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

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks so much, dear PollyannaMom. I (always) appreciate you so much! I did find another image That I hope really will print out well. I'll find out when dad gets it tomorrow. I, of course, like yours better! First and foremost, you personally took care to make it Secondary is, it's bigger than the image I found. CVS is being impossible still and saying "low resolution." I'll print it out myself!

Have a good night's sleep, friends.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Good morning from Massachusetts!

This time the little cat hears something in the drainpipe:


I've already been up a while. Watched episode 2 of Obi-Wan and made some candy for a cookout later. (I'll do some cookies and plate them together after the kitties are done with their walks.)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good morning! I love seeing your cat outside @PollyannaMom!

I just wanted to say I left a long post (well, a couple of long posts) about caring for my mother on the “Dealing with aging parents” thread when I couldn’t sleep if anyone wants to read about it. Emotional writing about it, but in a therapeutic way.

Speaking of parents, what are people getting for Father’s Day gifts? I know some of you don’t get those types of presents for your spouse, but we do. So far I bought DH a tee shirt that he’ll like. I saw an idea for a homemade ‘charcuterie tray’ for the boat made from a tackle box that you can load up with snacks for outings. I might give that a whirl. I have to remind DH that I got him a nice portable cooler for last Father’s Day (but I found it a few months ago in my closet - I’d forgotten to give it to him!). Not sure where it is now!

Enjoy the Sunday, everyone! I’m not sure if Grady is feeling himself, he’s a little quiet today. We’ll keep an eye on him.

 

[lynxstch]

Good sunny morning. Going to be low 80's today,,heat wave starting tomorrow.

@Pea-n-Me --I read some of that thread about aging parents, but it was making me too sad. Both of my parents died too soon, so I never had to deal with it, but was still sad to read some of the stories. Glad you posted on it and that it was theraputic for you. I hope that Grady is okay, let us know!

@PollyannaMom --your posts always make me smile,,I love your kitty pictures,,wonder what he is looking for this morning? lol!

Just had a HUGE piliated (sp?) woodpecker fly through the side yard,,it startled me while I was looking out the window, and man , he is making some loud noises,,lol


I already took down my portable greenhouse for the year this morning,,am in the process of putting it all back in the box now. Then I want to plant the 3 honeycomb orange tomato plants I started from seed. They are still only 2" tall, so not hoping for much, but you never know..

Staying home this weekend, making some kind of jumbo shrimp for dinner today, and ribeyes on the grill for tomorrow
Have a great Sunday!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Speaking of parents, what are people getting for Father’s Day gifts? I know some of you don’t get those types of presents for your spouse, but we do.

DH decided he wanted he wanted a fire pit for Father's Day, so I gave my blessing and he picked it out himself. It's on it's way already!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I read some of that thread about aging parents, but it was making me too sad. Both of my parents died too soon, so I never had to deal with it, but was still sad to read some of the stories. Glad you posted on it and that it was theraputic for you.

Totally understandable, Lynn

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning everyone

PollyannaMom, I also love seeing your curious kitty outside. You really should put together a book of funny pet tails. Beautiful flowers, too.

for Grady, Pea and always for dear you as well! I'm so thankful you found comfort by sharing in the aging parents thread. God Bless You for taking care of YOU to do so and also kindly gifting to others extra compassion that was as well.

Great picture, Lynn. Always prayers for you for some peace and rest! Extra on your parents.

I've also been wondering what to get dad for Father's Day. I got him sometime last year because I wasn't sure when I'd give it to him. I decided to save it for Father's Day this year. This Best Dad Ornament I'll also give him some money to get himself some and a treat. I'm still thinking what one other gift could be.

It's a dash warmer today although not so much in the back of the apartment. I've been busily sorting through all my paperback books Organizing by series along with titles I still need to read. I will watch worship a little later which always is a Sunday (or any day I watch) joy. We did hear from my cousin. He's still in the hospital. He is thank God in great spirit and receiving very good care. He shared with me that one of his daily mantras is "Sweet Jesus, Day by Day." I reminded him and each of you that in all, through it all, every day forever, He is with you, too! By His Grace, know I care so much, too, friends. I'll check back in later.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Not much going on here. DH went with me to Sam's Club this morning; whenever he goes shopping with me, we always spend more than planned. LOL I ended up with some new knives (Ninja Foodi brand), and new food storage containers. We also stopped at Winn Dixie for a few things that I couldn't get (or didn't want to get) at SC. DH put up my new monitor and stand, and we move some things around in the house. Took naps after lunch, and now it's thundering, so no yard work.

