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

[PollyannaMom]

...Hello Fresh...EveryPlate...

This just popped up on my Pinterest feed:



I swear one tab knows what I'm reading on the other tab.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

@dazedx3, so glad to hear the good news! I will keep praying but this of course is a definite WIN!

LOL My favorite team is the Patriots..since I was born and raised in MA. Now I have to root for the Buccaneers since Brady is playing for them. Ravens aren't a fave for hubby either..his is just the Packers

This is the situation in our house now! We joke that we were psychic last year when we went to Florida, because when we stopped at the Target in Clearwater, we bought a Tampa Bay Buccaneers t-shirt for Josh. So we were all prepared when Brady "defected," as DH calls it. Now he roots for both teams, although he claims that he'd prefer to see the Patriots in the Super Bowl instead. Last year for his birthday, I bought him what I thought was a subtle Buccaneers t-shirt...it's royal blue, with an American flag-printed state of Florida on it, and a Buccaneers flag over that. But he wore it to the grocery store and while we were waiting in line, a guy walked by us, glared at him and said, "Traitor." That actually made me feel bad and I told DH that he didn't have to wear it again.

I'm all thrown off today, I keep thinking it's Sunday. So Josh only goes to school tomorrow and then he's at home the rest of the week. It should be interesting to see if his teacher will be back. She didn't cancel the TEAMS meetings today like she normally would on a holiday, so she's definitely checked out. I've also had no feedback at all on last week's assignments and she's not answering emails. I really like her, but I'm a bit peeved at the same time.

I've been spending a lot of time lately looking at condos and mobile homes in Clearwater, Florida. I want to be there so badly right now! Most of the places are 55+, though, so we're still a bit too young to go. And then our question is, would we be able to get a place like that when we are 55? Because our child will only be 14. DH has told me (several times) about an incident in his parents' community, when a resident had a live-in girlfriend with a teenage son, and eventually they were asked to leave. We're also trying to figure out how to afford the condo/lot fees because they seem quite high. But then, after doing all of the math, we discovered that the proceeds from selling the house here would pay the monthly fees for about 23 years (and we'd still be able to buy the home outright). Of course, that's with the prices right now, but we're going to hold on to the hope that it will still be doable in 20 years. Fingers crossed!

 

[dazedx3]

Bianca and Bernard...... You inspired me, I just ordered from Every Plate too. Not much else to do these days so I did it as much for the meals as the entertainment. We'll see??

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Slipping thread

That is funny, PollyannaMom!

Hug, Apirateslifeforme. That's awful that Josh's teacher is still MIA+ no information from his school. There ought to be more transparency! Lol, on knowing what shirt to get for Josh! I hope you do get to move to a warmer/new place eventually!

I also hope you enjoy your order, DazedX3

My free replacement sheets still indicate they are arriving this last Saturday! Originally they were supposed to come this Wednesday so maybe they'll come tomorrow. It is understandable given the current pandemic yet a bit frustrating when tracking is not updated.

I hope all of you are enjoying a good evening.

 

[AuntieMe3]

We did Hello Fresh once, on a coupon, a while ago. It was nice to not have to menu plan or shop for the stuff, lol. This week, we are trying EveryPlate, which touts itself to be HF but cheaper. We'll have to see the quality on them, but it was definitely less...with the coupon, for 5 meals for 4 people, I paid about $41. The recipes are very similar (I went through and compared 3 of them).

Wow... that's way cheaper. I'm going to have DD check that one out. She has a coupon also, every week for 4 weeks the discount gets smaller...this first week was $80 something for 4 meals for 4 people. She told me next weeks will be $108.

I got all the Christmas stuff packed away and then I remembered DDs little tree in her room... So I just told her to pack it up in her little bin and just keep it under her bed. LOL Then I dusted the now empty looking surfaces in the family room, vacuumed the floor, cleaned the kitchen and washed some towels. I swear that's the most I've done all at once in a long while so I was exhausted when DH and DD both got home from work. For dinner they had leftover pasta and I had some leftover tacos. Have I mentioned my obsession with tacos here before?? I almost always have stuff to make myself some tacos on fend for yourself nights. LOL

The mantle looked really bare after I took down the Christmas stuff so I put out some "winter" stuff I have. I know most of you don't care for snow and would never wish for it to snow...lol I live in the California desert and even though we do occasionally get some snow, it's still a novelty for us, so LET IT SNOW stuff it is...lol

I'll leave it like this until the end of the month and then do Valentine's stuff for February.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

This just popped up on my Pinterest feed:

View attachment 550815

I swear one tab knows what I'm reading on the other tab.

