Sudokuaholics Anonymous 9A

Good luck with the new pain meds, MizTricia. Maybe they'll surprise you and work perfectly.

Suzy, glad Ally's sprain does not seem to bad.
Tricia, glad you are doing a bit better. Hope the new med works better.
Heidi, I hope IH listens to you and goes to Wisconsin. I will continue to keep Doc, and you, in my thoughts and prayers.
Don't remember what else I have read so I will come back later and try to catch up.

Heidi, I'll keep Doc in my prayers. Hugs to you and IH. I hope he goes soon to see his Dad.

Gail, prayers for your sister Megan. Are you worrying about her and is this keeping you awake at night?

Vic, prayers for your FIL as well. Sitting beside a loved one waiting for them to pass is so very hard. We sat beside my FIL one very long night and eventually had to turn the machines off in the morning. A priest came early in the morning to bless him and we all felt the most amazing peace. It certainly made it easier to let him go.

MizT, I'm glad to hear the op was successful and I hope they sort out the paid meds for you.

Suzy, your daughters sound as accident prone as my sons (and that's saying something).

Hello to everyone! I couldn't get near my laptop after Friday morning. Shaun brought his girlfriend Akiyo home and she used my laptop to work on assignments. He took her home again last night. She's a quiet little girl who doesn't eat enough to keep a sparrow alive. I offer food but she rarely accepts it. I think Shaun feeds her off his plate.
I made Anzac biscuits on Saturday and was told by Shaun that "they are really very good". I think he was suprised that I can actually bake biscuits as I don't make them very often any more. Yesterday I made another batch and they have nearly all disappeared as well. I've run out of butter now, so that's the end of my baking.

Kevin and I had a lovely day on Saturday. We went for a drive over the mountains to visit the dams, stopping for lunch at Esk. It rained on and off but everything was so green that it was beautiful. We came home over Mt Glorious and the clouds were so low that we were driving through them. It was quite eerie driving through the rainforest with the trees crowding the road and disappearing up into the clouds.
All up we were gone for about 5 hours. We ended the afternoon with a nanna nap. I don't know why Kevin needed a snooze as I did all the driving!
Fish and chips for dinner and a bottle or two of wine. Aah! Perfect!

We are off to the beach on Saturday morning (or Friday night if the unit is vacant)for a week. Just the two of us and no responsibilites. No work, children, mothers etc. Just a week of sleeping in, nanna naps, walks on the beach, reading, eating out and doing lots of nothing. Bliss!!!
I'll take my laptop but probably won't be able to connect to the internet anywhere. We have a few downloaded movies/shows to watch.

Gil will be going to Wisconsin tomorrow morning. We just talked to his sister at the hospital, and it's a little worse than we thought. His aortal valve isn't working well, as well as blockage in the aorta. Doc doesn't want surgery, but his doctor says that if he doesn't have it, he will go downhill FAST and won't live long. If he has the surgery, he'll have many quality years left.

Good Afternoon my friends.
Heidi, hope Doc stops being stubborn about the operation especially since it does not seem to be his time yet. Can you phone him at the hospital, when I was in I had a phone next to my bed.
Zusy, is Ally warming up properly before she starts training?
MizT, hope the new meds work.
Vicki have a wongerful week away doing nothing...I am jealous!
Hi Tami, bye Tami.
Love and hugs to you all.

Broni, are you working today or is it lunch time?
I'm having sudoku time at the moment. I'm working on today's hard. They take me forever to do but I refuse to use possibilities for them now.

Morning everyone

Prayers to Heidi's FIL.
Good luck with the new meds Tricia
Ouch Ally
Victoria can I come with you to the beach, could do with a break!!
Mother (mine) is home, and is being difficult to get alone with.
I have dinner in the Crockpot (sweet curry), washing in the machine...
Empty House.
Sunny and warmish outside.

