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

[Kirby]

Good Labor Day to all!

We at the lull between the storms, expecting one later today. We had a big one blow through fast and furious yesterday afternoon. More flooding in Dallas. Part of the western side of our little county is Lake Ray Hubbard. The storm caught a lot of boats out on the water with many water rescues going on. A friend of mine lives at the lake and has lots on trees on her lot. Many had broken limbs from the winds whooshing across the lake.

DS's dog, Mack, has been staying with us since Wednesday while he and DW have been in Cancun for a wedding. They were supposed to come home yesterday but for reasons unknown are not coming home until today. I don't know if they will pick up Mack this evening or tomorrow. It's not a problem, we love Mack. He is on a diet and when DS's wife brought him over, she only brought a baggie with the exact measurements for enough food to last him through this morning instead of the container with all of his food. He has gained a little weight, he's 80 lbs now and is only getting a cup of food a day. He's a big boned English Bulldog and looks like he weighs more than he does. His normal weight ranges around 70 lbs. I have been supplementing his food with fruits and vegetables plus some scrambled eggs that he can eat just to stretch it until he's picked up We always have things like carrots or blueberries as a treat so we know what will not make him sick. When I fed him this morning he just stood and looked down at his bowl like "is that all there is?". It was too cute. Here's a picture of him in 2019 playing in the Llano river when we were at a family reunion.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Loving the photo, not the flooding, @Kirby! - What a cute dog, and so nice you get to have him visit.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

and thank you, PollyannaMom for also offering to send supplies to Frog. Great idea you had to ask about the kid's interests!

Aw, God Bless Mack, Kirby. Thank you for caring for him. Prayers for safe travels home for your DS and his wife.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Omg, too cute, and too funny, Kirby! He’s adorable! It must be fun having him around.

Your story made me think of something that happened here the other day.

I found something on the floor, I wasn’t sure what it was. It looked like a large seed, almost like these big white beans that I like to buy sometimes, but it wasn’t shaped like a bean. No smell. Weird. So I threw it out and didn’t think much more of it. Then yesterday DH came up to me with a paper towel with two more of the “beans” in it, saying Toto had thrown them up. He thought they were beans or seeds, too, and went on a yard search (without crutches ) to try to figure out where he was finding them, but nothing. Then it dawned on us. Several days ago the four of us were sitting around, with the two dogs, shooting the breeze. Someone had some chocolate almonds, and we passed the bag around a few times. Our dogs have always done ok with a little chocolate, so we gave them each a few during the time we were talking. Grady chewed his, but Toto apparently swallowed his whole as he does with a lot of things, lol. So somehow the whole almonds didn’t digest and he threw them back up. No trace of any chocolate all, those things were bare. He’s fine, but the whole mystery about it was sort of comical once we realized the reality.

Toto is funny. He really doesn’t eat that much, and has never been a food monger. But now he wants what Grady has. And Grady isn’t a big treat eater, either. So he’ll sniff what we give him and mostly leave it alone, then nosy Toto will come over and want to take it from him, even though he has his own, smaller version of a treat. So we have to watch him. The interactions are pretty funny to watch, and we enjoy them. Always have to supervise the treats. They are really getting to play well together in the back yard, romping and running some of the time. Grady can get a little over-exuberant with his paws and his mouth in play, but Toto sets him straight when that happens by letting him know he doesn’t like it. Lately we’ve found them laying together sometimes, or cleaning eachother, and it’s cute. Grady really looks up to Toto. The other day Toto was sleeping and I let Grady outside, and Grady wouldn’t go out in the yard, he just stood there looking inside the house to see if Toto was coming. It reminded me of another pair of dogs we had that were brother and sister. The female was lost without the male, and she used to do the same thing if she was alone.

 

[tazdev3225]

Good Afternoon. Quiet day here. We were supposed to get some rain, and I fully expected it. I went to the car wash yesterday. It always rains when I was my car.

I was going to make a London Broil for dinner but changed my mind. We may have hot dogs with corn on the cob. I'll do the London Broil tomorrow after it marinates over night.

I did read through and I really need to take notes, I forget what I want to comment on.

@frog3101 - I can't believe your older children cannot be asked what they want. How horrible to force them into something that makes them so sad. Your poor little guy is probably so sad and confused as your soon to be ex sounds like he is the type to say nasty things about you to the kids, using them as pawns. My son's ex did that with my grandson and he was so conflicted about how he was supposed to feel. He loved his mom and his dad, he hated when they talked about each other. My son can still be a moron and talk down about his ex, my grandson now puts him in his place. But when he was little there were some tough times.