Ignore the blinking red light in the corner, and the plant that seems to lean towards you, no matter where you are in the room........

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Wow... that's way cheaper. I'm going to have DD check that one out. She has a coupon also, every week for 4 weeks the discount gets smaller...this first week was $80 something for 4 meals for 4 people. She told me next weeks will be $108.

Yea, I had a coupon code off of Reddit; it was like $1.99 a serving for the first box, and 20% off boxes 2 & 3. I did the first week, skipped the 2nd in case we aren't happy with it (so I'll have time to cancel). Normal price is:

EveryPlate has a price of $4.99 per serving, additionally, there is a fixed weekly shipping fee of $8.99. Of course, if you sign up with a voucher, the valid price is the discounted price you see when checking out.

• Dinner for 2 - 3 times a week, costs $38.93 per week.
• Dinner for 2 - 4 times a week, costs $48.91 per week.
• Dinner for 2 - 5 times a week, costs $58.89 per week.
• Dinner for 4 - 3 times a week, costs $68.87 per week.

I put it in for Dinner for 4 - 5 times a week, and it's $108.79.


You have to allow popups, or the page doesn't work quite right.

Anyways, don't shoot the messenger if it's not any good. We will know Thursday, lol.

I just needed some inspiration for cooking, because right now, I just don't want to do it. I sorted through the deep freezer, which is packed full, and found I have 8 packages of hamburgers ready to go, along with 1 package of chicken, 2 hot dogs, and a small lunch size bag of chili. The rest is frozen veggies, tv dinners and ice cream. LOL I'l probably cancel after the trial, simply because I can make what they offering for cheaper if I'm doing the shopping...I'm just don't want to.

 

[sweetpeama]

Monday was our beach day at Newport Beach which was fun for us being our first time going to spend the day on the beach. We got to swim in the ocean and even collected some sea shells. We had sandwiches that mom and us girls made in the apartment before we headed out late in the morning for us. Which means we left after 9 am instead of dad's normal 0400 rears in seats only he used a different term for rears. We called this dad's 0400 bis orders though sometimes he was nice and changed it to a 0500 time and once in a while an 0700 but leaving to go somewhere after 0900 that was unheard of in our house.
For dinner that night we went to one of my mom's cousin's condo in a gated community. This cousin of mom's is the daughter of one of her dad's brother's. My parents had to give their names and let the gated officer see their driver's license. I thought that everyone had to show id so I had gotten out my student id from the high school I went to. I was trying to hand it forward when my mom told me that it was not needed. The security guard must have seen my disappointment so he asked if he could see it. He commented that my high school had a cool mascot and handed it back to me before asking if my brother and sister had a school id. My mom told him that they were still in the elementary school which don't give student id cards.
Cousin had made a wonderful dish of chicken, broccoli, rice, and cheese for us to enjoy. We got to play with her youngest who was 10 years old and very excited to have family to play with. Cousin's family consisted of 1 boy who was 25 and 2 girls ages 24 and the previously mentioned 10 year old would would be turning 11 shortly being about 6 months in age younger than my brother. We were still there as my parents were enjoying a visit when it was time for the younger girl to go to bed. At that time he asked us if we wanted to go look at some of the Christmas lights around Corona del Mar. We found out later that he had asked my parents if it was ok before he asked us knowing his little sister would need to go to bed early. It was exciting to get to ride in his sports car looking at the lights. He even stopped and got us ice cream while we were out looking at lights.
Tuesday December 22 we got up and headed out early leaving shortly after 7 am in order to make the drive to San Deigo to go to Sea World. We spent the day seeing the shows and got to feed the seals. My brother got crapped on by a Sea Gull not once but twice. I honestly don't remember exactly what shows we saw just that there was one with whales and one with dolphines. On the way home we saw flashing lights along the interstate we were on ahead of us. My mom told us kids no matter what to keep quiet and don't say anything unless we were asked directly a question and then to answer it honestly. She told me that I was not to show my student id if they asked for identification because their asking met driver's licenses only. I remember my parents being asked for their identification and then where they were coming from and where they were going. They said we had been at Sea World and showed our canceled tickets and that we were heading back to my mom's nephew's apartment in Santa Ana which they showed the letter from my cousin stating that we could stay there for the following dates and the amount my parents would give him for "renting" the apartment for that time. We learned years later that it was an illegal drugs check to hopefully catch a big name Mexican drug cartel lord. They were doing one that far North of the boarder because it was felt that the attitude would relax and the people involved with the drug cartels would get sloppy. We did have a dog go around our car while we were waiting there but since we didn't have anything more than a few snacks for us to eat in the car my dad was not asked to pull over to another spot as we saw others having to do. Instead we were told to have a nice night and to drive safe. We got back to the apartment after 10 pm due to the delay so my parents went through a drive thru close to the apartment and let us have that for dinner.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@Sweetpeamama Sea gull crapping on head in these parts = good luck! (I am constantly cleaning it off my car but that’s another story - live on coast of MA!) Enjoyed your stories. It must’ve been very interesting growing up on a farm! And wow, what a long bus ride! I’m glad your Oma was there to meet you sometimes, that’s nice. I mainly walked to school, was not a big fan of school buses, but where I grew up, our buses were city buses, like the Disney ones. Only took them a few times in HS If it was raining or snowing or something like that, until I got my driver’s license and my older brother’s beater car. Still not a big fan of buses and really only ride them at WDW, sometimes. We like having a car!