Getting ready to cook dinner, and then wash all the stuff we got today, haha.
Rewatching The Newsroom....love that show. The West Wing and The Newsroom are two of Sorkin's best shows, and they are my go-to rewatch shows.

Have a good day, everyone

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Quiet thread today!

I have wonderful news to share which is praise God, His Grace and extra Mercy always and in all ways, of course. My cousin Steve was able to go home earlier. He has a long road ahead. So much brighter, of course, to be an outpatient than an inpatient! Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes for him and Ruth.

Have a good evening B&B and everyone else as well with love.

 

[Snowysmom]

@flyingdumbo127 Glad to hear your cousin was able to go home. I think everyone feels more comfortable in their own home when not feeling well.

Thoughts and prayers for all in need.


Older DS and I went to the condo today. He built my new desk for me and pushed the piano back against the wall so the living area is now settled. I emptied more boxes and have my dishes in the cabinets. I have 4 more moving boxes to empty. The does not include all the stuff I have at my son's house. I am going to have to do another look through and throw out alot more stuff. Not looking forward to that emotional minefield. DS gets a bit aggravated with me when I tell him I can't live alone and I am not really feeling the condo right now. As I said before, I did buy it because the kids liked it and will not worry about me there. I do not want to be a burden to them. It is nice and fairly new but it is hard for me to envision actually living there. I made up the bed yesterday and just cried the whole time. Every time I do something like hang up my clothes in the closet I end up crying. Poor younger DS came into the room while I was crying and I know he gets upset too. I did love seeing the grandkids yesterday and holding my newest DGS. He is sleeping 4 hours at a time at night and after he feeds he goes right back to sleep. Good boy!

I got my second shingles shot today so I anticipate not feeling well tomorrow. I planned it this way as I have no plans tomorrow so if I don't feel well I can just chill. I am not going on the road for anything tomorrow.

Have a nice evening.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning and Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all who served, or have families that served.
I had to hunt down our thread on the second page
Today is the start of a 3 day heat wave with temps in low to mid 90's. I can imagine the beaches will be packed on the Eastern Shore
No plans for the day, as usual. Wish we could go somewhere or do something different, but with Mr L's health issues, it's not too feasible.
@Snowysmom 's that you still aren't feeling quite comfortable in the new condo. Give it some time, once you really get settled in, and meet some of the other people that live there, I am hoping that things start to look a lot brighter for you. Hang in there!

I am going to post 2 pictures below. The first, I'm not sure if I posted before, but the picture is of Mr L's last boss' father at 'The Wall'. I think it might have been the first 'official' photo of it that they posted, but in any case, when I think of Memorial Day, this is the first picture that always comes to my mind. I had met her father before he passed, and he was a really wonderful man

Have a great day all,,take a moment to just stop and remember all those who served and were lost, all that served and have suffered, and all that still serve to this day to keep our country free

 

[footballmouse]

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

Lynxstch - that's a very powerful picture that you posted.

Our first strawberry picked. We gave it to our hamster.

I'm sure he was very thankful.

Well, it's official, I have a place I can start moving things to on the 4th.

Congratulations. You'll have it fixed up in no time and it will start to feel more like your home.

I was off work over the weekend but I'm working today. Friday night I didn't do anything because it kept raining off and on. Saturday I did a lot of running around for errands. I went and saw Top Gun 2 with Ds3 and his girlfriend. Yesterday I worked out in the yard all day. Ds3 came over and we cleaned out the Koi pond. I need to lay more pea gravel and then fill it in. I'll stop at the store during the week and buy some new fish. I was worn out last night, had to take some Tylenol before bed.

Finally broke down and turned the AC on yesterday. After I cut the grass, I went in the house and thought "nope, way too hot for the fans". My dogs were very appreciative.

That's about it. Hope everyone enjoys their day today.

 

[Snowysmom]

Happy Memorial Day. Thanks to all who served our country. My Dad and DFIL were both in WW II. My Dad was in the Army in North Africa and Europe while DFIL was in the Navy in the Pacific. I think of them both on this day.

Lynn The picture at the Wall is very moving. Thanks for posting.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

^ My father also served in North Africa in WWII. Maybe they somehow knew eachother given they were from around the same area! I wish I could go to the cemetery today, but I can’t, due to work.