Love all the dog pictures. Mine has deserted me to be with my husband again. She only stays with me in the morning to get some treats. As soon as he comes downstairs, she never leaves his side.

@Pea-n-Me - Your story about the almonds reminded me of one about one of my dogs at my parents house. It was just before Easter and my mom got the brilliant idea to make coconut Easter eggs. She bought all the supplies, white and regular chocolate and shredded coconut, and left them in a bag on a kitchen chair. We had all gone out and came home to puddles, but we weren't sure what they were. Hobo, the shaggy little beast, decided to eat all of the candy, he never did things like that before. The puddles were what he vomited infused with coconut. Thankfully it wasn't the critters we all thought they were. Of course, we were all trying not to add to the mess, I have a weak stomach, so my husband cleaned up every single puddle laughing at us. I got the last laugh. We made a deal that day that he dealt with all animal waste, and all vomit - human and animal, and I would deal with diapers. I got the better end of that deal. My kids were out of diapers in 6 years - he is still dealing with his end of the bargain.

Chat later.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

sure do bring us a lot of fun and joy. Like young kids especially, lol, don't always know what they'll be up to next!

Welcome to our kind group, Jerrywilliams! Please stick around and post whenever you wish. All are welcome in this kind group

 

[lynxstch]

Welcome to our newest thread member--@jerrywilliams! We talk about anything and everything here, so feel free to join in anytime~

 

[easyas123]

Good evening everyone - hope you all had a great Labor Day holiday.
I've been up in the tractor for a fair majority of the weekend, and I'm planning on hitting the hay early! No pun intended!
Busy short week ahead for us - I'm on the road 2 days of the 4, I need to make arrangements for a sled dumpster and I've got a hair appt. Friday afternoon. Saturday we have a obligatory kids b'day party that well, honestly I don't feel like going to. But I will.
My allergies have hit me hard over the past 2 days, probably has something to do with my time in the tractor & in the fields. I'm a daily Claritin taker, plus I have my daily asthma medications, but tonight I helped myself to a little extra Benadryl to help me out and get me over this hill.

Fresh corn, shrimp & crab cakes for dinner this event. Leftover tomorrow. I'll cook on Wednesday.

Keeping my fingers crossed for some of Lynn's rain to come our way tonight and tomorrow. Boy could we use it. And that reminds me, I need to turn off the sprinklers I have on.

Carol - did you hear about the accident off of Pecomoth yesterday? Eldest was out there when everything was going on, on his way back from Conquest or somewhere nearby I think.

Have a good evening, and a good week everyone. Good luck to everyone sending kids off to school and getting back into the grove of everything.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Get some rest, dear Easyasto all involved in yesterday's accident!

All is warmly well and quiet here. Wishing all of you a peaceful, good evening.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good evening.

DH and I had a nice Labor Day Weekend by ourselves. Saturday we got steamed crabs for dinner.

Sunday we watched church on the internet then went to the Bohemia River State Park. It is a small park but no one else there. We took sand chairs and walked the 1/2 mile to the river. Sat there for an hour and read books and enjoyed the breeze and the views. Came home and had grillers on the grill.

Today we went to the Orioles game. Took light rail in rather than try to park in the city. And a lot cheaper too. Came home and had a little cookout with a hot dog for me and hamburger for DH, deviled eggs, and tomatoes.

Supposed to rain tomorrow so will clean house. It's Tessa's first day of kindergarten, but as they do half the alphabet Tuesday and the other half Wednesday before the entire class goes at once, we have her here Wednesday.

@tazdev3225 , it would seem your parents should inform you. Once, when my mom was in her assisted living facility and I was next of kin to be notified, they called to ask me if I would be picking her up from the hospital. Unfortunately they had never called to say she was admitted. Because of my mother's low vision, she was unable to call me herself.

@Judique, very well thought out advice to @frog3101

@jerrywilliams ,

Carol - did you hear about the accident off of Pecomoth yesterday?

I did. How sad. For anyone wondering, it was a boating accident where a woman died.

I need to shower and go to bed. Good night.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

How very tragic. and peace to her family. That's why I didn't "like" your otherwise wonderful update of a post, Carol.
Praise God that you are feeling better and, of course, that the woman is at peace. So thankful you and your DH were well to attend a game. Your Sunday sounds just lovely! I hope it was! for Tessa that her first day of school was a positive beginning for her. That was a smart and kind of the school to do half and half. I've done that before as a director/teacher during the first week of preschool with larger classes.

