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

[gillep]

Question of the day: 4/24 Road trips?

Are you a road trip person? I realize I don't know what the heck the future is bringing or when things are going to ease up
but I'd like to do something for a vacation. I'm thinking maybe shorter road trip through the mid west/great plains (whatever that upper middle area is that I haven't been to) I don't have real location in mind yet since we don't even have an idea timelines. I was thinking I didn't want to be where the people are (I'm totally hearing Ariel singing lol) and might as well go check out the heartland.

We have drove around this country a ton moving and I don't really think twice about getting a bag packed, throw some stuff in the cooler and hitting the road if that is the destination. If I'm doing something like MAJOR vacation destination, I don't want to road trip there. Does that make sense? Are ya'll road trip vacation people?

A little late on this one, but I completely agree with you. I really like road trips (have specific road trip podcasts we look forward to listening to and everything) but I will not road trip to a vacation destination unless it is really close, if I am vacationing somewhere I want to get there as fast as possible!

My husband and I have also moved around a lot, and we have always driven because of our dog, and I have so many amazing memories of driving around our country, we have driven from East to West coast and there are just so many amazing places we have discovered along the way, way too many to list.

Last night we got takeout food and cocktails, so good!!!! We were celebrating my husband's promotion at work, and it was a great night. The place we ordered from had just opened a few months before the shelter in place started and had already become a favorite of ours. I was worried they wouldn't survive because initially they weren't advertising take out online, and are too far from us for us to randomly drive by to check it out. Finally, a week or so ago they put in an online ordering system, when we picked it up yesterday they told my husband they were doing really good business!!!! They are in a really walk-able part of the town they are in so that doesn't really surprise me, I am just happy they are all doing well and expect to stay open once this is all over. They modified their menu a bit and I have to say they make some fantastic chocolate chip cookies in addition to their great food and amazing cocktails.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Is anyone else finding grocery shopping exhausting? I went to 4 stores yesterday, was gone less than three hours and I felt exhausted the rest of the day. Is it the constant fear/ worry while we are out? The decontaminating of the groceries when we get home? What the heck...I used to do shopping days with friends where we would go from 7 am until 11 pm or longer (it involved a small road trip to get to the shopping). How can I be exhausted after less than 3 hours out?

I totally agree with this. I get anxious about shopping which never happened before. I used to go every week now I go every 2-3 weeks. I worry about germs and whether I can find what I need.

 

[lynxstch]

We LOVE road trips here. Growing up Mom would never fly (she still doesnt, flew exactly once and had to be driven back home LOL) so all of our vacations were via car. We'd usually break up the drive, starting at 7 am, being finished by 3 pm so we could enjoy the hotel pool. As an adult my husband and I found visiting our parents easier by car, we didnt necessarily take our time and enjoy the road trip but we did them. Then, 11 years ago we got our first MINI Cooper. They make driving so FUN that you want to do road trips. We really started our love of road trips ten years ago when we went to our first MINIs on the Dragon. The Dragon is a stretch of road in NC/ TN that is 11 miles with 318 curves. Its a pretty famous gathering place for sports cars and motorcycles. Every spring (except this year...sigh) hundreds of MINIs gather over one week. Our first trip to the Dragon we did it like my parents did road trips and broke it up and focused on the journey as well as the trip. That's the year we found Foamhenge, a life sized replica of Stonehenge made of foam in VA. And once we arrived at the Dragon we'd spend hours driving in ralleys on those mountain roads. Since then we usually do at least one epic road trip a year and usually at least one weekend a month we are day tripping. I can pack those tiny cars well enough to last us 3 weeks if we can go that long!

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Is anyone else finding grocery shopping exhausting? I went to 4 stores yesterday, was gone less than three hours and I felt exhausted the rest of the day. Is it the constant fear/ worry while we are out? The decontaminating of the groceries when we get home? What the heck...I used to do shopping days with friends where we would go from 7 am until 11 pm or longer (it involved a small road trip to get to the shopping). How can I be exhausted after less than 3 hours out?

