Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[SMama]

I wanted to clarify my proof of life statement. I have yet to to hear my bio mother's voice. My cousin who lives in Atlanta, called his sister in Ponce via landline. She informed him that my mother and her husband made it to her house in Ponce after the hurricane hit. I told my husband I expected her to do that because all I remember is her always serving the community (retired NP, and midwife with a masters).  So it went from cousin E, to his sister G, to my bio brother, to his daughter, then to me. My cousin's landline is no longer working. I have yet to hear my mother's voice. I should not be complaining, but hearing fourth hand that she is alive is not the same as hearing her voice. We need to know what they need, how they are really doing.

We promised our daughter she would travel to PR next year during spring break to see her Abus. We have no idea if Juana Diaz will have electricity. Sorry to be such a lightweight, but I'm in a really bad place right now.

Edited October 5, 2017 by SMama

[latetotheparty]

27 minutes ago, SMama said:

I wanted to clarify my proof of life statement. I have yet to to hear my bio mother's voice. My cousin who lives in Atlanta, called his sister in Ponce via landline. She informed him that my mother and her husband made it to her house in Ponce after the hurricane hit. I told my husband I expected her to do that because all I remember is her always serving the community (retired NP, and midwife with a masters).  So it went from cousin E, to his sister G, to my bio brother, to his daughter, then to me. My cousin's landline is no longer working. I have yet to hear my mother's voice. I should not be complaining, but hearing fourth hand that she is alive is not the same as hearing her voice. We need to know what they need, how they are really doing.

We promised our daughter she would travel to PR next year during spring break to see her Abus. We have no idea if Juana Diaz will have electricity. Sorry to be such a lightweight, but I'm in a really bad place right now.

Very understandably. I'm glad you feel you can vent here. ???

[Arwen Evenstar]

2 hours ago, SMama said:

We promised our daughter she would travel to PR next year during spring break to see her Abus. We have no idea if Juana Diaz will have electricity. Sorry to be such a lightweight, but I'm in a really bad place right now.

@SMama, so sorry to hear of your sadness.  This whole PR disaster has been heartbreaking for those of us from there or married to someone from there or with family there.  

Land lines in Ponce are working somewhat.  My SIL lives about a mile  from the Cemex plant in Ponce and her cell is working.  Hubs spoke with her for a while last night, dropped, and was able to reconnect.  Hopefully, connectivity will improve, but people are driving to where the signals are to get one. Just letting you know there's some improvement, though teeny. 

But, hearing from your mom 4th hand isn't hearing her voice. It's not the same.  

According to SIL, Ponce looks like a war zone. Some parts of town got hit harder than others.  Hopefully, you will hear soon. 

[Love2dance]

@SMama, any of us would feel the same agonizing anxiety until we could actually talk to our loved ones. I hope this will change for you soon; but meanwhile, I hope you find some comfort from knowing others say they are safe.

[SMama]

I am up at 2:34 a.m. PT, just saw on CNN that a military helicopter reached Lares. I'm crying like an idiot and hoping @ChiCricket's family got the much needed supplies.

My mother was always big on helping with her medical things. I honestly can see her not worry that two of her three surviving children live in CA.  Still, I worry. My husband is commiited to a spring break family (GAG) trip.

[GeeGolly]

So sorry @Marigold 

National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255

Australian Lifeline: 13 11 12 (?)

Most areas have a local Crisis line as well: Western Massachusetts: 733-6661

Thoughts of safety and quick recovery for all those effected by the hurricanes.

[Rabbittron]

I haven't been on the free Jinger website in a while and I noticed that everything that was on it does not relate to the Duggars boy now I have free time so I don't have to go back to that site

[Absolom]

Did you miss the whole Duggar subforum?

[Rabbittron]

34 minutes ago, Absolom said:

Did you miss the whole Duggar subforum?

No read it all and most of them ended up going on tangents. 

