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

[Breezy_Carol]

Wally World in Middletown....

Oh geesh, I'll tell DD as she sometimes gets grocery pick ups there.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@AuntieMe3 What a day! I’m surprised your WalMart is taking returns. Mine hasn’t been, and said they won’t until Covid is ended. I will have to check again but I have a bunch of things put aside I have to return some day. Ugh.

Only one neighbor has winter holiday decorations up so far, and they just moved in this summer so they’ve got everything just so. We’ll probably be the second but it won’t be for another week or two. And keeping things simple this year.

DD and her boyfriend made a taco bake with Spanish rice last night for dinner. It was good but there’s something - I think maybe a spice - that doesn’t always sit well with me with that type of food, and I didn’t feel too well afterward. Had an early bedtime last night.

I did manage to get a home project done prior to that which I’ve been wanting to do for a long time - organizing all my greeting cards - and that felt good. For probably 25 yrs I’ve had a large box w dividers for my cards and it had gotten to the point where it was overly full and chaotic from everyone rifling through it, plus I had separate bags of cards I’d collected, etc. Got rid of many types (donated) and kept only the ones I send or give now (birthday, sympathy, wedding/shower) with a few on hand for graduation and get well, etc. Realized I mainly give cards w gifts now, for family, and the ones I send through the mail most are sympathy cards. Everyone else I might send a text with animation or an american greetings E-Card for birthdays, etc. My mother was a big card person, I think she kept the card store in business, but for a long time I think cards have been going the way of the Dodo. I do do a holiday photo card every year.

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

 

[easyas123]

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

I do! I do!

I even still send...letters! I correspond with one of my husbands aunts via USPS and still mail thank you cards if occasion calls for them.
I still send Christmas cards as well, although that does seem to be a bit of a anachronistic pastime - still, I enjoy sending cards out, although I don't send photos cards. I did when the kids were little but no more, and I figure no one wants to see a picture of us haha!! Although this year we are scheduled to attend a charity thing with wine & sloths. Real, live sloths. That might make a fun Christmas Card photo!
Looking at and picking out cards Black Friday weekend is about the extent of my shopping that weekend...I like to look thru all the cards at the Hallmark store and pick out whatever is speaking to me at the moment.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning all! NYCgrrl, mornings often do still look like nighttime!

AuntieMe3, wow you did some good shopping and returns! Yay on using a Michael's gift card. I still have a Hobby Lobby gift card from last Christmas! I'm glad to hear JC Penney was still open. I'm hoping they survive the plague. I will let you know how I like The Christmas Card movie

Easyas123 and Pea, I love happy snail mail. Earlier in the plague by God's Grace along with postage help and encouragement from a couple friends +my Dad, I was able to send out a ton of cards and postcards to church and other friends. To me, old fashioned cards of care mean all the more right now. I do send out Christmas cards! This year, I won't be sending out as many as in the past but will enjoy sending some I would be happy to send a postcard sometime to any of you that might like one. Just PM me your mailing info. Know it will absolutely be kept between us!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Good morning, friends! It got cold and rainy here Yesterday both Josh and DH had the day off, but Josh's attitude turned very snide and snippy on Tuesday night - for example, one thing was when he left his snack garbage on the dining room table and I pointed it out, and his answer was "So what?" - so we didn't do anything "fun." He brought home his school photos on Tuesday, so we went to Michaels for frames. We also went to Barnes and Noble to say hello to his former preschool teacher (who works there), and as we walked in, the lady who did the Saturday morning storytimes followed us. She told us that she has retired since the storytimes stopped for COVID in March, so we were very happy to see her! We would have someday returned and wondered where she was!

Today would have been my grandmother's 93rd birthday. That's hard to believe. I miss her.

