Sudokuaholics Anonymous 10

Don't be afraid to ask for help - it can bring balance into your life.
Searched my book "There's More to Life..." for something that seemed appropriate. It is getting a lot of ticks for the ones I have already used.

June, my first impulse was to say 'some people have more money than sense', and then thought for a minute and realised that we have probably spent close to $300 on a birthday party...

MizT, I hope you find somewhere for a tree that doesn't require losing the medical equipment! And a thanksgiving dinner that doesn't require cooking. Big hugs!!!

Tami, how cool to meet somebody famous - and have the picture to prove it!

Heidi, your puppies sound great! I like short haired dogs myself, so smooth all the way.

Yep, typed that earlier and forgot to submit.

June, I'm thinking rest might work better than vitamins, but also understand about life making that impossible, especially at this time of year.

I actually have some cards written. I know I didn't send any last year, I got kind of distracted by a couple of things, and I'm not sure if I sent any the year before. It's time to get back on the horse. I'm not going to try to write a long message like I used to do. I'm finding my hand writing is not what it used to be.

I'm finding that presents for people other than my immediate family are the biggest time or money user. I usually make gifts for most, which saves money but uses a lot of time. I thought that wasn't going to work this year as my hands just don't work the way they used to. I have worked out what to do! Came to me today. I make a mean chocolate/peanut butter fudge! Well, most of the time, sometimes it really sucks. So people are going to get a cute Xmas mug I found for a couple of dollars with some home made fudge in it. This is the first time I will have cooked my christmas gifts! Hope it works!!

Oh, if it doesn't, there is always violet crumble minis...

Morning all. Coffee is ready, help yourself.

Heidi, you are right. John Walsh is an amazing man. He not only took a picture with us but took the time to ask the boys names and call them by name. He shook our hands and reminded us to keep an eye on our boys. At the time his son was kidnapped, I only lived about 5 miles from the mall and shopped there often.

Suzy your home made fudge xmas gifts sound wonderful. I have made a start on shopping but haven't thought about cards, I normally make them but going away later this year I think shop bought cards will be used this time.
I hate buying gifts for men! I never know what to buy for them, especially as most of the friends we buy for either have everything they need/want or want they want is well out of our price range As a group it was decided that we only spend a set amount on gifts but it is still difficult.

Brenda, you can always buy some of your cards here in Florida. There are some unique Florida themed cards. My favorites involve Santa on the beach surrounded by palm trees and pink flamingos. Nothing like "rubbing it in" to the friends stuck in the snow.

Yeah, I know. I am a troublemaker.

I am a zombie, tho' a happy zombie. Angel has been a bit overwhelmed with motherhood, so I sat up with her for most of the night until the mothering instinct kicked in.

Thanksgiving is November 24th, MizT.

Heidi, congratulations on the new additions. Are you planning on keeping them all? I hope you post pictures soon.

I already have 2 pups spoken for. I hope to keep 2 girls. I'll take some pictures once I'm fully awake. Tomorrow.

from MizT's sister:

"Tricia asked me to send an update on Al to all of you. He is, as he put it on an email to a friend, still on the green side of the ground. He is getting weaker. He has some bad moments with nausea caused by excess mucus and with pain, but, thankfully,most of the time his meds are controlling it. Tricia says all the hospice folks have been wonderful and love AL.

Tricia is coping as well as she can. She is often tired and sleep deprived, and very busy with Al's care, but thankfully has Roger (Al's brother) staying there all the time & helping as much as he can. With him there, it allows her to get naps during the day to make up for the lost sleep at night. David & I are going to take & set up a day bed for her in Al's office in the dome tomorrow, so she'll be able to get away from the trailer & the noise that can't be avoided in caring for Al during the day. That way maybe she can get longer, uninterrupted naps.

Al has enjoyed all the cards he's gotten, and Tricia, too. Thanks for sending them."

