Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[awaken]

7 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

The Iowa/Nevada game finally ended last night at 11:30 PDT, so 1:30 in Iowa.  I stuck with it, but I was beginning to wonder if they would just call it off.  There were still fans in the stands at the bitter end.  Over 7 hours for a football game.  That has to be some kind of record.  Big 10 network stuck with them the whole time, but I'm sure the network hopes this doesn't happen again.

I don’t follow football. Why would it go so long?  Inclement weather or just an unusually long game?

[Minivanessa]

2 minutes ago, awaken said:

I don’t follow football. Why would it go so long?  Inclement weather or just an unusually long game?

As mentioned in the earlier posts, the game was suspended more than once because there was lightning in the area. That involved not only stopping play but getting the spectators out of the stands.

[CalicoKitty]

5 minutes ago, awaken said:

I don’t follow football. Why would it go so long?  Inclement weather or just an unusually long game?

Three lightning breaks each about 40 minutes where the teams and everyone in the stadium had to evacuate.  The stadium was packed, and everyone had to leave, and then come back, and then leave, and then come back, etc.  College football has a rule that if there is lightning within 8 miles of the stadium everyone must leave and must stay away until at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.  It was.....interesting.

Edited September 19, 2022 by CalicoKitty

[peppergal]

I attended a college football game in a hurricane a few years ago.  We were inland enough that it was barely a cat 1 by the time it went over us so they decided to play the game as planned.  There was no lightening in the area, just a lot of wind and rain.  Due to the small size of the crowd they were actually announcing sheltering areas in the buildings that were right next to the stadium in case of a weather stoppage (either lightening or a tornado warning were possibilities).  We didn't end up needing them but it was nice to know they had a plan that didn't involve people hiking to the parking areas in what could potentially be a tornado. 

In one of those weird right time, right place things, a tree actually fell during the storm and took out part of mom and dad's garage while they and their car were with me at the game.

[Boston]

We also had CYO.  every Wednesday night at the priest's house.  My brother and his friend were "asked" to go play tennis with one of the priests, Take a ride in his Corvette.   Guess what he did?  I'm not going to say.  My brother told me when he was in his 30s.   Disgusting.  He was one of the ones (the priest) - I won't use his name) involved in the whole scandal.  AND.  He died then, with AIDS - not saying anything bad about that.  but come to your own conclusions.  My brother and his friend dodged a bullet - that priest was a predator... Yes, in Massachusetts.  TAKING THIS TO SMALL TALK.

Edited September 20, 2022 by Boston
forgot word

[Mindthinkr]

I’ve had a rough few days. Twice today someone asks what’s wrong on the phone and I politely say I’m not ready to discuss it. Twice I was brought to tears. I wish people could understand that sometimes we need time to process things before letting our friends or family dissect them. 

[Scarlett45]

17 hours ago, Mindthinkr said:

I’ve had a rough few days. Twice today someone asks what’s wrong on the phone and I politely say I’m not ready to discuss it. Twice I was brought to tears. I wish people could understand that sometimes we need time to process things before letting our friends or family dissect them. 

You have a right to protect your own peace. (((Hugs))))

[Absolom]

I have a health issue I'm only comfortable discussing with doctors and my daughters.  People have had to adjust to me.  Rude people who have asked what exactly do you have get "the look" over my glasses and no response beyond that.  

[Jynnan tonnix]

Well, after all my worrying, my trip to England went smoothly! No problems with not having a middle name on my ticket. Phew!

[lookeyloo]

Mr lookeyloo and I had the second shingrix yesterday. Mine hurt and his didn't. Same person gave both. We both have sore arms and both woke up with headaches and minor aches and pains. I had my coffee and Tylenol and ibuprofen before he got up and now I am feeling a lot better. He is having his coffee and doses now. Hoping for same 

[Minivanessa]

19 hours ago, Absolom said:

I have a health issue I'm only comfortable discussing with doctors and my daughters.  People have had to adjust to me.  Rude people who have asked what exactly do you have get "the look" over my glasses and no response beyond that.  

Good for you. Sheesh. I don't claim to be the most sensitive person on the planet, but it's generally not that hard to tell when someone doesn't want to talk about something. I think some people have considered me cold and uninterested in others, because I don't cross-examine people to find out personal information that they haven't volunteered or made pretty clear they are willing to discuss. I suppose what I perceive as cross-examination, other people may consider just chit chat. Oh well.

