Sudokuaholics Anonymous 9A

Actually, I think it may be a hedge hog.

Phil is SO cute, Julie. Thanks for sharing the pix. We don't have any more groundhogs on our farm. IH went on a shooting spree and knocked them all off. He doesn't like the big holes and tunnels they make in the pastures.

Julie... the price I got for the cow and runt were reasonable. Not great. I would have been much happier with $200 more for the cow, and wish I hadn't had to sell the calf. Her sale was a serious loss. If she hadn't been stunted, she would have been worth $1,500. Stunted so severely, she sold for $175. Them's the breaks. She was born with abscesses on both jaws. The Vet had to operate on her when she was a week old. There must have been some serious scar tissue or more abscesses inside preventing her from utilizing her nutrients properly. The people at the sale barn thought she was about 3 months old. She was actually 9 1/2 months old.

Suzi I wish you lived in Melbourne too but what is the reference to Bendigo...I've missed something again..

At the airport waiting for the plane. We leave at 18.05.
Ken left the new laptop in Sharon's car so she had to come back to the airport with it.
Seniors moment for him!
I am on the free airpoet computer.

Hi June! Have a wonderful trip! I hope Sharon makes it back in time.

That took so long to post I knew June would be gone before it went through! Blasted unreliable connection!

Bean, Mum is having surgery in Bendigo later this month and will be there for 2 weeks.

I keep coming back to look for messages. I was told 3.5 hours ago that hubby's niece has 2-3 hours.

Oh, no, Suzy! Are the children with her to say goodbye?

I don't know Heidi, but her mother is there. I haven't heard anything, but that could just mean they are all together and not near a computer.

Thinking of you buddy.
Give hubby a hug from us all.

The cynic in me is thinking her mother has left the hospital to get a drink. She has been an alcoholic for 50 years and I don't know that she would be able to control that urge while losing her daughter. I will probably hear something in the morning.

June, have a good flight. Richard would never have a senior moment like leaving a laptop in a car... he would probably forget me before his laptop.
Suzy,what can we say, we know that any news you get is going to be bad, but thoughts still going to you and all the family.

I heard a discussion on the tv a while ago, when they first started querying the autism/vaccination research, that there hasn't been an increase in the number of autism cases. Looking back at medical records there is a similar percentage of autism in all generations. I think what is happening is that we hear about more cases because communication is now so easy.
One of my nephews is autistic, he is 11yrs old.
My point in saying that is, you my far flung friends would never have known about him if this wonderful communication system didn't exist, which it wasn't readily available to everyone less than 15 years ago.

Just popping in for a quick "hello"!
Julie - love your Groundhog avatars!
OK - off for my hike in the woods with Cheryl and her dogs.
Hugs!

I remember as a child hearing a step-aunt tell my mother that I was autistic, and needed to be put in an institution. My mother did not defend me and say that I wasn't autistic. I was about 6 or 7 at the time and already badly abused emotionally. I had an idea what autism was and knew I wasn't. I just had no reason to love or trust people who treated me as if I was a non-entity. The above discussion was had right in front of me.

Suzy.... alcoholism is a genetic disease that controls it's victim's lives. The gene for addiction (yes, there is one) is usually combined with a lack of will power. The niece's mother can no more control her need for alcohol than her daughter could. Even at the hospital, with her daughter dying of it, the need for a drink overpowers what lesson she's learning. I really feel sorry for her.

Did i scare everyone away?

You must have, Heidi - I can't believe there are only 4 posts since I went to bed last night.
Good morning lovely SA people.

Computer probs this morning. Finally managed to get on to check for messages from BIL - but nothing there.

You're right Heidi, my SIL has spent almost her entire life as an alcoholic, yet until her health was badly compromised was never out of work and showed up every day. It's not a reflection of her character, but of her condition.

And I can't even stay and chat - I'm off to get something done with this awful head of hair that I have. See you when I look a bit more respectable.
No further news from Suzy??

Now I'm off to make sure these computer problems don't happen again - hope everyone is having a wonderfully fantastic day and that's why they aren't here!

Aha, there you are, Suzy.
It's a long wait for bad news, isn't it?

Sometimes bad news can wait. Good news never should.

Hi all, Cyn, I'm just back from the hairdresser and very pleased with what she has done this time.
Due to certain issues at the moment, I am unable to style my hair the way it was, so she has cut it shorter so it is just a blow-dry job, not a styling one, and she has changed the colour too. I needed help!

