Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[frenchtoast]

I heard that paying taxes has been extended but I'd have to research that. I don't know if that includes filing the taxes or just paying them, though usually one pays when filing. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/treasury-and-irs-to-delay-tax-deadline-by-90-days.html  I know Mr. Toast is waiting until the last minute because we actually owe this year (yeah, that tax cut did absolutely nothing for us and actually made it worse, just as it was designed to do). 

[crazy8s]

12 minutes ago, frenchtoast said:

I heard that paying taxes has been extended but I'd have to research that. I don't know if that includes filing the taxes or just paying them, though usually one pays when filing. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/treasury-and-irs-to-delay-tax-deadline-by-90-days.html  I know Mr. Toast is waiting until the last minute because we actually owe this year (yeah, that tax cut did absolutely nothing for us and actually made it worse, just as it was designed to do). 

i was trying to find that info as well. paying if you owe has an extended deadline. but it is unclear on if the filing deadline has changed

[Ijustwantsomechips]

39 minutes ago, beckie said:

I'm the dumbass who forgot to get my taxes done. Usually i do them myself, when I can access a computer with internet, but this year I need to have them done, to make sure they're done correctly. I went out yesterday to Walmart to see if they had any lunch meat and to see if a tax person was there. They weren't, no big surprise. But the library was open yesterday, so I thought I could go today. Of course I get there today and they're closed until at least April. So now I don't know what to do. 

Any ideas?

You may want to research any VITA programs in your city. Usually they’re partnered with the city-parish/county government, but you may be able to find a volunteer who can meet with you one-on-one.  

[Minivanessa]

If you need to as we get closer to April 15, you can file for an automatic extension of time. Info here: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return

Note, that's an extension of time to file, not to pay any amounts due. The Secretary of the Treasury announced an extension of time to make payments, to July 15:  https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm948

[beckie]

I hope I won't need an extension, but thanks for the info if I do. Thanks!

[ehall1052]

I have sensitive skin. Last night the tops of my hands felt they were on fire. From all this hand-washing, my hands are chafed.  Now I wash my hands and then have to rub on Aveeno hand cream. Geesh! 

[Scarlett45]

40 minutes ago, ehall1052 said:

I have sensitive skin. Last night the tops of my hands felt they were on fire. From all this hand-washing, my hands are chafed.  Now I wash my hands and then have to rub on Aveeno hand cream. Geesh! 

I’ve always had to put hand cream on after I wash my hands, since puberty I’m sure (I’m 34). I keep hand cream on my desk at work, night stand, and kitchen sink.  I understand how you feel!

[Absolom]

I always buy moisturizing hand soap.  It isn't always enough, but it helps.

[Ijustwantsomechips]

40 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

I’ve always had to put hand cream on after I wash my hands, since puberty I’m sure (I’m 34). I keep hand cream on my desk at work, night stand, and kitchen sink.  I understand how you feel!

I knew we were sisters in another life @Scarlett45! I also keep lotion everywhere including the console of my car and my work bag. Those little tins of Nivea cream fit anywhere and I am hooked. 

[Scarlett45]

21 minutes ago, Ijustwantsomechips said:

I knew we were sisters in another life @Scarlett45! I also keep lotion everywhere including the console of my car and my work bag. Those little tins of Nivea cream fit anywhere and I am hooked. 

I like my L’Occitaine with shea butter!!

 

Everyone want to hear a funny story about lotion??

 

So when I went to undergrad a had a roommate who had very oily skin (pale red head who used oil blotting papers). I had never seen anyone use those before, but I quickly figured out what they were for. People asked me how the roommate thing was going, and I commented that she took really long showers (I would shower first- not a problem) and it had been WEEKS and I had never seen this woman use lotion. I had not seen her facial moisturizer, hand cream, body lotion or anything. I was concerned for her. Like did her fav get discontinued? How was she dealing? Was it a cost thing? 
 

I was told “Scarlett- White people dont use lotion.” And I said “that’s completely ridiculous. I have grown up around white people, and all different ethnic groups, everyone uses lotion!” And they replied “I’m sure they do- in CHICAGO, in the WINTER, not in New Orleans, in the SUMMER!!” Hahahaha. 
 

