|
Post by karen54171 on Apr 17, 2020 11:26:38 GMT
Whether you are regular poster or a lurker, we encourage you to talk with us. We do talk about books, but also about our lives, and Weight Watchers. We are women who are spread around the country, and eventually you will learn you we are, and what books we like to read.Don't be intimidated, just pop in and tell us who you are, and what you are reading now.
This is a thread we had on the WW 50 Year old board, so even though most of us have moved beyond our 50's, I am keeping it here. Some prefer to post on Facebook, but for those who may also like to post on something that resembles our old format, I decided to start this. Although we were brought together by our love of books, and we love to share our ideas about books and authors, our friendship has grown, and we know a lot about each others lives. We are spread across the country, and that adds a bit of interest as well, learning about other people's way of life through the "book" they write on the thread.
|
|
|
Post by karen54171 on Apr 17, 2020 12:06:25 GMT
Good morning. Not too bad this morning, up to 32, with it going into the 40's again, but not a harsh wind today.
Gareth, now that you say that, I think I heard that too, about the checks. I won't walk outside if it is cold, like the 40's or below, or if it is a windy day. Wed, I did 2 miles in the apartment, but lol, it took me an hour. Tomorrow it is supposed to get in the 50's but it is to be windy, so I won't walk then either. It seems when we have the warmer temps, we have that stiff wind too. I too need to do cleaning, as I put it off the other day.
Pinky, I read a scathing article about your Governor last night. It sounds like she is really catching heck for not doing some kind of lock down, what with Smithfield now having to shut down with all the virus going around and I guess with the employees getting, it, it has turned out so far 100 other people caught it who do not work there. It is funny that other states are putting on rallies against the lockdown, and then there is the article about your state not having it. The article implied that your Governor is Republican so that is the reason she won't go that step further to force people to stay in. What a mess. This affects the whole country, in the long run. Thanks for asking, DD2 seems a bit better, I guess she has an inhaler this time around and that is helping. She goes back to work Monday. Did you get to the grocery store? We went, and I was expecting it to be quiet there, as I kind of know the days and times that store is quiet, but these days things are so different. It was quiet when we first got there, but about half way thru it did pick up. Our bill was a bit more than our usual, but I just don't care anymore. We did splurge a bit and bought 4 beautiful rib eye steaks, DH had the meat guy put them in packages of 2. They sure looked good!!
Marsha, I wonder why the gas is a bit more over by you, compared to say, abound Fleet Farm West, that area? But who cares, if you are getting it so dirt cheap!!! I would not feel guilty, one bit!!! Everyone can get it that cheap, if they want to, you earned it by shopping there! Today is my official first day back on WW, and the Purple plan. The whole reason of going to Festival yesterday was to stock up on certain fresh veggies, and fruit. Their produce section is 2nd to none, compared to Woodman's. Plus I do not feel comfortable going around Woodman's produce dept picking things out, if you know what I mean. So I am set for about a week with buckling down on Purple. But as with you, I have to put my nose to the grindstone for physical activity everyday. Did you see what WW is doing now with wins? I TOTALLY LOVE IT!!!! They, in case you have not seen the message, are diverting all wins, when you want to purchase something, to food for the needy. That is what I have been doing, when I get enough wins to buy something, I donate it to their giving of food. So that is something to keep in mind while we do our exercising, that it does feed the needy.
Robin THAT BABY!!! OMG!!!! You just want to snuggle and hold her all day!!!! Love the pic of her going to work with Daddy!! Lol about the Charmin Ultra! I prefer Northern Plush, I think it is called...? We got a couple big packages last month from DH DB, from where he works, and that stuff is the cheap stuff, I really do not like it, but am using it till TP gets more in stock around here. Goodness, I remember my first born waking up during the night, and stumbling into her room to get her, while being mostly still asleep! How we lived through that, I don't know!!! It was not easy, how I wish we would have had YouTube back then!
Anngie, DD2, the one that was sick twice, will be going back to work Monday. (Fingers crossed!). She has been doing with being on an inhaler this time around. Could you imagine having $250 million to DONATE to a cause?? Yikes, that is a ton of money! I thought I heard there should be no issue with traveling to another state, but I think once there you have to self quarantine for 14 days. I am probably wrong on that.
Hi Carol, how are you?
