Sudokuaholics Anonymous 9A

Snap Zusy.

Heidi, I need to go feed the horses - but will get wet again! I spent over 4 hours wet at the show last night - the thought is not appealing...

hehe Broni! Do you have a dry day or a soaking wet day like we do down here? Wish we could send some of it inland to where they really need it!

Hot and muggy Zusy, predicting showers. Mossies everywhere still, they are even biting Bella.

Poor Bella! I don't think we've had enough sun for them to breed here, though I'm expecting them soon. The ants are on the run too! I'm even seeing queen ants trying to find somewhere dry.

Mosquitos are horrid little things.

That's the one good thing about winter here. No mossies.

Off to do a cow check in a little, then feed the dogs.

Hi all, just stopping in for a quick hello. Mom told me to send her thanks to everyone and to let you know she appreciates all the good wishes. She has not even turned the computer on recently. She has no energy. Dad was transferred to a different hospital that specializes in respiratory issues. They are going to help get his oxygen levels up and try to get him in the gym.

Funny story: Mom gets a phone call at 4:30 am and nearly jumps out of her skin. It was dad asking who is coming to visit and asking for a milkshake. Mom tells him what time it is and that she was sleeping. He had looked at his clock and thought it looked light outside and thought it was 4:30 pm. She went to bed early tonight. My brother did bring him a milkshake, but at a more reasonable hour.

I think I need to send more good wishes to Bernie.

It looks like there may be a calf born tomorrow. One of the more interesting characters in the herd looks ready to calve. This sweet tempered cow keeps fooling the Vet. Every other year he diagnoses her to be open instead of pregnant. And every time she gives birth early in the calving season to a nice sized calf.

No time to read right now. Just popping in to say, "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, Everybody!"

Hugs to Bernie!

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody.

Hey Bernie, get well soon, you are in the right place!

It's very romantic that it has been quiet today.... We had a very romantic lunch - the whole family plus a friend. Hmmm. Actually it was nice, and we have a bottle of champagne for later.

There is actually no wet stuff falling from the sky at the moment! That's the first time it's stopped all day. We've had over 180mm (more than 7") in two weeks! Better than those who've had that in a couple of hours, but still makes everything a major bog.

Hi everyone, hope you're all well!
Just trying to catch up on all the news -
Rena, it's terrible when you have to try to catch a dog that doesn't want to be caught!
Gail, hope life gets back to normal soon - remember I'm free most of the time if you want help, someone to earbash, or just a coffee! Don't hesitate!
Hope Ally's ankle is back to normal very soon - she doesn't seem to have much luck!
Daplap's stories from Haiti were horrific and very moving.
MizT - your injection sounds really horrible! Hope it gives you relief and ends your troubles ...?
Well we went to see the parents on the Saturday - Dad looks terribly thin, but seemed quite happy this time. Mum was talking about people trying to move her from her home ... I don't know what will come of this, I think we are looking at big trouble coming up. Sunday we had a better time - the local farmers' market in the morning, then to Carlton to have lunch with a friend then go to see a movie of a play by one of our favourite authors - Nation by Terry Pratchett. The production was from London, and very well done. Terry is one of our favourite authors, but was recently diagnosed with a rapid onset form of Alzheimers - a very sad prognosis.

Greetings Sudokuland! Time today to prepare for round 2 of SNOW, yes, twice in a week! totally unheard of here in Alabama. All traces of the lqst snow are gone, well except for the MUD! I must try to get out for my walk once it warms up a tad, rain turning to snow forecast starting around noon.



HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ALL



I have somehow lost my supporting membership. My daughter had it set up for auto pay oh her pay pal. I cannot get her to check it out to see if her account was charged or not, she keeps forgetting. Lots of drama in her ife at the moment. I do not have the info, so I cannot get Gath to check it. Oh well, I do not really miss it till I want smilies for some holiday like today. My little hearts will have to bring a big message to you all today

My account was recently charged for my supporting membership, MizT, and I was sent an e-mail about it.

There is another storm heading here as well. They're calling for snow and freezing rain this afternoon, then a day and a half of snow. There's only supposed to be 5 to 6 inches, but it should produce ice under the snow, making it dangerous. So I have to run to the store before the storm hits.

Take care Heidi and hope the forecasters have made a mistake.

The fun part is that tomorrow is IH's travel day. He's gonna try to drive home from Wisconsin. The storm will be over the second half of his trip.

I just bought a new DVD on eBay. It's called "Deep In My Heart". It has a phenomenal cast but is most memorable as being the ONLY film in which brothers Fred and Gene Kelly dance together.

Morning all. Well, today is a sad day for me. We had to make an emergency visit to the animal hospital in the city to have our oldest cat put down (Sprite, app. 17). He's the one I mentioned a few weeks ago I believe who slept at night with his little nose buried in my neck. I believe he had a stroke. I heard a thump this morning and found him lying on the bottom step, unable to move his hind end. I will surely miss the little guy.
Haven't had a chance to read much, but hope to be on later. Sorry about all the snow Heidi, maybe you can stay inside and watch your movie???
Hope everyone "down under" had a good Valentine's Day and hope all the "top siders" have a good one today.

Theresa.... I am so saddened to hear of Sprite's passing. He sounds like a special boy. I'm glad you didn't let him suffer.

I'm back from the grocery store.... just in time. The snow started here as I drove into the driveway.

