Sudokuaholics Anonymous 10

Sigmund Freud
One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.

Did I tell you about the problem with a pack of dogs who are chasing and killing cats in our neighborhood? They killed a cat of our neighbor Eddie, a cat like ours that spent most of her time inside, but did go out a shirt time eash afternoon once they got home from work.

Earlier this week, I was up and in my recliner fore Al was awake, and I heard a racket, barking and feet on our ramp. Ran to see what was happening, cause I had just let Scooter out. there was one dog climbing our gate, front legs already over and scrambling with back legs to gain purchase. three of his buddies were behind him, offering vocal support. I screamed at them, and started out on the porch, they turned and ran. Leader seemed to be the white dog who has growled at me when I walked onto my back porch, or in my yard. now, I do not like dogs who think MY yard is there territory. Another dog is one that visits Al often, a white pit bull, usually a big baby wanting to be loved, but did not look like much of a baby now. The last two were younger gods, skinny, and I had not seen one of them before. Heck, even Meathead, the white pit bull who was so overweight a few months ago has lost so much weight. These dogs are not being fed enough, so they are chasing and killing cats now.

Scooter was up the porch column hanging on for dear life. If that dog had got over the gate, he could have got up in one of the porch chairs, and reached her. No way she could have got up on the house from that post, only one of them has something up top for her to gain purchase to get over the edge of the tin roof, and this was not it!

Last night, Al came in with Scooter, said the dogs had chased her up a tree near the Dome. she went out on a limb and got to the roof, stayed up there a couple of hours, a really safe place, but way to hot middle of the day. Last night it had cooled down and she felt safe up there. Stayed there till Al escorted her in.

Not sure what to do about these dogs. Once dogs start killing cats or any other animal, there is no going back. Now the other 3 perhaps, but that ring leader, the alpha dog, nothing but killing will do.

No we do not have animal control officers. If we call the police, we are told, take care of it yourself, we will not prosecute for animal cruelty. Only problem is, some of these rednecks love their dogs (just have a poor way of showing it like not feeding them enough), and will come after anyone who kills them, with guns. We are trying to keep her inside as much as we can, but sometimes she slips out when door is opened. I do hope she continues to make it to the nearest tree or to her almost safe place on the back porch. Al noes not need to loose another pet.

Stupid Bl##dy cat woke me up. Even though it got fed before I went to bed it decided it was still hungry! Enjoyed my night out. Did need to relax a bit. Thanks for all the hugs etc. Thanks for letting me vent here.

Tricia, can you put some barbed wire or something on top of the gate to stop the dogs. Those dogs could kill a small child.
When Mum was alive and we had the farm and dogs killing the calves we put out notices to say we had put down bates to kill the foxes. Those dogs were soon locked up by their owners.(We did get permission from the agricultural people to put down bates but the notices did the job without the actual bates!)
MIL's birthday today. She is 97. A family lunch for her tomorrow.

June, we will have to think of something to put on the gates. Not sure where I could get just 6 feet of barbed wire, for the 2 gates, 3 feet wide. Gives me something to think about though. Thanks for the suggestion.

BAD KITTY, waking June for another treat. I notice the cat wakes you, and hot hubby, they know who will hear and get up don't they?

I wish I was down there to help you, MizT. The rednecks around here are afraid of me. I have a reputation for having a temper. I've been told that they can hear me swearing at IH from a mile away. I think they exaggerate a little.

MizT, we don't have that problem here. There are plenty of groups that look out for the welfare of animals. We are not allowed to use barbed wire for anything - only farmers are allowed to.

June, glad you enjoyed your night out. Bad kitty!

Good Morning my friends.
June, pleased you got to relax a bit with friends. Great ideas for MizT.
Heidi, I bet they are scared of you hehe! Have you heard anymore about Robert?
Good to see you Theresa, how are you?

Well Poss and his friend have got the car going so he should get back safe and sound tomorrow. Service went OK yesterday only the squabbling of the siblings to get thru today.

I'm fine Broni, thanks for asking. Waiting for hubby to get home so we can get a few groceries. He is working all weekend again!!!

