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

[lynxstch]

Bright sunshine here,,but windy and cold! We aren't going out looking at furniture today, I could tell he wasn't feeling that great this morning, and I wasn't about to have him out in the cold. Maybe tomorrow.

Gathered trash for pick up tomorrow, cleaned litterboxes, did a load of towels, and swept the kitchen.

I can't believe that we are almost a year into this thread..when it started, I bet not many of us thought it would last thing long (both Covid and this thread!). St Patrick's Day is around the corner, then Spring, then Easter..hopefully the warmer weather will bring more of an end to the virus and everything that went along with it!

 

[easyas123]

Q1 Do you still make or receive an Easter basket?

My husband & I grew up sooooo differently in terms of Easter! His family went all out. ALL OUT to the point where they gave Easter gifts, too! We had been dating for just about 2 months when Easter came around and he gave me a necklace. I was truly puzzled as I had never heard of anyone giving a Easter gift and I had some very active Church going family members - it was new to them as well. In contrast I can recall as a kid Easter was about gathering at one of my grandparents, maybe someone gave you a chocolate bunny or something and we always had leg of lamb and fried pound cake, my husbands family didn't do leg of lamb, only ham. I was scandalized that he had never even had leg of lamb as it was such a staple in my family My Mother would dump a bit of candy into a big bowl on the dining room table and that was our "easter basket" growing up! Our kids got easter baskets when they were kids, but it's not something we do anymore.

Lynsxtch - did you catch our Governor at 1? I didn't catch it all but looks like they are at least trying to accommodate those of us out of the main metro areas- there will be a vaccine center at the outlets in Hagerstown for you guys and a place in Salisbury for us. You know, when they actually have vaccines to put in arms! 90 minutes to drive to a vaccine doesn't seem to bad, but that is normal drive for me some days so maybe I look at it differently than others.

A project I've been working on for a little over a year looks like it's going to happen - I'm so happy! Long story short I've been working on a grant that has come thru, working in conjunction with local and State organization we have a grant to plant habitat and wildflowers in the open spaces of our neighborhood. We are almost at the finish line, I have a meeting Sunday afternoon w/ HOA powers that be to confirm the planting areas and they've asked me to take the lead on dealing with the folks who are doing the planting and whatnot, so I've set up a meeting with them next week. So, one more hurtle to make sure everyone is on same page and it's a done deal.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I so pray the warmer weather will bring an end to the virus, Lynn! Keep that prayer of good thought!

I've enjoyed the Easter basket shares It would be fun to have one sometime and also help put some together perhaps as a church outreach project of some type.

Quiet Tuesday so far here. I am grateful to have gotten some nice emails and PM's from friends. Also glad Dad is home from doing laundry and Ralph's. Staying cozy here

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

I had a morning out in the car with 5 stops. Library, hospital for bloodwork, Walgreens for curbside pickup, stopped at a church friend's house to drop off a key, and to MD office to pay a bill. Our mail is so slow I wanted to be sure they got the check.

Re: hospital, I also picked up the pre-CT prep/dye I have to drink. Thank you @AuntieMe3 and @Pea-n-Me for sharing your experiences. When Pea mentioned the sensation after dye was given by IV, I realized that I have had a CT scan of my sinuses. This one will be lumbar/sacral/pelvic area.

Re: curbside at Walgreens. Very easy to place order. I arrived and there was a marked spot for curbside pick-up. Unfortunately a very entitled person in a new Lincoln SUV with temporary tags was parked in it. I parked in one of the many other nearby available spaces. Then I watched a young man walk out of a nearby pizza shop with his pizza to that SUV. Very rude.

I never really collected change. I would spend it as I got it. DH had an old artillery shell, about 2 feet tall, where he collected change. I did keep an old film cannister in the car with quarters for parking meters. Now I have a quarter in a cubby in the dashboard for Aldis. Since the pandemic, I hardly use cash at all.

Lynsxtch - did you catch our Governor at 1?.......a place in Salisbury for us.

I totally missed it and I was at home. And I am glad I am getting my vaccine locally. We are considered Eastern Shore but M & T Stadium is way closer than Salisbury.

