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

[lynxstch]

Good morning. Raining lightly outside, temp will still be about 70. Tomorrow a huge cool down with temps in low 60's, upper 50's on Sunday. Hoping for the dealer to call today. I didn't think it would take them all week long to find, or not find the problem and get everything fixed. I know there were a ton of slips and car keys on the counter when I brought the car in, so they really must be crazy there.

@tazdev3225 Lovely story about your parents. I'm so happy he will be home for their anniversary!

@footballmouse Have a great time at the wedding!

@Snowysmom Good luck with the grandkids and the sleepover

I'm off to get a little cleaning done.

Have a great day everyone

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning everyone

Dad and I agree that right now it feels like the middle of the night because it's so dark outside. It also seems later, too. I know it's the time of the year. Amazon is supposed to deliver both my pink slippers and our new red thermos by 10pm tonight. I will share by tomorrow on both. Thank you, again dear Pea, so very much for the recommendations and you and everyone for your kind prayers and love! My poor feet sure would welcome truly good shoes that is for sure!

Luckyrabbit, thanks so much for the socks information. The Kmart socks were Basic Editions Women's Non biding crew socks. 10-13. I have 2 pairs left all these years later. I will check out the links. I really appreciate them and always you!

Snowysmom, prayers the sleepover goes smoothly tonight. One thing for sure and that is the memory of any time spent with you will forever be etched upon your grandkids hearts! You make such a kind difference to them all.

Footballmouse, have a great time at the wedding. Doggie feel better prayers, too!

Lynn, car and always you prayers my friend!

Have a good Friday friends. I'll check back later.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good morning. I only have a few minutes.

Mona, the nice thing about Crocs with straps is that the strap goes up to sit on the front, too, so you don’t have to wear the strap on the back. I never do. (Almost none of my shoes have backs!) It just gives you more options when shopping to know that about them, but it looks like you got a nice pair. I hope they fit you well and you like them. They can run a little big. I love the feeling of bare feet on that comfy fleece. When we go to Disney we always rent a car, but one time we got a free limo ride and wasn‘t that the trip I forgot to pack any of my shoes! The only thing I could find in stores that fit me (I have big feet too, lol) and that I sort of liked were Crocs, so I got a pink pair and wore them the whole trip. It was funny because DS and DH had taken their Pirates of the Caribbean Crocs that trip, and DD had a pair too. I have a cute picture somewhere of our four pairs of Crocs by the pool that is a nice remembrance.

I think it was Snowysmom and taz’s Mom that didn’t drive much? It must be generational (our parents were probably around the same age; in fact mine matched up almost perfectly with someone else’s parents here age-wise, sorry don’t have time to go back to figure out who today) but my mother really didn’t drive much, either. My father did most of the driving. At one point my sister convinced her to get her driver’s license but it was a big deal - she was a nervous driver and had no sense of direction at all, we had to navigate! (Mainly to Dairy Queen!) Later in life she was the stereotypical little old lady who just drove her car to the store two or three times a week and church on Sundays, lol. Her car had super low mileage (and quite a few dents from parking lots that there’s no way she could be responsible for ). But she could not drive with anyone else, at all then. When she got new (to her) cars from time to time and I had to let her drive it on our street to show her how to use all the controls (as cars got increasingly complex for her) she would literally be all sweaty and ashen she was so anxious. But by herself she was ok. I was very surprised when, at 88, she handed me her keys and never drove again. Of course that made my life a little more difficult, but easier again once my kids got their licenses. She loved when DD drove her to appointments, then they’d go out and have lunch and to the mall (in her wheelchair) and tell DD to “pick out a few nice things” at places like PINK and Disney stores, lol. DD really misses those days now. I would usually get some sort of text while they were out where DD played around with picture filters with my mother and the two of them were cracking up laughing. My mother thought that was hilarious when her face became contorted or tiny, or she looked like a bunny, etc. Every now and then those pop up on my iPad and they make me laugh. Now I usually send them to DD when I get them.

