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

[lynxstch]

Sun is halfway out on this side of the street..other side has black clouds. We have a high wind warning out now..even though the temp is going up to 45, it still feels cold with the wind. We have already had 2 power hiccups..just hoping the winds don't knock the power out.
Going to make shrimp po'boys for dinner tonite, just made some coleslaw, and will add some fruit. I got a frozen chocolate mousse cake at the PA store the other day, so that will be dessert

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning Friends,

I'm grateful to share that it's a dash warmer today. I'll take it. Still too cold for me ☃What a blessing it was to sleep so warm and well last night. I'm so thankful to God for comforters and that dad and I each have one as well. Being snug in bed truly makes all the difference

Carol, chocolate mint brownies sound so good. Are they mint flavored chocolate or regular brownies with chocolate chips or perhaps both? They bring back memories of a truly delicious treat at Marble Slab Creamery so many years ago now, in the 90’s, while visiting my grandma in Houston. Chocolate Mint was so very rich and creamy indeed. https://www.marbleslab.com/ Have a great time at the baby shower.

Snowysmom, it really does bring me a smile to read your WDW planning. I am so happy for you to have something plain fun to look forward to. Meantime, please just stay warm and well. Your weather really does sound frigid!

Hug, Lynn and I’m sorry you had a restless night sleep. I hope you make up for that tonight, my friend. Wow that is windy! You just please stay inside and be safe and warm, too! Does chocolate mousse taste like chocolate pudding?

Thank you for the Michaels suggestion, Easyas. I did look on Michaels.com. They did have some nice baskets as did Hobby Lobby. The “catch” is though $49 is needed for free shipping. There is a Michael’s my dad might go to if need be. Hobby Lobby is a good 45 minutes+ away. Hug, paperwork can indeed be no fun! I hope you get through it smoothly.

Enjoy your lunch and visit with your friend, Footballmouse. Free pancakes sound tasty to me! This coming week is Shrove Tuesday which also means National Pancake Day. In years past anyway, places like Denny’s and IHOP either gave away free pancakes or pancakes at a very discounted price. Around here, pancakes can be any (or almost every) day!

Judique, I am also truly thankful that you have an upcoming WDW visit to look forward to. One of the things I wish would come out to DL is even a smaller scale Flower and Garden Festival. Pictures I’ve seen from WDW always look so pretty and peaceful too. A Character breakfast with kiddos should be great fun.

Have a great Friday everyone. I'll check back later.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

Did some touch up cleaning before my brother and his wife come tomorrow. Also laundry. Going to get CFA for lunch as I have a free birthday reward there. Tacos for dinner.

I will have to help older DS with everything as he has not been to Disney since 2007. He has a steep learning curve!

I will need help at some point also. Haven't been in quite a few years.

All the branches on the buses & trees are ice covered here,

We had ice on everything here too but it has all melted now. Neighbors did lose a big branch on one of their evergreen trees.

Snowy Owl not to far from us is causing quite the stir.

I was in Cambridge Monday and at Blackwater and I missed it.

Working from home today so I'm trying to get the laundry and cleaning done

DD teleworking and baking for tomorrow.

Hyatt House opening close to Henlopen in Lewes/Rehoboth and I've booked one night there before the airshow in June.

Someday I will get there for the airshow.

The Poly is one place I enjoy ground floor rooms.

We stayed at the Polu the first time we took the kids back in 1992. It was great to get them in PJs and watch the lighted boat parade from our patio then put them to bed.

Are they mint flavored chocolate or regular brownies with chocolate chips or perhaps both?

It's a regular brownie with a layer of buttercream made with creme de menthe, then a chocolate glaze on top. It is what people request that I bring.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Wow they look amazing, Carol! The chocolate glaze especially! Enjoy.

Still cold (for me) in here but not quite as much as yesterday. Waiting for a package through the mail later this afternoon. Grateful dad is safely home from laundry and Ralph's. One day it really will be a blessing to be able to help him with outside errands and chores.

I hope all of you are staying warm and doing something enjoyable this afternoon, too. I was thinking last night that soon we will have been a Quacker family for 2 years! Seems longer, shorter, and timeless all at once. Thank you all, always, for being a fellow Quacker ❤

 

[bobbiwoz]

I totally agree, Carol, they look so good!

