Sudokuaholics Anonymous 10

Now, I knew this morning was going to be an extremely early start for me, as I had said yes to picking up Chloe from the airport, on her return from Hong Kong and Thailand. Their plane was landing at 7.25, so given that it takes about an hour and a half to get there, plus the fact that it was going to be morning peak hour traffic, I left home at 6am, knowing it takes about half hour for them to get through customs, All went perfectly and we were back on the road heading for home at 8.30am, precisely when I had expected to be.

A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away.
Bil Keane

Hello, Everyone!

MizT, {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} to you! You are in our thoughts and prayers! RIP, Al! Wish there were something I could do to help!

Rolanda, thinking of you and your Mum and hoping she begins to feel comfortable in the care facility!

Gail, prayers for a good outcome and quick healing for Jed!

Heidi, I'll look at the Gypsy Vanner mare AFTER I post, so I don't lose the comments.

Cyn, I hope your D is OK and is checked out by a Doc! Hopefully, they will be able to determine why the air bags didn't deploy!

MizT, the idea for a wreath is wonderful! Hopefully, we'll be able to see a photo! Black Crocs are a brilliant idea. I'm so glad yours arrived in the mail!

Brenda, I hope Richard's cousin Susan's daughter is all right and the tests just are routine!

I had my second cello lesson yesterday, but none next week because of Thanksgiving. That gives me 2 weeks to try to accomplish everything. Hubby takes notes at the lesson and attempts to get a good idea of position of body, hand, cello, etc. It's weird to be looking down the fingerboard toward the bow after many years looking the opposite direction when D took lessons.

MizT, I hope you have a long and restful sleep tonight and wake up free of back pain!

Thinking of everyone tonight and realizing how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends here! Prayers, positive vibes,
and lots of {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} for all of you to share! Peace!

Gail, congratulations to Hannah!

Heidi, I looked at the pictures of Sere! She's gorgeous. In the photo where you can clearly see her eyes, she looks so intelligent. In another photo it looks like she KNOWS she's beautiful! What pleasure she'll bring you!

Gail, comparing a hug to a boomerang is perfect! Thanks for your TOPP+1! You did great picking up Chloe!

I'm about to head to bed! Hope to make it by 12:30, so I have all of 14 minutes to get ready. Good Night, All!

To the unexpected events of the day...last night, it so happened that Beth decided to pop in for a sleep-over. All very nice and sweet. While she was sitting next to me on the couch, her mobile phone rang and it was Jed, my son. He and his girlfriend are going to America next week, and Beth is going to house sit for them, so we thought it was probably about that. Turns out he 'smashed his hand up' (his words) at cricket practice and needed someone to be able to take him to the hospital by 7am this morning. Told him of course I would do it any other time, but I was already committed, so it fell to Dad to do this one. So we both set our alarms for 5.30 and were out the door at 6!
I know how much hubby hates hospitals, so I offered that once I was home from the airport, I would come down and tag team the hospital thingy. I got to the hospital at about 11, they were still in the waiting room, and not long after, Jed was called in for the surgery. I spent the time FBing, Sudokuing(a free app, but not OUR sudoku) and reading a magazine from 2004, one of the more recent ones in the waiting room! Did you know Jen and Brad are about to break up???

It feels like I have been sitting in a car for ages (which I have!) and my tailbone is not happy :(

Julie, you asked a couple of days back how hubby is doing. Generally he is doing very well, we had some good news with his blood results a while back at the transplant clinic, then some curious not so good results from his last bloods (his blood is tested very often to check the filtering process is doing its job, and that his blood stays antibody free-ish). He had been a bit flat a while back but seems to have picked up his spirits recently and has managed to do a whole heap of garden work that he wouldn't have been able to manage till recently. He still doesn't sleep very well when doing an overnighter, but now takes a light sleeper just to help.
Last Tuesday he was ready to go on, and when he turned the pump on the pressures didn't go up, so he stopped it immediately because one of the needle sights had 'blown', not a good thing. He decided to call it quits that night, and to try again next day.
It is what it is :)

Cyn, that's horrible! I bet she doesn't care what Emily wants. I hope that idea is quickly squashed.