This reminded me of Mellody Hobson “Color Blind Vs Color Brave” video where she says at the end “if you are white like my husband (George Lucas), you will learn Black people, men, women and children, use lotion every single day.”😂😂😂😂😂😂 

[SunnyBeBe]

I think a lot of people will get extensions to file their taxes.  I always get one for my individual and business.  But, you might find some experts who will work from phone and online contacts. They probably need the business.  

I talked to a colleague earlier today and he was so worried.  Like me, he's self employed. The courts are closed.  It's scary, but, I read online that they are offering small business loans at a low interest rate. 

I ventured to grocery store this morning.  Last night I had a few minutes of panic about things, but, it was for nothing. They had plenty of food and I bought enough to last for a few weeks, longer, if I rationed. lol  

I also went into a Family Dollar to get a bottle of Tylenol and a customer ran in and said in a desperate voice to me, another customer and the sales clerk, "Where can I get toilet paper?  I need toilet paper!"   I'm not sure why it struck me as funny, but, she was serious.  I didn't laugh, just told her that I had just left the grocery store across the street andI wasn't sure if they had it, but, they were getting new shipments in tomorrow and on Sat.   

I saw on tv a bakery that is making cakes that look like toilet paper rolls!  lol 

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/philadelphia-bakery-selling-toilet-paper-cakes/story?id=69683243

Edited March 19, 2020 by SunnyBeBe

[Ijustwantsomechips]

Thinking about your roommate @Scarlett45  and her oily skin reminds me of something else wacky that I do.  I have really oily skin and need those oil-blotting papers too. After a while, it gets expensive. I’m known for being innovative and being able to MacGuyver my way out of any situation.  

So one day a colleague and I were having lunch on a patio on a rather warm day. Her skin is even oilier than mine and she asked me what I did to keep my complexion so matte-looking throughout the day.  I confessed that I’d had a genius moment in the restroom at work one day.  It stood to reason, at least to me, that if those tiny rice-paper and oil-blotting sheets could  mattify your nose, then an entire tissue paper toilet seat cover would certainly work on your entire face.  Turns out it works like a charm! So yes it sounds weird and gross, but I do take a clean toilet seat cover (not the first one I grab) and blot the oil from my face.  

[SunnyBeBe]

1 minute ago, Ijustwantsomechips said:

Thinking about your roommate @Scarlett45  and her oily skin reminds me of something else wacky that I do.  I have really oily skin and need those oil-blotting papers too. After a while, it gets expensive. I’m known for being innovative and being able to MacGuyver my way out of any situation.  

So one day a colleague and I were having lunch on a patio on a rather warm day. Her skin is even oilier than mine and she asked me what I did to keep my complexion so matte-looking throughout the day.  I confessed that I’d had a genius moment in the restroom at work one day.  It stood to reason, at least to me, that if those tiny rice-paper and oil-blotting sheets could  mattify your nose, then an entire tissue paper toilet seat cover would certainly work on your entire face.  Turns out it works like a charm! So yes it sounds weird and gross, but I do take a clean toilet seat cover (not the first one I grab) and blot the oil from my face.  

That's awesome and very innovative. 

[galaxychaser]

2020 is going to be known for toilet paper shortage. It’s hilarious 😂. 
 

 

[crazy8s]

1 minute ago, galaxychaser said:

2020 is going to be known for toilet paper shortage. It’s hilarious 😂. 
 

 

or for toilet paper hoarding

[crazy8s]

53 minutes ago, galaxychaser said:

 

double post

Edited March 19, 2020 by crazy8s

[ChiCricket]

12 minutes ago, galaxychaser said:

2020 is going to be known for toilet paper shortage. It’s hilarious 😂. 
 

 

 

[Scarlett45]

@Ijustwantsomechips yes I had heard that! (About the toilet paper covers) sometimes you just have to beauty hack. 

