Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Mindthinkr]

18 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

Which quarantine wench are you? 

I’m an Imogen with only modestly priced wine. I am also fine dancing by myself. 

[fonfereksglen]

We live on the most boring residential street in one of the most boring neighborhoods around.

Image my astonishment when the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile just drove past the house!   A much needed moment of levity.

 

[Jynnan tonnix]

19 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

Which quarantine wench are you? 

Mostly Imogen, but with less cats. 

[Albanyguy]

3 hours ago, Jeeves said:

I love the Miss Read books!

Me, too! They're the perfect comfort books when life gets overwhelming.

[EVS]

6 hours ago, Nysha said:

My go-to reading series are the Miss Read books and Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. 

I just looked up Miss Read on kindle. The description reminded me of another of my favorite comfort reading authors-Maeve Binchy. I have no idea if they are similar but I will add Miss Read to my reading list. Many of the books are free with Amazon Prime. Also, it looks like kindle unlimited is free for 2 months. 
 

 

[EVS]

22 hours ago, jcbrown said:

If you don't mind a little paranormal silliness, Juliet Blackwell has two series that are good escapism, one called the Haunted Home Renovation series and one called the Witchcraft Mystery series. Another series I find very readable and escapist is called "The Guild Codex: Spellbound" by Annette Marie. It's more fantasy.

I love paranormal silliness!  I’m so glad @ChiCricket started this discussion!

[Scarlett45]

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood finally arrived after months of being on the waitlist at my library. I am not in the mood for such dystopian fiction but it’s a reminder that things could be worse!! I’m taking care of my sister tomorrow so I will likely read before she wakes up and after I bake my blueberry loaf and eat my breakfast. 

[doodlebug]

6 hours ago, fonfereksglen said:

We live on the most boring residential street in one of the most boring neighborhoods around.

Image my astonishment when the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile just drove past the house!   A much needed moment of levity.

 

Love the Weinermobile!  They're probably out promoting their Front Yard Cookout on May 2.  Oscar Mayer wants everyone to set up the grill in the front yard and cook dinner while social distancing with their neighbors.

https://www.marketingdive.com/news/oscar-mayer-looks-to-keep-cookout-season-alive-with-socially-distant-barbec/576503/

[jcbrown]

23 hours ago, crazycatlady58 said:

I enjoy Juliet Blackwell. I read mysteries, usually cozy mysteries bit I enjoy  light supernatural mysteries also. A author that I like a lot is Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper mysteries.. They have some sad parts in them and Bennie is a person of faith without being preachy. For light hearted fun I enjoy Donna Andrews books. They always have a bird in the title and will always make me smile.

Oh I totally agree about Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper series. Good stuff.

8 hours ago, Nysha said:

My go-to reading series are the Miss Read books and Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. 

I was so sad when Terry Pratchett was revealed to have Alzheimer's. His books are nothing if not very well done comical escapism.

1 hour ago, EVS said:

I love paranormal silliness!  I’m so glad @ChiCricket started this discussion!

Another two for paranormal silliness are Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye series and her Ghost Hunter series.

Edited April 25, 2020 by jcbrown
some of my punctuation fell off

[emma675]

A good paranormal silliness series is Angie Fox's Southern Ghost Hunter mystery series. Very cute and fun reads.

[crazycatlady58]

1 hour ago, jcbrown said:

Oh I totally agree about Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper series. Good stuff.

I was so sad when Terry Pratchett was revealed to have Alzheimer's. His books are nothing if not very well done comical escapism.

Another two for paranormal silliness are Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye series and her Ghost Hunter series.

Yes Victoria Laurie is great. Hope she will have a new one out soon.

[DangerousMinds]

My state of Ohio. I just can’t bring myself to feel any empathy for this guy.

[Ohiopirate02]

2 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood finally arrived after months of being on the waitlist at my library. I am not in the mood for such dystopian fiction but it’s a reminder that things could be worse!! I’m taking care of my sister tomorrow so I will likely read before she wakes up and after I bake my blueberry loaf and eat my breakfast. 

