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

[tazdev3225]

Afternoon all.

I thought about the QOTD for yesterday and finally realized I have no traditions because of my mom. She made us go meatless on Wednesdays and Fridays all through Lent. Her go to meal was cold macaroni salad with tuna fish because it was cheap and fed us all. My dad was in school and money was tight, and there were 4 children to feed. The only problem is I HATE my moms macaroni salad. It was always dry, had huge chunks of onion and I don't like tuna fish. I also refused to go to church because I didn't want ashes. Just a personal thing with me. She still "hollers" at me if I don't go to church for Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. I sometimes think I should change churches so she doesn't know what I am doing.

I don't really give anything up because it lasts a week and I forget what I gave up. I try to stick to no meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday but I order out and get Shrimp. Then I have to figure out what to feed my husband who dislike seafood but likes canned tuna. I won't even touch it. Tonight may just be Frozen Ravioli and Salad if I can find some sauce in the boxes.

When I was a child Lent meant a trip to the cemetery with my great aunt. She didn't drive so mom would pack us all in the car with the graveside memorials and my aunt and off we went. For some reason it was always on Good Friday. My aunt drove my mom crazy because she insisted on treating us to lunch. It was always Kentucky Fried Chicken. I loved my aunt.

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.

Please stay warm and have a good day everyone.

You would love my church. My priest and his family are from Uganda, we have Hispanics, and congregants from Libya and Ghana. We are truly multi cultural/multi ethnic. Ash Wednesday was always a soup, grilled cheese and salad dinner before the service. The churches in the area of all denominations get together every Wednesday through Lent for Soup and Salad and then prayer/discussion depending on the church. I always went to the one at our church because I made an African Peanut Soup that usually went over pretty well. Everything is always donated by congregants.

We have pot lucks a couple times a year, and a huge Parish Picnic every year in June. I do miss all that right now. Our Bishop is not allowing any in person services yet. Our priest started a nightly Zoom prayer service, Tuesday and Saturday Bible study on Zoom and then church service on Sunday. We may be a small parish but we are mighty.

My mom may drive me nuts and I really wish sometimes people saw me and not her, but I do like the parish so I stay.


Hope everyone has a good day

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks for sharing about your church with us, Taz Dev. I would indeed like it I love that other churches were invited to participate as well. I'm sorry though some of your memories especially from childhood were not positive

I hope all of you are having a good day so far and are keeping warm, too!

ETA: Wonderful Spectrum report besides our cable box still being wonderful is Dad called and they are applying (for our 6+ months of issues with the cable box) a $100 credit! That is a most welcome bonus! We are so grateful and that the last representative who applied the initial $10 discount said to call back after the last tech visit once we knew all was resolved.

 

[lynxstch]

@flyingdumbo127--Yeah for Spectrum finally doing the right thing Mona. You had issues with that box for a long time. Glad that they followed through with a good credit!

Bright and sunny here, temp is 32, so everything that froze last nite, is melting. We are now under a storm warning, for heavy snow along with some sleet and freezing rain. Total snow accumulation 6 to 10 inches. Ice accumulation from freezing rain less than a tenth of an inch. .From midnight tonight to 6 AM EST Friday. Snow will overspread the area between midnight and 3 AM. The heaviest snow is expected through midday Thursday. Snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain at times late Thursday and Thursday night.
Just what I don't want to deal with tomorrow

I finished laundry, put the trash out for pick up, just did a beauty treatment, and am going to relax till dinner time. Teriyaki marinated pork tenderloin, with mashed potatoes and steamed zucchini. I baked an angel food cake this morning. Hubby is cutting up some fresh strawberries while they were on sale for $1.29 a quart. Strawberry 'shortcake' for dessert the next few nights!

Picture is not me..just what we might have to deal with tomorrow..but hopefully nowhere near as much snow as those poor people are trying to clear!

 

[easyas123]

Lemme just say - folks are nuts w/ their storm shopping!