Our Governor announced yesterday that our "safer at home" mandate till May 26th. I think we here in the state were expecting it. It does seem a lot longer, but if it is required, then, better safe than sorry, even tho I am just itching to drive up to Minocqua. He has eased a few of the restrictions, but they really do not affect me, as far as I know. I did sign an online petition last night, that will go to him to let Beauticians work, 1 customer at a time in the building, with the beautician having glovers and mask on. I don't think this will go anywhere, but you won't know till you try.
They are planning a protest at our state Capital for next Friday. I think it is a waste of time.
Hoping to tackle that cleaning today, if not, oh well...nobody will see it anyway!
Have a nice day everyone, stay safe. (We will get there....)
|
|
|
Post by RobinS811 on Apr 17, 2020 12:55:34 GMT
Karen, glad your DD is feeling better. I know I must have missed exactly what is happening with her. Our week has kind of been a whirlwind. Thanks for the sweet words about Maddie. She seems to brighten everyone's day when I send the pictures. Everyone has moments of being down every day, and when they see her they smile. I have to text them and say I am waiting for my Maggie fix.
I am also worried about places where they are not insisting on lock-down, and bad things are happening, and going to continue. Texas is a very big state, and they are not even locking down the whole state, it seems to be county by county. It will certainly spread there. Did anyone see the news reports about the number of people showing up at the food bank, the line of cars was just unbelievable. Also Missouri. One of the women on your Booklover's Facebook volunteered as some kind of head of the food bank in her area for a long time. I know that they did get a lot of donations, but what is needed with the number of people that lined up in one day is unimaginable. They were saying so many people said they never thought they would ever have to do anything like that.
My DH was quite funny this morning when we were watching something on the news, he said Trump must not know that they invented a video camera. They were piecing together clips of what he has said over the past few months.
It is a sunny day here, we started out in the 40's, but will not get out of the 40's all day.
|
|
|
Post by mikendanni on Apr 17, 2020 14:20:36 GMT
Karen - I didn't see that WW is diverting wins. Good to know as just a few days ago I was looking to spend mine and there is literally NOTHING there. I think there were 3 choices/category. I thought perhaps they are phasing out the plan. But I will look into diverting them. I have redeemed them for 2 cookbooks so far, both of which immediately ended up in my pile of books to get rid of as there was nothing that interested me.
I loved it when my babies woke up at night. I loved nursing them and then sitting in the rocking chair with them when the house was quiet and they fell back asleep. It was my time to be alone with my babies and know nobody was going to interrupt me. I wouldn't trade that for an extra few hours of sleep. (haha it's been downhill from there!) I actually didn't mind much about their infant stage, I didn't even mind the diapers. Although I admit when ds went into a crying jag it was rattling.
My boss was so angry that the safer at home order was extended that he fired off an email to the governor.
Robin - you will get your Maddie fix in no time at all! And by then she will be a little more alert and still brand new and fresh. Do they send you daily photos and videos?
Our favorite Chinese restaurant is closed for the virus. I was surprised, as they did mostly carryout and delivery anyway. Perhaps they closed because of the racism that was happening at the beginning of this. Meanwhile we had to find another place to eat - took us quite a while, dd wanted Taco Bell, we wanted pizza, we told her to go pick up her taco bell and she didn't want to bother getting dressed plus she had 'things to do" (the taco bell run would have taken her 20 minutes). In the end dh suggested a local restaurant which we all enjoy and he picked up dinner. I had fish tacos and enjoyed every bite. Today I am back on track with my normal pre-Passover breakfast (who am I kidding, my Passover breakfast was the same yogurt). No exercise though as I was very tired when my alarm went off. But I did day 2 of planks - 15 seconds. on knees and elbows.
|
|
|
Post by pinky on Apr 17, 2020 15:40:51 GMT
Awww---a beautiful morning to start our weeks worth of warmer temps. Only 45 degrees today but it is a blue sunny ski and no wind. After today it alternates days of 50's to 65 and some sunny and some partly cloudy but no moisture------for now anyway, that is always subject to change. DH is actually planting wheat today. We rarely plant small grain but it is getting harder to find straw to bale from the stalks of small grains and we need straw for bedding our cattle. So we will have that plus right now wheat is the crop that seems to not be taking such a nose dive in market prices. Will probably only have 2 fields. Which brings me to Robins question yesterday:
Robin---we and other farmers are confused right now also and do not really understand what is going on with livestock markets. Beef in our area has been hard to get in quite a few places also and yet right now if we sold any beef we would be at a very huge loss. It was in our local news the other night too and they were talking about the losses the pork producers are taking and also that we beef producers would be loosing $100 per head. That is huge. One speculation is that with restaurants closing or closed they are not needing much beef in supply. It still seems not right as many restaurants are still doing drive-up or carryout and people still need to eat in their homes. It is just crazy and not understanding this even as farmers/ranchers.