[SunnyBeBe]

I also heard people are putting up Christmas lights to brighten spirits. The idea is to keep them on until the storm subsides. 

Edited March 19, 2020 by SunnyBeBe

[BetyBee]

3 hours ago, ehall1052 said:

I have sensitive skin. Last night the tops of my hands felt they were on fire. From all this hand-washing, my hands are chafed.  Now I wash my hands and then have to rub on Aveeno hand cream. Geesh! 

Same!  I've been lotioning up (not like Jill does!) my hands at night and putting gloves on. It's helping. 

[marypat57]

The toilet paper situation reminds me of the mid 70s, when I worked in a local supermarket.  
Johnny Carson told a monologue joke about the federal government not being able to buy enough toilet paper (actually, I believe it was a price issue and there was never an actual shortage).   
This triggered panic buying in the stores.  I still remember a customer coming in to buy a case of Scott’s toilet paper.  At that time, it came in single roll packages and a case had 100 rolls.  It was 17 cents a roll, so his bill came to $17.00.  
 

 

[ChiCricket]

1 hour ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I also heard people are putting up Christmas lights to brighten spirits. The idea is to keep them on until the storm subsides. 

Oh HECK no...I just got those suckers down! 😜🤣

[On the Bias]

19 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

We're already in a shelter in place here. It's lasting at least until 4/7. We can go out for necessary errands like groceries. We love in a condo and don't have a full size fridge. We can't stock mass quantities of anything. That said, the cats are taken care of. I'm glad because let good was scarce when I was at the store on Sunday.

 

19 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Just out of curiosity...who is enforcing all of that?

👇 tweets like this are an example of why I'm asking, btw. 👇

Here in Spain, we are on lockdown and the police are enforcing it. 

 

Stay safe and well, everyone. 

[ginger90]

My doctor recommended udder balm for my hands. I’m in health care and they suffer (my hands, not udders 🤣). Bag balm is also good.

[DangerousMinds]

3 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

I like my L’Occitaine with shea butter!!

 

Everyone want to hear a funny story about lotion??

 

So when I went to undergrad a had a roommate who had very oily skin (pale red head who used oil blotting papers). I had never seen anyone use those before, but I quickly figured out what they were for. People asked me how the roommate thing was going, and I commented that she took really long showers (I would shower first- not a problem) and it had been WEEKS and I had never seen this woman use lotion. I had not seen her facial moisturizer, hand cream, body lotion or anything. I was concerned for her. Like did her fav get discontinued? How was she dealing? Was it a cost thing? 
 

I was told “Scarlett- White people dont use lotion.” And I said “that’s completely ridiculous. I have grown up around white people, and all different ethnic groups, everyone uses lotion!” And they replied “I’m sure they do- in CHICAGO, in the WINTER, not in New Orleans, in the SUMMER!!” Hahahaha. 
 

This reminded me of Mellody Hobson “Color Blind Vs Color Brave” video where she says at the end “if you are white like my husband (George Lucas), you will learn Black people, men, women and children, use lotion every single day.”😂😂😂😂😂😂 

I rarely used lotion until I was in my late 20s and even then very sparingly.

[Scarlett45]

32 minutes ago, DangerousMinds said:

I rarely used lotion until I was in my late 20s and even then very sparingly.

I don’t know what that life is like🤣🤣. Lotion is a body care necessity for me. After I purchased my home and things were super tight I had to use organic coconut oil, I made it, but it felt so liberating to head back to Lush and stock up on my stash of body care again. 
 

That TIGHT dry skin feeling is awful. The scratches from itching at night.....I’m such a fragile flower!

 

In our Social Distancing I have replicated my work desk to the best of my ability- lip balm, hand cream, tea, all of the important things. 

[CalicoKitty]

RE:  Taxes.  My tax appointment was just cancelled yesterday, so I used Turbotax.  It is so much easier than in past years.  Very easy, in fact, and I have a lot of charities and copays.  

I went to the allergist today for my regular appointment, and one of the nurses was telling me that they had just been made award of the "Corona Challenge".  Apparently, college-aged kids, and probably younger, are going around licking door knobs and anything else that a lot of people touch.  I guess it is to see who can get the virus.  I had not heard about it before.