June, the ask for help TOPP is so fitting. It is something I forget to do. My BIL would do anything I ask, but never hears the things I just mention need doing as something he should attend to. Just a man thing?

Was there another minor quake in Oregon? I have nt seen the local news in so long. Al has control of the clicker and the mouse for our TV/computer set up. His last area of control. and he is not giving it up! I am glad to watch whatever he wants with him, but would occasionally like the news.

Sister and I are trying to set me up a bed in the dome office. I need a place to go daytime and get a few hours sleep while BIL is in charge here. Get away from the noise of the machines, of BIL's talking talking, to me or on his cell phone, to our home phoned ringing, or the nurse, Chaplin or bathing aide coming in. Just from all the busy needed to take care of AL. I do worry about leaving Al in his care, but gotta take care of me. As you can see by time stamp, I am back up again, when I should be sleeping. I am up and down all night,and I need a good long stretch of sleep.

Sis and I looked at yard sale adverts, and in the local sale paper for a twin bed with mattress, but none there when needed. She is bringing me a day bed from her house come Monday, first day her Hubby is free. I know I can sleep on that, have slept there before at her house. Even sending me a new very nice high thread count sheet set, something to feel good. Sweet sister, taking care of me.

In BIL's defense it is complicated to figure what to give to Al and when. such things to consider as IF he has pain over a lever 3 between reg scheduled meds, give ----- If over a level 5 or 6, give _____. If it is almost time for regularly scheduled pain meds give them early. Judgment calls, and he is afraid he will give wrong thing.

While I was meeting with the funeral director Saturday, I got a call from him, Al wanted breathing meds. Nothing was labeled "for breathing", so call Tricia .

Well, I ws interupted this early AM, Al was having problems and I had to run. Hit the ground running again this morning. Since then I have made chicken soup for me and BIL lunch then as reruns when Joy comes down later. No way I was gonna cook twice today. I also had a little nap. Went to my chair to rest sore back, and fell asleep with all the noise or no. That was an hour well spent.

OK, lets see what else is going on here today, hugs to each of you with extras.

Suzy, I have cooked Christmas gifts before, and it was appreciated by the recipients. Al and I made cookies from the slice and bake kind, and sent plates of cookies to friends. when we had more time an money, we did nut breads and muffins, cooked ones and mix to make more later. Fudge and candy always a hit when we did those also. I think your friends will be happy with their gift. IH, how could I forget, jams and preserves and apple butter, did those before too.

Heidi, join the zombie club with me. I do OK right after one of my naps, then I slowly sink back to zombiedom. BTW, did you get my private message to you? Sent one day recently, in reply to yours.

Friend Eddie is here again, finish up on my auto repair. Cross fingers I did no major damage when driving it with a stuck thermostat. I promise, the gauge never showed it was getting hot. It is soooooo wonderful to have friend like we do, we may not have a lot of money, but we are rich in friendships.

Morning everyone.
MizT sending you and lots of .
Congratulations on the arrival of the puppies Heidi.
Christmas, have not done much for that here.
Today is the day I go for the cortisone injection into the base of my spine.
10.15am this morning.
Not something one would look forward to but I am.
The pain has just been awful and all fingers are crossed this is going to be successful.
Hubby is not a carer. He has today off to take me to the hospital but is cranky as a two bob watch.

Viv, good thoughts going out to you today. I hope the shot works for you.

Yes, MizT. I did get your message.

Vivacious Viv. I hope it's a bad one. (You're probably like me and will happily trade a few seconds of agony for prolonged pain relief.)

Hi Heidi. This is my first one of these type of injections.
Is yours a cortisone one?
Yes you are right, a bit more pain if the end result is positive is okay.

Thanks for the good wishes Tami.

Yep, it's cortisone, I believe.

Gekko my friends.
Hope today is a great day!

Morning...
another day another...

((((Tricia )))) ♥♥♥

Mum stayed in hospital overnight..
I will ring soon to see how she is.