I am having a bad day with electronics. First, Josh's school iPad forced a software update, and some of his needed apps stopped working correctly after that. So I finally did the recommended "Fresh Start," which involves backing up, erasing all content, and reloading it as if it were the first time. The apps are supposed to download automatically, but they didn't! It was 20 minutes until his morning meeting, I was panicking, and my mom tried calling the school. I had to email the tech department - the school secretary was kind enough to give me the email, as they don't actually have it listed anywhere - and thankfully the administrator got back to me quickly. He "pushed" the apps through and thankfully, Teams loaded just before the morning meeting began. Unfortunately, his "Garage Band" app wasn't one of them, but I was able to get that one from the app store to make him happy.

Then I tried to print a photo...and the paper got stuck WAY inside the printer and I couldn't get it out. Had to almost completely dismantle the thing to get it out. I gave up at that point

I haven't noticed if anyone has decorated for Christmas yet. We've had such pleasant weather that I wouldn't be surprised if people have set up, but not turned it all on yet. I know there are homes in town that leave up their lights year-round, they just don't light them up. I'll see tonight when we drive out to Josh's gymnastics if anyone has decorated yet. Last week, there were some homes that had their autumn orange string lights still lit. There's one house on the main road in the next town that always has a GIANT blow-up appropriate for the upcoming holiday...I'll have to see if they put out the huge turkey that they had last year

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

I only send holiday cards now. I do personalized photo cards on Shutterfly - I don't need that many and they're actually cheaper than store-bought cards. Always a 5x7 so I can frame it. I just have to get away from plaid. I love plaid and I always seem to gravitate toward the cards that have plaid borders. And lucky me, yesterday I got a coupon from Shutterfly for 10 free cards - even if I order 15 total (for example), I'll only pay for 5 of them!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good morning, friends! It got cold and rainy here Yesterday both Josh and DH had the day off, but Josh's attitude turned very snide and snippy on Tuesday night - for example, one thing was when he left his snack garbage on the dining room table and I pointed it out, and his answer was "So what?" - so we didn't do anything "fun." He brought home his school photos on Tuesday, so we went to Michaels for frames. We also went to Barnes and Noble to say hello to his former preschool teacher (who works there), and as we walked in, the lady who did the Saturday morning storytimes followed us. She told us that she has retired since the storytimes stopped for COVID in March, so we were very happy to see her! We would have someday returned and wondered where she was!

Today would have been my grandmother's 93rd birthday. That's hard to believe. I miss her.

I am having a bad day with electronics. First, Josh's school iPad forced a software update, and some of his needed apps stopped working correctly after that. So I finally did the recommended "Fresh Start," which involves backing up, erasing all content, and reloading it as if it were the first time. The apps are supposed to download automatically, but they didn't! It was 20 minutes until his morning meeting, I was panicking, and my mom tried calling the school. I had to email the tech department - the school secretary was kind enough to give me the email, as they don't actually have it listed anywhere - and thankfully the administrator got back to me quickly. He "pushed" the apps through and thankfully, Teams loaded just before the morning meeting began. Unfortunately, his "Garage Band" app wasn't one of them, but I was able to get that one from the app store to make him happy.

Then I tried to print a photo...and the paper got stuck WAY inside the printer and I couldn't get it out. Had to almost completely dismantle the thing to get it out. I gave up at that point

I haven't noticed if anyone has decorated for Christmas yet. We've had such pleasant weather that I wouldn't be surprised if people have set up, but not turned it all on yet. I know there are homes in town that leave up their lights year-round, they just don't light them up. I'll see tonight when we drive out to Josh's gymnastics if anyone has decorated yet. Last week, there were some homes that had their autumn orange string lights still lit. There's one house on the main road in the next town that always has a GIANT blow-up appropriate for the upcoming holiday...I'll have to see if they put out the huge turkey that they had last year


I only send holiday cards now. I do personalized photo cards on Shutterfly - I don't need that many and they're actually cheaper than store-bought cards. Always a 5x7 so I can frame it. I just have to get away from plaid. I love plaid and I always seem to gravitate toward the cards that have plaid borders. And lucky me, yesterday I got a coupon from Shutterfly for 10 free cards - even if I order 15 total (for example), I'll only pay for 5 of them!

