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

[footballmouse]

Happy Monday morning!

Worked night shift Friday and Saturday night. Saturday night was really rough, only got 3 hours of sleep Saturday morning when I got home. I just couldn't sleep no matter what I tried, needless to say I really struggled that night. Same thing happened Sunday morning, only got 3 hours of sleep. I wasn't too upset about that though since I didn't work Sunday night so I got up and cut the grass and worked in the yard. Ds1 came over and brought the headboard that I bought off of Facebook marketplace. I was getting tired of my pillows slipping off the bed while I slept.

It's getting to be so nice outside. My windows are opened, my heavy robe and slippers are put away , getting ready for spring!

My neighbor's chicken escaped his backyard yesterday. I was sweeping up the driveway and noticed something under the other neighbor's tree and I walked to the curb to get a better look and sure enough it was a chicken. Then it decided to come across the street and head up my driveway. I wasn't sure if it would attack me so I went in the garage and shut the door. It decided to lay down on the side of my garage so I went across the street to let them know. I ended up helping it cross the street and back to the yard. I told my kids that I'm now in the business of rescuing chickens.

Supposed to get rain later today so I think I'm going to head out and walk this morning. Hopefully I'm not too busy with work today, I'm a little tired.

Have a great day!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good morning

It's overcast but still nicely warm here. Dad is soon off on morning shopping errands and bringing shredding to Staples.

Lynn, Apirateslifeforme, I think is just busier these days with family. I do miss her and others posting to our thread. Much prayer friends such as Tina, Sparkle78, Heidi, and B&B, who had a birthday last week, are doing okay. Sending out a hug also to, DazedX3!

Wishing all of you a wonderful Monday

 

[AuntieMe3]

Good morning all... still out of town with DH and friends for work. The guys had a day off yesterday so we headed to the coast and spent the day in Santa Cruz again. It was their first time and DH and I seemed to enjoy it more this time sharing it with our best friends. Had lunch on the wharf/pier and then spent some time at the boardwalk. Lots of fun and now we want to plan a weekend trip there next time we're in the area and have the time. The guys are back to work today with long days the rest of the week and hoping to be able to head home this weekend.

I can't believe it's almost May. Time is flying. Our 25th wedding anniversary is the 17th and we still haven't made solid plans for what we're going to do yet. I'm thinking it might just be an overnight hotel stay(maybe 2 nights) at a nearby historic hotel The Mission Inn with a nice dinner. I don't know.... we'll see, I guess depending on his work schedule too. I feel like I wanna go somewhere but its not essential for us to celebrate that way, a nice dinner would be just fine too. We always said we wanted to do a vow renewal ceremony and big party for our 25th since we just did a spur of the moment Vegas wedding with no family but I think over time we've gotten over that.

The weather was so nice at the coast yesterday, I'm so ready for the warm(NOT HOT.... ) weather.

Hope you all have a great day.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

AuntieMe3 and thanks for checking in. Congratulations to you and your DH on your upcoming Anniversary! However you celebrate, may it be filled with joy as will be your life together ahead I am loving our warmer weather!

 

[lynxstch]

Weather is so nice today..82 with sun and a slight breeze. The burn pile is gone from the garden and the soil has been tilled twice. Wed I will get some manure, lime , fertilizer and spread it all..then till it again. Also need to get mulch for all of the other planting areas around the house. Also did laundry and swept the kitchen, and that will be the extent of my work for today. Dinner will be chicken salad subs, coleslaw and chips. I do not feel like cooking, lol! They are calling for thunderstorms after 6 pm, but since all the yard work is done, I say 'go for it Mother Nature"!

 

[easyas123]

Good afternoon everyone, hope you guys had a decent weekend.

So hello to all from across the virtual fence!

Hello right back! And welcome to the thread!

I like it and it is the best of everything I saw. I am just not excited about moving. I know I have to have a place to live and this does have all the requirements but it is an emotional thing for me right now.

We moved into our new house just as we had a major personal catastrophe and it was hard as hell to find any joy in the house, and unpacking or decorating. Our life eventually evened out and we could see a light at the end of the tunnel so-to-speak, which really allowed us to enjoy the new place after about a year or so. It was a difficult slog at first, and in truth I still have boxes in storage I never unpacked - but I'll get to them one of these days.

We certainly have a different and varied weather pattern in this state!

Right you are - it's a rare day when it's warmer in Hagerstown than it is on the shore - but here we are!

Have to get some fertillizer

My niece's 4H rabbit club is selling rabbit fertilizer this year, evidently it's supposed to be pretty good.

We have tried Duck Brand Scotch type tape in the past. Is that still a good choice?

We get our bulk tape from Quill, which is same as Staples. It's pretty good. If I need tape at home I embezzle a box of it to use and it's always been fine. If I'm out and about and need to buy tape I think I usually get Scotch????