@Jynnan tonnix - thanks for letting us know the outcome of your name dilemma. Good to know and I'm glad it went well.

@lookeyloo- thanks for the info and I hope your side effects from the vaccine are minimal. And for the reminder that I need to ask my doctor about getting that vaccine. I had the older version of shingles vaccine, a single shot, almost 14 years ag

Oh, gosh. I love technology. I really do. But i've just had kind of a roller coaster ride - although it's ended well. Several months ago I dropped TV from my Xfinity package (still had internet and home phone). Yesterday I decided to see if I could get a good promotional deal to add TV back in. Well, it worked, but there were a couple of bad experiences with CSRs on the phone, two good experiences with tech support on the phone, and a helpful session with a CSR at the Xfinity store.

The craziest and only really anxiety-producing thing happened this morning. I realized that although I still had phone service via the Xfinity modem? My phone had a completely different number than the one I've had for 17 years. My old number was reported as "out of service" when I tried dialing it from my mobile. And when I dialed my mobile number from my home phone, the new strange number showed up on caller ID. Talk about a "WTF?" moment! Fortunately, I got connected to a super helpful tech support person (I thought I jotted down her name but I can't find it now, darnit), who got it all straightened out. Thank goodness. I use that home number for so many accounts, and so many people have it, I was appalled at the effort and confusion that would be involved if it were suddenly changed. 

Whew!

I'm off to see the nice dermatologist to have the sutures removed from my head. I hope everyone has a good day.

[zoomama]

just checking by to say hi. this week was a write off due to a migraine from hell.  started monday late afternoon and leveled me all week.  i took all the meds i could and slept a lot but i still have the shadow of it in the back of my head. hoping to feel more like myself tomorrow. i have things scheduled for the day then  that need to be done so its rest today and start early tomorrow.  

[Love2dance]

Take care, @zoomama, migraines are the worst. I’m lucky that Zomig usually works for me. Hope it goes completely away.

[Spazamanaz]

21 hours ago, zoomama said:

just checking by to say hi. this week was a write off due to a migraine from hell.  started monday late afternoon and leveled me all week.  i took all the meds i could and slept a lot but i still have the shadow of it in the back of my head. hoping to feel more like myself tomorrow. i have things scheduled for the day then  that need to be done so its rest today and start early tomorrow.  

Oh that's awful! I hope you are feeling better soon. I suffer from chronic migraines. My doc put me beta blockers. And I take rizatriptan when I do get one. Have you heard of 'migraine hangover'? Maybe that's what you are getting after the initial migraine. Hugs to you!

I just got home from the hospital about an hour ago. Surgery was a bit complicated and took longer due to scar tissue from previous surgeries (c-sections) and scarring from endometriosis. My gyno said that my uterus was attached by scar tissue to the back of my bladder. Then while I was in recovery my heart rate kept dropping. It went down to 40 at one point. I remember a breathing mask being put on me. A nurse sat by my side the entire time monitoring me. Then finally taken to my room. I was there for two nights. I'm feeling pretty good, except swollen. And the gas is so painful,but it's moving along. Lol. So, all is good. I've got stitches that dissolve. I see the doctor in six weeks, and he's got me off work for 7 weeks. And I look about six months pregnant! Lol

[Jynnan tonnix]

On what was essentially an everyday neighborhood walk encompassing a couple of local fields with my cousin in Sheffield (England). Aside from the scenery being spectacular, the clouds and sun conspired to bring a truly unforgettable dimension to everything. How lucky are they to live in such a beautiful place!

[Suzn]

4 hours ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

On what was essentially an everyday neighborhood walk encompassing a couple of local fields with my cousin in Sheffield (England). Aside from the scenery being spectacular, the clouds and sun conspired to bring a truly unforgettable dimension to everything. How lucky are they to live in such a beautiful place!

So exquisite!  I'd love to visit there. 

[Love2dance]

Hope the rest of your recovery goes quickly and well, @Spazamanaz. Take care! 

[Spazamanaz]

3 hours ago, Love2dance said:

Hope the rest of your recovery goes quickly and well, @Spazamanaz. Take care! 

Thank you! 

