Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[awaken]

You know who I miss?  Church honey. Not sure if they’re still here under a different name. I learned a lot from their posts. 

[oliviabenson]

https://people.com/pastor-2-sons-die-holding-onto-each-other-after-he-saves-wife-other-kids-in-house-fire-8550170
 

thought of Dave Rodrigues crappy electric work. Tbh I hope Dave fixes their house up to code.

 

 

And Jill would totally crash that funeral…

[CalicoKitty]

34 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

https://people.com/pastor-2-sons-die-holding-onto-each-other-after-he-saves-wife-other-kids-in-house-fire-8550170
 

thought of Dave Rodrigues crappy electric work. Tbh I hope Dave fixes their house up to code.

 

 

And Jill would totally crash that funeral…

Only if he was a pastor of the correct kind of church.  

[oliviabenson]

2 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

Only if he was a pastor of the correct kind of church.  

I should not laugh but you are correct!

[BetyBee]

This may sound super crabby, but why do my retired friends choose to call me at dinner time? Or in the evening at all? We have an evening routine that we like, and phone calls are as irritating to me as they are to my millenial offspring. I don't mind texts. I've taken to turning my phone off in the evening!

[Ancaster]

21 hours ago, BetyBee said:

This may sound super crabby, but why do my retired friends choose to call me at dinner time? Or in the evening at all? We have an evening routine that we like, and phone calls are as irritating to me as they are to my millenial offspring. I don't mind texts. I've taken to turning my phone off in the evening!

I have the trifecta*: old, crabby, and retired.  I don't have set meal times.  I have two kids and I wish they would call me.

I do miss old-fashioned answering machines when you could listen as someone was leaving a message and pick up if it was someone you wanted to talk to.

*  What comes after trifecta?  I need to add "and I'm starting to sound like my mother-in-law".

[oliviabenson]

Hello everyone. Welcome back!

[CalicoKitty]

@Salacious Kitty  How are you doing with the rain?  My brother is on the coast near Santa Cruz and said they were hit pretty hard yesterday.  Their power had been off  for 4 hours when he texted last night.  I don't know if it is back or not.  

Our weather forecast was for about 4 inches of snow, but it wasn't very accurate.  We had over 10 inches with very strong winds.  But our power stayed on.  It is nice and sunny today.

[Salacious Kitty]

We got hammered all weekend. Yesterday was more intermittent though, but gale force winds tore through. Power thankfully remained on, just a few small branches down. 

And while I am here, I thought that after a week off, we would have an entirely new look! 

[BetyBee]

While the site was down, my sweet kitty passed away. I removed my profile pic because even though it was a caricature of him, it makes me sad. He was 18 years old and he passed overnight while we were asleep. We miss him so much! This is the first time in 46 years, that we don't have any pets. We probably will again one day, but we're not ready yet. My cousin sent me this James Herriot quote that is about dogs, but it's the same for cats:

"It is always said that however many wonderful and happy years a dog lives, you know that one day, the day he dies, your dog will break your heart."

[sixlets]

I am so sorry to hear about your sweet kitty, @BetyBee.  You will be in my thoughts.
 

Welcome back, all!!  I've missed everyone and finally realized what kind of community we have actually created.  I moderated another board years ago, and looking back, it was an extremely toxic environment.  This is different.  It's so nice to see such a supportive group of people who care about each other.  So, on that sappy note...thank you♥

[zoomama]

boy am i glad you all are back! i missed you.

[jcbrown]

I'm so sorry @BetyBee. That's so hard.

I am so glad the site is back! I'll never tell how many times I opened my shortcut just in the hope they'd healed it sooner than planned.

[GeeGolly]

I'm not on any other forums so it kind of felt like my mom put my blankie in the wash without telling me and then it took forever for it to be washed and dried. On Day 6 I must have come here 20 times, then again on Day 3 probably 10 times. And because I don't pay attention, I assumed Monday meant midnight, not noon, which for me was 3 pm.

I'm kind of confused with the new info. Will we not have a moderator assigned to each show?

