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

[easyas123]

QOTD - Do you celebrate the season of Lent, and how?

It's not something we actively celebrate, no, although I can appreciate the reasoning behind the holiday. And I love that idea you mentioned about selecting an item a day for 40 days to donate...a excellent idea and I'm going to borrow it from you!

a friend recently had me listen to a podcast/blog/show on XM radio called “ Busted Halo” it has a Catholic priest who is very down to earth and not so strict whose guest ( who must appear often on the show) was Rabbi Brad. They had the best discussion

Ok - so I love some of the Catholic channel programming! We enjoy the Catholic Guy show, and I've also caught some of Busted Halo!

Welp we are having a bit of a evening around here. Just tired (neither of us have slept well in past few nights), cold and not feeling it. Husband decided to dig out his 'hobo pie' maker thingy out of the barn - one of those campfire sandwich makers. He's going to make up some sorta over the fire sandwiches with it in a bit...and I just woofed down the pack of reeces peanut butter cups that was in the bottom of the freezer! And neither of us are doing anything productive with the rest of our evening, and we are both okay with that!

 

[lynxstch]

@lovemygoofy--thank you so much for the recipe Tina..I have everything I would need except fresh cranberries..we can't get them in stores around here unless it's Thanksgiving or Christmas so I will just have to use the dried ones. I appreciate your posting it for us

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@lynxstch, wish I was closer. I have some frozen cranberries. One of my orders for grocery includes a frozen mixed berry mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. They substituted with cranberries, raspberries and blackberries. The cranberries are too tart so I picked them all out and don’t know what to do with them.

We are having pancakes and sausage for dinner in observance of Fat Tuesday.

Maybe I should have said observe Lent rather than celebrate.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Good morning (or is it afternoon now?) I'm sitting alone in the living room, watching Bluey on the Disney Channel. Yes, it's a kid's cartoon, but it's cute. I like the episode where they play "Bus," and Bluey and her sister play "the grannies" Janet and Rita.

Now for the Debbie Downer part of my post...my uncle called about 2 hours ago to tell us that my aunt passed. We're just grateful that she didn't linger in pain. I'm still sad and angry, though, that after all those years apart, they only got 3 years together. But at least they were good years.

Josh got a package from Amazon this morning that we think was from my mother's friend, Josh's honorary "Grammy Louise." It's a little stuffed "Remembrance Bear," and Josh named it Bob, of course He was extremely angry over the weekend, way more so than usual, and I really think it's the grief coming out. He seems better today, though, and when he got the bear, he laid down on the sofa with it, covered it with a blanket, and stayed like that for about 30 minutes. Looked like he was going to cry, too, but he didn't.

I'm getting extra stressed out now, too, as I went to my PCP one day last week and my blood pressure was extremely high. She wants me to keep track of it at home - we have a little machine because my DH has issues, too - and I can't get it under 150s over 90s. This morning, for example, it was 174/103. I have a feeling I'm going to end up on meds. She also prescribed Wellbutrin for my depression, but I don't feel any different yet (after a week). In fact, she said it would probably give me more energy, but I've actually felt more tired! Come mid-afternoon, I cannot keep my eyes open.

Ugh. Just...ugh.


I think they probably moved in about 50 years ago when they were married They are my former aunt- and uncle-in-law (Carl's sister was my MIL), but it's been a LONG time since I saw them. I didn't know he'd passed, though, but I'm not really surprised.

And you're not ancient. 66 is YOUNG. Seriously. When you hit 100, then we'll discuss being ancient

I'm sorry about your aunt's death.

I wanted to address your blood pressure issues. I was having insane bp readings for probably a year or more leading up to finally having my hysterectomy and for several months afterwards. Apparently my body was making and pumping so much blood because of the monthly cycle but more because of the tumors and everything growing and needing "life" from blood that it was causing my bp problems. About 6 months after my hysterectomy my bp started to slowly go down and now I'm at 108/70 or so. Just a thought about what's going on but I imagine if you are having anxiety issues you are going to have bp issues and worrying about your bp when taking it doesn't help. Also make sure you are getting all your hormones to include your thyroid checked.