Enjoy your time with your grandkids, Snowysmom, and make lots of great memories! I’m sure it will be a little chaotic, but the kids will cherish these times at your new home for many years to come! Try not to sweat the small stuff! I can’t wait to see your place when you’re settled in. I hope you can find peace there at some point. Chris will be with you no matter where you go.

I had more to say but I have to get going. If anyone has prayers to spare, DS is making some career decisions and I am reminding him that we are never alone spiritually in times like these, and that things have a way of working out. I also have a patient who could use some prayers, really sweet younger lady with some truly unfortunate circumstances. I can’t say more but I’m sure all of you would be truly saddened if I was able to tell you her story (so take my word for it). When we are experiencing steady health we really have to remember to count our blessings. She was so grateful for any little thing I did, and always had a HUGE smile on her face. Amazing woman.

Enjoy this Friday, all.

PS I never mentioned my father but just a few quick words about him. First, I really miss him. He passed relatively young (66) so he never saw a lot of things that occurred with our family later (even though deep in my heart, I know he knows) including my college graduation, becoming a nurse, marrying or meeting any of his grandchildren. He is the person I got my love of dogs from. He gave us the love of German Shepherds, that now my DH and kids have, too. He was handsome and athletic; a soldier in WWII, looked so nice in his uniform. Muscular and broad-shouldered (Mom used to say people in theaters complained they couldn’t see around him, haha - my DH is built the same way). He was pretty smart, and had a lot of “sayings”. (I do that with my own kids, too.) He made me read certain books like, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. I thought he was nuts making me read that in HS, lol. But it had an impact. He kept The Serenity Prayer hanging in our kitchen. I met his cousin once and she told me about how he was when he was younger and him and his siblings would hang out with her and her siblings, and how much fun they had singing around the piano, etc. I was so glad to hear that because during the war he suffered injuries and illnesses and came home a different man than when he went in. But he loved my mother so much and never ceased to say how beautiful she was. When he would come home for dinner when I was little, I was so happy to see him that I would sit on his lap while he ate his dinner. I’m sure that drove him crazy but he never let on. He loved baseball (as an amateur player himself, as well as big fan) and never got to see the Red Sox win the World Series his whole life. So when they finally did in 2004, I woke my son up at midnight (who was just 7 yrs old) and literally held his eyes open so he could see it in real time, saying, “Your grandfather lived his whole life waiting for this moment - you’re going to see it!”. That love of baseball ran throughout my father‘s family and several years back one of my older cousins sent me a picture of my father with his city baseball team from the 1930s that had two of my uncles in it, also, and my grandfather who was apparently the coach or team manager, lol. I framed that picture for my son and he keeps it with all his baseball memorobilia from his own playing time. I like to think that I kept my father’s memory alive for my kids even though they never met him. We have his Veteran’s flag down in our family room next to our TV. DS wanted to put it there, he is proud of his service. Love you, Dad!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Pea, thank you for your beautiful share! God Bless you and your parents. They sure raised a lovely and kind lady--YOU! Prayers indeed for your son, my friend. Aw, the shoe picture sounds precious! I definitely will share how I like my new ones. I'm so counting on them to truly assist my feet to get much more moving into the healing direction! My dentist appointment is on Wednesday. I am sure praying by then I am able to walk much easier!

Extra hugs to all!

 

[Snowysmom]

Pea I will keep your DS and your lovely patient in my prayers. For DS, things do have a way of working out. I too am a spiritual person, more so since Chris passed.

More about my parents. My parents wrote letters to each other during WW II. My father kept them in a cigar box and I found them after he passed. Chris and I started reading them and we got to early 1944. It is interesting how you can tell how the war was going by the tone in my father's side of the letters. There was a bit of excitement in 1942, 1943 the tone was a bit down, and it started to get better in 1944. They started out as friends within a group of friends. My mother was a beautiful person, she won the Miss Crystal Lake contest in 1936. Her wedding picture is absolutely stunning. She was also a nice person and helped others. She dressed well and was always looking good when she went out. She worked at Almy's which is an old defunct dept store. My Dad worked 3 jobs most of my life to support the family. He was usually home on Sundays after he played golf. I would putter around the house with him and help him fix things. I also would play football and basketball with him. When my mother got sick he took her to doctor's appts, he and I would go visit her in Boston on Sunday when she was in the hospital. They had an up and down marriage as far as I could see but I think they loved each other and helped when it mattered most. They had a very strong work ethic which I definitely took to heart.

