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

[flyingdumbo127]

Carol, prayers your DGD has fun at daycare indeed with her friends. I am not into Halloween at all either so you're not alone there!

 

[easyas123]

Maybe I missed but where are you going?

We've decided to go to Universal (shhhh don't tell Disney...). I was there in Feb. for a conference, and we got AP's cause they were the same price as 2 day tickets. I'm sure I'm going to Disney hell for this, but having everything in walking distance and without the need to over plan was fabulous, and a much more relaxed time. We snagged some (I thought) incredible AP rates for the Royal Pacific and had point for the flights so we thought, what the heck. Only live once. And we need a break, so we booked a trip M-F mid-October. Our only objective is to chill out...well, my husband says he's getting a pool cabana and ordering cheese burgers all afternoon! Unfortunately....the SIL & BIL I mentioned in my earlier thread also decided to go. Same time as us, but no - we did not plan for that to happen. My BIL -under normal circumstances - goes to UO 2X per year, and has a completely different vacationing style as us. Oh - and their 4 year old? Just found out that with the exception of our house, she has not been anywhere. ANYWHERE since March. And they haven't been practicing with her & masks up until now. And they are flying (not with us)....so yeah, that ought to be fun. BIL will want to hang out with us all the time (they are staying at a different resort), and will want to know why we aren't up dawn till midnight every day storming the parks. We have a game plan though, for dealing with the situation.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Where did your MIL get those windchimes please? I want to get one!

She's had them for a LONG time, usually they're in the house - I'm pretty sure our nieces gave them to her about 10 years ago or so, something they found at the parks. I think they actually hung in their mobile home in Florida at first, then they brought them home one of the last times they drove back and forth. I can't find anything similar on the Shop Disney Parks site...I'm sorry

When DS was younger, he had bladder issues. We were able to leave changes of clothing at the nurses office; she had cubbies filled with ziplock bags of clothes, all labeled by grade, then name, for accidents. Maybe you could see if that is a possibility, just to empty the backpack out a little bit?

Also, here, they had tags the first few weeks of school, and the kids were led to their buses, and tags verified, before the kids hopped on. The buses all had colored symbols (green circle, for example, or red square) to help those who were still not reading numbers/letters yet. We only had the one stop for DS's bus (a big apartment complex, filled 1 1/2 buses for the elementary school alone), so we didn't have to worry about getting off at the wrong stop, just getting on the right bus.

DS's first day of kinder, I was all set to take him back and forth to school. He told me "nope, mama, I'm a big boy, I ride the school bus." Hopped right on (and yes, I followed to make sure he got there ok, I know, I know); DH went up after school to make sure he got on the right bus home, and I met him at the bus stop. Easy Peasy.

Unfortunately, because of COVID, they have to carry the clothing change with them in their bag. The nurse won't keep anything in her office this year. I guess she usually does but they specifically said it's not happening this year. I'm glad it's still shorts weather because those take up less space. By the time he needs jeans, hopefully he'll have done well and we'll both be more confident about only sending him with ONE change

I made our own ID tag for him...crazy, I know I printed a photo on one side and on the back I wrote his name, address, phone number, school name, room number, teacher's name, and bus number. The principal had said something about giving them "bus badges," too, and I had told him that he can wear their badge instead of ours if they give him one. But yes, when I took him around to the door side this morning, he just marched off with a "Take a picture of me getting on the bus." That's all he cared about!

@apirateslifeforme , such cute pictures! I love the one of him in the t-shirt. I will have to show that one to Carol, Lil Joe starts kindergarten next year.

Easy craft - I bought the shirt at Michael's for about $3 and each letter/number was a couple of cents. Definitely cost less than $10! I was trying to use the high school colors, but that's the only green shirt they had and it's not quite right. The mask is the high school green, much darker, but at least the letters stand out. It's so weird to look back and see how 2 years ago, when he started preschool, it covered his feet even with his arms out. Now it's well above his ankles!