Vicki, working every day now (even worked last Saturday morning eek!) Try and pop in during the day when I work for D&D (Tues and Thurs) have only had the chance to do the easy a couple of times in the last couple of weeks and I miss my puzzles. Do medium without poss's but really like to try the tough but not in ages.

Blessings for Doc, either way.

Vicki, you're drive sounded Idyllic...oh, and is there room at the unit for all of us?
Thanks for your thoughts about Megan. No, I am not really a worrier, I see absolutely no benefit to it. I think the reason for my sleeplessness is that I am weaning myself off meds that I have been taking for my shoulders. They work a treat, but have codeine in them and that has bad side affects. Unfortunately, they also contained a calmative, which was wonderful for helping me get to sleep without pain, and STAY asleep!
This too shall pass...

Good afternoon all.
Noooooo Gail! I was just going to ask Vicki if I could go with them! Seriously, Vicki, have a great time. We have done that drive from Wivonhoe up over Mt Glorious -it was lovely and we stopped at a cafe with a wonderful outlook. It was just a few days after we bought the Prius and realised on the top of the mountain that it was low on fuel. Being a new car, we didn't know how far it would go on a tank less than 1/4 full. Made it easily (it is a hybrid and doesn't use fuel downhill anyway) to a servo in Samford. You would have been nearly home once you got off the mountain.

Heidi - hope all goes well for Doc, and Gil will be pleased he made the decision to go finally. I'm sorry that things at home make it difficult for you to get there.

I'm feeling bleeeehhhhh today! My brain is a muddled mess. I read Suzy's post about Ally hurting her ankle but it registered as Ebob, so when she commented again about it further down the page - I thought she'd got it wrong, not me. Sorry Suzy - I think I'm off to join my Mum and very soon!

Sorry folks, it's only a one bedroom unit otherwise I'd love you all to come.

When I told my mother about the drive on Saturday she said "You didn't come to get me. I'd have liked to go and you never think about me". My reply "It was our anniversary" ended that conversation fairly quickly plus the fact that we never got close to her house.

Cyn, I'm sorry you are feeling out of it today. We all have days like that where you can't seem to get your head around anything.

Gail, have you tried any of the natural sedatives (valerian?) or something similar. I'm not a worrier either. I have had a couple of sleepless nights in the last 12 months - mostly about lack of money when Kevin was home after his shoulder op. Worrying wasn't going to solve that problem either and we always ended up having enough money to pay the bills when they came due.

Hello, Everyone! I'm just here for a few minutes. Hope to read at least page 182 and maybe 183.

Heidi, sending along positive thoughts, vibes and prayers for your FIL. (Makes you wonder how he can be so special to you and IH doesn't share some of those qualities.)

Suzy, Gail, June and many others, thanks for sharing your ANZAC Day experiences. I agree with Mamacita. We just don't have that kind of turn-out for Memorial Day (used to be May 30, but now last Monday of May) and Veterans' Day (your "elevens," Suzy). We should remember and be thankful for those who have preserved our freedom!

CynB, I'm so sorry you weren't able to watch your grandies in person as they participated in the ANZAC march and service! Maybe it was a last-minute decision - or as you said - your daughter just forgot to mention it.

I apologize for abbreviating my summaries. There just isn't time. Nearly midnight here, and an early morning tomorrow will beckon before I'd like.

You keep forgetting to update us on how YOU are doing, Julie. That's more important than summaries.

Broni, it's so nice to see you here. I wonder how you have the time between 2 jobs!

June, that was a large ceiling to paint! Did you paint a color or one of the many whites? In the US several manufacturers have ceiling paint that goes on as a color (sometimes it's lavender) but dries to the shade of "white" you chose. It makes it easier to see where you have painted. I hope you were able to get a warm soaking bath and envigorating shower and a good sleep!

MizT, I hope your hand is healing well and the pain subsides! Hopefully the change in med. will make a difference!

Suzy, I hope Ally's ankle will be OK!

