Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Scarlett45]

17 hours ago, zoomama said:

oh, in case you wonder, we saw Redeeming Love, based off the book written by Francine Rivers.  it was really good, well done and definitely conveyed the message of the book.  there is violence and some minor suggestive nudity but saying that, there is no direct nudity. it is best not for younger kids due to subject matter, IMHO.

I saw an ad for that, with Nina Dobrev playing the lead character's mother? I read a synopsis on Wikipedia, not normally a type of book I would be into, but the movie could be good if the actors were good. 

 

Can I be a whinny baby for a second?-

Whining started:

I am so frustrated that my sister does not have a State ID yet. In IL the disability ID is valid for 10yrs, and hers expired RIGHT before COVID hit (as her birthday is in January). No one has given me a hard time about it (thank goodness for small victories), likely because of the pandemic, but it would be a load off of my mind if she HAD IT, and I didn't have to worry about this for another decade. WHY WHY WHY can one not do online renewals for Disability IDs?? Or even a ZOOM appointment to verify that she is actually alive and exists, with submitting the paperwork through a portal?

I am probably going to have to spend my week off in March trying to get her to the DMV, yes she goes to the front of the line, but its getting her OUT with her in a good mood and cooperative. If you all have not seen a 34yrs year old throw a tantrum like a toddler (she is our "Tall Toddler" after all)- it s not something you want to be present for.

 

Okay I am done. Moving on. 

 

I did buy a new Mac book pro- it is beautiful. I wiped my Mac Book Air yesterday, will send it into apple and get a gift card (which I will likely put towards a new phone in 2023). I also got a promotion at work, and a 9% raise. 

 

Edited to add- as of TODAY there is a "Homebound Program" for state ids for individuals in IL. This did NOT EXIST in 2021. HOORAY!!!! I have already started the process rolling- lets see how long it takes to process the paper work and get her an ID. (I had to fill out a form, where by I put my Mom's phone and email, and they are to review it and respond with the paperwork to be submitted- thank goodness her current ID is a disability id so it shouldn't be a big issue). 

[MargeGunderson]

Congratulations on the promotion and raise! 

(substitute Scarlett45 for Milhouse, I have no editing skills).

[ozziemom]

@Scarlett45 congratulations on your promotion at work! 
 

Now my whiny time. Sunday an electrical pole at the place we store our RV set off sparks and started a fire. Our RV was badly burned on the passenger side and looks beyond repair. So we now get to tangle with Florida Power and our insurance company. Our insurance agent was very unhelpful except to give me an 800 phone number. And so far we’ve had no response to calls to FPL. The kicker is we just spent over $1,000 getting RV fixed up and ready to go after 2 years of non use due to pandemic. Oh well, thankfully no one was hurt, but we were looking forward to being on the road again.

[Scarlett45]

1 minute ago, ozziemom said:

@Scarlett45 congratulations on your promotion at work! 
 

Now my whiny time. Sunday an electrical pole at the place we store our RV set off sparks and started a fire. Our RV was badly burned on the passenger side and looks beyond repair. So we now get to tangle with Florida Power and our insurance company. Our insurance agent was very unhelpful except to give me an 800 phone number. And so far we’ve had no response to calls to FPL. The kicker is we just spent over $1,000 getting RV fixed up and ready to go after 2 years of non use due to pandemic. Oh well, thankfully no one was hurt, but we were looking forward to being on the road again.

OMG I am so sorry! I too am glad no one was hurt, but that REALLY REALLY SUCKS! May you at least get the value back. There weren't irreplaceable items in there?

[Minivanessa]

@Scarlett45 - WOO HOO! Congratulations on your promotion and raise!! Well deserved, I'm sure. And that's great news about your sister's ID situation. BTW, how are the new cats doing?

@ozziemom - I am so sorry about the RV fire! I hope you encounter more helpful people in your claims process than you have so far. Fingers crossed!

[ozziemom]

Fortunately we had completely emptied the RV for storage so no loss there. 

[iwantcookies]

4 hours ago, ozziemom said:

@Scarlett45 congratulations on your promotion at work! 
 

Now my whiny time. Sunday an electrical pole at the place we store our RV set off sparks and started a fire. Our RV was badly burned on the passenger side and looks beyond repair. So we now get to tangle with Florida Power and our insurance company. Our insurance agent was very unhelpful except to give me an 800 phone number. And so far we’ve had no response to calls to FPL. The kicker is we just spent over $1,000 getting RV fixed up and ready to go after 2 years of non use due to pandemic. Oh well, thankfully no one was hurt, but we were looking forward to being on the road again.

