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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 11/24/2020
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Glad there is light at the end of the tunnel of work Theresa. Sending positive thoughts for a negative test!After a course of steroids' and the injections in my legs, it seems it all was too little too late. Not feeling much better. The Doc warned me of this, saying if nothing gets better within 2 weeks of the last steroid dose I should call him and he would get me in for a different out-patient procedure. Something similar to an epidural. Of course that means entering the hospital for a few hours, ugh!
The good news: I don't have to go anywhere or host a house full of family for Thanksgiving and feel crappy all day. My brother is being an absolute fool about it, but the spread here in Michigan is out of control and I can say to him with all honesty "My doctor has told me to stay home with in-home relations only. " He (my brother) went into an absolute rage when I told him that he probably should not count on us for Christmas either. My niece (his daughter) actually told my daughter "Our parents are getting older, we need to spend every minute we can with them-please come for Thanksgiving"-WTH! Yep let's all have Thanksgiving and be in the hospital or dead by Christmas-*sigh*
More good news: Months ago I told you I was researching opening up an on-line book store for my library's Friends group. It has come to fruition! It should be up and running a week from today! In normal times, next week would be our annual Holiday Market, where we would sell all the best of our collection of donations. So this first offering of books is stocked with "Like New" books and I am hoping the community comes to virtually browse. Wish me luck!
And finally...how are you spending the holiday? As I said, we are staying home. I originally was going veer from tradition and cook a rib roast-actually don't really like turkey, though I would have missed the morning after bowl of stuffing smothered in gravy. Anyway, my daughter pouted endlessly and so I gave in and bought a small turkey and we will have all the fixins to go with. I also bought a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau which is a libation I always look forward to this time of year
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaujol...)
Wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving, stay safe and well!
Theresa, I hope you can get through all your work well, now you know you've managed to do so much already.I hope your situation will improve, Joanne.
I've had a tough couple of weeks with burnout-like/depression symptoms. Had to stay at home for about two weeks, but managed to kind of find a way out of it by myself, forcing myself to go for walks and to confront my issues working with a book, that had me thinking a lot and helped me to find some kind of balance again. For now, at least. I have looked for a therapist and have a first appointment in December.
That is something to be proud of this week!
About the holidays, nothing has been decided yet. I wouldn't mind staying home with my husband, not visiting our parents to keep them safe. On the other hand, I do understand that people feel lonely, especially around the holidays, so I don't know. Maybe a short visit with masks and/or distancing. My husband is mostly working from home, so he is not really exposed much. However, I am working at school. But all the students and staff are wearing masks all the time and we are opening the windows a lot. Still...
For New Year's we might go and visit friends (my best friend, her husband and son), since 5 people from two households are allowed to meet and I do miss them!
But since we don't celebrate any holiday in November, there is still some time before we actually have to decide this.
Wishing you a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving!
It was a rough weekend here. My mom's cousin died from covid Saturday night. He'd been on a ventilator for around a week. I wasn't super close to him but it's so heartbreaking seeing how hard this is for his wife, kids, brothers and sisters. We're staying home for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. My fiance didn't feel up to cooking and he didn't want me to do all the cooking so we decided to order our Thanksgiving meal delivered from a restaurant. Since restaurants here are closed for indoor dining it feels like a good way to help support them.
@Joanne which library is this that will have the online book store? I don't think you live that far from me and I'd love to browse once it's up and running. I'm hoping my local library is able to keep curbside going long enough that I can pick up the books I requested for December's tag. Unfortunately I think Michigan is headed for another lock down.
@ Theresa - Smart on the test. Positive thought for a negative result. I'm glad you are getting a bit of a break. @ Joanne - I'm so sorry to hear it didn't work... positive thoughts for relief soon. Family can be so difficult. I have to admit I'm a bit glad there is 3,000+ miles between mine and my mom/me.
@ Miriam - Awesome work! Amazing show of strength!
We are in a bit of a lock down, although my Governor is so Covid conservative, we never really opened up. Like everyone else though, our levels have been rising.
We did have our in-laws here from Florida last week. I was uncomfortable with it, but my Mother in Law is a NICU nurse and they did a really good job at keeping themselves safe while traveling. They also flew first class non-stop so they had little contact with others.
In the past we've gone to our neighbor's for Thanksgiving but not this year. It'll just be my husband, my mom and I. We got a super small Turkey thing that we are going to smoke and do a couple of casseroles.