Dad and I enjoyed watching this afternoon (we DVD at 10am) Price is Right 50th Anniversary finale I think this was the final episode. We'll find out for sure tomorrow. I thought some of you might also have summer fun watching

Otherwise not much new which is these days an extra blessing indeed. Sweet Dreams, friends!

 

[AuntieMe3]

Happy Monday all....its still almost100° at 6:30pm.... Thank goodness for AC.
We did end up going to our friends yesterday but didn't go until later afternoon and only stayed a little while, we swam a little, ate dinner(amazing brisket on the smoker, watermelon and coleslaw...yum) and hung out with our 2nd family. Baby A was there so I got to see her 2 days in a row... gosh she's cute. We were home before 8p.

DH and DD went out for sushi tonight and I made myself something her myself. The rest of the day has been a pretty lazy one.

I'm pretty tired tonight and hope to go to bed early.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Another rainy morning here. I know we need it, but it just makes me feel so "off".

Nothing on the agenda but a few chores and a couple of errands if the rain stops at a decent hour.

The twins have their first day of school today (grade 2) - so hopefully mom will text some cute pics.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning. Slight chance of a thundershower later, otherwise partly sunny and 80 for the day. I have to get moving,,my Drs appt is at 8:45 and I am having trouble getting Mr L moving. I am not leaving him home alone, just in case. I haven't heard from the handyman yet this morning, but its still early. We should be home by 9:30 I would think, and I left the shed unlocked and I left the front door unlocked so he can get in and finish that trim. The darn grape arbor fell over sometime during the night,,so now I have to have that cut up and get rid of it. We don't pick them, don't eat them, they are just a bee magnet.

Have a nice morning all

 

[PollyannaMom]

Love that graphic, Lynn!!

Sorry about the grape arbor. I grew up in wine country, so I love the smell of grapes growing.

Good luck at the doc's.

 

[Judique]

Love that graphic, Lynn!!

Sorry about the grape arbor. I grew up in wine country, so I love the smell of grapes growing.

Good luck at the doc's.

An interesting subject to me. Although I can only have an occasional glass of wine, usually with food, I've always been intrigued by wine, wineries and pretty much all facets of the culture and production.

Growing up in 'wine country' makes me think of Napa or somewhere in California, which has upwards of 4200 wineries (googled that). Here in Maryland there are over 100, with Virginia having about 300 and Delaware somewhere in the range of 50.

Since I'm old, I remember being in Newport, RI, in the 80ties when a storm came through sort of late season but during the grapes harvest at a local and maybe the only winery at that time. (No statistics for that.) Later we were shopping in the package store on base and found something new: a blush type wine or Rose just produced for the first time called 'Eye of the Storm'. It was easy to drink and nice for a glass at the picnic table in early fall.

It was made by Sakonnet Vineyards which still exists. We, of course, soon decided on a day trip to this vineyard and took a ride over there at some point. Came home with a case of this probably $3 a bottle wine, I don't remember exactly how much, a couple of glasses with the Vineyard name, and I remember also stopping at a little place during the trip for lobster rolls. We walked amongst the grapes and relaxed in the small shop, dreaming of maybe one day staying in their guesthouse.

I've been back one time and would go back again if my trip coincided with shop hours, just for the memories of our family outing.

It's in Little Compton, not that far across the water from Newport but a fair drive by land.

 

[PollyannaMom]

An interesting subject to me. Although I can only have an occasional glass of wine, usually with food, I've always been intrigued by wine, wineries and pretty much all facets of the culture and production.

Growing up in 'wine country' makes me think of Napa or somewhere in California, which has upwards of 4200 wineries (googled that). Here in Maryland there are over 100, with Virginia having about 300 and Delaware somewhere in the range of 50.

Since I'm old, I remember being in Newport, RI, in the 80ties when a storm came through sort of late season but during the grapes harvest at a local and maybe the only winery at that time. (No statistics for that.) Later we were shopping in the package store on base and found something new: a blush type wine or Rose just produced for the first time called 'Eye of the Storm'. It was easy to drink and nice for a glass at the picnic table in early fall.

It was made by Sakonnet Vineyards which still exists. We, of course, soon decided on a day trip to this vineyard and took a ride over there at some point. Came home with a case of this probably $3 a bottle wine, I don't remember exactly how much, a couple of glasses with the Vineyard name, and I remember also stopping at a little place during the trip for lobster rolls. We walked amongst the grapes and relaxed in the small shop, dreaming of maybe one day staying in their guesthouse.

