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

[Breezy_Carol]

Good afternoon.

This morning I did two loads of wash and baked blueberry muffins from scratch with berries I picked last week. I will refrigerate them until when I need them Saturday. Then did 2 hours at church.

Usually I have yoga tonight but was advised to skip this week after the injection. So, I was to go to taco Tuesday at a restaurant on the water nearby. It's not a fancy place and we can sit outside, if we want.

My board problem. My countdown ticker stopped updating. If I go to profile, it shows correctly there but not here.

Watched the homerun derby last night

I started watching but then switched over to American Ninja Warrior because I didn't know any of the baseball players.

Any recommendations (within a 12-18 hour drive from Jacksonville)?

Sanibel Island? We like it there and have a condo booked for October.

I have to vote on my way home (primary day in Maryland)

I will be so glad when today is over so the commercials will stop. I got a ballot by mail and dropped at the county administration building.

Catch you later.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

How about Nashville, TN or Gatlinburg, TN?

Oh, I didn't think about TN. We've never been there (well, I was Nashville for a layover once, about 4 years ago, lol). I'll have to look into that, thanks!

Good afternoon.

This morning I did two loads of wash and baked blueberry muffins from scratch with berries I picked last week. I will refrigerate them until when I need them Saturday. Then did 2 hours at church.

Usually I have yoga tonight but was advised to skip this week after the injection. So, I was to go to taco Tuesday at a restaurant on the water nearby. It's not a fancy place and we can sit outside, if we want.

My board problem. My countdown ticker stopped updating. If I go to profile, it shows correctly there but not here.


I started watching but then switched over to American Ninja Warrior because I didn't know any of the baseball players.

Sanibel Island? We like it there and have a condo booked for October.

I will be so glad when today is over so the commercials will stop. I got a ballot by mail and dropped at the county administration building.

Catch you later.

Mmm, tacos. Sanibel...hmmm, I'll have to take a look. Thanks
Got my mail in ballot yesterday, and filled it out today. I had a helper...


Have to send it off tomorrow.
DH and DS didn't get their mail ballot requests in, on time, so they will have to go do early voting once it opens. I think it's good for DS to go in person for the first time anyways.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DH messaged me about 30 minutes ago and said, "so.......can we have wings and pizza for dinner?" me: "well, I was going to make marinated steak tips, roasted potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and homemade rollls, but sure. You want both? because you know we don't like the wings at the pizza place, so I'll have to order from 2 places." "ok, order from 2 places"


So we are now having Marco's pizza (pepperoni for DS; Hawaiian add banana peppers on half for DH) and cheesybread, with Buffalo Wild Wings wings and dub tots. Guess tomorrow we will be having the steak tips, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower with day old homemade rolls.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Started to write this last night. Obviously I didn’t get very far!

Trying hard to stay awake but dozing on sofa. Crazy busy at work. Reading through your comments about funerals, thought I’d mention that the patient I cared for over the weekend was actively dying. It was good to be able to keep her as comfortable as I could. She had no visitors. I’ve often thought I would’ve been good working in a funeral home. It doesn’t bother me, and I think a lot of good can be done with those left behind. Anyway, still tired. And fielding calls for help needed. They pay well to go in extra, but sometimes it’s not worth it.

I wanted to update on the “corn in the microwave“ situation. We bought new corn. And put it in for 15 mins. It took a little practice, but once we figured out how, it actually worked pretty well to cut the ends off and easily peel off the husks and the silk. And it was cooked perfectly. Yum. So we will do that again!

I read all your posts but for the love of me, I cannot remember what I wanted to say to each poster. But know that I’m thinking of you all!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Oh, I didn't think about TN. We've never been there (well, I was Nashville for a layover once, about 4 years ago, lol). I'll have to look into that, thanks!



Mmm, tacos. Sanibel...hmmm, I'll have to take a look. Thanks
Got my mail in ballot yesterday, and filled it out today. I had a helper...

View attachment 686260
Have to send it off tomorrow.
DH and DS didn't get their mail ballot requests in, on time, so they will have to go do early voting once it opens. I think it's good for DS to go in person for the first time anyways.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DH messaged me about 30 minutes ago and said, "so.......can we have wings and pizza for dinner?" me: "well, I was going to make marinated steak tips, roasted potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and homemade rollls, but sure. You want both? because you know we don't like the wings at the pizza place, so I'll have to order from 2 places." "ok, order from 2 places"


So we are now having Marco's pizza (pepperoni for DS; Hawaiian add banana peppers on half for DH) and cheesybread, with Buffalo Wild Wings wings and dub tots. Guess tomorrow we will be having the steak tips, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower with day old homemade rolls.