Well good morning Quackers! I am having my coffee, recovering from a long work weekend, with my little Toto warming my legs. Everyone else is at work so it’s nice and quiet - my ears are almost ringing from no bells or alarms going off! (Which reminds me I have to have my hearing tested, will try to schedule today.) Work was good but busy, and even emotional at times. No visitors allowed in hospital so it’s extra hard for patients, but we all try to give extra TLC. To keep our spirits up we all brought in something to eat from our heritage, which was fun. Lots of nationalities represented and I tried a few things I’ve either never had before or wasn’t really familiar with. @Shellsbutt That sounds like a miserable food reaction! Ugh! @lynxstitch I bet the NE Clam Chowder was delish! Yum!

DD got her second Pfizer vaccine Saturday and was a little under the weather for the rest of the weekend into Monday, but feels pretty good now. I get my second Moderna next weekend. Fingers crossed it doesn’t hit me too hard. (Apparently a lot of staff out due to side effects.) @Snowysmom Gillette Stadium is open now for vaccines. Right now it’s just health workers and first responders, but from what I’m understanding it will be opening soon to everyone. (?) They are also going to start giving them at Fenway Park. I hope you can get one soon! I want DH and DS to get theirs, too. I hope everyone can get one that wants one soon! https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2021/01/18/gillette-stadium-mass-vaccination-site-opens

Idk if you remember a couple of weeks ago I said I went to an old fashioned five and ten cents store. Well I bought this little “fireplace” for my bedroom bureau top for $35 and I’m really liking it! It’s battery operated and when I look at it out of the corner of my eye it delivers the “visual warmth” of a real fireplace, and that, I find relaxing. So that was a good purchase for myself. I’ll see if I can find it online if anyone is interested. So many of us here were looking for ways to help us relax.

Other than that DH was kind to me last evening he made me a comfort food dinner I’d seen on Instagram, and it was really good. Also some soup to use up some chicken we had leftover. (Will post pics in separate post.) He’s a good egg. While I was at work he and his siblings were working on cleaning out FILs house. Such a hard thing to do. He brought home an album I’d made for MIL of her garden flowers (photography hobby) and I only vaguely remember making it, which is a little scary. (My life was crazy busy then between kids, work, illnesses, pets in wheelchairs, taking care of my mother, etc., so I think some things are just a blur at times.) It must’ve been during my scrapbooking days (which were brief) but I got it back and I will add it to our album shelves. We also got the album back that I’d made for the in laws from a Disney cruise they took with us one year and I’m glad to have that back. Weird thing we had gone to see a medium with a group after MIL passed. She was talking about MIL and said she was hearing island music associated with her, and that was how she wanted to be remembered. That really resonated since the cruise was such a big deal and they had such a good time on it. DH also has special memories of his father from that trip, which I think I mentioned before was Land-Sea. We’d stayed at the Dolphin before the cruise. So one day DH went down to the food court early around 6am to get us coffee, and he heard a familiar voice coming from the grill area. He looked over and his father was down there shooting the breeze with the help! Both DH and FIL work with food production, so it was natural that he’d be down there talking shop with the workers. So when we’re there it’s nice for DH to remember that.