While I enjoyed the audio version of The Testaments, it reads a lot like a young adult dystopian novel.  I thought it read differently than its predecessor. Its not a bad book, but it never should have won the Booker.  That honor should have solely belonged to Girl, Woman, Other. 

[galaxychaser]

I’m about to unfollow someone because they post about 10 pictures a day of their kid. 

Bonnie changed her outfit! Isn’t she clever?

Bonnie eating a snack I’m a great chef/mom.

Bonnie eating any meal complimenting her cooking skills.

Bonnie reading! 
 

Etc etc etc

I roll my eyes every time I see her name/post. 
 

The poor Bonnie doesn’t even smile she just scowls makes horrible faces in 90% of the pictures.

 

Bonnie was adopted and is a premie. She mentions it daily. You want a medal for adopting or something??? 
 

She has been like this pre quarantine but quarantine is getting to me.

Edited April 25, 2020 by galaxychaser

[CherryMalotte]

9 hours ago, fonfereksglen said:

Image my astonishment when the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile just drove past the house!   A much needed moment of levity.

 

Every year when I visit my friend in WI we meet up in Madison, and stay at a really nice hotel just outside of town.  Every year when we go we see multiple Weinermobiles either in their parking area or one of the other close hotel lots.  Love seeing them, take lots of pictures.  Finally last year before we went out to breakfast early Sunday morning they were gearing up to leave so we very excitedly asked why there are Weinermobiles all over, and I should add there are also Planter Peanutmobiles as well.   Come to find out there's a Meyer training facility in the Madison area where the Weinermobile drivers and staff learn everything Oscar Meyer and make a near year round trip around the country promoting the Meyer products.  Very friendly and incredibly nice people, and we got Weinermobile whistles!   

Lots of weiner and nut jokes every year on my FB when I post the pictures...you know, because we are 13.       

[Sew Sumi]

I've only seen the Weinermobile in person on vacation in San Diego.

[doodlebug]

12 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

I've only seen the Weinermobile in person on vacation in San Diego.

My cousin works for Kraft and, years ago, he actually got to have the Weinermobile come to his house and take his kids and a couple of their friends for a ride.  I think he won it as some sort of employee promotion.  It was the talk of the neighborhood for months.

[marypat57]

I saw the Weinermobile about 2 years ago in a Chicago suburb...I think it may have been Oak Lawn or something nearby.  It was in the parking lot of the hotel where we were staying for my brother’s wedding.  We got excited because my family generally ate Oscar Meyer beef hot dogs every Saturday night for dinner...and we thought the Weinermobile was there to serve food at the reception.

One of my favorite book series is the culinary murder mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson.  They are quite entertaining and have recipes included.

If you can handle some Catholic Church related series, I highly recommend the Bishop  Blackie and the Irish mysteries by Father Andrew Greeley.  
 

 

 

 

 

[latetotheparty]

3 hours ago, galaxychaser said:

I’m about to unfollow someone because they post about 10 pictures a day of their kid. 

Bonnie changed her outfit! Isn’t she clever?

Bonnie eating a snack I’m a great chef/mom.

Bonnie eating any meal complimenting her cooking skills.

Bonnie reading! 
 

Etc etc etc

I roll my eyes every time I see her name/post. 
 

The poor Bonnie doesn’t even smile she just scowls makes horrible faces in 90% of the pictures.

 

Bonnie was adopted and is a premie. She mentions it daily. You want a medal for adopting or something??? 
 

She has been like this pre quarantine but quarantine is getting to me.

No doubt Bonnie was SEVERELY adopted. 

[Totally]

Back onto books , Philip Gulley wrote a series about a small town pastor 

it’s one of my go to comfort reads Along with Fannie Flagg 🙂

Love love love the Terry Pratchett 

 

[Ijustwantsomechips]

I saw the Weinermobile on my sophomore year at LSU. It was in the parking lot of an adjacent grocery store, but no one believed me when I told them.  Coincidentally, in that same week I saw a van painted like an exact replica of the Mystery Machine.  No idea what that was about, but I got a kick out of it.  