 

[lovemygoofy]

@lovemygoofy--thank you so much for the recipe Tina..I have everything I would need except fresh cranberries..we can't get them in stores around here unless it's Thanksgiving or Christmas so I will just have to use the dried ones. I appreciate your posting it for us

If you use the dried ones, I would do at least a full cup. You can soak them for about 10 minutes to plump them up if you'd like but not needed. Also, you can also sub in any kind of fruit if have that. Also cranberries can be bought in the freezer section.

I made a coffee cake for my neighbor who used the snow blower on our driveway. I made a basic butter pecan coffee cake with a streusel filling in the middle. I was worried after dropping it off that I shouldn't have made a cake during the time of covid but we have socialized a few times so maybe it's okay... who knows.

 

[lovemygoofy]

@tazdev3225 and @apirateslifeforme, so sorry for your losses.

@lynxstch, Finders Seekers is a monthly subscription service, sort of an escape room in a box. Once a month a box is sent that contains clues and puzzles to solve to answer a question/ solve a mystery. DS and his wife like escape rooms, puzzles, and trivia so I gave them 3 months for Christmas. After they did the first one they passed it to her parents then to us.

We never made it on our walk. By the time we had lunch, the sun was gone and the wind picked up and it was not pleasant outside.

Me either. Added a sweatshirt but my hands are cold. I really don’t want to wear gloves in the house.
I have the same problem. I saw an idea for a Lenten project that could help. Instead of giving up something, get out a garage bag and add an item of clothing daily for the 40 days of Lent then donate at the end.

Seeing as tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, that leads to QOTD - Do you celebrate the season of Lent, and how?

I have never really given up anything for Lent. Is not something that is promoted in our church. Usually there is a Lenten Bible study I try to do during that time. I try more to add a practice that give something up. And I go to all of the services for Ash Wednesday and Holy Week.

I hope this doesn't stray too much into religion and step on anyone's toes.

We observe Lent in few different ways. We have a Lenten daily prayer booklet that we observe every day. We increase our tithings for the season and had decided to include giving to a homeless charity and local food pantry as part of season of Lent. Additionally, we are meatless tomorrow for first day and the Friday's coming forward. For the sacrifice of Lent, I'm not sure yet what that will be. I'm seriously thinking I'm going to try to do chocolate because it something I use as emotional crutch and it would be sacrifice and it would help my health.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Loved finding so many new posts! Thank you all, always, for your care and sharing. Truly each of you within this Dis Family are a Blessing.

QOTD - Do you celebrate the season of Lent, and how? Good question, Carol! My own church, would normally have a Lenten Bible study as well. The Elders also put out Lenten (and Advent) Meditation booklets. ETA, I completely left out originally that in normal years there would have been an Ash Wednesday simple church dinner followed by service. I really like what your church, Carol, is doing this year with the prayer card+bags of already sealed ashes for non contact pick up should folks desire. Such a good idea and also way to safely encourage all to participate in that. My own church, I have heard, is doing a much more in person, well in parking lot, type event tomorrow night. I am not attending that's for sure so am not completely positive on details but it sounds like some Elders will be on hand to actually impose ashes upon anyone wanting that--yeah that is questionable right now. I believe there will also be a parking lot service as well.

In non plague years, we have a Maundy/Holy Thursday potluck dinner followed by a brief service including Holy Communion around each table. Good Friday we have a Labyrinth walk upstairs in our social hall. A huge mat laid out where people could quietly pray as they journeyed through the different stations of the Cross. I sometimes volunteered to be present for a time in case anyone had any questions or was new to the church. That was how years ago I met in person the Associate Pastor who has become a dear friend. All day Good Friday, people were also invited to come pray in our small Chapel. In the evening we had a brief service.

