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

[Breezy_Carol]

Got the counters cleaned now taking a break.

if it gets to be too much to sleep in bed.

When/if you get a new place, will you be getting a new bed? If so, maybe get it now. I had a good friend who got divorced after her husband abused her. She had to buy a new bed because she just couldn't sleep in the one she shared with him. Certainly yours is not the same situation but maybe a new bed would help.

 

[Snowysmom]

I just got a new mattress and box spring and the bedroom set is one we got when we got married so that is going with me. DH had sleep issues and mostly slept on the couch even though I wanted him to use one of the kids' rooms. The main issue I am having is remembering getting out of bed that morning and finding DH passed away on the couch. That may prevent me from staying at the house overnight. My memories of that morning are very fresh and very upsetting. Thanks for the the advice as it is definitely a good idea.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

So glad you had a nice ride, Bobbiwoz. It's actually in the 80's here today it just doesn't necessarily feel that way in the apartment though thankfully it has warmed up from this morning.

Huge Snowysmom! I will pray that your night at the house on Friday will bring you much peace of mind and help you, my friend, move forward. I will say again (and always) how courageous you are. God Bless your grandkids! They were exactly the balm you needed: pure joy and love.

Good and kind advice, as always, Carol.

I Google-d Land O Lakes Cocoa and wow they do have a lot of flavor choices! So glad some of you get to enjoy it

I've started organizing the Christmas cards I'll be mailing in December. I will begin filling them out on Thanksgiving if not before. I told dad earlier that by next Saturday, it will be time to set up my Nativity set! A week from today, begins Advent. Amazing. Also an extra blessing because it truly is my very favorite time of year. A different closer walk to and with Christ than at Easter, which of course I cherish in its own way. I've shared before that Spring is my favorite season mostly due to Easter and memories of Sunrise services at church.

I hope all of you are having a good afternoon and keeping cozy whatever you're up to!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Shutterfly was having a sale on Christmas cards through tonight. We have a long history of photo cards so dropped the other things on my "to do" list and made and ordered my card.

Off to bed now.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning and welcome to Thanksgiving week. Can you believe that another year is almost at it's end. This thread has been going since March 16, 2020. I still think of Tina and Matt often, and hope they are well. Makes me wonder why she all of a sudden stopped posting though She was the threads 'founder'!

Going to be in the 40's today. Hopefully after he gets some sleep, Summer's husband will be over to clean the gutters. They are full from top to bottom and need clearing out before we get ice and or snow!

I redid all the floor vents yesterday. Ground them off, used a wire brush, and repainted them, they all look nice. I think I only filled 1 trash bag with stuff to throw out yesterday, which means the main part of the house is almost done. Look out when I get to the cellar, lol

Haven't heard from the floor guy yet. Apparently he has a regular job, and then runs his own company on the off hours. He wanted to have our floor done before Thanksgiving, but we'll shoot for the next couple of weeks if possible

I have lost so much weight that I had to order 6 pairs of pants in a smaller size yesterday. After using a giant safely clip to hold up my pants I said 'enough' lol!

Have a nice morning everyone, enjoy the day!

 

[footballmouse]

Good Monday morning

Yesterday my kids and I all went to see the Pixar exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. It was kind of neat, smaller than what I was expecting. I liked how it was interactive and you could see how things are designed and stuff.

Worked all day Saturday so nothing fun about that day. My friend went to the craft show at the area high school that we usually go to. Since I had to work she picked up a couple of cat Xmas ornaments for our two new cat family members. There's always the same lady, in the same spot that makes and paints wooden ornaments and then personalizes them. Zeus and Cheeto-Milo now have their own ornaments.

I'm thinking of putting up our normal big Xmas tree this year. The past few years I've been putting up a small tabletop tree and last year I didn't put up any Xmas decorations or tree. I keep telling myself that my kids don't appreciate the big tree like they did when they were little and it's too much work and the cats always knock something down. I had decided that the big tree will come out of storage when I have grandkids, but now I kind of missing decorating it and having it up. Guess I need to decide by the weekend.

Now that a lot of stores are doing early Black Friday sales, I've already started shopping. I miss going out at 5 am to start my shopping.

Back to work, hope everyone has a great day.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Good morning.

QOTD: I like hot chocolate. If I'm using cheaper kinds (swiss Mix, etc), I'll use more of the mix to make my cup, so it's less watery. I very much prefer the Ghiradelli mixes (Double Chocolate FTW). I had the Godiva dark chocolate hot chocolate mix once; it was amazing. I'd like to try the others, I think. Silly Cow Chocolate Truffle Hot chocolate is pretty good too.