Peter is going to ring the Social Worker (who was assigned to Mum when she was in for the 3 weeks) and see what she can help us with, in looking for a place for mum to reside in, and hopefully get Mum into respite sooner rather than later.

the 3 days between 'hospital stays' that mum was home, she was really struggling.. it is the Heart that is not working very well - any movement and she is struggling with breathing. and Low Blood Pressure.. she is dizzy all the time and feels if though she is going to faint.

Peter had a very long tearful (both Peter and Mum crying) conversation with her on Saturday, and Mum has said yes, she would consider going into Respite while Peter and I are away on Holidays at the end of the year, and yes put her name down at 'Care Facilities' and she would go into one. She even said put her name down at the Dutch One ( she always said NO not there).
There is a care facility not far from where I live at the moment, within walking distance. When in the new home a few minutes by car.
If we can get her into there, that would be sooo convenient for the rest of the family to visit with her.
No doubt 'Murphy's Law' will have something to say about that..........

I will ring her later in the morning to find out how things are..
and will be visiting her tomorrow.. my sister is visiting her today.

Rolanda, {{hugs}} to you too. I hope things work out for your mum and she finds a place that is convenient and where she can be happy.

Big hugs to Rolanda and Tricia and Al!! Always in my thoughts.
Viv - best of luck that you get good results from this injection today! Fingers crossed.
Heidi - so happy about the puppies - I do love a long haired dog, but not to own, too much grooming.
Tami - we have Christmas cards like that here too - with Santa surfing, drinking a beer in the back of a ute, with kangaroos instead of reindeer etc - you get the picture!

Greetings, All!

I am SO sorry to have been away from the computer so long - and will only be here long enough to say hello. It's probably going to be at least a couple of days before I find the time to get here again. So, unfortunately, no time to read or comment on what I've read. I just wanted to let you know that all is well.

I hope you'll all share these positive thoughts and vibes, , prayers, and {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} with anyone who might benefit! Take care!

Just took time to read Cyn's post above mine.

Viv, I hope you have excellent results from your injection! I hope it's a nasty one! Hang in there, Sweetie!

Heidi, from the comment, it appears that Angel had her puppies. I hope their all healthy little balls of fluff!

Tricia, thinking of you and Al! and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!

Rolanda, thinking of you and your Mum and hoping all is well!

Good maeN everyone! Almost 10 pm here. Darrell worked overtime last night...Slept well, woke once, not bad for a chronic insomniac!
COLD here (mid 30's to low 40's)and we had some white stuff (a dusting) the other night.
Have not been reading, been thinking (and praying) for all.
Saw something about Mamacita having a tough time finding shoes! I can totally relate!!
MizT: Al telling jokes? Sounds like he & Darrell would get along well. Darrell has a VERY strange sense of humor.
Heidi: Congrats on the puppies! Please post photos!
Can't remember anything else from this and previous page.
Love & Hugs to all with extras. TTFN

We're down to 5 puppies. One was a runt that was having serious problems. I had to do CPR on her a couple of times. She had been nursing, but still couldn't maintain her temperature, even when snuggling with mama and her siblings. She just faded away this evening. The other 5 puppies are big, fat and healthy.

Intermission here, It is 2 am and I have only slept 2 hours so far. About par for the course. Well, tomorrow I shall have my own remote bedroom for sleeping some daytime. Every time I fall asleep in the house, something or someone wakes me. Al had BIL wake me this afternoon with a poke cause Al wanted his neck rubbed with a topical anesthetic. BIL was not good enough? It is sweet he want me to take care of him, until he wakes me from the first nap I had all day to do it ya know?

My back and hips not good, but gee, all I have put them through no wonder. I no longer have the luxury of stopping what I am doing at first twinge to rest, before it gets bad. Huumm, perhaps I need to be the one on the methadone for pain???

Beautiful fall day today, once again, after an early cold start. I sat on the back porch a while today, on phone with my sis. I had towels hanging to dry, the humidity so low even towels in the shade managed to dry quickly.