I do not know why I am typing in italics.  The box will not let me change the type style.

Edited March 19, 2020 by CalicoKitty
missing word

[DangerousMinds]

26 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

I don’t know what that life is like🤣🤣. Lotion is a body care necessity for me. After I purchased my home and things were super tight I had to use organic coconut oil, I made it, but it felt so liberating to head back to Lush and stock up on my stash of body care again. 
 

That TIGHT dry skin feeling is awful. The scratches from itching at night.....I’m such a fragile flower!

 

In our Social Distancing I have replicated my work desk to the best of my ability- lip balm, hand cream, tea, all of the important things. 

I do need the lip balm!

[Westiepeach]

Please allow me to rant for a moment. I just got a text from my brother-in-law. I asked him how he was doing in this mess. He told me that God is protecting him. I then told him I am glad God is protecting him because apparently God is not protecting everybody, so good for him.

I have not heard back yet.

[sixlets]

I am so pasty white it's not even funny.  Mr. Six has called me his 'pasty little friend', and my mom calls me Casper.  I need lotion like there's no tomorrow.  I have a collection of 5 different options within arm's reach of my chair and a giant bottle on my nightstand.  I love getting the Target beauty boxes each month, and they often have full-sized lotions.  Walmart does a quarterly box for $5, and they will include them often.  My favorite lip product now is actually from Victoria's Secret.  It's an overnight lip mask, and I can still feel it when I get up in the morning.  Wait for a sale though.  It's normally $12, but I snagged it for $5.


 

Edited March 20, 2020 by sixlets

[ChiCricket]

My military kid just smacked me down. I'm sorry for spreading fake news. 😳

(I wonder what crow tastes like?)

mea culpa 😟

👇 👇👇 👇

Edited March 20, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Scarlett45]

53 minutes ago, Westiepeach said:

Please allow me to rant for a moment. I just got a text from my brother-in-law. I asked him how he was doing in this mess. He told me that God is protecting him. I then told him I am glad God is protecting him because apparently God is not protecting everybody, so good for him.

I have not heard back yet.

Wow. 

[ChiCricket]

Bad news, my nephew-in-law (who is around 43yo) was just admitted to a Chicago hospital with all the Covid-19 symptoms. They did test him, but it will take 48-72 hrs for the results to come back. He works at O'Hare airport as a gate agent, just like my daughter, but with a different company, and works international flights. 

 (Does anyone else feel like they're a....ping pong ball or something?) I don't know how else to describe this feeling.

[Scarlett45]

4 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

Bad news, my nephew-in-law (who is around 43yo) was just admitted to a Chicago hospital with all the Covid-19 symptoms. They did test him, but it will take 48-72 hrs for the results to come back. He works at O'Hare airport as a gate agent, just like my daughter, but with a different company, and works international flights. 

 (Does anyone else feel like they're a....ping pong ball or something?) I don't know how else to describe this feeling.

(((Healing))) to your nephew-in-law. How’s his spouse handling things? The people that are ill and suffering are at the foremost of my mind right now. 

[Jenniferbug]

@ChiCricket, sending healing wishes to your nephew. Please keep us posted on his results. I'll be thinking of you and your family. 

[ChiCricket]

31 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

How’s his spouse handling things? The people that are ill and suffering are at the foremost of my mind right now

My husband is talking to her on the phone right now. She sounds exhausted, but in good spirits. She just said he's feeling better from how he felt this morning. He is in quarantine. I'm eavesdropping (in Spanish) 🤣

more: they all had to leave right after they admitted him to the hospital...couldn't even say goodbye face to face, because he's in isolation.

They were told to all stay home until the test results come back..and OFC they stopped at the grocery store on the way home..WTH...some people are so f'ing d.U.M.b.😱

(I could have left that last part out to make the optics better, but I'm nothing if not honest.)😭

Edited March 20, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Zella]

41 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

My husband is talking to her on the phone right now. She sounds exhausted, but in good spirits. She just said he's feeling better from how he felt this morning. He is in quarantine. I'm eavesdropping (in Spanish) 🤣

more: they all had to leave right after they admitted him to the hospital...couldn't even say goodbye face to face, because he's in isolation.

