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

Status
Not open for further replies.
My husband and I are lucky. I am sorry for all those who no longer have work. My work has asked me not to come but for now we are being paid. They are calling us weekly to see how we are and if we need anything. My job was with our church, The Deseret Industries. They are a store that supplies donated items for a cost to most people but also free for the communtity if needed. My husband and I live next to one of our children who is taking great care of us. I wish we all could be as lucky and I am. Keep looking for the good and hopefully it will come, sooner than later.
I have two granddaughters who graduate this year. One is in the Seattle area. They may not have graduation exercises. They also may not have the plays they are in. My one was Distinguished Young Woman last year and was going to be the MC for this year, but it most likely will be cancelled and only the contestants show up. I also have two grandkids on missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Both are in isolation. One is in Long Island, New York. We pray every day for our nation and the world. Keep looking up, we will get over this.
 
Oh My.

I wrote a HUGE post yesterday answering everyone's posts and working on being upbeat and cheery. I think I must not have clicked POST and it got lost.

Ah well, new day, new stuff.

As I mentioned before, (I think), California is on a ,mandatory "Stay Home" policy. I went out for a walk with my good friend yesterday. We social distanced during the walk, but it was my first time out of the house in 10 days. I think I could develop a serious case of agoraphobia if I stayed in much longer. I was starting to look at the outside as hostile territory. It was lovely to go on the walk and see people avoiding getting to close, but still waving a cheery hello and saying "Terrible thing isn't it!" People were so friendly and warm and considerate of the social distancing requirements. Even Pam and I did not get close during our walk.

We have been really making all our food stretch. We have loads, but I think before we were careless with leftovers and did not make every bean stretch. We don't know how long this will be, but we need to be careful with our supplies just in case. There is not a bean to be had in the shops right now. The good news is our TP is stretching, haha.

Remember the days when I could list all my activities for the week and make you tired :)

Life has not changed! My daughter wanted to spend some time on Facetime yesterday and I had to give her a time slot. I had church (streaming), a walk with Pam, and book club (via Zoom) scheduled, all before noon. Most of my days have been like that. She could not help laughing that even locked in, I have managed to schedule so many activities I am never bored. In reality, I could stay on lock down for a long time and not miss going out. I feel very connected to everything and every one in my life.

I am reading all of your posts, especially the ones who are not in such fortunate shape as I am and I am really feeling for you. I am concerned for you and hope that we can come together as a community to help each other out.
 
Thinking of everyone, and I need we remind myself we are all in this together. We've not seen the g'kiddo's or Daughter and son in law in over a week now. They have done some outside activities with the kids, keeping distance from others.

I've been making masks acceptable for hospitals. 1/4" elastic is non existent and Amazon says May 6-22. Pelon for interfacing...forget it. I was mailing out a couple masks I made for a digi friend who's brother is undergoing chemo and has no more masks. On a whim...I walked to the sewing / vacuum store next to the post office. They had medium weight stabilizer. I bought it. The man asked me why I was buying that one as not my normal purchase from them.

Told him...masks etc... he GAVE me 2 LARGE approved commercial size vacuum bags -free! And said I hope this helps some. WoW how nice. Now they are not washable, at least I don't think they are, but I can place in a pocket and the wearer can replenish with other items. Also it will prolong the N 95.
Next - I'm driving in the parking lot & for whatever reason, I stopped at Dollar Tree - I never go there! I found a lot of stretchy little girls thin headbands 7 per pack for a dollar! SCORE!

Stay safe everyone.
Sharing a photo my daughter took yesterday after a hike and climbed a tower. Title - mine, The quote and photo is hers.
 
Good afternoon, ladies. Just popping in to say hi. I was out getting supplies this morning and now have a bit of desk work to do. I'm slowly organizing pantry and freezer to best utilize what we have and to better know what we'll need. I was so happy to get one of the last two bottles of vanilla at the store today. Now I can do some low carb baking.Tomorrow morning I might try to get into Costco to get a few more staples I'd like to have but if I can't get in (the lineups have been crazy) at least we have enough to get by for the next 2-4 wks.

