Sudokuaholics Anonymous 10

I love dragons.
Zusy, will you be working again then?

Oooooh, do you mean it Broni???? Cool!

Thank you for the nice comments about Dana's poem. I remember being kind of astonished by it when she wrote it, as she was either 15 or 16. I can't remember exactly when we were evacuated or I'd know...

MizT, I hope Eddie can help you.

Heidi, my mother would be horrified by your cages of birds. I'm a bit more relaxed about it myself. With extinctions becoming more and more common, captive populations I think have a significant place in the continuation of species... I can't be hypocritical and say it's okay for some species and not others, so I say.. they're well fed and well loved so all is cool.

Broni, I hope to be working in February (bills to pay, fences to replace, roofs to replace, bathrooms and kitchens to renovate), but fewer teachers seem to take time off at the beginning of the year so who knows...

Suzy.... There are now numerous species of parrots and parakeets that are extinct in the wild, but thanks to hobby breeders like myself, still have large reproducing populations in captivity as pets. I would never keep any animal in a small cage. That's cruel. All of my birds have plenty of room to fly, a healthy, varied diet and lots of toys to keep them from getting bored.

I friend is dropping by in a few minutes, so I'll see everybody later.

We had a great visit. Anita and I discussed, among many things, my plans to put an addition on this house. She loved my ideas and knows of a great contractor. She's worked with him before, and he works on one project at a time, and does an excellent job. He built a house for her and it was done quickly, with NOTHING that had to be redone. I think I've found my builder. Now to talk to him and discuss plans and get a general estimate. I may do that in the next week or 2, since the weather is about to turn very chilly here.

Brrrr. It's chilly here too, Heidi, but going to get worse this week. By Tuesday our high is supposed to be -23C. Some high. Our normal highs for this time of year are -6C.

We were without power for about 5 hours today. Boy, was it cold in the house. I was just about to start the fireplace when the power came back on. My feet are still cold.

Suzy, Dana's poem is excellent. What a talented family!!!

Theresa, -23F - I just found a conversion calculator, that equals -30.5C. I have seldom been in temps under 0C, this seems surreal to me. However, some of central Australia has lately experienced temps up to 54C, which equal 129.2F, equally surreal.
Both these temps are incredible. And still there's people saying, 'climate change, what climate change?'!

Suzy, I too prefer to see native birds flying free. A trip to the gemfields in central Qld showed me how plentiful and how beautiful they were in their natural habitat. But Heidi, I have never worried about your birds. We all know how much you love animals and I knew you had their best interests at heart. And yes, breeding them that way can help ensure the preservation of the species.
It is illegal trafficking of native birds that I loathe!

Bravo Jimmy Carter! http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/losing-my-religion-for-equality-20090714-dk0v.html

Morning all,
I finally painted the new DVD shelves!! Hubby can now mount them on the wall and I'll have a bookcase for my office... yay!

Heidi, there was some discussion here about allowing people to keep native animals as pets for the reasons you describe. The animal lovers said no way! I'm kind of wavering on that one myself. People like you make sure the birds (in your case) have a good place to live, but there are a lot of people out there who are not as responsible/caring and how to you pick who is who?

Brrr Theresa! I'd have put the fire on long before you thought about it!! You're stronger than I am. Those are some incredible temperatures...

Cyn, people don't want to believe in climate change because they'd have to change some things, and maybe (gasp) pay a little more for some things... So they grab onto the 0.2% of studies that say it's not man caused and yell and scream. Unfortunately they are very loud.

I love that Jimmy Carter statement. Wish he hadn't waited so long!

Morning..
I have joined the local Walking Group, this morning will be my first walk with them. The walk is once a week, Monday at 8.00am, 45mins. My sister is coming as well.

Suzy.... one way to ensure that these birds have better care is to keep their prices sky high. People tend to take better care of things that they pay a lot of money for. Also, I understand why Aussies shouldn't own native birds. It's the same reason that Americans are not allowed to own any of our native birds without a passel of permits. It prevents illegal trapping and trafficking of these species, and possible destruction of their habitats and nests. There is no justification that I can see now for anyone to trap and sell wild birds other than to save their lives if their habitat is destroyed. Such is the case, for instance, of the Goffin's Cockatoo in Timor. Their habitat is nearly completely gone, and they have been trapped and sold to breeders throughout the world, legally. They make wonderful pets, easily tamed and trained, and are reproducing wonderfully in captivity now. They're doing so well, now, that the offspring have become easily affordable pets for families. If the decision hadn't been made to allow them to go to the legal pet trade, Goffin's would probably be near extinction. I have owned a couple of Goffin's (the smallest and cutest of the cockatoos) and adored them. I lost them to old age.

