Sudokuaholics Anonymous 9A

I was pleased to see Mamacita back leaving us her wonderful words of love and understanding.
Lovely seeing MizT keeping us up to date with her recovery.
A big Hi to everyone else. I do read and think of you all.

June, how are you here? You're over on facebook earning ribbons in farmville... lol

Your hubby is going to be very tired on Saturday! You will be too if you are painting ceilings this week.

Hubby has 2 veterans, or had since his father has passed, and my mother's late partner was also a veteran. Both Anzac Day and 11th hour of 11th day of 11th month have always made me emotional. I always think of it as the 11's rather than by it's proper name.

Emotional! You should see me at these things! I took a wad of tissues this morning to the dawn service and came back to the car with a sodden pile! Beth had to hug me and tell me to ssh through the minute's silence.
And then...silly me didn't take any to the march because you know, it's just a local march, right? Well...there's the service that follows that, isn't there? I had a complete stranger giving me a cuddle because I was bawling through most of it! Oh the shame...
Thank heaven's it was raining through most of it and my tears were being drowned out.
I so wish I didn't cry with my nose and eyes acting like NEON signs saying 'She's crying' in flashing lights!!!

Suzy... The "Gay" dog story is hysterical. It's amazing how ignorant so many people are! The restaurant should have been fined a whole lot more, tho', for refusing a guide dog. Especially since they had a sign saying they were welcome.

I saw a tornado a kilometer wide 12 years ago. It went through Magnolia while I watched from the back yard. It actually took me a while to understand what I was seeing. At first, I thought it was a very low laying dense cloud. It was too wide to show the typical funnel shape. Only the color gave it away. Over 150 homes were destroyed (half the homes in Magnolia) as well as the largest dairy farm in the county. My best friend was the Vet on call, and she still has nightmares about the horrific injuries to cows and horses..... I won't describe them.... and all the injured animals that could not be saved.

Heidi, reports were that tornado on the ground in Mississippi was 3/4 to 1 mile wide, scarry!

i was happy to stay in the dome yesterday.

ok, can tell i am better, about to complain here, wish i would either stay asleep or stay awake here. this falling asleep for 15 min is getting old!need to find something to do!

Suzy,farmville etc is the biggest joke out as I do not play it at all. My daughters play the games on my page to get things for their farms. I tend to get new friends and all sorts of things that I know little about.
I have fed the cat so we can now go back to bed.(The cat sleeps on the end of the bed when the nights get cooler)

Hello All,

I am always so pleased to read about the manner in which other countries have kept the memory of those who have sacrificed for their country alive. The honors are deeply meant and widely showered on the men and women by those of all age groups....Just a glance at the pages here over the years of its inception feature wonderful tributes to them. I am reminded of this also by Suzy's reference to the 11's as she calls them. I am sadly disappointed to say that this same wide tribute is not apparent to me in the USA, where I live. Yes, dignitaries lay wreaths at tombstones, and there are parades around the country, words are spoken in remembrance, but the national feelings are still not the same. There is a lack of emotional involvement I think. There is also a woeful lack of historical fact and reverence for the sacrifices that have been made, taught in our homes, schools, and churches. I think that the last time I can recall true nationwide awareness of those who set out to defend this country and to give voice to emotion was during the escalation of the Viet-Nam conflict....and that was not always a positive...yet the people were involved with the outcome.I may be wrong, I know small towns do a better job of showing the love and support than many large cities...but I still like what I see coming from other countries, especially Australia, when celebrating Anzac's Day, and wish I could see that fervor replicated in the USA. We are a great country with good folks and our servicemen and women deserve to be given the same warm, meaningful treatment!
Sorry to bring this type of whine here...but I couldn't help myself. Hope all who are ill are feeling a bit better today and more so tomorrow...Peace.

Mamacita, thank you for those wonderful words. I feel US has a wonderful Patriotism that we often lack. We were around your area and NY just after 9/11 and the Patriotism then was phenominal. Paople could not understand why we would be there touring at that time. (because we had already left home a couple of days before).
Also the monuments to the fallen in Washington DC and Arlington Cemetary. We have nothing like that here.
I must admit though as time passes Anzac Day has become more meaningful to many younger people.

Morning all!
Mamacita, I'm not sure why, but the attendance at Anzac Day services is growing here. It is getting bigger every year. Perhaps it is people like Cyn and Kate explaining the day to 8 year olds. And the younger ones who attend with their parents with no idea why they are there. I remember the services we had at school when I was a youngun, facing the west for the last post and then the east etc etc. They still do that, and lay wreaths of flowers.

Heidi and MizT, the tornado did a lot of damage yesterday. The words in a news article can't do justice to what it must have felt like to see it from a distance let alone be in it. Thoughts and wishes to all of the people affected...

Good Morning my friends, have a bit of reading to catch up.
Love and hugs to all, back after reading.

Hello, Fellow Sudokuaholics! I'm popping in for a bit - but TWELVE pages to read. Yikes. This is gonna take some time! Better get started!