The good news is that the new requirements mean she will have to look for work anyway as all of the kids are over 5. Hang on a minute - light bulb moment. She might get exemption to that if she has a 'disabled' child (I don't think she's disabled but she might be classified as that for Centrelink purposes). Grrrrr

Gail, Hannah has good taste in food! Congratulations to her new 'adulthood'... (we all know better) Thoughts to Jed, who isn't going to let it get in the way of a good time.

Intermission here. I slept for over 3 hours, woke for that trip to necessary room, and discovered hips were complaining. A nice hit shower ( needed one first thing AM anyway, what is a few hours among friends?) and some Volterin, and some pain meds, should be good to get back to sleep soon.

OH, there are no birds on that wreath. Should read black ribbons and bow, not robins hehehe.

What a day for you Gail. I hope the surgery for Jed's hands is without pain and totally successful. Congrats to your youngest attaining adult status. Pancakes sounds good to me, too.

CYN, fingers crossed that the oxygen thief does not get her way in court. using one's own children as a pawn as she does is so tragic. Hugs to Em.

Little story to share. Al ha lost so much weight, that his wedding ring fell off this last week. he put it on his chair side table, and today sister hunted it for me. she asked if I would bury it with him or keep it, I chose to keep. We were looking for a chain to wear around my neck, but chain of choice was tarnished. While soaking it in jewelry cleaner, sis handed the ring to me and said, find a safe place for it till this is finished. I stuck it on my thumb, and forgot about it. Much later, we remembered the chain that was soaking, and I looked down. I do not need the chain, the ring has found a place on my thumb that is comfy, feels like it belongs. I shall wear it there.

I will try to get a photo of the wreath. Would like one myself.

BIL today put up a hook for my christmas Catcus, it is in a corner of the eating area, out of the way unless we are feeding a huge crowd and it could be easily moved. Near the slider, so lots of light, and best of all, I can see it from my recliner. this thing thrived on neglect. withholding water at the proper time, then giving it a good soak, is a way to force it to bloom. that is just what I did, unintentionally. If I get photos of the wreath, will share photo of the plant also.

OK, getting sleepy again. sure is nice to be able to come here for a read and chat middle of the night. Many thanks for being here and making our sudoku family so special. Hugs all around, till tomorrow.

My sister said wreath making was good for me. she saw me relax, and even smile while making it. First craft project I have taken on since thumb surgery, I was a bit clumsy, my bow was a cheat, hot glue kept the loops going where I intended

MizT - I wondered about the robins but thought it could be an american thing! Glad the ring found a comfy place om your thumb!
Suzy - Emily is classed as disabled, Andrew gets a carers pension for her, a whole $100 or so per fortnight! - every bit helps.
But, don't worry everyone the only way that woman will get Emily will be if that's where Em wants to be.

I'm back! Did you notice me leaving mid-post.

MizT, I hope you are able to do more crafting now that it's been a while since your surgery. A hot glue gun sounds like a good cheat. I look forward to seeing your photos of the wreath and the cactus. Huge smiles about the new home for Al's ring. Perfect!

Gail, I'd be exhausted if I were you. How did Jed go after the surgery? Do you think he'll be able to go away as he plans? You mentioned hubby's last blood tests weren't good and then didn't tell us anything more. Tapping my foot here.

Julie, I hope you are enjoying learning the cello in spite of all of the challenges it is presenting.

Now to look at Heidi's latest acquisition...

Cyn, I'm sure you're right. All a judge would have to hear is her refusal to take her when she first left and she'd be fighting an uphill battle.

I just opened an email telling me there is an art exhibition, a drama showcase, a music showcase and a dance showcase on 3 separate evenings in December. That would be where Alie's pastel drawing and pottery rose will be going! She has no clue what is happening with any of it. No clue at all. She's not even sure that's where her art work is going.

Did my frustration show through then? If I hadn't gone to the school and got myself on the email list I wouldn't even know they were on!!

