Chit-Chat: What's On Your Mind Today?

[Bastet]

15 minutes ago, Minivanessa said:

Hope that's not an objectionable story. 

No, it's a lovely one.

[isalicat]

All this talk of ironing makes me sentimental! Because although I have never actually ironed an item of clothing (being a hippie girl meant not really wearing stuff that needed ironing, and then once I "graduated" into business attire, I gravitated towards suits with blouses made of non-wrinkable material, and now nothing I own really needs to be ironed), I did have an iron because I was a fanatical cross country skier for 25 years and you use an iron to put wax on the bottom of your cross country skis for maximum glide. 😸

(I so miss being able to ski out my front door in the winter...no snow at all where I live now although it is still beautiful, just in a completely different way.)

[Absolom]

5 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

We went on a cruise with my cousin and her husband.  We were all doing laundry in the hallway laundry room.  My cousin lost a dollar in the dispenser machine and didn't get her little box of fabric softener.  She was having a tantrum for an hour.  She said she needed soft undies.  That is a direct quote. 

She may learn as she ages the chemicals and perfumes in the softener can irritate sensitive areas and that is a condition no one wants.  It can take weeks to go away even using no softener at all.

[Dimity]

It's thundering outside right now and it's so bad it sounds like what I imagine bombing must sound like.  Damn scary.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Minivanessa said:

Hope that's not an objectionable story. 

To me it's a lovely story, and my Mom died during the pandemic.

[EtheltoTillie]

that was a lovely bittersweet story, @Minivanessa  it’s hard to remember the uncertainty we were going through at that time about exposing others to the virus or being infected. Any aide workers who continued traveling to care for their elderly patients were doing yeoman service. 

[JustHereForFood]

9 hours ago, Ancaster said:

And please tell me I'm not the only dirty European who doesn't change their sheets every week?  ("I took a bath last year even though I didn't really need it.")

I change them every other week. I didn't even know what is the norm. We don't have a drier and I have space for just one wash per day to hang and dry (my peeve is when the weather is such that it takes more than 24 hours for the clothes to dry). I change my towels almost every day though.

[Yeah No]

13 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Yes, I second pulling the trigger on hiring housekeeping help.  I do have help.  We started hiring help many years ago.  It saved us from fighting over something neither of us wanted to do or had the time to do.  There's still daily upkeep (e.g., cleaning after meals) and laundry.  I also like tackling a bigger task where you see results, like cleaning out the refrigerator. 

I had housekeeping help for over a decade but lost it over the pandemic. A man my husband worked with did odd jobs and helped us with handy-work around the house. It grew to include heavy cleaning like floors, windows, bathrooms, dusting etc. His prices were unbeatable. Unfortunately during the pandemic we didn't see him much. We had him help us clear out our garage a couple of times and put in a toilet but otherwise we didn't have him over because we knew he lived with his young adult daughter who was always with friends even though her father was high risk.

He eventually did get Covid and was hospitalized. He got all the drugs and survived, thankfully, but he generally did not come through the pandemic very well. I've written here about two friends that aren't taking care of themselves - he is one of them. Unfortunately he had eldercare issues with his mother-in-law and subsequent family stress over her estate when she died (they got nothing for many reasons). In the meantime he didn't take care of his health and gained a ton of weight, then his car broke down and he doesn't have the money for a new one, so now his daughter has to drive him everywhere. Plus in addition to his weight and medical issues he's 64 now so he's not up to a lot of the heavy work he used to do. My friends used to be jealous of me because I had him. Now I don't and I'm worried about him too!

So anyway, for the past 4 years my husband and I have struggled with doing these chores ourselves. He works part time so he's not around to do much of it, especially in the Summer and Fall, so I end up with most of it for at least half the year. I don't have the energy for it I used to, especially given that I have to keep up my aerobic exercise to keep from gaining weight and I shop and cook for most of our food. I only have so much energy anymore. How did I used to do it all? LOL

I wish I had the money to afford a professional cleaning service but it's frightfully expensive and I'd have to go back to work to justify it and that's not happening. Maybe when I start collecting SS. I'll have to see. I have never had professional cleaning and my parents never did either despite the fact that my mother worked full time and went to school at night for many years. She struggled with this too especially because my father was not big on doing cleaning himself even though he supported her having work outside the home. He did have a friend that did his cleaning after my mom died, though, and thank goodness for that! She was to him what that friend was to me. Fortunately he had her until he died. I have no one to replace our friend. So it's an ongoing issue for me.

[Yeah No]

12 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I loathe the cling too, but I get eczema and migraines if there's any perfumes in the laundry products, so I had to give up the dryer sheets when the fragrance-free sheets were no longer fragrance-free. 