Good Maen and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Theresa - so sorry to hear about dear Sprite never seems to matter that our lovely pets have lived long lives, they still leave such a hole in our lives. Big big {{{Hugs}}} to you.
Tami - funny story about the milkshake. I hope the move helps Bernie get back on his feet again.
Judy - I'm so blessed that my dad (to be 90 this summer) is spry as ever and that my mum passed quite quickly about 7 years ago. It is so hard to watch our parents get frail. I'm glad you had such a special day on Sunday...but how sad about your favorite author.

Well, unlike Heidi's, the sun is shining and I must get out to work in the yard (pine needle clean-up)
Warm wishes to all of you

Morning all!
Another dull, dreary and wet day here. Maybe it will clear up later.

Judy, I'm sorry to hear about Terry Pratchett. :(

MizT, sorry to hear about your daughter's drama. I hope it settles down soon.

Theresa, sending hugs your way. It's sad to lose a pet after such a long time as a member of the family. {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

Heidi, glad you made it back before it started snowing.

Vici, I remember pine needle clean up! None here thank goodness.

Good Morning All,
Another hot and humid day today, will probably spend it in the pool again, the heat is knocking Bella around too.
Judy, hope all works out for your parents.
MizT, hope all is sorted with your membership and your daughter's life improves.
Morning Zusy, want to swap weather for a day??
Must get a move on, have a chap comimg out to road worthy Possum's motorbike this morning.
Heidi, stay warm and safe.
Hi Brenda, that was a flying visit.
Theresa, RIP Sprite and big {{{{Hugs}}}} to you.
Hi Vici, hope you have a good day.

Good morning everyone!
Theresa, I'm sorry to hear about your poor old cat ... :(
Thanks everyone for your kind words about Mum and Dad. The worst thing is that they are so far away - if they lived nearby we could drop in to see them regularly. Dad wants to move to "assisted living" somewhere nearby, but Mum has literally said "over my dead body!" We're afraid that Dad won't last much longer, then what happens to Mum? The whole thing is a mess, and very stressful ... oh well, one way or another it will have to work itself out.

Theresa, sorry to hear about Sprite. It is hard to lose a pet. I hope someone sends you a copy of Rainbow Bridge. It has been posted here, but I don't have a copy. It is beautiful.
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts for my dad. He seems to be doing a little better every day. Mom appreciates all the kind words. I tell her what is being posted as she has not been up to going online.

Theresa, so sorry to hear about Sprite. I do hope you have lots of hapy memories of him to help you through this sad time.

Heidi, they now say we could have 3 to 4 inches by morning. And same here, rain first that will freeze under the snow. Hope Gil gets home safely from his trip. Not sure I would not postpone my homecoming if it were me.

Broni, enjoy the pool today, sounds like a good way to pass a hot humid day.

Suzy, still wet down your way? At least the rain helps with the water conservation, no plant watering needed today!

Vici, enjoy the raking of pine straw in the sunshine. our sun is gone for today, clouds here already, rain then snow to follow.

OK, I am off to find something to do that is at least entertaining, not much hope for constructive this late in the day!

Thanks for the wishes for daughter. she is just fighting an ongoing battle for her autistic son. School budget was cut, so the school tried to take all the cuts on special education. Daughter takes her job as his advocate most seriously, so new decisions must be made.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I wish I could watch that movie "Deep In My Heart", but I just bought it. It hasn't arrived yet. I adore Gene Kelly. He is/was gorgeous!

Thank you everyone for thinking about Sprite and I. Thanks for Rainbow Bridge. I have always imagined it would be that way. Mind you I have had so many animals over my lifetime that I will be ferociously given wet kisses all over my face. That is beautiful.
In '95 my sisters and I had to make a decision about our mom as she could no longer live alone in her home. We moved her into an apartment just a block from my house, but it wasn't long until even that was not OK. At first she was adamant she was not going to move, but then slowly became resigned. It was a hard time for us all.
She moved to a retirement centre, to the chronic care wing of the local hospital, to a nursing centre, to another nursing home.
At that time I had a hard time coming to terms with signing the extra resuscitation forms. I hung onto them for a few months, all the while my sister urging me to sign them. Then a friend had a talk with me and said was I trying to hang onto my mom because it was what my mom needed or because I couldn't let go. I realized it was the latter, so I signed the forms. My sisters and I were with her when she passed. Although we were glad to be there, it was not a plesant time.

I just wanted to let those people with ill parents or other relatives know that I understand. That was one of the most difficult times of my life. My mom passed away on Remembrance Day in 1999, so that day always hold extra special meaning for me.

By the way, when we have to have any of our animals put down, I always insist on being with them. It's hard, but when the light fades from their eyes, I want the last thing they see to be the face of someone who loved them. I'm sorry for being a bit morose today, but I guess it's just that kind of day for me. Onward and upward!!!

Theresa.... I do the same thing. The last thing they know is being in my arms being talked to lovingly. They pass relaxed. I don't understand how someone can just turn them over to strangers so their last minutes are scary. It may hurt me more, but it's the kindest thing to do for a pet. Or a human.

The sun is shining! Time for the swishy thing to get going.

MizT, our plants are likely to drown right now!

Judy, what a horrible situation. I think a retirement home could be a happy place if we allowed ourselves to think of it that way. I suspect we don't because we think of it as 'the end'. Sending hugs to you, your Dad, and your Mum...

Broni, we've had a few horrible humid days, but they weren't really that hot - no higher than 27 if I remember correctly. I shouldn't really complain should I?