For me, over the last several years I have tried to be more centered and prayerful during this Holy season of Lent. One year I gave up NOT listening to God about His very clear calling for me to join my church's choir. I did and doing so changed my life in so many positive ways. Remember, how we each used to share three daily gratitudes every day? Now, a lot of us, include those within our daily shares, which is lovely and works, too. I'd like to encourage that anyone who chooses bring that practice back. It always brought me extra cheer to read along with the gift of an extra way of saying thanks to God.

Tuesday Extra Gratitude: Dad is safely home for the next couple days (no errands), happy snail mail, and as always, all of you

 

[PollyannaMom]

QOTD:
We don't really do the "giving something up" thing. We kind of do the "no meat on Fridays" - but DH and I realized long ago that it isn't a sacrifice for us. We both love fish, mac 'n cheese, etc. - so we actually look forward to those meals...which rather defeats the purpose.

I do like the idea of doing something extra, though!

I saw an idea for a Lenten project that could help. Instead of giving up something, get out a garage bag and add an item of clothing daily for the 40 days of Lent then donate at the end.

This is a great idea, especially for someone who is overwhelmed by cleaning it all out at once!

Remember, how we each used to share three daily gratitudes every day? Now, a lot of us, include those within our daily shares, which is lovely and works, too. I'd like to encourage that anyone who chooses bring that practice back.

1) We had warm enough temps to melt all the ice off the driveway and steps today.
2) A book I ordered arrived from Amazon.
3) I finished a couple of projects that I was working on.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Quack!!

@lynxstch I am having visions of you blowing around outside! Be careful, please!

@easy We’ve done our own fences. Prices for fence companies to do them are crazy high. DH and DS rented a post hole digger and had the wood delivered. They’ve held up well.

@auntie I think I know how you feel! I sometimes feel similarly. An aside, for Valentine’s Day DH got me a pillow with three of my German Shepherds painted on it - with angel wings. And my Cairn looking back, no wings. It‘s nice. He said he was teary making it. (Slight problem it was missing three others of my GSDs, but I might add them in myself with a marker! Or find someone who can draw! I guess four dogs on the pillow was the max! Lol.)

Sorry to hear of the losses here @Pirates and @TazDev. Sad.

Taz we all watched Men in Kilts on Sunday - great show! DH is almost done with Clanlands. He’s loved it! And we’re all really into All Creatures Great And Small. Surprised how much all the kids like it (including boyfriend/girlfriend) but I think it’s that we’re all animal lovers and they like the wholesomeness of the show. (Not to say they don’t like their trashy shows too, lol.) We are also still working our way through Dr Quinn. It’s been challenging with DD and my work schedules overlapping. Still on Season 3, but bought the DVD set so no rush; returned the others to the library that we’d borrowed. Oh, and we watched Outlander from the first episode on Sunday with DD’s boyfriend who has never seen it. I think he enjoyed it but he had a lot of questions, like who’s who? It’s funny because I never read the Outlander books but I’ve twice read through the All Creatures Great And Small series and I can see how different the shows can be from the books, while both still enjoyable.

@Snowy I hear you on the vaccine availability. Can’t wait for DH to get one, either. I believe he’s in the next leg working in food production, but who knows when that will happen. I’m hopeful things will move along now that CVS will be giving them out, and places like Gillette and Fenway are up and running. Personally I think they should’ve been running 24/7, but I guess that’s too much to ask during a pandemic. The J&J would be fine. I don’t feel like too much has changed even though I’m fully vaccinated. Still careful. Same with DD. She’s been caring for Covid patients and still has to get tested regularly even though she’s fully vaccinated. Right now we are trying to protect DH.

I was on the phone today with MA and MD EZPass. I finally got through - in a roundabout way - to someone in MA and had my questions answered. For MD I was on hold for almost a full hour and no one ever answered, so I finally hung up. Not what I wanted to be doing today. Those bills seem to keep coming in even after you’ve paid them, and there’s no real way to discuss with anyone. Online didn’t work, and phone calls are a joke. Had an ER visit last week when I wasn’t feeling well. Thankfully nothing serious. But glad I went as I didn’t want to have regrets. And nice to get good news on scans. Oh, and my BP was elevated when I got there, too, but I know it was from DH’s driving! It did come down to my normal once I settled in.