I have become sensitive to a lot of fragrances so I have this issue too. And I get eczema from fragrances in laundry detergent too only fortunately only in a small area on the back of my neck/behind one ear. Although I don't have trouble with fragrance-free dryer sheets but I use the Aldi ones so maybe they're different? Or maybe I'm just not sensitive to that.

12 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Sensitivity to smells does seem to increase with age for those of us so afflicted. 
The one of my 3 daughters who had children is now sensitive to perfumes. I have a theory that it has something to do with sharing the blood through the placenta of another person with differently triggered histamines etc.

Yes, I didn't used to be sensitive to fragrance and this happened to my mother too, so it's definitely hereditary in some way. 

I guess we're lucky that a lot of products come in fragrance free versions today or this would be an even bigger annoyance. 

[shapeshifter]

13 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

I have become sensitive to a lot of fragrances so I have this issue too. And I get eczema from fragrances in laundry detergent too only fortunately only in a small area on the back of my neck/behind one ear. Although I don't have trouble with fragrance-free dryer sheets but I use the Aldi ones so maybe they're different? Or maybe I'm just not sensitive to that.

Yes, I didn't used to be sensitive to fragrance and this happened to my mother too, so it's definitely hereditary in some way. 

I guess we're lucky that a lot of products come in fragrance free versions today or this would be an even bigger annoyance. 

I expect eventually the chemicals used in (artificial?) fragrances will be identified as toxic and either banned or regulated, much like nicotine.
I think in Oregon, fragrance-free zones were established quite a while ago, but I don’t know if they still exist.

And then there’s microplastics.

[Anduin]

I have an odd request. Someone might know where to find a list of plants from across the African equator. It's for a story I'm writing. Of course I tried searching, and Wikipedia. Neither of those were much help. So, anyone have an idea?

[ginger90]

1 hour ago, Anduin said:

I have an odd request. Someone might know where to find a list of plants from across the African equator. It's for a story I'm writing. Of course I tried searching, and Wikipedia. Neither of those were much help. So, anyone have an idea?

Try researchgate.net

[bluegirl147]

20 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

On the nights I will be getting into freshly clean sheets, I take a bath before slipping on some freshly laundered PJs.

Also slipping into a freshly made bed after shaving your legs is heaven.

 

[Ohiopirate02]

40 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Also slipping into a freshly made bed after shaving your legs is heaven.

 

Yes it is. I almost mentioned that in my post, but didn't because I do not really have a set schedule for shaving my legs like I do with washing my sheets. Shaving happens when it needs to happen.

[Anduin]

2 hours ago, ginger90 said:

Try researchgate.net

I don't bloody want to join yet another site just for the chance of getting what I want. I get enough spam as it is.

[Browncoat]

3 hours ago, Anduin said:

I have an odd request. Someone might know where to find a list of plants from across the African equator. It's for a story I'm writing. Of course I tried searching, and Wikipedia. Neither of those were much help. So, anyone have an idea?

Would this help?

https://africanplantdatabase.ch/

It looks like you can search by country, too.

Oh, wait, I don't think it has common names, so maybe not as helpful.

Edited June 27 by Browncoat

[Anduin]

16 minutes ago, Browncoat said:

Would this help?

https://africanplantdatabase.ch/

It looks like you can search by country, too.

Oh, wait, I don't think it has common names, so maybe not as helpful.

Yes! That looks really helpful, thanks!

[ABay]

You could try some of the AIs like Gemini, Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, etc. They're a good starting point, like Wikipedia, and you can refine your questions as you go along.

[Browncoat]

Man, you know it's been hot when the weather reader says, "It'll be cooler today, with highs only near 90."

[annzeepark914]

39 minutes ago, Browncoat said:

Man, you know it's been hot when the weather reader says, "It'll be cooler today, with highs only near 90."

It's not oven-like today but it's a bit humid. Counting the days until late September 🥵

[Dimity]

Today is the last day of school for the public schools in my area.  Anyone else still remember that glorious last day of school feeling?  I know I do.  With the added grown up feeling though of realizing just how short summer actually is (as a kid I felt like it could last forever).  I give it two weeks (tops!) and the stores will be starting the back to school sales!

[annzeepark914]

🎶School bells ring and children sing, it's back to Robert Hall again🎶.  Whenever I'd hear that singing ad start, in mid-August, I'd run to turn off the radio 😁 

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

Today is the last day of school for the public schools in my area.  Anyone else still remember that glorious last day of school feeling?  I know I do.  With the added grown up feeling though of realizing just how short summer actually is (as a kid I felt like it could last forever).  I give it two weeks (tops!) and the stores will be starting the back to school sales!