And then onto the gas topic that several of you have mentioned---I rode along with DH last night before dark to check our other farm for calves. We have to drive through town to get there so I checked our 2 gas stations for prices to compare what some of you had mentioned---our price at one place was $1.55 and the other $1.60 per gallon. I mentioned this to DH that other places were cheaper and that WI one place had it for $1.00. He heard that also as well as .99. He commented that as a farmer those fuel prices are nice for as much as we use but his point was that it is never a good sign for any markets when the gas/fuel prices go low. It will be interesting to see what happens. So I will quit rattling about that, as I probably made it even more confusing because we are confused.
Karen--glad your DD is feeling better and able to get back to work soon. Yes I did get groceries yesterday---the only thing with no supply was hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol. Only TP had a 1 item limit and things like soap and cleaners were very picked over. Yes our governor is really getting some flack over all of this. It really got so out of control at the meat packing place so quickly that I don't now if there is really blame on anyone except to me the packing plant should have picked up on it sooner and maybe been checking temps or their employees in. The plant didn't even want to shut down voluntarily at first. They were told by their mayor and our governor a week ago they had to shut down for 3 days for cleaning and disinfecting which they were going to do in one day after learning of it. Well the positive cases came so aggressively (like 100-150 per day) that it was then that Governor Noem said no to 3 days and now closed for 2 weeks for sure. Our governor at one time said our peak would be Mid-May to first part of June being expected, but now says our peak is here. No new counties or some of the counties that have had cases have had any additional positive cases this week. It is all in the county of Sioux Falls where the new cases keep popping up. Sioux Falls actually changes to a different county on the very south side of the city so that is where the 2nd largest amount of cases have been and also getting a few more each day.
Robin---I understand your thoughts on needing that Maddie fix---such a fun time!!! That must be a NY thing with the baby nurses. As the full night of sleep would be nice I would not have missed those first few weeks of being up in the night with my baby for anything. Although feeling tired I remember those nights of snuggling and bonding with my baby and loving the peacefulness of it all.
Marsha--I have to agree with you on loving getting up with my babies in the night---I thought it was such a special time. Just me and my baby rocking and bonding in the silence of the night. Such a special time----especially with the first baby when their were not other littles needing my attention during the day.
I need to get outside and enjoy this beautiful day!
|
|
|
Post by mikendanni on Apr 17, 2020 15:51:40 GMT
Pinky - perhaps the meat industry is suffering the same type of problem as the toilet paper industry. Such a big part of the market is commercial and while restaurants are still doing carryout and takeout, they are not doing the volume of business they did when people came to the restaurants for a night out. Plus some are closed, as in the case of our Chinese restaurant. And some are doing limited menus. so the commercial market is down dramatically, and butchers who sell commercially perhaps can't easily switch to selling to retail even though retail demand is up with people home cooking, so there are shortages in the stores. So there is plenty of supply but it can't get to the end purchaser. If meat producers could find ways to get to the empty markets, they could sell. Perhaps there is a way to "sell local" and get product directly to the grocery store. Or directly to the consumer by selling from the producer without going through the retail outlet. Maybe there is a way to sell "half a cow" directly to a consumer without having to find a way to make it into steaks and hamburger and package it and get it to the grocery store to put it on the shelf.
I'm not in the meat business so I don't know what that would entail, but I suspect that is part of the problem. Like how you can't buy the big rolls of toilet paper that you see at airports and at Costco in the bathroom and put it on your toilet paper dispenser at home, so although the toilet paper manufacturers can make it, they can't make it in a form that the consumer can use it.
|
|
|
Post by gareth on Apr 17, 2020 16:13:12 GMT
Karen, since I've heard of so many getting their stimulus checks I checked the IRS website last night. It said it didn't have our banking info which is strange since were always file our taxes electronically. I submitted the info so now I'll see how long it takes. I'm jealous your DH was able to go grocery shopping with you. Here they only want one member of the household. First time I went alone I was standing at the checkout when it dawned on me I had to load the bags into the cart. DH always has done it.
Robin, just finished laundry so yes I'm still on the same schedule and routine as when I was actually having to go to work. Never thought with my job I'd be able to do it from home. The picture of Maddie with your DS was cute. What a handsome DS!