QOTD: Do you still make or receive an Easter basket? I really haven't done baskets since the kids moved out. There is a local chocolate store that makes really good chocolate eggs with different flavored fillings. I would get everyone an egg of their choosing. Last year I made DGD a little gift package. Not sure what I'll do this year. DD often goes away at Easter with her in-laws. DS often has to work. It was always more of a church day for us. Can't remember the last time I received an Easter basket but have gotten my Bomboy's egg.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

QOTD: When I was growing up I remember getting a big Easter basket, usually one premade from the store. It was fun to come downstairs to in the morning. They were pretty, but not much substance. I still remember the taste of that cheap, waxy chocolate bunny, lol. I always got dressed up for church with white shoes, stockings and gloves, and a white little pocketbook. Mom was always into pocketbooks.

DH since I met him was really thoughtful about holidays and gift-giving. Even before we had kids he always remembered to do nice things on holidays and birthdays, usually put thing together some flowers, candy and a little stuffed animal or something. And I did the same for him. After kids we focused on them mainly, but always made baskets ourselves with things they liked. We enjoyed it. And I still enjoy it, but on a smaller scale. The kids now do it, too. DD goes to the dollar store and gets bags, wrap and balloons and such, and hers all come out so nicely. DS is a last-minute type of guy, but he’ll go in and get some nice things, too, on special occasions. It’s fun.

 

[lovemygoofy]

HI ya'll,

Happy March! I believe our 1 year anniversary is around the corner. Weird to think it's been a year and sort of sad but happy to have had such a kind and accepting place for conversation and place to hide from the world. Thank you all for that. I haven't posted much lately but still keep you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm not feeling well and life is happening at a crazy pace. I have to go see my mom's care team next week and actually will see my mom in person for the first time in a year. My mom is going down slippery slope of emotions and mood and acting out and withdraw. I don't know how much is mental anguish and depression and how much is transition into dementia. Guess we will find out. We will be in Arkansas all next week and Matt driving me as I can't even fathom trying to drive that far right now feeling how I am.

As I mentioned I'm not feeling well. My endometriosis is hot mess right now and seems to want to take over everywhere and my estrogen levels are going up again which is never good when you don't have any parts or shouldn't have parts to generate it. I'm trying to ignore it because I'll break down into puddle of crying mess thinking about yet again another surgery and the recovery from it. I'm sure there will be no other options and I'll be brave I guess.

QOTD: About Easter baskets: We don't give baskets here since just us but I do make a couple mini versions to send my mama and her roommate. That's about it.

Just know I'm thinking of ya'll and sending lots good thoughts and wishes. I'll keep posting as I can.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

HI ya'll,

Happy March! I believe our 1 year anniversary is around the corner. Weird to think it's been a year and sort of sad but happy to have had such a kind and accepting place for conversation and place to hide from the world. Thank you all for that. I haven't posted much lately but still keep you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm not feeling well and life is happening at a crazy pace. I have to go see my mom's care team next week and actually will see my mom in person for the first time in a year. My mom is going down slippery slope of emotions and mood and acting out and withdraw. I don't know how much is mental anguish and depression and how much is transition into dementia. Guess we will find out. We will be in Arkansas all next week and Matt driving me as I can't even fathom trying to drive that far right now feeling how I am.

As I mentioned I'm not feeling well. My endometriosis is hot mess right now and seems to want to take over everywhere and my estrogen levels are going up again which is never good when you don't have any parts or shouldn't have parts to generate it. I'm trying to ignore it because I'll break down into puddle of crying mess thinking about yet again another surgery and the recovery from it. I'm sure there will be no other options and I'll be brave I guess.

QOTD: About Easter baskets: We don't give baskets here since just us but I do make a couple mini versions to send my mama and her roommate. That's about it.

Just know I'm thinking of ya'll and sending lots good thoughts and wishes. I'll keep posting as I can.

Hugs, Tina

 

[PollyannaMom]

Oh, @lovemygoofy, huge hugs!!

We are all so grateful to you for starting this thread and hope we can be there for you during this rough time.

Husband & I were recently talking about this very subject! I used to collect our loose change and every December I'd cash it in and use it for stocking stuffers! Some years we had some pretty good stockings at Christmas but over the years we've used less & less cash. I would keep one of those old popcorn tins in my closet and a container in the laundry room to dump change in, but not I just have some sad old container above the washer for when I fish the odd coin out. We hardly have any change anymore.

We have two change jars. One is a large glass canister with a cork top. It was originally a Christmas gift, filled with pistachios, from DH's Aunt & Uncle. It sits on a shelf in the living room.

The other is a small Disney tin in my laundry room, for any money left in pockets. It gets emptied before Disney trips and used for something we wouldn't otherwise splurge on.

QOTD inspired by conversation above! Q1 Do you still make or receive an Easter basket?