And as usual, I run out of something just as a storm is scheduled! This time is was creamer...I can survive Godzilla, Hurricanes, asteroids and anything else so long as we have creamer, sugar & coffee. So There I Was, in the grocery store. Not a bit of creamer to be found...except, at the top on the back along the wall 1 bottle of some odd organic Nature's something or another creamer. I put my basket down and don't think I didn't climb my happy self on up and grab it...I'm not above doing that if there is no one tall in the immediate vicinity! Being short, well one does what one has to in the grocery store! Judging by the crowd at the deli counter, most folks expect to have to survive 12-24 hours on lunchmeat, milk and potato chips.

I may also have gotten a few lemons in case we need an emergency cocktail...we aren't barbarians and I can't be expected to survive a few inches of snow w/o fresh lemon juice

 

[tazdev3225]

@flyingdumbo127 - that is great about the credit. We have Comcast but our nephew works for them. Now when we have an issue mu=y husband just calls him. Honestly I feel bad that he has to deal with it but he does usually get us fixed.

I think we all have some memories that aren't always positive. My mom is actually a very nice person just very hard on me since I was her only daughter. I think she had visions of me that are different than what I had for myself and she shows love by criticizing, not always a good way to show it and I am a little overly sensitive to it at times. She gave me a book that was dated for every day of the year with questions about her life and it made me understand her much better. My grandmother was an alcoholic, and a narcissist. My mom was once told she had very pretty eyes and my grandmother responded "yep, like the center of rotten grapes!" I tried to change that pattern with my own kids. I try and accept them for who they are, warts and all.

@lynxstch I think we are supposed to get the same storm. I need to get my grandsons again tomorrow and I do not like driving in bad weather anymore.

Well I lucked out, I don't need to cook tonight as my husband decided to treat to pizza since I have been working so hard in the kitchen. Tomorrow and Friday I will be making up some big batches of casseroles and chili so we can microwave meals for the next couple of weeks and not have just takeout while the kitchen is finished. I won't have a sink til the cabinets get in so even if I have a stove I can't wash anything. I figure if all goes according to plan I can have it all done in 2 weeks maybe a little more depending on deliveries and the counters being installed.

I am off to looking at pictures again. The QOTD the other day got me thinking and I am working on sorting out pics for Christmas presents this year. I want to make photo books for my kids and my grandson of their childhood, Disney trips, life to now pretty much. Having 100,000+ pics to go through will take some time.

Have a good evening

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

I actually had a busy day with 3 out of the house activities. Started the day with drive through breakfast from CFA. I had a free breakfast sandwich that expired tomorrow so DH and I went there. Then to the county office building which is the next road over, to pay a bill. A couple hours later I had a grocery pick up. I asked the employee how the store was and she said busy and she had to stay late. Home and unpacked then to church for a parking lot Ash Wednesday service. This is the first one DH ever attended as he was always working. It was broadcast on a short distance FM frequency. Not a huge attendance but nice to see the pastor in person. After that, to the Dollar Store to get AA batteries for one of the gifts for DGD birthday this weekend, then to Kinkos so DH could make a copy for taxes. He went inside anywhere that needed to be entered as he's had both shots.

Now I am in for the duration. Nice to see a little of the world though. We are expecting 3-5 or 5-8 inches of snow, then ice. We are supposed to watch DGS tomorrow night at his house while DD, DSIL, and DGD visit a new daycare. Not sure that is happening.

First day of Lent Gratitude - online church and my church family. And glad I can share this with Mona (and anyone else.)

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks so much, Lynn. Wow and Yikes to your picture. I admit that image makes me glad to live in LA. I feel badly saying that though Please, please, enjoy your cake and berries from the warmth of your house--stay in!

Thank you for the laugh, Easyas! Glad you got what you needed. You please also stay safe and warm!

Taz Dev, that's great about your nephew. I understand how you'd feel badly. Hugs, my friend, I think we all have some not so positive or ideal memories, it's how we move on from them that matters. I sincerely am sorry for the unkindness you did endure. I have that myself. Truly, one of the biggest Blessings for me of last year was truly letting go and giving fully to God some long term emotional baggage. So very freeing! Enjoy your pizza!

