The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Goofyernmost]

So, celebrating N.Y. Eve last night was a great idea. By bumping it up a night, there were no lines at the Chinese restaurant take-out, and the food was fresh and hot. Yum city!!! There's a lot left over for tonight, too, so we have a feast for tonight, in spite of ourselves! Ha! I might go to the supermarket today and get another bottle of sparkling cider.

Here's something pathetically funny -- my bro in N.C. sent me an email last night, to thank me for a Christmas card he received yesterday. The reason he mentioned it, is that I always send out Christmas cards right after Thanksgiving, and he's right. I sent out 20 cards 2 days after Thanksgiving -- and his just arrived yesterday?! (He mentioned there was no postmarked date on it either - huh? Are they sending mail without posting it anymore??! WTH??!!)

Everything was fine for me until almost Christmas time. I went to a doctor on December 10th and he ordered two prescriptions to be mailed to me. I live a little over 14 miles from my Durham VA source. According to their record it was sent out on the 11th. I received it yesterday. Just a mere 20 days to get 14 miles. Maybe all that crap about the effort to shut the Post Office down has had an affect on what used to be a very dependable system. It is sad really.

 

[John park hopper]

Could this be an intentional USPS slow down in order to get more funding. FYI postal workers have a sweet healthcare program which they pay next to nothing for and a great retirement.

 

[Figgy1]

@BuddyThomas , I thought of you when I read an article about N.Y. Eve in Times Square this year. I'm sure you know about all the (below), but just as an fyi, for you or anyone else interested.

Rather than include the whole long article, I just copied a few pertinent sections of the entertainment guide for this evening. (I'll be flipping across all the channels as per usual, although I think the duo of Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper are funny when they get together, so might watch a bit more of their show.)

This year, in addition to the TV networks, there's also a lot of coverage on other platforms like Hulu, YouTube, etc., if you subscribe to any of those.

******************************

Credit: Excerpts below from news article from Country Living, by Megan Stein, Dec. 28, 2020:

"Here's How to Watch the 2021 New Year's Ball Drop Live in Times Square"​

ABC: Jennifer Lopez will headline ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." The broadcast will start at 8 p.m. EST and include performances by Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper, and Jimmie Allen. Ryan Seacrest will share hosting duties with Lucy Hale, as well as Ciara in Los Angeles. The 49th year of this ball drop broadcast can also be viewed on ABC Live.

CNN: Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will co-host CNN's ball drop special, which kicks off at 8 p.m. EST. Expect performances by Jimmy Buffett, John Mayer, and Josh Groban, as well as reports from correspondents stationed at New Year's Eve celebrations around the world.

NBC: "NBC's New Year's Eve 2021" will include the ball drop as well as performances from Kylie Minogue, Pentatonix, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. The special will air from 10-11 p.m. then again from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. following a break for local news.

How to Watch the Ball Drop Live Online or From Your Phone​

The Times Square official website has several ways you can watch the ball drop online. They offer a live webcast directly on their site here, with mobile streaming also available on NewYearseve.nyc and TimesSquareBall.net. You can also watch on social media via their Facebook and Twitter pages.

I went to Times Square a few times pre kiddos, once to a swanky restaurant that did midnight inside at about a quarter to then outside to watch the ball drop

 

[Figgy1]

I'm glad you enjoyed your NYE celebration and Chinese food sounds yummo! We are doing snacky type foods (pizza rolls, mozzarella sticks and some other stuff). I think some Chinese might be on the menu for next week though.

So weird about the Christmas card! I think there was little more mail this year than normal but at least it got there.

Day 2 of cooking. I'll try and get a few pics up along the way. Deviled eggs

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Do you think going to just any decent sized hotel would be quieter than home? Soundproofing, blackout curtains, etc.

Maybe, maybe if it was more in a city center where there might not be people firing off fireworks in residential area. But you might want to check that there aren't any fireworks planned in the city area too.

 

[Figgy1]

Do you think going to just any decent sized hotel would be quieter than home? Soundproofing, blackout curtains, etc.

Maybe but only if you know for a fact there is soundproofing. Good luck. I have a feeling it's going to be loud here late into the night pretty much everywhere

 

[Figgy1]

Could this be an intentional USPS slow down in order to get more funding. FYI postal workers have a sweet healthcare program which they pay next to nothing for and a great retirement.

Please take that down to the basement

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Maybe, maybe if it was more in a city center where there might not be people firing off fireworks in residential area. But you might want to check that there aren't any fireworks planned in the city area too.

No fireworks are planned anywhere, it's all amateur hour(s.)

I was thinking more in a commercial zone (by a big mall and office mall) or near the airport, but there seems to be less availability near the airport.

 

[Figgy1]

No fireworks are planned anywhere, it's all amateur hour(s.)

I was thinking more in a commercial zone (by a big mall and office mall) or near the airport, but there seems to be less availability near the airport.