YES! I went to Aldi's, Walmart, Martins, and Ollies this morning, came home drained. It's all of what you said, fear/worry/people not following the social distancing rule. A lady behind me in Aldi's was so close I could smell her perfume. I turned around and asked her (nicely the first time) , to back up to the next 6 foot line. She ignored me. I asked her not so nicely a second time, adding if you don't move back, I will have the cashier tell you. She finally backed up. Walmart wasn't busy at all, walked right up to a register with a cashier standing there just waiting for a customer. Their paper goods aisle was more well stocked than I have seen it in weeks, but still no cleaning stuff, no wipes, no bleach, no sanitizer, lysol etc.

Martins (Giant) has this maze set up, You have to go in one door all the way at the end of the store, which you don't realize till you have parked all the way down at the other end), do your shopping, then get in a line by the other end of the store, and wait for someone to tell you which register you can go to. Then you have to exit the other door. Ollie's had 1 cashier, and one man in front of me. By the time it was my turn, there were about 8 people behind me. I cannot wait for this to all be over and get back to some sort of normalcy. I am all set till at least next weekend, so I won't have to go shopping again till then.
O

 

[AuntieMe3]

Question of the day: 4/24 Road trips?

Are you a road trip person?

We are....we love road trips. Most of our vacations have been road trips. I LOVE THEM!! We live in Southern California so we have a good start off point for road trips. We've been to the PNW a ton(my absolute favorite road trip), Southwest Utah, Arizona and we once drove to Kansas to drop off DD with our SIL for a long visit one summer while BIL was deployed with the army. We drove from our home, thru Nevada, Utah, Colorado into Kansas, left DD there to fly home in a couple weeks with SIL. From there we went into Colorado and dropped down into New Mexico and headed home along the 40. Incredible scenery that trip and we're hoping to do it again this summer now that BIL is retired....hopefully traveling is ok this summer and we can get the time off. Its been years since we've seen them. While we were in Italy last year, we drove from the Milan area to Monaco for a long weekend. On the way there we took the main highway, on the way back we drove along the coast and it was AMAZING....soo beautiful.

My grandparents used to take Sunday drives...they would get up in the morning and head out. Sometimes they had an idea where they wanted to go and other times they just drove, they would always be home before dark. We've started doing that sometimes too but we go on Friday or Saturdays in case we get somewhere we want to stay. The last time we did that, we started driving up highway 395 toward Lake Tahoe. We left late Friday night so we decided to stay the night in Bishop, the next morning we decided to not to go all the way to Lake Tahoe and headed home, one the way we noticed a road sign for Death Valley so we decided to take that and ended up staying in Death Valley that night....middle of June, 117 degrees....it was soo awesome. We were only about 2 hours from home if there were no rooms but it was a great adventure, our first time there.

We're actually on a little road trip right now. Hubby found out he needed to do some repairs to one of his machines out of town this weekend(today) and was planning on coming by himself last night after work. He asked if I wanted to join him, I could just stay in the hotel room while he worked and he wouldn't have to make the 6 hour drive himself. I'm glad I came, its been nice to be out of our house. We're being safe too, we brought our own food and drinks so we don't have to out more than we would at home. I think I'm the only one in the hotel right now...lol The parking lot had a few cars when we got in last night but they've all cleared out this morning. They gave us a paper with safety precautions and changes they are doing right now, no room cleaning until you check out, If you need something, they will leave it at the door for you, if they need in your room for whatever reason, you have to leave it. No hanging out in the lobby or other common areas, complimentary breakfast is packaged to go to eat in your room....its a little strange but I'm glad I got to come with my honey. He'll be done with all the work today and we'll head home early tomorrow.

Good evening. Gloomy rainy cool day here. I am having a bad day. All the what I'm missing thoughts are getting me down. The feeling that nothing will ever be the same again. Not even sure I want to go on the cruise we have a deposit on unless there is a vaccine. I am sure that once the sun comes out again and I can take a hike, I'll feel better.