Suzy, no real biggie re hubby's blood test, numbers go up and down all the time. This time is was his haemoglobin was low, had to look into the possible reasons why. Just was an out of the ordinary thing.

I think I get it Gail, no big deal but yet another thing on the to do list...

Hello my friends.
Seems I have missed a lot and have only time to read the last page.
Tricia, hope Al's passing was quick, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Love and hugs to you all, please take care.

Swim with the bees...

A line in a song Alie is writing which says that when people tell you to be yourself, she disagrees. She says decide who you want to be and change yourself to be like that. Which I said makes sense because she made herself a singer by working her butt off.

Morning all. Coffee is ready, help yourself.

Last day of school and then a week off. Yeah!!!!!!

Heidi, Sere is beautiful. I am sure she will be very happy at Surreal Farm and Rehab.

Tricia, would also like to see a picture of the wreath. It sounds like it was good for you to make it. Glad you found a comfy place to wear Al's ring. I hope it brings you lots of good memories.

Julie, glad the cello lessons are going well. I give you credit for learning a new instrument.

Gail, glad you had a nice dinner with Hannah. Sounds like my kind of place to go. I love breakfast for dinner.

Hello to everyone else I did not mention by name. I am thinking of all of you.

OMG! I don't care if she hates me one day so long as she keeps doing what she's doing!!

Heidi, Sere is beautiful!

The eyes are opening on the first puppy!!! It's the only male, and the only rough coat. Gunner looks SO cute! He's a bit confused with the new sense, tho'.

I agree, Suzy. I think Sere is gorgeous. I was hoping to get her foal this year, but she turned out to be the first solid (rather than pinto) foal Sere has ever had. I didn't want a solid. The breeders decided to keep the foal (a filly named Bling) and sell the mom instead. Bling will still be nursing for 4 more months, so that'll give me time to have the surgery and some recuperation time before I get Serenade.

This is Whimsey in the Avatar and Serenade . They make a gorgeous pair of mares.

Congratulate Hannah on finishing her exams. I how she gets to do the course she wants to do in the next stage of her education.
Cyn, I cannot see any judge allowing the waste of space to have Emily, they just have to look at the records and see she didn't want her before.
Heidi the new horse is very pretty. Nice to hear that puppies eyes are starting to open. Hope you can have surgery on your back to give you more permenant pain relief sooner rather than later.
Tricia I must have been as tired as you when I read your description of the wreath as I read ribbons not robins.

Having a cooler, breezier day today. Not doing much as Susan wants to stay near the phone for news of her daughter.

I just thought that robins must have been a long time family tradition with a forgotten story behind it.

Heidi, did I read correctly that you are having the surgery on your back? When will this happen?

I don't know yet. My appointment to discuss that with my Pain Management Doc will be on Dec. 7th. He has said that surgery is my last option left. He'll then recommend a surgeon (he'll be the anesthetist).

Al's visitation will be on Sunday, and the funeral will be on Monday at 12:30. MizT has asked that instead of flowers, donations be sent to Affinity Home Hospice Charity Foundation, the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. MizT's sister requests that instead, donations be sent directly to MizT to help with expenses.

Heidi, do you know the name of the funeral home?

Rockco's Funeral Home, 3715 Highway 25 Montevallo, AL 35115

http://www.rockcofuneralhomes.com/obituaries/tribute.html?url=http://stei-23658.tributes.com/show/Al vin-John-Al-Burson-92790060

Thank you for sharing the link Heidi.

You're welcome. Anything I can do to help.

http://www.rockcofuneralhomes.com/obituaries/tribute.html?url=http://stei-23658.tributes.com/show/Al vin-John-Al-Burson-92790060

The above link is to the online obituary for AL and for the list of services. You can sign a guest book there if you wish.

I visited the cemetery today, it is a lovely place. Al will be near a man made pond, the sun on the water there was beautiful.

OK, need another nap here, I had one this afternoon but that is not enough. Daughter is comming in about midnight and I am sure she will wake me then.
Hugs to each of you, with extras.

There is a space in the above link, should be show/Alvin-John-Al