[ChiCricket]

7 hours ago, SMama said:

I am up at 2:34 a.m. PT, just saw on CNN that a military helicopter reached Lares. I'm crying like an idiot and hoping @ChiCricket's family got the much needed supplies.

My mother was always big on helping with her medical things. I honestly can see her not worry that two of her three surviving children live in CA.  Still, I worry. My husband is commiited to a spring break family (GAG) trip.

Thank you! Still haven't been able to talk to my husband's relatives. I'm worried all the aid will stay in the city of Lares itself, and not get sent out into the boonies up the mountain, where most of my husband's family lives (many elderly with no transportation.)

  For anyone else having trouble with Fema applications, watch this video:

 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155220988208655&id=108679513654

[Catfin]

Las Vegas EAP resource for anyone needing it. No charge. Optum/UHG : http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/Newsroom/Articles/Feed/UnitedHealth Group/2017/1002SupportMassShootingLasVegas.aspx

[Marigold]

9 hours ago, Rabbittron said:

No read it all and most of them ended up going on tangents. 

A LOT of off topic conversations that go on for pages and pages!!! 

[Sew Sumi]

The OT tangents (they have a word for it) drive me nuts. I don't need 15 pages on breastfeding pros and cons when I want the latest dirt on Smuggar. That's why I stick around here. Sorry ladies (and Koka), you're stuck with me. 

[Absolom]

Yes, the "thread drift" that takes over entire threads looks more like thread derailment.  It's kind of why I'm here also.  Just give me the facts and let me move on.  I thought the OP might have missed the Duggar section among the clutter.

[AUgirl]

Everyone there is so intense (I don't know a better description). Here everyone is pretty laid back and although there may be differing opinions and views everyone seems to pretty much get along.  

There I feel like if you have an opinion that's not popular 3,000 pages will be devoted to why you are wrong and those in disagreement right. 

I just would rather "hang out" with the posters here. 

[Marshmallow Mollie]

I love me some Internet drama, but FJ was too much for me. I even tried again, but no dice. 

[doodlebug]

I hung out at Free Jinjer a few years back, even before they moved the site, but, like others here, got tired of all the off-topic nonsense that cluttered the threads.  I much prefer a site like this which is moderated well to prevent thread drift and having an off-topic thread like the Prayer Closet here gives us the chance to carry on anything OT so it doesn't clog the episode threads.

[bigskygirl]

UGH!!! Patiently *lol* waiting for the phone company tech to arrive to see what the heck is going on with our land line and internet service. We brought a new phone last week, but we still are having problems. The phone says line in use, but no dial tone and cannot receive or make calls. This has been going on since mid July. I guess something is wrong with the phone box outside. It has been a week since I called them to see what the heck is going on. I guess I live in a rural area which makes it hard to get a tech to come out sooner. *lol*

[bigskygirl]

Darn it! The telephone company tech did not come yesterday due to getting behind on his repair orders. I wonder if some heathen hussy was tempting him, so he had to wait for a female relative to show up to go with him on his repair jobs to keep him from being tempted and lured away by a hussy and her evil ways. I guess I need to start praying harder and reading the bible in order to get him to repair my phone and internet problems.

[Westiepeach]

4 minutes ago, bigskygirl said:

Darn it! The telephone company tech did not come yesterday due to getting behind on his repair orders. I wonder if some heathen hussy was tempting him, so he had to wait for a female relative to show up to go with him on his repair jobs to keep him from being tempted and lured away by a hussy and her evil ways. I guess I need to start praying harder and reading the bible in order to get him to repair my phone and internet problems.

Or post random bible verses on Twitter.

[bigskygirl]

12 minutes ago, Westiepeach said:

Or post random bible verses on Twitter.

Ha! I could beat Dwerp at his game!

