The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[21stamps]

Based upon my experience with the Canada goose, I'm wondering if the swan was protecting a perimeter of another swan's nest. (If that wasn't the case, then maybe the swan was looking for a new buddy?).

That’s what I thought at first, I’ve seen geese try to attack when someone walks near a nest.

We were walking around searching for clues on our scavenger hunt...in the rain. Btw, the hunt was really cool, we both enjoyed it even with the weather, though the Cemetery closed before we had time to complete it. I took screen shots of the clues so we could go back. Won’t be the same exact experience as the audio, but that’s ok.

This specific company was created by a professor who after every find, gives a bit of history, and then a quick quiz. The Civil War part was perfect as T had studied it earlier this school year. Fun, Learning, and perfect for this social distancing time! I’m planning on buying another one at a different park.. was super neat!

 

[21stamps]

Has anyone seen this type of tree?

The things sticking out of the ground are the roots, called “knees”.

hmm. Photos won’t attach.

 

[MouseDreaming]

@MySmallWorldof4 and @MouseDreaming Any word on cheer or dance?

Other than tictoc, not any actual dance going on. DD has class on Zoom, but you can't really practice any group routines. Class is more of a stretch and exercise class that lasts 4 hours. The troupe she is in would have done their one competition for the year this past weekend. Of course, it was cancelled, and the studio was trying to move to an early May comp, but that doesn't seem wise to move forward. So now, they are trying to salvage the recital in June. Which freaks DD out, because she knows that they are all forgetting the dances. Who knows what anyone will remember in June.

And, as for poms at hs, who knows. Everything is in limbo. I assume tryouts would be next year, if they can figure out a way to do the season.

 

[MouseDreaming]

So, today is looking better than yesterday. Well, last night really. I get to clean part of the basement, where the sewer backed up! I know, you're all jealous. Plumber was here this morning, and luckily, the cleanout is in the front yard. I am pretty sure it was entertainment for the whole neighborhood.

First, coffee! Then clean.

 

[MouseDreaming]

As I anticipated our school buildings are officially closed for the balance of the school year private and public. Announced by Governor this afternoon.

I knew it was coming, but I cried when I actually saw it. I really miss all of my lunch kiddos. Yes, even the ones that drove me a little nuts!

 

[MouseDreaming]

Dramatically Less airplanes.

The quiet here gets a little eerie, sometimes. Being close to a major airport, it was one of the first things I noticed.

 

[Cesar R M]

It seems you cannot attach anything today?

Any issues going on @The Mom ?

 

[21stamps]

Other than tictoc, not any actual dance going on. DD has class on Zoom, but you can't really practice any group routines. Class is more of a stretch and exercise class that lasts 4 hours. The troupe she is in would have done their one competition for the year this past weekend. Of course, it was cancelled, and the studio was trying to move to an early May comp, but that doesn't seem wise to move forward. So now, they are trying to salvage the recital in June. Which freaks DD out, because she knows that they are all forgetting the dances. Who knows what anyone will remember in June.

And, as for poms at hs, who knows. Everything is in limbo. I assume tryouts would be next year, if they can figure out a way to do the season.

T is getting really frustrated with zoom practices. He usually can’t see his tablet with the glare from the sun, or says it’s too small to see, so I try to set the laptop up on a chair in the backyard, but the wifi constantly freezes. Luckily he can do the separate workouts inside, but the practice itself has to be outdoors. Frustrating.

Is your daughter having the same issue?

 

[21stamps]

It seems you cannot attach anything today?

Any issues going on @The Mom ?

Ah, glad to know I’m not the only one. I thought my device may be the issue.

 

[MouseDreaming]

T is getting really frustrated with zoom practices. He usually can’t see his tablet with the glare from the son, or says it’s too small to see, so I try to set the laptop up on a chair in the backyard, but the wifi constantly freezes. Luckily he can do the separate workouts inside, but the practice itself has to be outdoors. Frustrating.