Heidi, you may need to order IH to go visit his father! I, too, thought that clearing his schedule meant that he had made the decision to go. Sending more positive thoughts, vibes, prayers, etc. toward Doc. What a shame that you can't go!

Theresa, I got a chuckle from your dart board comment as well!

Nola, it's nice to see you posting here!

Vicki, sounds like you and Kevin had a great day - and a whole week ahead! Enjoy!

Rolanda, pleased to hear that your Mum is home, but difficult to get along with!

Tami, you've been so busy lately - just popping in with a comment or two.

ALERT: update on Julie follows. Feel free to skip any sad parts.

For about 4 weeks, my knees have been more achey and stiff - kind of like they were towards the end of physical therapy in late January. I have had very little time to exercise or ice them - and haven't had a chance to call the doctor's office to discuss what is going on. Luckily, there no longer is any portion of the incision that is still open.

MIL was in and out of the ER and hospital and once moved from one hospital to another. We had daily trips (usually at least an hour drive each way) and sometimes twice daily to see her/take care of things, etc. We just sort of "functioned" in a bit of a daze. The day after hubby signed paperwork for hospice care, arrangements were made for her transport back to the nursing floor of her assisted living home. We were making arrangements to meet her in the hospital, then follow her "home." A hospice representative went into her hospital room to let her know that she would be able to leave soon, but she had died in her sleep. Although she had done some pre-planning, there was much to be done, including arrangements to have a visitation at a funeral home, then visitation & funeral Mass the next morning in the chapel of her assisted living home, then transport to Ohio for another visitation, service and burial next to her first husband. (Second husband had Alzheimers, died about 5 years ago and is buried by one of his previous wives.

The morning of the first visitation, hubby woke up early with a 103 fever, pain radiating up his arm, and difficulty breathing. He was taken by paramedics to the ER. While there he put 2 and 2 together and remembered that one of our cats (indoor only) had bit him the day before. He got a serious infection and was admitted to the hospital for about 36 hours of IV antibiotic and close observation. He missed both visitations and the Mass here, but we had a few days interval before events in Ohio, so he was able to leave the hospital and go for that. We're kind of catching our breath and trying to pick up all that has been left undone for a month. I will probably only get here occasionally in the next week or so.

Because of all the craziness, I'd like to send positive vibes and oodles of prayers to anyone in need! Stay healthy if you are healthy, and get healthy if you aren't. I hope anyone celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc. has a wonderful time! Love to all! Good Night!

Afternoon all

Julie, sending all kinds of hugs and vibes to you and your family! I just have to say that the care you have shown to all of us in here with your posts while going through such a very hard time at home is an inspiration to me. I hope we have at least provided a small distraction from the events around you.

Oh My God, Julie! When it rains, it not only pours, it floods! I'd like to send you hugs , and loads of sympathy and wishes that things get better SOON. I can understand why you've had no time to take care of yourself for a while.

MizT, I got a shock when someone noticed my face hurt - I thought I was being so good at hiding it! I hope your new pain meds help - sending vibes to help them along....

Tami, it's great to hear from you during the school week when I know you must be very busy.

Heidi, I hope Doc has been convinced to go through with the operation. From what you have said the quality of his life in recent times may not have been what he hoped and this operation may make all of the difference. I've heard several times from people who feel 10 years younger after the surgery.

I'm off to bed myself, now. It's 2:40 am.

Julie, all my love and sincerest condolences. Too much, so sad.

Best wishes to hubby in his recovery and yours as well.

Vicki, your drive over the weekend sounded wonderful, though not as good as your week away! What bliss! I hope you return feeling relaxed and blissful!

Broni, doing a little cheer here because if you are keeping up with working 5 and a half days you are a lot healthier than you were before. It is wonderful to hear. The TaeKwonDo club does extensive warm ups before they do anything truly energetic, Ally just takes after her mother!