That temperature is too cold for me, Theresa. That's why I don't live in Wisconsin any more. I prefer the moderate climate of Kentucky.

Well, the mystery is solved. I now know why I continue to smell the auto getting hot even though the gauges say it is fine. Eddie came today, with Betty his wife. First visit for her, I had not seen her since I moved. she and I sat in the sun while he checked out the car. After looking, tinkering, waiting with it running, he said I had a terrible problem, very serious. Car was a piece of junk. OK, Eddie, spit it out, tell me what is wrong. Basically?? Nothing. A small leak of steam from radiator cap. A fix is not necessary, will not hurt anything, but if I want, I can go to auto parts store and buy a new radiator cap that seals perfectly! YEAH EDDIE, it is soo good to have a clean bill of health for the auto!!

Betty liked my apartment, we walked around the common rooms, I introduced her to friends. Eddie watched part of a professional foot ball game. Then he finished putting together the book case Joy could not get done. Well, it still needs the backing tacked on, but she can do that when she comes over again. Good to at last have that done.

Warmer day today, was up to 62 F, which is above average. It is forecast to turn cold this week, with highs barely 50, more normal for January. Not as cold as Theresa, that hurts to think about.

Rolanda, enjoy your walk.

Suzy, congrats on finishing the DVD shelves. I am sure they will look nice.

Heidi, happy you have a good recommendation for a contractor for your house addition. I hope he is free to start when you are ready, and all goes well.

Tomorrow will be a busy day if I get all done i want to. Pool will only be open till 1 pm, need to go early AM. Back here by 12 noon, MLK Day Chilli Lunch. Tomorrow night we are invited to the dress rehearsal of the play, 9 to 5, at the theater next door. That is a bit much for one day, what to choose, what to leave out???

I have a major case of the yawns. I guess I did not get my nap out. I am headed back to recliner, see if I need a continuation. Hugs to each of you, with extras. Till later.

Good on you Rolanda! My sister and BIL belong to a Heart Foundation walking group of seniors. I may have just become one but I'm not ready to mix and mingle with them!!
Suzy - the Climate Change doubters can be loud when they have the media (controlled by the the mining and oil companies) helping them yell even louder!

I slept all afternoon. I wasn't feeling very well, and was alternating being too hot and cold. I'm feeling a little better now. Next, I'm about to make myself a hot roast beef au jus sandwich. I just baked a small loaf of French bread, and need to heat up the roast beef au jus in a few. Beef always makes me feel better.

GREAT news about the car, MizT!!! I knew that I liked Eddie when I met him.

Rolanda, hope you enjoyed your walk.

Heidi, based on everything you've said, I would not in a million years classify Kentucky as having a moderate climate! But then I've never lived in Wisconsin and haven't been reading about the climate there...

I enjoyed the walk :)
The walking group is part of the 'Heart Foundation Walking Group' Cyn

Rolanda - are they all oldies? The one my sis goes to is!

It's raining here, not for long but I just went out and stood in it. Felt soooo good.

I should explain why I don't like her walking group.
They all came along to Mum's funeral (nice, you say?) and then came along to the wake, which in my mind should be for people who knew the deceased! They are all serial party crashers! They made up half the people there. And before Broni says that she went and did not know my Mum, that was one friend and I pleaded with Broni to come!

Yes, I know, I should join all the other senior cits - I'm grumpy and mean!

Now I've insulted every person older than me! I just meant this particular group seem to be people I do not want to be with. Sorry if I offended anyone - love you all!

Hi folks...
Just reached Broni's post on 584.. where do you pick the car up from? Will chat to you about your plans.. Taxi service?

Suzy I hope your brother survived unscathed and youself.. daresay it will unfold as I turn the pages...

In the meantime love and hugs to all particularly those that need it..

Yes they were all older than I.. me being the youngest. But that is OK.. I don't mind chatting with them.
The main thing is that I was exercising, which I need to do for my health issues, and walking with someone, other than myownsome is good.
You could always join another 'walking group' in another suburb!!