Went out jogging with Taz at lunchtime today and it felt good to get some exercise and fresh air. So weird to only see 2 people outside the whole time we were gone. It's like a ghost town around here.

I want to sit down and do a bit of CT scrapping later and watch a few shows with hubs. This is our new normal for now. So weird to have hubs home every day but thankful he is able to stay home, at least for now. He is higher risk than most of his co-workers so they are handling customer in-house servicing for him (he supplies hospitals/restaurants/carehomes with cleaning chemicals) and he is just doing online ordering and phone calls from home.

Can't wait for survivor!!!! It'll be a much needed diversion from life.
 
bcgal00 said:
Good afternoon, ladies. Just popping in to say hi. I was out getting supplies this morning and now have a bit of desk work to do. I'm slowly organizing pantry and freezer to best utilize what we have and to better know what we'll need. I was so happy to get one of the last two bottles of vanilla at the store today. Now I can do some low carb baking.Tomorrow morning I might try to get into Costco to get a few more staples I'd like to have but if I can't get in (the lineups have been crazy) at least we have enough to get by for the next 2-4 wks.

Went out jogging with Taz at lunchtime today and it felt good to get some exercise and fresh air. So weird to only see 2 people outside the whole time we were gone. It's like a ghost town around here.

I want to sit down and do a bit of CT scrapping later and watch a few shows with hubs. This is our new normal for now. So weird to have hubs home every day but thankful he is able to stay home, at least for now. He is higher risk than most of his co-workers so they are handling customer in-house servicing for him (he supplies hospitals/restaurants/carehomes with cleaning chemicals) and he is just doing online ordering and phone calls from home.

Can't wait for survivor!!!! It'll be a much needed diversion from life.
Click to expand...
Hurray for exercise and fresh air!
I too am anxious for Survivor.
m
 
Sylvan said:
I honestly haven't understood what Survivor is... can anyone link me to a clear breakdown?
Click to expand...

HERE is a link to where everyone signed up and it will tell you what it is all about. Maybe next year you will be able to join in also.
This time you can still make comments on the pages in the gallery but if you did not sign up ( I cannot see your name on the list).
 
AND SO IT BEGINS!!! I'm excited!!! I'm good at recipes so this one will be easy-peasy. It makes me nervous as we get further along. Good luck everyone!

Love your layout Michi! (looks slightly familiar... LOL)

I'm sorry your son is having trouble with e-learning Sherri. That's so sad. And we're no help as parents, in most cases. I know parents here are struggling with worries about how much their kids are going to lose while out of school because they can't help! I used to be able to but they way they're teaching now is beyond me too. (and my kids didn't want my help anyway, lol)

Nothing new here. Haven't been sheltered yet. Got out to get the dog groomed and get my mocha this morning... big treat for me. Gave the girls HUGE tips at both spots. Apparently, it's "The Great American Take-Out Day" so we'll be having something from one of our local faves tonight for dinner. Another HUGE tip for our friends on the lines.

I guess that's all for now.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. God Bless.
 
Sylvan said:
I honestly haven't understood what Survivor is... can anyone link me to a clear breakdown?
Click to expand...

It is a contest. Folks sign up and there are multiple rounds with different challenges. The challenge is posted on a specific day with a deadline (usually about five days, I think) to get it completed and post it. You then have to vote on which five you would pick (excluding your own) as a winner. This will go on until all the challenges are completed and then there is a first, second and third place winner. They get lots of lovely prizes.

There is a deadline for signing up (which has passed), but you can scrap along on the challenges, if you like. We do it every year and it is loads of fun.
 
Good morning ladies. Survivor has started woot woot!!!! So excited to participate this year. Can't wait to see the LOs flood the gallery.