I ran into the Weinermobile again in the parking lot of a hotel in Memphis some years later.  I suppose it was on the cross country tour and just stopping for the night.

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, Ijustwantsomechips said:

I saw the Weinermobile on my sophomore year at LSU. It was in the parking lot of an adjacent grocery store, but no one believed me when I told them.  Coincidentally, in that same week I saw a van painted like an exact replica of the Mystery Machine.  No idea what that was about, but I got a kick out of it.  

I ran into the Weinermobile again in the parking lot of a hotel in Memphis some years later.  I suppose it was on the cross country tour and just stopping for the night.

I saw it in Baton Rouge too when we lived there - probably Was the 80s. We moved to metro Atlanta end of 2015 and I saw one in the Kroger parking lot. 

[PikaScrewChu]

I have about 30 books in my bookshelf I still need to read. One of my neighbours was giving away books so I also snagged some. 

It's not even so much the energy but the time. Which is weird to say these days. By the time everything is said and done, it's 10 pm.

Maybe I will be better organized next round of quarantine so I can read these books finally.

[ChiCricket]

51 minutes ago, PikaScrewChu said:

Maybe I will be better organized next round of quarantine so I can read these books finally.

No. I cannot babysit my husband through another round of quarantine.

Stick a fork in me.

I'm ready to buy a tiger and cover him (my husband) in sardine oil, and .....

[GeeGolly]

22 hours ago, fonfereksglen said:

We live on the most boring residential street in one of the most boring neighborhoods around.

Image my astonishment when the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile just drove past the house!   A much needed moment of levity.

 

I live on a boring street, in a boring neighborhood. No Wienermobile in sight. I'm a wee bit jealous.

[Kbo]

51 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

No. I cannot babysit my husband through another round of quarantine.

Stick a fork in me.

I'm ready to buy a tiger and cover him (my husband) in sardine oil, and .....

I feel you, @ChiCricket.  I love my family, but they are collectively jumping on my one last nerve. Even my beloved cat is annoying me.  PMS and quarantine are not a good combination!  

[Minivanessa]

I'm sorry for everyone who's feeling the pinch of this sequestration situation. I am too, and it's not like there's anyone else living here with me. I don't tend to be super-anxious in general but over the last couple of weeks I've become - at least - very cautious about leaving my condo. Aware that between my front door and the great outdoors are hallways, lobbies and elevator or stairs. With door handles and the air full of whatever has recently been breathed into it and hasn't cleared out yet. I'm happy to have a balcony that's all windows on two sides. I can open a window when it's not too cold, and enjoy outside air and the view of what's happening out front. I'm happy to be on the street side of the building with a pretty good range of distance in the view.

It's nearly two weeks now, since delivery of the washer/dryer set that replaced my recently deceased old washer. I decided to incur the risk of infection once (for the delivery/haulaway) rather than during all the frequent trips I'd have to make down to our building's coin-op laundry room, to use the washers there, if I didn't replace my washing machine. I hope I chose correctly. So far, so good.

The good news is that my assignment with the company I've been working a temp project for, has been extended through May. As has the company directive for all workers who can do their jobs from home, to work at home.

This morning I ordered an under-desk pedal exerciser thing, not so much to use under my desk as when I'm sitting in the living room watching TV. I've become much too inactive these days! At least that should get my blood circulating. I decided it was a better choice for me than the Slim Cycle. I was an enthusiastic bike rider in my young days but I hate stationary exercise bikes unless they are recumbent. 

Our governor is lifting some of our pandemic-related restrictions as of I think tomorrow, but our mayor is extending our city's restrictions until May 8 and so are many cities/counties in this metro area (Denver). It's a "let's be careful about our next steps" attitude and I think it's wise. 

