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

[flyingdumbo127]

Kirby! Grateful to read a positive new lawyer update. Much prayer continuing!

extra to you as well, Carol. This new computer chair, thankfully is a ton better than my old one that is for sure. I need to take care to not be leaning over typing for too long at a time.

Have a good and cool night, everyone

 

[PollyannaMom]

Just a "good morning" thread bump.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Today's hummingbird is sort of fuzzy, because I was up on the porch, but I'm posting it anyway because its so rare that I catch them sitting on a branch:

 

[lynxstch]

Good humid morning all. Will be 89 again today, cooler tomorrow with rain predicted. Grass has grown a little, but not enough to need mowing. I just went out and tied up the tomato plants, again. I put tall stakes, and use cut up pantihose to tie them with. I find it easier than tomato cages, mine always outgrew them way too fast.
@PollyannaMom great pic of the red bellied woodpecker. We have a really big one fly through the yard a couple of times a week. One morning he was sitting on a stump by the edge of the driveway, but I didn't have my phone when I spotted him. You can hear his bird call from a good distance away when he's flying around. I remember the first time I saw him. I saw this huge shadow fly past in the side yard, and had no clue what it was, as I had never seen him before. But he's HUGE. We also have some smaller ones always pecking away at the trees
@Kirby that is a very pretty puzzle you made
@frog3101 continued prayers and hugs as always

Off to find something to get into today
Have a good one

 

[tazdev3225]

Good morning all.

Taking a break so thought I would pop on and say Hi. I have been up since 6:15 after a restless night. My knee was hurting and so much on my mind. I got checked in with the airline and of course they changed MY seat on one flight. I got it back, but seriously when 2 people are traveling together why would the system randomly change a seat? It's better than my trip a couple of years ago. The airline switched seats for 21 people and had us all separated and all over the plane. I was put in a seat that didn't exist! Thankfully this was an easier fix.

My floors are mopped and vacuumed, the kitchen is scrubbed, the furniture polished and the glass windexed. The clothes are on the bed ready to go in the suitcases. The batteries are charged for all 3 cameras and the other electronics are charging now. I will pack them tonight and the phones will go on the chargers overnight. All this was done in less than 2 hours. I am exhausted and need another shower. Even with the AC on it was a lot of work.

I have the baby shower gift wrapped and couldn't figure out how to sign the card. Some of my daughter's friends call me by my first name and some call me Mrs. Surname. I think Yoko is in the latter group, but I can't remember, and neither can my daughter. I have always thought it a little disrespectful that parents allowed their children to call adults by their first name. I wasn't raised that way. One of my mom's friends told me when I was in my 40's that I could call her by her first name, but she remained Mrs. G til the day she died. I have a niece that refuses to call me Aunt Lorrie, so I refuse to respond to her until she does. We do not get along very well. What surprised me was that my sister-in-law allowed it being from the south where that was unheard of. When her mother came up for a visit, she landed into my niece for being disrespectful to me.

My poor puppy knows something is up. She is looking at me with the saddest face. She enjoys my son's house where she is pampered to an extent. My son has a Boston Terrier female that is about 2 years old. My dog is 8 and well past that full energy stage. The pup is almost a food hog, so they need to feed the dogs once a day. I can fill my dogs bowl and it lasts for 3 or 4 days as she just nibbles when she is hungry. My daughter-in-law assured me that Chewie will not starve. She does take the 3 dogs to the park most evenings, so I made sure Chewie has her flea and tick meds.

Well I am off to start putting things in the suitcases. I need to be up at 3 AM tomorrow so I really don't want to put it off to late. If I don't get back on, I hope you all have a nice week.

 

[lynxstch]

@tazdev3225 --

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I was reading and getting ready to respond when DH came in and said the tractor was ready for my turn to mow while he push mows. Off to do that before it gets any hotter.

I will be back.

 

[Judique]

I was reading and getting ready to respond when DH came in and said the tractor was ready for my turn to mow while he push mows. Off to do that before it gets any hotter.

I will be back.

My grass is still too wet to mow today, so it may have to wait til Sunday or Monday as tomorrow is supposed to be a washout. Fortunately it's not too tall.

Time for lunch and I'm hungry. Off to figure out what's available for just me as daughter is at her office today.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I’m sorry, but the visual of taz driving around with a toilet in her car for two days had me LOL!

The woodpecker pic made me gasp a bit, too. Yesterday I went to the bank and there was a beautiful woodpecker laying right in front of me who had unfortunately met his demise by flying into a metal pole. Looked just like the one posted. I debated taking him home to bury him but he was already, let’s say, in a germ state, so I thought I better not, but it made me sad. PollyannaMom’s picture made me happy again.