[CalicoKitty]

I just hope Howard from the old boards doesn't come back.  I never did understand some of the criticism.  No one escaped having their posts edited in some way.

[AstridM]

16 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

I just hope Howard from the old boards doesn't come back.  I never did understand some of the criticism.  No one escaped having their posts edited in some way.

Nooooooooo!

[jcbrown]

47 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I'm not on any other forums so it kind of felt like my mom put my blankie in the wash without telling me and then it took forever for it to be washed and dried. On Day 6 I must have come here 20 times, then again on Day 3 probably 10 times. And because I don't pay attention, I assumed Monday meant midnight, not noon, which for me was 3 pm.

I'm kind of confused with the new info. Will we not have a moderator assigned to each show?

I was similarly hopeful and confused about when the forums would be back. I am surprised to read the info about the reset. I guess I pick well-moderated forums with good people because any instances of bullying or non-inclusive language I have seen has been swiftly, compassionately, and appropriately dealt with. Huh.

Edited February 6 by jcbrown

[CalicoKitty]

I just spoke to my brother.  They were on the coast near Santa Cruz in California and had to come home early.  When we spoke yesterday their power had been out for several hours, and they found out today that it won't be back on for at least two more days, so they went back home to the central valley.  They can't avoid all the rain, but at least they have electricity.

I hope everyone in California is staying safe and above water.

My friends here just had to move into a hotel for a few days because a hose bib outside broke and flooded three bedrooms.  They don't know when they can go back to their house.  Winter weather can certainly be inconvenient at times.

[jcbrown]

It has been nutso here. We were on a regular Zoom call with friends yesterday during the worst of the storm and we were in our dining room with the sliding glass door. We had to keep exclaining and ducking at the wild wind gusts and horizontal rain. We are lucky and have no damage, though, just some branches on the deck and one bird feeder blown down.

[Love2dance]

I sure missed this thread. So glad it’s back.

[andromeda331]

I'm so sorry for your loss @BetyBee.

[BetyBee]

Thank you for all of the kind words. I'm happy to have this forum and especially this thread, back. I missed everyone!

[ginger90]

Are we losing Mods with this “reboot”?

[GeeGolly]

1 hour ago, ginger90 said:

Are we losing Mods with this “reboot”?

I've been wondering the same thing. We seem to be modless so far.

[Salacious Kitty]

31 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I've been wondering the same thing. We seem to be modless so far.

I think the mods are tag teaming. Mods aren't listed at the top of the page any longer. 

[GeeGolly]

6 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

I think the mods are tag teaming. Mods aren't listed at the top of the page any longer. 

Maybe they plan on making clear any changes to the posters? I would find that helpful.

[Salacious Kitty]

19 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Maybe they plan on making clear any changes to the posters? I would find that helpful.

Right? All we know now is that there were some toxic places that needed to be changed. But other than that, what?

[ginger90]

My theory is there was crap going on “behind the scenes “. It makes sense when the site was offline, but nothing technical was changed, as far as I can see. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Girl in a Cardigan]

It's also interesting that you don't *have* to click the banner to read or post. I didn't even notice it until I saw y'all talking about it and decided to read it. You'd think if they were serious about wanting to make whatever changes, the post would be compulsory to read and agree to or whatever before you can post.

[Love2dance]

I love our Small Talk mod @Scarlett45, I hope she will be back.

[Panopticon]

I also always thought Scarlett did a terrific job, kindly and thoughtfully. Plus I loved hearing about her pets and her family. Thank you, Scarlett, if you're reading.

And while I'm at it-- thanks to all the contributors here for your snark and knowledge and compassion, especially during the depths of the pandemic. If we're heading toward the end of Primetimer forums, please always remember to have cows at your wedding.

 

 

[Scarlett45]

Hi Small Talk friends- I missed you guys too. 

 

Update on me and my life- my Mommy is HOME and on dialysis M/W/F. Her attitude is really good and she is moving pretty well all things considering. My sister was SO HAPPY to have her back, but I am sure you are not surprised that my tall toddler CUT UP, in the way only toddlers can, when she had to leave again the next day for dialysis. Now that she has seen her come back home, she calmed down a bit, but the first weekend back caring for both of them was rough. 