They were told to all stay home until the test results come back..and OFC they stopped at the grocery store on the way home..WTH...some people are so f'ing d.U.M.b.😱

(I could have left that last part out to make the optics better, but I'm nothing if not honest.)😭

I hope he's okay and nobody else in the family has it!

That last part--I have no clue why, but people do that at the library even when it isn't a pandemic. They get told they have strep and not to be around people. What do they do? Come to the library to load up on books and movies and expose everyone in there to it before they go home to isolate. Like it doesn't eve occur to them we count too! That is one reason my library closed to the public. We just knew if anyone had COVID-19 symptoms, chances were they'd head our way. 😞

Edited March 20, 2020 by Zella

[ChiCricket]

10 minutes ago, Zella said:

Like it doesn't even occur to them we don't count! That is one reason my library closed to the public. We just knew if anyone had COVID-19 symptoms, chances were they'd head our way. 

😞

The librarians here were pissed (with good reason!) that the libraries were at first going to be made to stay open when the schools closed down...so the kids with working parents "would have a place to go." WTAF?!

People who work in libraries have families too!

Edited March 20, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Zella]

4 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

The librarians here were pissed (with good reason!) that the libraries were at first going to be made to stay open when the schools closed down...so the kids with working parents "would have a place to go." WTAF?!

People who work in libraries have families too!

Yes, as soon as our schools closed, I was like WTF close the libraries too! Our library is still providing as much service as it can while banning the public from being inside. I'm not sure how long we can maintain it, tbh. 

[CherryMalotte]

I had my MRI needle biopsy appointment kept...sort of.  Got there at 8AM, had a luscious helping of Lorazepam, and they took me back promptly at 8:15 for the fun to begin.  Did the usual stuff, had a lovely PA go over the procedure again, more detail since she could actually draw out things for me to see.  Pill is starting to work, I'm IV'ed and then it's saddle up onto the magnetic tube.  Now I've done this before without the biopsy so I at least knew what that would be like.  Supposedly the first pass is like six minutes - but I was in there eight to ten - then the muffled voice said something about another eight minutes.  Fine and dandy I'm relaxed, so what, no big deal...then I hear them say well we are cutting this short so we'll be in there in a minute.  Come to find out this spot that was found on the original MRI is way interior in my breast, just this tiny spot, so the radiology doc says there's no way they can needle biopsy it.  However, in looking over the new scans he says that while he understood why the findings on the first led to an ultrasound and need for further review he didn't think I had anything to worry about, there's nothing suspicious, that my doc may want to follow up with another regular MRI a year or so from now.  He talked to me quite a while so I was really finally put at ease.  

So now I'm at a way more peaceful place...it's been a hellish three months getting all of this going, getting precertifications in place, making appointments, at the same time dealing with my dad and his various complications, and the usual family stuff.  

Working from home....I'm lucky, I've been doing it for years now.  I hate being in the office.  Now granted, it's with customer care so we can work solitary, and our work provides the equipment, we provide the internet.  Good luck to those of you doing it for the first time, but I guarantee it'll get better.  I've got to try and figure out the State of Illinois website for claiming unemployment for the spouse, we've never done it before.  Should be a trip!

Best of luck to your nephew too ChiCricket, hope he's recovering soon.

[Love2dance]

@CherryMalotte, so sorry you had to go through all that, but the result sounds really hopeful. Now you can go back to trying how to figure out our crazy new world.

 

[BetyBee]

Last night I said to my husband, "I may never get to hug my Mom again" and burst into tears. (Mom is 89)  I barely slept last night. I thought about what would happen to our cat if we both died. I thought about all the grandma-ing I still want to do. I am really down today. 

[Scarlett45]

25 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

Last night I said to my husband, "I may never get to hug my Mom again" and burst into tears. (Mom is 89)  I barely slept last night. I thought about what would happen to our cat if we both died. I thought about all the grandma-ing I still want to do. I am really down today. 