[zoomama]

so, more bad news around here. northern cali is under seige with fires - one entire whole community of homes is gone...just gone.  i heard something like 200,000 acres up there.  we had a fire  yesterday (still burning) that was about 40 minutes from here that was in my hometown. it was insane.  7500 acres so far.  as a believer in the Lord and the Bible,  i see hurricanes, tornadoes,  earthquakes worldwide; many states here in the U.S. burning away and then crazy shooters killing people all in a fairly short window of time and i have to wonder if this is the beginning of the end times. frankly, it makes me nervous.  not nervous for me, but just nervous in general.  i am not derrick, but i do have to really say that things are looking pretty gloomy. 

[Jynnan tonnix]

55 minutes ago, zoomama said:

so, more bad news around here. northern cali is under seige with fires - one entire whole community of homes is gone...just gone.  i heard something like 200,000 acres up there.  we had a fire  yesterday (still burning) that was about 40 minutes from here that was in my hometown. it was insane.  7500 acres so far.  as a believer in the Lord and the Bible,  i see hurricanes, tornadoes,  earthquakes worldwide; many states here in the U.S. burning away and then crazy shooters killing people all in a fairly short window of time and i have to wonder if this is the beginning of the end times. frankly, it makes me nervous.  not nervous for me, but just nervous in general.  i am not derrick, but i do have to really say that things are looking pretty gloomy. 

I'm an atheist, and just as nervous...because given the current political climate, global warming (which exacerbates a lot of other things), not to mention that the planet is probably overdue for a major asteroid hit or an eruption of something on the scale of the whole of the Yellowstone caldera...it would not take the act of any sort of god to wipe us out.

Edited October 10, 2017 by Jynnan tonnix

[ariel]

Some believe the anti-Christ has shown up...

[Arwen Evenstar]

5 minutes ago, ariel said:

Some believe the anti-Christ has shown up...

So tempted to say something pithy, but I'd get a mod slap, so I don't dare.  Wine and tapas anyone?

[ariel]

2 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

So tempted to say something pithy, but I'd get a mod slap, so I don't dare.  Wine and tapas anyone?

Thanks, I can use some wine & tapas.

[crazycatlady58]

54 minutes ago, ariel said:

Some believe the anti-Christ has shown up...

Yes but the divide on whom that is will  be very wide.

Edited October 10, 2017 by crazycatlady58

[ariel]

1 hour ago, crazycatlady58 said:

Yes but the divide on whom that is will  be very wide.

I don't have a clue of what that means? 

[Jynnan tonnix]

29 minutes ago, ariel said:

I don't have a clue of what that means? 

No one does which I would hazard a guess is the meaning....so many theories on both the theist and atheist camps on where the greatest danger lies. But I'll take Arwen's wine and tapas any day <3 (that's a heart!)

[crazycatlady58]

Some people  will  think the anti  Christ will be a leader  on one side others will think it is some on the other side. People  will think the Anti-Christ  is someone  who disagrees   with them.

Not sure about the tapas  and I cannot drink alcohol  but I can make a mean  dip.

[Arwen Evenstar]

2 hours ago, crazycatlady58 said:

Yes but the divide on whom that is will  be very wide.

Yes it is, my dear, being that right now, there are several prople one might rightly suspect of being the AntiChrist. No shortage of evil people out there.

[crazycatlady58]

6 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Yes it is, my dear, being that right now, there are several prople one might rightly suspect of being the AntiChrist. No shortage of evil people out there.

That is true, and that is way the world  is so scary  right  now.

[Arwen Evenstar]

3 minutes ago, crazycatlady58 said:

 

Not sure about the tapas  and I cannot drink alcohol  but I can make a mean  dip.

Tapas are just tasty little mini meals popular in Spanish cuisine.  They can be made from any meat or vegetable.  Small plates one may share with those at the table or you have your own if very small or not easy to share. It can be as simple as cheese and olives. Or a baked goat cheese with tomato sauce, or pinchos (grilled meat on a stick), small piece of fish with olive oil...plenty of choices.   

Alcohol consumption is not required to enjoy tapas .  I can't partake due to chemo.  I feel my liver has enough to do right now.  Feel free to BYOB your favorite beverage. 