That’s so awful I’m so sorry!

[Scarlett45]

3 hours ago, Jeeves said:

@Scarlett45 - WOO HOO! Congratulations on your promotion and raise!! Well deserved, I'm sure. And that's great news about your sister's ID situation. BTW, how are the new cats doing?

@ozziemom - I am so sorry about the RV fire! I hope you encounter more helpful people in your claims process than you have so far. Fingers crossed!

Well Lady Reese is a classic tortie- so stealthy! I lose her about once very other day. Cavendish (the grey) is my big sweet boy, I think he is going to be my new FaceTime companion, as he loves it when I chat with people. They will both sit on my lap, but Cavendish will sit more often. Lady Reese likes Blake's old spot on the sofa quite a bit. It feels right that they are here. I took some of my bonus and bought them a cat tree-72 inches, should arrive next week. When I bought this place the first thought I had was "this living room is huge, perfect for a big Christmas tree", the second thought was "should I get a cat tree?"- I decided not to, because at the time all my cats were elderly (Mr. Norris was 16, Blake was 12 and Charlie was 11) and I didn't think they would use it much. These two NEED A TREE.

Here are some photos (I also talk about them a lot in the Pets thread).

[MargeGunderson]

They are beautiful, @Scarlett45.

[Suzn]

Such beautiful babies!  They will love the tree.

[emmawoodhouse]

Congrats on the promotion, @Scarlett45! 

I got a suspicious mammogram result yesterday and have to go to the hospital next week for the super special exam. I had this before, and it was nothing. Hopefully, I just breathed before I should have and muddied up the ultrasound. 

[Liddy52]

12 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

Congrats on the promotion, @Scarlett45! 

I got a suspicious mammogram result yesterday and have to go to the hospital next week for the super special exam. I had this before, and it was nothing. Hopefully, I just breathed before I should have and muddied up the ultrasound. 

🙏 for good results on your super special  exam.  I used to have to have follow up compression mammograms, ultra sounds, needle biopsies, surgical biopsies etc. quite frequently following mammograms.  Fortunately,  everything was always benign. One of the perks of getting older is that my breast tissue is less dense and it is easier to read the mammograms and additional tests aren't needed.  Sending positive thoughts your way!

[iwantcookies]

40 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

Congrats on the promotion, @Scarlett45! 

I got a suspicious mammogram result yesterday and have to go to the hospital next week for the super special exam. I had this before, and it was nothing. Hopefully, I just breathed before I should have and muddied up the ultrasound. 

Sending you good vibes !

[ozziemom]

3 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

Well Lady Reese is a classic tortie- so stealthy! I lose her about once very other day. Cavendish (the grey) is my big sweet boy, I think he is going to be my new FaceTime companion, as he loves it when I chat with people. They will both sit on my lap, but Cavendish will sit more often. Lady Reese likes Blake's old spot on the sofa quite a bit. It feels right that they are here. I took some of my bonus and bought them a cat tree-72 inches, should arrive next week. When I bought this place the first thought I had was "this living room is huge, perfect for a big Christmas tree", the second thought was "should I get a cat tree?"- I decided not to, because at the time all my cats were elderly (Mr. Norris was 16, Blake was 12 and Charlie was 11) and I didn't think they would use it much. These two NEED A TREE.

Here are some photos (I also talk about them a lot in the Pets thread).

Love your cats names! How is Cosmos doing with them? I may have to venture over to the Pets forum, sounds interesting.

4 hours ago, iwantcookies said:

That’s so awful I’m so sorry!

Thanks Cookies. It is just so strange that a few sparks fried an electrical pole and caused two boats and our RV to burn up. 

[Scarlett45]

48 minutes ago, ozziemom said:

Love your cats names! How is Cosmos doing with them? I may have to venture over to the Pets forum, sounds interesting.

Thank you! 

Lady Reese was "Reese" when she was adopted, but looking at her she needed a title. 

Cavendish was "Dave" but I have a human friend named Dave and that just wouldn't do, I had been saying for years I was naming my next cat after Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- but he is a boy so "Cavendish"- he looked like a Cavendish.

Cosmo is good with them, he has lived with cats since puppyhood, Cavendish was a little scared of him at first but is now okay. Cosmo just doesn't like it if they get near his bed in my office, that's his "zone" but otherwise he lets them do whatever.