I am handling all of the logistics for care coverage while I am on vacation, M's much deserved raised, changing my sister's guardianship (I already have a court date!), and I am counting down the days until my Morocco trip, to have a solid week to think about no one besides myself.

But now that all the logistics are underway, and I am emotionally processing that my little Mommy, my favorite being is being kept alive by a machine, all I asked of her was that she tell me directly and explicitly when she doesn't want dialysis any more (whenever that day comes) and we can schedule hospice. (Not thinking that is going to happen tomorrow, or next week- but given her age and other health complications this is likely a 3-5yrs situation).

I saw her in the dialysis room while she was in rehab post the hospital, and truthfully my first thought was for my little sister, "I am so glad P cannot see this, and she will never know.", knowing that it was HER blood going through a device that looked like an ancient computer, it me like a ton of bricks.

But I did miss you guys, you are on my "In Case of Incapacitation or Death" document for someone to log on and let you know I am gone!

[Absolom]

27 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

But now that all the logistics are underway, and I am emotionally processing that my little Mommy, my favorite being is being kept alive by a machine, all I asked of her was that she tell me directly and explicitly when she doesn't want dialysis any more (whenever that day comes) and we can schedule hospice. (Not thinking that is going to happen tomorrow, or next week- but given her age and other health complications this is likely a 3-5yrs situation).

Oh that is so hard.  I'm shedding a few tears for you.  I remember how it hit me with my Mom's diagnosis that barring unforeseen accident, we now knew how the rest of Mom's life would go and had a vague schedule.  I'm glad you're keeping your vacation.  

[ginger90]

So happy you are here @Scarlett45!

[BetyBee]

@Scarlett45-you have so much on your plate. I'm glad you're still going to take your Morocco trip. I know it's hard to see your dear Mama having health issues. I hope you have many good times ahead with her. Such a loving family you have! Thank you so much for updating us!

[Love2dance]

So glad to hear from you @Scarlett45. I hope the dialysis will go smoothly for your mom, and she will be comfortable for many years. I also am glad you are still going on your vacation. 

[BetyBee]

My husband is having his first colonoscopy tomorrow. He'll be starting to drink the liquid prep (his doc prefers the liquid to the pills) soon. Then the fun will begin. I hope the prep isn't too awful for him! But who am I kidding? It's a nightmare!

[awaken]

Planning to schedule my first one soon too!  

[Joan of Argh]

On 2/6/2024 at 10:45 PM, Love2dance said:

I love our Small Talk mod @Scarlett45, I hope she will be back.

I looked at Scarlett’s profile and she isn’t listed as a mod anymore, she’s listed as a member. 

I wonder if she’ll be coming back as a mod?

[Mindthinkr]

I’m just back from a difficult vacation. I’ll spare y’all the details. When I came on here to let you know that I was going, it said this site would be down for the weekend. My 5 Star resort said they had internet, but it never worked 😡

@BetyBee I’m very sorry for your loss. To leave during ones sleep sounds like a kindest way to leave, but it still hurts. I know. Hugs 😿🌈💔

@Scarlett45 I’m glad your Mom is home even with the dialysis challenges. 
Please enjoy your time off in Morocco and have a blast. You deserve it. 

This is my first post back on so I’ve yet to see or understand any changes, but I’m glad to still have all of you 🥰

[BetyBee]

I'm sorry you had a difficult vacation, @Mindthinkr! Thank you for your kind words.

I know I'm lucky to have such nice friends in my life, but this week I received 2 evening phone calls. Both of these people know that I'm not at my best for chatting in the evening, but it seems people go with what is convenient for them. Both callers do not work and could easily call in the daytime. I know it's a small thing, but sometimes by evening, I have nothing left to give and I've told them that!