Hugs....I've been having these days too. We're were talking about this on the drive yesterday, things are just surreal when you see everyone with their masks and all the other precautions that are happening. I hope you do feel better when they sun comes out...I've been having one bad day and then a couple good days make me forget the bad days for a little bit.

{{sigh}} Tough one today. Our Provincial Chief Officer of Health announced all current restrictions will stay in place until August 31.

Wow....that just seems soo far away. Time has just seemed to change during this time. We were talking about a dinner we had right before all the restrictions went into place at the beginning of March and it seems like a lifetime ago. And looking toward summer, it just seems soo far away. *sigh*

Is anyone else finding grocery shopping exhausting? I went to 4 stores yesterday, was gone less than three hours and I felt exhausted the rest of the day. Is it the constant fear/ worry while we are out? The decontaminating of the groceries when we get home? What the heck...I used to do shopping days with friends where we would go from 7 am until 11 pm or longer (it involved a small road trip to get to the shopping). How can I be exhausted after less than 3 hours out?

I feel so stressed out when I'm shopping and everyone else seems the same way too. I'm limiting my stores...I'm only going to one when I go out. So last week I went to one store, this week, I ended up at Target one day and next week, I'm going to another store(the one my parents prefer). I was looking forward to a leisurely stroll through Target, like I usually do. Starting out on the clothing side, ending up on the grocery side, but as soon as I started looking at the "non-essential" items, I started feeling panicky and just rushed over to the things I needed. I'm also finding the masks(we're required to wear them where I live) make me feel like I'm hyperventilating so I really have to concentrate on my breathing and that's exhausting. I'm breathing all heavy and I get all sweaty...people probably think I'm sick... I can't wait for the day when I can go back to leisurely going to Costco and Target without feeling like I just need to get the heck outta there as soon as I walk in.

 

[Snowysmom]

I love short to medium length road trips. Every Fall DH and I go to North Conway NH which is about 3 hours from us. I love the ride and the stops we make along the way to see waterfalls and lovely forests. We drove to Disney in 2003 with our 2 DSs who were 17 and 13 at the time. The older one had his license so we kept him busy driving through Virginia and Florida when we got there. He was the one driving when we made it to our resort at Disney AKL. He said he never wants to drive to Disney again! LOL! That really was too long a road trip so I agree. We did family road trips to DC, NYC, Montreal, Toronto, and Hershey Park. Those were really nice.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Hugs....I've been having these days too. We're were talking about this on the drive yesterday, things are just surreal when you see everyone with their masks and all the other precautions that are happening. I hope you do feel better when they sun comes out...I've been having one bad day and then a couple good days make me forget the bad days for a little bit.

AuntieMe3, thank you. Today is better. The sun is out and it's 65 degrees. DH and I took a 3 mile hike in a nature area. I'm glad you got to go away. Just to pack a bag and go somewhere is fun.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Hi Everyone,

Sending hugs to all that need one. This difficult time all around. Whether "opening" up or not, it's just stressful for us all.
I hope ya'll having good Saturday. I see people talking about the stress of grocery shopping. I agree 100%! I hate it and I miss getting my Starbucks or Dunkin and then leisurely strolling around the grocery store planning meals and looking here and there. Now I order online with the Kroger or Meijer app and pick up at certain time. I haven't been in a big grocery store in almost 7 weeks. I have been in the small produce store two weeks ago and will need to go probably another week for more fresh stuff. I'm also big tactile shopper and won't like not being able to touch everything! I'm going to have keep my hands in my pockets tied I guess.

Accounting is kicking my behind right now doing couple chapters a week but only few weeks left at least then I'll take few weeks break before I decide if I'm going to take more. It's rainy and gloomy again here. I made mac n cheese with tuna casserole. Something my mom and Matt's mom as a "tuna noodle" casserole. I had thought about getting take out but I didn't want to get out in the rain and feel bad getting someone else out in because I'm lazy lol Maybe tomorrow.. I'm not feeling that thankful today, which means I need to stop think and be extra thankful as I know I am blessed.

