Sudokuaholics Anonymous 9A

Busy day , washed, shopped (those last minute bits I need), renewed my drivers license ( I have been driving almost 52 years---yikes). My old licence had me with brown hair!
Made a cake and took it to a work/bowling friend who was just out of hospital after a hip replacement.
I have then been sorting what I need to pack and found the lining of the sides of my case have crumbled into the base so have to clean all that up. It will not make any difference to my case, just easier to squash flat!
Hubby should be home from Melbourne about 10.30-11pm. Lots to do tomorrow.

Good morning all.

My FIL and MIL are giving us problems as well. My FIL will be 87 next month and my MIL will be 81 (I believe) in November. They are not very mobile and they are too stubborn to get any type of assistance. Hubby's sister lives next door to them and she has to do far too much. Hubby goes down every Sunday, but it's about an hour and a half drive. Example: my FIL was having trouble hearing but refused to go to get his hearing checked. Example: my MIL went to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and her doctor suggested cortisone shots or some other drug for her knees to make her more mobile. SHE REFUSED!!! Now I know where hubby gets his stubborness from.

My sister who lives near Toronto generally comes to this area in April and then again in September. I spoke to her a few nights ago and she won't be coming back this way for a while. Her daughter has MS and is now at the stage where she can't walk without the assistance of a walker or wheelchair. It is so sad. She found out about the MS a few days after she graduated from university with an honours degree in physical education. She had been planning on going to either Australia or the UK to get her teacher's certificate. Instead she stayed in her area to get her certificate. She never was able to teach phys ed because of the MS. So my sister is called upon to help her out more and doesn't feel comfortable leaving home for a long stretch at a time just in case she's needed.

I will miss my sister's visits. We always tried to do different things when she visited. One year we stayed at a hostel for a weekend in Ottawa, what used to be a former jail and was supposedly haunted. We slept in cells and roamed downtown Ottawa just being "tourists". We had a blast.

My daughter has been in a lot of pain the last few days and has spent most of her day and night lying on the couch. I try to keep her spirits up, but it's getting harder. I so wish this was happening to me and not to her. Even though she's 34, she's still my baby.

Like MizT said, there's nothing that can be done. So I will grin and bear it, but sometimes it just gets me down. Time to stop feeling sorry for myself and get off my "fat francis". Thanks MizT, your advice is sound.

My thoughts go out to everyone on this site, whether they need hugs or not I am sending them.

CynB.... I had the sunroom built as another room on the house instead of a greenhouse type sunroom so it'll remain the same temp as the rest of the house through the winter...74℉ / 23.3℃. It's open to the rest of the house in 2 places so air circulates. I also have a space heater in case of emergencies.
BTW... WONDERFUL NEWS ABOUT YOUR SISTER!!!! It needs to be shouted!

Theresa... What about the surgery they talked about? Any hope there for your daughter?

Heidi, the surgery won't be until next year some time ... she was on a waiting list for 6 to 9 months.

Cyn, great news about your sister.

If she's in that much pain, won't they consider moving it up? Making her wait is inhumane.

I am ready to cut the cord to the clock radio. Hubby thinks he needs it on to get to sleep. I went to sleep but it work me up again and the ten minutes or so was enough sleep to have me awake now. Grrrrr!

Loving thoughts to you and your daughter Theresa. Pain can be so debilitating. Are there any pain killers that she can take that will help? Also is there anything that can help her pick up her spirits? She needs some sort of goal or outlet that she can cope with at the moment. We all know that when we feel sorry for ourselves the pain etc feels much worse.(I am not trying to minimise her pain, which I know is very real)
Theresa, you take care of yourself as well. I do understand all the stress you have.

Enjoyed a late nights chat with rolanda last night, that was fun. I have been so missing MSN chats when I cold not type! Typing is much better now! Hey, only took 5 months hehehe.

Judy, I think we get grey hairs from our parents too. Teenagers start the process, Parents give it a big boost.

CYN, wonderful news, so happy your sister got an all clear from her polyp! Best news today, thanks for sharing.

TAMI, love your recipe, sounds like mine. BTW did anyone try the cake mix and diet cola recipe I put up? I did share that, didn't I? Easy fast and good. I know I shared with my quilting buddies, and noone tried it, said it sounded awful!! But I promise, it tastes good, it is a weight watchers recipe, and it is making the rounds.

Time tohang out clothes, perhaps I can come back later,

Hugs and more hugs to all, and I will catch up with page 357 later.

Heidi, the surgery won't be moved up, that's just what the waiting time is. I'm assuming that everyone else on the list ahead of her is as much in need of their surgery as well. So we are figuring somewhere in the January to April timeframe next year.

