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

[Pea-n-Me]

On the grill front: have you looked at Blackstones? They are pricey, but have a great reputation. DH wants one, and a green egg, and a regular grill too. LOL We do need another infrared oil-less fryer.

It's on the list to check out. My issue is we keep it on our upper porch, near back door to kitchen and the area isn't super big - plus my husband has his smoker there, too. But it may just fit...

Does anyone have a Blackstone? Was it difficult to go from a "regular" grill to one of those?

Yes, that is the type of grill we have! I posted about it here when we first got it, I’d been surprised when DH brought it home to see it was a different type. But since he does most of the grilling and he said they were becoming popular, not to mention it was the type he wanted, I sort of reluctantly went along with it. But turns out we really love it. We‘ve cooked breakfast out there (keeps the bacon grease outside) and a bunch of meatballs and other things we couldn’t have done on a regular grill. I also like that there is less char, that black part of grilled meats that can be cancer-causing, since we tend to grill out a lot. HTH.

 

[Snowysmom]

Happy Birthday AuntieMe3!

@dazedx3 Wedding dresses are expensive. My DDIL's hit the sales racks. Older DDIL went to a consignment shop and found a brand new wedding dress, just not the current season. I hope your planning goes well and she has a wonderful wedding in December. I agree with what someone said above, take care of you too. Self care is very important especially during stressful times.

@frog3101 Thinking of you today.

It is not a great day today. I am thinking alot about Chris and Jasper. Tomorrow it will be one year since we lost Jasper. I am at peace with that as he was very sick and he is in a better place now. But, Chris was supposed to be here to help me through the loss of Jasper. Now I am also dealing with the loss of Chris. My mind just keeps wandering back to when Chris passed. I can be sitting at my computer or in the living room and I just burst into tears. That happens anyway sometimes but today it is more frequent. My therapist did say that with all the transitions I have had these past 10 months that she is not surprised I have gone back a few steps. I feel like back to square one today. I am finding it hard to get used to living alone. Not much I can do about it though. It is my life now. I am also missing going away this summer as we usually did. I do have the October trip but we always went somewhere in August. I have already told the kids that next summer we are going to NH to Santa's Village. They agree with that so I will plan that in the Spring. We can't go this year as the only week older DS could go, the other grandkids start school.

It is cloudy out so I expect storms will be coming in later. I have gotten in 2 walks so far. I was so busy with work that I could not get away for even 10 minutes to take my usual morning break walk. I do not like days like that. I hope the rest of the week is a bit less stressful.

Have a nice rest of the day.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good afternoon, everyone

Snowysmom. We care. Your therapist is right on.Wodnerful and I pray healing and helpful plan to try to have seasonal trips planned ahead!

I'm no help grill-wise since we don't have or use one. I hope you find a good one, Easyas.

Dad did get some needed things at Target and Dollar Tree. We are grateful and that he's safely home. Had a nice surprise this morning when I decided to turn on The Price is Right around 10:30, so at its halfway point. It looked like an older (had to be pre pandemic) show with younger kids as contestants. It only recorded half of it, but it will be fun to watch later.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

So humid here. Supposed to have storms but I think the line is breaking up. Did sprinkle on our travels today.

We headed out this morning to the outlets in Lancaster and hit various stores. Came home with a loaf of rainbow bread for Tessa, 2 clearance tank tops from Chicos for me, a new sprinkler to replace the broken one, a thistle sock for the gold finches, a chair to replace the one that had broken on our porch (the furniture store replaced it), and the bench we had ordered to complete the seating at the table on the deck, We can not fit anymore furniture out there. Did not get what we went for - shorts and shoes for DH. Usually it is the other way around, I am looking for something specific, find nothing, and he buys something. They were having a mini-RV show in the parking lot so we were able to walk through some. Something DH has wanted to do for year. Also went to CFA.

Tonight driving down to DD's to take the bread and see how the painting is going.

My sister returned from her cruise last week and 9 out of 11 people in their group all tested COVID+, unfortunately her and bil tested +.

Seems like this is happening to a lot of people returning from trips.

picked another batch of cherry tomatoes

I am jealous. We now have a groundhog who is enjoying my tomatoes.

DH and I are going to.....San Ignacio, Belize, for 9 nights!

Exciting!

My DDIL's hit the sales racks.

DD got her off a clearance rack so didn't have to wait for it to come in, just had to have the alterations. DDIL is so tiny there is no way she could try one one in the stores. She bought a custom made one online by sending in her measurement.

@AuntieMe3

@dazedx3 , @Snowysmom , @frog3101

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I just Googled Carol, I had never heard of that just from a couple children's books years ago, rainbow popcorn kernels. Fun treat for Tessa. Glad you got to go to CFS. Sorry your DH didn't find the clothing he wanted.