I'm not going to lie... I stopped celebrating Christmas a while ago (2014) when my dad was ravished by Alzheimers/Dementia and then passed. Christmas/Christmas Eve was his holiday and I've just never really gotten back into the spirit again. I need to figure out how to have the traditions without the monetary aspect, because I don't see the point of exchanging gifts with my husband and mom if we are all tied to each other financially. i.e. my husband buying me gifts with my money... lol. Gifts just aren't my thing, my love language I guess. So this year we'll do what we did last year and years before... nothing... :)
Charlotte said We got a super small Turkey thing What is a small Turkey thing ??? 😂🤣oh my that made me giggle-
@Miriam-good for you for reaching for professional help. My chronic pain drove me to find a therapist, and it is the best thing I have done for myself. She is an outlet and release for me. Wishing you all the best and hoping this therapist is a good fit for you. If not, search again, you will find the person you need.
@Rachel-It is Clarkston Independence Township District Library-I will PM you the link when it goes live. If I forget, remind me-so much going on that I easily do forget things
Joanne wrote: "Charlotte said We got a super small Turkey thing What is a small Turkey thing ??? 😂🤣oh my that made me giggle-..."
So when my husband showed it to me it looked like a turkey "log"... his directions from me were something small that we can smoke. I'm not a huge fan of turkey and since it's just the 3 of us I didn't want a whole turkey. I just looked at the package and it's turkey breast tenderloins... essentially two turkey breasts packaged in such a way to look like a turkey log... ha!
Sounds perfect Charlotte-let me know how it turns out-I tell ya, my daughter is going to be eating turkey for while since she is the one that insisted on it-something like this would have been easier and less leftovers!
We won't have any out of town guests this year. I'm most worried about my brother who lives alone. He's very social and this has all been hard for him. We were expecting him, his daughter and her boyfriend - none of whom has ever cooked a turkey. We knew back in October that my youngest son wouldn't be able to come. He'll probably need to catch up on sleep Thursday since he's been so busy. Several employees tested positive for Covid, so everyone else has been overworked (and getting frequent tests). For months they managed to keep people isolated in teams to reduce each person's contact to others. A few switched shifts (to go to parties apparently), which put more people at risk.
We plan to have a lot of zoom get togethers, so I'll probably "see" more relatives than normal this year. So now I'll have to figure out something to do with my hair. I haven't seen my husband's family since a wedding a few years ago when I had an auburn pixie cut. Now my hair is long, thin and dull. I planned to get a haircut last Saturday, but the new shut-down on Friday ruined that plan.
Theresa - have fun with the webinar and conference. It sounds great. Enjoy all the work. You seem happy when you have a lot to do! Joanne - I'm sorry to hear about all that pain. I hope the shots help. I had mixed results with injections. I still have leg pain, but the injections in the back of my neck made a huge difference. They stopped the pain long enough to enable me to do my PT exercises. Enjoy your Beaujolais and the book sale! (That reminds me to send my husband to the liquor store.) I think you're doing the right thing about the holiday. Play it safe.
Miriam - Good for you for taking charge. This is a tough year for depression, and a tough time of year. I feel like I've done nothing but sleep for the past few weeks.
Rachel - I'm so sorry for your family's loss, and that your fiance isn't better yet. I think it's a great idea to support a local restaurant. I think that might be the solution for my brother too.
Charlotte. Your family is a lot like mine. I don't need a lot of gifts. I'm happy with big warm soft socks and phone calls from my kids. My husband's love languages are touch and attention, and he's happy with back rubs. My mother loves that we cook for her and take care of her. We all like being served coffee in bed in the morning, so we take turns. (It's not a good idea to let mom carry things.) Though my hubby does like decorating the tree for Christmas, and he likes seeing gifts under the tree (even though he doesn't care what he gets).
Some of you know that Hubby was ill last weekend with a 101.2 fever and general malaise. Got the results of his COVID test just about an hour ago today - NEGATIVE! We're still playing it safe though, because he did have a virus (just not THE Corona virus) and I'd just as soon not catch it, nor have him give to anyone else. So ... we're staying at home. I ordered turkey, stuffing, gravy, squash and Waldorf salads from a local deli. I'll pick it up tomorrow (curb-side), and heat it up on Thursday.
I'm making the mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts and dessert myself.
We have a nice Sauvignon Blanc to go with.