I have really, really enjoyed these Disney stories! Wouldn’t mind one little bit if we made it a regular theme if stories pop into peoples’ heads! I probably have more to share. Will think about it and maybe post again.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Its above freezing out side for a change this morning, and they say it will get to 40. Somerset PA, (not too far over the line from us), is getting snow and 20 degrees? I can drive there in less than 10 min, how can the weather be so different? LOL!

@Pea-n-Me yes the clam chowder was delicious! I made a dutch oven pan of it, so we have enough for at least 2 more dinners. I had 2 bowls of it, I just couldn't warm up yesterday and the soup did the trick. I know how hard it must be for your hubby to clean out his Dad's house. I had to do that when my grandmother passed, and finding all these little things that trigger memories from long ago are sometimes hard to deal with, sometimes happy to deal with. I had made my MIL a photo album with a cross stitched cover years and years ago, and when my ex was cleaning out her house after she passed, he mentioned finding it to me. I didn't want it back, but it was nice that he remembered that I had made it for her, and that she had actually kept it , as she never liked me, only 'tolerated' me, and that was only sometimes.

@flyingdumbo127--I hope your sheets come today Mona, the mail is still crazy. Check for hubby's life insurance still hasn't reached SC and it was mailed on Dec 16. Good thing they are giving people grace periods because of the postal systems screw ups.

@AuntieMe3--Don't you love it when you think you've taken down every single decoration and then find one forgotten or hiding somewhere? I swear that happens to me every year. I found one thing hanging on the wall in the computer room last week, and I had already put everything else away by Jan 1. I want to just 'go somewhere else' too, like you do. I think we have all had more than enough of it after this long. . At this point I just want to get away from everything for a few days. Maybe soon that will be possible

I have never tried (nor really considered), doing any of those meal plan things. I figure I can make it all for a lot less than they charge, and I don't like a lot of meals that I have never tried before, so I kind of shy away from them. I may take a look at that Every Plate and see what they have.

@PollyannaMom--I know what you mean. It's like Big Brother is watching you from everywhere (B and B's post about the blinking red light was funny!). I can look at something online, or on my phone, or hubby on his laptop or phone, and 2 seconds later the ads that pop up are for whatever we just looked at. That is just creepy to me!

Have a good day everyone!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This was from inspiredtaste on IG. It‘s a roasted eggplant parmesan. 1” Eggplant slices lightly drizzled w olive oil and salt and pepper, and baked. Meanwhile, fresh tomatoes, bell peppers and garlic cooked on stove, then blended/food processed with fresh basil. (Interesting as we have never really made a sauce that way, and it came out orange! I can only take peppers in small doses, so DH used just one, I think.) Then layered together with parmesan and fresh sliced mozzarella, and topped with bread crumbs and fresh basil and baked. It was yummy! We’re going to use zucchini next time as we like that in a layered dish like that a little better than eggplant. I felt like it was maybe a little lighter than fried. (Probably kidding myself, lol.) We had some meatballs we’d frozen from last time we made them, and did a little spaghetti and garlic bread.





This was the chicken soup he made; in fact I snapped a picture of DS’s lunch for today in the plastic container. He’d asked to take the eggplant and spaghetti but DH, apparently taking cues from the Soup Nazi, said “No, you’re taking soup today!” He’s put on a few pounds since he stopped playing baseball and he’s working on trimming back up a bit for when he starts applying for jobs haha. So DS just smiled. He’s pretty happy with whatever he gets.



I suppose now I’m going to be craving clam chowder. With some oyster crackers and lots of pepper!

