Sudokuaholics Anonymous 10

Gail, thank you for sharing that warm cozy glow! I hope all of you had a wonderful visit and meal!

Really must head to bed! Please take as much as you want and share the abundance of positive thoughts, prayers, , and {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}! Peace until tomorrow!

And, of course, I wasn't watching the numbers!

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. - anonymous

I'm so very annoyed with myself - I just left a condolence message on Al's site and only signed it from me. Col and Tricia are FB friends and he has kept up to date all the way through this, even lately asking what news of Al when he got home from work - and stupid me left his name off.
Tricia, when you get your internet back, please know that message was from Col as well.

Wonderful afternoon with good friends. Thank you Liz and Gail for organising a great day once again.

I thought of you all in Melbourne at lunchtime.
I had a lovely time catching up with people I had not seen since 1963. We were all looking at one another and then reading the names with an "I remember you!"
Only down side was that I decided to go to town by train and they were relaying the tracks on the Harbour Bridge and were replacing the trains with buses that makes the trip longer and a lot of walking between where the train left you and where you got a bus. I ended up getting a taxi over the bridge but some one who had driven lived not far away so got a lift most of the way home. I did not find all the photos I wanted but someone else had a copy!

Safe travelling Heidi. Thank you for representing us to say goodbye to Al and give Tricia our support.
Cyn, send another tribute from Col.
I have arranged to have lunch with Victoria and Amelia on Thursday. We will meet in Newcastle, just over a 2 hour train trip from here and where I went with Laura the last school holidays.

Safe Travels Heidi. Give Tricia a BIG HUG from Me ♥

O Piet was my oldest living Relative, now that he is gone, Mum is the oldest now.
Mum is so so, not settling very well in Care..
and naturally upset that the last of her brothers is no longer with us.
My cousin in Sydney had emailed yesterday, and to let us know he was not doing too good, and that the end was nigh.

Evening all,
I've been looking out for news of the southern get together and it has been a bit thin on the ground. Come on people! Give me stuff to get green over!! I want to live vicariously...

Heidi, good news about Gunner. The problem I see with selling baby animals is that you won't want them to go. I'm glad that every hug you give out you get one back as that means you'll get a big hug back for sharing the hug from and for us!

Brenda, 2 hours almost exactly until you are on your way home. It feels like a very short holiday from here. I hope it didn't feel that way to you.

Rolanda, so sorry about your uncle. Your extended family (and immediate) have good long lives. I hope that means you do too! Though I'm pretty sure you're trying to worry yourself into a hospital.

My kids were allowed to get their ears pierced when they were about 11 - if they wanted to. They both almost never have earings in. Every now and then Alie will re-pierce hers, but doesn't keep them in long. I feel the same way about tattoos on young people though - tart stamp.

Lunch with the kids was vewy pleasant.

Rolanda, sorry about your Uncle. The hardest part will be for your Mother to lose a brother. It is sad but he has been able to have a long life.

MizT, thinking of you today and sending lots of vibes over. I figure since you'll be celebrating Al's life, I'll read your stories about him today as my way of being with you.

Suzy, I am soooooo looking forward to holidays, and being away from here, Time Out, for 4 weeks..

My uncle lived a wonderful life, he was such a great person to know. He will be missed.

I take it the funeral will be in Sydney Rolanda?
It does not matter the age, they are always missed by their friends and family.
I smiled when three posts all came in at the same time.

yes the Funeral will be in Sydney June.

This is hard for Mum and the 2 remaining sisters... with 2 of the siblings gone in such a short time. Tante Annie in August, and now O Piet.

Test exchange going on with Dana. She is asking me to drive her into town tomorrow so she doesn't have to go in 2 hours early for her appointment. "We can have a cup of coffee"... only it turns out I'm buying! So I'm to drop everything to drive her into town and then buy her a cup of coffee too??!!

Text*

Suzy, if that is what it takes to keep within cooee of your Daughter and her little person then YES !

I'm off..........

Suzy, each school holidays Sharon and Belinda would get together and organise lunch and invite me "because they knew I liked to pay". But following them around the shops was a real chore!
But what are mothers for?

Broni has just left here to return to Brisbane, and I am waiting for Hannah to be ready so we can set off for her interview at the TAFE college. Wish us luck!

Safe journeys Heidi. Sending hugs to you and through you for MizT.
May Al's send-off be a celebration of a life well lived ♥

Good morning!
Thinking of Tricia, and it's nice knowing that Heidi is there to represent us.
Suzy - I'm with Rolanda and June. I think that was how I established my 'grown-up' relationship with Mum, shopping and coffee, paid happily by her, days. And since Karin grew up, we do the same, I pay for the coffee, she knows that when Maddie grows up, it'll be her turn.

Suzy - I also meant to say that after Lachlan was born, I went with her to do her grocery shopping, you can't push a pram and a trolley at the same time - I got to spend so much time with him and bond with him. Some days Col and I would just go over to her place (30 mins drive) just to get our L (Lachlan) fix. Didn't have the chance to do that with the others, my relationship with my DIL always being so strained.

The difference is you wanted to spend time with your mothers/daughters, she just wanted a ride over town. I would rather not see her than be her patsy.

Good maEn everyone!
MizT:Love & Hugs to you at this sad time.
Tami called me Thursday to tell me. Wish I could be there for you.
Rolanda: Love & Hugs to you too! Your uncle had a LONG life! I hope you have fond memories of the time spent with him.
Had more to say, can't remember what I read.
Love & Hugs to all with extras!!!
TTFN
Heidi: Thanks for being there representing us. Have a safe trip.