June, my daughter's interests have always been playing with her kids and doing stuff with them. She has no interest (and never did) in any type of crafts that I like. She doesn't like puzzles. She loves to read though and she is a voracious reader. Her oldest daughter is the same way, likes to curl up with a book. She is on painkillers and on anti-inflammatories, but they tend to make her sleepy and groggy. She is also on other medication for a pre-existing condition that I won't get into on this site. The pre-existing condition doesn't help matters though.

I was always the one that liked to sleep with music and hubby has to have everything as quiet as possible. I gave that up a long time ago.

I hope your holiday is terrific, June. As always, sending warm thoughts and hugs for your friend.

June, it sounds like just you to fit making and delivering a cake to a sick friend into the middle of all of the other preparations!

Yay Cyn!

Theresa, and others with stubborn parents or in-laws, don't you wish you could tough-love them like they say we should do with our kids? Something like your hubby's sister going out and getting herself a job so that she CAN'T help them. Try being stubborn then!

My niece has MS too. She is about my age though and was in her 30's when diagnosed. Maybe when your D has had her surgery and is mobile again you might be able to head down to visit your sister. I hope so anyway. Sending big hugs to you and your D.

Heidi, if it's anything like Australia, if you don't have private insurance and you're not actually going to die if you don't have the surgery, then you just have to suck it up and wait. They call it 'elective' surgery...

MizT, I don't remember the recipe for cola cake.. it sounds interesting!

I am going to experiment with making gifts for my friends for xmas this year. I plan to knit a little sock like the mocks I made a couple of years ago, stick some smelly soap inside and draw it closed with a ribbon. Drawer smellies!

Equanimous, my daughter's surgery is called "elective". The only way she could speed it up is to go somewhere else, like the States, and pay for the surgery herself. There's just no way they or we could afford something like that. We do indeed have to suck it up.

I tried to do some knitting yesterday, but my fingers are just too sore. Once we get over this rainy spell I'll try again. I at least want to finish the projects I have on the go.

Theresa, I find the word 'elective' connected to these surgeries offensive. It sounds like cosmetic surgery or something rather than necessary surgery. I don't know who came up with using the word in this context but they have obviously never been in pain or known anyone in pain.

Well I think I might try to go back to bed for a while. I have no idea why I woke up so early this morning.

SUZY, this is one you could make

One cake mix for any flavor 2 layer cake. One diet soda, a light soda like lemon lime for light cake mixes, a dark cola like Coca Cola or Dr Pepper for a dark cake mix.

Spray an 8 inch glass square pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a bowl, put the cake mix and stir in by hand one 12 oz cola. Do not over mix, Pour the batter into the 8x8 pan. Cook in your microwave aprox 13 minutes ( might vary according to power) untill a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool and ice the top if you want, canned or home made icing.

Cut into 12 pieces and serve. store any leftover cake in fridge, it is so moist it would mildew.

I made one with Pillsbury's sugar free devils food cake mix and a cola, and one with same brand yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup of flaked unsweetened coconut and a lemon lime soda. Hubby raved about each of them.

They also make well with the regular cake mix, I just had the sugar free (splenda sweetened) ones on hand.

I mixed one of these and let it cook while we were eating dinner. Desert done time we finished eating!!!

Suzy, those gifts sound great. Every year Mum had some friends to whom she wished to give a small crafted gift. It was my job to find something new each year. One year I knitted yellow ducks using that 'knitting lace' with a cake of soap inside. I still have one somewhere. I was trying to find it and send you a photo but it will have to wait for about 4 weeks. Pleased Ebob made contact, for whatever reason. It may take time but one day the realisation of what you all have as a family will come back to her.

I had a nice surprise. One of my 2 registered cows that were bred to calve in the Fall just had a lovely heifer calf. It's a small one, which is good because this is a first timer.

Back again
June, the yellow ducks sound cute! I hope we both remember when you get back. I'm sending all kinds of good holiday vibes your way!!!

MizT, I have soda, I have cake mix... let the experiment begin! Well, in a while anyway.

Heidi, congratulations! Are you Grandma? lol

Forgot to tell you all that my scar is getting gasps of awe. It looked so horrible with the stitches in people were horrified and were sure I was in agony - I wasn't, only itching - and now you can hardly see where it was. But I still itch!!! Not as much of course and a now I can massage the itch away - a definite improvement.

Ah, calf season again. Hope you get a good count Heidi.

Theresa, as always, thinking of you and yours.

June, I hope this holiday is the shot in the arm you need. It has been a long, hard haul.

Equa, keep smiling, even when those teeth are gritted.

MizT, I remember you mentioning about the cake mix, but haven't tried it. Fascinating sounding!