DS is getting married in three weeks. Went to Dfiance's bridal shower yesterday. I have my dress and shoes all purchased. I had a much easier time finding what I wanted than nine years ago when DD got married.

Congrats to him & his fiance. I hope everyone has a grand time at the festivities!

Got a LOT done this weekend, and still more to do. We'll get to it. We needed to order new blades for the zero turn & the finish mower I pull with the tractor, so hopefully those come in in a day or two so that we are sitting around this weekend looking at the grass needing to be mowed but without any working mowers. Garden will be going in this coming weekend as well. Husband put in some onions & bean seeds, but the majority of everything going in is going in as plants. Wanted to try to get to the movies this past weekend to see the latest Fantastic Beasts movie but it was just to nice (and to much to do), so maybe we will try to see it next weekend if it's still playing. I'll try to order up a nice, rainy day next Sunday from Mother Nature so I don't feel bad about skipping out on a nice day to go to the movies

Not sure what is for dinner this evening, I do have a small pork roast in the fridge so that might make it to the supper plate.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I can't believe it's almost May. Time is flying. Our 25th wedding anniversary is the 17th and we still haven't made solid plans for what we're going to do yet.

Hey, we share an anniversary!

We're not planning anything big right then, either. DH may have to travel for work, and DS will just be finishing up the semester, so I may need to drive up to Maine the weekend before and help him bring stuff home.

We put off a combined 50th birthday trip in 2020, so we may just roll it all together into a bigger trip this fall. We've had Nashville/Dollywood/Great Smokey Mountains on our list for a while, so maybe that.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

That weather sounds nice, Lynn. Enjoy your dinner and please some downtime, too!

Thanks, Easyas. I had never heard of Quill until my church's office ordered some supplies through them that I think Staples didn't have or was perhaps cheaper that way. Enjoy your movie whenever you do see it.

Congratulations with much future joy to you and your DH, PollyannaMom. How cool that you and your husband share an Anniversary date with AuntieMe3 and her husband. Perhaps one day the two of you can celebrate in some way together.

Wishing all of you a great rest of Monday.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I can't keep up here these days. Can't remember when I last posted.

Saturday we drove to a brewery in Howard County and met Marty, his parents, and other grandparents. It had a lot of outdoor space and we had a pleasant time.

Sunday was church then we went to DD's house to return their dog. Had carry out pizza with them for dinner to hear about their week.

Today was laundry and packing. We leave tomorrow for 4 nights in West Virginia. First two night going to Grafton and staying in the lodge at Tygart Lake State Park. Going to try to fin my grandparents graves. I haven't been to Grafton in 60 years. Will also try to find my Uncle's grave. Have been talking to cousins to gain more info. Then we are going to Blackwater Falls State Park for two nights in the lodge there. Plans to hike and sightsee. And hit a brewery or two,

COVID has brought some of us closer together as neighbours

Hi @Canadisney Fly Glad to have a new friend here.

budding lilacs

Our lilacs are in bloom now too. I love the scent.

The view down my front street.

I also like the flowering cherry trees. We had one in the front yard of my home growing up.

DS is getting married in three weeks.

Congratulations! How exciting.

I will check back in when I can. Not sure I will while away.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Prayers you have safe and fun travels, Carol!

Sweet dreams, everyone

 

[Kirby]

DH stayed home today. He hasn't felt well and didn't sleep good last night. Lou Lou has had a runny nose and cough, Lil Joe has had ear drainage and a cough since last week. DD took the kids to Primacare and both have an ear infection. DH just has what he always gets this time of year but is running a little later than usual. He usually gets sick February/March.

Went to book club tonight. Our book this month was The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel. I tried to read it but couldn't get very far into it. Most of the club members gave it a four out of four. I watched the movie but one of our members is a retired history teacher. She said the movie isn't much like what really happened. I guess I will need to give it another try.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Hey, we share an anniversary!

We're not planning anything big right then, either. DH may have to travel for work, and DS will just be finishing up the semester, so I may need to drive up to Maine the weekend before and help him bring stuff home.

We put off a combined 50th birthday trip in 2020, so we may just roll it all together into a bigger trip this fall. We've had Nashville/Dollywood/Great Smokey Mountains on our list for a while, so maybe that.

Wow....that's so cool we share our anniversary. I have another friend that shares the day but not the same year. I hope you get to take that trip... sounds like a great time. I think I'd like to do that trip as well sometime.