We’ve never ordered from the food services, either, but I know a lot of people who do. I haven’t figured out how to use Grub Hub, either, but a lot of people use it at work. It’s changed how we’ve ordered food for all the years that I’ve been there - we always just chipped in for pizza or something but now everyone can order whatever they want from any local restaurant, even by themselves, and have it delivered right to the front door. Even in the middle of the night! Oh, and you must have Venmo if you do a group order as no one wants cash anymore! Times have changed in some ways when it comes to food, I guess!

 

[Snowysmom]

@Pea-n-Me Thanks for the heads up. I am hoping that there is a site closer to me that Gillette Stadium and not in Boston. I am at the end of phase 2 in the 65 and older group being just 65. They claim the vaccination schedule will be moving along faster soon. Let's hope so. My older DS had his second pfizer vaccine dose and was under the weather for a day or so. He had chills, headache, and fatigue. Good luck with your second one.

 

[easyas123]

mmmm. Now I want a hearty spag & meatballs after seeing Pea's photos!!!

Good morning all. It's cold outside of my widows, and it looks like this weekend promises to stay in the 30's. All this talk of warm soups....I think I'm adding crab bisque to the rotation this weekend!

Today I'm starting to pack up my old office in anticipation of moving, then I have to go to lower DE this afternoon for a jobsite meeting. I need to stop at Lowes this afternoon & grab some paint and maybe a new rug.

I've recorded both the All Creatures episodes that have been on so far, but still haven't gotten around to watching them. I need to do that, sounds like they are good. We also meant to watch The Stand on CBS, but haven't made the time for that either. We both recently re-read the book this past summer / fall in anticipation of the show - we both really like the book, hoping the show is half as good! We have some work travel at the end of the month coming up so maybe I'll try to watch it then as we are sitting around and waiting.

I'm putting off the chore of boxing up my files, time to buckle down.

 

[tazdev3225]

Morning All.

Those food pictures are making me jealous. I will be living on sandwiches, pizza and fast food for the next 3 weeks or so. Once we start the demolition the end of this week I will have a microwave, crock pot and my Keurig. The crockpot won't be much help since I won't have a sink for at least 2 weeks. I have to have my coffee so I have pods and disposable cups. I have been having nightmares worrying about all of this. Once done I will post pics.

Working on stripping wall paper which has been a breeze as it is peeling right off. Then I can at least start the prep and painting before the floors go down. I just keep reminding myself I am saving $30,000 and helping my grandson build a resume.

Oh well off to get some more work done. Have a great day.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Still cold and windy here. I really need to get outside and walk.

I just couldn't warm up yesterday

We couldn't either. I put on a sweater and turned up the heat.

@sweetpeama, I am amazed at how much detail you can remember from 30+ years ago. I can't remember our OBX trip in October that well.

the mail is still crazy.

Agreed. Still waiting on a card from my brother mailed before 12/19. I saw a news story on the Philadelphia post office and they said it could be 6-8 weeks before they get caught up.

DD got her second Pfizer vaccine Saturday and was a little under the weather for the rest of the weekend into Monday, but feels pretty good now.

I am hearing that. DD felt that way after her first shot, but she had already had covid so we assume she already had some antibodies so it was hitting her like the second shot. DS was able to get his second shot today but figured that wasn't a good idea the day before inauguration so postponed. DH just scheduled his next shot for 2/9.

I was able to text with DS this morning. He is working 12 hour shifts daily. Said DC is pretty empty. He's staying in a DC hotel tonight because all the bridges into DC are going to be closed tomorrow. He only has 11 hours between shifts and would have to spend 3 hours driving to get home and back.

Wouldn’t mind one little bit if we made it a regular theme if stories pop into peoples’ heads!

I was looking for, but couldn't find, an infamous picture from MGM when the kids were 11 and 13. They were goofing off and I wanted to take a picture in front of the Mickey Sorcerer Hat. DH said "Stop having fun! Mom wants to take a picture."

RE: ready to prepare meal delivery. We periodically get Blue Apron. The food quality and meals are very good but can be labor intensive. Lots of dirty dishes after. I do have 4 free boxes to give away if anyone wants to try. I just have to submit your email and they email you the offer. If anyone is interested, message me.