 

[easyas123]

frozen chocolate mousse cake

That sounds good...

t's a regular brownie with a layer of buttercream made with creme de menthe, then a chocolate glaze on top. It is what people request that I bring

Those look good...ack! I've got a wicked sweet tooth this afternoon!!!

One day it really will be a blessing to be able to help him with outside errands and chores.

I think that day is soon coming, fingers crossed!

Welp we went and had our meet & greet with the potential new dog, it's not gonna work between the two dogs, BUT it did give the gals at the shelter some direction to go with him, which is always really helpful when they are trying to adopt out a dog they have limited info on. We were happy to hear he has other applications in on him, so I'm sure that even though we weren't the right home for him, they'll find him one soon.

No special plans this evening. A stiff drink and a bit of news watching will be in my future I think this evening. Before that I might bring some more of the random posts and whatnot up from the back field for the bonfire tomorrow evening, or send my husband to fetch them. I've got mulled wine to heat up for that leftover from the Holiday season, that should be good on a cold night. Only thing I don't have is something chocolatey!

 

[PollyannaMom]

...I've got mulled wine to heat up for that leftover from the Holiday season, that should be good on a cold night. Only thing I don't have is something chocolatey!

I tried this about a week ago, and it worked! ~
Chocolate Mug Cake

(I used the Nutella.)

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Only thing I don't have is something chocolatey!

For a bonfire, s'mores of course. You could have different chocolate bars - Hershey, Reese's, Peppermint patties. Or I can give you my recipe for brownies.

Chocolate Mug Cake

This looks good too.

 

[easyas123]

I tried this about a week ago, and it worked! ~

looks good, thanks!

For a bonfire, s'mores of course. You could have different chocolate bars - Hershey, Reese's, Peppermint patties. Or I can give you my recipe for brownies.

I thought about that but my SIL is bringing dessert, not sure what though. I'm planning on picking myself up a little something at the store tomorrow "for emergency purposes"


Got my grocery & beer store list together for tomorrow, gotta stop at Walgreens as well. Which means I need to wait till a bit later in the morning to get started - which, regretfully means I'll have time to do some house cleaning.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Evening,

Thanks, Easyas, I sure pray so. That's wonderful that the shelter workers got to meet your dog in general and so that they can try to better place new pups that will get along with him--or should anyway! I hope you did get to enjoy something sweet. LOL, "emergencies," of the chocolate kind are the best kind to be prepared for

That looks good, too, PollyannaMom! Glad you posted. I didn't think you did earlier this morning. Just good to know you are okay

I would like the glaze recipe, Carol. Thank you.

Be cozy everyone and have a good night's rest.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

For some reason, I am tired tonight. Probably go to be early, like 10 instead of 11.

. I'm planning on picking myself up a little something at the store tomorrow "for emergency purposes"

I keep a bag of dark chocolate Hershey Kisses in the pantry for emergency chocolate needs. My mom used to keep a bag of chocolate chips in the basement. My dad was trying to keep his weight down, so when she went downstairs to do laundry, she’d have a chip.

I would like the glaze recipe,

the entire recipe or just the top chocolate layer? Probably not til after the shower.

Good night.

 

[Snowysmom]

Good morning. It is 13 degrees here with a blanket of snow on the ground. It is supposed to be near 30 today. I am off to the house to put out the trash and move some things around that the stager and agent asked to be done. It is just a couple of kitchen chairs. Younger DS is coming to finish the window sill.

Yesterday was a tough day. I did the taxes and realized this is the last year I will file married and have a W-2 from Chris. I have been married for 45 years so it is so hard. These are hidden land mines that you don't think about until they come up. It was so sad. I also had to check off that he has passed. I cried all afternoon. Between everything I have been doing since Chris passed, getting the house ready and now about to sell it, and looking for a new place, I am a wreck. I feel like I have just run out of energy and can't do anymore. I need to be settled so I can just not "do" any more and try to soothe my heart and soul. I have not been able to make an progress with that.

Time of make coffee before I hit the road.

 

[PollyannaMom]

@Snowysmom

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. 27 and cloudy now, supposed to go into the 40's, and thankfully the winds are gone. I have quite a few downed branches to pick up and we lost power for about 45 min yesterday afternoon.