Hooray for a free breakfast, Carol and also getting to see your pastor in person, too! So glad you were able to do that. Thank you for sharing your first day of Lent gratitude. I will share mine below.

First day of Lent and Wednesday Gratitude: Thankful for this season to (I pray) slow down in an extra way as I listen to and walk closer with Christ. I look forward to online church later, thanks, Carol!

 

[lynxstch]

Lemme just say - folks are nuts w/ their storm shopping!

And as usual, I run out of something just as a storm is scheduled! This time is was creamer...I can survive Godzilla, Hurricanes, asteroids and anything else so long as we have creamer, sugar & coffee. So There I Was, in the grocery store. Not a bit of creamer to be found...except, at the top on the back along the wall 1 bottle of some odd organic Nature's something or another creamer. I put my basket down and don't think I didn't climb my happy self on up and grab it...I'm not above doing that if there is no one tall in the immediate vicinity! Being short, well one does what one has to in the grocery store! Judging by the crowd at the deli counter, most folks expect to have to survive 12-24 hours on lunchmeat, milk and potato chips.

I may also have gotten a few lemons in case we need an emergency cocktail...we aren't barbarians and I can't be expected to survive a few inches of snow w/o fresh lemon juice

You should have gone yesterday..there was noone in Aldi's, and even Walmart wasn't crowded. I think there were more employees than customers at 10 am. Noone at the deli but me. I don't drink coffee (never had a sip), so no coffee or creamer needed. And I have 3 bags of sugar in the pantry from Christmas baking that didn't get done. I am with you,,I am 5'4" but our Walmart apparently thinks we are all 10 feet tall, and put stuff so high noone can reach them. I will stand on the bottom shelf..or go to where I know they keep brooms and reach up and knock something down if I can't reach it,,lol. I was behind an old man the other day. He had a loaf of sandwich bread, 2 containers of Thick Cut Oscar Mayer Bologna, and a bag of chips..he said ''I can live for a week on this',,so you are right with what you said!
Enjoy your coffee, with sugar and creamer, and your Barbarian cocktails with lemon,,lol!

 

[sparkle78]

My church growing up had Vacation Bible school with all the churches on the hilltop. So 4 different Christian denominations. It was great and fun to meet other people in our community.

angel food cake, I was just talking about this today at lunch. I haven’t had one in years, but my mom would make one for all the family birthday parties along with fresh strawberries.
somewhere, I have a recipe for fresh raspberries, raspberry yogurt, jello, and angel food cake in a trifle bowl. Makes a lot, but a lower fat and calorie dessert to share

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Something extra we have in common, Lynn, I do no drink coffee either! I admit to also never even liking how it smells. I'm usually one of the only adults at any church gathering minus a coffee. I am tall but do remember Kohl's having clothing stacked way high towards the ceiling. Then there would be almost hidden in a dark corner a super long metal rod hook thingie that customers were supposed to use to get down an article of clothing. That was sure a hassle and often took many attempts or I would end up pulling down a whole bunch of shirts or whatever item it was I was trying to get. I can understand stores having overstock stacked way high but regular stock should always be convenient to the customer.

That sounds like a lot of fun, Sparkle and great way to meet folks from other churches, too!

I just got to briefly (from several feet away) chat with a church friend, Terri. She had kindly gotten my Dad and I some hard to find wipes from the 99 cent only store closest to her. Terri extra kindly delivered them today. Dad went out to meet her at first but then I got to wave and say hi. I had not seen Terri for almost a year now! Such a nice surprise except for the cold wind! Glad to be in now.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Busy day here, but grateful for:

• Clear weather for a long drive.
• DS's new fish tank.
• Time with DH watching This Is Us.

 

[Kirby]

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.