Had a weird, but nice moment this morning walking dogs. Took phone out of my back pocket to take a picture and it was on with Mom’s number on it. Weird, I thought. But I had also just made some decisions this morning about some things I’d been thinking about, so I thought that was just a little reassurance that she was agreeing, maybe. Then on the way home a friend called and it blew me away when she started telling me about some problems she was having that were very similar to something Mom had gone through. I got teary just hearing the story. So I think it was a different type of message, really. Thankfully my friend also believes in things like that so she was able to agree that it was a nice way of saying to proceed with caution and all that.

Not sure about dinner tonight but craving a little seafood. I might treat myself to some scallops.

Have a good trip, taz! Glad for good news here. Extra hugs for frog. Carol I hope the shot offers you some relief.

 

[Kirby]

Tazdev, I have nieces and nephews that sometimes call me by name without the Aunt in front too. I personally feel like its disrespectful because I am not their peer but their elder. But they call me Aunt Susie when talking to their children so I feel that they are being lazy. I would never speak to my aunts without saying "Aunt " first.


Thought I would share a picture of a woodpecker drinking from a hummingbird feeder. We were staying in a cabin in the Lincoln National Forest near Ruidoso, NM when I took this picture. I was about 10 feet from him.
Here's another of it eating off the bird feeder.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning

Love all the morning photos, thank you, everyone.

Taz, have a wonderful and safe trip.

Much prayer Carol that you start feeling better!

Pea, your mom is absolutely with you, my friend.

All is quiet around here. I am hoping to get an email today or for sure by early next week from Matt at 99--my new contact for Sue's birthday basket. I have not heard anything from him since I received the automated email from Janna indicating she is on maternity leave and to contact Matt in her absence. Meantime, Ruth should be getting the number 9 cake pan today.

Happy Friday, friends. I'll check back in later.

 

[Snowysmom]

Tazdev Have a really great trip. I am glad everything worked out and now you can enjoy your trip.

@PollyannaMom Love the woodpecker. We had one just like that at our house. I will have to be on the hunt for one here.

@Pea-n-Me Your mom was definitely helping you and your friend. I do believe in signs as you know. I woke up 2 nights ago and the clock said 11:11. Then I woke up again and the clock said 1:11. The night before I woke up and the clock said 1:11. I took those as signs that Chris is with me.

@frog3101 It is a difficult time and I hope you can find some peace sometimes even if it is while cleaning the garage. I find if I am busy for a bit I can feel a bit calm for that time.

Yesterday I saw the therapist and then stayed at Kenny's house overnight. I don't think I will stay at his house for the night again. It just made me sad and anxious. It doesn't feel right now. I think with all the changes I felt like I was regressing and going back. The therapist agrees that with the change of living by myself I can expect to regress and go back several steps. I told her I feel like I don't belong anywhere right now. This was after realizing I don't belong at my son's house either. As everyone says, it takes time but then I wonder what if it doesn't work. Well, then I guess I will make a new decision. One woman at work surprised me by agreeing that if I decide I am not happy in the area and the condo after giving it some good time that I should look into moving to new area. Alot of people I talk with when they ask me how the condo is, just say, oh you will be fine in a while so don't even give it a thought. I do want to tell them to take a walk in my shoes for even 50 feet, not even a mile, and tell me how it feels. Then maybe they would think differently. I have learned the hard way that until you walk this journey, you have no idea how sad and lonely it is. I sure didn't and I really hope I was kind and caring to my friend and coworkers who lost their SO/spouse. The support here on this thread has been wonderful! I truly appreciate the kindness and caring.

I was up early today and at Wegman's near my DS at 7 am. I got some groceries, picked up coffee and a scone, and then went back to the condo. I took a walk, vacuumed, put away some stuff I brought back from DS's house, did 2 laundries, and then another walk. I am getting Chinese takeout for dinner tonight and leftovers for the weekend. I am going to a place that Chris and I did not go to. New places! I will get some gas in the car while I am out and pick up a salad for the next few days. I will have my weekly glass of wine tonight. I now drink it on the balcony in the evening. I try to make it a relaxing time which works some of the time.

Tomorrow I get my hair cut. I like to see my hairdresser as she is a friend as well. She is very kind and caring, My hair is so frizzy today due to the humidity and is longer than usual so I am looking forward to getting it cut. No other weekend plans right now.

Have a nice rest of the day and evening.

 

[Snowysmom]

Forgot, jigsaw puzzles. Not a fan. I do not have the patience for them unless I am doing one with the grandkids. I can handle kiddie jigsaw puzzles.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Snowysmom. I am so very glad and grateful to God extra once again for your kind therapist. She sounds like a great person as she should be to see you, a wonderful lady!