Quiet afternoon here.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I just Googled Carol,

When we went to lunch in Lancaster with the grands before going on the Strasburg Railroad in April, we ate in a restaurant where her sandwich was on rainbow bread. She asked her parents for it several times. I wondered how excited she would really be. We arrived with the bread and I gave it to her in a bag. She was so excited. She hugged me then hugged the bread until we made her stop squishing it.

It is so muggy and humid out. The supposed cold front that was supposed to bring strong thunderstorms never materialized here.

Dinner was grillers on the grill, sourdough bread I had in the freezer, and fresh tomatoes from our neighbors garden. They were soooo good.

Watching Ninja Warrior now.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Aw, God Bless Tessa, Carol. You made her afternoon Yuck to the humidity. Keep cool and enjoy

I talked with Ruth earlier as the first number 9 cake was baking. She said she will call me later to let me know how they turned out. I did receive a very nice email from Matt at 99. He was excited that tomorrow is Sue's big day. He said that 99's new social something (don't remember what he called her) will definitely be visiting Sue tomorrow with her basket. I'll share about that once I have talked with Sue. I'm so grateful to God, He made Sue and I friends and that He made it possible to bring her extra fun on her 99th birthday, too.

Wishing all of you sweet dreams with love.

Extra hug to you, Frog, thinking of you!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Sue's big day.

I am looking forward to hearing how she likes it all.

 

[frog3101]

Hello and welcome to Monday night.

@flyingdumbo127 Can't wait to hear all about Sue's big day. What great friends she has to make this day very special.
@Breezy_Carol how fun with the rainbow bread. A pre-school teacher where my kids went always made rainbow bread for ARK day at the preschool as part of the snacks. ARK day was a full day dedicated to learning more about Noah and the ARK. Always a favorite of all my kids.
@Snowysmom continued prayers and good thoughts to you. I'm sorry you have had a few steps back. It is totally to be expected, but you really have come so far. Just remember, you are strong. But, I get it. I had some real progress the other day, and today I feel like I have slipped back a little. I just keep believing all of those who have walked this terrible road before and come out on the other side, that some day I will be ok. I will be different, and things may still sting, but I will be ok. I know though that sometimes when someone tells me that I honestly want to scream sometimes, that "NO I WILL NOT BE OKAY!" So far I have refrained, except with a few close friends who understand my frustrations at the entire situation.
@AuntieMe3 HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you had a great day.
@footballmouse way to head back to the workouts. I've been trying to ride a bike more and get some walks in. I've fallen "off the wagon" so to speak over the last few days, but tomorrow is always a new day.
@Kirby I hope Lil Joe will be home soon. I think you mentioned when, but I can't remember and didn't go back to check. Also hope things with your daughter and her new attorney are going to yield positive results soon.

Well, Day 1 of waiting is over. The judge should have at least looked at the affidavits today. Now it's just like waiting for a the ax to drop. I know it will happen, I just don't know when. Waiting and not knowing really is the worst.
I'm getting very upset as my oldest son is struggling so much. I am angry that my children will probably need extensive therapy after all the dust settles with this and it's because they are allowed to be with my husband who still belittles me, asks my kids questions about me, and still tells them to lie to me. My son is so torn. I hate that he can do all these things yet my kids are not getting a voice and I'm not allowed to state any of this...at least not now. I just have to pray and wait and pray some more. I know all of you are doing what you do, but please keep the prayers or whatever it is you do coming, esp. for my kids.

It's community vacation Bible school this week in our town. It's being held at the church I grew up in. My oldest is helping and my youngest two attended. I think they had a good time overall. My oldest said it's a bit unorganized and therefore chaotic. The first nights usually seem to be that way.

Don't really know much else. I'm going to get ready to head to my chair for a bit. Sleep eludes me so I figure I will watch some TV and see if that helps.

Rest easy everyone.

 

[PollyannaMom]

...because they are allowed to be with my husband who still belittles me, asks my kids questions about me, and still tells them to lie to me. My son is so torn. I hate that he can do all these things yet my kids are not getting a voice...

I will never understand people who don't think of their kids first. I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Temps are a lot more manageable today, mid 70's with a chance of storms. We got some of the predicted rain from the promised storms yesterday, and a little thunder, but not strong storms like they said. Around 4 the sun came back out and the temp went up to 83, and it was muggy. Might get to turn the ac off today and open the windows if the humidity disappears

@PollyannaMom I so agree with your above comment to @frog3101

@Breezy_Carol I was watching ANW last nite too, made it about 1/2 way through and then fall asleep. There are so many 'younger' ninja's this year that are so talented!