We had a different kind of weather emergency back in 2011 but in the summer. Same kind of thing, rolling blackouts, no power. You would think that the electric company or whoever it is would have learned a lesson and updated things. Maybe now they will. We have nursing homes that are on minimal power or none at all. Today, DH was bombarded with broken pipe issues as people's power is beginning to come on. The water damage we are hearing about is incredible. He hopes to start out tomorrow about 10:00 am and begin working on homes until dark. He has some materials but will need to get more, he and his employees plan to work through the weekend. Some of the plumbing supply companys have been without power so hopefully they will be open tomorrow.

Bright and sunny here, temp is 32, so everything that froze last nite, is melting. We are now under a storm warning, for heavy snow along with some sleet and freezing rain. Total snow accumulation 6 to 10 inches. Ice accumulation from freezing rain less than a tenth of an inch. .From midnight tonight to 6 AM EST Friday. Snow will overspread the area between midnight and 3 AM. The heaviest snow is expected through midday Thursday. Snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain at times late Thursday and Thursday night.
Just what I don't want to deal with tomorrow

I've always liked cold weather and snow but after the last couple of days I may be changing my mind.

Lemme just say - folks are nuts w/ their storm shopping!

I tell you, it's been crazy here. DD and DH went to Kroger for a few staples. Came back with milk and pullups for Lou Lou. We've got plenty to keep us fed, eggs would have been nice but we don't have to have them. DD said shelves looked just like they did back when the pandemic first began.

She gave me a book that was dated for every day of the year with questions about her life and it made me understand her much better.

I would love to have one of those books to fill out for my kids and grandkids. I bought one for my mom a long time ago but she never filled it out.

Temperatures have been much better today, up in the 20's but back in the teens tonight. We got more snow overnight, just enough to cover what melted yesterday. Looking forward to a partial cloudy day tomorrow. The community has really pulled together, it's so amazing. Food trucks have been parking in front of closed restaurants with no power making meals for free for people that need them. More of my friends are getting power, things are getting better, slowly.

I've never attended a church that observes Lent. The church that I grew up in is considered an independent Christian church. It was part of the group that broke off from the Church of Christ a long time ago over the subject of musical instruments. I'm sure there were other reasons too but that is the one that most people recognize. We now attend a Church of Christ, there's no piano to accompany our singing but we don't really care one way or the other. The singing is so beautiful hearing all the different parts blending together.

The grandkids are going crazy with staying inside. Saturday can't come quick enough and it will be just in the 30's. Hopefully the sun will be out and the wind will not blow making it a lovely day to be outside. I heard a weather forecaster say this morning that our normal high for today is 61. Doesn't that sound so nice?

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning QUACKER'S--started snowing about 3:30. Ground is already covered, and if it keeps up we will get quite a bit. Still saying it will change to freezing rain which isn't good. Sister in law and Niece (and BIL) had a breakdown on their way home from Niece's Morgantown appt last nite. Their car (not a newer one) , just 'stopped', midway around a rotary while still a good distance from home. He called his brother who came to get them, and waited with them for the tow truck. They are tough on cars, and that one has way too many miles on it to pay $$$ to have whatever it is fixed (my guess is timing chain/belt, but I'm not a mechanic). They finally got home at almost 10 last nite, after leaving Morgantown at 6. At least they got home before the storm .

No plans for the day except to start clearing snow after it starts accumulating. Not what I am looking forward to for sure.

Have a good morning all,,to all of my MD'ers on here, let's hope they are wrong with the forecast for today and tomorrow!

 

[easyas123]

Good morning all-
It’s snowing here, we’ve got a coating already. Not sure what (snow/ice) we will end up with throughout the morning. Eldest currently working in OC, MD and since he is off he & husband left for the main office around 545 to get started on the plowing and salt. We have a large parking lot and several tractor trailers & tankers in & out thru the day so we need to try to keep clear if possible.
I suspect we will get less snow, more sleet & rain & ice...snow would be so much easier to deal with-

Have a good morning everyone!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good morning, sleet coming down in Cape May NJ.

 

[tazdev3225]

Morning all.

We are getting the snow too. I'd guess there is already an inch or 2 out there. I am so over this winter. This time last year I was getting ready for my trip to Disney World. I was there the week before the world turned upside down, the first week of March, now I am getting ready to shovel again.

