What services/products are you not using?

[Deleted]

May 14, 2020 15:38:23 GMT -5 Tiny said:

In theory schools (and churches) are still "working" - e-learning and online mass?  All the teachers I know in 3 states are still employed and getting a paycheck.  I wouldn't be surprised if churches did 'donation by mail' kinds of drives for income. 

My church has Morning Prayer on Sunday and Happy Hour Friday evening, both via Zoom.  We have the ability to accept donations via PayPal and have publicized that and added a link to the front page of our Web site but my guess is that it hasn't brought in much- there's a segment of every congregation that donates only when they're in the pew and can put it into the collection basket.  

The Finance Committee meets next week (via Zoom, of course).  I'm pretty sure collections will be way down.  We're carefully tracking stats in our area but our building will be closed at least till May 31.  Even then, a large number of our parishioners are older and some may not want to be in the pews.

[bean29]

I had my reply all typed out and it vanished.

I had two appointments that I missed so far for hair color.  My beautician called a bit ago and scheduled me in at 7pm on Tuesday for Cut/Color/eyebrow wax.

I decided if she was scheduling appts, then I would call for nails.  I made an appointment for Saturday at 1 pm...then decided to ask DD if she wanted to go with, and realized we have a baby shower Saturday at 1 pm.  So DD said she just wants a pedicure, so I rescheduled us to Sunday at 1 pm.  I told the Manager I wanted a full set, but Idk, maybe I should just get gel vs. acrylic.  I am going to do regular polish on my toes.  I like to get a pedicure in the salon because I have ingrown toenails - it is hard to cut them back myself.

Thinking about an eye exam and new glasses.  Was going to buy my glasses from the optometrist this time, figuring less people touching the frames.  Idk.  they are a lot more expensive than other places.  So, I almost made an appointment this am, but hesitated b/c was not sure where I want to purchase my glasses.

The baby shower on Saturday is scheduled as a drive by shower.  There was actually a prior shower scheduled in April? at a venue that was missed.  I don't know if they will keep it as a drive by or change it to an actual shower.  The Momma to be is a nurse, so I am not sure if she is extra careful or figures she is already exposed.

We don't eat out a lot.  We usually go out as a family for Birthdays.  We missed DD's birthday in April and DH's yesterday.  We had the kids over for Mother's day, but DD had moved home already and DS works with DH - so we are already sharing germs.  I am not so inclined to eat in a restaurant, I am willing to do take out, but my DH is a good cook, so we pretty much only do take out when he does not want to cook.

We don't attend church.  My Mom has been going to the virtual services on TV.  The Catholic church announced they will resume services on the 31st.  I imagine my Mom will return to in-person services, but she has been pretty cautious.

Normally we would have a big family party next weekend for my Father-in-law.  I don't know what they will decide we should do.  Will see what DH and his Parents want to do.

I had a Mammogram Scheduled in March.  It has been rescheduled twice already.  It is now scheduled in Mid-June.  I should have gone in December 2019, so I will go when my appointment comes up.  I am not too worried, where I go, they have a separate building dedicated for Breast and Bone diagnostic care.

I have a gym membership.  I should call and cancel.  I am not going into the gym and sharing weights/germs with other gym members.  I have been doing virtual classes, and they actually cost more than my gym membership did.  Idk.  I had a Tuesday class at 12 pm.  If I don't go back we might lose it permanently.  I looked to see if the website was updated, and it has not been updated.  I will keep with the virtual class no matter if I keep my other gym membership b/c those $$ are going to my niece, and they have some increased hardship in their household rn.

ETA.  I have always shopped on line, so I have still bought clothing during the shut down.  I now have a bag of returns to take care of.  I kept my purchases to more casual stuff though, where normally I buy dressier stuff for work or going out/to parties.  I need to purchase some shoes I think.  I tried on-line, but it was a fail.  I was able to return to DSW without a problem yesterday, but they were not fully open yet.

Dogs need to be groomed.  I bought a home grooming kit, and DH did our Teddy bear, but he needs a professional touch up.  DH called for an appointment last week already and he said it will be a few weeks before she gets to us.  She is taking appointment for people who had cancelled appointments first.  Our Miniature Schnauzer does not look too bad yet, but he has been spending more time outside than normal so he might be hot.  Schnauzers are harder to groom, so DH did not attempt to do that dog.  DH always does bathe he dogs in between, so he gave them both baths the other day.