Marsha, do you think the Chinese restaurant will even reopen? New Wins will be coming back again June 1
Pinky, enjoy the nice day. Sounds like nice weather is headed our way now too.
There was a dusting of snow when I got up. Sure glad we didn't get the foot of snow that someplace in the Southern part of the state got. Warming up now the next few days. It'll be around 50Âş this afternoon so I'll walk again then. I've already done some walking between loads of laundry this morning while I was downstairs.
Our county had it's first death from the virus and has had a lot more cases tied to the meat processing plant here in town. The governor has tightened the restrictions. They're calling our county a real hot spot. That's scary. Just heard our governor say schools will not reopen before the end of the school year.
|
|
|
Post by mikendanni on Apr 17, 2020 17:07:49 GMT
Gareth - do you have any idea how or where the food is distributed that results from the wins donations? I hope the Chinese restaurant will reopen, but I think a lot of local restaurants will not make it, especially those who were barely getting by before this. It's a tough business.
|
|
|
Post by gareth on Apr 17, 2020 17:29:52 GMT
Marsha, sorry that I don't know about the wins. One of our local restaurants here said they were swamped doing more business with takeout that they were having trouble keeping up.
|
|
|
Post by RobinS811 on Apr 17, 2020 18:36:07 GMT
Marsha and Pinky, don't think they are having the baby nurse for that long, she will be there for 2 weeks, so still plenty of time that they will have to get up during the night. It is amazing what young parents concern themselves with, we forget. Keeping track of how many times she pees and poops. My DS was so proud of himself that he changed his first poopie diaper. And I told him that he now equaled what his father had done for his lifetime.
Gareth, I will admit that my older DS is extremely good looking. The thing is that he doesn't see it, but everyone else does. He was not the cutest baby, but after that he was. I probably have some wedding pics on Facebook so you can see both of them. They do not look alike.
Pinky, although restaurants are open, it is really very limited, a lot are closed, and even though they may say they are "swamped", I think it is also that not all their employees are there, and business is very different. Getting all the phone calls and take-out order together takes time, but I am sure that most of their servers and even some of their kitchen staff is not there. I know around here we have a few of the high end chain steakhouses, and some are selling their meat uncooked. I was thinking of getting some strip steaks from Capital Grille, instead of ordering in. I can make sides, so ordering the steaks would be less than other take-out. I think another thing might be that when money is tight, people don't eat as much meat. That could have a much bigger effect that the fact that the high end places aren't doing as much business. There are no business lunches, especially in places like Manhattan where that is huge. No big parties like weddings, where they always have a lot of meat, and too much of it. No conventions. So, when we think of all that, it really adds up.
DDIL just texted me that they got the sleepers I sent them from Macy's. I really have to hold myself back, I want to make sure they really need them, but for me, buying thinks in pink is a real novelty.
|
|
|
Post by carol2 on Apr 17, 2020 19:01:19 GMT
I think having a baby nurse sounds wonderful, especially if the grandmothers can't come. My mom was able to come and stay with us both times. Our church is real good about taking food to new moms. I've always said I don't care what people bring, it's all good since I didn't have to cook. One woman wasn't able to bring any after DS was born so she brought dinner one night. It turned out to the first day that I was completely alone with both kids all day so it was a perfect time to have someone else fix dinner. I was there with DD for the first week, then her DMIL came for two weeks. DD's doula came a few times and helped her with nursing and pumping.
Our governor has a news conference this morning, but I didn't watch it. I figure I can read a condensed version on the internet. There is a petition going around about hairdressers. It wants them to be able to do hair as long as there is only one person at a time, both wear masks and gloves and they sanitize everything before and after. Obviously, I'm not the only one worried about having gray roots when this is all over.
I have not been eating too healthy lately. Wednesday was DH's birthday so, of course, I had to bake a cake. It was a small one, but with just the two of us, we are eating it. We talked to DS and DDIL. They are both working from home mostly, but have to go in some. We also talked to DD, DSIL and DGS. Everyone is doing well. Any way, back to eating, I forgot to weight myself today, but I'm sure it won't be good when I do.
We are trying to support local restaurants, too.
Yes, our governor hasn't done much in the way of statewide regulations. Our county has only 100,000 people and some have even fewer. I think for the most part people are doing shelter in place and safe distancing. As I've said before, there are people who think all this is over-reacting, but they do it anyway because of other family members. One guy who has been very vocal has a dad who is in his 80s and in bad health so he is being careful so his dad won't get the virus. So much is common sense.
|
|
|
Post by Anngie on Apr 17, 2020 20:13:25 GMT
We woke up to 2” of snow this morning. Thankfully it’s gone now, but just in time for 1-3” more tonight. Can’t win.