((((Hugs)))) I’m so sorry. I hope your husband gave you a great big hug. 
 

These are uncertain times, but things will get better, we just don’t know when. 

[Minivanessa]

24 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

Last night I said to my husband, "I may never get to hug my Mom again" and burst into tears. (Mom is 89)  I barely slept last night. I thought about what would happen to our cat if we both died. I thought about all the grandma-ing I still want to do. I am really down today. 

@BetyBee, I'm sorry. This is such a stressful time and all the bad what-ifs get so much room in our heads. 

As @Scarlett45 said, this isn't forever. But, it sure sucks for now.

@CherryMalotte, what a medical saga! I'm glad it came out like it did but it sounds exhausting. Good luck with the unemployment filing. Here in Colorado the unemployment claims have crashed/clogged the state's website but they're urging people not to give up. I think it was suggested to try filing online at non-peak times like late at night.

I'm working at home too. Happy to have something to do. Talking by phone to friends and family, and texting, and checking in on social media. Trying not to go super-squirrelly from the stress. Thanks for being here to talk to, peeps!

[Jenniferbug]

My daughter seems to be doing much better! No fever at all yesterday and her cough seemed more under control with medicine. We even got out of the house and walked around the block yesterday between rainstorms. My girls are young, so they only have the very vaguest understanding of what is happening. They know people worldwide are getting sick and that we are staying home so we don't share our germs. We're trying to keep things light for their sakes, but it's hard.

@BetyBee, I'm wallowing a bit today too. I'm sad that my younger daughter likely won't get to have fun milestones, like kindergarten round up and preschool graduation. My elder daughter is missing her friends and the routine of school (she thrives on routine, but since it's spring break, we didn't really push one this week). I dropped some groceries off at my parents house last Friday, briefly spoke to my dad and my mom insisted on giving me a side hug, which would have been humorous given the Duggars, aside from the fact that that may be the last time I have physical contact with her. This is unprecedented and scary, and it's okay to feel sad and scared about everything happening. 

I'm trying to focus on the good and the normal, where I can find it. I've also cut back on the news a bit (I allow myself my normal morning podcasts and then I check news in the evening but try to avoid it the rest of the day). I've leaned on this board more for socialization. Thank goodness for the technology to help us through this time! I read that the skies in parts of China are clear and blue again, and the canals in Venice are clear. I think those are good things and I try to remind myself of them when I feel too low. 

Hang in there, everyone. We'll get through this. 

[ginger90]

An article about talking with children about the virus:

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html

[galaxychaser]

Barely any people outside. I am going to the pharmacy before it rains soon. Birds are chirping up a storm. Buses pass me by and there almost empty. Feels strange.

[Barb23]

Thought all my cat loving cyber friends would like this:

My son & his coworkers have a Facetime type of team meeting each morning since they have started working from home. His coworker loves cats & has a cat named Taz. They've all seen plenty of pictures of him but now they get to see him up close and personal as he is joining them in their morning meetings.

 His company is trying to keep things going as norm as if they were in the office.  One example - Both my son & his cat loving coworker each have one of those themed calendars where the page gets ripped off daily.  Hers is about cats & his has various trivia facts.  They share their bits of daily trivia with their other team members when they are in the office & have continued to do so on Facetime.  He said they didn't think about doing it on their first day working at home until the big boss joined in the meeting & asked what the calendar trivia was that day. 

15 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

 

 

In our Social Distancing I have replicated my work desk to the best of my ability- lip balm, hand cream, tea, all of the important things. 

I got a chuckle out of this^^^especially the tea part.

Luckily someone in my son's office reminded everyone to take home their respective plants. 

Stay safe everyone. 

 

Edited March 20, 2020 by Barb23

[Scarlett45]

@Barb23 thanks for sharing. 

[ChiCricket]

1 hour ago, Barb23 said:

He said they didn't think about doing it on their first day working at home until the big boss joined in the meeting & asked what the calendar trivia was that day. 

I love this.