@flyingdumbo127 I can't wait to hear how the surprise goes. Thank you so much for doing this for Sue to make this birthday an extra special one

@frog3101 We are all behind you, and hoping for a good outcome. You are the parent that those kids needs, the one who is putting their needs before all else, as hard as it is. He's the one who isn't. Hugs and more prayers sent.

Today is gather trash, make grocery list , and make a brief stop at the discount store over the PA line. Also have to figure out dinner

Have a nice morning

 

[footballmouse]

Happy Tuesday morning!

Well I went to my workout yesterday and I'm feeling it today. I skipped my Pilates class, starting to feel sore and I was hungry so I knew my mind wasn't going to be in it.

My nephew and his family got a new puppy yesterday, a golden retriever. It's a girl but his little kids named her Miller, so they call her Miss Miller. Not really sure where that came from.

Have some salmon thawing out for tonight's dinner. I need to use up the zucchini and squash that I bought so I'll throw that in the oven.

Watched the Reds game last night. They beat Miami pretty good. One of the favorite players is in his 2nd year and hit his first grand slam last night so that was exciting to see. I hope the kid who got the ball gave it back to him. We had a player just called up over the weekend and he hit his first homerun on Sunday and the girl that caught it gave it back to him. That's always nice to see when fans do that.

Not much help with the grill question. I'm going to shopping around for a new one in a couple of months.

Bought myself a lottery ticket for the big lottery tonight and then I got a $10 scratch off. I won $100!!!! Yay me!

DH and I are going to.....San Ignacio, Belize, for 9 nights!

What an awesome trip that will be.

Time to go grab some breakfast and start working, have a great day!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Just got back from a walk with my neighbor. It's definitely less humid than it has been, but by the end, we were still feeling it - even her dog!

 

[Kirby]

it's because they are allowed to be with my husband who still belittles me, asks my kids questions about me, and still tells them to lie to me. My son is so torn.

We're expecting Lil Joe tonight or tomorrow night. Your ex is so much like DD's ex. I'm praying for you and your family as you go through this.

Went to my monthly book club meeting last night. We had nine present. Our July pick was The Lost and Found Book Shop by Susan Wiggs. One member did not read it and another was in the process of reading it. The rest of us liked the book and were an even split of 3 and 4 out of 4 being the best. We all agreed it was a nice change from the deeper books we had been reading and that it was a nice summer read.

DD took Lou Lou to VBS last night. When they walked into the auditorium to meet up with Lou Lou's class, she turned around to DD and said "You can go home now. I've got this!". She keeps us in stitches, Little Miss Independent!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Got my donations ready to put out for AmVets tomorrow morning. I had 4 boxes in the basement of stuff I had cleared off the kitchen shelves. And went through my overflow closet this morning and added 10 more things to the clothing bag.

Then I finished the book I was reading. Packed my lunch to take to church for when I am sitting at the Welcome Center.

My nephew and his family got a new puppy yesterday, a golden retriever.

Oooohhhhh, she must be so cute. I need a picture.

I got a $10 scratch off. I won $100!!!!

Good for you. I hope you have the same luck on the drawing.

The Lost and Found Book Shop by Susan Wiggs.

I will add that to my Want to Read on GoodReads. I looked it up some and it is the third in a series. Didn't look like the books had the same characters. Do you know if they should be read in order or is it a stand alone book?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning,

Thank you all so much for your wishes for Sue and kind words. I will absolutely share later or tomorrow morning about her celebration. I'm so happy for her. I didn't get a number 9 cake update last night but am expecting Ruth to call this morning or maybe she'll call me after she brings the two cakes to Sue's, not sure. I hope they turned out. Ruth was concerned about them. I told her no matter what happens, the two of us will always smile over the number 9 cake and she sure tried. Right now, I know between 10-12 is when Cindy from 99 will be bring Sue her basket. Mid - afternoon is when a few different small groups of Sue's neighbors will visit her to celebrate and enjoy some food prepared by Sue's two caregivers. Terri did bring Sue her cupcake-shaped puzzle card I had made her along with a stuffed animal dog last night. Sue enjoyed that.

PollyannaMom, big hug, and I, too, could not agree more with what you said! Parents and caregivers should always put their children first and love them unconditionally as the precious blessings from God trusted to them by God, that they are!

Frog and Kirby both of you and your families sure remain extra in my heart and prayers.

I would also love a puppy picture, Footballmouse!

Carol and Kirby, years ago I enjoyed some of Susan Wigg's books. I'll look up The Lost and Found Book Shop--it does have an interesting title!

