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

[Breezy_Carol]

A good news story to happen Thursday. In neighboring Delaware they are doing a chalk the walk day. For all the folks who go out walking, you or your kids are supposed to draw or write encouraging words in front of your house. I suggested it on our neighborhood group so I hope some of the 13 houses here will participate. I know in other parts of the country people are putting bears in windows for a bear hunt, or pictures of rainbows.

DH and I got out in nature for another 2.6 mile hike today. Chicken on the foreman grill with instant mashed potatoes and succotash ( I mixed left over corn and lima beans) for dinner.

 

[NYCgrrl]

^^^
Gosh, I wuvvvv succotash!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Kentucky distilleries are making hand sanitizer and donating it:

https://www.kentucky.com/news/coronavirus/article241364926.html

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Nice thread, Tina!

@NYCgrrl I want to eat at your house!

My contribution for the day, from a local college:

Enjoy!

https://www.boston.com/news/local-n...stra-berklee-what-the-world-needs-now-is-love

 

[leebee]

Good news story? I'm not sure it's an actual story, more like a circulated email, but science/engineering departments and researchers at the University are collecting items to donate from their labs to the local emergency management people, to help out at the hospitals. After searching through my stockrooms I donated 12 boxes of gloves, close to 100 tyvek lab coats, 2 dozen pairs of goggles, 6 pints of ethanol, a box of shoe covers, and 2 cases of glass pipettes for cell culture work. I don't anticipate that lab classes will be held until fall, so I was willing to down-scale quite a bit. I know it's probably just a drop in the bucket, but it felt good to be doing something positive.

I missed a couple of questions but will answer anyhow. I can't think of an adult that influenced me. By the time I was 14, the only adults left in my family were my severely alcoholic mother and a great aunt. I was never much of a student, so not at all close to any of the teachers. I'm not saying this to be all "poor me;" I just never had any adult be a very positive influence while growing up.

Some good things have happened. Best one is that the son of our very closest friends finally "popped the question" and his girlfriend said "yes" so there will be an engagement to celebrate once we can all get together again! We are very close to this young man so I'm excited for him, and I like her a lot and think she brings out the best in him, so this is very good news indeed! Second to this, we got oil delivered today before we ran out! I forgot to check the oil level until Thursday night, at which point I discovered that we had about 10 gallons left. Delivery day is on Tuesday or Thursday, so we had to get through 4 days in New England in March, with only 10 gallons of oil. Thermostats went to 55 degrees, we boiled water for washing dishes, only showered every other day... but we made it. Good thing, too, as we had 6" of snow last night and I was REALLY ready to turn up the heat! I guess my 3rd good thing is that it was about 48 degrees this afternoon, so much of last night's snow has melted already!

 

[monkeydawn]

Monkeydawn, thanks for sharing. While not quite the same, a similar idea is I do have designated pajama pants that I wear around the house during the day. I have separate bedtime pajamas. Before this all started, I'd change into the around the house PJ bottoms when I'd come home for the day before a later shower.

I remember reading someone saying she wore work out clothes to be because that helped her do her workout first thing. That's when I started doing this, although my workout clothes arent too far off of jammies anyway (comfy shorts and a tank top).

 

[Walt's Dream]

Elementary school teacher here. Went in today for our allotted 4 hours to pick up needed items,etc. My grade level colleague (we work very well together even though our teaching styles are very different) spent a lot of time with me helping to navigate and set up the beginnings of online teaching. God, I am so grateful. A true professional and friend!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

A good news story to happen Thursday. In neighboring Delaware they are doing a chalk the walk day. For all the folks who go out walking, you or your kids are supposed to draw or write encouraging words in front of your house. I suggested it on our neighborhood group so I hope some of the 13 houses here will participate. I know in other parts of the country people are putting bears in windows for a bear hunt, or pictures of rainbows.

DH and I got out in nature for another 2.6 mile hike today. Chicken on the foreman grill with instant mashed potatoes and succotash ( I mixed left over corn and lima beans) for dinner.

We did the Chalk the Walk over the weekend. No sidewalks here, but we did our driveway. A couple of other homes did it as well. The great-grandmother of one of my son's friends lives up the street, so he and his sister did her driveway, and left a message in the street for us. It rained/snowed on Monday, though, so we have to do it again soon.

We have a bear in our window as well, but we've gone on several walks and nobody else in the neighborhood has.