[awaken]

2 hours ago, emmawoodhouse said:

Congrats on the promotion, @Scarlett45! 

I got a suspicious mammogram result yesterday and have to go to the hospital next week for the super special exam. I had this before, and it was nothing. Hopefully, I just breathed before I should have and muddied up the ultrasound. 

Me too. Got the call the other day. Have to wait 2 weeks before I could make it in for the follow up testing. Let’s hope all is clear for both of us!  

[Scarlett45]

@emmawoodhouse & @awaken good luck on your “super special exams” (what fun phrase)- good for you guys for getting checked out and staying on top of that. Like we don’t have enough to do in “normal” life!

[Love2dance]

I, too, spend more times than I can count with “super special exams” @emmawoodhouse and @awaken. Sending good wishes for excellent outcomes.

So glad it looks like your sister will be able to get the id she needs more easily, @Scarlett45. I love hearing about and seeing your new kitties.

[iwantcookies]

On 1/24/2022 at 12:22 PM, iwantcookies said:

I saw these in a store. All I could think of was Jill Rodrigues and her HUNK. 

I finally ate a couple for dinner. They are not too bad. Hunks of something all right.

[Scarlett45]

I got the paperwork processed to get my voucher for the funds put toward my cancelled Morocco trip. I am bummed, but it's for the best. The funds are good for two years, so lets see.

Still haven't decided if I want to visit friends in NOLA mid-March- it would be an inexpensive trip, I would just have to pay for dog sitting, (I have Southwest credits) but I am giving myself until a month out to decide if I should go.

[iwantcookies]

Haha I figured I’d keep for a few days for a laugh 

[Turquoise]

Project Yank the Uterus is set to conclude March 4. May there not be another Covid delay.

[awaken]

4 hours ago, iwantcookies said:

Haha I figured I’d keep for a few days for a laugh 

Ew. 

[ChiCricket]

5 hours ago, iwantcookies said:

Haha I figured I’d keep for a few days for a laugh 

Cookie.... You're killing me here. 😂

Full disclosure, I have a picture of Lin-Manuel Miranda as my Screensaver.. because I'm obsessed with him.. and I think he's HAWT! 🤣

( my husband of almost 53 years is ok with this) 😁

 So... I know you're obsessed with GWE... but do you also think he's a HAWT hunk? 😂🤣

 

[iwantcookies]

2 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

Cookie.... You're killing me here. 😂

Full disclosure, I have a picture of Lin-Manuel Miranda as my Screensaver.. because I'm obsessed with him.. and I think he's HAWT! 🤣

( my husband of almost 53 years is ok with this) 😁

 So... I know you're obsessed with GWE... but do you also think he's a HAWT hunk? 😂🤣

 

No. Not even if he was the last man on earth. 

[Ijustwantsomechips]

9 hours ago, Turquoise said:

Project Yank the Uterus is set to conclude March 4. May there not be another Covid delay.

Best wishes @Turquoise. I’m scheduled for March 3rd. We can be hyster sisters! (Hystersisters.com is actually an incredibly helpful website BTW).  

[MargeGunderson]

So this happened today - I got a hand-addressed envelope in the mail from someone I did not recognize. I opened it up and it was all about the comfort of God during these trying times, I should read the Bible, etc. My first thought was “how does she know I spend so much time snarking on the Duggars?” Then I saw the Jehovah’s Witness pamphlet she included and realized I was just paranoid. 
 

(But it’s still creepy that someone I don’t know has sent me a letter about finding Jesus. Jesus and I have an understanding already, we’re cool!)

[Westiepeach]

3 minutes ago, MargeGunderson said:

So this happened today - I got a hand-addressed envelope in the mail from someone I did not recognize. I opened it up and it was all about the comfort of God during these trying times, I should read the Bible, etc. My first thought was “how does she know I spend so much time snarking on the Duggars?” Then I saw the Jehovah’s Witness pamphlet she included and realized I was just paranoid. 
 

(But it’s still creepy that someone I don’t know has sent me a letter about finding Jesus. Jesus and I have an understanding already, we’re cool!)

I get those, too! I think because of the pandemic and social distancing, the Jehovah Witnesses do the handwritten letter thing instead of going house to house.

[Cinnabon]

8 hours ago, Ijustwantsomechips said:

Best wishes @Turquoise. I’m scheduled for March 3rd. We can be hyster sisters! (Hystersisters.com is actually an incredibly helpful website BTW).  

That site helped me so much when I had mine. 