Will all of you please keep Joyce, the nice lady who works at our laundromat in prayer? She was out today which sadly wasn't surprising given how she looked on Monday when dad very briefly saw her when he dropped off the cookies. Her replacement today shared with dad that Joyce is very sick with Covid. Thank you dear, friends.

May each of you find some unexpected joy this Friday

 

[dazedx3]

snowysmom... I have been thinking a great deal lately about your situation. As you know I will be facing being alone also. I don’t know what the answer is and I’m sure it is different for all of us. I do know ,however, it is good to have options and choices when facing a difficult time. So I think it can be helpful to not feel stuck in all aspects, and to know that while there are things we can not change there are also things we can. I think we need to feel some control, even when so much is out of our control. If you feel it helps to not feel stuck in your current living situation, that is ok. That is something you can control.
Please continue to talk with others. I once read that in order to process your story, you need to share it. I don’t know if that is true for everyone but I think it helps me. The article said it can be many other people or one very patient, understanding person.

Mona.... praying for your friend, Joyce.

 

[Snowysmom]

@dazedx3 Thank you for the kind words and advice. I am fortunate to have a good friend to talk with, my therapist who I really like, and of course everyone here has been kind. I do have control over where I live so that is the good thing. If I decide after giving it several months that I need to make a change, I will. I have warned my kids so they know. I could very well get used to being here and decide that is best to stay here and be close to younger DS. I had a nice chat with a woman who lives on the 2nd floor with her mother and a cute doggie. It is nice to be able to have a bit of a chat while in the elevator or in the hallway. My floor is too quiet and no one comes out of their condos for some reason, or at least not when I am coming or going.

Everyone's grieving process is different and everyone goes along their own journey. As you say, tell your story to others, look at the options and decisions that you can make, and a therapist is a good option. I think of you and your family. You are in my prayers.

Mona Saying a get well prayer for Joyce.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We never got into jigsaw puzzles. I think part of the reason is because one swoop of the dogs’ tails would’ve wiped the whole thing out, lol. DD’s boyfriend has gotten her into them. They’ve had a couple with one piece missing and had to write to the companies for replacement (with success). I bought him a big one of Fenway Park last Christmas.

I got a seafood platter tonight and made a cup of haddock chowder, too. It was delish (shrimp, scallops, clams and haddock with fries, onion rings and cole slaw). I put half of it away for later. DH made us some strawberry shortcake, too.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Extra love and hugs to both of you, Snowysmom and Frog, and always, of course, you as well, Pea!

That God called each of us to become a Quacker family in His Holy name. That He has kept us connected and enabled us to journey together, offering faith, love, and support, growth closer to Him as we also develop further our ties to one another is just precious to me as I have said many a time and will again. Trusting to share a story or life's days with a close friend is, along with sincerely praying for another, to me, one of the kindest things any of us can do. Each of you make such a difference.

Totally different note, I got exceptional service from an Amazon customer service person named Carlos. Ruth got the number 9 cake pan this afternoon. It was not the solid baking pan we had intended and ordered. Ruth said it came damaged, was packaged poorly, and was completely rubbery and pliable. Neither of us, despite the item's description, would feel safe baking in it. After explaining to Amazon, the circumstances (Ruth's own age and that I am homebound due to Covid) he is giving us a full refund no return needed. Such a blessing from God extra indeed. It was a fun idea but as Ruth and i both agreed, Sue's family will more than likely be giving her some kind of cake anyway. Meantime, Ruth said she will be seeing an expert baker friend of hers in the next few days and would show her this pan. Meantime, she and I enjoyed some laughs

Have a wonderful evening everyone.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Ruth got the number 9 cake pan this afternoon. It was not the solid baking pan we had intended...and was completely rubbery and pliable.

It sounds like a silicon pan, maybe? I used to have one that made big cupcakes. - I just put it on a cookie sheet for support when I put it in the oven.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I didn't get lost.

We got the grass done, had lunch, then I went to Walmart (which I rarely do) to get some elastic, then to the county administration building to drop off our ballots for the primary election. By then it was dinner time.

DD signed on with a new attorney today. She has high hopes since this one deals strictly with Family Law.

Great! I hope the new lawyer works out well.

If I don't get back on,

Have a great trip!

keep Joyce, the nice lady who works at our laundromat in prayer

Will do.

one swoop of the dogs’ tails would’ve wiped the whole thing out,

That would have happened with the goldens. Now I have a great set-up. DH got me a puzzle board for Christmas and it helps a lot. I have it on my father's drafting table which I've had in the basement for years looking for a purpose for it. Win-Win.

It was not the solid baking pan we had intended and ordered. Ruth said it came damaged, was packaged poorly, and was completely rubbery and pliable.

It sounds like a silicon pan, maybe?

That is what I thought too.

Supposed to rain all day tomorrow so will have to make a list of things to do at home.