Stick with the plaid if it’s your “thing”! Ugh to the electronics issues! I hate when that happens! I had a Zoom meeting last week and I was running a few mins late getting showered and dressed, had just a min or two to join. Then someone texted me to ask me to send them the link for the meeting. I did, but then couldn’t use it myself, it was frozen, probably from copying it, idk. Major funk for a minute or two as I don’t like to be late for meetings! I knew my DD was home but I wanted to troubleshoot it myself. Finally got it going just in the nick of time! Phew! The other thing I cannot stand is passwords!!!

 

[Snowysmom]

Yesterday the neighbors had their Christmas Pod open. I thought I would be nosy as we walked by. They have all kinds of decorations and boxes in there. Some look like indoor decorations and some outdoor. I will have to try to look again next time we walk and it is open. I am looking forward to how it looks when they are all done. I have also seen several other houses in the extended neighborhood with decorated trees in their windows and lights outside. I guess people want some holiday cheer during these times.

I was in the office today with my wonderful coworker who is moving out of state and working just from home, still with our company. It is the last day we will work in the office together. We are making an appointment for the same time each week to face time and catch up with life. She really makes me laugh and can make a bad day better. I am glad we will be keeping in touch.

@NYCgrrl You sure get alot done every day. You must have so much energy. I get tired just reading about your day.

@easyas123 What a frustrating shopping experience.

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?
I still send out Christmas cards. I do ecards for some friends' birthdays and send actual cards for kids and grandkids birthdays. We also send the grandkids Valentine, Easter, and Halloween cards as well as Christmas card. We put stickers in the grandkids cards as a little bonus.

 

[lynxstch]

QOTD--I still send greeting cards to close family for birthdays, anniversarys, new babies, etc. We used to send a ton of holiday cards, but now our list has dwindled down to about 15 or so. I try to put a handwritten note in with each one though, as a lot of family doesn't live close and we don't see them often. I think I probably have about 10 unopened boxes of Christmas cards, so I won't be buying any this year, or next, lol.



Its a raw cool 53 out after the almost 80 degrees we had the past 6 days, and wow does it feel it. The local food bank once again gave all employees and residents houses at hubby's work boxes of food this morning. Gallon of milk, sweet potatoes, idaho potatoes, carrots, cucumbers,oranges, apples, pears, hot dogs, 2 pints of sour cream, big container of vanilla yogurt, 2 pgs of sliced american cheese,2 giant onions (I have never seen onions that big), and a big gallon ziploc bag of chicken taco filling. They had so many boxes they were urging everyone to take more than 1. I called my sister in law to come and get the extra one we took..she was very glad to get it. My hands are freezing from standing out there talking to her for 45 minutes, lol

@Pea-n-Me Our Walmart has been taking returns the entire time. They were about the only store that was. I had to return a pair of jeggings I bought online, they would have fit someone 6 1/2 feet tall they were so long, lol!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug, Apirateslifeforme My own Grandma would have turned 102 on November 1st. I am so glad you and Josh both got to see his former teacher! Also good to hear his school was still able to do school pictures! Technology sometimes sure can cause trouble! I get boxed Christmas cards at Dollar Tree! They have a variety of choices. I only buy religious cards which can be hard to find especially without glitter all over them, I appreciate Dollar Tree having them extra. I think you get at least 14 cards for $1. They're nice, too. Your Shutterfly cards are a great bargain and personal

Pea, I am helping my Dad to create a new password address book. They sure are hard to keep track of plus these days some need to be changed often, too! I don't Zoom so am no help there but am glad you got it figured out

Hug, Snowysmom, so glad you did get to see your coworker and are keeping in touch! Should you ever want any stickers to include in cards for your grandkids, let me know. I'd be happy to send you some I so enjoy using stickers to personalize notes and cards.