Yes - I make one for DS (even though he's "all grown up") and for the cats as well (usually a new food bowl, with some treats and a toy in it). DH also gets some sort of favorite candy item, but not really a "basket" exactly.

We have a few baskets in the closet to choose from, including DS's original baby one, and my old one, which was my uncle's before me!

Anyone else started to pick up their makings of Easter baskets?

Yes, I actually picked up a few things today! And I had a few already. I'm not finished, but I'm in good shape so far.

We also change out the lights on our mantlepiece each holiday or season. We had red hearts that just changed over to green shamrocks.

Do you happen to remember where you got the shamrock ones? That's what I actually stopped at Target to look for today, but they had already switched everything over to Easter.

 

[lynxstch]

@easyas 123--no I didn't know Hogan was speaking,,but I know we won't be driving all the way to Hagerstown for hubby to get the vaccine. He can't do that with his breathing problems and having to have oxygen with him all the time. It will have to be a lot closer for him to get one. Thanks for the info!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Good afternoon, quackers! (or maybe it's still morning for some of you... )

Still having family drama here and the "this person won't speak to that person" is still happening. It's a long story, but it's better that the people who won't speak to us now continue to do so in the future. We're all better off without their drama

My cousin who is out there handling things has a daughter who is a VERY talented artist. She took my aunt's and uncle's high school senior photos, from the first time they were together, and drew this picture from those sometime last year, when my aunt was first diagnosed with cancer. (I told my mother that I'd print it for her.)



It's incredibly cold and windy here today. Somehow the half-full yard waste barrel that's tucked between the backyard shed and the fence fell over, yet the garden flag and the solar snowman that hangs on a small hook in the front yard haven't budged I had to text DH to find another route home from work, as a road on his normal route is blocked by downed trees and power lines. Interestingly, it's the same street as the one that had a 3-day fire due to downed power lines during our hurricane power outage last summer.

Speaking of lost things suddenly appearing...when my grandmother passed away in July 2007, I looked EVERYWHERE for her wedding ring. The one I remembered her wearing when I was a child, a big thick gold band with a diamond-cut design around it. When I was a teenager or in my early 20s, she stopped wearing it and replaced it with a much thinner ring with a tiny little diamond. I found that 2nd ring in a drawer in the sideboard/buffet in the dining room, but I absolutely could NOT find that other, larger ring. Eventually I gave up. Some years went by...then around 2013 or '14, I was looking for something else in the sideboard drawers and there was the first ring, lying there in one of the front corners. I know I had looked there numerous times and I swear it was NOT there before that. But I found it and I now wear it on my right ring finger - it fits perfectly

Easter baskets - I don't receive one, but of course we make one for Josh. When he was born, I ordered one with a light green cloth liner and his name embroidered on it in dark blue. I tend to overdo it...I wasn't going to this year, but I'm afraid I did. So far I have a little puzzle, a small box of "classic" Legos, a Lego Ninjago book, a set of color-changing cups (the ones at Walmart), some Dollar Tree "lego" building sets, a Nestle Crunch chocolate bunny, a pair of David Bowie socks (I got myself a matching pair, so I'm not wearing them until after Easter ), a bottle of juice with one of those character tops (I got him Spongebob, even though I can't stand that show), and a t-shirt - I have both a Spongebob shirt and a Margaritaville pirate shirt, but I haven't decided which one the Easter Bunny will bring. I'll decide once the Margaritaville one arrives; they didn't have a size chart on their website, so I ordered a small and have my fingers crossed

 

[easyas123]

@easyas 123--no I didn't know Hogan was speaking,,but I know we won't be driving all the way to Hagerstown for hubby to get the vaccine. He can't do that with his breathing problems and having to have oxygen with him all the time. It will have to be a lot closer for him to get one. Thanks for the info!

oh, that stinks! Hopefully he can get into one of the pharmacies that are giving them. I will not complain if I can go 10 minutes down the road to Walgreens vs. Salisbury! Fingers crossed for him getting one close to hom -

drew this picture

I'm in awe of the ability to draw, I have zero creative ability and I think it must be pretty cool to express yourself thru that medium. I feel like I'd be drawing everything if I could!

 

[sparkle78]

flyingDumbo127....... Q1 Do you still make or receive an Easter basket?