I overbrowned my pecan pie. The recipe called for 30 minutes @350, and I have to turn my oven down 25 degrees because it's off, so when I checked 30 min @325, it wasn't quite done. It took a full 50 minutes to get it to temperature, and by then the top and crust was DONE. It is pretty good; I do like the crust, and it was good, but not quite 'boozy' enough, and I think I needed to spice the pecans more. THis is the recipe (I did NOT use the cumin on the pecans, I just don't like that flavor with sweet.):

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/bourbon-pecan-pie-recipe-2041499
DD#2 is getting moved back to the states. They love Japan, but they've been locked down almost the entire time they've been there (thanks pandemic). They are homesick too; so they've been pushing to come back. They got the news they would be getting moved, but back to Pendleton (which they hate, but at least they are home) and SoIL may need to report as soon as Dec 21st. She's hoping it's not going to be until January or February (they had been hoping for next summer, and for East Coast, so SoIL's monitor is going to look until that). There goes my Japan trip... I told DH if that's the case, we will just go to NE for a week, then to CA for a week instead of Japan, and then put the rest of the money away...and go to Helsinki, just the two of us, in 2023. LOL

DS has officially dropped out of school. He is taking the GED classes online (he has 2 right now, but they are about 8 hours total each). Small baby steps. He did get his bike yesterday, and went on a 2 mile ride; he's happy with it.

Have a good day all!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Good Morning, all! Saw this on Pinterest and just had to share it with the Quackers! -

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/412712753359693217/

Yesterday my kids and I all went to see the Pixar exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. It was kind of neat, smaller than what I was expecting. I liked how it was interactive and you could see how things are designed and stuff.

I saw that when it was in Boston a few years ago. it was cool.

@Snowysmom and @bianca & Bernard

 

[easyas123]

Good morning everyone!
Time for my weekly catch-up. Hope everyone has been well -

I’m not going near the grocery stores until after Thanksgiving. They’re too crazy, already

I did my 'big' Thanksgiving grocery shop yesterday mid-day. It is my habit to go the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, however I'm usually up and out of the house and at it first thing, but this year it was 10 AM before we even left the house. I was anticipating it being a mad house and was pleasantly surprised it was busy but not unbearable. Maybe accidently going at mid-day was a help? Not sure- I tell you what I was up by 95 in between Baltimore & Philly Friday afternoon, and at a major mall/Costco shopping complex and it was a mad house Friday afternoon around 2:30. I had to go to the Costco liquor store for wine & champage and I was in there for a while. I do have to go to a grocery store on Wednesday because I like to pick up some of my veggies last minute. I'm hoping that since I only need a few items I can get in and out unscathed!

Then time will drag and fly at the same time until Christmas break...if that makes sense.

That makes sense to me, I've mentioned this before but we are so busy between now & Easter that we have been trying to get ourselves ready for the go-go-go of the next few months. We aren't ready -

Trying now to find a new warm robe

I think I'm going to get my husband a new robe for Christmas. His is starting to show it's age.

It is cold and windy here today

No snow here, but it was a grey & drizzling morning. I think we are heading into a week with highs in the low to mid 40's except Thanksgiving day. I was kinda hoping Thanksgiving day would be colder, we have a wood burning stove in basement where we are hosting everyone and it gets downright hot down there! But - I love the fire going over the holiday. Maybe we will run it for the AM hours and then bank it down once the afternoon and guest start arriving.

We had some unexpected visitors before dinner..my other sister in law and brother in law. They so thoughtfully brought us dinner.

How nice!

So...that's my life lately.

How fortunate you were there for him, I hope for the best for him going forward.

Capriottis

mmmmmm

We had pizza last night,

We are engaged in on-going negotiations over if we are having pizza Tuesday or Wednesday night We have to take my folks over Wednesday to see the eldest's new house Wednesday, so trying to figure out dinner.

Wanted to share that we went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Plymouth, MA, yesterday. It was the 400th anniversary of “America’s Hometown” and it was really nice

That sounds cool. I really want to spend a week up that way putzing around.

I've started organizing the Christmas cards I'll be mailing in December. I will begin filling them out on Thanksgiving if not before

I picked up some Christmas cards last week, might get them signed & sent out next weekend. I only got thirty cards - just sending to family & a few friends, keeping it simple.

welcome to Thanksgiving week. Can you believe that another year is almost at it's end.