IMHO a commercial zone will be quieter for a change, again good luck edit airport will still have planes

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day 2 of cooking. I'll try and get a few pics up along the way. Deviled eggs

Yum, deviled eggs! I thought you weren't cooking today? Hopefully it is just a couple little things so you can enjoy the day. I know you can't eat a lot of pre-packaged stuff but we are cheating with pre-packaged snackies. I bought the stuff to make homemade pepperoni pizza rolls and I even talked to hubby about why I was getting egg roll wraps and string cheese and he was super pumped about them and then we walked down the frozen snack aisle and he saw the pizza rolls and promptly picked up a big bag. He said, "we have to have pizza rolls for NYE!" and plopped them in the cart. I just looked at him (inwardly shook my head) and my ingredients for the homemade pizza rolls already in the cart and said, "yes we do." I still bought my ingredients and will make them but maybe next weekend instead. Maybe I'll make cheeseburger ones too.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

No fireworks are planned anywhere, it's all amateur hour(s.)

I was thinking more in a commercial zone (by a big mall and office mall) or near the airport, but there seems to be less availability near the airport.

I'd say if you get away from residential areas and the town/city isn't planning any big fireworks then you'd probably be safe. Good luck and I hope you Brian and Kylie have a great NYE!

 

[Figgy1]

Yum, deviled eggs! I thought you weren't cooking today? Hopefully it is just a couple little things so you can enjoy the day. I know you can't eat a lot of pre-packaged stuff but we are cheating with pre-packaged snackies. I bought the stuff to make homemade pepperoni pizza rolls and I even talked to hubby about why I was getting egg roll wraps and string cheese and he was super pumped about them and then we walked down the frozen snack aisle and he saw the pizza rolls and promptly picked up a big bag. He said, "we have to have pizza rolls for NYE!" and plopped them in the cart. I just looked at him (inwardly shook my head) and my ingredients for the homemade pizza rolls already in the cart and said, "yes we do." I still bought my ingredients and will make them but maybe next weekend instead. Maybe I'll make cheeseburger ones too.

Yesterday was prep day. I made all the stuffings and such except for the eggs. I just boiled them. The stuffed pork loin is in the oven as well as the stuffed spaghetti squash, stuffed loaded potatoes go in about 11 so all I have left is chopping the salad for meal one. For tonight the frying is going to be the only pita

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Booked it. A whopping $75 for an Executive King. Pet friendly. We'll order in. Both working during the day. I may check her in early since he's working until 6 (already dark.)

Off to do a million errands and work and stuff! I think no matter what, the situation will be better than being at our house. If not, we can always come home! It's only a few miles away (actually not far from one of my stores.)

 

[93boomer]

 

[DryerLintFan]

For all you Lego lovers.... I don't think I've ever needed anything more than I need this right now I love these so so so muchhttps://www.lego.com/en-us/product/flower-bouquet-10280

 

[Lilofan]

For all you Lego lovers.... I don't think I've ever needed anything more than I need this right now I love these so so so muchhttps://www.lego.com/en-us/product/flower-bouquet-10280

That's neat. I remember the Lego Store at Disney Springs. Kids can spend all day there building legos and racing them with the other kids. I've never been to the Legoland hotel attraction near Tampa. That is probably out of this world.

 

[DryerLintFan]

View attachment 521256

If you want heavy pockets, just go for a walk with A. She'll "let" you hold all kinds of rocks for her collection

I think the picture looks blissful !!!

P.S.: Here's a tip from me -- when it's really cold outside, simply dress in layers before you go out. You'll be nice and toasty and can enjoy the beautiful snow (if you have any). Also, colder temperatures make any scenery look more clear, and I know I always enjoy it more, the colder it gets.

I love this too. And after or during a good rain. Cold and a little misty is the perfect time to visit the zoo because the animals are so much more active. I think we surround ourselves with so much comfort that we forget that feeling of life and activity that only the cold can bring.

 

[DryerLintFan]

The mail service has been absolutely terrible. The wife mailed a package to son #2 (Gulf breeze FL) got there in 3 days same day mailed a package to her sister in PA took 3 weeks to get there. I ordered something shipped on Dec 18 supposed to get it on the 21 still waiting. USPS tracking all it can tell me is it is on its way.

On a different note I have been getting seed catalogs--- any gardeners out there planning their garden for 2021. I planted onions yesterday day and leeks (they can take the cold)

We plan a small garden but I can’t plant anything until Spring. I have added more flowers than veggies for next year.

What all are you guys putting in your garden this year?

Also, the mail.... I feel so bad for the mail handlers. They're doing the best they can to keep up, but they're slammed. Priority mail is taking two weeks. I cannot imagine the stress their under.

 

[Cesar R M]

The mail service has been absolutely terrible. The wife mailed a package to son #2 (Gulf breeze FL) got there in 3 days same day mailed a package to her sister in PA took 3 weeks to get there. I ordered something shipped on Dec 18 supposed to get it on the 21 still waiting. USPS tracking all it can tell me is it is on its way.

On a different note I have been getting seed catalogs--- any gardeners out there planning their garden for 2021. I planted onions yesterday day and leeks (they can take the cold)

Someone had shared the reason of why.
A USPS worker claims they have 1/2 the capacity but 4x time the work this time.
They usually have to deliver 50 to 200 packages per area. These weeks they have to deliver 500. That is twice what they did last Christmas with everything bought online because of the pandemic.

 

[Cesar R M]

Enjoy your last day of 2020 or at least enjoy giving it the boot if you prefer! I wish you all the best in 2021!

Can we just do an express trip to 2021?

2020 has been pretty crappy.
(ps, even the internet is crap since the power outage of 2 days ago and the crash of yesterday lol )