[realityfan26]

We've talked on here about colonoscopies and the prep we have to go through. I have to share that my DH is having one tomorrow and he drank his first dose of prep all in one drink, no gagging, no having to take breaks, no tricks to make it go down easier. I was practically gagging thinking of what it was like. I am so jealous!!!

[oliviabenson]

Hilaria Baldwin named her new baby girl Ilaria. I assume it’s the same name? 
 

Not sure how many kids they have now. 

[Salacious Kitty]

14 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

Hilaria Baldwin named her new baby girl Ilaria. I assume it’s the same name? 
 

Not sure how many kids they have now. 

My god, another one? Alec is never going to be able to retire.

Edited September 26, 2022 by Salacious Kitty

[Panopticon]

11 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Hilaria Baldwin named her new baby girl Ilaria. I assume it’s the same name? 
 

Not sure how many kids they have now. 

I didn’t realize what thread I was in and I assumed that the Hilaria in question was Justin Duggar’s mother-in-law. I was wondering where all the jokes about the kid looking like Jason were. Did all the snarkers suddenly decide to politely ignore low-hanging fruit??? 

[Scarlett45]

A random confession- am insanely jealous of anyone that can wash a sink full of dishes by hand and not get drenched. I decided to tackle the dishes while my lunch was cooking, and my shirt is quite damp. 

So those that can wash dishes and not destroy their outfit, my hat goes off to you!

[Turquoise]

We took the grands to a pumpkin patch this weekend, and I took this shot while they were feeding goats. It inadvertently looks very Vuolo-ish. 

[Mindthinkr]

3 minutes ago, Turquoise said:

We took the grands to a pumpkin patch this weekend, and I took this shot while they were feeding goats. It inadvertently looks very Vuolo-ish. 

It looks like a fun family activity and you made a happy memory with them. Looks as though the weather was good too. I’m happy for you. 

[Turquoise]

3 minutes ago, Mindthinkr said:

It looks like a fun family activity and you made a happy memory with them. Looks as though the weather was good too. I’m happy for you. 

The weather was beautiful, but a bit too hot (we're in the Midwest). They had a lot of fun activities, and we let them each pick a pumpkin for our house and another to take back home. I'm big on making memories.

[Mindthinkr]

11 minutes ago, Turquoise said:

I'm big on making memories.

Me as well. You sound like a good/fun grandmother. 

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, Turquoise said:

We took the grands to a pumpkin patch this weekend, and I took this shot while they were feeding goats. It inadvertently looks very Vuolo-ish. 

I used to love the pumpkin patch! (still do, makes for good photos). I am sure they had a lovely time with you.

[marypat57]

On 9/24/2022 at 5:11 PM, Jynnan tonnix said:

On what was essentially an everyday neighborhood walk encompassing a couple of local fields with my cousin in Sheffield (England). Aside from the scenery being spectacular, the clouds and sun conspired to bring a truly unforgettable dimension to everything. How lucky are they to live in such a beautiful place!

These houses remind me of the tv show Escape to the Country that I get on my Dabl channel.  It’s a British show where people get taken to lovely homes and bid on them.  The ones I see are several years old, but I still enjoy them

[marypat57]

On 9/16/2022 at 7:41 PM, Notabug said:

…….My father did find it a convenient way to sort out nuisance calls from salespeople; if someone asked for him by his birth name, he knew they were trying to sell something.

I had to smile when I heard what your dad did with nuisance calls.  When my father died, my mother kept the phone in his name.  After my mother died I saw no reason to change the name on the phone .  When I sold the family home and moved to a new apartment, I was unable to keep the phone number, so I had the new phone number in my name.  
However, when I moved to the new apartment, I switched phone providers and found I could get back the old number, which I did.  If a person leaves a message for dad, I don’t answer..

[CalicoKitty]

We had some excitement here this morning.  We have been having the streets resurfaced and sealed.  I was "in lockdown" all day yesterday and this morning while the tar cured in front of my house.  They were working on the street around the corner this morning, and around noon the tar truck exploded.  My house really shook, and my cats were terrified.  By the time I got out there, the street was lined with fire trucks and ambulances.  The four men that worked for the tar company were injured.  One was life flighted out to a burn unit in Davis, CA.  He was very badly burned, and may not make it.  The others were taken by ambulance to, I think, Reno.  Two houses were scorched, one was not too bad, and one was worse. Their front yard and the front of their house was pretty burned, or so I have been told.  I haven't been able to get down there to see it yet.  The street is still blocked.  Also one garage door across the street was hit with truck parts that blew off the truck in the explosion.   Luckily, one neighbor who is a retired fire fighter got a garden hose and hosed down the propane tanks on the truck, and another neighbor hosed the flames in the one yard until the fire trucks arrived.  OSHA and the fire department have the street blocked off for the foreseeable future so they can investigate how this happened.  This all happened  about 10 minutes after the emergency workers were called to a car crash a few miles away.  The fire department and EMTs were very busy this morning.