Just read of Heidi's dead heifer and the diagnosis. I am so sorry! I hope revaccinating will control/stop it! Changing topics: the sunroom sounds like a wonderful idea!

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Toy Elephant!

Hope you're feeling better, Judy!

I bet you've finished planting containers by now, MizT. Won't they look terrific when everything is growing?

Suzy, I think every dishwasher requires different stacking techniques. But remember, you now have at least twice as many dishes per meal.

Nola, hope the exam went well, nothing like a welcome from your dog they love you regardless.
Heidi, sounds like that little finch is a survivor.
Vicki, seems like a repeat performance with my cousin coming over to save an injured lorikeet. Your hubby certainly is a keeper!
Gail, healing vibes for Ian's wife.
Heidi, thanks for the info on MizT hope she is feeling better as I continue to read. Funny thing with men, they under estimate others pain and over estimate their own pain.

Hi Julie!

V Viv, so sorry to hear about your FIL in hospital with pneumonia! Hope there has been improvement over the next 10 pages or so! Sending prayers his way!

Tami, good news that your Dad is regaining his strength! Hope he can keep it up!

Rolanda, congratulations to Robert for doing so well - and having some time to relax and enjoy the area after the high stress of presenting!

Suzy, I hope blonde Pride girl was able to get the job!

Gail, yummy sounding cake! Dessert AND breakfast! Good for Beth!

Heidi, I'm so glad your tractor was finally prepared and hope your lawn mower has been prepared sometime in the next 10 pages (still on page 172).

I hope Theresa, Broni and Judy are feeling better!

Julie... The lawn mower is still on the sick list. The part from Husqvarna is still on order.

Cyn and June, you're so right about how young grandies can tire us out. Our oldest is not quite 4.5 years old with 2 younger siblings. We'll be spending some time with them in a few days. I know we'll need to get our sleep and probably naps!

Lizzy, I hope you are feeling better by now! Sorry you weren't able to get to the Sudokuite gathering!

Vicki, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed all of your visitors!

julie, i am feeling better over the 10 pages you are reading!!!

my sis mailed me the handiest sling for my arm , it was in the box when i got home. it allows me to keep it elevated and immobile, wrist higher than elbow. this splint is heavy to carry around.

my keyboard is so old, i got magic marker to mark the keys. helps with the hunt and peck typing.

Gail, luv and hugs to Megan.
June, sounds like you had a magical day out on the bay.
Zusy, love that email about the polar bear attack, hehe!
Heidi, will that man ever learn to pay the bills, hope he forgets to pay the bill on his unit.
Cyn, lest we forget.
Bean, hope your health improves quickly.
Viv, hope your FIL passes peacefully.
Amen, Mama.

Hi MizT, the sling sounds great, hope you are feeling much better.
Heidi, had to laugh about the flooding and IH's papers!
Well off to clean up the mess from sanding the side and back decks, there is fine wood dust everywhere. Even managed to get the first coat of estapol on half the deck.

Victoria, I hope you and Kevin had a wonderful weekend! Belated Happy Anniversary wishes to both of you!

Cyn, I will echo what others have said. Emily is extremely lucky to have you in her life - and hopefully will one day realize it! As for the biological "mother" - what can be said?

Theresa, my Mom (and I, as I got older) hung clothes outside just as long as possible. There were also clothes lines strung along the ceiling in the basement/cellar for those times that clothes couldn't be hung out - raining, extreme cold. Thanks for the memories!

Hello to anyone posting as I'm reading and commenting! I haven't looked at page 182 yet - just starting p. 175.

I am asking for some of those mighty SA healing vibes. My FIL has just been taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties. He'll be staying there while they run tests... we should hear something tomorrow. He's 86 and has been in fairly good health.

Oh Heidi, so sorry. I am sending healing vibes and good thoughts his way! Take care of yourself too.

Heidi, sending our concentrated vibes to your FIL. You have said before how much he means to you.

It's lucky those healing vibes are limitless because there are several people needing them at the moment. I think of you even if I don't say anything!

MizT, Ally's cast was like that. I've never seen a cast as heavy. She was never able to walk around without it as I've seen other kids do. What a thoughtful sister you have!

Julie, just 'processed' your comment about your grandies - 3 kids under 5 - aaaaaaahhhhh!!!

Good morning - more healing vibes to send, this time to Heidi's FIL. Hope he feels better soon.
Mamacita - there was a time when patriotism was not very evident in Australia and Anzac Day passed as just a Public Holiday. That has changed a lot in recent years. I am always surprised to go along to Anzac services and see so many young people there, often the ones you'd see in the street and write them off as a bad lot. I've had to learn not to judge people so harshly.

I missed that one, too, Suzy.

I'm a bit peeved with my daughter. She posted photos on FB last night of her children in the local Anzac march/service. They were there with their scout group and Lachlan was carrying the flag and Madeline was carrying the wreath. They didn't let us know or we would have gone along. I'm trying to calm down before I phone her to find out why! Probably just forgot!!

