Sudokuaholics Anonymous 7

Sorry about the delay.Hubby son DIL & 3 kids just left for a 4 day shooting trip out west.3 am arrived here,but the cat decided to have an accident on one of the twins,so it was in the shower for him while Mum was trying to find clean clothes in the fully packed car in the dark.There were a few tense moments.They finally left here 45min later.I am alone now with 4 dogs(again) and a cat.Me and my big mouth saying I would look after them.Will have a quiet day until sis comes over to stay with her 2 dogs as well.

oh goodie..I got a TOPP.
You can come back now Heidi.

Let's see now.... A rake. A trowel. A book by an extreme right-winger (door stop? fire starter?). A pair of slippers for narrow feet (mine are extra extra wide). And an ugly lounge outfit (who has time to lounge, or the energy to change clothes to do so??) My gift to myself was those 4 Red Angus cows.

Now to dress and cook the turkey.

At least you will enjoy the turkey!

My christmas gift to everyone, an updated TOPP list:
24-Suzy
22-Tami
17-Julie
15-June
14-eaa
10-Dizzy Lizzy, CynB
9-MizTricia
8-Rolanda
7-Gail
6-Stella, Viv
5-Brenda, Nola
4-Mariana, Heidi, Vici, Broni
3-Judy, Mamacita, Bean
2-Becky, vdV
1-Rena

Don't you EVER sleep, Nola? I'm starting to worry about you.

Here you are, a bit late but it is still Christmas at my house! Since I will not be able to get to every page with a greeting, please go to AOL greetings to pick up your holiday card!

http://greetings.aol.com/view.pd?i=100876498&m=1630&rr=y&source=aolc999



Hugs to you all!

I am ok Heidi...would have slept in longer but for the family leaving early on a shooting trip.
Probably catch a nap later on.Dont worry about me,I will enjoy the little time by myself for a change.

Loved your card MizT

Morning all! Merry Christmas topsiders!! I hope you are having a fantabulous day!

MizT, sorry you didn't get to have dinner with family, but your one at home sounds scrumdidliumptious anyway. Loved your tale of the xmas lights from a plane. I would never have thought that you would be able to see them other than during take off and landing. Amazing! We did our annual lights pilgrimage on xmas eve and it was a little sad. Although we still found the houses with magnificent displays, santa and lollies to give away, there were hardly any of those houses with just a few lights. You know what I mean - icicles on the eaves etc. Luckily on the way home Ebob asked if we had 'done' the west. I was falling asleep at the wheel and still had wrapping to do when we got home so really did not want to go there, but then thought why not. It was lovely! A great way to finish the trip...

I saw on the news how lots of people are stranded at airports in the US from the snow.What a way to spend christmas.I feel sorry for them being so distressed.

Heidi, to avoid the disappointment on those years when hubby messes up and buys me things I really don't want(getting fewer as time goes along) I always buy a couple of little things that I really do want but wouldn't 'waste' money on usually. I give them to him to wrap for me!

Nola, are the shooting trips also camping trips? Sleeping in tents, drinking billy tea?? I'd be finding a kennel so I could go along - except for the shooting bit.

Suzy...they are staying in shearing quarters on a 25'000 acre property to shoot wild bore,ferral cats and fox's,all of which are a pest to this cattle farmer.They have electricity,fridge,fans,beds and all they had to take was food and linen.Bit of a luxury really but not my kind of scene.I like my bed,air con etc.They were all excited about it though as they love camping and fishing.It is also on a river that goes for miles and it is all to themselves.

The farmer has shifted from sheep to cattle hence the unused quarters.

think I spelt bore wrong but you know what I mean.

Hmmm, think I'd prefer tents, but shearing quarters would be a new thing for me so fun too.

Many many years ago I stayed on my grandfather's property and he asked me to shoot some wild things for him. I had never used a gun so enjoyed learning how, but found I couldn't bring myself to aim at the critters no matter how much of a pest they were... I'd be useless as a farmer!

Your xmas sounded like a wonderful day!