Jeff just told me that Sam is running a fever and is at the doctor. The older kids have been sick with ear infections (all better now) so now Sam is in line. Jeff is staying home from the wedding with Sam. The older 3 are excited about the sleepover so he is going to drop them off. So we will have 5 instead of 6. I feel bad for Sam. The kids have had various illnesses since school started. Jeff said he is not planning anything for October any more.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Samdear Snowysmom! You know he is extra special to me for his name being my beloved late grandpa's. Thank you for your touching parent share, of course, too and forever for YOU!

 

[dazedx3]

Hi everyone, haven’t posted in awhile but I have been keeping up. Our trip to Kentucky was challenging but nice. I really was reminded about how much I miss Kris. Some tears everyday but I’m glad I went, had some nice moments with my sisters. We went on a horse farm tour which was super interesting.

I have had a little scare the last few weeks. I am having ocular migraines, weird eye sight issues along with fairly severe headaches. I‘m trying to pay attention to triggers.

Well, it looks like Fall is here. The weather has really turned colder. The lack of sun sure doesn’t help.
QOTD… My Dad was a very loving and devoted father and husband. He could have turned out so different given his childhood. He was abandoned by his father at 5 years old and soon after he was taken away from his mother by the authorities. He lived in an orphanage until the age of 12, when he was made to work for local farmers in exchange for room and board. He remembered having to run moonshine during the prohibition as a child. He had a lot of debilitating anxiety issues which were a real issue for him throughout his life. He lived with Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years.

My mother also had a sad childhood. Her mother died in childbirth when my mom, oldest of 6, was 12 years old. She had to leave school after the 8th grade to care for her siblings. She was strong and independent. She loved flowers and her garden. She would take us around the garden and say that the flower’s beauty was proof of God. She never learned to drive even though she drove tractors and was an extremely capable women.

I think there troublesome childhoods drove them to give us the best start in life. They were not very demonstrative but we knew we were deeply loved. I miss them both, they passed within 2 months of each other.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi everyone, haven’t posted in awhile but I have been keeping up. Our trip to Kentucky was challenging but nice. I really was reminded about how much I miss Kris. Some tears everyday but I’m glad I went, had some nice moments with my sisters. We went on a horse farm tour which was super interesting.

I have had a little scare the last few weeks. I am having ocular migraines, weird eye sight issues along with fairly severe headaches. I‘m trying to pay attention to triggers.

Well, it looks like Fall is here. The weather has really turned colder. The lack of sun sure doesn’t help.
QOTD… My Dad was a very loving and devoted father and husband. He could have turned out so different given his childhood. He was abandoned by his father at 5 years old and soon after he was taken away from his mother by the authorities. He lived in an orphanage until the age of 12, when he was made to work for local farmers in exchange for room and board. He remembered having to run moonshine during the prohibition as a child. He had a lot of debilitating anxiety issues which were a real issue for him throughout his life. He lived with Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years.

My mother also had a sad childhood. Her mother died in childbirth when my mom, oldest of 6, was 12 years old. She had to leave school after the 8th grade to care for her siblings. She was strong and independent. She loved flowers and her garden. She would take us around the garden and say that the flower’s beauty was proof of God. She never learned to drive even though she drove tractors and was an extremely capable women.

I think there troublesome childhoods drove them to give us the best start in life. They were not very demonstrative but we knew we were deeply loved. I miss them both, they passed within 2 months of each other.