@Snowysmom--

@Breezy_Carol-I agree, those brownies look delicious..I would like the entire recipe when you have time. I hope the shower goes well today and that everyone has a lot of fun

Have already stripped and remade the bed, sheets are in the dryer, regular load of laundry in the washer. Made breakfast, did dishes and now I am going to sit and rest my leg,,it's still aching. I am going to call the heart clinic on Monday and ask the Dr to see if the Atorvastatin could be causing it. If it is, she can either lower the doseage, or switch to something else, or do away with it entirely. I don't have high cholesterol..so unless it has some use for my heart, I don't want or need it.

Mr L has an appt with his PCP Monday morning. We tried calling all day yesterday to see if 1)--he has a cough, do they actually want him in there, or just do a televisit, 2) if they want him, do they have a transport or wheelchair there (we can't fit his in our car and he can't walk that distance from the parking lot, up the handicap ramp and into the office with just his walker or a cane yet), or 3),,just reschedule it a few more months away. She just saw him 3 months ago ,and it's usually 6 between visits so no idea why she made it 3. Problem is,,their phones were out of service all day. You either got a weird busy signal, or a message saying your call can't be completed. They pay no attention to messages sent through the patient portal, so that was no help either,,lol

Off to clean the bathrooms and then sit and do nothing for at least an hour. Or until time to get the laundry out and fold it and put it away

Have a nice morning all

 

[tazdev3225]

Good morning everyone. It is a brisk 31 degrees although it warmed up 2 degrees while I signed in here.

We are down to the final push on the downstairs. The floors are going down starting today. My grandson expects to get the dining room done today and the living room tomorrow. His mother's birthday was Thursday and they are having a dinner for her tonight so it will be an earlier day than planned. I no longer need to paint the woodwork as we have decided to buy new baseboards and probably quarter round for the ceiling edge. The woodwork in the hallway is painted as I did that yesterday. It is amazing how a coat of fresh paint brightens up an area. I painted most of the railings. They are wrought iron and it is time consuming. A Public Service Warning - NEVER sit on the lid of a paint can. I didn't realize I put it where I could sit on it and ruined the seat of my favorite jeans. Took a bit of scrubbing to get the paint off of me butt too. I will finish up the railing today since the ladder is needed and I couldn't get it out of the corner. Now if I can just get the electrician to come out and finish his job. I understand he had to wait for the ceiling to get up and he has other jobs BUT I already paid him and sent him several e-mails. He is going to TRY and fit me in this week. I am a little annoyed.

Well other than this I plan to get new litter boxes that are covered and HOPE that my cats will use them. I also need to get a mat of some kind for under the boxes and also for the dog's pee pad. She loves to go for walks, and I will start them again, but she was pad trained and still needs one here in the house for emergencies.

I was glad for the distraction of the house yesterday as the day holds mixed emotions for me. My one brother turned 61 but I couldn't call and wish him a happy birthday and a card would be sent back unopened. He wrote us all off about 10 years ago. We bullied him, it didn't happen, and he HATES my mom. When my dad had cancer a few years ago my one brother called him, and he refused to hear anything. He didn't want to "get sucked into their drama." My brother always was a troubled person, but he refuses to accept responsibility for anything in his life, its's always someone else's fault. It hurts because at one time we were very close, and I was the most accepting of his announcement that he is gay. I did wish him a happy birthday in my mind, but I still am a bit angry at his attitude.

February 25th is also the anniversary of my nephew committing suicide. He had his demons too. He had gotten into drugs and tried desperately to get clean, he just couldn't stay that way. He was a smart, handsome, athletic boy but he never saw his worth. He thought ending his life would be better for his family than having to deal with him as he was. It's so sad because his mother grieves for him every day. Depression is such a horrible disease and such a hidden disease. I think knowing that it run's in the family on both sides is one reason I stay so close to my grandkids. They know they can come to me about anything and I will never judge and always listen. I had an interesting conversation with my granddaughter yesterday that showed me once again what a big heart she has and how insightful she is. It was a bit of an odd topic of conversation though, but she made me laugh.

Hope everyone has a good day.

 

[Judique]

Good morning everyone. It is a brisk 31 degrees although it warmed up 2 degrees while I signed in here.