Is your daughter having the same issue?

Her biggest issue is our small mostly carpeted house. She is moving her bed, and doing class in her room. She does have a practice dot she brings up with her for practicing spins. What she has learned is most of her classmates have a very different lifestyle, that includes an in home dance studio.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Ah, glad to know I’m not the only one. I thought my device may be the issue.

I tested and it didn't work for me either.

Probably best to tag @wdwmagic . It loads completely and then says "A server error occurred. Please try again later."

 

[21stamps]

Her biggest issue is our small mostly carpeted house. She is moving her bed, and doing class in her room. She does have a practice dot she brings up with her for practicing spins. What she has learned is most of her classmates have a very different lifestyle, that includes an in home dance studio.

Funny what they notice. T literally said “Mom, we’re the only people I know who don’t have a really big house. “

Most of his classmates have these crazy nice set ups for home learning. Huge curved desks with itineraries hung up and a hanging bin for each subject with the day’s work printed out above. My kid has a setup on our dining room table.lol

He has a similar issue as your daughter when it comes to the floors during some of the workouts, I only have one room with hardwood, It’s a small guest bedroom, there’s no way he could practice in there. There’s several soccer kids who have amazing home gyms with proper floors and plenty of space to practice without a risk of breaking anything. We don’t have that, and are not going to have it.

 

[wdwmagic]

I tested and it didn't work for me either.

Probably best to tag @wdwmagic . It loads completely and then says "A server error occurred. Please try again later."

Fixed, thanks.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yup. Working. Thank you @wdwmagic

 

[21stamps]

@StarWarsGirl , Was your Hershey pass extended thru next year.. and if so, did all of the “extras” get extended too?

I can’t even imagine how much revenue is being lost by the parks who are doing this. I appreciate it, but wow, the bleeding must be fierce.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

@Tony the Tigger , thinking of you and Brian. Hoping that the grocery deliveries are kicking in some reasonable tips. (I realize that trying to keep your business going at the same time, must continue to be quite a weight on your shoulders. I'm just hoping that your online record sales, and tips from your temporary job, will be enough to at least keep your head above water.)

X2

Kylie is pukey today. Including once after I gave her nausea meds, so presumably that came up.

Brian is doing a little less driving lately, a little more helping at his Dad's house (their once a week housekeeper quit.) He's there now.

The driving shifts dropped off really fast after Easter. There are far fewer to book. I'm surprised because I presume folks got their stimulus payments. I've been picking them up in between "real work." It's about 50/50 people who tip or don't. Some do tip later (like the next time they open the app and are reminded.)

We had a relatively busy weekend (easily the busiest since we've closed.) I had a lot of ebay auctions ending last night, plus Amazon is heating up as Amazon itself runs out of records. In the stores: this would have been Record Store Day weekend. A movie that was supposed to come out (not in theaters or anything) came out anyway. The distributors let each record store sell the tickets with a dedicated link for $10 each, and we could keep the $10. We sold 21 tickets. We also gave a website coupon if you bought a ticket, and we did free shipping and delivery all weekend (and today.) We posted videos of a new collection that came in, etc. So we hustled and sold a lot of stuff. A lot more work for a lot less money, but it shows what you can do when you have to. Plus a few Shipt deliveries in there. Yes, I'm tired. Shipping all morning. Have to go pick up a wholesale order to fill more shipping orders, it will be a full day.

Plus there's some new, private grant thing that's supposed to kick in at 3PM today with a one-page simple app for $5K for small biz. So I'm waiting on that. We didn't get PPP yet, but we should be in decent shape for the second round (I hope.) I have to finish that up asap.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

@StarWarsGirl , Was your Hershey pass extended thru next year.. and if so, did all of the “extras” get extended too?

I can’t even imagine how much revenue is being lost by the parks who are doing this. I appreciate it, but wow, the bleeding must be fierce.