No! Time has flown by, at least for us.

There goes my Japan trip...

You should go anyway, I bet you'd love it!



So how was everyone's weekend? Ours was good. Did some stuff around the house in anticipation of Thanksgiving prep on Saturday. Sunday the foster pup went up the road to her new home and we went out for a late breakfast and to do some Thanksgiving grocery shopping. I ordered some new lit topiaries for the front door area and finally got those together and up. Tested the new timer so I don't have to go outside to unplug them over the holidays. This coming weekend I'll get my porch lights out and decorate outside. Maybe. Got a full week ahead of me. Tons to do this evening, picking my folks up from airport tomorrow, Wednesday AM taking youngest to pick up his truck at shop 45 minutes one direction from house, headed home and then 45 minutes up the other direction to the bakery to pick up my Thanksgiving order, stop at grocery store for last minute fresh vegetables. That evening as soon as eldest gets home, take my folks over to see his new place. Back home and start getting ready for Thursdays festivities. Can't wait - love a busy, fun holiday week and I'm looking forward to it all.

I need to get off of here and deal with a work comp case that is getting on my last nerve and I'm just at the beginning of it.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

You should go anyway, I bet you'd love it!

We will, just not next year, if they come home this year. The main reason was to go see the family, and if they are stateside...

We had started making a list of things to do; DGS#2 wanted to show us all his places....all the Sushi-Go-Rounds, the 'Maquarium (as he calls it), the places they went hiking (including Hacksaw Ridge). We were thinking a week in Okinawa, and a week in Toyko (Disney, MarioWorld, Pokemon, etc). We would only have needed a hotel in Toyko, as we would have stayed with them in Okinawa. So, if we did go and they weren't there, we would have to rethink all the plans. We will be able to push it out a couple of years, then maybe everyone can join us and go to Japan together, since they will know what to do, and speak (some) Japanese.

Maybe DH and I will go to Helsinki...just the two of us; it's the top of his list, and in the top 5 on mine. We've never had a vacation just the two of us; and the only time we've been away from the kids for more than one night together was our honeymoon. DS can go stay with either of the girls if we decide to take a 'grownup' vacation (unless the therapist feels, and if we agree, he'll be able to be by himself then).

 

[flyingdumbo127]

That’s great you scored a sale on Shutterfly cards, Carol!

Hug, Lynn. I was thinking last night that in just 4 months we will have been Quackers together for 2 years. Seems unbelievable that this plague has been going on that long and horribly still seems like there is no end of it in sight. But what a blessing God has given to me throughout it in more ways than I can count, all of you are at the top of that list! Truly this time closer with Christ is forever no comparison my most cherished blessing and one I pray to grow always. Then that He has also gifted me and my dad the precious, precious gift of health, mercy, protection, extra time together closer…there are also no words of my thanks for that! In those ways and others I don’t mind this time at all and in fact would love to hold onto it forever—plague aside, of course, which I pray daily would kindly end for good!

I have also been wondering about Tina. Praying she is okay. I tried to search for her last Quacker post and wasn’t finding it. I did find that she last posted on the Disboards in April of this year. I haven’t read any of her non Quacker posts.
Lol, your entire house better look out for the whirlwind of cleaning energy that is dear you. Just please, please, don’t overdo it! I hope you do hear from your floor guy! Weight loss is a good thing but as I have found out, please be careful. EAT and take care, please.

I’m so glad you and your kids got to do something fun, Footballmouse! You are such a hard worker and needed a break I don’t have the room for a full sized Christmas tree in this small apartment but am considering another small tree like Evergreen once was. Meantime, thanks to God, Evergreen continues to grow healthy and green outside.

Big hug all-around B&B. I’m so thankful things sound brighter for you and your family, my friend. Know always you are in my prayers! What a good idea to make a trip list for the future, something positive to enjoy thinking about. Reminder to all of our Quacker Meet PM. Please post in it if you would like to have some very early fun planning fun. B&B, if you allow PM’s again on here, I can add you

Awww, that is adorable PollyannaMom! Thank you!

You were very smart to do your big Thanksgiving shopping over the weekend, Easyas! Thank you again for sending off your foster pup with much loving care to its new home. You just have some fun, my friend. Enjoy your family time and pizza, too! Prayers the workers comp case works out smoothly! I hope you find a nice, warm new robe for your DH and make sure you have one for you, too!