CYN...I'm rotflmbo....! You don't want to hang out with these oldies...yet, as one of the real oldies here, I was one of many who made you want to be a part of all of the lovelies who come here....OH, I can't stop smiling at the thought of what your sister's group did to make you so annoyed with them other than being a bunch of free-loaders....No worries...I'm just so amused at the grumpy CYN...fun to watch, but not always fun to be... Been there, done that and am not offended at all, and don't think anyone else will be either...
BTW...Good Evening all ...been reading and watching football and have had a good day...now trying to play about the sites to catch up...see you all soon....and for all of you 'young ens' out there...don't do any thing I wouldn't do...unless you tell me if it was fun or not....Take care...know that I care and please stay warm or drink lots of water and stay in a cool place...Peace!♥

Mama, Mama, Mama - you know I love you and yes, it's that group and those types of 'oldies' that annoy me! After I posted I thought of you and Tricia and June (and Amelia), all of whom are older than me and I would never, never, never have that opinion of any of you!!
I just have to learn to zip it!!

Broni you made a comment on the previous page about missing option C or crafts or such... without re-reading all of my posts [won't probably happen because I'm more interested in everyone else's news..I don't like being so out of the loop]..I have no blooming idea... By now it is ancient history probably..

Have a new plan formulating in my mind at the moment... that may work and won't involve me HAVING to live with anybody... dogs are ok... I did offer my nephew a room though in the meantime... that would help me out financially... just can't come at living with strangers.

I was hopping mad and nearly gave someone his marching orders yesterday... get out in the real world and see how tough it is.. I didn't because at this stage it would be cutting off my nose to spite my face..

More on those plans later..

Getting there.. page 585!! Woohoo..
Thanks Gail... last time we met I was a bit emotional... had other things on my mind.. Lizzie..
Interestingly enough she DID know about well I am trying to climb out of... only too well..
Luckily I am a bit like Bruce & the spider..

Thanks Heidi.. I'll take you up on that offer.
You can return me to my childhood and help me relive my childhood memories of rattling down the track in a gig pulled by a beautiful draught horse.. before Jai's visa expires because having her here has given me a lot of freedom.. to travel.. cannot afford to travel AND put dogs in kennels. They are worth it though. Without the love and laughter induced by them I would probably have ended up down the gurgler long ago.
Mama & I have discussed May... I plan to get myself in a travel fit state by then.. Sydney is a big ask at the moment but all the pool work is making a big difference.. a long haul flight is less scary now..

Hello friends! :)
Another ten minutes down and wondering when/or if something should be happening yet ... will I know? Ah well, enjoy it while I can!
Bean, hope everything is ok. Wish I could do something to help. ♥

Oh Tami... BIG...BIG HUGS....
Been there.. semi survived... hating school, the world, failing subjects, bullying, refusing to go to school etc...the whole school change ... everything... thank goodness our offspring grow through it if the foundations are good. Yours are. I know from your comments & what you have written here over the years that your boys have learnt lessons that will tide them over the debacle that puberty can be.. Deep down I think it may turn out to be the making of him.. Five years ago I had doubts here.. SERIOUS doubts.. but when I look at the hours this young man works here now.. 6 days a week on apprentice wages [slave labour] I am impressed.. Doesn't stop me wanting to kick him out of home though.. tough love...

Bean, sweetie, If you can visit here, I'll love taking you for a nice drive in a buggy. Whimsey's training is going beautifully, and she's becoming a delightful driving horse. She has the sweet, amiable disposition that the hallmark of the breed.

LOL..puppies and skunks... oh dear... tears in eyes..
June it was wonderful to chat to you... I did so enjoy catching up. After getting all emotional talking about W.with you I invited myself over to a friends place. We shared a pizza and talked some more.. for hours... even had my feet massaged... really miss that... Pete would always massage my feet as we watched TV...

It is so easy to appreciate being without the bad stuff in our lives.. pity about losing al the good stuff as well... the equation of life...

That's why you need the therapy of visiting here, Bean. The insanity is good for laughter.

Judy... wonderful to see you posting... don't you see... you are already doing something to help... you understand why I haven't been to see you... I feel pretty bad about that... you are often in my thoughts..

Rola good luck with the walking group.. my joints cannot cope with the jarring of the pavements and my ankles can't cope with anything that isn't level.. presents challenges... deep water walking & running solves that for me.. I do that at home along cos no-one is seeing me out in public in a swim suit!! LOL

I've enjoyed PRETENDING I had the time to make so many comments. I will do tomorrow what was meant for today..

It is so good to find Suzy has survived the harrowing moments of fire warnings..

Cyn..don't you dare learn to zip it... where would that leave me??? There is solace in not being alone!!