Today starts mandatory mask wearing in NYS. Technically, there can be a fine if someone doesn’t comply although I don’t really see that happening. What I don’t understand is, since this is something we should be doing, then why wasn’t it mandatory two-three weeks ago when NYS’s positive confirmations/deaths were soaring. Thankfully, this week it has been leveling off, somewhat. I made a quick stop this afternoon to a small store nearby. I haven’t seen antibacterial hand soap in two weeks. Good old plain soap is just as good, though. The store had a one item limit on many items.
Pinky, baby nurses really aren’t a NY thing but more like a NYC thing, I think! In this area it would only be something a very wealthy family would have. I feel badly for the farmers, I sure hope they can all find a way “to hang in there”. How many calves do you think you have at this time?
Robin, here I thought Bill Gates and Obama had foresight into the damage viruses can do. Apparently not or they weren’t the only ones! I’ll have to listen to that conversation you mentioned on YouTube.
Marsha, good point on the meat business! I see what your saying.
Hi Gareth & Karen! I wish I was in the cleaning mood! Now that I have the time, I don’t feel like getting started!
|
|
|
Post by pinky on Apr 17, 2020 21:44:51 GMT
Marsha---yes good points on the beef and meat market. With that said and what Gareth said about the meat packing plant near her and the pork plant(Smithfield) in Sioux Falls being so heavily populated with positive cases and now being shut down along with guessing more with the same issue, there may not be enough plants to keep cutting and packaging meat. I would think they are an essential business but when they get so many positive cases it really is just a vicious circle. We of course take our own beef to a private locker for our own personal use and I am sure a private owned locker can not keep up with the demand either. They say the packing plants work so closely together that it is a big issue for distancing. I expressed to my DD the other day what about all of the meat they have been handling while they were getting sick and contamination. Her only thought was that hopefully most of the meat coming from there would be frozen and germs killed by the freezing process.
Gareth---I am not familiar with the WINS either???
Robin---yes I have thought of those situations with the meat industry also. Just a lot of wondering right now?? My DH too with about one or two poopy diapers with our kids. Maybe double that with wet ones. Mothers today are so lucky to have DH's that do more to help. We grew up in a time and had our children in that time that men just didn't help with those sorts of things. I love that my DS's and DSIL are so helpful---they certainly did not learn it from their father. It is just a warm fuzzy feeling to see our sons so into their children isn't it?
Carol--- Happy Belated Birthday to your DH!
Anngie---Yuck on the snow---I am trying to send some of this nicer weather your way!!!! We are probably a little over 1/3 of the way done with calving. I think we have about 120 calves and we have about 300 head between us and DS's! DH keeps commenting how much nicer it is to be calving without so much mud and snow like the last 2 years. With next weeks warm dry forecast it makes it all so much easier. We are keeping our fingers crossed for it to stay that way.
|
|
|
Post by RobinS811 on Apr 17, 2020 21:45:36 GMT
Anngie, they did have foresight, only the Committee, or whatever you would call it, that Obama set up was disbanded in 2018 by you know who. Bill Gates can say whatever he wants to say, but he has no power to really change things other than to give money. As far as the masks go, it does not apply if you are going to be walking outside somewhere that you can keep your distance, like I do in my neighborhood. But, on the street of Manhattan, or the other boroughs, that's really not going to happen, so they want people wearing them. In stores also, because even the few places that are open, people may not end up quite as far away from each other sometimes as they should be.
Carol, I know that if someone has a mother they want staying, they would probably not want a baby nurse too. Seeing as they planned for the baby nurse all along, they are OK with the expense. For all I know her grandmother could be paying for it. I know they must have just gotten their tax refund, so they could have planned to have that pay for it.
My back right now is really hurting, I do not know what I did to it. For me, a heating pad usually works best, so I will try that. But, my phone just buzzed with the picture uploaded to the shared album, so I have to look at that.
|
|
|
Post by gareth on Apr 17, 2020 21:56:29 GMT
Pinky, you earn Wins on the WW app for tracking meals, activity and weighing in. After getting so many you can trade them in on different items which for now WW has suspended and instead you turn your Wins into food donated. WW will match it up to 1 million dollars.
Tyson's, the meat packing plant here should be shut down but so far the governor hasn't ordered it. Management of Tyson's is downplaying all the employees concerns and now everyone elses.
|
|