We are definitely on for demolition this weekend. I have to ask a neighbor to move their car from in front of our houses for a couple days for the dumpster. I hope they cooperate. They are downsizing in preparation for moving to an in law suite at their daughters so I am hoping if I let them throw a few things in the dumpster it will help.

Not much on the agenda today besides shoveling and cooking up some things to have while we have no kitchen. Should be fun.

Stay warm and stay safe all those in the path of this snow.

 

[lynxstch]

Already had at least 1 1/2" which I have already cleared. I would rather do a couple inches at a time than a foot all at once. They now say maybe 5-8 and no ice for us, I hope that part is right. Then maybe an inch tonite, then 37 tomorrow so it will start melting. GO AWAY WINTER!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Good Morning ya'll,

It's snowing again. Blah! I did get to the small store for fresh fruits and veggies and more coffee beans. I can't have more snow and cold and no coffee! We are possibly going to get above freezing this weekend! We haven't been above freezing since Feb 5! I'm dreading my heating bill but thankful for the heat and being able to pay it and just flinch.

I was supposed to be taking my MIL to her cardiologist this morning but with all the snow here and more snow falling and three hour drive north where it snowing all the way, I won't be going. I texted my SIL Sunday about this and reminded her again yesterday. I know she super irritated with me but jeez she is 15 mins down the road from her! I'm cranky if you can't tell.

So here is a funny story: Matt bought me a puzzle for Christmas. It's beautiful Kincade Disney puzzle. It's 1,000 pieces, 1,000 teeny tiny pieces and I'm giving him the look like what the heck as we are trying to see and build the frame around this puzzle. We may get done by next Christmas and I told him this may be marriage therapy team building or push over the edge It'll be surprise for sure lol I'm going to need a big magnifying glass if I'm going to get this puzzle done!

I hope everyone has the best day possible with little snow. ice or anything else bad.

 

[easyas123]

I hope everyone has the best day possible with little snow. ice or anything else bad.

This, 100%!

Below is a photo I thought you all might enjoy - Dome of the Rock is getting snow!

 

[lynxstch]

Good Morning ya'll,

It's snowing again. Blah! I did get to the small store for fresh fruits and veggies and more coffee beans. I can't have more snow and cold and no coffee! We are possibly going to get above freezing this weekend! We haven't been above freezing since Feb 5! I'm dreading my heating bill but thankful for the heat and being able to pay it and just flinch.


Snowing again here too..between 5-8 or 8-12 depending on which weather forecaster you want to believe. I pick 1-3" myself,,lol..just cleared the 2 1/2" we have had fall since 3:30 am. LOL at you and your coffee. you and @easyas123 have the same snow mentality, you can't make it through without coffee

I was supposed to be taking my MIL to her cardiologist this morning but with all the snow here and more snow falling and three hour drive north where it snowing all the way, I won't be going. I texted my SIL Sunday about this and reminded her again yesterday. I know she super irritated with me but jeez she is 15 mins down the road from her! I'm cranky if you can't tell.

I don't blame you..why isn't the SIL 15 minutes away taking her..it's too dangerous for you to do in this weather!

So here is a funny story: Matt bought me a puzzle for Christmas. It's beautiful Kincade Disney puzzle. It's 1,000 pieces, 1,000 teeny tiny pieces and I'm giving him the look like what the heck as we are trying to see and build the frame around this puzzle. We may get done by next Christmas and I told him this may be marriage therapy team building or push over the edge It'll be surprise for sure lol I'm going to need a big magnifying glass if I'm going to get this puzzle done!

I too am working on a 1000 piece puzzle..but once you get the edges done,,,and you have the picture on the box cover for reference, after awhile, you start recognizing where pieces go. Good luck with yours..I have about 1/4 of mine done . Mine is a Ravenburg Crafters Cupboard one..I would rather be doing your Kincade Disney one, lol!

I hope everyone has the best day possible with little snow. ice or anything else bad.