We are down to the final push on the downstairs. The floors are going down starting today. My grandson expects to get the dining room done today and the living room tomorrow. His mother's birthday was Thursday and they are having a dinner for her tonight so it will be an earlier day than planned. I no longer need to paint the woodwork as we have decided to buy new baseboards and probably quarter round for the ceiling edge. The woodwork in the hallway is painted as I did that yesterday. It is amazing how a coat of fresh paint brightens up an area. I painted most of the railings. They are wrought iron and it is time consuming. A Public Service Warning - NEVER sit on the lid of a paint can. I didn't realize I put it where I could sit on it and ruined the seat of my favorite jeans. Took a bit of scrubbing to get the paint off of me butt too. I will finish up the railing today since the ladder is needed and I couldn't get it out of the corner. Now if I can just get the electrician to come out and finish his job. I understand he had to wait for the ceiling to get up and he has other jobs BUT I already paid him and sent him several e-mails. He is going to TRY and fit me in this week. I am a little annoyed.

Well other than this I plan to get new litter boxes that are covered and HOPE that my cats will use them. I also need to get a mat of some kind for under the boxes and also for the dog's pee pad. She loves to go for walks, and I will start them again, but she was pad trained and still needs one here in the house for emergencies.

I was glad for the distraction of the house yesterday as the day holds mixed emotions for me. My one brother turned 61 but I couldn't call and wish him a happy birthday and a card would be sent back unopened. He wrote us all off about 10 years ago. We bullied him, it didn't happen, and he HATES my mom. When my dad had cancer a few years ago my one brother called him, and he refused to hear anything. He didn't want to "get sucked into their drama." My brother always was a troubled person, but he refuses to accept responsibility for anything in his life, its's always someone else's fault. It hurts because at one time we were very close, and I was the most accepting of his announcement that he is gay. I did wish him a happy birthday in my mind, but I still am a bit angry at his attitude.

February 25th is also the anniversary of my nephew committing suicide. He had his demons too. He had gotten into drugs and tried desperately to get clean, he just couldn't stay that way. He was a smart, handsome, athletic boy but he never saw his worth. He thought ending his life would be better for his family than having to deal with him as he was. It's so sad because his mother grieves for him every day. Depression is such a horrible disease and such a hidden disease. I think knowing that it run's in the family on both sides is one reason I stay so close to my grandkids. They know they can come to me about anything and I will never judge and always listen. I had an interesting conversation with my granddaughter yesterday that showed me once again what a big heart she has and how insightful she is. It was a bit of an odd topic of conversation though, but she made me laugh.

Hope everyone has a good day.

The haha is for the pants!!

 

[Judique]

Grandchildren are here this morning after spending the night.

They wanted to go out and play on the swings. I said no it is too cold. 34 degrees.

Well, finally said get dressed warmer and go out. 5 minutes they were back in! They don't bring warm enough clothing ever.

But we are having fun! They found the old view master and thought it was awesome. Played with it at least 1/2 hour.
Now they want to eat again so off to make scrambled eggs. They already had toast with butter and cereal.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning everyone. It is a brisk 31 degrees although it warmed up 2 degrees while I signed in here.

We are down to the final push on the downstairs. The floors are going down starting today. My grandson expects to get the dining room done today and the living room tomorrow. His mother's birthday was Thursday and they are having a dinner for her tonight so it will be an earlier day than planned. I no longer need to paint the woodwork as we have decided to buy new baseboards and probably quarter round for the ceiling edge. The woodwork in the hallway is painted as I did that yesterday. It is amazing how a coat of fresh paint brightens up an area. I painted most of the railings. They are wrought iron and it is time consuming. A Public Service Warning - NEVER sit on the lid of a paint can. I didn't realize I put it where I could sit on it and ruined the seat of my favorite jeans. Took a bit of scrubbing to get the paint off of me butt too. I will finish up the railing today since the ladder is needed and I couldn't get it out of the corner. Now if I can just get the electrician to come out and finish his job. I understand he had to wait for the ceiling to get up and he has other jobs BUT I already paid him and sent him several e-mails. He is going to TRY and fit me in this week. I am a little annoyed.