Hi Dazed, good to see you posting. I gave your share a ”love” because I was glad to see your post about your parents. But their difficulties almost took my breath away. So many, again, of their generation, had such hard times. Theirs were really often so tragic; almost unimaginable in this day and age. But around the Depression era it really wasn’t too uncommon. We tend to forget. But I hear these stories a fair amount and I think it’s good to keep them alive and help our children and grandhildren understand how many sacrifices and hard times people had not all that long ago (and how fortunate they are themselves, usually, in comparison),

My mother had a similar story to your mother. Her father died when she was just 11 yrs old, and he was 36 yrs old, leaving a wife and seven children smack in the middle of the depression. (Mom had to run to get the priest as he was taking his last breaths, from pneumonia, which wasn’t as treatable then as it is today.) My oldest aunt was like your Mom and had to care for the family when my grandmother went to work. Aunt was probably only around 13 or 14 herself then, and she became like your Mom, “strong and independent” (and bossy! But it was necessary. They almost had a bad fire one day when they were drying diapers on the stove many stories like that). If that aunt was serious and responsible, my mom, the third oldest, seemed to have her head in the clouds a bit, lol, dreaming of becoming a dancer. (She was invited to travel with Arthur Murray but her family nixed the idea.) At any rate, their brother, the only boy, was hit by a truck and killed when he was just 4 yrs old. My mom was with him, at 5, and she never forgot what happened. Another aunt got hit by a truck and nearly died. Kids were apparently running all over the streets by themselves in those days. My poor grandmother had her share of losses and a really difficult life. (She had come from Canada to study to become an RN but dropped out after two years to get married. )

That’s what I was saying the other day about Mom never having shoes that fit right. They also sometimes didn’t have enough food, but thankfully, they lived in the city near packing plants and lots of immigrants who gave them food sometimes, including big pots of “pasta fazool” and big bolognas they couldn’t sell because they had a split in them, etc. Or chickens with their heads freshly cut off. Mom was one of the original Globe Santa kids, it was a newspaper in Boston that provided Christmas presents to needy kids around the city. She never got many presents but the few she did get, she cherished. She also had teachers that bought her clothes. It made her a very giving person in life, especially with children. Every year she was excited to donate to children in our area. She would literally have given the shirt off her back if someone else needed it more. I don’t think she realized her full potential as she got married rather young but that was what she aspired to (being a wife and mother), and she was always there for us (even if she at times did have some emotional difficulties living with someone who came home “shell shocked” from WWII - today known as PTSD). Her first child died at full term when she had a placental abruption. She never got to meet her baby, who was waked and buried (by oldest sister) by the time she “came to”. So her life wasn’t easy, really, but I tried to do what I could for her to make it good. My elderly friend today (who has still never left the nursing home after her fall) always says how fortunate my mother was to have us to care for her for life, and she’s right, of course. (I’m not sure Mom always saw it that way, though.) Mom was a super sweet, caring and kind person, but we could definitely butt heads sometimes, as well, lol. It was probably a throwback to how both of us had to grow up. Old habits die hard.

Thank you all for sharing these deeply personal stories, I really loved hearing them.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dear, dear DazedI "loved," your post for YOU, your courage, and your very thoughtful share. So good to see you posting!

Pea, extra to you, too, my friend always! Thank you for your additional shares. I am also enjoying our family extra sharing very much. God united all of us as a family after all!

Slippers came! They are too big but the idea of them I believe is very good. Dad tried them on and they're too small for him. Amazon provided amazing customer service once again! We were not happy when the very kind Amazon delivery man (not his doing at all, he was fantastic) delivered the slippers in an OPEN resealable bag! There was NO protective outer envelope or box. Plus, as I said the bag was open. The delivery man said that was actually how he picked up the shoes in the item delivery bin! Not good especially during the ongoing pandemic! Very kind service is that once she understood, an Amazon customer service agent refunded our money in full. Dad also does not have to return the slippers, a true blessing for us both and extra gift to him! We can keep them. I will, of course, either find a friend with bigger feet to give them to or donate. The smaller size in any color but tie dye (sort of cute but also in way too much--Dad said they are cute and really, I don't care) is tie dye. ETA: I did order the tie dye. I am also expecting the other slippers tomorrow. If I'm going to order these in a smaller size, I'd much rather do that now so they can come tomorrow. In other mail news, I received completely unexpected an incredibly kind and amazingly generous surprise gift! The gift God willing should Covid ease sometime next year and of course both of us can walk better long by then, would absolutely help me make a special surprise happen for my dad. Still a long way to go money wise but a huge help. Wow!

Prayers some found its way to each of you, too!