Tennessee is on our list too. And I love your little helper!

Started to write this last night. Obviously I didn’t get very far!

Trying hard to stay awake but dozing on sofa. Crazy busy at work. Reading through your comments about funerals, thought I’d mention that the patient I cared for over the weekend was actively dying. It was good to be able to keep her as comfortable as I could. She had no visitors. I’ve often thought I would’ve been good working in a funeral home. It doesn’t bother me, and I think a lot of good can be done with those left behind. Anyway, still tired. And fielding calls for help needed. They pay well to go in extra, but sometimes it’s not worth it.

I wanted to update on the “corn in the microwave“ situation. We bought new corn. And put it in for 15 mins. It took a little practice, but once we figured out how, it actually worked pretty well to cut the ends off and easily peel off the husks and the silk. And it was cooked perfectly. Yum. So we will do that again!

I read all your posts but for the love of me, I cannot remember what I wanted to say to each poster. But know that I’m thinking of you all!

Hope you can get some rest!


Sorry for the long quotes. I can partial quote on the PC, but not on my phone.



Hopefully the little hummer shows up better in this one. At least the sky is pretty tonight.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dad would love a homemade blueberry muffin, Carol. Enjoy, my friend. Wow you had a busy day!

Hug, B&B, enjoy your dinner from two places. Your very own potluck without having to cook!

Pea, prayers you are able to get some good rest. Thank you for being there for the woman. You make such a difference, my friend.

I love the picture, PollyannaMom, thank you for sharing

I did contact You Customize It. They truly are a wonderful company to deal with. I am going to keep the small bowl. It's very cute and dad will enjoy it.

I would appreciate your thoughts on where to go from here as far as ordering the bowl in a larger size. I attached a picture of the larger bowl as it would appear right now. I don't like the completely green fill of the bowl. To me, that is too dark and too much! The design as you see is inside the larger bowl as opposed to only on the rim like the small bowl. I would either change the font or ask whether it could be made larger.

I also have realized that ordering the same design on a larger bowl doesn't make sense or cents. It is also in a way, to me, anyway, makes the idea less special. Money is tight for us, as I have shared before. More than that, I want this to be a special gift for my dad and one he will enjoy for years to come. Why not make the one gift into two by using a different design on the second, larger bowl?

I do have saved Heart and cupcakes and Heart outline

Large Bowl to personalize.

I am leaning toward ordering the New "Dad Bowl." It reminds me of Evergreen! It's also much simpler (me all the way) and Christmas-y, too I also think both designs complement each other.

Here is Dad's Small Bowl that I already got just so all of you can see what that looks like again.

Thanks, friends and sweet dreams!

 

[frog3101]

Good evening to all Quackers.

@flyingdumbo127 I say go for it on the larger bowl.
@Pea-n-Me Hope your presentation goes well.
@tazdev3225 A little late to the party, but glad you had a good time on your cruise.
@footballmouse So glad you are enjoying your little pool and getting some R&R on Fridays. Will yo get to continue half days into fall?
@Bianca and Bernard Another vote here Nashville
@Snowysmom just sending you big hugs. I'm glad you were able to attend a bit of the birthday party.

I don't have much new to report on my end. We did finally get our bed frames today, so that was a bit exciting. My youngest daughter did not get hers however. I knew it wasn't coming but I'm still annoyed. It seems the side rails are not even in the warehouse and they don't know when they will be shipped. I just don't get why they wouldn't have an entire bed together. She did get her vanity though, so she's happy.
My sister "stole" my car this afternoon and said she was going to clean it out for me (Lynn you prob would have gotten hives if you'd seen the inside of it). Very generous of her.
I'm getting more and more nervous as the time approaches to read the affidavits. They will come at some point tomorrow. I think I'm the most nervous to see who wrote some on his behalf. I know his parents and prob his sisters and another couple who are on his "side", but other than that I just have no idea. I think I am worried it will be someone who I thought was my friend or claimed they would be "neutral". I am also very nervous about how he will react once he reads mine. I am afraid if he has the kids he won't bring them back once he sees it. I also have no idea how he's going to "go" with his. Will he just repeat all the stuff he's already said to me or go with a different route of "I'm sorry I never spent time with my kids and now I want to make up for it". I would bet all I have that he didn't even write it on his own. I asked if it would look bad if the girlfriend wrote one and my attorney said she only hopes she does...
I am not feeling very confident. I also got a letter stating I didn't get the job I applied for a few weeks ago, the one I was really hoping for. I know I am fortunate to have the other job still in place, but this was one I really thought I'd be good at and enjoy. Oh well, par for the course at this point.
Have a good night all.