Just finishing up a big work stretch. DH and I have some financial stuff we have to get done before the end of the month so we were going to tackle it tonight and hope it’s not too complicated (causing us to have to work on it more tomorrow). I also need an inspection sticker before the end of the month. That may not happen. I have to get my car into the dealership for a recall, plus my back door isn’t working right automatically, you have to open or close it manually. I think DH broke it but he gets mad if I say that, lol. (You can’t push it down manually when it’s going up automatically or vice versa!) I can hear it trying to work but it won’t. I have the feeling that will be a costly repair.

Lynxstch - that's a very powerful picture that you posted.

Totally agree! Love that! I am a little paranoid about Vietnam Veteran’s now after a recent thread here where a VV on these boards said he did not like people saying “Thank you for your service” to him and some other stuff that sort of messed me up. Did anyone else see that thread and another one or two? Instead I’ve been saying “Welcome Home” (due to how awful people were to them when they came home). Some of my patients are VV’s and we’ve talked about it a bit. Hard to know what to do or say anymore.

Quote function wouldn’t work on your post @footballmouse but how did you like Top Gun? Is it all it’s cracked up to be? I would like to get out to see Downton Abbey.

Enjoy today everyone!

PS @Snowysmom, I feel like you are in the ‘surreal’ period with your new place. Like sort of a (bad?) dream that you really don’t want to have. I agree it’s going to take a while to settle in, just like with anything else new. Gradually that feeling will lessen, hopefully. I am praying you come to enjoy it at some point in the future. Have you talked to your therapist about your feeling this way? Just wondering what advice she offered. I feel like summertime is a better time to meet people, probably, or is it? I can’t remember if you said it had a clubhouse or something like that? You know I am still thinking a little doggie would be really nice company for you in your condo! That way you would not be alone, and you’d have someone to care for, the way you’re used to doing as a wife and mom/grandmom . May be too early right now to think about, but keep your heart open to it. You had such a nice love with Jasper.

 

[footballmouse]

but how did you like Top Gun?

I liked it. I liked how there were throw backs put in to the first movie. I think I liked the first one better, but I usually always like the originals more than the sequels. It was good though, would definitely recommend it.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Happy Memorial Day. My heartfelt thank you to all who have served and their families, too! Take a moment indeed to give extra thanks this day.

Thank you all again, always, for your prayers for my cousins.

Snowysmom. ITA with Pea's kind words. I do think considering a dog, possibly, an older one would be a blessing to both of you (you and the dog). I do pray come warmer weather you are able to meet new neighbors and make a new friemd. Anyone will sure be blessed to meet you. Please take care of YOU!

Thank you indeed Lynn for the picture of the wall. It is a very poignant reminder to say a prayer of thanks.

Glad you enjoyed the movie, Footballmouse!

 

[Snowysmom]

@Pea-n-Me Our Dads may have known each other since they were from the same area. It is nice to think about. My Dad was from the North Shore. Well, first Nova Scotia, and then the North Shore.

I am not living in the condo right now. I am getting it ready and want to have it basically move in ready when I decide to live there. I know I need to just immerse myself in it and let the emotions just have their way. Right now I am trying to get used to being there alone a few hours at a time. The condo does have a club house but not many activities since covid. They are very slowly getting back to some day trips like lunch shows but I am not interested in the type of trips they take, plus I work. I think they have had a couple of events at the club house but not many. I do plan on using the gym occasionally. I see people in the hallway and every one is friendly. I feel like I am definitely one of the younger people in this building. It is mainly women with some couples. This coming weekend it will be just me as older DS works. I am not sure if younger DS will come over to help put up pictures. Then the following weekend older DS will set up my work computer and I may just decide to stay from then on. I need to develop new routines. I know Chris will be with me and I know he would want me to be there and be safe and secure. He was all about that. I do feel like I am in a bad dream, that is a perfect way to phrase it. Leaving the house was hard and it was like leaving Chris and our life behind. But I need to remember that the good memories come with me and Chris is always with me. With all the emotions it is hard to remember that. I see my therapist tomorrow. She is aware of how I feel and has suggested journaling which I have been doing all along. I will see what suggestions she has tomorrow. She always tells me that she feels like she knows Chris from the way I talk about him.

I do love dogs but also know I cannot do it alone. I have alot of trouble with who would take the dog if something happened to me. And after losing Jasper and my other dogs I cannot deal with health issues and the end of life part of pet ownership. I know myself and right now is not the time for getting a dog. I may change my mind or I may just enjoy seeing the dogs out and around the complex. I can meet people by meeting their dogs. I appreciate the suggestion. Jasper, as well as all my other dogs, were wonderful and I loved them dearly. Chris always helped me care for them through everything and it was very important to me.