I was happy to see Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper mysteries mentioned above. Way back in the 90's I was on some forum on AOL (remember AOL? LOL!) about mystery writing, and so was Earlene. We met in person at a mystery book convention in California sometime in the 1990's. She was a sweetie! And I enjoyed all her books. One passage from Steps to the Altar is among my all time favorite quotes. It's spoken by a minister in the story and I'll sign off this post with it:

Quote

You know what’s so funny and sad about us human beings? . . . We are constantly torn between the all-consuming desire to be loved and the terrifying fear of being known. Deep inside we don’t believe the two things can exist together, that if anyone really knew us, they would surely never love us, so we spend our whole lives concocting this wonderful, plastic shell that we fight like madmen to keep pristine. But eventually the plastic cracks and what is inside is a raw, quivering mass of imperfect humanity that has always been lovely and precious enough for God Himself to love.

 

[marypat57]

8 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

This morning I ordered an under-desk pedal exerciser thing, not so much to use under my desk as when I'm sitting in the living room watching TV.

I actually have one of those devices—a Cubii.  I use it while I’m watching tv, generally the news.  On a good day, I can do 90 minutes (in 3 30 minute sessions). I’m very satisfied with it.

[ginger90]

I do in home healthcare. At this time I have one house I go to which adds up to 55 hours a week. So, I’m either there, or at home.

My former employer messaged me the other day. She wanted to know if I wanted some hours with a woman at an assisted living facility. I turned it down, citing my above situation, and with everything going on, I felt it was best to limit outside contact. I didn’t hear anything back from her. I was actually kind of pissed that she contacted me for this.

[Zella]

I have one of those desk cycles, but I haven't used it in months. Need to remedy that.

[Nysha]

I have an update on my son who dropped in for a "visit".

He had a warrant in my state, so after he left my house he walked to the police station and turned himself in. They kept him for almost a week, then released him with a court date for next month. So, he walked to my apartment. I'm pretty sure he expected me to let him stay here until he went to court, but I am done rescuing my adult children from their own actions. The only services my town has for homeless people is at least one area church does a free dinner every night.

Since he couldn't stay in my house and the only other option was the streets, he decided he wanted to go to another city he has lived in before, that has more resources for people who are homeless and mentally ill. I bought him a bus ticket and gave him $20, he stayed the night here and I dropped him off at 6 in the morning on Friday.

Given he has been on the streets, in shelters, on a bus through several states, and in jail, all in the last month, I think there is a real risk that he is carrying the virus. So, I'm on voluntary lock down for the next 2 weeks. I've been wearing a mask and going to the grocery store and Dutch Bros once or twice a week.

On the plus side, my boss left a gift bag with Margarita mix and a fifth of Jose Cuervo  on my door step last night. And I don't have to share with anyone!

[Scarlett45]

Just hit with a wave of sadness. 
 

I called to check in on my Great Aunt (86 next week, dementia), and as always she was so happy to hear from me.
 

She asked me what I was up to and I said “not much just work”, and she said “you WORK now????”😢 and I said “yes, I’ve been working for many years” and she asked how old was I, and i said “34”, “sweetheart how did you get so old??”

Awwww. She asked me what I was doing and I said “taking care of my sister, mom is at work today.”, “I didn’t know you had gotten so big you could take care of your sister by yourself and she lets you.”

This is really hard, watching her go through this and deteriorate slowly. I have my issues with my cousin (her daughter), but being a sole caregiver to someone with dementia isn’t easy. I just wanted to make sure they were okay and give my cousin someone to talk to. 
 

and yes I totally just bought some stuff at Nordstrom- it was 100% emotional shopping. 

@Nysha you’re a good mother doing the best you can. Enjoy your alcohol. 

[Minivanessa]

@Nysha, I agree with @Scarlett45 - you rock as a mom, and in situations where it's not easy! 

I ❤️ your boss for that gift, and yay for not having to share it!

@Scarlett45, I hear ya about the sad decline of loved ones with dementia. BTDT although it wasn't an immediate family member; it was close enough to hurt. 

@marypat57, after I read your comment about the Cubii, I went back to Amazon, cancelled the order for the desk cycle, and ordered the Cubii instead. I think I'll like the elliptical better - had been wavering between it and the cycle. 

@ginger90, I'm glad you were able to decline that offer. My hat's off to all health care workers right now, including two young cousins who are ER nurses. But yes, if you can avoid working in assisted living centers or nursing homes, all the better for you. 