Great for the kids, not so great for the parents.  It's the last day for public schools here too (you're in Ontario, correct?  I think it's province-wide), but most private schools have been out since mid-month.  My son is at camp this week and since I'm recovering from surgery, he's basically stuck in town all summer.  I think the number of weeks we have him at day camp is more than a typical vacation would cost! 

[Quof]

Staples in Canada runs a great ad campaign for Back to School sales - parents (well, moms) skipping merrily with carts of school supplies while "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" plays.  

[PRgal]

9 minutes ago, Quof said:

Staples in Canada runs a great ad campaign for Back to School sales - parents (well, moms) skipping merrily with carts of school supplies while "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" plays.  

That's been going on for eons, hasn't it?  Even back in the day when it was called Business Depot?  It used to feature a dad throwing/dropping school supplies into a shopping cart.  At least it did in the 90s when I was in high school.

[Dimity]

15 minutes ago, PRgal said:

Great for the kids, not so great for the parents.

I was looking for a meme or cartoon of some kind to send to my grandson to mark the day and it was funny how many memes there are out there with teachers running giddily through the schools and, alternatively, parents glumly downing a bottle of wine!

Edited June 27 by Dimity

[oliviabenson]

Public school ended 6/26 here. 

[oliviabenson]

Well I woke up sick as a dog today. I think it’s the AC and me drinking everything cold.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, oliviabenson said:

Well I woke up sick as a dog today. I think it’s the AC and me drinking everything cold.

Sorry if I'm just being a busybody, but I replied to you here: 
forums.primetimer.com/topic/138201-health-and-wellness-chit-chat-your-primary-care-topic/?do=findComment&comment=8402140

 

[oliviabenson]

34 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Sorry if I'm just being a busybody, but I replied to you here: 
forums.primetimer.com/topic/138201-health-and-wellness-chit-chat-your-primary-care-topic/?do=findComment&comment=8402140

 

I’m way under 65. 

[isalicat]

3 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Well I woke up sick as a dog today. I think it’s the AC and me drinking everything cold.

Sorry to hear that, but if it is a virus (most likely? unless your symptoms suggest something bacterial like food poisoning), you can't get sick from AC or drinking cold anything...its all about your immune system and a virus that you have never had previously. And AC and drinking cold beverages don't weaken your immune system (so much for the old "you'll get pneumonia" trope which was thrown at kids forgetting their jackets and such)...its a combination of genetics, diet and overall inflammatory response. The good thing: you will never get this particular virus again!

[PRgal]

18 minutes ago, isalicat said:

Sorry to hear that, but if it is a virus (most likely? unless your symptoms suggest something bacterial like food poisoning), you can't get sick from AC or drinking cold anything...its all about your immune system and a virus that you have never had previously. And AC and drinking cold beverages don't weaken your immune system (so much for the old "you'll get pneumonia" trope which was thrown at kids forgetting their jackets and such)...its a combination of genetics, diet and overall inflammatory response. The good thing: you will never get this particular virus again!

I think my immigrant grandmother was the only person I knew who thought you could get sick from eating cold food, etc...

[Yeah No]

5 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Well I woke up sick as a dog today. I think it’s the AC and me drinking everything cold.

Taking my reply to this to the Health and Wellness thread here:

 

Edited June 28 by Yeah No

[EtheltoTillie]

Did y'all see that the Primetimer editorial content is ending as of today!?  The forums will remain up, but how long? 

[Anduin]

10 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Did y'all see that the Primetimer editorial content is ending as of today!?  The forums will remain up, but how long? 

I haven't been to the homepage in some years. I have the forums directly bookmarked. Second link along, just after weather.

[shapeshifter]

34 minutes ago, EtheltoTillie said:

Did y'all see that the Primetimer editorial content is ending as of today!?  The forums will remain up, but how long? 

Oddly, I was less alarmed by that reddish-header announcement than I might otherwise have been because I was seemingly "immunized" against possible PrimeTimer demise by last night's unmentionable disaster seen live on national TV,* as well as news of a neighbor's likely imminent death,* and a stressful dealing with my local healthcare system.* 
I guess "all things in perspective," right?

----------------

* just wanted to acknowledge that I'm aware that all 3 starred items are off-topic to further discussion here

Edited June 28 by shapeshifter

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, Anduin said:

I haven't been to the homepage in some years.

I've never been.  I'm just here for the forums (same as at TWoP, although I read a few recaps there), so come directly to them.

[annzeepark914]

Is there another forum we could go to IF the worst happens and this site shuts down? I sure hope it doesn't as I've enjoyed reading and learning about stuff from you all 😊.