I went to Michael's today to get some paint sets, brushes, paper, markers, and crayons to set up a little craft drawer for when the grandkids come to the condo. All are washable of course! It will keep them busy and they love to make pictures and color. I should go to Target and look at shoe racks and a small storage shelf unit but my heart and brain are not interested so I will not go. I can wait until I feel like I am ready to go.

Have a good rest of the day.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Totally agree! Love that! I am a little paranoid about Vietnam Veteran’s now after a recent thread here where a VV on these boards said he did not like people saying “Thank you for your service” to him and some other stuff that sort of messed me up. Did anyone else see that thread and another one or two? Instead I’ve been saying “Welcome Home” (due to how awful people were to them when they came home). Some of my patients are VV’s and we’ve talked about it a bit. Hard to know what to do or say anymore.

I remember that thread. It unnerved me a little bit too, but I decided that person likely represented a "vocal minority", and I do think most people appreciate it. If I'm going to make an error, I'd rather the result be someone shaking his head at my naivete than someone feeling forgotten.

Quote function wouldn’t work on your post @footballmouse but how did you like Top Gun? Is it all it’s cracked up to be? I would like to get out to see Downton Abbey.

Me too!

I know myself and right now is not the time for getting a dog. I may change my mind or I may just enjoy seeing the dogs out and around the complex. I can meet people by meeting their dogs.

I understand completely. You need your freedom right now, as you figure out the things you want to do, without having to consider anyone else.

I went to Michael's today to get some paint sets, brushes, paper, markers, and crayons to set up a little craft drawer for when the grandkids come to the condo. All are washable of course! It will keep them busy and they love to make pictures and color.

That sounds wonderful!

If you haven't finished putting stuff up, maybe some of these frames would be a good idea? - you don't have to take them down to change the kids' artwork:

(link)

or this one that has three slots, and no glass, so it accommodates 3D projects:

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

Saturday night the Illuminated Fountain show was very nice. Disney music, same as last year but still enjoyable.

Sunday, church. Our pastor gave a very heartfelt sermon. It got a little political but was for social justice, something the Methodist church does. She said she may have lost a few parishioners but had to say it. Here are the words to one of the hymns we sang. It was written this week.
God, our nation feels the loss
as our children pay the cost
for the violence we accept,
for the silence we have kept.
Rachel weeps for children gone;
God of love, this can’t go on!
Jesus, Lord, we hear you say,
“Don’t turn little ones away!”
May we build a kinder land
where our children understand:
Every child here matters more
than the guns we clamor for.
Holy Spirit, wind and flame,
send us out in Jesus’ name.
May we shout and say, “Enough!”
May we build a world of love—
till the sounds of weapons cease,
till our young can grow in peace.

Sunday afternoon/evening was our cookout party. It was very nice. Good food and I think everyone enjoyed it. DS, DDIL, and DGS spent the night. We went out to breakfast this morning then they headed back south.

Today just catching up and relaxing.

Tonight DH was cutting some roast beef and stepped away for a second and Grady grabbed a piece and chowed it down!

We had shelties for 25 years before the goldens. Shelties are small and do not counter surf. The first day the recued goldens arrived at our house, I had chicken breasts on the counter marinating. The dogs must have though "This life is great, chicken for the taking." We quickly learned that goldens are counter height and had to have something else for dinner.

We saw on Instagram a new way to cook broccoli

Have you ever roasted it? I really like it that way.

“Dealing with aging parents” thread

I did not read that. We dealt with it 4 times and I've had enough.

Speaking of parents, what are people getting for Father’s Day gifts?

My dad isn't living and DH is not my father. I do now get a card for the father of my children.

I will watch worship a little later which always is a Sunday

It is powerful.

Finally broke down and turned the AC on yesterday.

We did too. I could have lived without it but the room that DS and family were staying it was hot and can't have that. Marty needs to be comfortable.

Left over cookout tonight.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Just sending each of you an extra

Snowysmommy friend. You are never alone! I am truly so grateful always that you have your kind therapist. Right now, you need to concentrate on taking care of you! I am glad to hear that the condo does offer some activities. Prayers that you come to find fun in some of them.

PollyannaMom, what an awesome idea for changing out artwork especially made by kids

Thank you for posting that, Carol. Powerfully beautiful indeed!