I've been back one time and would go back again if my trip coincided with shop hours, just for the memories of our family outing.

It's in Little Compton, not that far across the water from Newport but a fair drive by land.

I'll have to check that out - RI isn't far for me, as I'm in southeastern MA now.

But the vineyard area where I grew up was the Finger Lakes region in NY:
https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/wine-food/wineries/

...much smaller than Napa, but still really pretty!

 

[lynxstch]

Home from appt. Dr and I rode up in the elevator together,,so I knew he would be on time for my appt, lol. All went well. He is releasing me down to every 6 months for a follow up and after the next one, probably just annually. He is discontinuing the heart med (amiodarone). Says I don't need it any longer, and it just causes other issues if you take it too long. He said so far I am one of his greatest success stories since he's been at our hospital, lol. I told him it was that I had a great Dr and was following his advice, lol. He laughed and then hugged me. That was a first! Stopped at Sheetz and got gas for both gas cans @3.96 a gallon. Tried calling handyman but got no answer and his voicemail didn't pick up..will try again in awhile
Stepdaughter just messaged m
e that she got a message from her Dr this morning..she ordered a CT scan of her abdomen, said that will give her more answers. She also got her appt with WVU cardiovascular dept on Sept 27, so at least she's getting closer to finding out what is wrong!

 

[Judique]

I'll have to check that out - RI isn't far for me, as I'm in southeastern MA now.

But the vineyard area where I grew up was the Finger Lakes region in NY:
https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/wine-food/wineries/

...much smaller than Napa, but still really pretty!

After I posted I started reading a bit about what has happened with the Vineyard.

It was purchased by Carolyn Rafaelian owner of 'Alex and Ani', based in Cranston, RI.

Tripadvisor has reviews but the latest is from 2020. The vineyard website still seems to be active but I didn't get a good sense of what it's like now. The wines are now more like $15, not a deal breaker.

I keep wanting to do a drive up to New England and time keeps messing with me as my older DD would be the best travel companion for this, except it's her busy season.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Happy Tuesday, friends

God Bless Baby A, AuntieMe3! What a blessing to get to visit with her two days in a row. So grateful you had a relaxing Monday heat notwithstanding!

For those of you like AuntieMe3 and I, dealing with constant excessive heat are you finding, have you in the past experienced s dryer throat as a result of running the air conditioning excessively? First of all, let me say, I am blessed to not have any true allergies. This apartment though is small and not well ventilated. Over the weekend and even before then, dad and I have had our AC on almost consistently. A ton more often and for longer periods than I can ever remember! I’ve noticed that my poor throat has begun to truly dry out. YEARS ago, we did very briefly (as in a day or two) try a dehumidifying machine when I had a persistent cough (that was sure not a fun time) It didn’t do anything for me, so we returned it. Wondering if having something like that on hand for this time of year might be helpful now. Of course, for free, I can simply have more throat coating things such as applesauce or soup What do you all of you think? I’d appreciate it. LOL, as a reminder I already drink water like a whale! As you know I also am literally home almost 24/7 thus in the same small space with very poor ventilation. Zero complaints ever just wondering. Thank you all

PollyannaMom. I understand how a shift in weather can sometimes make any of us feel off. Have a brighter day, my friend. Prayers the twins have a fun first day of second grade and that all of you do enjoy some this afternoon. I once saw some HGTV show that took place in Finger Lakes, so beautiful!

Praise, praise God, dear Lynn. Huge hug to you, my friend, as well! Hooray! What a great doctor update. for Mr. L to be feeling okay! I’m also sorry about the arbor. Very grateful it did no damage! Not a grape fan. I did come to like (for the reason I drank it rather than its taste) the nonalcoholic grape juice used for Holy Communion every Sunday.

Hug, Judique. I hope you do get to visit a grape harvest again perhaps during a Fall Harvest event somewhere scenic. I don’t drink at all, ever. Dad and I along with friends and I during my college days used to drive (or fly) from way Northern, CA to SF/or Sacramento and then onto LA. Never stopped in Napa Valley but definitely am familiar with it. IIRC there was a movie (probably a Hallmark movie lol) once that featured a bed and breakfast in a vineyard? Perhaps you could look into that sort of trip?

Dad is followed by the post office and Ralph's. Thursday is my dentist appointment (cleaning). I'd appreciate, as always, prayer that it goes safely and quickly!

Love to all and I'll check back later.