Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2020} Let's get to know each other!

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So - have you done anything NEW since we have been in lock down? New Hobbies? New Habits?

I started walking more. My friend, Pam, and I meet at 6:30 every morning and walk between 5 and 8 miles. Mostly between 6 and 7. I retired on 1st April, we started that day and 2 miles was an effort. We have built it up and the only thing that stops us is the bathroom and the heat!
 
That's awesome on the walking. I've been exercising fairly regularly at home. The word came out today, that gyms can open in Florida as of Monday. My gym sent a text saying: wear a mask, gloves and bring a towel. They then...edited that to those are highly recommended.
Well my response was: IF the gloves were not changed out per each piece of equipment touched, they are basically ineffective. Wearing a mask to work out would have me hyperventilating... not good. So, I will return when they have a wash /sanitize your hands and equipment at each one.

Yesterday was awesome. Son in law sent a text some of the kids on g'son's baseball were going to have an impromptu get together at the big field in their subdivision. Did we want to come? YES!!!!
The dads and the boys were well spread out. That field is the size of about 4 soccer fields. It's HUGE.

We sat with g'daughter and there were 4 other moms with just other younger 2 siblings there [those 2 are siblings].
It was so so wonderful. The children so very happy to see one another.

A funny conversation between Sarah and Gabe.
S- Hi Gabe, I'm 4 1/2 now.
G- Hi Sarah, I'm 3 1/2 now. I'm bigger because look at my belly [holds up his shirt]. I was LOL!!!


I was so happy to see "NOUNS" :people, places, things!

Hoping everyone is doing well.
m

[ps- my learning to knit is coming along]
 
Good morning, ladies. I have been scrapping more in the morning, after I have a cup or two of coffee and read my book. Then I start my desk work, trying to take less breaks and just plow thru the work so it doesn't stretch out into the evening so much. Next week will be quieter as my daughter will extend her work hours, her store is going to open up 2 hrs earlier than they had been doing throughout lockdown. They are still closing up by 6 as they have been, not 9 or 10 as they had been prior to the pandemic. My hubs will be back to work but probably sporadically as not all his client businesses are open and he still isn't entering carehomes or hospitals right now. But he will be out for an hour or two here and there throughout the wk. So I will get some alone time during the day.

I'm starting my spring cleaning and clothing organization (I swap out clothes seasonally) and am sorting out clothes/small household items for donation as that starts up again around here next wk. I want to clear out my office of lots of old books and things that I haven't touched in yrs and will donate what I can out of there. Then we'll be ready to remove one desk and move my stuff over to the other desk that will better suit my needs. I'll be moving in a few cabinets from my scrap room that is now my daughter's room. So, lots to do over the next few wks.

We weren't allowed to see Bailey this wkend as we'd hoped but were promised we could take her out next wkend for a few hrs to walk around, no touching allowed, we have to social distance with her b/c she is so immune compromised and is getting chemo but it will be so wonderful to actualy see her in person, not facetime.

So that's what's happening in my world this week. Still feeling stressed about everything and what the next year or two will look like for us and everyone else, but I am trying to find "normal" things to do and keep busy.

Congrats to Lynnie and Jill for being on the CT team now....they will have fun creating :)

I'm heading out soon to get groceries (which is not the easy errand it used to be, it is much more time consuming so try not to go too often) and mail off our utilities tax payment (ugh), hate having to pay out a large chunk of money at this time but don't have a choice. One thing during COVID, we have learned we can get by by not spending much on non-essentials and don't need to shop all the time.

Have a good day everyone.
 
You've been busy Rae! It's good to hear things are opening up some in your area and people hopefully are minding the rules.

Yesterday I embroidered on a shirt for me. I had to resize the digitizing as the designer had it wrong for the 5x7 hoop.

We went out to breakfast this morning. Our usual place and know everyone there. Then came home and watched Mass online.
I cleaned out a cabinet in the kitchen today. It needed it.