[EtheltoTillie]

1 hour ago, Bastet said:

I've never been.  I'm just here for the forums (same as at TWoP, although I read a few recaps there), so come directly to them.

Same, but if you read the explanation it makes the whole future of the site seem dire. 

[PRgal]

I’m mostly here for the non-TV boards, though you’ll find me on Bridgerton whenever a new season drops.  I spent time in The Crown boards too, but that’s over now.  

[shapeshifter]

It would be nice if we get 30 days notice.
Y'know, like when you're evicted. 
I was evicted twice when my rental was sold, and another time when the landlord sold his own house and needed the rental.
Three times in my artist/hippie days when I was given permission to stay somewhere, I was later told to leave with no notice. I suppose since we don't pay to be here, it will be more like that.

[annzeepark914]

At the top of the page under the red banner, CM-BlueButterfly said, on 6/26, the forums are here to stay. ????

[shapeshifter]

2 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

At the top of the page under the red banner, CM-BlueButterfly said, on 6/26, the forums are here to stay. ????

Yeah, but we've mostly? all been around this block a few times, and, in the past, when someone feels it necessary to announce a message board will not be going away, it's the beginning of the end. 

It's gotta be a pretty thankless task herding us cats, and I don't think there's much money in it.

[Absolom]

It's the internet and nothing lasts forever so six months maybe?  I don't think the site makes money and it's probably dependent on the ads bringing in enough to pay the server bill.  I doubt the owner wants to pay for our playground.  

[Yeah No]

4 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Oddly, I was less alarmed by that reddish-header announcement than I might otherwise have been because I was seemingly "immunized" against possible PrimeTimer demise by last night's unmentionable disaster seen live on national TV,* as well as news of a neighbor's likely imminent death,* and a stressful dealing with my local healthcare system.* 
I guess "all things in perspective," right?

----------------

* just wanted to acknowledge that I'm aware that all 3 starred items are off-topic to further discussion here

I hear you, I'm dealing with my own set of blows in that my cruise, which is leaving tomorrow from Brooklyn, has been delayed getting into port for 4 hours at the last minute and we couldn't reschedule our limo. for later on such short notice, so now we have to hang out down there at the terminal for hours unless they let us check our bags and maybe we can find a cab to take us somewhere for lunch. And judging from the YouTubes we watched it's not the easiest place to do any of that. The cruise line sent us an email this evening telling us NOT to arrive early and to get there 2 hours later than we were supposed to, so I have a feeling we're going to be stuck there for a while. There aren't many seats but thankfully I bought a telescopic camping chair just in case.

Add to that the disaster of last night that we can't talk about here to this news about the site and my worrying about seasickness, I could be in a better frame of mind to go on what is supposed to be an exciting vacation. I don't know how much I will be able to log on here while I'm away so if you don't see me for a while you'll know I have hopefully not dropped off the face of the earth, have resolved my issues, and am not puking my guts up, and that all my ginger, patches and sea bands are working.

I really hope you are all still here when I get back online. If not there are always the Primetimer threads over on Reddit where we can reconnect and maybe figure something else out.

Take care, everyone!

[Cloud9Shopper]

 

3 hours ago, annzeepark914 said:

Is there another forum we could go to IF the worst happens and this site shuts down? I sure hope it doesn't as I've enjoyed reading and learning about stuff from you all 😊.

We could start a Discord? That seems to be where a lot of groups are headed these days! It would have to be huge, though, for all the different shows and off-topic channels. I’m not sure if it would logistically work. I miss the message boards of old.

What I came here to ask:

Has anyone ever spent a holiday alone? How did you not be depressed and bummed about it?

I’m probably going to be alone for 4th of July. My mom and stepdad will be out of town and I have to dog sit. My one dog is terrified of fireworks (we’ll have plenty of ways to generate noise so she’ll be OK) and I may go watch fireworks but then I’d have to leave her for a little bit. I also am likely not going to be invited to anyone’s barbecue/pool party/etc. It’ll no doubt be a bummer to look at pictures of everyone else having fun in groups and at parties while I watch fireworks alone. Maybe.

It’s not as bad as spending Christmas or Thanksgiving alone would be (and my mom hates going away on those holidays; she once went on a cruise over Thanksgiving and said never again), but it does bother me to be alone on a holiday when mostly everyone else is at a party or spending time with friends and family. If you’ve ever spent any holiday alone (or know someone who has), what tips do you have to get past it? 