We've decided to go to Universal (shhhh don't tell Disney...).

I won't tell! Unfortunately for me, Disney has now become my third choice, behind Legoland and Universal. I still love it and we really would like to go to Epcot and Animal Kingdom in the next few years. But the Magic Kingdom...the last time we were there it was SO CROWDED. It was in February and not on President's Day week or school holiday week (or at least, very few schools had that week off). We were only there for 2 days and we didn't even make it into Tomorrowland on our first day. We waited almost an hour for Small World, and when we got in line for Haunted Mansion, the sign said 30 minutes. As we inched forward, the sign quickly changed to 70 minutes! We stood there watching people go in through the FP line and come out 15-20 minutes later while our line never moved at all. We were in that line for 90 minutes, which I normally wouldn't do, but there were enough people behind us that I wasn't willing to lose my spot at that point We went straight for Tomorrowland the 2nd day and got everything done, plus we had more time to explore Liberty Square...surprisingly, my then-2.5-year-old sat quietly through both Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents! But yes, I definitely have fallen in love with Legoland and Universal

Thank you all for the "likes" and kind comments about our first day photos! Now please just pray for us that the online days (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) go smoothly! I'm still trying to figure it out in Teams...(I take it I just click on "join" on the calendar...?)

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I hope you have fun at Universal, Easyas123

What an awesome make it yourself shirt, apirateslifeforme Prayers that Josh comes home very happy and eager to share positive news about his first and that of course online days go smoothly, too!

Dad is going to hopefully get this tomorrow morning at Target: https://www.target.com/p/34-happy-harvest-34-hanging-wall-sign-spritz-8482/-/A-78638745

 

[lynxstch]

@apirateslifeforme Thanks for looking for the windchimes online for me. I appreciate it, maybe I'll stumble across one on Ebay one of these days. All school kids here, and in WV started today, but all online. That's how they are going to work it for now. I know of at least 6 kids, and they all seemed to have no issues with it this morning, they all looked as happy as they could. I'm sure a lot of them (like our teenage granddaughters), who are missing all of their friends, so hopefully things will normalize in awhile so they can all go back and get together again. Most of them are posting the usual 'first day of school' pics, from home. Some kids dressed up, a couple of other, in their pajamas, lol!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@easyas123 , Universal should be great, and I won't tell. Tell the in-laws that this is your vacation and you'll spend it as you want.

@flyingdumbo127 , I could display that fall decoration.

 

[Snowysmom]

@apirateslifeforme Cute pictures of Josh on his first day of school. He looks happy to be starting a new adventure.

@Caseheidi What a scary thing to happen. Glad it quickly got taken care of.

Today is a usual short work day. I work in the morning, walk the dog, and do some housework. Then it is time to chill a bit on the computer. If I ever get back to my full time hours I will have to get a new routine again. Work took a poll and most people don't want to go back to the office. They find working from home to be easier and no commute time. I like going in one day a week like I do now and hope in the future if I ever get more hours back that I can still work from home a majority of the time.

Universal sounds like a nice chill out kind of vacation. The little ones sometimes need some practice with the masks. We canceled our family trip to Disney because we didn't want the grandkids to miss out on the full experience plus we knew at least 2 of them would not want to wear masks. We'll wait until they are older and the mask requirement is done.

Another sunny day here and temp around 82. Not a fall feel in the air today but it is supposed to get cooler later in the week.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

That's funny, Lynxstch about the pajamas but hey they work for being home! Lol, I sure have my daytime pajamas

Glad you like that decoration, Carol. I think it's cute and like the little pink pumpkin.

I hope you will still be able to work from home, too, Snowysmom!

 

[Meriweather]

Dog skeleton here too...............and about 15 other animals. We have a Pet Cemetary, but haven't worked on it lately because we weren't sure what was going to be going on.
We both need to finish our caretaker outfits and get the entry sign done......and a water something for the fish and frogs.