I scrapped a couple pages. Going to try for a couple more.

m
 
One new habit I've picked up is doing yoga M-F with my child. Sometimes Saturdays too. And on Saturdays, we clean as a family. Although the last couple of Saturdays we have slipped up, LOL. My routine really hasn't changed all that much- only everyone is at home with me. :D
 
So depressed today. I got a letter from corporate human resources from Panera. If I don't go back to work, they will stop unemployment. I usually work from 5 to 8. Now they aren't opening until 6. I spoke with my manager yesterday and he said he'll call HR to find out what to do in my situation. In the mean time, today I got the third message via email that if they don't here from me today, they will terminate me. I called and left at message at HR. So I called my Panera and the other manager said the boss manager will not be in until Wednesday. Come in Wednesday and work from 6 am to 12. I don't know how this is going to work because I usually only work 15 hours a week. Well I do know that they are only doing take out, they are taking employee temperatures twice a day and we have to wear masks and gloves for our full shift. Do I want to go back under those conditions, NO! But I'm left no choice!

On another note, I don't know if I mentioned my father here or not. He can barely walk a few steps without his walker and uses a wheel chair mostly. He only gets out when I'm able to help. Which I really can't exert myself with my repaired stomach hernia, and bad knees. He's been literally crying for me to take him out! Today I was willing and able, but he turns around and says that he is afraid to go down the four steps he needs to, to get out of the house. He's really so cheap that he doesn't want to buy a chair for those few steps or to pay to get a ramp put out front. How can I take him out when he refuses when I'm able?

All he does is whine and cry that he wants to get out or for me to sit and here him tell his stories of what he ate that day and how many times and how long it took him to go to the bathroom. Who wants to hear that!!! I'm at my wits end and don't know what to do any more. I'm really scared to stay down there with him because my husband works and goes shopping and is exposed to all the crazy out there. I don't know if my husband or me or the kids are carriers and could infect my father. He just doesn't understand the severity of it.

Than my great aunt calls me and tells me that he spoke with my father and is concerned because my father was complaining about his legs being swollen, the scabs on his legs and his broken orthropedic shoe. All of which I know about and his doctor is aware of. Don't get me wrong but I do appreciate that she called, but don't she think I know what is going on. I'm the one that has to listen to him nag repeatedly for the same things to get done. They have to get done right when he asks and not when it is convenient for me. My father even made my son cry because of his repeated "Get me out of the house."
 
So, I started a new job yesterday and though it is a lot different than what I was doing before and though I am making less for the time being, I really feel like I've made the right decision for me and mine. The travel and the unpredictable hours that I'd had with my old job were slowly starting to kill me. These two months of being off of work have showed me just how much I hated the travel and now knowing when I would be able to spend time with my family. Then getting into the food delivery thing showed me that I would be able to take a pay cut and still be able to make ends meet. Believe it or not, despite the fact that I had to spend over 1000 on the dog's medical bills and being out of work with my regular job (never have gotten the first payment from unemployment), I have more in my bank account than I have in quite some time. Oh yeah, and the bills have been getting paid on time as well.
 
That's a wonderful success story Dorann! Congrats to you. I'm so happy for you.

LilyAnn, I am so sorry about everything that's going on right now. You job and your father (and his extended family) have to make life so stressful for you. I know how that feels. I hope HR can get things figured out for you. I really don't think they can make you go back to work if they can't make it safe for you while you have to care for your father. These are extenuating circumstances. And I know how frustrating it is for people who want to tell you how to handle things when they don't have the full story. God Bless, my friend.

Things aren't much different here. Anne and the kids are home with us. She's finally thinking about moving back to our condo. She's still very sad about the whole situation, but knows that she can't go back. We were able to go get her car and several belongings, but not everything yet. It's just a matter of coordination, I guess, but some idiot clerk forgot to check a box at first and that prevented her from getting anything for several days until the lawyer got it amended. smh! She was able to get the kids into therapy through some county parenting support group, thank God. Still very frustrating, but we're working things out. Lots of various support from lots of friends of ours and friends of hers. Step-by-step, day-by-day.
 