1 hour ago, Westiepeach said:

I get those, too! I think because of the pandemic and social distancing, the Jehovah Witnesses do the handwritten letter thing instead of going house to house.

That’s one plus of the pandemic.

[Liddy52]

I didn't read all of Jill's long holier than thou diatribe,  but at the end, she did again list her version of God's "rules". Included among them are men dressing as men and women dressing as women( or something to that effect) and women having long hair while men should have short hair. I think God has more important issues to focus on.

Oops! This should be in the Sweet Fellowship thread because it refers to Jill Rod, but I don't have a clue how to move it! 

Edited January 27, 2022 by Liddy52

[CalicoKitty]

8 hours ago, Westiepeach said:

I get those, too! I think because of the pandemic and social distancing, the Jehovah Witnesses do the handwritten letter thing instead of going house to house.

I get the handwritten letter from time to time.  I find it interesting that they are usually signed "from a neighbor" instead of a name.  I don't think the pandemic has anything to do with it; I have received these letters occasionally for the past 30 years.

[Scarlett45]

To the tune of “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman”(Frozen)-

 

Do you wanna build a CAT TREE!

[Minivanessa]

Wow. That's a TREE. Nice job!!

[Absolom]

Great cat tree.  Now a table with cat grass, too.  :)  

[Scarlett45]

20 minutes ago, Absolom said:

Great cat tree.  Now a table with cat grass, too.  :)  

I have never actually used cat grass!

[CalicoKitty]

Just now, Scarlett45 said:

I have never actually used cat grass!

My cats have no interest in it at all.  I do have extreme cat approval on Yeeoww cat toys.  They absolutely love the banana-shaped ones.

[Absolom]

My last cats loved cat grass.  I had to grow replacement pots out of their reach.  They also loved cat thyme.

Edited January 31, 2022 by Absolom

[iwantcookies]

6 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

My cats have no interest in it at all.  I do have extreme cat approval on Yeeoww cat toys.  They absolutely love the banana-shaped ones.

All I could think of was Meri from sister wives… thanks for a laugh. 
 

Give your kitties a cuddle from me.

 

Edited January 29, 2022 by iwantcookies

[emmawoodhouse]

6 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

My cats have no interest in it at all.  I do have extreme cat approval on Yeeoww cat toys.  They absolutely love the banana-shaped ones.

My cats love trees, kitty grass, AND Yeeoww catnip toys! Trifecta! 

[Scarlett45]

Cavendish dragged this new toy in the kitchen then “stalked it”. 
 

It’s been nice having younger cats again- I had forgotten how funny they can be. It’s been fun getting to know them. 

[ChiCricket]

This woman reminds me of JRod.(this guy set music to her anti-mask ranting.)  

"I am a Christian Woman of God!!!!!" 

  start at 2:00 in if you just want to watch the best part, and don't miss the end 😁

[zoomama]

can i just say.....GO RAMS!!!!

[Scarlett45]

Weight loss woes:

Right now I am on 1600 calories a day (approximately, of course some days I go over, and some days under). I am going to stick with these calories until May and see how I feel. I am tracking everything and weighing out all food items that aren't a green vegetable (and of course when I do that I lose weight). 

I'd like to drop another 20lbs, finally after over a year I can feel a "difference" although I am asking myself "why are my bras so big and my shirts so damn long??" My Mom told me yesterday that I wasn't allowed to wear a certain pair of pants to work any more (we are hybrid) because they were sagging too much and it looked like half of my behind was gone. (they were not falling off of my behind, but I have very wide hips, so the bottom half looked deflated). I listen to my Mom.

I am rarely hungry (I am sometimes at night, I prefer to eat more in the morning so around 6pm I get a little hungry) but am not "full". Staying in a caloric deficit is a PITA, but I like being lighter and I know its good for me. Wish me luck, I feel like Rolly from 101 Dalmations.

[MargeGunderson]

@Scarlett45, you are doing amazing! Your commitment is really inspiring. Sounds like shopping trip is in order. Even though you want to lose a bit more, you should celebrate where you are now, and the effort it took you to get there!

[ginger90]

Good luck @Scarlett45 !!

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, MargeGunderson said:

@Scarlett45, you are doing amazing! Your commitment is really inspiring. Sounds like shopping trip is in order. Even though you want to lose a bit more, you should celebrate where you are now, and the effort it took you to get there!

I did get four pairs work pants from Old Navy so I would not look like a bum in public. My sweaters are still okay they are BIG rather than fitted but thick winter sweaters are more forgiving. Given in Chicago you really do need TWO distinct wardrobes, I know I will buy a fair number of things at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale in the summer (for fall), and new spring things probably in March/April. 