Gratitude today:
1. Another day closer to finding some medical treatment or even a vaccine or some way to have a normal again.
2. Blessed with full pantry, fridge and freezer. So many don't.
3. Today I'm thankful for Nora Roberts. I plan to read one of her older books tonight with cup hot tea and just be.
She spins a good book. I like her older ones much more.

Peace and good health to all.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Question of the day: 4/25: Flowers/plants? Do you have green thumb?

Do you grow flowers or plants? Have a green thumb? I have beautiful Christmas cactus named Sister and big ole plant named Herman.
I'm looking to go back to doing a deck garden this year. It will be smaller. Maybe couple tomato plants, lettuce, and peppers. We always put happy flower baskets out front to cheer up the entryway. My Matt likes how I grow plants and flowers and seems to be never ending.
My grandpa and my mom also big into growing flowers and plants. I know where I got it and enjoy it.

 

[fla4fun]

Question of the day: 4/25: Flowers/plants? Do you have green thumb?

Do you grow flowers or plants? Have a green thumb? I have beautiful Christmas cactus named Sister and big ole plant named Herman.
I'm looking to go back to doing a deck garden this year. It will be smaller. Maybe couple tomato plants, lettuce, and peppers. We always put happy flower baskets out front to cheer up the entryway. My Matt likes how I grow plants and flowers and seems to be never ending.
My grandpa and my mom also big into growing flowers and plants. I know where I got it and enjoy it.

I have whatever the opposite of a green thumb is. My home is where plants come to die. I can barely keep weeds alive in the yard, let alone grass. It’s not for lack of trying. I just don’t have the knack. My parents and sister don’t either.

 

[easyas123]

I specialize in the 'hard to kill generic green house plant from Lowes', I'm usually successful in keeping those alive!
My husband JUST planted our garden, he really enjoy it, and is pretty good at growing stuff.

 

[hereyago]

Im good at not killing cactus, that's pretty much it.

 

[Meriweather]

Question of the day: 4/25: Flowers/plants? Do you have green thumb?

Do you grow flowers or plants? Have a green thumb? I have beautiful Christmas cactus named Sister and big ole plant named Herman.
I'm looking to go back to doing a deck garden this year. It will be smaller. Maybe couple tomato plants, lettuce, and peppers. We always put happy flower baskets out front to cheer up the entryway. My Matt likes how I grow plants and flowers and seems to be never ending.
My grandpa and my mom also big into growing flowers and plants. I know where I got it and enjoy it.

Brown thumb.....nothing grows for me except weeds.
We have yard maintenance and they take care of it all. I pick a plant if we need a replacement and that is it.

I've been in a store once a week......and am high risk. I'm just careful and use sanitizer and have worn a mask for the last few weeks. I do go during senior hours. That helps with things.
Today it was 100 degrees. The family came over for the first use of the pool this year.
We had Red Robin deliver lunch.
Good day....but loud. I guess I forgot already how loud kids are

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Question of the day: 4/25: Flowers/plants? Do you have green thumb?

I have whatever the opposite of a green thumb is. My home is where plants come to die. I can barely keep weeds alive in the yard, let alone grass. It’s not for lack of trying. I just don’t have the knack. My parents and sister don’t either.

Ditto. What fla4fun said. One of our neighbors was offering some lily plants to replant. I said I could kill anything and she swore these live forever. So I planted them about 2 weeks ago and time will tell. I like plants but after so many fails, I stopped trying.

Tina, sorry you are having a down day. I did yesterday and everyone here helped boost me up. I hope we do that for you.

Gratitudes:
Beautiful day.
3 mile outdoor walk.
Carry out cheese steak subs. (I was grateful when I ate them but not so sure now.)

 

[lynxstch]

I have a green thumb for the most part. I manage our vegetable garden by myself. From tilling the soil, spreading the manure, lime and fertilizer, starting the plants from seed, and picking the veggies when ripe. I can keep flowers and plants alive, except for African Violets, have never had luck with those.