@tazdev3225, when we had our kitchen counters and floor redone a few years back, we had no kitchen sink either. Were washing in the tub, I think. Had the table in the family room. I can't remember but maybe the coffee maker in the cellar and the microwave in the foyer. It was worth it though.

-Don't you love it when you think you've taken down every single decoration and then find one forgotten or hiding somewhere?

That happens to me too. Usually I will pack it into the box with the creche because it is always the first box I open the next year. Sometimes early purchased gifts go in there too.

The mantle looked really bare after I took down the Christmas stuff so I put out some "winter" stuff I have.

I have winter decorations also that I put on the mantle. And a few Christmas things I leave out because I like them.




Have a good day everyone.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning!

I have enjoyed seeing some remainders (and extras) of Christmas decorations this morning It is hard to put that tuff away.

Much cooler here this morning. Next week is supposed to be rainy.

No sheets yet, Lynxstch. Mail and tracking are both very weird right now indeed!

Carol, extra prayer for your DS tomorrow.

Have a cozy and good day friends.

 

[snappy]

I have been MIA again for several weeks, but I do try and catch up on reading your posts. I think the best photos of any thread are all right here, decoration, foods, scenic photos, and especially the pet photos!

We are a little sad here that Drew Brees had a bad night Sunday and the Saints lost. I think that will be his final game, Drew, his wife and his 4 kids usually spend a few minutes on the field after home games, but this time stayed there for 2 hours. It was touching to see and read about.

Love the stories about Disney trips. I have many trips under my belt. The first which launched me personally, was 1964 when our parents brought my younger sister and I on a 2 and a half week driving trip, we saw a lot of California, Nevada, etc. Only one day in DL, but it lit a fire I guess. Summer 1978 we did a trip to WDW. My dad had a thing for amusement parks. After getting married, DH and I brought our two kids starting 1994. That first trip was good, stayed offsite, and my mom and sister joined us for a few days. After we returned, DH unfortunately became very sick, ended up in the hospital with staff pneumonia and almost didn’t make it the first night. Very scary thing, as it was likely he caught it in WDW. I think that trip could be considered our worst trip.

During the next few years we got busy with DH in grad school, me working long hours, a new baby in 1995, move to another city, my dad passing and helping my mom relocate. After things slowed down, we brought all 3 kids and stayed offsite for e weeks in a 4 bedroom pool home near Disney. It was nice, we bought AP’s and somehow justified going another 3 times during that calendar year, again offsite.

After that we took a break from WDW, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but after things again settled again, we ventured back, rented DVC points to stay at OKW a couple of times. Once I had reconstruction and felt better about my future, I lobbied DH to buy a small DVC contract. In my mind it was an affirmation to buy something which at that time a 35 year life. We have had lots of trips since, staying onsite at villas and offsite as well, with our kids, their friends and boyfriends. I have even gone solo, but since DH retired July 2018, we have gone as a couple and those are really enjoyable trips.

It’s hard to pick a favorite trip but I would say the first trip in 2002 and later trips with our youngest DD were among the best. That first trip we ended up meeting a wonderful mother and daughter from California when waiting for a parade in MK. We ended up spending a lot of time with them, and years later that mother located me on Linked in, and we are still in touch. Youngest DD was pretty outgoing, and we met other families and toured with them some trips. DD loved the promotion WDW had years ago when a CM gifted her two Tink pins with the idea you keep one and pass the other pin along to another person. She loved that. She hasn’t been with us in couple of years since graduating college, working full time, and then moving to OK June 2019. None of our three are married and we have no grandkids yet. Some day.

I also treasure the trips when I brought my mom and brother who lives in NYC. Mom and I did the 5K for the Cure, as I did later with DH and another Dis friend who I have met up at WDW several times. I have also been fortunate to have met up with other Dis’ers over the years from time to time.

During our December 2019 trip, we met a lovely couple from upstate NY at the Belle Vue lounge at the Boardwalk. We had planned to both visit them at their home last fall and meet up with them again in December at the Boardwalk, but Covid changed that. Sadly, the husband of the couple passed in April. We do plan to meet up with the wife, and her and her family this December and maybe another time earlier. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Sorry that I have not responded to everyone’s comments here but know I appreciate this thread and the good will as well as good stories shared here.