[annzeepark914]

25 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

I hear you, I'm dealing with my own set of blows in that my cruise, which is leaving tomorrow from Brooklyn, has been delayed getting into port for 4 hours at the last minute and we couldn't reschedule our limo. for later on such short notice, so now we have to hang out down there at the terminal for hours unless they let us check our bags and maybe we can find a cab to take us somewhere for lunch. And judging from the YouTubes we watched it's not the easiest place to do any of that. The cruise line sent us an email this evening telling us NOT to arrive early and to get there 2 hours later than we were supposed to, so I have a feeling we're going to be stuck there for a while. There aren't many seats but thankfully I bought a telescopic camping chair just in case.

Add to that the disaster of last night that we can't talk about here to this news about the site and my worrying about seasickness, I could be in a better frame of mind to go on what is supposed to be an exciting vacation. I don't know how much I will be able to log on here while I'm away so if you don't see me for a while you'll know I have hopefully not dropped off the face of the earth, have resolved my issues, and am not puking my guts up, and that all my ginger, patches and sea bands are working.

I really hope you are all still here when I get back online. If not there are always the Primetimer threads over on Reddit where we can reconnect and maybe figure something else out.

Take care, everyone!

Wow. A lot of folks are going to be in the same boat (🥴), having to wait. I hope you can somehow check your luggage & find a place to eat.  The Internet is expensive on cruises (well, the way my husband grouses about my usage makes it feel that way). But I like to feel connected. Bon voyage and may it be a calm, fun cruise!

@Cloud9Shopper I treated the holidays when I was alone as just another day of the week and didn't pay any attention to anything holiday-ish. Watch some good movies. Order delivery from a new place. 

[StatisticalOutlier]

25 minutes ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

It’ll no doubt be a bummer to look at pictures of everyone else having fun in groups and at parties while I watch fireworks alone

Then don't look at the pictures.

[Anela]

26 minutes ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

 

We could start a Discord? That seems to be where a lot of groups are headed these days! It would have to be huge, though, for all the different shows and off-topic channels. I’m not sure if it would logistically work. I miss the message boards of old.

What I came here to ask:

Has anyone ever spent a holiday alone? How did you not be depressed and bummed about it?

I’m probably going to be alone for 4th of July. My mom and stepdad will be out of town and I have to dog sit. My one dog is terrified of fireworks (we’ll have plenty of ways to generate noise so she’ll be OK) and I may go watch fireworks but then I’d have to leave her for a little bit. I also am likely not going to be invited to anyone’s barbecue/pool party/etc. It’ll no doubt be a bummer to look at pictures of everyone else having fun in groups and at parties while I watch fireworks alone. Maybe.

It’s not as bad as spending Christmas or Thanksgiving alone would be (and my mom hates going away on those holidays; she once went on a cruise over Thanksgiving and said never again), but it does bother me to be alone on a holiday when mostly everyone else is at a party or spending time with friends and family. If you’ve ever spent any holiday alone (or know someone who has), what tips do you have to get past it? 

Dad told me tonight, that he’s working July 4th, which upset me. He said that it should be a light day, but it still bothers me.  He doesn’t get weekends off anymore, and now they’re taking holidays.  

Edited June 29 by Anela

[Yeah No]

53 minutes ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

It’s not as bad as spending Christmas or Thanksgiving alone would be (and my mom hates going away on those holidays; she once went on a cruise over Thanksgiving and said never again), but it does bother me to be alone on a holiday when mostly everyone else is at a party or spending time with friends and family. If you’ve ever spent any holiday alone (or know someone who has), what tips do you have to get past it? 

I once spent Thanksgiving alone. I had a really bad flu. It was just me and my turkey TV dinner.  I was miserable. My advice is forget it's a holiday and just go about your life like it's any other day. If you need to get groceries, go shopping, it'll make you feel like it's just a normal day and it will pass the time.  Also, stay in touch with whoever you can. Hopefully they'll feel sorry for you and make time for a call or messaging. My Thanksgiving was before cell phones but my phone rang off the hook as people found out and felt sorry for me. So spread the word and maybe with any luck you'll hear from people. But don't count on it and just keep busy and the day will pass in no time.

47 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

Wow. A lot of folks are going to be in the same boat (🥴), having to wait. I hope you can somehow check your luggage & find a place to eat.  The Internet is expensive on cruises (well, the way my husband grouses about my usage makes it feel that way). But I like to feel connected. Bon voyage and may it be a calm, fun cruise!

Thank you!  I hope the stress gets itself out of the way early and the rest of it is "smooth sailing". I will buy internet maybe one day if I really need it but thankfully the ship has two rooms with several public terminals if I really need to use them.  And I might as our friend is house sitting for us and I'm sure we'll want to be in touch with him just to find out how everything is going.  OK, goodnight!