[Jynnan tonnix]

8 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Tapas are just tasty little mini meals popular in Spanish cuisine.  They can be made from any meat or vegetable.  Small plates one may share with those at the table or you have your own on tapas very small or not easy to share. It can be as simple as cheese and olives. Or a baked goat cheese with tomato sauce, or pinchos (grilled meat on a stick), small piece of fish with olive oil...plenty of choices.   

Alcohol consumption is not required to enjoy tapas .  I can't partake due to chemo.  I feel my liver has enough to do right now.  Feel free to BYOB your favorite beverage. 

In other words , aside from certain restrictions, one could live forever on tapas and never get bored!

Edited October 11, 2017 by Jynnan tonnix

[Arwen Evenstar]

In Spain, some tapas places let you pick your own.  You see something that looks good, you pick it up like an hors d'ôeurve. When it's time to pay, count the toothpicks. 

Since you live near Houston, a visit to Mi Luna would be a great experience for you. It's in the Rice Village.  Try to get there early in the afternoon since parking in Rice Village isn't free anymore, but there are free spaces open near the restaurant.  Happy hour prices are available on some items, and no, you don't have to order alcohol to get prices.  It used to be free to park there, until recently. It's almost impossible to find a parking spot, even for pay, during evening dinner hours.

Edited October 11, 2017 by Arwen Evenstar

[Arwen Evenstar]

My husband loves the sardines prepared escabeche.  They are good, but post chemo, I might be inclined to let him enjoy it by himself.  Puerto Ricans definitely have their own culture, but many of them identify with their Spanish heritage as well. I've had tapas in Old San Juan, and they throw in some authentically Puerto Rican plates along with traditional Spanish fare.

[Jynnan tonnix]

9 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

My husband loves the sardines prepared escabeche.  They are good, but post chemo, I might be inclined to let him enjoy it by himself.  Puerto Ricans definitely have their own culture, but many of them identify with their Spanish heritage as well. I've had tapas in Old San Juan, and they throw in some authentically Puerto Rican plates along with traditional Spanish fare.

Just ike my daughter, post her first trimester of pregnancy, is trying to work out which previous favorites she will be able to work up an appetite for at some point again..

[crazycatlady58]

Taps a sound  great. I need to get out more  and watch more than " The Pioneer  Women" on food network . 

31 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

In Spain, some tapas places let you pick your own.  You see something that looks good, you pick it up like an hors d'ôeurve. When it's time to pay, count the toothpicks. 

Since you live near Houston, a visit to Mi Luna would be a great experience for you. It's in the Rice Village.  Try to get there early in the afternoon since parking in Rice Village isn't free anymore, but there are free spaces open near the restaurant.  Happy hour prices are available on some items, and no, you don't have to order alcohol to get prices.  It used to be free to park there, until recently. It's almost impossible to find a parking spot, even for pay, during evening dinner hours.

If I ever get a car again I will try them . I am hoping I will not be walking  forever.

[Marshmallow Mollie]

Coming over from another thread to say we have a newly renovated Aldi, a new Aldi, a Lidl  (!!!!), and a Publix that all opened within weeks of each other. Grocery store wars is happening and I am loving it. Food Lion is still my go-to store, and they have dropped their prices to compete. It is awesome! We have a Harris Teeter gas station opening soon, so even more competition!

[lookeyloo]

We have an Aldi preparing to undergo a renovation because a Lidl is going up about half a mile away. Also in the same area are a Kroger, Publix, Walmart and a Food Depot. We are a small community. One or more of them will end up leaving and we will have a big vacant store. 

[Sew Sumi]

I live in a large city with the opposite problem. There's a Chi-Chi grocery down on the main avenue and a newly renovated Safeway about mile away. We shop about five miles from home,which is the next closest store. I feel for the people in the flatlands where food deserts are real. 

[bigskygirl]

Hmmm... Our microwave just died on us. I will be sitting up a website in order to raise money for a new one. In otherwords: DONATE!!!

