When it really happens: SHTF...

[Aragorn243]

Today I returned to work. It was interesting. Went to my local supplier to pick up a few small odds and ends that I knew I could use on the job I haven't seen in six weeks. A sheet of drywall, 9 corner beads and a bucket of lightweight spackling But they didn't have the lightweight spackling. What's up with that? They have only had business from clueless homeowners for a month and a half and they are out of lightweight spackling. Oh well. Didn't really want to work hard today anyway so off the the job site. Poked my head in, asked if they wanted me to wear a mask and thankfully they did not. That would not be fun. We talked for half an hour or so, shared experiences, showed off a few pictures of my pandemic Beard now removed, and my renovated front porch which is how I spent my time the past couple of weeks. Later in the day, off to other suppliers. First stop, Home Depot, just kept on driving. Long line of homeowners standing to get in, most but not all wearing masks, the line is cattle chute style and no space in between. Yes, they decided to have a line with social distancing and they did a switchback with no spacing in between. Off to Lowes. Now this is kind of amusing. Online chatter is a constant stream of derogatory chatter towards Lowes because they aren't limiting the number of people in the store. I'm like, I'd rather simply walk into a store that isn't crowded at all than stand in cattle chutes until you can tell me I can go in to a store that isn't crowded. No Home Depot for me. I've been to Lowes about four times now, two different ones actually. Home Depot I've driven past three times and refused to go in. I did place a phone order with them and then insisted they bring it out to my car as I was not standing in line to pick it up at customer service like they wanted. Lowes had the spackling. Lots of clueless homeowners in there but it's NOT CROWDED AT ALL. These are very large stores and under state guidelines can have about 1000 people in there at any given time an at most there are maybe 100-200, same as our local Walmart. Thus there is NO NEED FOR A LINE TO PACK PEOPLE TOGETHER IN. Then it was off to the real supplier, roofing/siding. Pull up at a little after 3:00 and the gates closed. WTF. They are closing at 2:00 now. I guess they didn't get the memo that construction was back online this week. OK. quick phone call to the other roofing/siding supplier at the other side of town and off I went. Get there, must wear mask, not unexpected. Only one person in the showroom at a time, unexpected and unneeded. These suppliers have at most 4 or 5 guys in there at any given instant and the counter is 30ft long and there is 15ft of space in front of the counter. 6' spacing is simple. But I followed the rules and waited to get my three pieces of trim. They also asked that you call your order in in advance. Great except when you are trying to color match 30 year old siding. I guess I could take a photo and send it to their hardline phones but I don't think that would be very effective. Anyway, it's a start I guess. Kind of feels good to be back to work I guess. I was getting used to the "vacation" however which I think a lot of people are going to share, at least till all their money runs out.

I understand the church thing. My wife mentioned a church service in our car we could go to and since we haven't been in a while and it's important to her we went. I also got a bit choked up when we started but the minister lost me pretty quick. She wasn't inspired either so we won't be going back to that one. I have the ability to cast church services from my phone to the TV and we did Easter service that way. A good friend is the pastor of a small New Jersey church and we "attended" his rather than our own. I'm not a huge fan of our new pastor. He's OK, his messages are interesting but he's an "can I get an Amen" type of guy and it's like fingernails on a blackboard when I hear that. I'm not a Baptist and I wasn't raised in the South. We've actually been considering moving but haven't yet and with this going on, no way to test the waters elsewhere. Both of us have positions in the church, he's been interfering with my wifes and she's not happy. He hasn't messed with mine as I'm a Trustee and outside of his control. I think we are the only group he hasn't messed with. He's never even attended a meeting. It's a hard decision since we've been there for 30 years and have a lot of good friends there and we both understand the church is the people and not the minister but it's still tough. This one more so than most because he's changed things so much and while change is needed to grow, his changes are growing us in the negative direction.

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[USGI]

No Home Depot for me

I went to HD about a month ago and found the "double-line" out front. One line was for DIY and the other for PRO (no one in that one). Both were marked for maintaining 6 ft. distancing. They only permitted a certain number inside the store and allowed entry as others left by the far exit. I had no problem with it. Last weekend I needed several items, so checked on-line and found how many were in stock, as well as the aisle and bay where they were located. They offered "curbside" pickup, so checked that box and paid by credit card. Soon, I received a text telling me that my order was ready for pickup and a number to call when arriving at the store. Got to the store mid morning on Sunday and the parking lot was crammed nearly full, and the line extended from the main entrance to the Contractor pickup area! I started wondering where "curbside pickup" could possibly be, but when I called their number I was told there were (8) roped off parking spaces directly in front - just pick one of them and let them know the number of the space - someone would bring out the order. I drove to the space (all were empty) and before I could get the tailgate open on my truck, a guy wheeled everything out and I was out of there in no time. People that were waiting in line looked on in awe! I realize not all HD's offer this service, but I sure appreciated being able to use it! - Bob

[browningautorifle]

First stop, Home Depot, just kept on driving. Long line of homeowners standing to get in, most but not all wearing masks, the line is cattle chute style and no space in between.

Difference here is there's 6' spacing so the lines are fuggin' HUGE!

Off to Lowes because they aren't limiting the number of people in the store. I'm like, I'd rather simply walk into a store that isn't crowded at all than stand in cattle chutes until you can tell me I can go in to a store that isn't crowded. No Home Depot for me.

Our trade guys seem to be back at it and I wondered how they were gong to make out too. I ran into the same thing here and now don't go to HD. Our Canadaian Tire is just as bad. Lowes doesn't stock car stuff so I have to wait a while for that. I had enough of lines in the army. Costco has a rule that Essential Personnel skip the line and guess what...My wife is one of those. I stay at the car and send her in with a mask and list. She returns in a half hour while I watch the same people move a few feet in the eternal line. I'll be glad when they get past this...if they actually do.