Dad is at the laundromat followed by Ralph's. Wishing him a smooth and easy morning out. Tomorrow morning, we will try again to make a summer shaped pancake. We used to small a cookie cutter the first time to really see the popsicle pancake. I will share a picture then. We're going to try an ice cream shaped cookie cutter this time to make the

Keep cool and happy Tuesday to all!

 

[footballmouse]

For those of you who asked for a picture, here is Miss Miller.

 

[lynxstch]

@footballmouse --Miss Miller is gorgeous!

 

[AuntieMe3]

It's his new TV, and wasn't supposed to come for another week.

Love when that happens.

Yesterday brought record temperatures - over 100 degrees,

No matter what anyone says, even if you're used to it, 100° is hot but especially when you don't have AC. Glad you were able to keep cool.

My sister returned from her cruise last week and 9 out of 11 people in their group all tested COVID+, unfortunately her and bil tested +.

I'm sorry to hear that. DD just got a positive test this morning. And poor thing the only place she ever goes is into the office two days a week.

.in 3 1/2 weeks, DH and I are going to.....San Ignacio, Belize, for 9 nights!

OMG... so exciting. Definitely better than TN.

Our family bon fire went well, nice to visit with some we haven‘t seen since Covid.

Glad you all enjoyed the bonfire.

- DS will be on his own for this week. He said he's pretty excited

DD loved when we started leaving her home alone.

Thankful to God for enabling me to pass on these stickers so that they might be of good service to come and spread joy

Maybe someone can use them for the Relay for Life. I used to decorate the luminaria bags people purchased and didn't want to decorate. Some people decorated their own and used stickers.

Does anyone have a Blackstone?

We do, we still have our regular grill and now we have the blackstone(36" but I think they have smaller ones). He uses the Blackstone way more than the regular now. I got him a cover and grill tools for Father's Day.

Also you'll love San Diego, especially Coronado area.

She asked her parents for it several times. I wondered how excited she would really be. We arrived with the bread and I gave it to her in a bag. She was so excited. She hugged me then hugged the bread until we made her stop squishing it.

Soo cute. I want some rainbow bread. LOL

He said that 99's new social something (don't remember what he called her) will definitely be visiting Sue tomorrow with her basket. I'll share about that once I have talked with Sue

Can't wait to hear how this goes. How fun.

Lou Lou's class, she turned around to DD and said "You can go home now. I've got this!".

Soo cute. When DD was younger she went to work with me at the daycare. She used to ask my why I couldn't leave her like the other moms.

@lynxstch glad you got much needed rain. We need it too but we're just getting the gross humidity and no rain.

@Snowysmom thinking of you today.

@frog3101 I'm so sorry you and the kids are going through this.

Forgot to say this before I did the quotes but thank you all for the birthday love yesterday. It was an alright day in that I got some freebies(Starbucks drink and a mini Bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes), lots of birthday love from family and friends plus I made myself tacos for dinner but other than that...blah. Not that I'm one that needs all the birthday attention but DH, who's out of town right now working, forget it was my birthday until I reminded him when he called me in the afternoon. DD woke up feeling sick so she called off work and took a Covid test, which was negative. She slept almost all day(also pretty much forgetting my Bday) but felt better before going to bed for the night. Woke up again this morning feeling bad so we did another test and that one was positive. She's feeling OK, enough to work from home though so hopefully it doesn't get worse. So now, I'm just waiting because I'm sure it's coming for me. She said last night, jokingly of course, "I forgot your birthday and I gave you Covid...I'm the worst."
Fingers crossed I'm not going to get it but since I've been home alone with her since Sunday, I'm sure it's inevitable.

I really missed my mom yesterday. Not that she could do anything physically for me for my birthday in the last few years of her life, but she would always make sure everyone else made it special.

Hope you all have a great rest of your day.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Okay, I am ready to dog-sit right now, Footballmouse. How precious Miss Miller is! So cute. Thank you for sharing with us her picture.

Hug, AuntieMe3, I am so glad you had a happy birthday! What a wonderful idea that stickers could be used on the bags 9are they any special kind of bag)? I will ask Barbara about that when I talk to her. Much prayer, of course, you stay healthy!

Sue has called me twice this morning! The second time, a little while ago, she shared all about her wonderful visit with Cindy from 99. God Bless Cindy indeed! Sue said she thoroughly enjoyed their short visit. Cindy brought Sue numerous big along with a big basket full of goodies. Sue said Cindy took a short video of Sue, asking her what the secret to such a long life was. Sue replied something like her faith, forgiveness, and how blessed she has been by her family and friends. I did email Matt from 99 to ask whether I can see the video somehow. I have no idea where it might be posted. If it is publicly posted, I absolutely will let all of you know.

Have a good afternoon, friends.