Today was laundry and packing. We leave tomorrow for 4 nights in West Virginia. First two night going to Grafton and staying in the lodge at Tygart Lake State Park. Going to try to fin my grandparents graves. I haven't been to Grafton in 60 years. Will also try to find my Uncle's grave. Have been talking to cousins to gain more info. Then we are going to Blackwater Falls State Park for two nights in the lodge there. Plans to hike and sightsee. And hit a brewery or two,

Hope you have a great trip Carol.

@Kirby I hope your DH and the grandkids feel better.

 

[Judique]

Did my mowing next door and then some weeding at my house.

DHL delivered a package, but it was for the people across the street. Then DD called and said get her package as it was just delivered. No, it was delivered across the street. I walked over and dropped their package on their door step and retrieved my daughters package. No one home. That's maybe 3 times I've gotten their stuff, but first time they got ours that I know off, since we haven't missed anything we ordered.

Fixed lunch and ate around 2pm and started feeling yuchhy so went to bed and didn't make it to Home Depot. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[Snowysmom]

Good Morning. 47 here and cloudy. Rain coming in later with temps in the 50s. I will try to get my walk in before the rain.

I bought 2 rugs for the condo yesterday. I hate shopping so I had my younger DS and DDIL help me with choices. I am finding looking for stuff for the condo to be daunting by myself so I am abdicating the chore to others. I now will ask for help with curtains. Anything else will have to wait for when I am there. It is a day at a time kind of thing. I did buy a curtain rod that has birds on each end. It is really cute and I really like it. I gave myself a treat and bought it.

Time for coffee and then work.

Have a good day.

 

[footballmouse]

Good Tuesday morning!

Was able to get my walk in yesterday morning before the rain started. It was pretty warm but then by 5:00, I definitely needed a sweatshirt. Didn't do much last night. I was supposed to meet people from work for a good-bye party for a coworker but I just didn't feel like driving that far.

I'm taking a week off in a couple of weeks so that I can pain my kitchen cabinets and fireplace. I really need to start watching some videos on how to do both so I can get everything that I'll need.

Have a great day!

 

[lynxstch]

Good rainy morning all. Temp is still in the 50's but calling for rain till at least 11 am. Fine by me, won't have to work outside. Going to go to the discount grocery place over the PA line, and then Lowes. I need cow manure/compost, pelletized lime and mulch. Can't fit all of that and groceries in our smallish car, so a separate trip is needed

@Breezy_Carol --have a great trip, good luck finding the grave
@Judique --feel better
@Snowysmom--good idea to take the condo decorating one day at a time. The bird curtain rods sound cute, glad you got yourself a treat

I watched Idol last nite, am no longer happy with it as my favorite got sent home.

Have a great day everyone

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

 

[Judique]

Good Morning. 47 here and cloudy. Rain coming in later with temps in the 50s. I will try to get my walk in before the rain.

I bought 2 rugs for the condo yesterday. I hate shopping so I had my younger DS and DDIL help me with choices. I am finding looking for stuff for the condo to be daunting by myself so I am abdicating the chore to others. I now will ask for help with curtains. Anything else will have to wait for when I am there. It is a day at a time kind of thing. I did buy a curtain rod that has birds on each end. It is really cute and I really like it. I gave myself a treat and bought it.

Time for coffee and then work.

Have a good day.

I'm sure I would love the curtain rod with birds! Post a picture when you have a chance.

It is 58 here and going to 71 I think it was but will start raining by early afternoon.

I sat on the patio under the gazebo with my coffee earlier and mist was blowing in on me. It was cool but I was bundled up. Sitting there quietly, the birds flew around me and I got up and put some seed in the old feeder for them. They were quick to take advantage and seemed to be enjoying the little feast. This morning it was mostly the little birds and a few morning doves, plus the cardinals. The red winged blackbirds flew by but didn't stop as did 2 loud bluejays.

Thought about starting a fire in the firepit but then I would have to babysit it. Not sure if the patio heater would light for me as usually my DD does that and I haven't had it on in quite a while.

Back inside now and moving kind of slow.

 

[Judique]

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

A little history copied from Wikipedia on this John Denver hit. It's roots are close by.

Mary Catherine "Taffy" Nivert-Danoff[2] (born October 25, 1944) is an American songwriter and singer. She is best known for being a member of the Starland Vocal Band.