Dad has been out since earlier doing laundry and other chores. Tomorrow he goes to the eye doctor for the first time since the plague struck. Just a routine visit but one I'm sure keeping in extra prayer just due to the more closeness aspect of such an appointment but compared to the dentist maybe not so much. Speaking of dentists, I need to call my new dentist's office to find out whether they ever did hear from my old, retiring dentist. New dentist never did reply to my email and my old dentist, the one I loved, said he would be calling the new one on my behalf. I so don't like making that kind of call!

All is well here and how grateful I am to God for that and this week of extra Thanksgiving, too. I will check back later.

Dad did get a Kindle at Target on Saturday. We will look more at it later today

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

Started on pre-holiday house cleaning. DH and I are sharing the job. Upstairs almost done. Also, I had unframed one of my parents' wedding picture to get prints made and to reframe it and frame the new one. Started on that but need to finish. Lots of things we are trying to get done.

Next up is an outing to the library, Staples, pharmacy, and grocery store (hopefully the last time before Thursday.)

@easyas123, I have been craving Capriottis since Halloween. We tried to get it at DD's house and the one there closed early. Then tried again Saturday and they wouldn't accept online orders and wouldn't answer the phone. So still craving a Cole Turkey.

 

[lynxstch]

Doing a whole lot of nothing today. Most of the house is clean, not going to decorate much . We have leftovers for dinner.

SIL had to go to Walmart anyhow, so she picked us up milk, oj, greek yogurt ,strawberries, blueberries, bananas, tomatoes, and some cat food. She had bought 40 lbs of chicken (boneless skinless thighs) , and a giant pork loin from the Discount place over the PA line. Chicken was only $2 a lb, so I bought 10 lbs of them off of her. She has them in a cooler and will bring them with the groceries. Then I just have to put them in freezer bags and put in the deep freeze in the cellar. That will make for quite a few inexpensive meals

Got a call from Cardiac Rehab today. Have an evaluation with them on Dec 23, then they ask that I complete 36 sessions ((3 a week) and they provide transportation

Mr L finally got hold of the lady who got the approval for his free meds, as we never got either an acceptance or decline letter for his Anoro. She called and found out someone put a wrong number on his Medicare when they submitted it..so she is resubmitting it again. She is also going to start the paperwork for my 3 $$ ones (farxiga, entresto and the most $$ one, Eloquis (as in $774 for 3 months), to start in January. She said to just get a one month prescription for it when I go to the heart clinic Thursday, then call her and they have a 1 time co pay assistance program that will cover it. Then we only have to pay for the other 2 ($138 for 90 days) which is doable. Thank God there are programs out there that provide assistance!

Its only 40 out,,windy and feels colder...off to feed the outside cats and give them warm water

Have a nice rest of the afternoon and evening fellow Quackers!

 

[dazedx3]

I have spent the last few days trying to get as much done as possible before my knee surgery on Wednesday. All the Christmas, except a few last minute items, are put up, have cleaned the house, most of the Christmas shopping is done, grocery shopping is done for now Have any of you had a knee replacement? experiences?
Today they dropped off the CPM machine, ice machine and the pneumatic compression device. i already had a walker and crutches. My living room looks like a hospital room!I've had quite a few surgeries before, but for some reason, this one has me anxious. I guess because I feel I won't be able to help my DH like I want to. He has not been feeling well at all.

Please send your prayers to the families in Waukesha WI. Just about 45 minutes from our home, so very sad.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good afternoon from me, too

Wow Carol, you and your DH are taking a cleaning page out of Lynn's book I hope you get your Capriotti's soon. Also smart of you to get your shopping done today. Dad is on his way to Pavilions right now for bigger shopping.

All good news, Lynn! That is wonderful that the rehab place provides you transportation! Thank God indeed for the rides and medication assistance!

Just DazedX3.

Yikes Good thing I called the prospective new dentist's office just now. Now I know why he never emailed me back. He is retiring and already has a replacement! Not happy at all about that. Apparently this was a big surprise to his receptionist. She said when I initially called she had no idea of his plans.

I have to call my former dentist to find out if he still recommends this person or not. The only other recommendation he had originally given was for a fancier sounding dentist. Based on my one (and only) call to that office, I didn't think it was for me plus the person who answered made it sound like masks are 100% required so that obviously would not work anyway. I'd appreciate prayers on all this. Once again how I wish my own dentist were younger lol. I do know all will be (and already is) just fine thanks to God.