Gail, I am sure you look beautiful.
Suzy, thinking of you. Can't imagine having to wait for bad news. I hope the kids will be ok. Glad to know that at least someone wants them.

Don't remember anything else. I am tired and going to bed.

Darn, I've missed Tami again! It's only 8:11 PM here! I know, Tami, you and Mitchell are early risers for school!

Good Evening, Everyone! I hope everyone is well or getting better!

Greetings to Heidi, Bean, Suzy, Gail, Brenda, V Vici, CynB and Tami the T!

I have finally finished my evening meal - won't really call it dinner, but something thrown together. Last Friday was my last physical therapy session. I worked with a personal trainer on Monday and this afternoon. I took in my list of many of the exercises I was doing - except the upper body exercises, which I couldn't find, as I haven't had time to be doing them. The trainer has put together 4 plans incorporating aerobics, weights, and working pretty much the whole body. Today we went through the lists and she showed me which "machines" I would need to use and how to use them. My life, as I knew it before surgery, has changed! Looks like I need to be in the gym pretty much every day. In fact, the therapist and the physiatrist from the rehab hospital basically said I need to plan on exercising daily for at least the full year, then (maybe) can cut back a couple of days a week. Well, MAYBE I'll lose some of the weight I've been trying to get rid of for too long - if I remember not to eat. A doctor told me to limit myself to 700 calories a day, but that was before this workout schedule was devised.

I'm back, hopefully with computer probs fixed.

Julie! 700 calories a day! That's almost starvation levels... I'm glad you are starting the exercise program so you can at least look at food!

Gail, I bet your hair looks lovely. Do we get to see a pic?

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughts and wishes while we wait for news. I've sent an email off to my BIL letting him know that I am thinking of the topside family too.

Suzy, thinking of you and your hubby. By now, you may have heard, but whether you have or not, you know what to expect. It's a most difficult message to receive. Hoping for the best for his niece's children and remaining family members! Also thinking positive thoughts and sending positive vibes and prayers for your Mum's surgery in 2 weeks!

Brenda, I had heard that there are more diagnosed cases of Autism now, but your explanation that it has to do with the reporting and treatment may be the difference. We certainly know more of what is happening in our towns, country and around the world with our internet connections!

Vici, I hope you and Cheryl and her dogs had a wonderful woodsy walk!

Heidi, I can't imagine that conversation taking place in front of you. I assume your mother and the step-aunt must have believed that you wouldn't understand what you were hearing. Thank goodness you are as strong and as resilient as you are! I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you!

I can't wait to "see" CynB and Gail! You both got new "dos" today! Gail has a new color, I see, and a shorter, easier do! I must admit that shorter hair tends to decrease the time needed to get ready each morning.

Tami, sleep well and have a great day tomorrow!

Have I missed you, Suzy? I guess you're still waiting for new. She must be quite strong - to have not missed work over the years. Maybe she's fighting more than was expected. Hopefully her children will learn something from that!

I'm off to spend an hour or so in front of the TV with hubby. Hope to be back later.

Drat! Refresh the screen and Julie disappears...

I read a news article yesterday that said there actually weren't more cases of autism, just more discussion of something that used to be taboo. I'll have to search for it again to find out the sources because that contradicts everything I've heard. I only had a chance to glance at it last time I saw it.

I believe children with autism used to just be classified by most as mentally retarded and sent to institutions for their lives. The families wouldn't talk about them. Now people keep their children with problems with them and try to help them. The internet does help a lot. Besides access to more information, people now can find support groups for any problem they have.

Hello my friends.
Cyn and Gail you look bootiful!
Wow Julie, you won't know yourself a year from now, sure it will all be worth it.
Zusy, hugs to you and your family. Hope your mother's op goes well later this month.
Was a very sad day for me yesterday, brought back a lot of memories and many tears. Going to catch up with her hubby in a couple of weeks when things settle down, you never stop loving them.
June hope you are travelling safely.
Heidi you have been made such a strong person, just don't forget we care about you.
Oh well! Hi Ho! Hi Ho! it's back to work I go.

Did Dumber return from his ski trip?

{{{{{{{Broni}}}}}}

Sorry I disappeared, Suzy. Hubby and I usually watch CSI (Thursdays) and CSI New York (Wednesday).

Broni, sending lots of warm hugs. So sorry yesterday was difficult for you, but I guess to be expected. Wonderful idea to check back in with her hubby in a few weeks!

Hugs to every one.

Just a Quik hello........