[PikaScrewChu]

3 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

No. I cannot babysit my husband through another round of quarantine.

Stick a fork in me.

I'm ready to buy a tiger and cover him (my husband) in sardine oil, and .....

Yeah... Stock up on sardine oil and change your name to Carol Baskins, my friend. I wasn't paying too much attention at the beginning (new job=busy) but my friends in pandemic planning warned me awhile ago this will only be the beginning and to not take this lightly whatsoever. We just lucked out this round. 

I've been wrong before and I will be glad to be wrong again. I'm not seeing any respite anytime soon. One of my friends got laid off from her fulltime teaching gig. Her school is preparing to go fully online for the fall and they don't require as many instructors. They're predicting enrollment is going to be down as well with students not willing to pay the same for online courses as in-person courses. 

[ChiCricket]

4 hours ago, Kbo said:

Even my beloved cat is annoying me.  PMS and quarantine are not a good combination!  

 Two things from this post...

I want a cat again so much (now to get my husband to agree) and I'm so glad I'm way past pms...I do not miss those days.

Edited April 25, 2020 by ChiCricket

[ChiCricket]

22 hours ago, galaxychaser said:

Bonnie was adopted and is a premie. She mentions it daily. You want a medal for adopting or something??? 

Am I the only one that has fantasies of sending people like this an anonymous letter in the mail telling them just how annoying they are, and how people are laughing behind their backs?

  I'm too chicken-s#it to actually do it ...plus I'd shrivel up in mortification if someone sent a letter like that to me...so...yeah..better not..karma and all that... 😁

Edited April 26, 2020 by ChiCricket

[Nysha]

Scarlett45, I'm so sorry about your aunt. It's so hard to watch loved ones slowly drift away due to Alzheimer's and dementia.

@PikaScrewChu, I don't think this is going to be over in one wave. I just heard that the WHO is saying there is no evidence that having antibodies is going to keep anyone from getting it again. Plus, with states opening up and people cheating on social distancing, it's going to be hard just to keep the people who haven't had it from getting it. 

[galaxychaser]

I decided I’m going to write 3 things I’m great full for every day. Need to cheer myself up.

I miss going to bookstores so much. Of course last time I was there (3/1) I got molested.  But I miss digging through the clearance rack!

[crazycatlady58]

3 hours ago, Jeeves said:

I'm sorry for everyone who's feeling the pinch of this sequestration situation. I am too, and it's not like there's anyone else living here with me. I don't tend to be super-anxious in general but over the last couple of weeks I've become - at least - very cautious about leaving my condo. Aware that between my front door and the great outdoors are hallways, lobbies and elevator or stairs. With door handles and the air full of whatever has recently been breathed into it and hasn't cleared out yet. I'm happy to have a balcony that's all windows on two sides. I can open a window when it's not too cold, and enjoy outside air and the view of what's happening out front. I'm happy to be on the street side of the building with a pretty good range of distance in the view.

It's nearly two weeks now, since delivery of the washer/dryer set that replaced my recently deceased old washer. I decided to incur the risk of infection once (for the delivery/haulaway) rather than during all the frequent trips I'd have to make down to our building's coin-op laundry room, to use the washers there, if I didn't replace my washing machine. I hope I chose correctly. So far, so good.

The good news is that my assignment with the company I've been working a temp project for, has been extended through May. As has the company directive for all workers who can do their jobs from home, to work at home.

This morning I ordered an under-desk pedal exerciser thing, not so much to use under my desk as when I'm sitting in the living room watching TV. I've become much too inactive these days! At least that should get my blood circulating. I decided it was a better choice for me than the Slim Cycle. I was an enthusiastic bike rider in my young days but I hate stationary exercise bikes unless they are recumbent. 

Our governor is lifting some of our pandemic-related restrictions as of I think tomorrow, but our mayor is extending our city's restrictions until May 8 and so are many cities/counties in this metro area (Denver). It's a "let's be careful about our next steps" attitude and I think it's wise. 

