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

[flyingdumbo127]

I'm glad one piece of mail showed up for you, Carol! A package I sent to a friend living under 2 hours away from me a couple weeks ago has not been received. A book I sent through paperback swap a month ago to someone in NY has yet to get there. Mail coming to me seems to have improved. We do now get regular mail daily. Prayers you (and everyone else) gets the rest of your missing mail. Continued prayers for your son and you as well!

Hug, Pea. I also hope mail works out for you! I also sometimes wonder about more vibrant dreams.

Hope all of you are having a good afternoon.

 

[sweetpeama]

Meatloaf turned out well. I did a mixture of 2 pounds of beef and 1 pound of the sage sausage plus I made a bacon weave for both the top and the bottom. A packet of onion soup mix, some worchesire sauce, some bread crumbs-ended up using the last of the Italian plus some plain and a couple of eggs. Only problem is I could only locate my meatloaf pan (it has 2 parts one which drains the fat into the lower pan) and could not find my extra loaf pans. Either they got put somewhere else or because I had mentioned to DH that I was needing to get some new ones due to the ones I had starting to wear out to the point where I was having to line them with foil-he might have tossed them out and forgotten to mention it to me. Oh well it can stay covered with some foil and out of the way for a while. Might even make some of it up into meatballs and then put them in bags to freeze them for use in recipes will need to see what my oldest thinks and if she is willing to help me fry them up.

Ended up doing the brownies from 13 year old's microwave cooking project instead of the chocoloate chip bar cookies because the cookies call for a little bit of milk which we were out. They baked up in the microwave just fine though at least DH and I don't care for the taste of them. 13 year old is happily eatting them though. To me they are not as sweet as the boxed ones or the recipe we have for one in the oven. We might need to experiment with it trying either a bit more sugar or using a semi sweet instead of the unsweetened chocolate squares.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I'm glad your meatloaf turned out well, Sweetpeama. I do also think it's wonderful your children are getting to enjoy some hands on baking/cooking experiences

Wishing each of you a good night!

 

[sparkle78]

 

[sparkle78]

Just thought it was cute. Have a great night everyone !

 

[flyingdumbo127]

That is very cute, Sparkle, thanks for sharing

 

[sweetpeama]

Having gone through the entire thread before replying after it sho.wed up on the what's new posts I know that there are a number here who go to church services on a regular basis. Have any of those of you read the devotional book by A. J. Russell titled God Calling. Today's section on the Secret Pearl was very powerful especially where it read "Do not be so ready to do just be." It was a reminder to me to not worry so much about trying to solve things for others but just to be there for them even if it is to be a listening ear. If any of you have this book as well what do you think of the passage for January 7.

 

[lynxstch]

Good frosty QUACK morning ! Going to be a sunny (or so they say) 42 degree day . Cabin fever really is setting in for me. I am tired of cleaning, tired of the news about covid and politics. Now we have new strains of the virus rearing their heads? Might go out and take a walk this afternoon when we get back from hubby's 2 Drs appts. Planning on picking up a sub for dinner tonite, as I am also tired of cooking, lol. No news here, so I guess that's good news? Have a great morning everyone!

 

[easyas123]

Good morning all!

Do not be so ready to do just be."

Good sentiment-

Cabin fever really is setting in for me.

Feeling it here, too.

Husband came up with a good idea. Thinking we should go room by room, clear out any clutter, take down blinds to wash or replace, paint and rearrange as wanted/needed. I’m thinking might be good idea....a certain dog, as a puppy, decided to eat part of the wall in the stairwell a while back and it’s still patched but not painted.
I think I’ll start by going thru all the unnecessary stuff cluttering up master bath this evening. Anything to avoid tackling my closet

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning Dis Family

Sweetpeama, I will look that book up, thanks. ITA that often what is the best gift to a friend is being present! Truly offering a kind ear and support, reminder we care and that so does God.

Lynxstch, I often tell an elderly friend in assisted living that nothing new is a good news indeed right now! Hugs, to you, my friend. Now that we are into the new year, this plague feels all the more like it's been with us forever to me!

Waving hi, Easyas123

Wishing all a good Friday.