Edited September 28, 2022 by CalicoKitty
wrong word

[Absolom]

@CalicoKitty I'm so sorry to hear about all that.  How horrifying.  I hope the workers all recover and people aren't too traumatized.

[BetyBee]

@CalicoKitty - what a terrible story! I feel awful for the injured workers. I'm glad for you that your home was spared damage. 

[Mindthinkr]

@CalicoKitty Wow. I’ve never heard of a tar truck exploding before. That sounds terrible. I’m glad you and the kitties are safe, and feel terrible for all those injured and their families. Fingers crossed for the one critical gentlemen to make it, but prayers for all. I’m glad you were unscathed. 

[crazycatlady58]

If someone here lives Florida be safe and please let us know you are ok after the storm passes.

[sagittarius sue]

In the 90s through 2008 my parents owned a condo in Port Charlotte where they stayed during the winter months, and I would visit each year.  I find myself glued to the Weather Channel as I'm so familiar with the area that's going to feel the brunt of Ian.

[crazycatlady58]

I am off work today and have the weather Channel on. I had to mute it because there is not much to say other than " It’s bad."

[BetyBee]

I put on a pair of jeans for the first time since 2020 today! I was able to zip them and wear them comfortably, which is amazing since I haven't weighed myself in ages and I've been all about leggings and loose tops all through Covid! Anyway, I realize that I had better go through my closet and drawers and get rid of a lot of old stuff that no longer fits or that I'm just sick of! I haven't gone through my clothes in all that time, when I would normally do it regularly. I realize Covid isn't over, but me being home all the time is over, so I better get on it!

I hope everyone in the path of Ian stays safe!

[CalicoKitty]

They unblocked the street, so I was able to drive by today.  The scorched house  will need new paint and windows, but at least it did not burn down.  They really did an excellent job with the cleanup. They smoothed out the street, but they did not finish the job, and they still have one more street to go.  My guess is that it will be a while before they finish.  No word on the condition of any of the workers.  It was a horrible accident, but it really could have been so much worse.  

[jcbrown]

Man, that is a terrible story, @CalicoKitty. I hope everyone will eventually be okay.

I got my hair cut today for the second time since January 2020 (the last time was July 2021, before I flew back to my hometown to hold Dad's memorial service and settle his affairs, and in the temporary respite before the Delta COVID variant). It is odd doing things that used to be so normal that now feel so not. We get our bivalent boosters and flu shots tomorrow in preparation for a planned trip to Maui in the middle of next month for our 20th anniversary. I realized yesterday that I have not put on a bathing suit since 2019 so that should be an adventure. I think I even bought a new one back in spring 2020 when we thought this would all pass quickly and we'd be able to do out annual Maui trip. Wonder if I like the new suit? 😆

[Nysha]

Yesterday I made chicken bone broth from a rotisserie chicken. Tonight I cut up two chicken breasts, some carrots, and some red potatoes, added them to the broth and made chicken pot pie filling. I put half of it in a pie dish, covered it with a biscuit crust, and baked it to perfection. And then I dropped the &^*&%^%%$^&* pie dish upside down trying to put it on the counter with one hand. I can make another one, but I don't wanna. 

[jcbrown]

6 minutes ago, Nysha said:

Yesterday I made chicken bone broth from a rotisserie chicken. Tonight I cut up two chicken breasts, some carrots, and some red potatoes, added them to the broth and made chicken pot pie filling. I put half of it in a pie dish, covered it with a biscuit crust, and baked it to perfection. And then I dropped the &^*&%^%%$^&* pie dish upside down trying to put it on the counter with one hand. I can make another one, but I don't wanna. 