 

[tazdev3225]

@tazdev3225, when we had our kitchen counters and floor redone a few years back, we had no kitchen sink either. Were washing in the tub, I think. Had the table in the family room. I can't remember but maybe the coffee maker in the cellar and the microwave in the foyer. It was worth it though.

Sadly I have no tub just a small sink in the bathroom. We had the tub replaced last year when I fell and cracked a couple of ribs on New Year's Day. The kitten jumped in the tub and startled me and down I went. It was a scene from the commercial "Help I've fallen and I can't get up!" Seriously! I swear I had Covid before it was known. I was never so sick in my life, 104 fever, coughing my lungs up, headache so bad that light hurt, etc. It was my first shower in almost a week as all I did was sleep. My husband couldn't get me up because he has balance issues to begin with and was struggling with whatever I had, he had he 10 times worse.

I decided that since I am normally stable and fell, if he fell it would be disastrous so I had the tub replaced with a walk in shower. Best decision ever. I love all the space and was never a soak in the tub kind of person anyway.

I have plenty of paper plates, plastic utensils and throw away cups so I should be good. My daughter gave us gift cards for Christmas so that will get a couple of meals too. Knowing my daughter she will also send us some left overs. I am hoping for just 2 or 3 weeks with no sink.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good to see you, Snappy! Yikes and I am so sorry you and your DH endured all that years ago! So grateful he was okay! I enjoyed reading how you came to meet other Disney fans on your trip, too.

Wow, I'm sorry, TazDev! I am glad you now have a walk in shower! Please take care! Aww that was so sweet of your daughter

I am so Blessed to have a wonderfully kind dentist and his wife (receptionist) in my life. It was super easy to change my cleaning from next Monday (supposed to be cold and very rainy) to the following Monday (sunny and 70).

Dad just finished doing laundry and shared folding is no longer allowed (again) at the laundromat. This definitely keeps him safer so I am grateful because he gets out quicker! Neither of us mind wrinkles especially me lol since I am home anyway

Sheets still say they are expected Saturday, January 16th! Tracking at least now indicates they are here in LA and should come tomorrow (original delivery day).

 

[sweetpeama]