 

[Kirby]

Hey everyone! Just got in this afternoon after a last minute trip to South Carolina to see the GK's. DD got confirmation last Tuesday afternoon about 3:00 pm that she could see them. I had already planned to drive with her and DH tagged along at the last minute. We left on Wednesday morning after DH got the guys going. It's about a 15 hour drive to Columbia so we break it down into two days. Then on Thursday morning DD found out that her ex had moved the pick up/drop off point to Charleston instead of Columbia. He had been telling her that he had plans and didn't know the meeting place yet, she had been asking for it for two weeks. Yeah, right.
So, we stayed Thursday night in Columbia, she was able to cancel the rest of the weekend at that hotel and book another not far from the Air Force base where her ex wanted to meet. He feels safe there, we are such awful people.
Once bright spot was that the new hotel in Charleston upgraded us to a two bedroom/two bath suite. And to top it off, Lou Lou was coming home with us when the weekend was over, her ex was keeping Lil Joe the full 42 days.
We had a good visit with the kids. Lou Lou was mostly her normal self but there were times that Lil Joe was standoffish. It's like he wants to act himself with us but then backs off as if he wants to stay loyal to his dad.
We did find out that DD's ex told the kids that the reason Lou Lou was coming home with us was because DD wouldn't let her stay with him any longer. It's really because the liaison said that Lou Lou should have 2 fifteen day visits or a 30 day visit. Since he didn't let DD see the kids a couple of weeks ago he had no choice but to send Lou Lou home. He tells Lil Joe lies like that all the time.
We also found out that from the kids that they had driven up from Columbia that afternoon, there was no trip planned like their dad had said. He was just trying to make it difficult for DD to see the kids. Then when she dropped Lil Joe off on Sunday, her ex was yelling at her for having him dressed in different clothes than the ones that he was wearing on Friday. He doesn't want Lil Joe to bring anything from home with him when he comes to see him. The clothes that he had worn on Friday were dirty and DD just wanted him to have clean clothes on. Her ex told his wife to change Lil Joe's clothes in the their truck and he gave them back to DD.
We feel so blessed that Lou Lou was able to come home with us. It's a balm to our soul. We're so anxious to have Lil Joe back, there's no telling what kind of mind games his dad is going to put him through during the next week.
DD meets with her attorney later this week to start working on a game plan. He really wants to get the ball rolling, something that her last attorney should have done a year ago.
Haven't had a chance to read through all the posts for the last week. I'll tell you this, we sure enjoyed the 80's and intermittent rain while we were on our trip. Our car registered 107 as we were pulling into the driveway today and the official high at DFW was 109.

 

[bobbiwoz]

@frog3101

Hi! We are back from our family cruise, but sad to say that we both tested + for Covid this afternoon. DH had 2 negative tests in the past two weeks, we all tested negative a week ago to get on the cruise. I was to be on the DVC Wish cruise, but I had an eye problem, and the sick bay’s dr on the ship said I should skip it and see my home eye doctor. I did speak with the technician this morning and based on my last exam, my condition is nothing to be concerned about.

We had zoom meeting with our health care provider, and decided to skip the antiviral medicine based on our symptoms, but can re evaluate by Friday. Tom is sleeping soundly now, I cannot, so I came here to read and catch up for a bit.

We did wear masks on the cruise, airport and plane, and have been vaccinated and double boosted, but it got us. No one else in our group is feeling ill, thankfully.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Another hot 95 degree called for. Trying to get Mr L moving so we can get to the errands and market before it gets too hot. I'm not having much luck. Probably because he stays up half the night watching tv, and doesn't go to sleep till 4 am
@frog3101 --lol to my getting hives from seeing the inside of your car. and hugs for all the rest of your post
@Kirby -- to your daughter and her ex having issues, seems that her and frog are almost in the same situation. Hope everyone gets it straightened out soon--it's so not fair to all of the kids involved
@bobbiwoz -- to your getting covid after your cruise. Hope you recover quickly and fully
@flyingdumbo127 My opinion is that the 'evergreen' bowl is the prettiest!
Off to take the rest of the trash out, bring the paper in and get dressed. Maybe my banging around will get him moving sooner, lol!
Have a great day everyone

Forgot to add. I am going to assume that the DIS has switched to a different DNS server. I haven't gotten the error message since Monday!!