Biography[edit]​

Mary Catherine Nivert was born 25 October 1944 in Washington, D.C. She received her nickname Taffy from her elder brother who, unable to pronounce her middle name as a young child, would call her Mary Tafferine.[3] Nivert began singing along with the radio in high school. She was discovered by a bartender in Georgetown after he heard her singing to a jukebox. The bartender asked if she wanted to join a vocal group, and through this, she met her future husband Bill Danoff.[4]

Nivert began performing with Danoff as Fat City in the late 1960s. Initially a folk duo, the two later married and recorded four albums, the latter two credited to Bill & Taffy.[5]

In 1970, while traveling along Clopper Road to Nivert's family reunion in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Danoff began writing what would become "Take Me Home, Country Roads".[6] The couple planned to complete the song and sell it to Johnny Cash. However, when Fat City opened for John Denver at The Cellar Door in December 1970, they decided to show it to him. Denver, who had injured his thumb in a car crash hours before, arrived at Danoff and Nivert's apartment in the early hours of the morning, where the trio finished the song. The next night, they performed the completed song, with Nivert holding the lyric sheet, and it went on to become a hit song for Denver on RCA Victor in early 1971, and included on his album Poems, Prayers, and Promises, along with "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado," which Danoff and Nivert also wrote. Additionally, Danoff and Nivert sang backup on four of the album's tracks.[4]

Danoff and Nivert married in 1972.[3] In 1976, the couple paired with Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman to form the Starland Vocal Band. Signed to John Denver's record label Windsong Records, they were most famous for the hit song "Afternoon Delight".[7] The group released several albums before breaking up in 1981. Danoff and Nivert later divorced.

Until 2011, Nivert lived in the Washington, D.C. area, where she occasionally performed with Danoff and the rest of the Starland Vocal Band. She later settled in Safety Harbor, Florida.[8]

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I love that song. I saw John Denver perform three weeks before he died. I was heavily pregnant with twins at the time, so I always tell my kids they may not have seen him, but they did get to hear him! For a college History of Country Music paper, DS chose that song to examine. Even though it wasn’t our state, “Take Me Home” had meaning for him because he loves his home and our area, ie “the place I belong”. I think that’s why everyone can relate to it. We had a lot of laughs over that paper, but I also learned a lot! He graduated college during Covid, so his (well, both of my kids’) graduation was cancelled. Instead, I made compilation videos of their college years for them. Take Me Home Country Roads was one of the songs on DS’s video. BTW, DS passed his class. He now has a national exam to take.

Enjoy your trip, Carol, sounds like a great time! I love old cemeteries and have searched for family members, too. (Believe it or not, I still cannot find my sister. She died as an infant long before I was born, and was buried before my mother was home from the hospital, and the subject was avoided because my mother was so distraught, so it is a mystery where she wound up. Finding her is still on my bucket list. I believe my mother was seeing her before she passed, as she was talking to someone beside me who I couldn’t see, down around my knees. She had also ‘seen’ a little girl on many occasions over the years, who I believe was that sister. )

Boy, it feels nice to just sit and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. With Toto, of course. I ran around all weekend at work. Met some nice people. One man was adorable. Similar age to my mother (90s), and we didn’t speak the same language. But we were able to communicate pretty well nonetheless (I love that, it helps me realize how human we all are, despite language being different), and he made me smile and laugh with the way we were communicating with eachother. (Holding up fingers, pointing, choppy basic words and phrases, etc.) Has a great spirit.

After I finish my coffee I am going to try out my new treadmill. DH and DS set it up over the weekend and they tried it out last night after dinner. (I wasn’t about to start with a full belly!) You put your iPad on it and using the App, you can ’walk anywhere’. They have all different places to walk on video along with celebrities, apparently. So last night they had on Scotland with Graham McTavish, from Outlander. It was funny because he was out of breath walking in the Scottish Highlands himself, lol. In synchronicity, one of the first things Graham said had special meaning for DH’s family, who has Scottish roots, so that was fun. Nothing like my old treadmill! DH really likes Graham, I bought him his books for the past two Christmases, and he followed his series around Scotland last year with Sam Heugan, etc., so off to a good start.

Well I stumbled upon another dog who’s in need of a home, and seems to have the personality we’re looking for. The rescue already had an application from me on file, so I may, for once, be ahead of the game. Dog is currently down south so we won’t be able to meet, which seems a little scary to me, but we may be able to see some videos and talk to the foster family to see if it might be a good fit. I may have to take a leap of faith, but we’ll see what kind of vibe I get when we talk later today. Dog has an awful name, but DH has thought of a name that sounds similar, but is better.

Snowysmom, believe it or not, WalMart and Target both have nice curtain selections, and plenty in stock, usually. (At least they used to.) I used to enjoy going to curtain stores, but there aren’t many around anymore. But the selections at WM and T are fresh and trendy, I have some in my bedroom that I really like, they’re modern and soft and bright. I am curious about the rod with birds on it, would love to see a picture of it sometime!

Footballmouse, I can relate. I have an event with work friends in Boston tomorrow that I want to go to, but I dread the ride in, in traffic. I will likely go, though, as there will be some old friends there and I don’t want to miss out.

Glad everyone her is doing pretty ok. Miss seeing old friends here, too, and am glad to see new ones. I like the comparison of it being like talking over a fence here. That is what it feels like!