Carla, so sorry for your daughter and grads. You did the right thing having them back with you. They, and you, can only take things one day at a time. It takes a long time for abusive behavior to be forgotten. Glad they are getting the help and support they need. And they need you more than ever right now. (((Hugs)))
 
Rae, I have not been online scrapping much at all. I felt quite unsettled this week. Not sure why, but there it is! So impressed that you are spring cleaning and organizing clothes. I don't have enough clothes to swap out, not that we really need to in Southern California. I hope things go a little better visiting with Bailey this week.

Michi, it sounds as though you are keeping busy too. I have been busy, but I feel as though I do not have anything to show for it.

Ane, We clean one day a week, too, and that has been slipping. I have to disinfect everything my mother touches on a regular basis (not because she leaves germs, but because we don't want her to pick up any!) but other than that, I feel as though some deep cleaning is necessary about now.I can't clean comfortably with people at home, I need some alone time. I have been walking a lot, but other than that, no serious exercise.

LilyAnn, I wish I were close enough to give you a big hug. You sounds as though you really need something to go your way. Your work stuff is such a weight on your shoulders, I can feel it all the way from California. I wish we could help more. All we can do is listen and say awwww.

Dorann, Your job sounds much better. I really hope things work out for you there. It is true that we have discovered a lot about ourselves in these interesting times! How are things with your husband? Hopefully all sorted by now.

Carla, sounds as though Anne is in a much better place.
 
Saturday, I was videoed telling children's stories with a green screen in the background. Today I learned how to remove the green and add pictures. I am so excited. The intent is to have the pictures from the books in the background, for the kids. Now if only I could do something with my voice. I am not a great reader.

One of the fun things, though, is that David and I were browsing through videos from when the children were small and there was a video of me reading to Karen and Steven when they were little. I read the same stories I picked for this project. How funny is that.
 
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Lynnie and everyone else. LOL

No, nothing at all is sorted with Tom at this point. The only thing that I know is that I don't know anything. He is still there and I am still here. I have been trying to call everyone that I can think of to find out something, but it has all been to no avail. No answers and neither of us know anything. But...on the brighter side of things, we found out today that Kathryn was accepted into Questbridge. In an ordinary situation, it would involve summer learning at a high profile college and college visits and such. But there is no ordinary situations any more, so no summer program. But still, it is a great honor and it does give her the opportunity for additional scholarship opportunities up to and including a possible full ride at an Ivy League College. I am so very proud of her.
 
Hi ladies jumping in this morning before we have to run out to a consultation. My daughter Skyler is getting married next June and bridal boutiques around here are finally setting appointments. Most only allow her and 1 or 2 other people :( she would have loved to have had her full bridal party there but restrictions right now do not allow. We honestly feel blessed she can even get in to them, they say you need a year for the dress and we are about right at that. We have friends in other states in the same spot who still can not do appointments for dress try ons. We have done one with one today another tomorrow and a final one next Thursday. She had saved her favorite to shops for this Thursday’s and next they carry the designer brand she likes the best. Very busy week here between dress consultations and our dog Riggs allergies flairing up leaving him needing a vet appointment for shots I am running out daily here for something. Couldn’t squeeze much scrapping in this week, hoping to get back to a slower week after this one, however the dress hunt sure is exciting! Have a wonderful day ladies, oh and yes I’m getting picks of all of the rejects too for a she said no to the dress layout.
 
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Good morning all.

Trying to catch up here. I gave up on that knitting project and starting another one today. Too many mistakes and out of my league to try to fix them.
The gym opened Monday here. I'm not ready to return, yet.

I managed to embroider another towel yesterday. We went to the un-official baseball practice last night. I got hit in the chest with a batted ball. I'm quite sore and bruised. Thankfully, it did not hit my granddaughter standing at my left arm.

Ane- That is great on the yoga.

LilyAnn- Oh dear on the work situation. I do not know what the rules are for employment. I have been very impressed with restaurants we've been to. Caring for an elderly family member is tough. My prayers.

Dorann- Congratulations on the new job. Hoping this all falls into place. And everything settles for you.

Carla- I feel for you all and the situation with your daughter. Yes- a day at a time.