Wow, Lynxstch, you do have a lot of cards leftover! That's great though especially to save you shopping time this year. That truly is so nice of the Food Bank!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hug, Apirateslifeforme My own Grandma would have turned 102 on November 1st. I am so glad you and Josh both got to see his former teacher! Also good to hear his school was still able to do school pictures! Technology sometimes sure can cause trouble! I get boxed Christmas cards at Dollar Tree! They have a variety of choices. I only buy religious cards which can be hard to find especially without glitter all over them, I appreciate Dollar Tree having them extra. I think you get at least 14 cards for $1. They're nice, too. Your Shutterfly cards are a great bargain and personal

Pea, I am helping my Dad to create a new password address book. They sure are hard to keep track of plus these days some need to be changed often, too! I don't Zoom so am no help there but am glad you got it figured out

Hug, Snowysmom, so glad you did get to see your coworker and are keeping in touch! Should you ever want any stickers to include in cards for your grandkids, let me know. I'd be happy to send you some I so enjoy using stickers to personalize notes and cards.

Wow, Lynxstch, you do have a lot of cards leftover! That's great though especially to save you shopping time this year. That truly is so nice of the Food Bank!

Yes, I have multiple devices I use plus my work devices and passwords for various things and they’re not all saved to the same place. Add to that our family who shares many accounts so someone might have to change one password to get on somewhere and now the one you have stored is old! Then you add banking, shopping, and now even restaurants have accounts it’s out of control, lol. My work password has to be changed every six weeks or so and has to be complicated or it won’t take it, so I have a zany password that I just change one key of each time. I have to really be on guard when I do it, though, so I don’t forget what I did!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Yikes, Pea! My head is starting to spin just reading your post. Hug and good wishes for remembering all that!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Hello.

I like to watch familiar reruns on tv if there is nothing new on. Currently watching the last Gilmore Girls. It's one of those happy/sad stories. DD and I watched together during high school then watched separately after she went to college and discussed by text.

Today I grocery shopped, got the oil changed in my car, got a free donut from Duck Donuts, and picked up Joe Corbi's pizza from the preschool at church. The woman who was running the sale sits near me in the balcony on Sundays, way back when. I knew to expect her but she didn't recognize me until I lowered my mask just long enough for her to see me. I also called the hospital and preregistered for the lab work the doctor ordered. I'll go tomorrow morning for it.

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

I do send cards. I try to mail the kids, their spouses, and the grandkids birthday cards. And I send holiday cards if we aren't going to see someone. I send cards to the grandkids on the lesser holidays - Halloween, Valentines. I also will write note to a couple of older church members and to my nephew that went through to troubles a couple of years back. We still send photo Christmas cards. Talked about breaking tradition this year but I think we'll stick with it. My father used to do photo Christmas cards back in the 50s and 60s. He would take the picture, expose the cards in the basement and then float them in the bathtub after the chemicals. I think that is why my brother and I still do photo cards.

And, I will still send postcards to close family when on vacation.

 

[easyas123]

I will still send postcards to close family when on vacation

I still have all the postcards my grandmother sent me from her travels in China, Africa & Egypt. I treasure them!

I'm off to the grocery store myself in about 15 minutes. Very strong chance rotisserie chicken will make a appearance at dinner! Plus I want to make sure I have everything I need to get a stew in the crock pot Sunday morning early as it is looking like we will have a long day of running errands that day. I already told my husband I'd like to get a early start so I can be home to chill out by late afternoon/early evening. So no lie ins for me this weekend-But I am going to make a pit stop at the Christmas Tree Shop in Hagerstown, MD on our way home to check it out- which I'm looking forward to!

 

[sparkle78]

QOTD: Cards Yes, I send birthday cards to my aunts, sometimes cousins if I remember. I often put Dr Seuss birthday bookmarks or a silly riddle and fun stickers in them
I love to send out Christmas photo cards and start in September with another friend getting ideas, looking at sample ones on Shutterfly, Walgreens, etc. Costco does them pretty cheap. I send close to 80 cards to a very large extended family, old neighbors of my parents who like to see the kids growing up, and my high school friends parents who were like my second homes.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Can’t find Concord grapes anywhere around here.