My son and I have also put a lot of artwork in our windows. I've done drawings on tissue paper - a rainbow, Easter eggs, flowers, DS has done some felt/foam crafts (there's a snail and a ladybug so far)...really just trying to keep busy, but the house looks pretty nice from the outside!

 

[RF536]

Not in the news but still a feel good story. DS works for a Mom & Pop pizza place that has been in business for at least 40 years and has a faithful customer base. They are teaming up with other Mom & Pop places in town to help them out by offering combo meals. For example, they teamed up with the local ice cream shop for a pizza and dessert combo. It is nice to see the smaller companies helping each other out.

 

[easyas123]

Not in the news but still a feel good story. DS works for a Mom & Pop pizza place that has been in business for at least 40 years and has a faithful customer base. They are teaming up with other Mom & Pop places in town to help them out by offering combo meals. For example, they teamed up with the local ice cream shop for a pizza and dessert combo. It is nice to see the smaller companies helping each other out.

That is nice to hear - we are getting take out this evening for supper, we hardly ever get it , but this will be the fourth time in about a week that we have done so. It makes us feel that we are helping in some (very) small way to help the local economy.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Hi all! So sorry I forgot to put the question in the thread yesterday. I'm easily distracted and trying to figure out these new smart textbooks is going to be the death of me. I'm not sure what was wrong with old paper bound books that I could highlight in and work up the homework and now everything is touch and virtual and timed. I commend my husband for adapting to his schooling the last few years.

So how's everyone doing? I feel like reality is setting in for everyone around me including our house too. Last week we were ready to kick this pandemic in the face and now I'm thinking about summer concerts being cancelled or being at home for next several weeks as we have a stay at home order on us. It's for the best but reality setting in is big mood killer. I have tickets for George Straight and Chris Stapleton (TOGETHER!!) in Notre Dame stadium in August and I think about if it's going to be safe or even happen. Then I think not to borrow trouble, I have enough on my plate for now.

Dinner tonight: grilled pimento cheese with diced up bacon, topped with avocado and veggies with soup and some fresh fruit.

3 things I'm grateful for today:
1. I'm thankful the sun is shining and went for walk in the neighborhood and saw the kids out playing in their own yards and people waiving. It's nice to feel semi normal during this time turbulence.

2. I'm grateful my mom is trying her best to be team player. She is so nervous, and high anxiety normally, like the rest of us and know how precarious her health is with stage 3 lymphoma cancer. I set her Ipad up with streaming services and I restocked her library in her room with books and odds and ends to do. She is doing the best she can.

3. I'm grateful to see good people and hear good stories. We have to absolutely keep kindness and caring going in this time. Ordering in tipping extra, buying a coffee for someone, or just sending a text to reach out. This all kindness we have to keep it up.

Now onto the question!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Question 3/25: What's a great weekend trip near where you live? Or What's a good weekend trip you have taken?

I love hearing about where people live and the fun things near them and a fun weekend trip near where the live. Where? What's to do? Most important what's to eat?

 

[AuntieMe3]

Question 3/25: What's a great weekend trip near where you live? Or What's a good weekend trip you have taken?

I love hearing about where people live and the fun things near them and a fun weekend trip near where the live. Where? What's to do? Most important what's to eat?

We live in a great area of Southern California for weekend getaways. We're about 2 1/2 hours from Vegas and San Diego, 1 1/2 from Disneyland, the beaches or LA, our local mountains and desert(Palm Springs area) are 45 minutes to an hour away. We go to Las Vegas a lot, my hubby is a lucky gambler and has a casino affiliated credit card he uses for all his work expenses. He gets casino points and credits from that CC for a lot of comps and "freebies"....suites, cabanas, food, spa treatments, special event invites...etc. It's a lot of fun and we actually don't spend a ton while we're there. We each have a gambling budget and usually come home with some of that, sometimes more, which is fun.

 

[easyas123]

We've got several, but I'll narrow it down to just a few!

Area I'm in: Delmarva Peninsula

Gettysburg/Lancaster PA - awesome historical location, also great area antiquing if that is your thing
Williamsburg/Jamestown, VA - Busch Gardens is pretty nice park, Williamsburg proper and the Visitors Center again, a real awesome historical location.
Philadelphia, PA - Independence National Park, The Liberty Bell...Philly Zoo. And Valley Forge is in the area, too. If you are feeling brave , pop across the Delaware to the Camden Aquarium.
Chincoteague/Assateague, MD/VA - Chincoteague Seafood Festival is at the beginning of May (usually - who knows now)Great boating, fishing & camping
Washington DC - Arlington National Cemetery , go go down the road to Monticello in Charlotsville, VA

Beach - admittedly NOT my thing, Ocean City, MD reminds me of little Baltimore and it's trashy (my opinion, and mine only - I'm sure others think differently!!) Of all the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia beaches I'd go with Dewey/Rehoboth/Lewes area of Delaware.