Lynnie- How cool to video and do the books!!! I would have zero clue how to do that. How cool on the same stories. I recorded my dad reading to my grandson, his mommy's favorite book as a child. I scrapped that page. No idea where the recording is today.

Ella- Congratulations on your daughter's getting married. Wow, a whole year to find the dress? Is it because everything has been closed? With my girls, the older one got married within 4 months of getting engaged. And the younger one was engaged over a year, but I'm not sure when we started the dress shopping. Guess I will need to go look at another scrapbook page. LOL.
I do know, I altered both the dresses. I was appalled at the prices for alterations. But, then again, I've sewn and altered forever even having a side business for 40 years. The younger one didn't try on the altered dress, until the day of the wedding! She said, "you've got this mom". Looking forward to your page.

m
 
Dorann - that's a big step, congratulations! Being happy with your job makes a big difference in quality of life- it's definitely worth a pay cut if it means you have more functional hours that allow you to live your best life in the time you're not working. It's also great that news that in spite of things being not-so-ordinary, there are still great new adventures for her to look forward to.


Carla - I hope things settle down for you soon. :( Doing things that might feel like a step back are hard, but it's important to view it as the ability to take the right steps forward- you don't get unlost by continuing down the same wrong streets.


Lynnie - That sounds like such a fun project! And super cute that you picked out the same books, even if you didn't remember it.


Ella - That'll be cute, and if I remember my reading right, Wedding Planners it's actually "better" for getting something you like to have fewer people, even if it makes it less of a party, you're more likely to be honest with yourself without having to match reactions. I can't imagine trying to pull a wedding together in current conditions, so I wish you the least amount of stress possible.


For me. Well. It has been one of those weeks where I just feel like I cannot catch my breath. I have done a lot of scrapbooking, because work is a disaster where I can't actually move forward with any projects at all, so I was on-call but couldn't accomplish more than a few emails and tasks in a day. I had to send my assistant home, because she's paid hourly and I can't have her if I don't have tasks for her. My salary'd tail has to be there, but she doesn't have to sit and twiddle just because I do. My Tuscany scrapbook now has 251 pages, though I only ever upload the "full monty" to Facebook (if anyone wants to see EVERYTHING instead of the selected pages I upload here, you're welcome to come find me). I have 25 more pages for San Gimignano, the guest house, our winery adventure, and Volterra. Then I can start the last one for Pisa- I haven't done the count out yet for those pages, so I am not quite sure how many it will be. Somewhere between 15 and 25, I guess?
 
Hi everyone. I’ve been busy with family stuff and lots of walks with Taz. I’ve not been online as much this week.
 
Thanks Sylvie... You're right. Even though it feels like spinning wheels, it's all for the best in the long run. We have her out of a horrible situation and onto a better life for her and her kids.
 
I went into Panera Wednesday like one boss said. The big boss said I'm not in the system anymore and he'll call HR to find out what to do as he's already taken back some employees and has enough staff right now. He told me to call back today. When I called he said to come to work on 5/27 and work 6am to 12 and he'll give me my schedule than.
A few hours later I get a call from the library. The were paying me all along (with doing minimal work from home). But effective today, I'm on furlough from them. I kind of had a feeling that it would happen if we didn't get back to work. It is a town job and they in essence pay us to work.

Now I don't know how to handle the whole unemployment thing with being taken back by who was paying for unemployment and applying for unemployment from the library. This whole situation s***s. I'm in such a depressed mood today!
 
I haven’t been around much. Life is slamming us again.

good news first. Mom graduated from complete bed rest to occasionally in a wheel chair. I was to have a 1/2 our outdoor meeting with her tomorrow. On a concrete deck, with plexi between us, and being six feet apart. But it’s been cancelled because of rain.

Now for the bad and good news. My daughters mental health has been deteriorating. For the last week I never left her alone. Trying to find help for her was futile. Finally yesterday, she was admitted to the hospital as she was deemed a danger to herself. I hate that she is experiencing this. She has lived with post surgical neuropathic pain for two years and she had finally had enough. Scary and so concerning. She needs to get help while in.

Its shaken her little brother to the core. And her dad cried. He loves his girl even if she doesn’t see it.