Ours was quieter than it has been for a few years, which was nice, and the girls were very happy to spend their time exploring their new 'stuff'. Ebob even hid in her room with her new book - she got Brisingr. Ally got The Key to Rondo. (I think that's how you spell it, might have 2 ns or ds)

I also couldn't kill anything,well maybe a toad.They reakon that the wild pigs with there tusks have ripped open his horses belly,can be very nasty.Suppose they could do it to his cattle to.
I actually hate camping.Went once in the Atherton tablelands near Cairns and most of us got sick with a virusy thing which did it for me.I did like Kuranda though.

I am looking forward to next year when daughter hubby and her girls will be back in Bundy and we will have a family christmas.Haven't had Hubby,me son daughter and their kids all here together ever.Last xmas the twins were just out of hospital as they were very premmie and I had to work.

We try to go camping once a year, though some years hubby's holidays and the weather just don't seem to match properly! I still remember the first time we went camping when we got back to Oz. We couldn't believe that the camp ground had a huge TV, microwave, sinks with running water, kettles, and a heated pool. Not my idea of camping! I like to have showers and toilets, but figure I can watch TV and cook in a microwave at home....

Sounds wongerful Nola! I wonder what our xmas will be like when ours have grown and left home...

I used to be very much against killing pest critters too. but then I saw what they can do if unchecked. I don't shoot anything for the fun of it. But when it comes down to a choice between them or the animals that I'm responsible for, I found the nerve to do it.

I am just glad there are people who can do it like you Heidi.
Even killing something to eat would be unthinkable to me so I am glad we have butchers!!

I think I'm gonna take a nap.

Hello Heidi - if I actually was a farmer I might overcome my squeamishness, but then I might just be an awful farmer! Farmer seems the wrong word, but my brain isn't awake enough yet to come up with anything better.

Have a good rest Heidi...do you have your turkey cooking?

Just rescued one of my shoes from Pauls (son) boxer pup! bet he is going to destroy something while I am at work tomorrow.

hehe Nola. It's not like you can lock everything in the house away either! Just have to hope nothing much loved is the victim of the puppy's explorations...

I've been off visiting the birthday pages - takes me ages because I like to visit the photo galleries while I'm there - and was stunned to see what time you were posting there today! Hopefully you will be able to sleep later while your family are away.

Did you see Pata's amazing photo of a dog with one green and one red eye?

Saw the dog,quite unusual ah!Excuse my ignorance but where is PA.Pennsilvannia?

now I just found a knob off something on the floor...maybe from a tube of cream or perhaps the stereo?cannot imagine the havoc he could create in 8 hours if he can do this in half an hour while I am here...hehe

I think so Nola. I should know, having lived in the States for 10 years, but I forget a lot of stuff. Another thing to add to the list of things my children should know. Every year I resolve to make sure they learn more about the US, and then get so busy that they just get bits and pieces...

OMG Nola - I think I'd be locking him in the laundry, though maybe 8 hours is too long for that.... thinking of options.... take him to work?

My son wants to go and live in the US.His cousin lives in Florida and married an American girl,he is a helicopter pilot and can make more money over there than in Oz.
Paul (son) believes in the gun laws there,but without being political and get shot down,I would rather not have any.
You must miss the US do you?Your kids will probably grow up knowing more about the US than you think as it would be part of the upbringing you had.

I work in aged care and have enough wee to clean up there hahaha

I have learnt a lot about the US since Steve moved over there and through this site.My brother and SIL are visiting Florida now.SIL is from Scotland and have learnt lots from there too.
The computer puts the world at your feet doesn't it,without the travelling.

I lived on the other side of the country - I married a Californian. Our girls were born there and even though we moved here when they were 7 and 4 people still comment on their accents. d1 has a friend who was born here but her mother is from Texas - this friend's accent is so strong that you'd swear she just moved here last year!

Well I am going to have a nap shortly after letting the dogs out.We had a thunderstorm last night and just had another shower making it very humid.Think I will put the air con on again and relax.It is so quiet here.Catch you all later.Bye

I do miss a lot of stuff, but it was nice to come home too. And I really came home - back to the town I grew up in! I would love to visit the states soon....