 

[footballmouse]

Happy Wednesday morning! Not sure if it's really going to rain this morning or are we just going to shoot right to 96 degrees right away.

Will yo get to continue half days into fall?

I don't think so. I just wanted to do a 1/2 day to work on my tan and sit by my little pool. Once the hot weather is over I'll be back to normal days.

He was just trying to make it difficult for DD to see the kids.

Oh this is bringing back some bad memories for me. I'm glad that you all were able to spend time with the kids and hopefully her new attorney will get this mess straightened out for her.

Bobbiwoz - hopefully you had fun on your cruise. Any pictures?

Ds3 has a dentist appointment tomorrow and of course he doesn't have a car to get there. I thought I had it figured out b/c my boss thought he had COVID so I was thinking if that's the case, I'll work from home tomorrow. Nope, he came strolling in a little bit ago, COVID free. So now I'll be the good mom and come in early so I can leave earlier to pick him up and get him to the dentist. The things moms do!

Not much planned for later today. I was thinking about cutting the grass tonight but I might wait and do that tomorrow night instead. Praying that it rains this morning so everything gets watered.

That's it for me, have a great day!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good morning
Thank you for all well wishes! I finally did fall asleep. My main job for today besides staying hydrated will be to empty my suitcase. I am quite tired.

I still haven’t seen a hummingbird by either of our feeders. Maybe today! I am grateful to see the pictures here!

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's already pretty hot here today as well. I'm out with a cat, but sweating even in the shade. I have my second booster at 10:00, so no big plans for the rest of the day except a lot of Gatorade. I taped a couple of Hallmark movies in case I feel extra tired today or tomorrow. Otherwise I might do a little sewing.

@bobbiwoz, I hope you both feel better quickly!

 

[bobbiwoz]

@footballmouse I didn’t take many pictures, but this one is a doozie. I need a walk/roll in shower now, so needed a HA room. This one was huge, and the balcony was amazing!! Because of rainy weather, we were not able to use it much. However, the last night was clear, and DH and I sat and watched the sky. As our eyes got used to the dark, we saw a beautiful star full sky. Here’s the balcony!



Our DS & DDiL were able to sit on their balcony even in the rain, and took this picture our first night out.

 

[Judique]

Overslept this morning. Fell asleep early after being at a friend's pool with the girls.

They are now thoroughly spoiled for the rest of Camp Gammie. (My pool is a kiddie pool.)



My corner in the shade under the umbrella.
As you can see, my kiddie pool can't compete anymore.

Friend says: bring them by anytime!

She actually means this. On my end, it's a half hour drive both ways and constant supervision duty. But, it was a lot of fun to go maybe once or twice this summer.

We head to the beach this Sunday and will stay a few nights, so they are definitely not deprived kids.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning

Feel better, Bobbiwoz! You and Tom! Thank you for ship picture. I have never been on a cruise ship so cool to see an on boat picture

Huge, Huge Frog, and Kirby. I would love to be able give you both a hug in person, know virtually I am with love and much support.

You have a great day, Footballmouse. Prayers all goes well and safely for your DS at the dentist.

PollyannaMom, all goes smoothly with your booster.

What a truly adorable morning picture, Lynn. I love and 's leaf

Can I be a Camp Gammie, Camper, Judique? Looks very relaxing and peaceful. I'd love to, of course, help you too (always)

Grateful dad is staying safely home today. He needs more at home days that is for sure. Have a good Wednesday, Friends. I am going to order the larger bowl. I will ask if instead of the heart it is possible to get a wreath instead. I'd like to see how that looks anyway and then decide. Thank you all for your encouragement and suggestions always. I will take a picture of both bowls when the larger one comes. I will check back in this afternoon.

 

[Judique]

Can I be a Camp Gammie, Camper, Judique? Looks very relaxing and peaceful. I'd love to, of course, help you too (always)

Of course!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Not even 11 and 87 here. DH and I have been working in shifts to get the grass cut. And also, one job at a time, cleaning house.

Not sure if I mentioned, but our church is having "cottage meetings", small groups gathering in people's homes with the new pastor so he can meet people. We are having one here Saturday morning so need to clean the house. Supposed to have a few snacks available which is why I made the blueberry muffins. I am also going to make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Planning to meet on the screened porch because the meeting is 8:30-10 am.