 

[easyas123]

Good afternoon everyone.
I've completely jinxed myself in saying earlier that this week went by fast! Today is crawling by so slow, and it's driving me nuts.
It doesn't help that it's another cold, damp & gray day. I think that perhaps that is the theme of January around here!!! One house I pass by on the way to work just took down their Christmas decorations/lights. They have what I think might be year round or professional lighting along their roof line, because that stays up all year long although you wouldn't notice it if you didn't realize it. They'll have them on purple for the local football team if it's playoffs, green on St. Pats day, red & green & blue over Christmas, red on valentines day. Well this year they added a TON of disney related faux Christmas topiary and lights to the outside decorations as well. So every evening from Thanksgiving on I got treated to a pseudo Disneyesque holiday light display as I drove home from work! It was fun to see. Can't wait to see what they add next year...for sure they went 100% Disney this year ha ha! Guess we will be treated to the purple lights until the football team loses or goes to the Superbowl.
Speaking of, with not much else to do, I think I'll start asking everyone what they want for Superbowl nibbles. I don't care a bit about it, but the kids & husband enjoy it and it's the one big time a year when I indulge them in the mess that is fried foods and junky-junky foods. I don't mind cooking it all, I'm just only doing it once a year. I have a air fryer (that I hardly use) and two wall ovens, both convection - so I have the air fry ability in spades, so maybe I can keep the oil fried items to the outside turkey fryer...wouldn't that be nice! Anyway, guess I'd better see who is or who isn't going to be around. Not like it will be a huge crowd. Either 3 or 5 of us, but I'm a over planner Last year I made chili cheese dog egg rolls (along with all the usual crap). Yuck.
Gotta go into the grocery store tomorrow, I need fruit & veggies and I'd prefer to pick those out myself if possible.
According to Amazon, my new bike seat should be here tomorrow. We got one of those exercise bikes, and we've been using it for about 2 weeks and man that seat. Can't get used to it. Hopefully the new seat will be a lot more tolerable! I hope so, I've got a new show I've found on Amazon prime to watch while I bike (can't tolerate listening to the instructors rah-rah everyone on, just let me get my ride time / distance in already and leave me alone) called Truth Seekers. If you are a fan of Nick Frost & Simon Pegg then you'll probably enjoy this show. I'm only 1 episode in, but it looks like my kinda dark humor mixed with a bit of sci fi fun. I know they aren't everyone's cup of tea, so it may not appeal to all.

Have a pleasant afternoon & evening everyone. Hope you all had a decent week, and a have a decent weekend.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

That's cool about the Disney topiary. Easyas123. A friend of mine now also has year round lights that change color on her house. I have not seen them yet but have heard it's quite a sight! I'm not into football period. It's nice of you to make treats Some days definitely do see slower or that it must be later than it is than others, that's for sure!

The fuzzy socks came out well Next extra cold morning, I will wear them. Dad will need to call Target.com though. His new jersey sheets are fine. Mine, that were only put on my bed for the first time today have a small hole in the top sheet We want to find out what Target will do before making a decision. I am guessing should Dad return the sheets at the store for a refund and we would try to re-order that cost would be higher than our original cost (Home+Target Circle Promotions). Hoping the call goes well!

I truly hope all of you are having a good afternoon.

 

[lynxstch]

@flyingdumbo127--Sorry about your new sheets Mona, but glad your socks came out well. I'm sure Target can do something to remedy the situation,,maybe even give you a portion of the cost back to let you keep them?
@easyas123 I feel the same as you, I don't want anyone else picking out my fruits, veggies or meat,,that's why I don't do the online ordering thing!
Temp is only 35 outside, and it feels like it's going to do something, although nothing is in the forecast. Both appts for Hubby went well..no changes in meds, see him again in 3 months. I did laundry after we got home, we stopped at Subway for late lunch/early dinner since they were nice enough to send me coupons, and I still had part of a gift card to use..so cost nothing. Going to put cozy pjs on and settle in for tv. My pkg STILL hasn't made it to FL..and according the life insurance co..his payment hasn't made it to SC and it was mailed on Dec 16. What are they doing with first class mail these days anyhow? Geez!
Have a nice evening everyone..see you in the morning!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks so much, Lynn. Good news. Target provided excellent customer service. They are replacing the sheets at no cost and said the set with the hole is ours to do with as we want. We'll put them away as emergency extras especially since (we think) the bottom sheet and pillow case are perfectly fine. Wishing you a peaceful cozy evening!

ITA about not online ordering anything perishable! One day we may need to do that but being able to see expiration dates on items or choose a lighter loaf bread are important to us.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

@lynxstch, so glad to hear the good news about Lily! She and your family will continue to be in my prayers for healing

@dazedx3, I'm glad your DH's surgery went well and I hope he is recuperating well!

Very glad and grateful to hear that anyone possibly in harm's way on Wednesday afternoon was not injured. I watched live, in shock and disbelief. I have the news on again tonight as I write this and I'm still gobsmacked at what they're showing...