[TheHaitian]

May 14, 2020 14:12:36 GMT -5 Tiny said:

So, what kinds of businesses had to completely shut down other than sit down restaurants, local bars, and "personal care" salons?

From close friends and family:
Caterer
Party / Event Planning
Personal Trainer / Gyms
Contractor / Home repairs
My friend that sells and install blinds on people windows
Anything horn related : new Windows’s, new appliances, roof repairs/gutters, people are waiting to have those done
House Painting -> this is the start of the busy season for my friend (he takes winters off because not too many job) and so far nothing.
Chiropractor (2 people we know were laid off) or Physical Therapy (no one wants anyone to touch them right now.

[Lizard Queen]

Our handyman/contractor still seems to have plenty of work. We told him that we have several more jobs for him if it seems like work is drying up. (We do, we just hold off all the time because he's always busy.)

[Deleted]

May 14, 2020 17:05:08 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

May 14, 2020 14:12:36 GMT -5 Tiny said:

So, what kinds of businesses had to completely shut down other than sit down restaurants, local bars, and "personal care" salons?

From close friends and family:
Caterer
Party / Event Planning
Personal Trainer / Gyms
Contractor / Home repairs
My friend that sells and install blinds on people windows
Anything home related : new Windows, new appliances, roof repairs/gutters, people are waiting to have those done
House Painting -> this is the start of the busy season for my friend (he takes winters off because not too many job) and so far nothing.
Chiropractor (2 people we know were laid off) or Physical Therapy (no one wants anyone to touch them right now.

Sad- and surprising from my neck of the woods. The guys installing the quartz countertops just left- I'm VERY happy with them! In our neighborhood of 46 lots, there are 3 exterior paint jobs starting up and from where I'm sitting I can see my neighbor's deck being rebuilt. I know a lot of people are worried for their jobs and just plain don't want to spend the money, but if there are willing customers I think it can be done safely. I spent 99% of the time the 2 installers were here in another part of the house.

[crazycat]

Gas , no vet appts , no groomers , no hanging out with friends and family . I had to reschedule dentist , optometrist, and mammogram appointments for now . We have season tickets to MLS and just got notified that they will be crediting our payments to next season . My DH is super bummed , he’s a huge soccer fan . 

[jeffreymo]

Thus far: Gas, daycare, restaurants/bars, haircuts, dance and gymnastics classes, t-ball

This summer: no summer camp, pool membership, vacation, amusement park, sporting events, concerts

We’ve also cut out most other spending - don’t need clothes for work (the new uniform is sweatpants/t-shirt), wife doesn’t use makeup every day

We normally go to a couple movies in the summer so that hasn’t happened but they’re going to be re-opening a drive-in theatre nearby so we will probably be doing that as an excuse to get out of the house.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2020 18:08:04 GMT -5 jeffreymo said:

We normally go to a couple movies in the summer so that hasn’t happened but they’re going to be re-opening a drive-in theatre nearby so we will probably be doing that as an excuse to get out of the house.

Are you anywhere near Kansas City?  I'd love to have that option!

[jeffreymo]

May 14, 2020 18:11:41 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

May 14, 2020 18:08:04 GMT -5 jeffreymo said:

We normally go to a couple movies in the summer so that hasn’t happened but they’re going to be re-opening a drive-in theatre nearby so we will probably be doing that as an excuse to get out of the house.

Are you anywhere near Kansas City?  I'd love to have that option!

Actually we’re in Ohio. A couple of these are re-opening after being closed for a while so hopefully they’ll be some near you soon.

[Deleted]

We haven't done these things in awhile and won't for at least another six months

• Movie theater
• Eat in restaurant (and we did every single day)
• Haircuts
• Mani/pedi
• Random recreational shopping
• Museum gallery prowl

On the upside, I have been able to attend presentations by one of our local museums online.  Due to my poor night vision and DH's hearing loss, we had pretty much stopped attending these.  Tickets were $40/$50 per person plus parking, I fear driving so far, and poor DH couldn't hear it well.  Now I can "attend" via YouTube for free

We will need routine dental cleanings in another month or so, but my dentist won't open for anything other than emergencies due to proper PPE being unavailable for her and her staff.  I'll soon be due for my annual mammo, but they are closed for routine screenings at this point.  I desperately need new RX for glasses and new lenses but eye places aren't opening and I wouldn't go near them anyway.  DH has pretty much abandoned his glasses and is trying to "retrain" his eyes so I'll probably go that route too.  Who knows?