Lynnie - when you get time, can you give us a list of our alliance members? It would be nice to keep an eye out for their pages in the gallery to spread the love. I'll be rooting for others too of course but want to be sure to encourage our alliance. I know this is a big job for you so not sure if you'll have time for this which is understandable.

I just got back from Costco. Today they started a 1 hr senior shopping twice a week. I got there an hour before the opening and was so glad I did b/c within another 15 minutes the parking lot was full and there were hundreds in line, another lineup started for non-seniors to be let in after the hour. It was crazy. I think they were letting in 50 to start and then one out and then one in. We were only allowed 3 people per aisle, they had a lot of staff with big signs "social distancing" and enforcing if anyone came too close to another. I managed to get TP and a pack of lysol wipes before they ran out (within just a few minutes). Didn't make it to the beef aise in time so no hamburger but was ok with that, I've got enough for a bit. They had about half the items or less than normal, not anywhere near the selection they usually have. Hubs is happy b/c I got him his big jumbo hotdog packs that he loves and his Munchie mix party size bags. That's all he cares about LOL. I was home in 2½ hrs but it would have been so much longer if I had to get in the regular lineup. Whew. I have never been so happy to be over 60 as I was today :)

Other than popping out for milk/bread and a few little things here and there, we are stocked up for a few months. They are talking about a full lockdown coming so we are ready for it now.

Now I can work part time at home, play Survivor, read my digi-books and binge watch TV shows and Netflix. I've got a list of shows I want to watch during this homebound time.

We are going to miss Bailey so much but the caretaker promises to spend lots of time with her and we can Facetime every day or two. The new baby is coming next week so its sad that we'll miss seeing her during this time but my GS will post videos and pics of her. I'll have to be happy with that.

Most importantly, we are all healthy here and now that we are self-isolating, hopefully we will remain that way.

So, I'm going to work on my Survivor page in a bit....can't wait to get at it!
 
Rae

FIRST POST OF THE ALLIANCE

The first post of the Alliance will always have the members for the round and a link to their layouts. That is why I had to limit the number of people - it gets difficult to manage. I will update the layouts at the end of each day. You will be able to click on the layout and go right to it to make comments.

Hope that helps!

Lynnette
 
Hi all.
According to friends in my sub-division and this area, the senior hour was packed! Not much on the shelves and not all were seniors. I was home...then took a walk. There isn't anything we needed today.

Thank you all for the kind words on the LO with my daughter's photo of the beach. I feel it's a sign.

I'm still thinking on what pics I want to scrap for Round one of survivor. Thank you Lynnie for the link. ♥

Making masks for hospitals, assisted living, police or whoever claims them in my area. Working my way through the scrap bag.

Daughter said David [age 7] is doing well with the at home school online stuff. In fact his teacher called Megan this morning thanking her how she was printing out and having David complete his work to send in. She also wanted to say hi to David.
That was so thoughtful of her!

The lovely chalk drawings around my neighborhood continue to grow. They bring a smile.

Stay safe everyone.
m
 
Thanks for the explanation, Lynnie. Hadn't signed up for anything, no, have been pretty lethargic and stressed, and didn't want to commit to something where I'd end up giving myself a panic attack when I can't get to a pharmacy that can fill my anxiety med script. That sounds so silly. My meds scrip is Italian, and has always been filled in Italy because it cost less out of pocket and wouldn't be "counted against me" by the Insurance company.

I have been trying to lose myself in writing since scrapping is proving difficult, but it has been rather fruitless. At least the Yorkies are happy to have me home.
 
I’m a mess. Can someone please just tell me “it” will all be ok?

My husbands company started laying off people today. He wasn’t in the first round but may be next.

My city had an announcement today that was shocking. A curling bonspiel from before the pandemic was declared had someone come up from Vegas, not self isolate and attend the bonspiel. It was a bonspiel for doctors across western Canada. There have been I think 12 positive tests for doctors from there. However three of them were from my small city. The doctors saw over 50 patients and were in contact with over 100 other health care workers. Our hospital is always short staffed. We will struggle losing that many health care workers.
 