Missing packages...my Duran Duran face mask arrived a few days ago! It was shipped from England on November 25th and I just got it on the 5th or 6th! So hopefully mail is catching up now that the holiday rush is over. They need to catch up before the Valentines start going out! (And I LOVE my mask! It's EXACTLY what I was looking for - I was hoping to find one in a bright cobalt blue with the yellow upright D/attached slanted D, the logo from around 1983. Now I need to find someplace to go to show it off )

Josh "returned" to school this week - the remote learning - and it hasn't gone well. He is back to screaming about how he hates school and he just wants to play and do what he wants to do. The board of education had an "emergency" meeting on Monday or Tuesday evening and they decided to make February a transition month for a return to in-person classes, meaning that Josh's cohort will be going to school one more day per week (but Cohort B will remain on a 2 days-per-week schedule ) and that grades PreK through 5 will return to in-person 5 days per week beginning on March 1st. Despite how difficult the remote learning is, I am not happy with this decision. When Josh goes to school on Mondays and Tuesdays, I absolutely cannot get him to do the little bit of homework that he gets. He wants NOTHING to do with his math and reading apps. I feel he really does learn more at home, even though he battles me so hard on it. Plus, he still refuses to use the potty regularly and he won't eat the food I send for lunch - so he comes home wet, hungry, and in a foul mood. I'd truly rather have his little meltdowns throughout the day than deal with the grouch that greets me in the afternoon.

I got my hair done on Tuesday evening. My hairdresser has started using a new brand of color, and she thought that level 3 violet-red would be the same color as the previous brand's level 3 red-violet. Turned out that whatever the first color listed is, that's the one that would be prominent. So instead of my hair coming out a dark burgundy-red, it's definitely 100% purple now. And I love it While I was sitting there, she said how when summer comes, we can bleach out a few pieces here and there before the all-over color, so I'll get some nice bright purple streaks in it. I'm looking forward to it!

Wednesday was the most pleasant of the days, with Josh having asynchronous learning. After his morning meeting, we ran some errands to the Dollar Tree and grocery store. Josh picked out some decorations for his cardboard box-house at my in-laws', and we picked out Valentines in case they still exchange in school (and of course he wanted Spongebob). As we were looking around, he saw some fake roses and said, "Ooh, I need to get a flower for Ava" (I am NOT ready for this! They're only 5!) Then of course in the afternoon into the evening, I couldn't take my eyes off the mayhem...

His gymnastics class started up again on Thursday evening. Glad he got to blow off some steam. And I got some quiet time to read my Ready Player Two that DH gave me for Christmas.

Today I got to see firsthand how these two kindergarteners actually flirt with each other. The teacher said she looks forward to seeing them again in person, and then Ava said something along the lines of "I'm looking forward to seeing Joshua again and making more movies." They then were the only 2 kids who signed on for a "snap words focus group" with another teacher, and I swear they spent more time showing off to each other than paying attention to what they were supposed to be doing. Afterward, Josh started again with his "I need to make some flowers for Ava" - I told him to draw a picture for her and leave it at that. Oh my... (Not to mention that he already has a "type." He had a little crush on a girl in his preschool class named Irene...when he met Ava, the first thing he told me about her was "She has dark curly hair and brown eyes just like Irene." It's cute. And a little unnerving )

 

[sparkle78]

My family is a football family, but for the 3rd time this year we will be torn on Sunday. some rooting for the Cleveland browns. Others for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
i also enjoy all the munchie food , a few times a year, i do it during NCAA men’s basketball March madness too. Mozzarella sticks, pepperoni rolls, tortillas and cheese, chips and dip, etc.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good for you being purple hair happy, Apirateslifeforme! That is very cool I am also happy to hear you had a good Dollar Tree experience. I miss being able to go there. LOL to Josh and Ava, that is sweet. I definitely understand how it would also be unnerving! I am sorry about the school board's decision, doesn't seem all that safe an idea. Prayers it goes smoothly for sure! Know always you are doing your very best,

I hope you have a fun Super Bowl party, Sparkle!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good evening.

I've been working on a jigsaw puzzle all day and staying away from the computer.

Got two more Christmas cards in the mail today, postmarked 12/15 and 12/17. I did get my Shutterfly calendar today that I just ordered Saturday.

DD and her coworker stopped by today with a state pick up truck to pick up a dresser we were donating to one of her clients. I was so impressed to see how well she drove this big pick up. I had not idea she could.

Watching the new season of 800 Words on UpTV. I know it's not a new series but new here to me.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Staying away from the computer, Carol, can be a very good thing to do! I hope your puzzle is going well. What is it of? Good for your daughter! I wouldn't feel comfortable driving a big truck! I just Googled 800 Words. I am not sure I get UpTv but if I do, I'll check out this show sometime, thanks.