My brothers and I will zoom over the weekend. Brother #1 is executive director of a very large continuing care retirement community and I know he'll be working on Thursday (and he'll get his dinner there as well). Both nieces and nephew are home with Brother #2 ... and they'll have their nuclear family Turkey Day celebration (as well as my brother's birthday).
Yikes it's been over 2 hours and I'm still on the same page. Mom just threw up again. It's been a rough day.
NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Sounds perfect Charlotte-let me know how it turns out-I tell ya, my daughter is going to be eating turkey for while since she is the one that insisted on it-something like this would..."OH! Nancy, I am the gravy queen-or as my husband calls it "the sauce"-LoL. It would be sacrilege to even bring jarred gravy into this house. And personally, I dislike the breast of turkey the most- No I got small bird and I shall spoil my daughter-I complain, but really cooking is something I enjoy.
Joanne wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Sounds perfect Charlotte-let me know how it turns out-I tell ya, my daughter is going to be eating turkey for while since she is the one that insisted on it-something ..."I hate jarred gravy too, but my guys like it for the leftovers. Some years the turkey doesn't have enough drippings, so I have to stretch it out with extra broth and roux (I'm not sure it that's how it's spelled). I only like smoked turkey in small amounts, does it make a lot of gravy?
I've been using the upside down method to get juicier breast meat. You start with a high temperature breast side down.
NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Sounds perfect Charlotte-let me know how it turns out-I tell ya, my daughter is going to be eating turkey for while since she is the one that insisted o..."I would suppose smoked Turkey would make gravy, as long as you had a drip pan underneath it while smoking. Personally I do not care for the taste of smoked poultry- smoked meat, ah, I will eat it if offered, but never make it myself.
Tessa, so glad to hear the husband is on the mend and does not have C-19! Have not seen LibCin check in here, but in another thread she said her test was negative also!
Book Concierge wrote: "Some of you know that Hubby was ill last weekend with a 101.2 fever and general malaise. Got the results of his COVID test just about an hour ago today - NEGATIVE! We're still playing it safe thoug..."I'm glad it's not covid! We all still need to get flu shots.
I had my annual physical scheduled last week and when I got there the door was locked. (They didn't warn me, and it's just lucky that I turned around to get my forgotten phone.) The receptionist had a checklist she read over the phone while I was outside the office. I had a sore throat, cough and fatigue - which are the exact same symptoms I've had every single time I've seen this doctor. And I'd been feeling dizzy, but I was pretty sure that was a side effect of a new medication. I have allergies, post nasal drip that causes sore throat and cough, and seasonal depression that makes me tired. (If I have covid, I've had it for years.) I almost never leave the house and haven't been exposed to anyone at all. I asked her to check with the doctor, and they still turned me away. She didn't even put the doctor on the phone so we could have a televisit. I guess I'll have to go to a pharmacy for a flu shot. This is just one more reason to look for a new doctor.
I had to get a covid test - of course it was negative - and I'm supposed to quarantine for another two weeks - on top of the 8 months I've already been isolated with the same two people. [One is demanding, and the other insists on telling me Dad jokes every single day. He loves to see me roll my eyes.]
Turkey...I like turkey but dark meat. My solution to the need for small turkey is to buy turkey legs and roast in oven. Yum! Breast meat on a whole bird is relegated to favorite turkey leftover creations...turkey tetrazzini, curried creamed turkey, turkey salad. I cook some years. Others I dine out or at friends. This year is a restaurant meal...whether inside or outside or takeout is still up in the air. I might still roast some turkey legs over the weekend to create some 'leftovers'.
@Miriam - brava! You should be proud of this step you are taking. Global pandemic and the rapid forced changes to our lives, every facet of our lives, are not easily assimilated. We are not superheros, even if we think we are or should be.
@RachelN - sending you and your family and hugs and strength. Too common a story today.I do love the idea of your shopping Joanne's library's virtual sale!
I'm so happy to hear so many of you talk about all the negative test results. It was such a relief when I got mine. It's been a week since my husband's parents left and they were here for 10 days, so I kind of feel like if they were going to pass something to us we would have started to feel the beginning symptoms by now. I get that Covid has a long incubation period, but we working on 17 days since we first saw his parents. @ Nancy - yea... I think my husband and I stopped exchanging gifts after our courting period ended... basically around the time that we essentially had the same financials lol. I'm big on acts and he's big on words. I'll still get my mom something for her birthday and Mother's day. And my mom really wants to do something for my husband for Christmas since he does so much for her.
I feel like I really need to do something to decorate this year...