Firstoscartgrouch said:
I’m a mess. Can someone please just tell me “it” will all be ok?

My husbands company started laying off people today. He wasn’t in the first round but may be next.

My city had an announcement today that was shocking. A curling bonspiel from before the pandemic was declared had someone come up from Vegas, not self isolate and attend the bonspiel. It was a bonspiel for doctors across western Canada. There have been I think 12 positive tests for doctors from there. However three of them were from my small city. The doctors saw over 50 patients and were in contact with over 100 other health care workers. Our hospital is always short staffed. We will struggle losing that many health care workers.
Click to expand...

Sherri, I wish I could just wrap you up right now and tell you when it will be fine. I wish I could say it will be fine today! All I can do is say I care about how you are feeling and if you want to video chat in real life, let me know. I will set it up. Sometimes it helps to just talk and vent and cry.

It does feel as though things are closing in when it becomes real in your town to people you know. Two of my son's congregation in England have tested positive. My best friend's daughter and granddaughter (who live with her) were in close contact with the granddaughter's childminder who has a bad case of it. An old friend from church has a step father and uncle who are hospitalized. My daughter-in-law is a nurse, my step daughter is a Physician's Assistant and her hospital has one death and five patients. My friend, Pam, her son is a firefighter.

It is not just a virus on the news anymore, it is invading our lives.

But it will get better - it may take a little time, but be ultra careful because you and your family are as high risk as they come! Big hugs.
 
THANK YOU Lynnie! Love that you do that with the layouts! So helpful.....

Thinking about "stealing" some of your photos to scrap during Survivor, Rae... How would you like me to credit you? You are such an amazing photographer! You just must get out to get ME more photos during this pandemic, ya know? lol!!! (especially squirelly, ones... hehehe)

How wonderful how your grandson's teacher to reach out, Michi. That's so important right now. Our teachers and kids miss each other so much right now. We had material hand-out day yesterday (for distance learning for pre-school) and some of the parents brought their kids with them. The kids were SO happy that they could see their teachers but SO sad that they couldn't get hugs from the teachers. There were tears on both sides of the windows.....

Sherri, that's terrible! I'm so very sorry. Sending hugs, love and prayers always, my love! (and you KNOW my hugs WORK!!!)

It is becoming so real. We have no cases in our town, that I know of, but it's in our county and I have several friends with family members infected.

All I need is help with our youngest daughter... smh. She actually texted and asked if she could bring the grands over to play "because they missed Grammy and Pop". REALLY?!? Are you NOT paying attention?!? NO!!! Love her dearly, but sometimes she can be a real............ Id**t. (did I just say that about my daughter?!?)

Sorry. Love y'all already!

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. God Bless.
 
We all have to keep in mind that although it is very contagious, a very low percentage of the people who get the virus actual die from it. So don't think that just because you have Corona you will die from it, it doesn't. No, I'm not downplaying the importance of social distancing. The chances of the majority of us getting this is high but not everyone will get it THAT badly.... At least that's what I keep telling myself.... Everyone is healthy here so far, knock wood.
 
Yes, I know what you mean LilyAnn. Right now the percentage of fatalities is low compared to the infected rate but it is still scary b/c we don't know how this will keep changing and who it will affect. Everyday I pray a vaccine will be developed soon. What scares me is the economy, what this is going to do our everyday lives, our jobs.

But, I try to stay positive and pray that we will all get thru this. I admit though, my brain is scattered, I am in a constant state of mental panic that I am having to keep pushing back, keep taking slow deep breaths and try to keep functioning. I've got brain fog like you wouldn't believe, the stress is wrecking havoc on my body.

Thank goodness for scrapping. It helps. Survivor is such a blessing at this time, something fun, something to connect us.

My daughter may be coming home for awhile as her job may close down soon and she is so stressed about being isolated alone in her little apartment. So I think probably in the next few wks she will come to us.