I can't believe how tough Robert is. He's been discharged from the hospital, with no restrictions. He's only bruised up. He's determined to go on the trail ride tomorrow. He's truck is a twisted hunk of scrap metal with nothing salvageable.

My ear still hurts today, and is still draining a lot of fluid out. I'm not used to it hurting this long, but they made a larger incision this time, and put in a larger drain.

So will he get to go on his 'hot date' tomorrow night Heidi? Hope the pain eases soon in your ear.
Eeek! Theresa, he must be getting very tired.

Heidi, sorry the ear is still hurting. It is good it is draining, get all that infection our, you do not need it there! Hope you feel much better and soon.

Amazing that Robert is out and survived with only bruises. From the sounds of that truck, it is unbelievable he came out that lucky.

Remember the cake recipe, cake mix and one can of soda? I just baked one, pineapple cake using orange soda. It is delish! I had to sample it, you know, make sure it was edible hehehe. Hope Al can have some for desert tonight.

Good Evening, All! I'm just popping in as I have temporary internet service. This is driving me crazy! I have loads to read. Hopefully I'll be up and running sometime this weekend! Thinking of all of you and sending much , prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and positive thoughts! Remember to take care of yourselves, as well as the ones you love!

I'll see you all tomorrow after I get back from the trail ride.

Afternoon all,
I've been reading but at first I found it hard to put my thoughts together and then the internet fell out on me! Hubby had to call to get it fixed - again. The story they told him made no sense at all...

Julie, when you come back don't try to comment on everything or you will never catch up and it will be stressful rather than enjoyable!

June, I'm so glad the night out was relaxing. It seems like that is a better idea than going away as that seemed to stress you more than it relaxed you. I'm also glad that you feel like you can vent in here. Bad kitty!! Happy Birthday to your MIL.

MizT, I'm sure I wrote that cake recipe/adaptation down somewhere and now I can't find it. Would you mind posting it again? Those dogs sound dreadful. Any sort of thing you have hanging around that you could use to make the gates taller might help. We've done that when our dogs were getting out.

Broni, glad Poss has his car going, and hopefully his phone is working too this time! Hope the squabbles aren't too bad.

Heidi, bummer about your ear. Hopefully it will be better by the ride, though knowing you , you will go anyway. Great news about Robert! It reminds me of the little girl down here. Some are calling it a possible miracle as she was blessed by the pope when he was in Aus. It is extraordinary that her injuries were limited to burst blood vessels in her face and some bruising when she had a mini bus sitting on her chest...

Well, I'm sure there was more I was going to say, but I've gone blank...

Suzy, easy recipe. Just get one package prepared came mix, the kind that makes a 2 or 3 layer cake. Then get a 12 oz can of diet soda, whatever flavor you think will go with your cake. One rule, dark cakes do well with dark cola, like pepsi or Dr Pepper with chocolate. Light cales do better with light colas, like lemon cake with lemon lime soda, or the orange soda with pineapple cake. I do not think there are any erong choices, just some better than others.

You need an 8 inch glass square baking dish, some spray oil, like Pam, and a microwave oven.

Spray your glass pan with cooking oil. Mix the cake mix and the diet soda in a large bowl, do not over mix, it will have some lumps, like pancake batter. Pour into the 8x8 baking pan. Cook in microwave on high for 13 minutes. Pan will be hot, so use mitts to remove from microwave. Let cool and then you can ice the cake with your favorite recipe, or dust the top with confectioners sugar, or leave plain.

Heidi, enjoy your trail ride tomorrow.

Suzy and Julie, glad you have internet service again, hope your problems are solved.

I am ready for bed. Husband fed, meds given, cat is inside, yep, that should do it for tonight.

Huge Hugs to each of you, with extras.

MizT, around here, a lot of the 'trendies' who have cats now have outdoor enclosures that lead from the inside of the house out to an enclosed kitty playground. Is there a possibility of doing something like that? Gives them the feeling of outside but with the safety of an enclosure.

Morning all - 4:00 AM is way too early to get up on a Saturday morning. I am thinking a nap will be in order later ....