I was happy to see Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper mysteries mentioned above. Way back in the 90's I was on some forum on AOL (remember AOL? LOL!) about mystery writing, and so was Earlene. We met in person at a mystery book convention in California sometime in the 1990's. She was a sweetie! And I enjoyed all her books. One passage from Steps to the Altar is among my all time favorite quotes. It's spoken by a minister in the story and I'll sign off this post with it:

 

That's what I love about her books. You can laugh, shed a few tears and have your heart touched all in a few pages. Her faith comes through but to me is never preachy. I was so sad when she finished the series it was almost like losing a loved one.

[BetyBee]

I think I'm currently adapted well enough to the quarantine. It's heart-breaking not to see my kids and grands, but I'm getting along ok with my husband...for now! I have a monthly book club to zoom with and a weekly women's group. Now the weekly group wants to zoom tomorrow and I'm kind of dreading it. It's hard for me because I'm new in town and they all know each other well, but I have trouble remembering their names! Although the thing about zoom is that people's names are right there, which is helpful. And I know I won't regret doing it. I'm afraid I'm becoming a recluse! Along with the rest of the world!

[galaxychaser]

2 hours ago, Nysha said:

I have an update on my son who dropped in for a "visit".

He had a warrant in my state, so after he left my house he walked to the police station and turned himself in. They kept him for almost a week, then released him with a court date for next month. So, he walked to my apartment. I'm pretty sure he expected me to let him stay here until he went to court, but I am done rescuing my adult children from their own actions. The only services my town has for homeless people is at least one area church does a free dinner every night.

Since he couldn't stay in my house and the only other option was the streets, he decided he wanted to go to another city he has lived in before, that has more resources for people who are homeless and mentally ill. I bought him a bus ticket and gave him $20, he stayed the night here and I dropped him off at 6 in the morning on Friday.

Given he has been on the streets, in shelters, on a bus through several states, and in jail, all in the last month, I think there is a real risk that he is carrying the virus. So, I'm on voluntary lock down for the next 2 weeks. I've been wearing a mask and going to the grocery store and Dutch Bros once or twice a week.

On the plus side, my boss left a gift bag with Margarita mix and a fifth of Jose Cuervo  on my door step last night. And I don't have to share with anyone!

You are a good mom. 

[lookeyloo]

Checking in - I've been reading, but, little energy to type much.  @Nysha I think I wrote something to you, but never clicked submit.  Yours is a difficult and painful journey.  I think I responded to some  of you but, my brain isn't fully functioning so I apologize.  I have taken to praying.  This is unusual for me.  I can't explain it.  It gives me a moment of peace.  I am Jewish.  I am praying to St. Jude.  Can't explain that either.  Honestly, I just don't know.  My son has his ups and downs.  We have spent 5.5 weeks with them during the "lockdown" in Georgia.  Son has a friend who is an infectious disease doctor and she said if we have no contact we could go to our house and then back to his (our stay at home order doesn't prohibit this) so we finally came to our own house.  We are about a 30 minute car ride.  That kind of helps my mental state to a degree.  I spend a lot of time crying, or trying not to cry.  Who wants to be near that? Not even me.  We did Passover with the son and family in WA state via Zoom.  We were supposed to be there.  I wanted to cry the entire time because I wanted to hug my grandchildren.  I know our problems are minor because we have food and mortgage money.  I shouldn't complain. Not really complaining.  Just feeling sad. On the upside I like instacart and we have enough toilet paper and paper towels.  Sending quarantine hugs and am lifting a glass to all of you.

[wilsie]