Im taking a leave from all my ct teams.

I also had the house computer break last weekend. Hard to handle when I do some stuff on it, the kids both online school, it just sucks.

Alexis has had the nicest outpouring of care, concern and love in a very vague fb post. My heart was filled as were my tears. Lynnie your message got through to her. “But she doesn’t even know me, how can I have an affect on her?” Thank you. I bawled like a baby. You have such a way with words. Typically I hate vague-booking, but she said I could post very little and I’m respecting her wishes to regain her trust.

Anyone have any advice. I’ve had three friends in similiar positions but two were not saved and one only after the fact. None of the three had a chance beforehand. I’m lost.
 
Sheri, my love, you are in such a delicate situation. It's so hard when our kids are hurting. I know. I'm there too. Anne was in the same place several years ago. I had to go out to grab Caddie and we had her living with us for about eight months while Anne was in the hospital and then while she was in day-therapy for PTSD. Obviously, she's still not 100% since we're dealing with stuff again. And, as a parent, there's only so much you can do due to "privacy issues" too. At least here in the states. Once they reach a certain age, medical staff isn't allowed to tell us anything so we're left in the dark.
You support her. Tell her you love her. Remind her how strong she is. WE KNOW how strong she's been so far. SO much stronger than other women her age. Remind how far she's come, everything she's gone through, LIVED through.
It's a fine line we walk between being supportive and smothering. I know you're going to want to know where she is and what she's doing all the time, but you have to trust her too. And, as much as I hate to say it, you have to remember that you can't control her. You can't control what you can't control. I don't want to come right out and say it, so please try to read between those lines. Our priest told us that. He sat us down and told us that we had to forgive ourselves first and not fall into the trap that she was OUR responsibility. We could only do so much.
I hope that helps some.
<3 <3 <3
 
Sherri I don't know the full situation with your daughter about the surgery and before. But I can say she is where she needs to be right now so she can get the help she needs. All you can do is support her, be by her side when she needs and be at a distance when she needs. It is especially tough when she is grown.

My daughter, 18, was confused about the loan stuff at college. I tried to call to help her figure it out. They wouldn't talk to me because she is over 18.
 
FormbyGirl said:
You folks really make me happy. I am so grateful you are in my life!
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I totally agree with Lynnie! I come here every day to look at what's new. :)

All you ladies having troubles, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am doing OK. I count myself blessed that I am so. Oh, I totally forgot I can share the news now- I will be a grandma in September! I have mixed feelings about this, but overall positive ones. Eeep!
 
Oh Sherrie, my prayers continue for you!!! I pray Alexis will respond to any help offered to her.

Ane- How exciting!!!! Congratulations to your growing family.

I like to check in as I can. My days are pretty much the same each day. I try to exercise. Attend as much online Mass as I can. We've eaten out a few times supporting local eateries. Breakfast out and lunch/dinner will be from a local food truck.
My attempt to knit is still a comedy scene. But I try.

Thinking of you all.
m
 
There is so much going on in everyone's lives right now, some good and some not so good.

For all those with job situations - I hope and pray that this provides an opportunity that you never dreamed of - a job that is your forever job, a dream you never thought you would realize. Hopefully there are financial opportunities and some security in unemployment or other sources of income.

For those dealing with physical health situations in your family - I hope and pray that there is healing and peace in your lives. I just want to enfold you in warmth and comfort. There is nothing else from where I am, but you have my love and care in full measure, across the internet, those lines in the earth and air that bind us together.

For those dealing with fear - I pray for you peace and strength in those caves of darkness. I hope you find a bright light in your lives and a warrior spirit you never knew you had.

For those dealing with family problems - I pray for you calm and opportunities to come together in ways you never imagined. Where there is abuse I pray a path to refuge. Where there are legal issues, I pray for clemency. Where there is uncertainty I pray for faith in a clear path.

For those dealing with mental and emotional problems in your family - I pray for clarity for the decisions that are needed and clarity and peace in the souls of the damaged hearts.

I wish I could bring you all what you need, pressed down and running over.
 
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