Oh, that is devastating. I am so sorry. I can never watch the scene in a Christmas story where the dog steals the turkey because it is just too awful, and I feel the same for you. I know, there are bigger problems in the world but seeing something you worked hard on and were looking forward to just, not happen? Geez. At least it was only half?

[Love2dance]

Oh @Nysha, that is just so sad and frustrating. So sorry. Ugh! 

[Nysha]

20 hours ago, jcbrown said:

Oh, that is devastating. I am so sorry. I can never watch the scene in a Christmas story where the dog steals the turkey because it is just too awful, and I feel the same for you. I know, there are bigger problems in the world but seeing something you worked hard on and were looking forward to just, not happen? Geez. At least it was only half?

Yes, I still have enough filling to make another one which will be tonight's dinner. And I will use 2 pot holders instead of a dish towel to remove it from the oven. 😎

[Jynnan tonnix]

Getting ready to fly home tomorrow, but I saw that my check-in information says something about needing a negative Covid test. There's no way I have time to do that before a morning flight, and nothing online indicates it is a requirement for re-entering the country. I have my Covid shit record, including a booster just a couple of months ago, so hopefully that's good. Otherwise, I don't know what!

On top of that, I keep getting purported text messages just telling me "tap to download" from names in my contact list, so I suppose something has gotten hacked somewhere. And I'm trying to sleep because I have to be up early in the morning. I suspect I'm not getting any more sleep tonight...

[jcbrown]

2 hours ago, Nysha said:

Yes, I still have enough filling to make another one which will be tonight's dinner. And I will use 2 pot holders instead of a dish towel to remove it from the oven. 😎

Please report back on how it turns out!

Good luck, @Jynnan tonnix. I hope you get at least a little sleep and get back home without incident.

I got my bivalent booster (Pfizer--that makes one Moderna and four Pfizer jabs for me) and my flu shot today. Feeling pretty tired but otherwise no issues so far other than a sore arm. Fingers crossed that continues to be the case.

[jcbrown]

14 minutes ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

Getting ready to fly home tomorrow, but I saw that my check-in information says something about needing a negative Covid test. There's no way I have time to do that before a morning flight, and nothing online indicates it is a requirement for re-entering the country. I have my Covid shit record, including a booster just a couple of months ago, so hopefully that's good. Otherwise, I don't know what!

I found this for you online. Looks like the order was rescinded in June:

COVID-19 Testing No Longer Required for U.S. Entry as of June 12, 2022

The CDC order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded, effective on June 12, 2022, at 12:01AM ET.  This means that starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, nor show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.  Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for noncitizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. 

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/covid-19_testing_required_US_Entry.html

[Jynnan tonnix]

23 minutes ago, jcbrown said:

I found this for you online. Looks like the order was rescinded in June:

COVID-19 Testing No Longer Required for U.S. Entry as of June 12, 2022

The CDC order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded, effective on June 12, 2022, at 12:01AM ET.  This means that starting at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, nor show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.  Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for noncitizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. 

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/covid-19_testing_required_US_Entry.html

That's pretty much what I was finding as well, which is why I did not worry about it, but now the mention of needing it on my check-in email has me panicked. It's after 2:00 in the morning here, and I have to leave for the airport by 7:30, so no way to do anything at this point.

[peppergal]

13 hours ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

That's pretty much what I was finding as well, which is why I did not worry about it, but now the mention of needing it on my check-in email has me panicked. It's after 2:00 in the morning here, and I have to leave for the airport by 7:30, so no way to do anything at this point.

Likely it is just the IT folks are too focused on other things to update the email template.  My confirmation emails from my spa still tell me to log in and fill out the covid survey 24 hours before my appointment even though the link actually goes to a "page not found" address and the survey has not been required since late 2021.

[zoomama]

two of us got our moderna  bi-valent (?) booster yesterday. feeling ok as far as that goes today.  

however, remember that little blurb about having to help my son move from last week when i had the migraine and needed to get over it?  i think God was trying to get my attention and i failed to listen. i ended up falling with the FIRST thing i picked up to load for him, fell backwards flat on my back and hit the tile floor full on. the curio that i was sharing the load of lifting literally landed on top of me. one head CT scan and 6 lower back/hip xrays later, i am bruised and beaten but not broken.  i am resigning from the moving crew, effective immediately. 

one week later, my leg is still very bruised and i am moving slow and sitting gently.  but hey, my migraine went away! 😆