Had a relatively quiet, but nice, Valentine’s Day. On Saturday we had some fun out shopping and getting a bite to eat, with distancing and masks and all that. Was so cold out we nearly froze! Been cooking at home and had lots of leftovers. And met a very good, old friend for dinner last week, too, which was really nice. We knew the owner - it was fun to be back where we grew up. Trying to keep things relatively healthy. Toto is doing well, doesn’t seem to mind the cold (ETA with his little coat on), but we had him out with us on Saturday and when he started to shiver a bit I sat out in the car with him while the others finished their shopping and we kept eachother warm. He throws off a lot of heat for a little guy.

 

[easyas123]

I made a coffee cake for my neighbor who used the snow blower on our driveway. I made a basic butter pecan coffee cake with a streusel filling in the middle. I was worried after dropping it off that I shouldn't have made a cake during the time of covid but we have socialized a few times so maybe it's okay... who knows.

I think it was a nice gesture!

one of the gals in the office brought in blueberry scones last week...and on that day my husband became a great fan of scones!!!! He ate them for days!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Remember, how we each used to share three daily gratitudes every day?

I actually considered this as a Lenten practice on Facebook. I did that for November with a gratitude every day. Mayne those of us that want to could do that here - a daily gratitude for Lent.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

The wind is a blowing here! Please, please Lynxtsch do not get wind blown!

PollyannaMom, I also like the idea of doing something extra. Thank you for sharing your gratitude from today.

Hugs, Pea. God Bless your DH. What a sweet pillow he made for you in memory of doggie friends.

Good idea Carol! I also really like the idea of doing so in November as well, for a month of thanks in a different but similar way!

 

[Kirby]

Another day almost over, another day closer to warmer temperatures. I am so thankful that our power has stayed on. I have so many friends who have been out of power since Sunday or in the rolling black outs. The kids have been crazy today. It was too cold for them to be outside. Fortunately the sun was out almost all day. A lot of the snow melted but we are expecting a wave of sleet overnight. DH has had quite a few frozen pipe calls today and some busted pipe calls with people whose power came on.

My heart goes out to you that are hurting. When it began to snow the other day, my first thought was to go tell my mom. She loved to see it snow.

Ya'll stay safe out there. Here's a picture of our sunset yesterday, today was overcast.

 

[sparkle78]

Growing up, my family gave up something, but also did something more along with meatless Friday’s. I try to continue doing this practice during the Lenten season.
In high school, I gave up McDonald’s French fries one Year. I had gotten in the bad habit of getting them after school on the way to track practice. Another year, I gave up Pepsi, since that time over 20 + years ago, I rarely drink pop. Maybe 2 or 3 times a month with pizza or to for caffeine to stay up late. I also tried to write a note to a friend or relative and snail mailed, i was trying to do 3 people a week. It was hard to find the time. This year it might be easier without as many activities in the evenings to attend.
What I should do is say I’m going to exercise for 20 minutes everyday and say a few prayers. Whether this is a walk outside or on the dreaded treadmill
peace and prayers
1.) that we saw the water spot on the ceiling, before my new vinyl plank floor gets put in next month and are getting it fixed
2.) that i have plenty of food in the freezer and pantry to make a few meals during the snowy winter days
3.) friends like you guys, who seeing a message posted can brighten my day

 

[theluckyrabbit]

@apirateslifeforme and @tazdev3225: Sincere condolences for your losses. Big hug and prayers for comfort for you both.

... I saw an idea for a Lenten project that could help. Instead of giving up something, get out a garage bag and add an item of clothing daily for the 40 days of Lent then donate at the end...

This is a very good idea! Putting out a large box tonight for the items. I'll find another box for DH so that he can donate things, too.

... I made a coffee cake for my neighbor who used the snow blower on our driveway. I made a basic butter pecan coffee cake with a streusel filling in the middle. I was worried after dropping it off that I shouldn't have made a cake during the time of covid but we have socialized a few times so maybe it's okay... who knows.