Wednesday December 23, 1987 Excitment today as it would not only be our last night in the apartment before we headed up for a 5 night stay at my aunt and uncles house for 6 nights; it was the day we were going to DISNEYLAND. We got to the parking lot early enough to be able to make our way to the ticket booth just outside the front gate so my parents could purchase our tickets and we could go through the turnstyles as close to opening as possible. We were going to stay the entire day even staying to watch the parade and the fireworks. We were impressed that you could actually tell where lines to go on the various attractions are unlike lines at our local fair where you had to guess am I in the line for the spider or for the tilt-a-whirl. We also were amazed that non of the lines had depressions of water that we had to step over, around or sometimes just go through and get our feet wet. We got to taste our first churros and enjoy getting pineapple on a scewer. We rode so many attractions including some that are no longer around such as the skyliner. We even got to paddle canoes to Tom Sawyer Island and watch the Country Bear Jamboree. We shot guns at the shoot out corral turning it into a competition with each other as by that time our local 4-H program had started the shooting sports program which all of us kids were in Archery, Air Riffle, Air Pistol, .22 Shotgun, and Hunting-in this one we learned tracking, how to identify paw or hoof prints of different animals and we took pictures of any animals we spotted on our hunts. So yes we shot the animals but it was with 110 or 126 film in most cases though there were a few that had 35 milimeter. (The only project we did not take was muzzle loading which only I was old enough to take) I even served as an officer of the club being the club secretary which means I took notes and then typed up the minutes of the organizational meetings submitting a copy to the extension office.
We enjoyed getting to meet many different characters including Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. (I will try and get the one or two pictures I have that are not so blurry nothing can be even some what seen clearly scanned and posted at some point. Many of the pictures from my childhood were destroyed in the basement flood of August 2003-I will try and tell that story at some point). We got to watch both the afternoon and the night time parade along with see the fireworks. Finally the park closed and it was time to go back to the apartment for one last night.
Christmas Eve we loaded up the car and made sure the apartment was nice and clean before we left late in the morning to make the drive to my aunt and uncle's house in Semi Valley. We knew that my uncle would not be home until later from his job working as a member of a Federal Law Enforcement Agency-even though he is retired for family safety I am not going to disclose more than this as I grew up being trained to casually look in the backseat before unlocking vehicle doors, memorizing what agency and office location Uncle worked for in case we were ever kidnapped and knowing that if we were and could get away we were to go to the nearest law enforcement agency and have them contact uncle at his office, we knew that because of uncle's postion the normal must be missing for 24 hours that was in effect back then did not apply to us as there had been many threats on even us as his nieces and nephew. Once we were old enough to be smart about things and knew how to be alert to our surroundings my parents were honest with use kids and let us know when these had occured. We were expecting our aunt and cousins who were 15 and 17 years old to be home. Our 17 year old cousin was not home as some girl had dropped off a gift for him while he was out finisihing his shopping for his parents and his sister and he didn't have a gift for her, this would be the theme for several hours. He had to go back to the stores to get something for that particular girl. While he was out another girl brought a gift by. He ended up going several other times. While he was out on the 5th trip he finally decided to call before heading home to see if it was clear and of course girl number 6 had dropped off a gift so he had to get something for her and drop it by her house. He just missed girl number 7 who arrived minutes before he got home from purchasing gifts for numbers 5 and 6 so a final trip out with a at least the stores are closing soon so hopefully no one else drops off a gift. Not that he was a campus Romeo in fact he never dated until a number of years after he was through college. The girls just all liked him and wanted to date him so were letting him know with gifts. Quite the opposite of my high school where if you liked someone you sent them a corsage for homecoming or a singing telegram for valentines day all of which cost $5 and went and supported the activity club or the competative upper class choir that traveled every year going one year nationally and one year on an international trip usually to Western Europe on a 3 week tour.
My uncle got home and after a quick dinner we loaded up the cars and went to candlelight church services at their church where we enjoyed the singing ending with silent night all in the dark with just hand held candles for light along with the lights on the trees. I ended up sitting between my dad and my uncle and yes I knew that he had his service weapon on him because uncle always had his service weapon on him or it was within reach if he was sleeping at night or taking a shower/swimming.
Christmas day we opened up our gifts along with out cousins, we had brought our gifts from home in the car all wrapped up including the gifts from my dad's other sister and her family and Opa and his 2nd wife that he married when I was only a few weeks old after loosing Oma to cancer 3 months before I was born. She would not allow any talk of Oma though she was allowed to talk about her first husband who had died of a heart attack with her kids and grandkids. This was one of the big reasons for all the trips we took to South Dakota though we did see some of my mom's great aunts and their families on those trips as well. Dad's aunts were our connection to that part of our family and part of keeping Oma's memory alive for us. We enjoyed a quiet day at my aunt and uncle's house and had a lovely day getting to be with out cousins that we normally got to see for a week in the summer when they came to visit-a week that we had several of the 2nd wive's grandkids around as well so we never got to just have us cousins. With Opa living so close we would try and sneak to our house and it was always you have to include everyone so the only advantage of going to our house was we could make noise without adults and her grandkids were wimps when it came to riding the sheep or the calves when we had them. We mainly raised sheep and only had the bucket calves for a few years. We were safe about it we did get out one of the motor bike helmets to wear as we took turns doing work up to bull riding but we didn't have any bulls to ride. I am not sure but what my brother would have if we did but rodeo was more something of my mom's side than my dad's.
To be continued at a later time as I am going to get ready to head into town and pick up the best buy order part that we didn't realize would not be ready the 9th when we placed the original order and then was supposed to be ready the 16th and was delayed along with picking up a grocery order. I am also going to grab some food at at a fast food place and some coffee drinks before coming home and crashing. 13 year old didn't get to bed until 5:45 am so I have not slept since my afternoon/evening nap yesterday. Reason why I take a nap at my age is my youngest with her neurological problems has a horrible sleep schedule so I end up taking a nap and luckily my almost 16 year old at least can keep an ear out for problems. Most of the time 13 year old sits on the couch and plays on her ipad or watches movies on the tv while I get my nap. I also was not a huge coffee drinker until my youngest but now I survive on caffine either coffee drinks or throwback pepsi made with sugar and corn syrup I can't stand the taste of corn syrup colas they stick to my teeth.