 

[gwynne]

@apirateslifeforme Thinking of you today. Best wishes as you all embark on this new adventure.

I'm posting a photo of my son's deck this morning. Crazy early snowstorm in Wy.


We only got rain in NE, thankfully.

Yesterday we facetimed with the grandkids. Great conversation! I'm up to date about Disney characters (apparently Cinderella doesn't like to swim, but Moana really does) as our granddaughter explained.

Hope you all have a good rest of your day.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Wow, Gwynne! When it gets hot here I'll have to look at it It is pretty though from afar!

Aww Kids indeed say the funniest and often kindest things, too! God Bless your granddaughter.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Heard from DD that DGD had a great day. Apparently went in without a hug, kiss or wave to her dad. Came home very happy and talkative. So I guess it is worth the risk.

@apirateslifeforme , how did Josh do?

AC repairman was here. We need a new fan for the air handler. They should have it Monday. Luckily it is so nice we can have windows open.

Went to the local Lions Club that has a lending closet for assistive devices. Donated 2 walkers, a wheelchair, commode chair, cane, and Rollator. When I was working, I often got my patients in contact with them so was glad to give back.

 

[Kirby]

@gwynne , the snow picture sure looks nice. One day I want to spend a week some where there is lots of snow.

Our cool front has stalled and is not coming any closer. It's going to be in the middle 80's for the next week or so, I'll take that!

Dinner tonight was meatballs, rice and green beans.

 

[Meriweather]

No more snow for me......suffered with it for enough years.
We did get rain this evening Love it. I miss rain. There hasn't been much this year. we usually have a monsoon season
"only" 91 today. A nice change, but still hot and going back up tomorrow.

Dinner was meat sauce over edamame noodles and salad

 

[bobbiwoz]

It’s hard to imagine the snow today!! It was swimming weather in NJ!

 

[gwynne]

@Kirby They get snow there, also a lot wind. Pretty state in its own way. Are you in Tx? I lived there a long time ago for a few years, went to HS in Richardson. Small world, isn't it?

@apirateslifeforme hope Josh had a good day. I think new beginnings get easier as time goes on.

@flyingdumbo127 I am so grateful we can FaceTime with family. It helps bridge the distance.

Hubs tends to keep busy with anything related to space or tropical weather. Tropics are getting busy again, so that's got his attention. It's good for him to have interesting hobbies.


Dinner was turkey burgers and sliced tomatoes.

Hope you all have a nice rest of your evening.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@gwynne , I made turkey/spinach/feta burgers for dinner. Left over pasta salad, deviled eggs, corn, and I made myself salad.

 

[gwynne]

@gwynne , I made turkey/spinach/feta burgers for dinner. Left over pasta salad, deviled eggs, corn, and I made myself salad.

Sounds delicious!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

DH, DS and I watched Mulan tonight.

We all liked it a lot!

Going to have to watch it again with DD.

 

[Caseheidi]

Smoky and windy day here in Oregon. It was in the low 80's and in my area of town, pretty clear. But looking both North and South, there were large banks of smoke. Fires like crazy over the last 36 hours, and lots of people have been evacuated. Lots of prayers for them all. Have seen some really crazy photos of orange and red sky's today (added some below). The winds are suppose to die down tomorrow, so hopefully some of these fires will quit growing.

Other then obsessing about the wind and fires, I took Mom into the doctor for a cortizon shot to her shoulder. Hopefully in the next day or so she will be able to raise her arm again and use it like normal. And for dinner we had Korean beef. Not my favorite, but DH and DD love it. I am planning on an early bed time. DD was spooked about the fire last night, and decided to sleep with DH and myself. This meant I had a lousy night. You know, when she was little it really was no big deal, but my 11 yr old child is adult sized (over 5'4") and it really fills the bed. Here's hoping she is happy in her bed tonight!