Another Al and his friend's story. When we were just started dating, I was over at his house one night, we had cooked dinner together and were in the kitchen when his roommate came in. Early for Stanley to come in on a date night. He hopped up and sat on the electric range, and began to tell his tale of woe. girlfriend problems. You cound easily see he had tried to console himself already with alcohol. Messed up, big time! Sitting there, he began to sing Home Home on the Range, and flip the eye on and off. As the previously indulged alcohol subtracted from his coordination, we warned him, flicking on and off of the electric was not good. He just sang louder as if that would help, alternating with more poor Stanley cannot keep a girl comments. next thing I know, all skinny 6'5" jumped to his feet, and he started flailing at the back of his front. His bluejeans were smoking! he had forgot to turn the electric back off! Al escorted Stanley to his bedroom, tossed him on his bed and removed his shoes for him, and dared him to get up fore morning. We could see him trying that while Al was taking me home and hurting himself! Home Home on the range, where the deer and the antelopes play. Happy to report that Stanley at lst found him a girlfriend, now wife, who is taking care of him as he deserves.

Heidi, sorry about the runt not making it. My collie growing up was the runt of her litter of 12. They all survived, only because 6 of them had a wet nurse. BTW, our family collie was long haired. We would deny ownership when it ws time to groom her, NO, it is his dog, not mine, why do I have to brush her?? Kids!

Hopefully tomorrow I will have time and energy to change my clocks, I will make a start and move my computer back to central time and the time will be correct again.

Meds working, mine and Al's. I got him settled, hopefully for the night. Off to bed so I can get some sleep. Hugs again, till tomorrow.

Hi Julie, glad you could drop in. Hope the reason you are so busy is a fun reason. Looking forward to hearing why when you return.

Heidi, sorry to hear that you have lost one of the puppies
Tricia and Al ((HUGS)) thinking about you and what is going on in your life.
Rolanda, sorry your mum isn't too well again. Well done to Peter for his talking to her and making her realise that she needs to be in assisted living. Even though she has agreed to go in for respite care it is a start and will take a huge load off your shoulders.
Viv hope the injection gives you some relief from your back problems.

Practically packed, just got to tie up a few loose ends here, then will leave in roughly 7 hours to go to the hotel near the airport. Richard is meeting me there straight from work.
Will get in touch with Tami to arrange a BBQ at our cousins place. The weather looks to have settled in Florida, so I hope we can use the pool a lot. We have one or two planned trips but expect to relax for much of the holiday.

Hi everyone.
Happy Holidays Brenda.
I have had the injection and so far not too bad.
Heavens Heidi I do not know how you have been through this as many times as you have.
I sure as hell knew when he hit the spot I can tell you.
My leg is not locked up like it was but he said it can take up to a week for it to start to work properly and three weeks for the full effect.
I am happy with how it is now, it is certainly some improvement.
Will see how I go tonight sleeping.

Lots of hugs and best wishes going out to anyone else in pain etc. who needs it.
Pain is so debilitating as I have found out in the last 7 months.
Well the DH has not disappointed me.
As I said before he is not a carer and I would have preferred he not have taken me today.
Never mind he is back to work tomorrow.

Rolanda hope your Mum is comfortable and what good news that she has considered respite finally.

There is certainly one thing that has been proven by reading about all your lives in here.
You women are incredible.
My heart goes out to you MizT.

Well will be off to bed shortly to have a nice read of my library book and then hopefully more than two hours sleep and no having to get up and walk around the house half the night.

Viv, so glad you are starting to feel better. I have had back spasms so I fully understand what it is like.
Brenda, have a great holiday and enjoy meeting up with Tami.
Pleased you dropped in Julie. Nice to know you are OK, but busy.
And I have my Email back. Could have been fixed in 5 seconds if we had got the right advice from our provider instead of trying to change our pass word!