the wind is fierce! We're dropping down to freezing overnight but we popping back up to the 50's during the day tomorrow. Christmas Day should be about the same and sunny.

My grievances all all covid related. First, all the White House staff and politicians who refused to wear masks and had huge gatherings are now first in line for the vaccine.
I can see the White House staff and maybe a couple of important politicians but not all of them. They should stand in line like the rest of us.

@Pea-n-Me, so sorry to hear about your FIL.

I miss hanging out with my friends. We're going to have one big hug fest when this is all over.

I went grocery shopping at Kroger this morning. The parking lot was full but it wasn't too bad inside except for that occasional shopper who treats the aisles as their on personal Indy 500. :car:

There's a mega church near us that started their Christmas Candlelight services last night through tomorrow with several throughout the day tomorrow. Masks are not mandatory once you are inside. I can't believe that anyone would risk it but apparently some do. Can you imagine being in a large auditorium, social distancing not required, no masks being worn and everyone singing? I've always heard that their candlelight services were amazing have wanted to experience one but not under those circumstances. No wonder Covid cases are high around here.

@AuntieMe3, that is so funny!

We got takeout at Schlotsky's this evening. I don't know if you have heard of the chain but they are toasted sourdough bread sandwiches with assorted meats, cheeses, onions, etc. We hadn't eaten there in awhile so my DH ordered a large one. Our sack felt pretty heavy and so I checked to make sure we had the right order. His sandwich was the size of a dinner plate. It was huge! They usually wrap their sandwiches but his was in a container, it was too large to be wrapped.
 
I'm sure no one else will see this until tomorrow but I just had to share anyway....

OMGosh you guys....I was just getting everything together to start wrapping and I realized I don't think I bought tape. :scared1: I have one roll and its not even full. :sad2: I'm trying to calm myself before i decide if I want to just run to Rite Aid or Walgreens or just say forget it and "wrap" everything in a plastic grocery bag. :laughing: Oh.My....GOSH....how did I forget tape?? 🤦‍♀️

Here's a gift hubby "wrapped" for me last year. :lmao:
 

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Good Christmas Eve Day all! Clear outside now, temp is 40. Going to be near 50 but with possibly 1-2" of rain. Could get very windy tomorrow with the cold front moving in. Glad I have everything we need, don't plan on going out till maybe Saturday or Sunday . I hope everyone gets everything done they need to today , so you can all relax and enjoy Christmas Eve. If you are still missing packages from the Post Office, I hope they appear today.

Have a wonderful day everyone!88476696ddb8a1d23cd0b7a844e97aa4 (1).jpg
 
Hi Everyone and Merry Christmas,

I'm sorry I've been away so long. So much happening in small amount of time. Matt and I are okay (the 21st was our 18th anniversary actually) but seems to be running in two directions with all going on with our moms. His mom is not well at all, not even a little bit. Mine had a small heart attack and it seems to be from the chemo for her CLL so not sure what steps are next. I lost a very good friend of mine early Nov and then my college roommate and close friend lost her dad when he had a stroke in her house Thanksgiving night. So much going on.

I wanted to wish you all well and let you know I'm still keeping all in my prayers as we are running all over. Tonight and tomorrow Matt and I are spending alone and will zoom with those we can zoom with and pray for those we are missing. It's been alot, so much a lot the last couple months.

I'm happy to see ya'll still going strong and sharing. It makes my heart happy.

Thinking of each and everyone of you for very Merry Christmas and blessings for teh most peaceful and love filled 2021.

I promise I won't be gone so long!
 
Hi Everyone and Merry Christmas,

I'm sorry I've been away so long. So much happening in small amount of time. Matt and I are okay (the 21st was our 18th anniversary actually) but seems to be running in two directions with all going on with our moms. His mom is not well at all, not even a little bit. Mine had a small heart attack and it seems to be from the chemo for her CLL so not sure what steps are next. I lost a very good friend of mine early Nov and then my college roommate and close friend lost her dad when he had a stroke in her house Thanksgiving night. So much going on.

I wanted to wish you all well and let you know I'm still keeping all in my prayers as we are running all over. Tonight and tomorrow Matt and I are spending alone and will zoom with those we can zoom with and pray for those we are missing. It's been alot, so much a lot the last couple months.

I'm happy to see ya'll still going strong and sharing. It makes my heart happy.

Thinking of each and everyone of you for very Merry Christmas and blessings for teh most peaceful and love filled 2021.

I promise I won't be gone so long!


Tina! :grouphug: So glad to see you..I gasped when I went to click on the thread and saw that you had posted.!!!! We were all missing our leader!!! So glad that you and Matt are well, sorry to hear about both of your Mom's. Sorry to hear about your good friend passing, and your college roommate's Dad. Prayers sent for all of them, and for you !

I am glad that you and Matt will be spending Christmas Eve together and zooming for those who are missing. You literally just made my day by posting, your family on here were all worried about you, you've been MIA for months now!

Merry Christmas to you and Matt. May your 2021 also be filled with better health for all, and more time spent together instead of running in different directions all the time!

And we are going to hold you to your promise of not being gone for so long on here, so make it your first New Year's Resolution! lol!

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Lynn
 
Tina! :grouphug: So glad to see you..I gasped when I went to click on the thread and saw that you had posted.!!!! We were all missing our leader!!! So glad that you and Matt are well, sorry to hear about both of your Mom's. Sorry to hear about your good friend passing, and your college roommate's Dad. Prayers sent for all of them, and for you !

I am glad that you and Matt will be spending Christmas Eve together and zooming for those who are missing. You literally just made my day by posting, your family on here were all worried about you, you've been MIA for months now!

Merry Christmas to you and Matt. May your 2021 also be filled with better health for all, and more time spent together instead of running in different directions all the time!

And we are going to hold you to your promise of not being gone for so long on here, so make it your first New Year's Resolution! lol!

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Lynn

I'm so sorry! I know how long it's been. It been so much juggle and emotions and trying to find my time to reset every day and try not take on more feelings as selfish as it sounds. And the DIS is full of all kinds feelings. I've taken up wreath making actually. I'm not very good but trying to just do something in the night when I can't sleep or when I need distraction while taking a new treatment (I didn't mention that something was found in my scan late October that had be dealt with now) so I'm making wreaths. I'm not very artsy but whatever it's something. I PROMISE I won't go back into hiding!
 












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