Love to all. I shall come back later.

 

[lynxstch]

My car is back in the driveway where she belongs. Everything seems to be working fine. That light didn't even come on when I started the car, which is usually does. They say it's not supposed to. If it does it again, I just bring it back and they'll only charge a fee to put it on the machine. They only charged me 1/2 of what 'The Works' oil change cost, so the heater was the most expensive item. All in all, it cost me less than half of what I was expecting.

It's dumping down rain here and the temps are starting to drop

Have a nice evening.

 

[bobbiwoz]

@lynxstch , in what state is it raining?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

extra dear LynnI'm so glad, my friend. Please keep your car parked tomorrow and REST!

I did order the tie dye slippers on Amazon. They are to come along with the others tomorrow. I will absolutely share how I like both. Between the two my poor feet absolutely should begin to heal! I will choose one pair. Thermos came too. We will test it out tonight and I'll share tomorrow about that too

to all always! Have a good evening friends.

 

[lynxstch]

@lynxstch , in what state is it raining?

Maryland

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Stay dry dear Lynn, please and cozy, too, my friend

Thermos works great but it will be returned. Why? It is so heavy! Dad will keep an eye out in person at storesSmaller slippers that I got today and new to me slippers are both expected from Amazon tomorrow. I am so praying that will indeed heal much more my feet. Thank you all always of course for your continuing extra prayers and love. You all are very dear to me which by now you better well know!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Maryland

Thanks..ok, so the change is near!

 

[Snowysmom]

@dazedx3 I am glad you went on the trip. It is hard sometimes and the tears come. Of course you would miss Kris. How nice to have some time with your sisters. I am always sad to hear of such daunting and challenging lives many people had back in the depression and even during other times. Your parents did so well to overcome their childhoods to become strong caring adults.

@Pea-n-Me Your parents also had challenging times. I can tell how much you love your mother and father and how much both your parents meant to you. My dad moved from Canada when he was 6. His dad died of meningitis in the old Peter Bent Brigham hospital in Boston soon after they moved to MA. His dad came here to install telephone poles. HIs mother remarried a nice man who worked hard to support his new family. My dad got a scholarship to play sports at Springfield College but had to decline because they could not afford to send him. It was during the depression. He worked in the leather shops until they closed down in the early 60s and then went into construction and maintenance work. I am grateful that Chris and I and now our sons have been able to have better lives because we had parents who worked hard and gave us good values.

The kids are just settled in for the night. I think Charlotte may end up in with me. She seems a bit unsure. I am tired so I am probably going to sleep early too. We had pizza and ice cream sundaes. I will probably sleep with both ears listening for kiddies.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning. They say it's raining outside, but guess what? The sun is shining. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful, if cool Fall day. Temps only 60. Planning on making a meatloaf for dinner tonight, some good comfort food.

The rain dumped down another whole wheel barrel full of walnuts last night that I just picked up. There are still more on the tree, I've never seen so many in the 22 years we've lived here. It's crazy.

I started up the car while I was outside, and that light never came on. Maybe resetting the codes helped, but I don't know what would have thrown them off. No one has touched the car since a new battery was put in Oct 2021. Have to get down to the battery place down the road and have them test it and see if it needs to be replaced. It should still be under warranty.

Off to get something done. Have a great Saturday

 

[flyingdumbo127]

What a lovely grandma you are dear Snowysmom Thank you always and extra for all the faith and love you give your grandkids and everyone blessed to know you including us! Prayers last night did go well.

Lynn and everyone in the 's path, many prayers of course all of you are safe and cozy! Sounds like a good day to stay Dad thank God is doing just that today at last. I am truly praying my new slippers when they come later will absolutely help my feet! I'll share this evening or tomorrow about them. Good snail mail is also expected

with love to all. I shall come back later. Happy Saturday, friends.

 

[lynxstch]

Nothing but sun and wind here. Laundry is done, bed is stripped and remade, bathrooms cleaned, kitchen floor washed, and meatloaf mixed for dinner. Rest of the afternoon is mine!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I loved your post dear Lynn for the rest part and the rest of this afternoon! Please do REST!