@Charlotte - my family and even I have reinvented Christmas multiple times. My mother died when I was just out of college and my younger sisters were still at home. Christmas was her holiday. We reinvented it then and many times over the years. Gifts still exchanged but many are unique to the giver such as a box of citrus my brother picks from his backyard in FL. We used to go to the movies while the turkey roasted on Christmas Day. We still exchange stockings...now a padded envelope mailed filled with little things picked up throught the year. And Scrooge sends at least one pair of socks to each every year....which is a tradition now shared among my friends.We also all decorate...put up trees and have too many ornaments. There have been years where work or vacation plans made it impractical for me to decorate. I put a few things out, and string lights along the bookshelves. It really adds cheer, something we all need this year.
My sister traditionally bakes me batches of Christmas cookies too. 2 or 3 standing requests and one experiment. When we spend it together, holiday baking together is a tradition - those cookies that require effort like frosted sugar cookies.
A friend of mine and her brother jointly fulfill Wishing Tree requests for children in their area. Given how hard this year will be for so many families, finding a way to give back and as a joint effort might be what you need.
This year I am going to check local food pantries and see if tbere is a way to volunteer safely. Or someplace serving free meals. Again there are more on the edge this year than ever.
Time for you to just reinvent it to a day of laughter, love, and giving in a different way.
Book Concierge wrote: "Some of you know that Hubby was ill last weekend with a 101.2 fever and general malaise. Got the results of his COVID test just about an hour ago today - NEGATIVE! We're still playing it safe thoug..."Good news!
Joanne wrote: "Have not seen LibCin check in here, but in another thread she said her test was negative also!"Yes it was! :-)
Great news, BC! For me, leftovers are the best part of a turkey dinner. I often buy a 14pound turkey for just my husband and me. No more cooking for a week! This year we drove to be with my daughter ( we have all been isolated) so I only got a 12-pound to fit in the cooler. I was lucky to find that as lots of people want small ones this year. I agree that dark meat is the tastiest and juiciest, in chicken as well as turkey.
Greetings to everyone here! For those of you dealing with health challenges, I send you thoughts for recovery and healing. My own health challenges are arthritic. I just got a steroid shot in my knee, which so far is working. I am cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner for my husband and my 97 year old dad. My family then plans a zoom call in the evening to link us up. I'm interested in their reactions to my new look. My hair is almost all salt and pepper now, but heavier on the salt. We will also get to meet baby Lilly, who was born one week ago - my niece's new daughter.
@Holly-oh, a new little one! What joy! Gives us all faith that the world continues to turn.
Thanks, Joanne. She is the first girl of her generation in our family . My dad has been given the honor of holding and feeding her, which delighted him.
Theresa wrote: "@Charlotte - my family and even I have reinvented Christmas multiple times. My mother died when I was just out of college and my younger sisters were still at home. Christmas was her holiday. We re..."That's so beautiful. My mom is still so stuck in her grief surrounding my dad and I don't handle her grief well. and I guess it makes me uncomfortable. I also have a lazy streak and am not the best about getting decorations put away. I have a 6' Murano glass Christmas Tree that I always put out and last year it stayed out until May lol. One year I put out stockings and told my husband and mom we were going to at least do stocking gifts and no one did anything... lol.
I've already started donating this year and plan on figuring out how to do more. The brother of a friend owns a bar/lounge in Naples, FL. He had to close due to the pandemic from Mar and reopened near the end of Oct. He was open for a week or two and then had roof damage and leaking that cause the place to flood. He lost everything electronic , floors, and needed a new roof... he reopened last week after fixing everything and they had a kitchen fire. I can't even imagine. I've already donated and hope to donate more after I get my first paycheck (yay!!)
In the past I've done things for a group that help elderly that don't have families. Since that is my greatest fear, I'll probably look into doing something with them.
Just wanted to say that I’m grateful for every single one of you guys. And wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving.I was halfway through the posts when I was asking Tessa how things were at home. So glad to have gotten my answer just moments later. Really relieved and wishing you both well!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy and stay safe!
Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US or American expats!!!!!
More negative results on this end. My son, his wife and her mother (who has a serious immune disorder) all in the positively negative zone. Our Thanksgiving plans are a reheated meal, being picked up now, from a local restaurant and eating outdoors on the new in-laws new backyard patio tomorrow. That may need to be adjusted because Santa Ana winds are in the forecast (with possible fire prevention power outages)
This year has taught us all to be flexible.