Thank you Heidi.. If I can get on a plane and get there then it is a date.. Did something the other day that kindled a childhood memory that i thought long gone and it was amazing to feel that wonderment again because that was the memory it evoked. When life was simple.

I have to get of here a formalise a couple of my writing exercises... yabbering away here counts.. doesn't? Juxtaposition of a sort...

Loved the poem Suzy. I wrote a REALLY interesting poem the other day.. must stop writing on scraps of paper & ALWAYS have a journal on me.. I have no idea where it is..

I agree Heidi... it is the degree of insanity in my life that keeps my friends coming back for more... necessary for survival. There is always the desire in them to see what happens next in my saga.. which often causes them to breathe a sign of relief & think thank goodness that isn't my life.. I have learnt that I am VERY resilient. You cut me and I will bleed... badly. But on a good day my sense of humour is intact and laugher is never very far away... take a bit to knock me off my perch like I was over the build up to Christmas. Last night I went over to copy some massage files onto a memory stick at a friends place. He is always good value.. he leads a VERY interesting life and is always good value to advise me on my love life. He may not invite me over in a hurry.. he was in the kitchen making soup for dinner while i was on his computer. He copped a dose of the madness that is Bean in Nigella mode. I think his son must have been wondering what on earth was going on in the kitchen with all the guffaws. His dad hasn't had a lot to laugh about over the last few years.. He came out and set the table with good grace and didn't complain too much about what was set in front of him.. looked like a day 3 newborns nappy... seriously... 'somebody' not me.. thought it needed bulking up and picked a BIG bunch of kale and threw it in the pressure cooker.... I sieved the worst of the cellulose .. it actually tasted alright.

Now I have to make a list and make sure I have everything that the locksmith needs to hang gates tomorrow. He came up with a really plan the other day... If I will Design his garden he will do some of the maintenance stuff that I cannot do. He's worked out that I don't find it easy to ask for help. I will really enjoy that.. don't think I have worked up a full design since mum came to live with us. Have done a few consults which were good but it is the stuff of dreams to be let lose in a whole garden and have free rein..
Works for me :)

Hi, Everyone! Trying to do some quick reading of comments!

Thank you for sharing more of what you are dealing with, Bean! Remember, we are all here for each other. If there is anything anyone can do, even if it's just some huge cyber {{{HUGS}}} to send your way, please let us know. I suspect you are so accustomed to dealing with things by yourself that it feels strange, different, or uncomfortable to share. But now you've opened up a bit, so hopefully we can be of more support to you. I think you have done an amazing job with all you've done while dealing with a variety of medical issues, taking care of the house and for Lachie, and I'm so glad you have now made the time for things for you, like singing and drumming! You are amazing!

Great TOPP, Gail! May we all enjoy the sunshine that is the greater part of life!

Heidi, I'm glad to hear that your back is feeling better. Also, good news that there was a delay/continuance in the case with Maxine's BF - and that she realizes that she will not be staying with him for the long term. Your new birds are beautiful, but then, all of your birds are!

MizT, I'm glad the soup luncheon was a success, but how frustrating that your panic button is alerting medics without your consent. Hopefully, the change in placement will prevent further occurrences. Too bad the fruit and veggie man didn't have any plums this time. Good luck with your car. Hopefully Eddie will find that there is no serious problem!

Cyn, I hope you can relax a bit now that the current round of birthday celebrations is complete. How nice that Andrew got his car on his birthday! I hope you are feeling MUCH better now!

Broni, how exciting that you'll be picking up your new car soon - and hopefully having the opportunity to visit with a few friends on your return home.

Tami, each of us with children who have survived the teen years could probably share a story or two. Remember, it's no surprise that many women start coloring their hair about this time. Mitchell is an intelligent young man who has been raised well by you and your hubby. He will be OK, and you will too. I'm one of 6 siblings. The most intelligent of us took 5 years to get through high school. Then he joined the Navy, where he found himself and something he liked doing and learning about. He is an amazing person and very successful at what he does. On top of that, he is happy. Just keep showing Mitchell that he is loved and you believe in him. In the meantime, here are some cyber {{{{{HUGS}}}} for you!

I hope Viv and June both slept well (a couple of days ago, I guess). When you can't sleep, it's great to have a good book, I just hope it wasn't the book that kept you awake, June!

Nola, I hope you are finding some pleasure as you go through Judy's unit. Hopefully you will be able to sell her teapot collection! They are very popular, and surely there is someone who would love to have them.

Suzy, I can't imagine how difficult it must be to be watching the f