Life's been kind of tough lately, with losing my Mom and our cat. Yesterday was Mr. BB's colonoscopy and it went pretty well. I was terrified because he's nearly 70 and that is the age my Mom was when she had her first colonoscopy and she had colon cancer. Rather than looking at the bright side that Mom lived 23 years after that diagnosis, I was (in my head, not out loud) obsessing about a possible bad diagnosis for him. Luckily, he came through it with some likely benign polyps. I've had those myself, so I'm not overly concerned. He was a real trouper about the prep. And I was a real trouper about the drive, which was far away in unfamiliar territory. We high fived each other for a job well done! 

I realize I don't have much to complain about as I read my book club book, American Dirt. What migrants are migrating FROM and dealing WITH when they get to their destination, is no joke! I'm about 1/2 way through and I'm terrified for these fictional characters! It's very good. Anyway, I realize that my life has been good and I've always been pretty safe. That is truly a blessing not to be taken for granted!  

I wish all Small Talkers a good weekend!

[GeeGolly]

Oh my goodness STers. We are having a one day fake spring in my area. 50s, sunny, no wind, with a touch of crisp winter air. 

[ginger90]

4 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Oh my goodness STers. We are having a one day fake spring in my area. 50s, sunny, no wind, with a touch of crisp winter air. 

Same here (PA). It’s currently 57°. Just returned from a trip to the zoo with one of my daughters, and one of my grandsons, in February!!

Monday into Tuesday the forecast is currently  6-12” of snow.

Edited February 10 by ginger90

[Salacious Kitty]

It's already 60 here and not yet noon. We deserve it after the last week of the dreaded atmospheric river. 

[Absolom]

I'm hoping for a decent week this coming week so we can dry out just a little and repairs can be done.

[Ancaster]

8 hours ago, BetyBee said:

 

I know I'm lucky to have such nice friends in my life, but this week I received 2 evening phone calls. Both of these people know that I'm not at my best for chatting in the evening, but it seems people go with what is convenient for them. Both callers do not work and could easily call in the daytime. I know it's a small thing, but sometimes by evening, I have nothing left to give and I've told them that!

 

Is there a reason you felt you had to answer?  I loved the original answer machines (with tapes!) when you could just listen to the message as it was being recorded and pick up mid-message if you wanted.

These days I rarely answer unless I'm expecting a call and will just listen to the message.   Half the time there is no message - ie, it was nothing important/a sales call.  If it's a friend saying, "Calling to say hi," then I'll call back when I'm feeling like a chat.  If it's not convenient for them, I trust they won't pick up.  I refuse to be a slave to my phone.

Edited February 10 by Ancaster

[Absolom]

My saying is this is why we have text messages.  Do not disturb me after about 7 pm unless you are a child of mine or it's really important.  I treat other people the same way.  

Edited February 11 by Absolom

[oliviabenson]

7 pm and there are no buses. Bet it will be an hour before one comes… 

[zoomama]

took a drive today after being housebound with all the rainy days we have had for the last week plus. it was gorgeous!  nippy outside (high 40's- low 50's) with winds but clear blue skies and snow capped mountains in the distance. was finally able to drive over the 'pass' and visit with an elderly friend of mine -- so glad i did. she seems to be on the decline (healthwise and emotionally too) since last visit. lots of traffic heading up to the ski resort areas.  so worth the drive tho.

[BetyBee]

13 hours ago, Ancaster said:

Is there a reason you felt you had to answer?  I loved the original answer machines (with tapes!) when you could just listen to the message as it was being recorded and pick up mid-message if you wanted.

These days I rarely answer unless I'm expecting a call and will just listen to the message.   Half the time there is no message - ie, it was nothing important/a sales call.  If it's a friend saying, "Calling to say hi," then I'll call back when I'm feeling like a chat.  If it's not convenient for them, I trust they won't pick up.  I refuse to be a slave to my phone.

I let them both go to voicemail. I miss answering machines too! I used to love coming home and checking my messages. My calls go private at 9pm (except for close family). I think I might change it to start at 7pm, now that I'm officially a curmudgeon, lol. I like that I can see who is calling and gauge how long the call is likely to take. With both my niece and my childhood friend, those are long calls which I wasn't up for at that hour, so they got voicemail.