We do one for the kids, of course, but never do a lot of candy , just their favorites skittles and m&ms in small snack size bags, so i can use them later to take to the movie theatre. Then a few Reese cups or twizlers. I will then add s frisbee, soccer ball, bubbles, outdoor toy of something type., but all Easter baskets NEED A TOOTHBRUSH !!

if I didn’t mention it before, we got a toothbrush in our Christmas stockings and Easter baskets as a kid and I carry on the tradition. Not sure why. My guess is so we got new ones a few times a year.

now my mom makes small baskets for the kids and gives me a bag of Sarris choc covered pretzels. Sarris is a wonderful candy store outside Pittsburgh, PA.
my mother in law also makes baskets for the kids usually with a tshirt and beach towel and a little fruit snacks, or food snacks they can take in their lunch. then she gives me a gift card to get my nails done and some Dove chocolate.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's incredibly cold and windy here today. Somehow the half-full yard waste barrel that's tucked between the backyard shed and the fence fell over, yet the garden flag and the solar snowman that hangs on a small hook in the front yard haven't budged

Same here. My recycle bin set a new record - it made it three doors down, across the street!

Easter baskets - I don't receive one, but of course we make one for Josh. When he was born, I ordered one with a light green cloth liner and his name embroidered on it in dark blue. I tend to overdo it...I wasn't going to this year, but I'm afraid I did.

If any year is the year to go a little overboard, this one is!

if I didn’t mention it before, we got a toothbrush in our Christmas stockings and Easter baskets as a kid and I carry on the tradition. Not sure why. My guess is so we got new ones a few times a year.

We did too!! And my mom always lined our Easter baskets with some new spring clothing item (mostly because she hated the plastic grass, I think! )

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Tina and so much prayer! All of us care so much and are here for you. God is with you all, too.

Thank you all for the Easter basket shares. I have had a lot of fun reading them all. One day we just might have to do do a Quack family Easter basket or maybe even small something to put in basket exchange. I do remember one Summer surprising the school age kids I was working with (I was the director of their after summer program) with an Easter egg hunt. Such fun to see their smiles and they all enjoyed, IIRC, an ice cream treat afterwards.

to you as well, Carol. You've got this and we're here! So is God, of course always!

 

[easyas123]

I ordered Mahi Mahi from my fish gal today, and we cooked it for the first time even this evening, and I'm pleased that it turned out so well. Super simple, husband just used a bit of light seasoning and seared it on both sides. It was so mild, I'm pleased with how easy it was. We've ordered it out several times, but just never bought it to cook at home. I also ordered from her a bowl of soup called Moqueca which is a brazilian fish stew. Going to try that for lunch tomorrow.

I'm so pleased also that it appears we will have a full week of no rain, it won't be that warm - just mid 40's this weekend - but maybe we will be able to get a bit of yard work done.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@PollyannaMom, I got the garlands at Christmas Tree Shops back in January! Family Dollar usually has them, too.

@easy, my DS loves mahi mahi, but we’ve never made it. Isn’t it supposed to be like tuna?

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Another cold frosty start to what they say will be a warmish 55 degrees.

@lovemygoofy--Hugs to you Tina, that you feel better soon, and that the trip to see your Mother goes well. I think of you often!

Not sure if hubby is going to go for labwork today in prep for his kidney Dr 'virtual phone appt' on Monday or change the appt. He wasn't feeling that great last nite, and is worried about going into the lab place, so playing that by ear.

We will go out so I can get to Walmart and Aldi's today, and maybe stop at the furniture place too.
Have a nice morning everyone!

 

[easyas123]

@easy, my DS loves mahi mahi, but we’ve never made it. Isn’t it supposed to be like tuna?

I would equate it to rockfish or maybe halibut? It was super mild.

Good morning all - chilly this morning, but that kinda chilly that has a hint of warmth behind it. Looking like it's going to be pretty decent today. Headed to a dr. appt mid day and a stop at the bank.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Good Morning All,

The sun is shining and going to be almost 60 here today. I am feeling some better today and so thankful for it. I'm going to start working on packing and I am determined to go get a pedicure this afternoon as a cheer me up. It's going to be warm down south and I see sandals in my future next week. It's a good day to have a good day. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

[easyas123]

Good Morning All,

The sun is shining and going to be almost 60 here today. I am feeling some better today and so thankful for it. I'm going to start working on packing and I am determined to go get a pedicure this afternoon as a cheer me up. It's going to be warm down south and I see sandals in my future next week. It's a good day to have a good day. I hope everyone has a great day!

There is nothing better that that first time after a long winter of feeling warm and closing your eyes and just lifting your face to the sun!

Enjoy that pedicure, and go for that colorful polish!!