Lynnie - I just saw our Wafflers Alliance thread...that is awesome! What a great job you are doing. Thx for all that you do.

I'm going to get to work now, do some desk work for a few hrs, then do some house organizing and cleaning. I'm trying to do a bit every day. Knowing my daughter may show up any day now means I'd better start cleaning out the spare bedroom that is our catch-all room, all the odds and ends get put in there and it is a mess right now of boxes and bins.

Looking forward to sitting down tonight and scrapping a bit. I want to get my Survivor page done either tonight or tomorrow.

BFN
 
I am trying to do the social distancing but the one thing that I can't do is to stay away from my mom. She is my best friend and I would miss her far too much. Luckily, as far as contact outside the house, she any my sister are about it. I am keeping my circle SMALL.

However, I have been doing some Door Dash to make at least a little bit of money in this time. It is mostly contact free so I like that and I have some sanitizer in the car and have been using that.
 
Good morning everyone,

I am a little concerned with today's announcement that we have 14 new cases in Manitoba, we were almost the lowest in Canada up to now. We have been self-isolating for a couple weeks now, social distancing when I do walks or when I have to do a rotation at work. I went to Mom's and cleaned and disinfected her apartment and stocked her up on some necessities. She has not had many visitors which is good for her health.

Lynnie, Thank for all your work with the Alliance. I will be so happy to finally have something to concentrate on other than the Virus!

Rae, Understand your frustration with TP, we finally got TP, LOL! I sent hubby at 7AM for the senior shop when he dropped me off work, so grateful he was able to get a large pack. Glad you stocked up for a lock down...we are not near that stage yet but if our number climb I am not sure if I have enough supplies.

Michi, you are so wonderful to sew masks for those who need them! Glad David is doing well with his home school. My 9 yo grand daughter is a good student and a bit of a bookworm so she is doing well with her studies as well. She also is in French Imersion so it's important for her to keep up her French reading. She sends me funny pictures of pets because she misses us!

Sylvan, I know how hard these times are...I too am feeling stressed. I seem to hold it all together during the day but I am having anxiety attacks in the middle of the night, keeping me up for hours. I have started home yoga and breathing exercises just before bed which has helped some.

Sherri, It will be OK! I know you have been taking care of yourself with your condition and that is all we can really do. I heard about the curling bonspiel...as DOCTORS...what were they thinking! Sending love your way!

MiniCooper, We are so used to human contact that sometimes you just have to remind the ones you love that social distancing is what everyone needs right now.

LilyAnn, Glad everything is good your way!

Dorann, Great that you are helping others get food with Door Dash and making extra money.

It's my day off roattion so I am heading dow to my home gym for some me time...exercise! Hoping to finish March's read today too. Take care everyone, wash your hands and be SAFE!
 
Happy Wednesday to all. I'm trying to stay on the positive although like others, the stress is real. Our older daughter called this afternoon. She lives in Maryland and is a RN at a pediatric doctors office. Well, a sick 4 month old baby came in yesterday....the baby tested positive and our daughter was her nurse in very close proximity.
Needless to say she is a wreck. Sent home on self isolation 14 days. Confined to her bedroom. She can only be tested IF symptoms occur. Her husband was told to still go to work, unless she develops symptoms. Their son is 15.

Younger daughter was back to the hospital today for her shift. For her unit, census are down...a wonderful thing.
I've been praying more than usual and it is so nice our Priest offers Mass online.

Karen-glad y'all are stocked up and staying in.

Dorann- All the best with door dash. How close do you have to get when delivering food? Good on the hand sanitizer.

Lilyann and Rae- yes percentage of fatalities are low...Praying they stay that way. Now if people would just stay home!!!

Thank you on my LO. My head can't wrap around what photos I wish to scrap, so I've not even looked at the Survivor week one pages yet.
Lynnie- I sure appreciate your charge on it.