If it’s any help DGD doesn’t like them sooo guess I have to get crafty and either hide them in her smoothies or maybe make a jam out of them. That girlie loves to keep me busy,LOL.

Alright, let me try this again.

First, that picture doesn't do the tree justice. It is so yellow. And if you notice the leaves under, I took this picture about 4:30 and DH mowed at about 10 this morning.

My doctor's appt was good. I like the office staff and the doctor. I have some concerns, that I won't go into here, but she took me seriously and ordered an x-ray and more blood work. I have a follow up in a month. Two additional pluses, she is female and only 5 minutes from my house.

I have a dentist transition story too. We lived in Baltimore before we moved 50 miles to Elkton. It was easier to just go back to him twice a year and visit my parents while I was there. But then I went for a scheduled visit and found he had retired and I was seeing his replacement. I wish they would have told me before I drove 50 miles. I saw him that day then told him I had no problem with him but if I was seeing a new dentist, I would find one closer to home.

After my appt, DH and I took another hike (2.75 miles) while the weather is still nice before the rains come.
Your tree pic makes me want to stand under it, turning in circles until I fall in a heap. Just beauteous !

NYCgrrl, we get the Zabar catalog, and I read and re-read it and dream about their goodies!! A friend always sends us a Babka.

You, my dear, have a good and caring friend and we should all be so lucky! When I lived overseas I used to “jones“ over their Valencia orange pound cake which they no longer sell.Sniffles. Heads up. Never order their prepackaged rugalah. No idea why but it tastes completely different from the ones from the bakery counter.

 

[PollyannaMom]

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

Yes, I am known among our family and friends for sending cards! (Birthdays, random small holidays, cheer, thank you, pet sympathy, thinking-of-you...)

And I totally get it from my late mom! I even have her original card book (with the pocket pages for each month). I don’t actually use it, because my stash is too big, but I have 2 small cubbies dedicated to cards in my computer desk/hutch.

We mostly sent photo Christmas cards during DS’s growing up years, but sent “traditional” ones last year, since he was away at school until very close to Christmas. (I may try to come up with one more a cute photo idea this year, though. I’ll have to see.) In the “pre-baby, lots of time” years, I think I even did homemade ones a time or two.

 

[NYCgrrl]

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

A very few, mostly overseas, get mailed holiday cards from me. This year I’ll add family members that I won’t be able to see this holiday season. Normally, family members get hand delivered cards.

@Snowysmom- my body clock has changed over the years and I find that my most productive time is now between 4:00 AM and noon. I can look at a stone cold mess at 2:00 PM and not care

 

[lynxstch]

QOTD: Do you still send cards or not? What about holiday cards?

A very few, mostly overseas, get mailed holiday cards from me. This year I’ll add family members that I won’t be able to see this holiday season. Normally, family members get hand delivered cards.

@Snowysmom- my body clock has changed over the years and I find that my most productive time is now between 4:00 AM and noon. I can look at a stone cold mess at 2:00 PM and not care

That would be me also. I wake at 4 am and get everything done by noon. I might need a nap around 2 some days, but I can still get things done!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Group hug timeI love that so many of you do send cards and postcards, too! Easyas123, how very special you still have your Grandmother's cards! I have one or two from my own Grandparents. They are special indeed.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

So DS called on his way home from work and Thanksgiving at his house is cancelled. I had sent an email to both kids expressing concern about gathering after all the warnings with increasing cases of COVID. DD was also hesitant. DS is at the White House where there is another outbreak, and DDIL has a chronic lung condition. Sad but I know this is the responsible choice. DD may come here as we are in a bubble together. DS may still see wife's parents.

We did get to hear how things are going in DC and at the White House, which was interesting.