Hi all.
Heidi, I will be keeping your FIL in my thoughts. If he is anything like you, he has to be a tough man.
Tricia, glad you are doing a little better. Take it slow and don't try to do to much.
Don't remember what I else I have read. Had a busy weekend and not a lot of sleep. It is starting to catch up now and will be going to bed soon.

*** CAUTION...NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH ***
My FIL is a retired large animal Vet, and diagnostic Vet. IH grew up going on farm calls with him. By the time I met him, he was working at the Wisconsin State Diagnostic Lab. On my days off at the Zoo, I would join him at the lab and help him with some of his more "interesting" cases. I would do things like hold back the ribcage of a bison that had been dead for 3 weeks, while he quickly examined internal organs before they liquified. My poor sense of smell was an asset. But I learned a lot from him about diseases by helping out. He even was the one who posted the Zoo animals when they died, so I got to help with them, too. As you can tell, I've been closer to him than to either of my own parents. And he knows how much I love him, fortunately.

Best wishes to your FIL, Heidi. I hope he is not in too much distress, breathing difficulties are frightening.

I'm back from dinner with neighbors and reading page 176 now.

Wow, Heidi, 10 Lady Gouldian Finch hatchlings so far and potential for more! At least they seem to be having a good year!

CynB, I hope your sister and BIL had a wonderful European trip! It would be wonderful being in such a small group and being able to hear conversations/explanations!

MizT, you have been a busy little beaver getting things done! I hope all goes well with the surgery and you are home with your feet up and Al catering to you. I've heard a few tricks for getting a stuck ring off a finger - but a bit too late to be of any help to you. I hope they were able to get them off!

Rolanda, I haven't seen anything about you and your Mum. I hope you are both doing well!

June, I like your idea to keep beds made until you have the time to do the laundry. It makes for less of a pile up in the room with the sloshy thing and the hot spinny thing. (Ours is small, narrow, and we walk through it to the garage, which is how we leave and enter the house, so don't need piles of things in there.)

Broni, sounds like you are VERY busy between the old, now new job and the newer, now old job. Sounds like full-time work to me! Don't over-do! We'll be glad to see you whenever you can visit!

Gail, I hope all is going well with the car repairs! And, thinking of repairs, I hope all went well with your daughter's day/days at the dentist!

Theresa, you're right about teachers not touching a child. It was especially difficult when I was teaching kindergarten, first and second grade, but a bit easier by the time I had worked up the grades to middle school (6th through 8th grades, about age 11-13 or 14).

Hi Julie, nice to see you here. Just in time for me to say good night to all. It's 20 after 10:00 and I'm a bit tired. Have been sleeping well over the last while though. Spent most of today outside working on the flower beds, so hopefully the fresh air will knock me out for the night.

My FIL has fluid in the lungs and around the heart. That's all I know so far.

CynB, your Mum sounds like one strong-willed lady. She sounds like an extraordinary woman! SO glad her doctor makes a weekly visit!

Nola, I'm glad the exams are over! I hope the results were actually better than you think! How nice that your dog welcomed you home! I'm glad you took some well-deserved time for yourself!

Heidi, good news that the finch with the deformed foot could successfully leave the nest! How fortunate he is that he wasn't born in the wild.

Theresa, reading about the visit from your nephew, then 3 hours with grandies (page 179), I can well understand your need for Tylenol!

Gail, thank you for letting us know about Ian's wife! I also stopped by his page to let him know of our support!

Heidi, thanks so much for the MizT update - from both sides! I know Al has work to do, but can't believe he so quickly abandoned Tricia alone in the house.

Mamacita, we're so glad to see your comment! Keep us posted on what is going on with your hands! Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way that it is nothing serious!

MizT, you are a trooper to be here so soon to let us know you were back home! I hope things have progressed considerably in the past 3 days and that pain is something in the past!

Finished reading page 179. I think hubby is waiting in the wings to use the computer. I will try to be back later!

Hey Julie, great updates!

The first dentist check-up was simply that. That's when she got all the bad news. She is now looking into getting extras cover that includes dental, but of course, that will have to include a waiting period. No way she can afford all that work. Being the age she is though, it is financially now all up to her.

Haven't heard anything about the car, so assuming no news is good news. It has been in for a week now and we expect it to be another week till we hear anything. Today being a public holiday will put the work back just that bit further.

Sending positive thoughts, vibes and prayers to your sister, Gail! Wishing for the best possible outcome for Megan and strength and courage for both of you!

June, your day away at the harbour sounds wongerful!

MizT, I hope your meds and pain relief have all been sorted out by now!

Mamacita, we know we miss you when you aren't able to visit often, but when you are back with us, your words work wonders! I'm so glad to see you here!

Bean, so nice to see you here - and a CP at that! Hope things soon improve for you!

V Viv, thoughts to you and your FIL. A difficult time, indeed! Wow, 11 years at the cafe doing crosswords! Quite a record!

On to page 181.