[teen persuasion]

May 14, 2020 15:38:23 GMT -5 Tiny said:

In theory schools (and churches) are still "working" - e-learning and online mass?  All the teachers I know in 3 states are still employed and getting a paycheck.  I wouldn't be surprised if churches did 'donation by mail' kinds of drives for income. 

Yes, teachers and schools are still "working", such as it is. Not much actual learning going on, though. We're seeing it from both sides - DH is a teacher (not in DS5's school, though). He spent weeks trying to get permission to use Google classroom (as DS5's successful teachers are). Then, when DH got permission, waited for his students to get signed up by the agency's IT staff (privacy concerns). Finally asked who was setting them up, uhh, no one did. So he began contacting each student individually (or parents) to get the ball rolling. Some aren't cooperating, some can't (no access, learning disabilities). His kids are a struggle to teach in the best of circumstances.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2020 18:39:39 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Yes, teachers and schools are still "working", such as it is. Not much actual learning going on, though.

An article in the section of msn.com with news in my area discussed how student "engagement" had fallen off after about 2 weeks of home schooling- measured by the numbers logged in and completing assignments. I can't find he link now, of course, but about 50% have lost interest. My niece, in Charlotte, NC, was complaining on FB that the curriculum for her 7-year old twins seemed focused on trees day after day and the girls were bored to tears. One of the teachers encouraged her to move on to other things, and she did- seeing how long it took ice cubes to melt and playing store and counting coins for example.

I don't envy teachers trying to herd this group together when they finally meet in person. Some kids will have learned nothing and forgotten what they knew before. Some will have kept up and some will have zoomed ahead in areas that capture their interest and maybe lagged in others.

[jerseygirl]

Haircuts, mani pedi, dentist
Ballet spring seasons cancelled probably fall also
Opera
Gym and I just started with personal trainer and gym has very nice pool
Second year service for car
Restaurants
Clothing shoes
No plane hotel travel maybe for 2 years? Until better meds vaccine
Family dinners parties barbecues - so sad

When movie theaters open will go in day as usually very sparse numbers of people

[lynnerself]

I think we're missing the wine tasting at all the local wineries the most.

We probably did that more than movies, eating out or the local community theater.

[Cookies Galore]

Things we've missed so far:
*Our trip to Aruba
*Pearl Jam concert in Baltimore - so there goes the money we'd have spent on hotel, dinner, drinks, etc.
*A beer fest
*Birthday parties in bars
*Lady day with my sister - pedis and winery
*Two Union (soccer) games
*Phillies games
*Memorial Day weekend down the shore - MIL in thankfully got a full refund on her rental
*Girls on the Run celebration 5k - this was my first year coaching and our in-person season ended after two weeks. I'm bummed.
*Our community pool - who knows when or if it will open, so we haven't bothered signing up yet
*Fundraising events - I'm heavily involved in local politics and we have a contested primary in our state senate district. I can still (and have) make donations online, but I miss the in-person events and we can't door knock.
*Random shopping trips - haven't been consignment shopping, shoe shopping, beauty shopping. Ulta online has been out of stock of the majority of my skincare products I use. Luckily I keep a deep collection of lotions and potions.
*Happy hours
*Beer garden season
*Dining out
*And I have no idea if I will go to anything at the Mann Center for Performing Arts this summer, though I'm hoping since we always get lawn seats for events we should be fine. Return of the Jedi with the Philly Orchestra is still on track for end of July. I hope so.

Oh, and I haven't filled up my car since mid-March and I still have half a tank of gas.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2020 22:42:08 GMT -5 lynnerself said:

I think we're missing the wine tasting at all the local wineries the most.

We probably did that more than movies, eating out or the local community theater.

Any idea when they might start that up again, or how? I've got a stay booked in Hermann MO in late June and part of the fun is wine-tasting. If you get a sanitized glass and no one else touches it, and they pour without touching the neck of the bottle to the rim of the glass and they keep everyone far enough apart, wouldn't that work?

I want to go regardless- plenty of opportunity for bicycling and walking the Katy Trail (weather permitting) and exploring the museums, which are never crowded. I just hope there are restaurants available for meals the B&B doesn't serve. I REALLY wanna get out of Dodge! This is a 3-hour drive so no planes involved.