Last night we did go for tacos and margaritas. It was all very pleasant. Sat outside and there was a nice breeze off the water.

I did book two nights stays for the drive home from WDW. We could make it with one night out if we were trying to get back to work or something, but we are not. I found a B&B on St Simons Island the first night. Never been to a B&B before. Second night is a new hotel on the new campus of NCSU in Raleigh. That is where DH went to college and he wanted to stop in and see it.

Now to catch up.

I'm getting more and more nervous as the time approaches to read the affidavits.

Having not ever been through this I don't really understand. I did "testify" in my GF's divorce hearing 40 years ago, basically to say I never saw her ex at the house nor did he have any personal items in the house. I had actually never met him.

DD meets with her attorney

Good luck. I feel so bad for her and frog's kids being pulled like this.

The things moms do!

Ain't that the truth. But I can't complain, why back before the internet, my mom stood in line 4 hours to get me concert tickets because I had to work.

I have my second booster at 10:00, so no big plans for the rest of the day except a lot of Gatorade. I taped a couple of Hallmark movies in case I feel extra tired today or tomorrow.

Sounds like you have the recovery planned appropriately.

Here’s the balcony!

That is HUGE! Welcome back but sorry about your souvenir.

Better get back to my next job so I won't be a slacker.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

But one more thing, @flyingdumbo127 , if it's not too late. My 2 cents worth is to get a coordinating bowl that just says "dad" so he can use all year. I was looking at the website and found this one.

Otherwise, I like the pinecone one.

 

[Judique]

Having not ever been through this I don't really understand. I did "testify" in my GF's divorce hearing 40 years ago, basically to say I never saw her ex at the house nor did he have any personal items in the house. I had actually never met him.

I've been through it but not like poor Frog. BIL came to testify for ex but only to say he could attest to the length of separation. There were no affidavits or anything negative towards either of us. The actual separation agreement and subsequent divorce mostly favored my side, mostly because he was sea going Navy and couldn't raise the kids from the water. He's actually thanked me for doing a great job bringing up the kids. I missed them when they spent time with him (and the new wife and didn't like that part one bit) but in hindsight a more 'even' custodial arrangement might have helped me. I had them all the time except for a few visits here and there.

I did testify once long ago and lost a so-called friend because of it. When it came down to it, I was expected to lie, mostly by omission, but it wasn't apparent to me until I was on the stand. Before the attorney stopped my verbal answer, I actually said just enough for the judge to halt the attorney and question me further himself.

I'm thankful for that judge, because if he hadn't paid attention and read the situation so much better than I, a toddler may have been deprived of consequential time with one of the parents. And I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks, Judique. You know, I would love to be there and meet you if I could. Extra hug and thank you for testifying the truth and for the well-being of kids! I remember two so-called "friends" of sorts...(I use "friend" loosely) who could have chosen to be a kind and truthful extra voice for me and my family as a young child but chose not to. So sad and wrong. Also long over and forgiven, moved on from. But is an extra reason why I am a staunch advocate of truth and kids!

How lovely, Carol! Thank you and your DH for hosting a cottage meeting. I appreciate your bowl suggestion, too. The positive about the bowl is that he would use it most every day. I could also get him a totally different personalized product at another time. I just did get him a Father's Day bookmark which he really liked. I have also in years past considered getting him a special notebook of some sort which this site offers as well.

On a purely fun note, he would probably get a kick out of having a Personalized Mini Plate I recently ordered a CA mini name plate for my elderly friend from church Don who is moving to SC. I had gotten him at one time a toy car at CVS that actually had his last name on the car! I thought the plate would complement that and remind him that friends and family right here in CA love him and are praying for him. Earlier this year, dad had gone to the Farmer's Market to an old toy vintage toy store that said they still sold CA souvenir mini license plates with names. We had hoped to get one for our cousin Steve (they had a Steven) and our friend Barbara (didn't have that one) He also looked for a couple other names including both of ours that they did not carry. No surprise, since no touristy place (I don't think) has ever had a "Mona" item. No, my name is not short for anything. Just Mona. Dad's name, which I am not choosing to post publicly is more old-fashioned in a way so not common either. In fact, he has said that as a kid he didn't particularly like his first name. I thought a Dad or another fun license plate just for him might be fun.

Lots of possibilities! I may get the bowl now and something else another time