 

[fla4fun]

Im good at not killing cactus, that's pretty much it.

I actually killed two types of cactus . . .

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I couldn't keep a spider plant alive.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Today has been harder but as always, still a Blessing indeed! The heat (no air conditioning) has been stifling. My elderly Dad, who I am living with, especially, has been effected, please keep him in prayer. Many prayers next week brings new air conditioners! I will never take a cool space for granted again!

ITA with what you said Tina of your first two grateful items from today. I add in a safe place to live. So many also have no home I will add to this:

Grateful for a nice conversation with a church friend who will be 97 in July. Hearing that she is doing well means so much.
Grateful for Uno!
Grateful to Sparklett's!

Hugs and extra prayer to all who brave shopping. I have not been to a store since the mask mandate. I have shared before that time, I will sure never take feeling safe outside or in a store again! It was always great being out, extra Blessing to get needed food and supplies for sure, but was always thankful and thrilled to get back home asap.

I posted recently (didn't I The heat is melting my memory ) about my Christmas Tree. Quick recap is in December, 2014 I bought a planted Christmas Tree from Pavilions. It was maybe a foot tall inside the pot. Tree was planted in January, 2015. By God's Grace and Care, Evergreen is now over 5 feet and growing green. I never had helped grow anything before. It has been a joy to get to tend to this special tree. I'll take a picture sometime to share

 

[gwynne]

No plants, but our apt has very pretty gardens. I'm looking forward to when the hydrangeas bloom.

The last time I was in a store was Mar 19. Since then we have been using online order with curbside pickup at the grocery and Amazon.
It's been working out ok for us do far. I'm also able to use the drive thru for pharmacy pickups.

It helps that it's just the two of us. And I've gotten reasonably creative with the ground turkey I've been ordering.

Gratitude
1. Online church.
2. My husband's sense of humor. A laugh or three during the day is fun and welcome.
3. Our grandchildren. We treasure the those photos and phone chats.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Question of the day: 4/25: Flowers/plants? Do you have green thumb?

Do you grow flowers or plants? Have a green thumb? I have beautiful Christmas cactus named Sister and big ole plant named Herman.
I'm looking to go back to doing a deck garden this year. It will be smaller. Maybe couple tomato plants, lettuce, and peppers. We always put happy flower baskets out front to cheer up the entryway. My Matt likes how I grow plants and flowers and seems to be never ending.
My grandpa and my mom also big into growing flowers and plants. I know where I got it and enjoy it.

I killed a cactus.

I did manage to keep a peace lily alive once for over a year. It only bloomed the one time, though (when DH bought it).

 

[AuntieMe3]

Question of the day: 4/25: Flowers/plants? Do you have green thumb?

Do you grow flowers or plants? Have a green thumb?

No....After reading some of the other replies, I don't feel so bad. I've killed cactus and succulents....I LOVE succulents and they are supposed to be impossible to kill, not for me I guess.

We have one rose bush in the front yard and one HUGE, beautiful lilac bush in our back yard in the backyard that I have nothing to do with their survival... I'm just grateful they have chosen to live in our yard and take care of themselves.... Both were planted by my grandma when she first moved here in the early 90's. The rose bush is the only one left of several she planted though, the others all died. The lilacs are my favorite but I don't want to mess them up so I just let them do what they wanna do....they get water from the grass sprinkers....not sure how the roses get watered.

Carry out cheese steak subs. (I was grateful when I ate them but not so sure now.)

We had cheese steaks too and I'm feeling the same way now. I'm wishing I would've just stuck with hubby's idea for In N Out.

Heading home tomorrow and hubby said he wants to take out time and try and go a scenic route...not sure where we'll go for that but it was a nice little getaway. Looking forward to be able to come back with him when he needs to come, when things are open again, whenever that is. Also looking forward to a zoom birthday party for my oldest friend tomorrow....can't wait.