Gail, I can understand why you'd want to wean yourself off codeine, but I hope the side effects don't last too much longer! And I hope the pain is not too bad without the pain killers.

Cyn, it sounds like you could do with a rest. Any hope of that on the horizon? I hope Emily's cold is much better and she is settled back in school.

Vicki, keep telling us more about your mother. I'm learning things to watch out for when I am old and grey... Hugs!!

Pain schmain Suzy! I am made of tougher stuff.
Remember, it is what it is.

Oh my goodness, Julie - here was I complaining that I felt a little off today. What you have been through is traumatic. Thoughts and hugs to you and your family. I hope things calm down soon.
I was interested though to hear about second spouses being buried with their first spouse. My MIL intends to be buried (when she goes) with Col's father who died 24 years ago - her second husband is fine with that but it is a rather unusual move here in Australia.

Also Julie - I spoke to my daughter today and had a dig about her not telling me about the Anzac march, She said she knew I'd say that but after the shemozzle it was last year (and it was) she just didn't bother telling anyone in the family. And, of course, things went like clockwork, really well. Also she didn't know that either of her kids had such pivotal roles - carrying the Aussie flag and laying the wreath! I've told her now that we'll be there next year and to make sure she lets me know.

Suzy - no hope of a rest on the horizon but I feel better tonight.

Cyn, mum's late partner was buried next to his late wife because they bought the plots when they were married.

The Anzac march was a bit of a panda moment Cyn. Did I send you that email? I love it!

I hope you sleep really well to make up for not having time to rest during the day..

I found out another way of avoiding a swear word today - the go fast thing. Turns out that's the thing you use to make your bum smaller without going outside....

Liposuction???

http://au.news.yahoo.com/news-gallery/a/-/article/7115570/image/1/worlds-smallest-horse/

Cute!

Hugs to everyone who is in need of one.
Julie I think you need some really big hugs you and your family have been through so much.
Heidi pleased to hear that IH has decided to go visit his dad, just a pity you cannot go too especially as you are so close to Doc.

For those of us who suffer pain and don't like taking medication. You might like to try one of these :- http://www.pain-gone.com.au/

When I first heard of them (MIL had one) many years ago I couldn't see how they could really work. About 6 years ago I had one demonstrated on my arthritic knees which were really hurting at the time. IT WORKED. I bought one straight away, and when they stop working I get another. They do last a long time. As long as you know what is causing the pain it is safe to use, and the best thing is you can use it as often as you want as you cannot overdose on it.

new med report, i had best night's sleep yet. although this new painkiller is not nearly as strong, i feel lots better, NO itching, wonderful. could feel a twinge or 2 of pain, i think i will take a good night's sleep over pain free and awake all night!

back to sleep for me, i can read and catch up later. hugs to all and please forgive my not making comments on your post, one handed typing takes forever!!

Morning all ... it is indeed snowing here ... huge fluffy flakes. Mother Nature is indeed confused.

Victoria ... enjoy your week with hubby. I too wish we could all come along.

Healing vibes sent to all who need it. I stayed with my mom when she passed and it was very difficult to do but I'm glad my sisters and I were able to be there for her.

Julie, so sorry for all the problems you've been having and I'm sorry for the passing of your MIL. You are not one to pass your problems on to us, but we do think about you and worry.

MizT, glad new meds are working without the other side effects. Hope your sleep is sound and restorative.

Hi everyone.
Sending your way Julie.
Sometimes I wonder how us women keep going through everything life throws at us.
But we do.
I am looking forward to having coffee with you June on Sunday morning.
I have booked the table at Cafe 66 of course.
You will be able to meet John.
I am still visiting FIL in the hospital.
I sat with him for 2 hours this arvo doing some knitting.
At least if I am there I am not running around like a mad woman.
I see a fellow Port Macquarian posted on Easy today. I have put a welcome on their page and thanks Gail for letting them know I am from the same town.