Totally get it. I've dropped off baked goods for various neighbors throughout this whole pandemic craziness. At first, I was hesitant, too -- you can't very well spray fresh baked goods with Lysol, can you? -- but every single time, the gifts have been accepted with surprising joy. I think people are really glad for the human touch and love that can be expressed in homemade baked things, even when they're just left on the porch with a note -- fresh, yummy, and made just for them (sort of like the closest thing to a hug right now)!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Beautiful photo, Kirby and to you, my friend. Prayers for your friends indeed without power!

Loved all your shares, Sparkle, thank you!

Thank you for dropping off baked goods made with love, Luckyrabbit. I love how you said that about it being a way to send a hug.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning everyone. Its a chilly 20 degrees out, but at least the winds have died down for now. Going to be a high of 32 today, and still under a storm watch for tomorrow, which I fully expect to turn into a storm warning by tonite, unless they are totally wrong. They say a possibility of 8-12" of snow, followed by freezing rain. If so, I plan to stay indoors for 2 days, other than to put food and warm water out for the cats. I will shovel some of the snow, but leave a little just in case it does get freezing rain,,it's so much easier to walk on it if there's still some snow under it. I have those 'traxx' things to put on my shoes if need be. Glad I went to the store yesterday, I imagine that Walmart will be a madhouse by mid morning. Sister in law and niece have to drive to Morgantown for a 3 hour appt at 3 pm. Why would anyone schedule a long appt like that late in the day. By the time they get home it will be at least 8 pm tonite, hopefully they can beat the storm~

I will do laundry and cleaning today in case of power outages, and we have plenty of wood in the basement if we need to use the wood stove. We have the portable oxygen thing and a big rolling oxygen tank in case of no power and hubby needing his oxygen, so we should be okay. I feel so bad for all of those in Texas who have had no power and all that snow and ice, have been sending them all prayers.

Have a nice morning!

 

[sparkle78]

Morning. I don’t know if it works for the cornora virus, but when my sister worked at a progressive daycare they often baked cookies with the children. she said they were told anything baked at over 300 degrees killed the cold virus the kids may have had

 

[easyas123]

Good day all -

Not much going on today, have to get to two different banks and I've got someone coming to the house "between 2 & 4", so I'm thinking of maybe just leaving the office at noon, running to the banks - one is 20 minutes away, the other another 10 minutes down the road from that - then going home to wait for the appointment. We'll see where my day takes me....

This is a very good idea! Putting out a large box tonight for the items. I'll find another box for DH so that he can donate things, too.

It really was a good idea! I have two large rubbermaid type totes left over and I'm going to use one for myself and one for my husband to toss something in every day....Of course, he doesn't know it yet but I'm sure he'll get on board once I explain it to him!!

we have plenty of wood in the basement if we need to use the wood stove. We have the portable oxygen thing and a big rolling oxygen tank in case of no power and hubby needing his oxygen, so we should be okay. I feel so bad for all of those in Texas who have had no power and all that snow and ice, have been sending them all prayers.

Yikes - so much to have to think about with the oxygen tanks. It is amazing to see what the folks in Texas are having to deal with - especially when it's not the norm and their infrastructure appears unable to deal with it.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning and Happy Windsday. The wind is blowing still here this morning but I can also see sun I'm chilly-ish though. I am sure keeping in prayer all in TX. Prayers many to you Lynxstch and your DH as well, my friend!

I don't understand why anyone would make such a later appointment especially in inclement weather either. One of the things I'd love to change/add to about my church one day, God-willing is to (in trying to make activities and services much more welcoming and inclusive of all) is to offer more during the day! There is no reason, for example, why (in non plague times) there could not be some type of daytime Ash Wednesday service/no contact pick up of prayer materials/ashes. Or why on Maundy Thursday we could not offer both a lunch and dinner potluck. Same with in general trying to offer more connectivity between congregant programs/activities.

Sparkle to the power of cookies, love it!

Please stay warm and have a good day everyone.