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Post by Bean on Dec 1, 2020 11:57:07 GMT
The Christmas banner is up here and I'll be getting my decorations out of the shed later!
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 1, 2020 21:03:49 GMT
Happy December, everyone. We literally only have one more month to the worst year of the century. 2021 is a year of possibilities. We should get a virus vaccine, and finally get this virus under control. We finally end a four year reign of terror and get to look forward to four years of decency. We all desperately need this 🎉
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Post by Bean on Dec 2, 2020 8:06:00 GMT
A vaccine has been approved here this morning, apparently it'll be in clinics as soon as next week with the most vulnerable being given it first. You need two doses 21 days apart.
And yes, the recent election has made 2021 look much more hopeful for your country, and for the rest of the world too!
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 2, 2020 18:57:20 GMT
It was snowing, when we went to walk last time. Not going to amount to anything, but a nice reminder that things are changing. We're predicted to have a very wet winter, and probably warmer than usual, which could mean a lot of rain, and some heavy snow(the killer of trees and electric lines). We're down about 10+ inches in precipitation for 2020(another negative about this year), so we can really use the precipitation. Hubby will probably be snow blowing and shoveling more, but that's okay(I say, since he's the one doing it ). We have a big deficit to make up! More holiday lights going up all the time. We may not have snow on the ground, but it's feeling very wintery outside.
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Post by Bean on Dec 3, 2020 8:01:35 GMT
It's certainly cold enough for snow here now, but only the really hilly areas have had a dusting. Given we're not travelling this year, I wouldn't mind a white Christmas!
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 3, 2020 20:25:11 GMT
I love white Christmases. We've had years when we hardly had enough snow for a sled, so it was nice when our parents started buying us a saucer for Christmas every year. They didn't last very long, and after a winter of sliding with our saucers, they were headed for the dump/tip. Sleds were only good on the roads, before the snow plows came around. I think we all got a whole lot more snow back when all the sliding on sleds pictures were painted.
Lots more decorations up, everyday. It's nice to see people bothering, as that means life hasn't gotten the best of them, yet. Lots of programs to try to make the holidays a bit better for a lot of people down on their luck, and that number has increased greatly. Manchester is trying to find a building they can convert into a homeless shelter. The latest numbers, and it's hard to count homeless, as many live out of the public eye, is that there are about 100 shelter beds in Manchester, and well over 1K people who need them. The mayor tried to get the state to let the city use the armory for the winter, but the state said no. Where ever they pick has to have space for a lot of beds, hopefully rooms for families and to separate men and women from sleeping in the same rooms(not married couples), a kitchen to help them heat food, showers, a laundry, and bathrooms.
For so long, the homeless were mental patients, or people with mental illnesses that kept them out of the mainstream. Now they are the minority, and the vast majority of homeless have lost their jobs and their homes. They bought really good tents with what money they had, but it's getting a bit too cold for tents, now. Some homeless live in their tents year round, and if this winter is warmer and wetter, it might not be too bad for them.
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Post by Bean on Dec 4, 2020 8:26:53 GMT
I found our sledges when I was clearing out the playhouse - we're ready to roll if we get some snow! I also have some spare correx from making the guinea pig cages, and a piece of that (with a handle cut out so you can hold on) can generate some cracking speeds!
There was a massive push on getting homeless people into accommodation at the start of the pandemic. Some people still chose not to take up the offer, but I understand many did. I'm not sure if the extra funding is still there. Saying that, there is an excellent place providing support to the homeless in the city centre which always has bed spaces. But although they have support programs for people with addictions, they won't allow people who are clearly under the influence to use their accommodation, so that can rule some people out.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 5, 2020 2:43:29 GMT
It's the same, here. Anyone clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol are banned from shelters. That would be the case with any new shelters, too. There are places for those people to go, but obviously places where they can get treatment.
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Post by Bean on Dec 5, 2020 8:27:14 GMT
Some people's lives are so difficult and chaotic. I'm grateful to all the people who work hard to help get people back on track with so many challenges in their lives, and will definitely be supporting a couple of charities helping the homeless over Christmas.
We had our first snow yesterday - I hadn't seen it was forecast so it was quite a surprise! It came down for quite a while but has been so wet that nothing settled.
We started unfurling the tree from it's storage bag last night. Apparently demand for real trees is rocketing this year. A lot more people will be at home than usual and they want to make it special. I do love the smell of a real tree, but we have a good artificial one and we're sticking with that!
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Seffy
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Post by Seffy on Dec 5, 2020 12:39:26 GMT
I have been debating putting up a tree, and might compromise and put up a small one for my husband. I'm having a tough time getting into the holiday season this year, between Covid and the political nightmare here in the US, stress with my job, and then losing one of our sweet boys over Thanksgiving. Bad end to a bad year. I was shocked to learn that my 81-year old dad was invited to a family get-together for Christmas! (our entire family lives elsewhere; we're quite alone up here). Thankfully he said no, but...good grief. What are people thinking?