I'm thankful for all of you here at PBT. Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving! (or simply healthy thankfulness for those who don't celebrate ;)
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'm grateful and relieved about all the negative Covid results too. Stay safe, everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the US members. I wish all of you with health issues the best possibly resolutions. My daughter, who lives on the other side of Phoenix, is coming to stay for the long weekend. She did a covid test yesterday with negative results for our protection. Like almost everyone else, we are having a small turkey. I'll miss my adult grandchildren but they said they couldn't recover if they accidentally killed their grandparents. You can't argue with that.
Holly R W wrote: "Thanks, Joanne. She is the first girl of her generation in our family . My dad has been given the honor of holding and feeding her, which delighted him."Congratulations! First girl? Definitely will be a princess and bet she is always in someone's arms.
@Charlotte - my dad mourned for a really long time and never dated in the 35+ years he survived her. But he had 2 teenage daughters at home at the time she died [our parents were older than most of our peers - dad was 69 when Mom died, Mom was 59.] and I do believe that helped him. None of us were any good at dealing with his grief. We just ignored it I think and pushed forward.
Think of greenery, flowers, lights, and food as ways to bring celebration. Fix a special Christmas morning brunch ... I make french toast using panetone. Perhaps some surprise decorations which appear Christmas morning - like stockings for your dogs that Santa fills with treats and toys. We did that with the family cats and my sister's guinea pig. Led to some funny moments and unexpected laughter. Not everyone participated at first.
Still waiting on my test results. No rapid kits available. The lines in NY at test sites have been insane this week. Now I know New Yorkers are testing a lot, but jeesh. I am not concerned as I am just being cautious after having so many in person closings over last couple of weeks.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate and may everyone find time to read!
I FINALLY READ A BOOK! Seems silly to be so excited, but I had not read more than a couple of sentences in nearly 2 weeks. Today I read Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival for Native American day and month. It's only 160 pages, not at all dense and with some scattered illustrations, but it is a whole book!
Loved it btw. Gave it 4 stars. It also fit Bingo 1993 and November Flurries. Score!
Just found out a former co-worker of mine is in the hospital with covid and might need to be intubated soon. This has been a very bad couple of weeks. So glad to have all of you and books. Stay safe everyone.
Rachel N. wrote: "Just found out a former co-worker of mine is in the hospital with covid and might need to be intubated soon. This has been a very bad couple of weeks. So glad to have all of you and books. Stay saf..."Oh no... :'( Hopefully they'll pull through.
Rachel N. wrote: "Just found out a former co-worker of mine is in the hospital with covid and might need to be intubated soon. This has been a very bad couple of weeks. So glad to have all of you and books. Stay saf..."I feel for you. Last couple of weeks has seen a rise among my client and colleague circles in COVID positive results and at least one death. All people in general who have been pretty careful. It is scary and I am staying home and hiding in my books as much as I can.
@Rachel-my thoughts are with you and your friend! @Theresa-I have to make one curbside pick-up from the library tomorrow and then the shades go down-
Our county is offering free grocery delivery for a year for anyone over 60-We took advantage of of it and got our names in-
Joanne wrote: "@Rachel-my thoughts are with you and your friend! @Theresa-I have to make one curbside pick-up from the library tomorrow and then the shades go down-
Our county is offering free grocery delivery..."
Smart move, JoAnne!
Just got my COVID test results - negative!
Theresa wrote: "Just got my COVID test results - negative!"Excellent!
Theresa wrote: "Just got my COVID test results - negative!"Congrats!
In November I present workshops annually at a conference here in NYC for board members of coops and condos. Everyone who is anyone of note in the coop condo biz here participates. But it can also be very political. This year it had to go virtual, on a very reduced basis. I was one of the few chosen to present...my first webinair as leader. It went really well! Got some great feedback too.
The topic? Crisis Management: Coping with the Unexpected. 🤣
Little did I know when I revived that workshop a year ago that it would be taylor made for a pandemic year!
That was a week ago Sunday. I then proceeded to close the last 3 transactions (a house sale and 2 house purchases) that I plan to do for a while. All 3 were tough and had dragged on forever. All 3 had me dealing with being in rooms with strangers for multiple hours, although masked and somewhat distanced. Added to stress for sure. Now that any increased possibility of exposure has ended, I am going for a test. I feel fine of course and was careful, but I do feel it would be prudent if I get a test.
Wish I could collapse for rest of week, but other neglected work is screaming!