Extended so far through June 30th of next year, with discounted renewal for the remainder of the year if needed. That includes the extras, plus they're giving extra summer tickets so you can bring a friend. And they're doing additional passholders events.

Yeah, it's gotta hurt for them. But I guess giving the additional free tickets encourages them to get people in their parks when they do reopen. I think we're up to four summer tickets now plus two fall tickets? We'll be bringing people.

I think the majority of their guests are still day trippers. The season passholders are the minority, though they treat them very, very well.

 

[21stamps]

Extended so far through June 30th of next year, with discounted renewal for the remainder of the year if needed. That includes the extras, plus they're giving extra summer tickets so you can bring a friend. And they're doing additional passholders events.

Yeah, it's gotta hurt for them. But I guess giving the additional free tickets encourages them to get people in their parks when they do reopen. I think we're up to four summer tickets now plus two fall tickets? We'll be bringing people.

I think the majority of their guests are still day trippers. The season passholders are the minority, though they treat them very, very well.

Cedar Fair is theu the entire 2021 season. So for us, that’s our Platinum Passes, Season Long Fast Lane Plus, Dining, Drinks, and FunPix. It was a little over $2000 just between the two of us, for the 2020 season. I don’t know how many people do the season long fast lane, this was our first year buying it.. but that’s still got to be a huge loss come 2021 when everyone gets added up. Fast lane is almost pure profit for them.

I wonder if all of this will cause the Breakers at Cedar Point to have more reasonably priced rooms this year. I would definitely take advantage of that as often as we could. I doubt they will though. I’m sure CP will be packed when they reopen.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Cedar Fair is theu the entire 2021 season. So for us, that’s our Platinum Passes, Season Long Fast Lane Plus, Dining, Drinks, and FunPix. It was a little over $2000 just between the two of us, for the 2020 season. I don’t know how many people do the season long fast lane, this was our first year buying it.. but that’s still got to be a huge loss come 2021 when everyone gets added up. Fast lane is almost pure profit for them.

I wonder if all of this will cause the Breakers at Cedar Point to have more reasonably priced rooms this year. I would definitely take advantage of that as often as we could. I doubt they will though. I’m sure CP will be packed when they reopen.

Yeah, ours weren't that expensive. We have the Gold passes, which include the drink plan, and then we also got comp tickets so we're getting additional comp tickets. Didn't worry about doing their fast lane thing. With B's autism, I could go get the pass for him if I needed to, but...he really needs to learn to handle lines, and most of the time they're 30 minutes or less, so I didn't spend extra money. They weren't even $200 each for us on the deal I caught.

I think the losses from not opening the hotels and campgrounds will be tougher than giving the season passholders more reason to keep coming.

 

[21stamps]

Yeah, ours weren't that expensive. We have the Gold passes, which include the drink plan, and then we also got comp tickets so we're getting additional comp tickets. Didn't worry about doing their fast lane thing. With B's autism, I could go get the pass for him if I needed to, but...he really needs to learn to handle lines, and most of the time they're 30 minutes or less, so I didn't spend extra money. They weren't even $200 each for us on the deal I caught.

I think the losses from not opening the hotels and campgrounds will be tougher than giving the season passholders more reason to keep coming.

The biggest chunk of that was the fast lane at $875 each. The only reason I did it this year was for Orion at KI, and because I was hoping to do 5-6 Cedar Point days.. which is $150 per day anyway, and then one other Cedar Fair park in either Michigan or NC. The platinum passes themselves are only around $200 each, dining is around $140pp, drinks $40pp, FunPix is $50 or $60- I only have to buy one FunPix though, T’s pass can still be linked to it.

Cedar Point has their own hotels, but KI does not.. though I think they have a deal with the Great Wolf Lodge next door. I live less than 10 minutes from KI’s gate, but we do stay at that GWL to ‘feel’ like we’re going on a quick trip lol.