On the other hand - Outer Banks are by far more chill, especially out of season in the fall

And lastly you have The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV
or Nemocolin Woods in PA
or Deep Creek Lake, MD
or, if you are my husband, The giant Cabelas in Hamburg, PA.......


Can't wait to hear the other responses!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Dinner tonight: grilled pimento cheese with diced up bacon, topped with avocado and veggies with soup and some fresh fruit.

Yum!!!!

Question 3/25: What's a great weekend trip near where you live? Or What's a good weekend trip you have taken?

Well, I'm less than an hour from Boston, so that's an easy answer. - If the weather is nice, do a Duck Tour and the Freedom Trail. If it's too cold or raining, hit the MFA and the Aquarium. Either way, eat in the North End!

 

[gillep]

Question 3/25: What's a great weekend trip near where you live? Or What's a good weekend trip you have taken?

I love hearing about where people live and the fun things near them and a fun weekend trip near where the live. Where? What's to do? Most important what's to eat?

I live in Northern CA so there are so many options. Wine country is lovely, personally prefer Sonoma to Napa but that's just me and there are other places like Santa Cruz and Morgan Hill that aren't as well known but have nice wineries. The redwoods are amazing, San Francisco can be nice but it isn't my favorite city so we tend to just spend a few hours there. I love Monterey, CA and Big Sur. Honestly, there is so much to do here, you just have to be willing to contend with the traffic and high prices.

 

[easyas123]

Well, I'm less than an hour from Boston, so that's an easy answer.

I've been wanting to go to Salem for a long weekend now for a while - is it worth it?

 

[lynxstch]

We've got several, but I'll narrow it down to just a few!

Area I'm in: Delmarva Peninsula

Gettysburg/Lancaster PA - awesome historical location, also great area antiquing if that is your thing
Williamsburg/Jamestown, VA - Busch Gardens is pretty nice park, Williamsburg proper and the Visitors Center again, a real awesome historical location.
Philadelphia, PA - Independence National Park, The Liberty Bell...Philly Zoo. And Valley Forge is in the area, too. If you are feeling brave , pop across the Delaware to the Camden Aquarium.
Chincoteague/Assateague, MD/VA - Chincoteague Seafood Festival is at the beginning of May (usually - who knows now)Great boating, fishing & camping
Washington DC - Arlington National Cemetery , go go down the road to Monticello in Charlotsville, VA

Beach - admittedly NOT my thing, Ocean City, MD reminds me of little Baltimore and it's trashy (my opinion, and mine only - I'm sure others think differently!!) Of all the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia beaches I'd go with Dewey/Rehoboth/Lewes area of Delaware.

On the other hand - Outer Banks are by far more chill, especially out of season in the fall

And lastly you have The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV
or Nemocolin Woods in PA
or Deep Creek Lake, MD
or, if you are my husband, The giant Cabelas in Hamburg, PA.......


Can't wait to hear the other responses!

To the bolded..OC not my favorite place to go but since I have 2 stepsons and 3 granddaughters that live down that way, it's a must for us now and then. It's nowhere near as trashy as Baltimore is though, at least not IMO. We take 3-4 day trips down there to see them as often as possible (we are in Western MD). Rehoboth does have some nice beaches though. A lot of the other locations you have listed are ones we have taken. If we are going to stay local, I would say Deep Creek Lake, Blackwater Falls, Swallow Falls, are all nice day trips.

 

[Meriweather]

Sedona....beautiful red rock
Grand Canyon, but we like longer than a weekend

Tucson....we like the Sonora Desert Museum
Flagstaff......planetarium, Petrified Forest

 

[AuntieMe3]

Sedona....beautiful red rock
Grand Canyon, but we like longer than a weekend

Tucson....we like the Sonora Desert Museum
Flagstaff......planetarium, Petrified Forest

We live in the desert so usually I want to get away from it as often as we can when taking a trip. But we have vacationed in the desert more times than I can count out of convenience and we end up having the best time. Haven't been to Tucson personally, hubby and DD went once without me, but we LOVE the other places you mentioned. Grand Canyon(more North Rim) is incredible and I keep wanting to go back no matter how many times we've already been.