I hope all of you are having a good afternoon.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Have any of you had a knee replacement? experiences?

I have not had a replacement but did home PT for 20 years and had many, many total knee patients. The majority do very well. Funny how the CPM comes in and out of favor. For a while everyone had one then they stopped using them. They must be back. I assume you'll have home PT to help you get the machine set up? I'd expect you to be walking with a walker by the weekend, not a marathon but for your needs.

Any questions, ask. Knee patients were my favorite.

 

[dazedx3]

Thanks Breezy _Carol. The PT showed me the CPM today. said to spend at least 3 hours a day on it. Said not to push it if it hurts, just drop the speed down. We brought a bed downstairs......didn't think I should attempt our steep stairs. I start going to therapy 1 week after surgery. I'm sure everything will be fine, I'm just not always very patient.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Waving good night to all of you! Much prayer indeed, DazedX3. Please PM me if you would like some mail

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good luck with your surgery if we don’t see you tomorrow, @dazedx3! Like @Breezy_Carol, I’ve cared for patients post operatively, but I have no personal experiences, other than I once had a major surgery on the day before Thanksgiving, too! Everyone was talking about what they were going to cook.

@flyingdumbo123, I’m glad you got your Kindle and you are enjoying your time with your Dad.

@Bianca and Bernard, your son sounds like he is doing a lot better. Nice job, Mom. I hope you get to do your travels, they sound really interesting!

QOTD: I like my hot chocolate with a spoonful of marshmallow fluff on top! Mom always made it for me that way when I was little (Nesquick in a saucepan on the stove with milk). I made a big vat of hot chocolate the other day to take with us to the parade. We have a large insulated dispenser that we used to use for March baseball games and plenty of to-go cups. It worked out nicely. I did skip the Fluff, though, because it would’ve been super messy and probably clogged up the dispenser, lol. But I had a can of hot chocolate powder and used lots of chocolate so it was really good and warmed our bones.

Dazed I am so sorry for your community, and have been saying lots of prayers. We visited Wisconsin a few years back and loved it there.

@Snowysmom, proud of how strong you’re being. I know you probably don’t feel that way right now, but that’s how I see it. Praying for you, also.

We had a nice weekend. Got some shopping done. Took Toto out with us as it was his birthday today. He’s 8 now. Tonight we had an ice cream cake after dinner and sang happy birthday to him. He didn’t eat his ice cream but we enjoyed it, haha. He got some extra hugs and kisses instead.

Love to all Quackers!

 

[lynxstch]

Good luck with your surgery if we don’t see you tomorrow, @dazedx3! Like @Breezy_Carol, I’ve cared for patients post operatively, but I have no personal experiences, other than I once had a major surgery on the day before Thanksgiving, too! Everyone was talking about what they were going to cook.

@flyingdumbo123, I’m glad you got your Kindle and you are enjoying your time with your Dad.

@Bianca and Bernard, your son sounds like he is doing a lot better. Nice job, Mom. I hope you get to do your travels, they sound really interesting!

QOTD: I like my hot chocolate with a spoonful of marshmallow fluff on top! Mom always made it for me that way when I was little (Nesquick in a saucepan on the stove with milk). I made a big vat of hot chocolate the other day to take with us to the parade. We have a large insulated dispenser that we used to use for March baseball games and plenty of to-go cups. It worked out nicely. I did skip the Fluff, though, because it would’ve been super messy and probably clogged up the dispenser, lol. But I had a can of hot chocolate powder and used lots of chocolate so it was really good and warmed our bones.

Oh my gosh, I had forgotten all about marshmallow fluff in cocoa, used to have it all the time when I was a kid..guess what's going on top of my next cup! Thanks for the flashback to childhood!

Dazed I am so sorry for your community, and have been saying lots of prayers. We visited Wisconsin a few years back and loved it there.

@Snowysmom, proud of how strong you’re being. I know you probably don’t feel that way right now, but that’s how I see it. Praying for you, also.

I agree with you 100% on this one . She is being so strong, considering what she has been through.
We had a nice weekend. Got some shopping done. Took Toto out with us as it was his birthday today. He’s 8 now. Tonight we had an ice cream cake after dinnewer and sang happy birthday to him. He didn’t eat his ice cream but we enjoyed it, haha. He got some extra hugs and kisses instead

Happy Birthday Toto!

Love to all Quackers!