The rain is supposed to hold off until late tonight. Here's hoping because I want to continue with yard work.

Off to get coffee #2. Yum - help yourself.

I went shopping by myself today, which I quite enjoyed. Hubby is not feeling 100% but knows it will pass quickly, if it is the same cold that Beth had, it will only last a couple of days...fingers crossed! We went to his clinic a couple of Mondays ago, and there were a lot of coughing people there, hopefully it is not a new bug! He has had his flu shot, so there are no real fears that way.

Hope your hubby will soon be all better, Gail. You went shopping ... what did you buy me?

Chocolate

Enjoy Theresa.
I don't need anymore chocolate, little miss piggy here has been gorging herself.
Hope Mr Dag improves quickly Dag.

Morning all. Sorry I didn't stop by yesterday. Mitchell had a great time on his field trip and also got to enjoy butterbeer and all the rides. He got home late and is still sleeping. Dropped him off at 5:15 am and then had to waste time until 7 am when I had an appointment to register him for High School. Went to Denny's for breakfast. They were not busy and let me sit there for over an hour reading a book. They kept filling my coffee. Best service I ever had. Denny's is a chain diner not known for service. Got him registered and went to torture my kiddies.
Did my weekly refill of kitchen at night and then just hung out until it was time to pick him up. We all went to get him. Even Harley.

Heidi, glad to hear that Robert is OK. I feel he is more like family to you then friend. Have a great time on the trail ride.

Don't remember most of what I have read. I know there are no major problems and that is good. Talk to you all later.

Coffee is ready. Hubby made it today so pour a cup at your own risk

Theresa, just why were you up at 4:30 am? and on a weekend too, oh my! Thanks for the coffee, needed that. Still waiting for the cool air you are sending, it has not arrived yet.

Tami will get my second cup from you, I am sure hubby makes acceptable coffee. Sounds like Mitchel had a wonderful trip.

Broni, you had all that chocolate and did not share with us? Shame, shame.

Gail, hope hubby is soon better. Know you worry when he gets a cough or anything.

I really need to go to library today, I have read all my books but the one I decided was unreadable. Not yet desperate enough to pick that one up again.

Al tried sausage with his egg and cocoa yesterday. Said it tasted wonderful, but burned his throat. We just never know. Hope his weekly weigh in Monday will show he is gaining again. After that upset tummy he lost 3 pounds, pounds we had worked so hard to put on him.

need to read my mail, then make cocoa, have a shower, cook something for dinner while it is cooler in the house. and as always, ffuts needs doing. Talk to you later, hugs to each of you.

MizT, hubby had to start work at 6:00 AM today and it's an hour drive. The alarm went off at 4:00. As far as sending you cool temps, our politicians are unavailable - I was going to ask those "blow hards" to send you some. TeeHee.

I have already snuck in an hour and a half nap. This shouldn't interfere with my sleep tonight as I was up by 9:30 AM. Off to nuke a cup of leftover coffee and go outside.

Theresa, you can keep the politicians. All of ours blow hot air, and I don't think yours are any different.
Tricia, he had a wonderful time. Sending my best to Al.

I was given Mitchell's summer assignment. He has to read "Lord of the Flies." He has several projects associated with the book and all work will be due the first week of school. He has a suggested reading list which includes a lot of the classics, most of which I have never read. I think I will be doing a lot of reading this summer.

Tami, our politicians blow hot air too, but hot air rises ... I figured while they are blowing they would send along some of the cooler temps. There was method to my madness, or was that madness to my method?

Theresa, if hot air rises, how come none of the politicians have blown away yet????

Tami, because they are also full of another substance which keeps them grounded.

Theresa, would you be referring to a rather stinky substance that if I said the name here, I would get banned???

Possibly Tami ... the stuff farmers like to fertilize their fields with.

I guess my comment broke the site ... sorry.

Theresa, I don't think your comment broke the site. I think it was a conspiracy. One of those people who are full of hot air and manure put a hex on the site and wouldn't let anyone post. They wanted to make sure no one saw the truth. They have to maintain the facade of knowing what they are doing and caring for someone other than themselves.

If my calculations are correct, this should be the BOPP.