Seriously, the sound it made was scary! I am glad there was no fire or explosion.

[Arwen Evenstar]

22 minutes ago, bigskygirl said:

Hmmm... Our microwave just died on us. I will be sitting up a website in order to raise money for a new one. In otherwords: DONATE!!!

Seriously, the sound it made was scary! I am glad there was no fire or explosion.

It sounds like you just can't catch a break.  Why is it that everything seems to give us troubles all at once?

 

in other news, CNN or Weather Channel showed helos descended on Lares this morning. Aid is reaching the interior. Too late, IMO.  They claim each municipality has a tanker truck to get water now.  Lares still has no power or cell service, but post office is open.

[bigskygirl]

It could have been a lot worse. No one was hurt and we did not have to get out of the house and call 911. We have a great volunteer fire department and sheriff department in case a fire would have started, but still it was scary.

I feel so bad about the people dealing with the destruction from the hurricanes and fires. I cannot imagine going without power, phones, medical care or food for days. We have been without a regular land line phone for almost two months, and I hate it. For some reason our repair service order for Monday afternoon was cancelled, so now we have to wait until next Tuesday for a tech person to come out to see what the problem is. The cordless phone keeps saying line is in use, but no dial tone or being able to make or get calls. Maybe the evil devil is out to get us.

[StaceyNotStacie]

8 hours ago, Marshmallow Mollie said:

Coming over from another thread to say we have a newly renovated Aldi, a new Aldi, a Lidl  (!!!!), and a Publix that all opened within weeks of each other. Grocery store wars is happening and I am loving it. Food Lion is still my go-to store, and they have dropped their prices to compete. It is awesome! We have a Harris Teeter gas station opening soon, so even more competition!

You must be in the SE. That sounds like us, but instead of Publix, we have Kroger. Aldi just opened in the area and there are two Lidl stores opening in our area. Kroger and Aldi are my go to stores along with Walmart. I'm not a big fan of Food Lion. I might grab something on sale or if I need something in a pinch (there's one on every other corner around here), but the stores around here need a major overhaul. Harris Teeter is too pricey for me unless something is on sale or they have super double coupons. 

[BitterApple]

1 hour ago, bigskygirl said:

Hmmm... Our microwave just died on us. I will be sitting up a website in order to raise money for a new one. In otherwords: DONATE!!!

Seriously, the sound it made was scary! I am glad there was no fire or explosion.

I was browsing GoFundMe the other day and one kid managed to raise $2,000 to pay off $500 in traffic tickets. Another newly married couple set up a fund "for their future" and amassed almost 10k. If you're willing to sacrifice your dignity, I say go for it!!!

[emma675]

I've never heard of Lidl or Harris Teeter. I only know of Wawa because of my friends in DC, but I just love saying it. I love how we've got such different stores in different parts of the US.

I got to work from home today because I had a 5 hour conference call. I went for a swim, made a meatloaf, did my nails, and caught up on all of my forums here. It's been a very productive day. Not work-wise, but I'm okay with that.

[bigskygirl]

3 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

I was browsing GoFundMe the other day and one kid managed to raise $2,000 to pay off $500 in traffic tickets. Another newly married couple set up a fund "for their future" and amassed almost 10k. If you're willing to sacrifice your dignity, I say go for it!!!

I am amaze at what people will donate money for. I guess hard work and common sense has flown out the window. *looking at the Duggar clan*

[jcbrown]

Another Bay Area resident here. I am 90 miles from the fires and the smoke is visible with a strong smell even here (South Bay). This is a heartbreaking situation.

[Natalie68]

20 hours ago, crazycatlady58 said:

Some people  will  think the anti  Christ will be a leader  on one side others will think it is some on the other side. People  will think the Anti-Christ  is someone  who disagrees   with them.

Not sure about the tapas  and I cannot drink alcohol  but I can make a mean  dip.

I will bring extra tea and soda.  What is the mean dip of which you speak?