Sherrie- I'm saddened about your son and school. Hang in there. People will get through this!

m
-added. Our governor wants to declare Florida a state of emergency! Too many are still coming in. ALL flights from NY, NJ and one other have to self quarantine 2 weeks. Now zero clue how to enforce that! We can't keep non seniors out of the grocery during senior shopping.
And a Holland America cruise ship is going to dock in Ft. Lauderday [Port Everglades] with 42 sick ones because their final port refused them! Geez.

Stay safe- Prayers.
m
 
Michi,

That is so scary, having your daughter be in close contact. As the circle gets closer and we start knowing people who know people, then maybe someone we know - that is something we have to be prepared for mentally. I think I mentioned earlier that my son has two members of his congregation, my best friend's child care minder (for her granddaughter who lives with her) an old friend's step father and uncle.... Just last week no one in my little sphere knew anyone. You have it one step closer. I keep having mini-meltdowns over my children... I have lost two and I am terrified of losing another. Most of the time I am okay, then every once in a while, I can't breathe.

On the bright side, my best friend, Tina has a daughter Rachel who is a nurse and a granddaughter Addie. Addie was being watched by their child minder Melanie while Rachel was at work. Two weeks ago today, Rachel picked up Addie and hung out for the evening with Melanie. The next day Melanie was in emergency, unable to breathe. She was diagnosed with COVID-19. A week later, Rachel and Addie are fine. They say that symptoms generally show up in 1-7 days, although it can be as much as two weeks. SO, just being in that close proximity does not guarantee getting it, or getting it badly.

Lynnie
 
Thank you all. My life is always a finely juggled balance beam. The recent stuff has just tipped me over the edge. So many changes and stresses all at once.

My moms long long term health centre called today. I almost had a heart attack when caller id showed up. It was good news. They are trying to set up Skype for the patients and their families. My daughter will help me with that. Lynnie .... you and I definitely should. Carla your hugs are fantastic.
 
Maybe what I will do is set up a zoom so we can all support each other - and you and I can have a quiet little chat also! Wouldn't that be amazing.
 
For me, I think the bright light in all of this is that we have a wonderful governor in our state that is making it feel like everything is going to be okay. He does a daily press conference every day at the same time (5pm) and having that as a part of our routine is something that is at least helping to have some kind of regularity in our lives right now.

We have a lot of restrictions here at this time (who doesn't) but I was really sitting there thinking about it earlier today and though ours are much the same as those in other states, he has worded them differently such that I can honestly see that it isn't what you say but how you say it that makes all the difference.

Kids are having "spring break" this coming week but nothing at all is how we thought it would be. My nieces were supposed to be coming down from Indiana for the week but they aren't able to for obvious reasons. Kathryn was supposed to be going to NYC with the band but that isn't happening either. But, luckily the weather is getting better and out here on the farm we are socially distant so we will be doing some exploring and walking. Nothing really spectacular, but quality time as a family.
 
I haven't always been particularly impressed with our governor, Dorann, but he's doing a great job during this crisis too. He speaks to us daily at 2pm and right now he's in self-quarantine so it's a video conference! When he finally announced the lock-down, he was quite detailed in WHY it was critical to do it now. Although the numbers were scary, it was good to hear/see the numbers first hand to know what we were up against if we did or did not take action.

Lynnie! We did a Zoom video "lunch" with a couple friends from work yesterday. They're ladies who do my job in different districts so we don't see each other often anyway and we missed each other even more. It was quite fun! I'm in if you decide to do something. I'm in MN, CST. I'm up from 7am to 10pm.

Don't have much else new or different, so...

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. God Bless.
 
Just a piece of good news. We got a text last night from our daugher in the Seattle area. She sent a photo of our grandson and his new finance. They just got engaged yesterday. Life does have it's good times. We have been in more contact with our children this year. I have told my children for a long time that our 50th wedding anniversary is coming up and I would like to do something. It is this year. I have told them we might just have to reschedule it for another year. But that is minor compared to all the things going on right now.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top