Well other than this I plan to get new litter boxes that are covered and HOPE that my cats will use them. I also need to get a mat of some kind for under the boxes and also for the dog's pee pad. She loves to go for walks, and I will start them again, but she was pad trained and still needs one here in the house for emergencies.

I was glad for the distraction of the house yesterday as the day holds mixed emotions for me. My one brother turned 61 but I couldn't call and wish him a happy birthday and a card would be sent back unopened. He wrote us all off about 10 years ago. We bullied him, it didn't happen, and he HATES my mom. When my dad had cancer a few years ago my one brother called him, and he refused to hear anything. He didn't want to "get sucked into their drama." My brother always was a troubled person, but he refuses to accept responsibility for anything in his life, its's always someone else's fault. It hurts because at one time we were very close, and I was the most accepting of his announcement that he is gay. I did wish him a happy birthday in my mind, but I still am a bit angry at his attitude.

February 25th is also the anniversary of my nephew committing suicide. He had his demons too. He had gotten into drugs and tried desperately to get clean, he just couldn't stay that way. He was a smart, handsome, athletic boy but he never saw his worth. He thought ending his life would be better for his family than having to deal with him as he was. It's so sad because his mother grieves for him every day. Depression is such a horrible disease and such a hidden disease. I think knowing that it run's in the family on both sides is one reason I stay so close to my grandkids. They know they can come to me about anything and I will never judge and always listen. I had an interesting conversation with my granddaughter yesterday that showed me once again what a big heart she has and how insightful she is. It was a bit of an odd topic of conversation though, but she made me laugh.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Sorry about your pants, and wasn't sitting on a paint can uncomfortable anyhow? Sorry about your brother and your nephew. As to covered litter pans, not one of the cats I have ever had would use one. And this is the litter mat I got from Chewy--https://www.chewy.com/frisco-rectangular-cat-litter-mat/dp/193001
Since we have 3 litterboxes,,I got one large one, cut it in half, and one large one for the bigger cats. It does keep a lot of the litter off the floor, but of course if your cats like to 'throw' the litter like mine do..it doesn't catch all of it!

 

[Judique]

Sorry about your pants, and wasn't sitting on a paint can uncomfortable anyhow? Sorry about your brother and your nephew. As to covered litter pans, not one of the cats I have ever had would use one. And this is the litter mat I got from Chewy--https://www.chewy.com/frisco-rectangular-cat-litter-mat/dp/193001
Since we have 3 litterboxes,,I got one large one, cut it in half, and one large one for the bigger cats. It does keep a lot of the litter off the floor, but of course if your cats like to 'throw' the litter like mine do..it doesn't catch all of it!

I just use puppy pads under the litter pans. Mine throw the litter and sometimes 'miss' squirting outside the box so this can be easily tossed. I found the litter mats got smelly after a bit even when washed.

Also, the corner box was best here, but when I got down to just one cat it was too large so I went back to low pans. Now I'm happy with smaller pans and 3-4 in various spots - no excuses for not using the pan. The covered pan was just more to clean although the cats would go in there. It came with such a tiny filter that thing did nothing.

I also use the plastic litter pan liners in my pans and I am now using scoopable litter so it gets cleaned up every day and sometimes twice a day if it looks unsightly.

 

[tazdev3225]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do buy pee pads for the dog anyway and that may be a decent solution. My one boy Adso is horrible with throwing litter. He likes to toss it out and roll in it. Thankfully only fresh litter, but it was a pain to clean up. I'm running a few errands, so I'll check the local pet stores. I have never used Chewy, is it worth it?

@lynxstch I didn't sit in the can, that was in my hand, just on the lid and I didn't realize it until the moisture crept through my pants. I definitely inherited my painting skills from my dad. My mom NEVER lets him paint or even help. She is one of those meticulous painters that never spills a drop and would NEVER sit on a paint lid. I looked at the carpet in the hallway and said it's a good thing it's being replaced. I did get a good deal on jeans at Kohls though so I am happy. I replaced the blue ones I ruined and got a pair of white for my cruise.

Heading out to run a few errands and get hoagies for dinner. For those not from the area they are called heroes or subs I think in other parts. A new deli just opened about a mile from my house that makes the best. They have 2 other locations and it was a real treat to get them. This may become a bad habit.