Have a good evening and sweet dreams, everyone

 

[sweetpeama]

It seems to me just based on seeing some school districts in my area do a hybrid style and others having left a choice of all virtual or all in person with either a semester or year commitment from the parents that not making kids switch back and for forth is easier on them. The plan for schools here is that if there is a huge outbreak in each school or building for the larger district that has multiple buildings per grade at the time everyone will go 100% virtual. So far only two districts in the area have had to do that one because they had so many teachers out they could not get enough substitutes to cover the classes with having to increase the numbers so they could social distance. The other one has maybe just over 1K if you include Kindergarten through Seniors, all teachers, administration, and support faculty including the custodial and maintance staff so when they have a known case they announce that there has been an outbreak in the community and close the school for a few days in order to deep clean. So far they have had to do that twice so everyone is on viirtual. We have friends who attend this district with their one high school student going virtual full time and the younger kids all being homeschooled this year. The high schooler wanted to homeschool but had the other parent said no so couldn't.

After DH and my dad got the starter in DH's car it still would not start so the plan is tomorrow they are going to see if they can figure it out. If not at least we are only out less than $40 in repairing the starter and I believe some spark plug wires that needed to be changed anyway. Since it was not running when we needed to relicense it last September we hadn't (nice thing wih having land you just park a non running vehicle and no one knows it is not running-they just think oh that is an extra vehicle parked off to the side if it's needed). so we can look at getting another beater. Not bad for having paid less than 1K for getting this car that is a mid 70s and what we have put in parts to keep it running for the over the past 5 or 6 years in order for DH to have something to drive to and from work on days I have needed a vehicle as well those evenings. If we can get his car running great is not we start looking for something else to get that is not too much and looks like we can get 3-5 years out of if we take care of it with some basic maintance. Lucklily with my dad being a retired heavy highway mechanic who does have automotive experience from back when he was in high school plus maintaining and repairing his own vehicles for years-only on his nicer truck that my mom rides in when they pull the camper and go on trips together, my mom's current mini van and the one she had before that are things like oil changes and repairs taken into the shop and this is because he decided he was done keeping up with that type of stuff at his age which was over 60 when he got the first one of the 3 and since he bought them new and had those included in the warante he would take advantage. He is still maintaining the other vehicles himself but if it gets where he can't my brother can keep up with the 2 ton diseal truck they use to haul the heavier trailer with as well as the farm truck that is still used if they do any big dirt work projects and is the only thing that can pull the trailer large enough to hold the backhoe. I am thinking the one we have is a 60s model but this is similar to what ours looks like https://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trucks/for-sale/198692765/1974-international-f1800 so you can see what I mean by a farm truck.
My dad drives one for barley, corn, and beet harvests for a neighbor and gets frustrated at people who cut short in fron of him every year especially then they are loaded as he has had to stand on the breaks a few times to keep from hitting someone who has either pulled out in front of him or cut close in front. We have a delivery guy from one shipping company that does this on an almost daily basis either to my dad or someone else sometimes more than once a day to the point where the entire community around here says that delivery guy has a death wish. People those trucks are huge and even when empty take way more distance to stop on a dry road than your little car or pickup does so please think a little before pulling stupid stuff like when that big farm truck is in the double solid before an intersection and is on a road that is the main road and thus has the through rightaway unless making a left hand turn and you are on the road with the stop sign it is not a smart decision to pull out in front of them. Nor to make a left hand turn in front of them at that distance. It has gotten to the point that both the highway patrol and the sherriffs office sends out extra partols during harvest time in order to ticket these people which is nice because all the farmers around here can just smile and wave.
Even one of my good friends that I went all the way through school with in both our small country school and than later into the larger city schools when we got in the higher grades and is now an upper management in the local Sheriffs office goes on during that time a few days a week. To tell you how small our class was we would have graduated with a class of 14 had we a high school in the area we live in and didn't go into the city schools-4 of us would have been together from K which we did in the city school and a total of 10 from 1st grade if we had though we did have 3 of the 10 that went to the other town when we moved into the larger school system so only 2 of us went all the way through school together and 7 of us from grades 1-12.
The one classmate I went all the way through school with and I joke that our parents laid us down in the crib on opposite ends together as babies as our families were good friends for years. When on Facebook there ends up being the tag your friend you have known the longest we tag each other because we knew each other our entire lives with my classmate being only a few weeks older than me. Her dad and my dad grew up together and were good friends, my dad's father and her dad's father grew up together and we both had great grandparents come over on the boat from the same general area of villages if not the same village so our families go way back.