 

Edited to add- I think I may sign up for Stitch Fix in a few months- my Mom did quarterly ones for the last few years, and the stylists are REALLY GOOD. I have seen the things they sent her, and some of the times she already had almost the same thing. I generally like picking (that's half the fun) but given that I NEED new things, getting bimonthly might be fun. My mom cancelled hers when she retired, the woman needs new clothes like I need fat cells (the first thing she learned to do on the internet was shop!).

[BetyBee]

On 1/28/2022 at 9:16 PM, CalicoKitty said:

My cats have no interest in it at all.  I do have extreme cat approval on Yeeoww cat toys.  They absolutely love the banana-shaped ones.

Thank you for this suggestion, @CalicoKitty! I ordered the banana shaped one for our almost 17 year old cat and he's having a blast and acting like a younger kitty!

[Rootbeer]

4 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

I did get four pairs work pants from Old Navy so I would not look like a bum in public. My sweaters are still okay they are BIG rather than fitted but thick winter sweaters are more forgiving. Given in Chicago you really do need TWO distinct wardrobes, I know I will buy a fair number of things at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale in the summer (for fall), and new spring things probably in March/April. 

 

Edited to add- I think I may sign up for Stitch Fix in a few months- my Mom did quarterly ones for the last few years, and the stylists are REALLY GOOD. I have seen the things they sent her, and some of the times she already had almost the same thing. I generally like picking (that's half the fun) but given that I NEED new things, getting bimonthly might be fun. My mom cancelled hers when she retired, the woman needs new clothes like I need fat cells (the first thing she learned to do on the internet was shop!).

Stitch fix does a pretty good job, just be sure to complete all the questions about your preferences.  Also, you can go online before your next Fix is mailed and opt not to get some items and even replace them with other stuff you'd like to try.  The website has a lot of outfits of every kind and will use your info to help put things together if you want to use it.  I get a box ever 3-6 months and try to preview them so I don't get stuff that is too similar to things I already have.  I forgot to do it with the last box and ended up getting a quilted vest and a pair of navy pants that were too much like stuff I already have.  I kept a cute sweater though that I probably wouldn't have picked for myself but turned out to look much better on me than I expected.

They also send a big envelope to mail back anything you don't want to keep postage paid.  You can give price ranges for various items of clothing so you won't get stuff that is too expensive or cheap stuff if you need or want nicer quality things for work or a special occasion.  If you keep the whole box (I never have), you get 25% off the total.

Edited February 1, 2022 by Rootbeer

[Scarlett45]

1 minute ago, Rootbeer said:

Stitch fix does a pretty good job, just be sure to complete all the questions about your preferences.  Also, you can go online before your next Fix is mailed and opt not to get some items and even replace them with other stuff you'd like to try.  The website has a lot of outfits of every kind and will use your info to help put things together if you want to use it.  I get a box ever 3-6 months and try to preview them so I don't get stuff that is too similar to things I already have.  I forgot to do it with the last box and ended up getting a quilted vest and a pair of navy pants that were too much like stuff I already have.  I kept a cute sweater though that I probably wouldn't have picked for myself but turned out to look much better on me than I expected.

They also send a big envelope to mail back anything you don't want to keep postage paid.  You can give price ranges for various items of clothing so you won't get stuff that is too expensive for your or cheap stuff if you need or want better things for work or a special occasion.  If you keep the whole box (I never have), you get 25% off the total.

Yeah I am aware- my Mom has been doing it for a few years, who do you think had to wrap up all the stuff she didn’t want and send it back? 

 

ME!!!!!!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

No that she’s retired maybe she will have more “time” to do things like that? It’s only been a month and I have been telling her she needs to relax. Who am I kidding- that’s what I am for!

[Rootbeer]

1 minute ago, Scarlett45 said:

Yeah I am aware- my Mom has been doing it for a few years, who do you think had to wrap up all the stuff she didn’t want and send it back? 

 

ME!!!!!!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

No that she’s retired maybe she will have more “time” to do things like that? It’s only been a month and I have been telling her she needs to relax. Who am I kidding- that’s what I am for!

I'm surprised there was anything to wrap.  My boxes have always had a huge pre-paid mailing envelope and I can just drop everything I'm not keeping into it, seal it and drop it in the mail.  Doesn't take 2 minutes.  Another nice thing about Stitch Fix, IMO.