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 5, 2020 13:03:51 GMT
Seffie, hello and welcome to Wheekers 🤗 I'm so sorry about your boy Losing them puts a real damper on our emotions, and it's been a rough emotional year for a lot of people.) The CDC said to decorate, as it helps to lift our spirits. I hope you find a way to lift yours 💝 Popcorn free, little guinea guy 💖 Huge hugs to you and your hubby 💝 Treen, it's the same over here. We were going to wait until close to Christmas, then check local tree lots for leftover trees. Get one set up by the front bird feeding station to give them some protection. We may have to skip that idea. I hear the trees aren't staying on the lots, and are really expensive this year. Tree farms have sold out of the cut your own. Wow! We have some charities that collect and distribute toys for children of all ages. At least here in New Hampshire, the donations are way down, and of course, unemployment or underemployment is higher that it's been in decades. With the foodbank and homeless shelters needing so much help, only so much to go around, and the personal aspect missing, the children are suffering. Got our flu shots. Yesterday. CDC said to wait until the end of November, as the worst of flu season is ahead, and the shots are only good for six months. I'll get the shingles and pneumonia shits after the first of the year, so I can apply them to my insurance deductible.
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Seffy
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Post by Seffy on Dec 5, 2020 14:25:44 GMT
Thanks, 3piggies. We have had many losses over the years, but this one has been one of the hardest. Over the past several months of working from home, Harold became a constant companion of mine...running around my home 'office,' snuggling up with me on the sofa late at night when my anxiety started creep up. He used to give me little chin kisses. :}
I may try to drag out a few decorations this weekend and see how it goes. At least maybe some candles and the small, tabletop tree. Mr. Seffy likes all that stuff, and I should at least do it for him.
We got our flu shots in October, and now wish I had waited.
I hope the vaccine for Covid proves to be safe and effective.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 5, 2020 20:18:00 GMT
I had a little guinea guy like that. Saw me through a bad depression. Zippy. I will never stop missing him, and though he died 10 years ago, I still get teary when I think about him. I'm sorry you lost him during an already hard time. I know what that's like Huge hugs! I wish there were something to say that would actually help, but there really isn't. Try to get into the spirit as much as possible. I'm not saying go overboard, but if you have a favorite decoration, get it out so you can enjoy it. Hubby fought his COVID doldrums by putting up all the decorations after Halloween. We're having an extended season of lights, and that's a great way to fight off the darkness. That and grow lights for all the plants that came in for the winter
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Seffy
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Post by Seffy on Dec 5, 2020 23:07:00 GMT
I'm so sorry about Zippy. The special ones...I don't think that hole in our hearts ever fully heals. I've had several like that over the years, and Harold was definitely one of those. We got his cremains back yesterday, and that was a little hard but also good to have him "back home." I think I am going to get out all of my guinea pig decorations for sure (piggy ornaments; guinea pig stockings) and then some candles. I love the thought of an extended season of lights. Working on a "care package" for my 81-year old dad will help, too. I love making little boxes full of goodies to ship to him; he's so easy to please and likes everything. He lives alone a couple of hours from here...miss him very much. Can very much relate to the Covid doldrums. Covid is out of control in our little town, but it's all being downplayed and minimized, and people aren't taking it seriously.
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Post by Bean on Dec 6, 2020 9:14:55 GMT
It sounds like a rubbish end to a tough year for you, Seffy. I hope the Christmas spirit that's starting to poke its head up takes over and lifts you up. It must be really hard being far away from your family during this pandemic too, especially your dad. The packages sound great, I'm sure he loves them and more so over the festive season when families would usually get together.
This Christmas is certainly going to be different. I know some people who say they're looking forward to it more because of the lack of pressure to dash around and see everyone or do exciting things. Hopefully everyone will find a way to enjoy it, even if they're glad to get back to normal (hopefully) next year.
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Seffy
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Post by Seffy on Dec 6, 2020 23:33:39 GMT
Thanks. It has been a little bumpy, that's for sure. So many others have had it much worse, though, and I need to try to put it all in perspective. On a potentially more positive note...I became aware of a neglect situation last week involving a guinea pig who was being housed outside, in the freezing cold, down in Kentucky. He was actually living under a house. After a couple of days of trying to get ahold of the owner, and after alerting a rescue buddy of mine to the situation, we were able to arrange for the little guy to be surrendered to a volunteer who is going to transport him up to the rescue one day next week. The volunteer initially thought he was a female, but was able to confirm sex as a male late yesterday. He's going to get a complete physical first, but I think husband and I are going to adopt him. Fingers crossed that all goes well.
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Post by bazookagoof on Dec 7, 2020 0:31:44 GMT
The volunteer initially thought he was a female, but was able to confirm sex as a male late yesterday. He's going to get a complete physical first, but I think husband and I are going to adopt him. Fingers crossed that all goes well. I hope you can get him without problems. I've owned five guinea pigs and only the first one was originally from a pet store- the rest have all come from animal shelters.
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 7, 2020 2:10:10 GMT
All digits crossed for you to be able to adopt him 💝 I adopted a Guinea girl who was abandoned outside a pet store. She has a skin condition that needed treating, and wasn't with me nearly long enough. She was the only Teddy I've had, too. think they appreciate having a forever home more than most 💝 I also think putting up all the Guinea pig decorations, and making food gifts, are great ways to lift your spirits. I certainly hope so 💝
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Post by Bean on Dec 7, 2020 8:44:11 GMT
I know what you mean about putting things into perspective, but also think it's good to be able to acknowledge when you're fed up and why, rather than thinking you should be cracking on. There's always someone worse or better off, but I don't often find comparisons helpful as we're all so different.
Glad that little chap will be out of that home soon. Fingers crossed he can make his way to you - keep us posted!
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Post by 3piggles on Dec 7, 2020 15:55:22 GMT
I was much more willing to crack on, when I was young. I was a lot less willing when I became a mother. As an older person, I am more adaptable, but less tolerant. Wish I'd been this way 60 years ago, lol 🤗
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