17 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Checking in - I've been reading, but, little energy to type much.  @Nysha I think I wrote something to you, but never clicked submit.  Yours is a difficult and painful journey.  I think I responded to some  of you but, my brain isn't fully functioning so I apologize.  I have taken to praying.  This is unusual for me.  I can't explain it.  It gives me a moment of peace.  I am Jewish.  I am praying to St. Jude.  Can't explain that either.  Honestly, I just don't know.  My son has his ups and downs.  We have spent 5.5 weeks with them during the "lockdown" in Georgia.  Son has a friend who is an infectious disease doctor and she said if we have no contact we could go to our house and then back to his (our stay at home order doesn't prohibit this) so we finally came to our own house.  We are about a 30 minute car ride.  That kind of helps my mental state to a degree.  I spend a lot of time crying, or trying not to cry.  Who wants to be near that? Not even me.  We did Passover with the son and family in WA state via Zoom.  We were supposed to be there.  I wanted to cry the entire time because I wanted to hug my grandchildren.  I know our problems are minor because we have food and mortgage money.  I shouldn't complain. Not really complaining.  Just feeling sad. On the upside I like instacart and we have enough toilet paper and paper towels.  Sending quarantine hugs and am lifting a glass to all of you.

When you have a child who is going through what your dear son is going through it's anything but minor.  Cancer at anytime is a real struggle when you love someone with it.  When it's your child it can up the worry.  You know and are grateful for what you have but miss the loved ones you can't be with right now.  I think you're an amazing and loving mom.  There will always be someone who has was seems to be a more difficult life.  It doesn't lessen what you are going through.  With St. Jude, I grew up Catholic and St. Jude is a great comfort to be able to pray to.  I also pray to Mary.  She a mom.  When I have struggles with my children Mary is my go to.  I hope you find comfort in knowing what a loving gift you are to your family.  

[Nysha]

2 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

 I know our problems are minor because we have food and mortgage money.  I shouldn't complain. Not really complaining.  Just feeling sad.

No, you're not complaining. You're sharing how you're being affected and how it makes you feel with people who understand and empathize. 

Hugs and butterfly kisses to all during this time. 

[jcbrown]

19 hours ago, marypat57 said:

One of my favorite book series is the culinary murder mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson.  They are quite entertaining and have recipes included.

Oh, yes, I second the recommendation for Diane Mott Davidson, too. Another good one is Katherine Hall Page and her Faith Fairchild series.

[crazycatlady58]

48 minutes ago, jcbrown said:

Oh, yes, I second the recommendation for Diane Mott Davidson, too. Another good one is Katherine Hall Page and her Faith Fairchild series.

So many good books.

[sixlets]

This whole self-isolating thing is bringing up thoughts, fears, realizations, and panic to just about everyone.  It will mask itself differently depending on the person.  

My ah-ha moment so far:  After 17 1/2 years of marriage, and I did not know a man could get on the same cycle as his wife.  The more you know...

[CherryMalotte]

5 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

 That kind of helps my mental state to a degree.  I spend a lot of time crying, or trying not to cry.  Who wants to be near that? Not even me. 

Cry here.  None of us will mind.  All our situations are so different, but we all feel and suffer.  And if it's easier to be emotional here than with your family, do so - there's no reprisals and no one is judging.  I'm so grateful that I could spill my guts here on more than one occasion when I was just up to my limit with my family bullshit...very grateful.  It felt really good to type out some of the frustration and fear and anger and sadness.  

Ugh - and Mr Conspiracy Malotte...he and a few of his friends feed off of each other and they've taken to going and getting carryout a couple of mornings a week and eating in one of the cars so they can bitch about how all this sucks and politics and shit I wouldn't even repeat because frankly I'm ashamed that some of the things he's saying.  He's trying to be friendly and yapping like he normally does around the house, and more so because he's around ALL THE TIME.  I just want to sew his mouth up!         

[awaken]

There’s a Mystery Machine that lives in our neighborhood!   

[Ijustwantsomechips]

11 hours ago, Jeeves said:

This morning I ordered an under-desk pedal exerciser thing, not so much to use under my desk as when I'm sitting in the living room watching TV

A Qubii?  I have one and it works fairly well with one annoying feature. I have that crappy low-pile indoor/ outdoor type carpet in my office.  The Qubii comes with two disks to rest the wheels of your desk chair on, and once you put the wheels on them, the chair stops rolling.  The problem with that is in order to be close enough to use the machine, your chair is too close to get up from the desk easily. It kind of becomes a pain after a while.  If you’re on high-pile carpet it shouldn’t be a problem though.

Other than that I like it though. It also makes an excellent foot rest 😁