What calving season? Only 2 cows were bred to calve in the fall.... actually, 3 were, but one was killed by lightning. The other cow is slowly bagging up and looks about 2 weeks away.

I saw one of the Budgies checking out the nest box today. It's the first time I've seen a female go inside and spend some time in there. This is the oldest female. She's around 2 years old. I don't know which of the 5 males she's selected for her mate. There are 5 females, 5 males and the baby who's too young to tell.

Hi everyone. Have read the posts but I am too tired to remember most of what I have read.
Theresa, I hope that you and your daughter will be feeling better soon. I wish I had a magic wand to wave and take away both of your pain. I know how you feel about her pain. My mom had a hard time staying with me when I was in labor. I hate seeing either of my boys in pain.
Heidi, look forward to hearing about the new babies on your farm.
I will be back tomorrow. I am going to sleep early.

Morning all.

Suzy, my mum is knitting those soap holders at the moment..

Really? And I thought I was so creative! Never seen them... I must shop in the wrong places.

When you have around as long as my Mum, you would be surprised at the amount of Knitted Crafty Items one can make .........

We claim another record! Hubby called Integral just after 11 to tell them that the wire from the pole to our house was now tight due to the pole moving. About an hour later they left after fixing it....

Amazing, Equanimous!!

Time to feed dogs.... early... then early to bed. I'm gonna have a semi-stressful day tomorrow. I have to go get another 8" galvanized stock tank. Transporting them freaks me out.

SUZY, did you try the cake? We finished our peach crisp tonight, so I shall have to make desert tomorrow and really do not have time to fuss with it. Quick and easy to the rescue is in order again. That, or pudding, we will see.

We will be out and about tomorrow again, not sure if I shall make it here in the morning or not. In case not, you know why.

Getting to be bedtime, so will be saying bye to all, and hope you have a great maeN. Hugs to all with extras.

Hello to all my friends (whether we have met or not) here in SA9A! Another late night here, so I'll probably be brief!

Hi, Victoria, Broni, Gail, CynB, V Viv, Tami, Rolanda, Brenda, June, Theresa, Heidi, Equanimous

Have a good and relaxing weekend, Victoria!

June, you have had a busy day! Have you finished packing? {{{HUGS}}} for you and your friend!

Theresa, it certainly sounds like your plate is full! {{{HUGS}}} for you and your daughter coming your way!

Broni, I liked your story about telling your mother about moving!

Gail, your Mum was right! I doubt that anyone would have listened if our parents had told us what raising children would be like.

Tami, I love your brownie recipe! If only I had the knack for when to take them out of the oven, I'd have a chance of doing OK. Do you have a similar recipe for the oatmeal cookies? Your house must smell wonderful on the days you bake when your hubby and Dylan wake up in the morning!

Rolanda, I hope your niece and little Steven Jai are all settled in at home now!

Cyn, what WONDERFUL news for your sister! I'm glad the doc was right!

June, I'm glad you were able to bring in your orchid so can enjoy it! Will it stay in the house while you are on holiday?

I'm SO sorry, but I am falling asleep and can't remember what I've read on page 357. I shall re-read tomorrow!

Sending positive vibes, , {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and prayers to everyone! Good Night!

Good Afternoon to all my friends.
More (((((HUGS__)))) for everyone, even if you don't need them.

Chicken and egg in bed, chicken has head on pillow smoking.Egg rolls over annoyed saying "I guess we answered that question"

She visits! And with a bang too (pun intended)...

MizT, I didn't get to the cake today, probably because I looked in the mirror and thought that I had better do some walking soon....

Julie, I have a wongerful recipe for anzac biscuits, which are made out of oats. Unfortunately although you can be the oats out of a box, the rest of it comes in jars and stuff...

hi folks...
bye folks...
still haven't caught up on the reading..one of these days...

Hugs to everyone whether you need them or not.

Uneventful day here today, good practice for my equanimity. My goal for next time I see her is that my reactions will stay in check for a few hours instead of just until I get to my car.

Julie, oatmeal cookie recipe came out of a pouch. Follow directions on back and back I have baked from scratch but don't have much time anymore. Mitchell wants to bake cookies from scratch so one of these days I will have to buy all the stuff and help him. He wants to learn to cook and I am not going to stop him.
Equanimous, post the recipe for anzac biscuits. They sound good.
{{{{{ HUGS}}}}} to all who need them. I will try to come back later.

I just read my post above and it should read "Follow directions on back and bake My excuse is that it is early in the morning and I haven't had my first cup yet. Pot is brewing.

Maybe I should post one more time. It seems that nobody is here but me so I will have to talk to myself.