Haven't updated my avatar in a while, so here is my rose one.
Does anyone have Fall/Thanksgiving avatars they can send me?
Thanx!

Hello friends. :)
Happy and sad today - sad for MizT, and sending so many hugs to you. ♥♥♥
Happy after the Sudoku get together, which was great! What a lovely bunch of friends ... and just a little bit crazy ... ? (In the nicest possible way!) We had a wonderful time. :)

Back on the road again - looking at places for Mum ... ah well, we'll see if any suit ... ?

Hola All....
Condolances Rolaanda....I do hope your Mum and Aunties will know that they are supported by so many in their loss, and soon come to grips that death must come to all...not easy for everyone to accept, but it is what it is, as Gail would say.
Several folks have sent me pm's in regard to wanting to do something for Tricia...If you want to find out more, let me know...no one is under any obligation...I am aware that money is tight and holidays are at hand, but ideas and suggestions are also great to come receive. Will wait a couple more days before doing anything so there is time...

Very poorly worded post above, but hope you all understand the message....must remember to read before hitting submit...darn it!
Glad you all had a great meetup at Gail's and adding good wishes for Hannah's future choices. You guys always have fun...good onya and glad for the warm thoughts.
Keeping all of you who are going through rough patches due to sickness, death or life's challenges in other areas, a respite from the darkness with warming rays of sunshine...May the road that stretches before you provide a ride that becomes increasingly smooth as you travel along the highway of life. Peace.

Just looking for a check in from Brenda. She may actually be stranded somewhere if the fog stories are not an exaggeration...

Good maeN everyone!
Glad to see Mamacita checking in!!
Rolanda; Your uncle DID have a long life. Sad for your mum & aunties. My cousin Manny (my mom's cousin) is in a retirement home. He just turned 83 in October. He's our oldest living relative (on both sides).

Someone mentioned finding a retirement home (was it CynB??) My parents were responsible for finding the retirement home for Manny, was hard to find, but they are happy with it (and he's thriving, even with his Alzheimer's) Good Luck!
Not much else to say, getting late here, tired...no energy lately...think it might be a bit of seasonal blahs. Take care all!
Love & Hugs to all with extras! TTFN

Greetings to one and all!

Oh, dear, Cyn, I also forgot to sign my hubby's name, though he has been asking about Al for weeks. I'm sure Tricia will understand how we might forget to sign our hubby's names!

It sounds like the Melbourne gathering was great! I was thinking of you! Perhaps one of these days I'll find a way to visit Oz! In the meantime, it's a pleasure to read the descriptions of gatherings and see the photos!

June, seems like your get-together with friends from 1963 sounds like fun! I hope you had a wonderful time!

I hope Heidi had a safe trip and is getting and giving lots of {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}! It means so much to us that you can be there with MizT!

Rolanda, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your uncle! RIP, Oom Piet! Condolences to your family! I'm glad your lunch with S#1 and his girl was enjoyable!

Suzy, I love your idea of rereading MizT's stories about Al today and tomorrow!

MizT, we're thinking of you and sending lots of warm, loving {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and support!

Suzy, I know Dana has hurt you a lot by her actions, inactions and words! She is still a child who hasn't learned yet how to react in an adult situation. She may or may not be trying to reach out to you, but it doesn't matter. You will want to have a relationship with her and the baby as time moves on. A ride to town and a cup of coffee is a small price to pay. (Yes, I know you'll be paying a much larger price in the coming weeks/months/years, but the fact remains that a baby is on the way, and that can't be changed.) Maybe this is an opportunity to teach by example. {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} to you, and positive thoughts and vibes that Dana grows up and learns how to have a relationship with you. (stepping down from my soapbox now)

Broni, I hope you had a safe trip home!

Brenda, I hope your trip home was uneventful, but Suzy's mention of fog doesn't bode well.

Judy, good luck finding a place for your Mum! It can be so frustrating! {{{HUGS}}}

Just a few minutes shy of midnight, so I'll be shoving off. Sending boatloads of positive thoughts and vibes, , prayers and {{{{{{{JIGS}}}}}}}! Blessings to all of you!

Suzy, Brenda's flight is not due to land for another two hours. It is running 25 minutes early but it will take her another couple of hours to get home.

Good Afternoon my friends.
Home safe and sound. What a wonderful time but am a bit tired now, think I will sleep well tonight.
Love and hugs to you all.

Nice that you are back home Broni. When do you go for that next interview? If it is what you want I hope you get the job.

Broni goes for the interview tomorrow June.

Speaking of interviews, Hannah's was this morning, and though we wont know for some weeks whether she was successful or not, I got the vibe that it went well. We got there about half hour early, I always tend to overcompensate for possible traffic problems...there were none! We went to the designated room and though we were early, the interviewer saw her then. I told Hannah it made her seem prompt and eager, all good for appearances. When they came out, the teacher said that Hannah interviewed well, and she liked what she saw in her art portfolio. While we were in the waiting area, I was thinking Hannah could run rings around the art that was on display!
'Sue' took us around the department and as we were leaving, she said she hoped Hannah was successful in her application for the college, and gave me a subtle wink as she said it...I am going to take that as a YES! Everything crossed X.

Sending loving hugs to you MizT.

Heidi, sending you a warming back rub after your long journey.