Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Have a nice day Broni.
Heidi, enjoy the performance. take it easy with the headache and hope you feel OK for tomorrow night. If you are sick you do not have to go, even if you are on the Hospitality Committee. No matter what we think we can all be done without when push comes to shove.

Hi, Everyone!

Heidi, I hope the headache doesn't escalate and that the performance of 'It's A Wonderful Life' is - wonderful! I'm sure the young people involved will be pleased that you attended! Hopefully a good night's sleep will help keep the headache somewhat moderated while you attend the Christmas meeting/dinner/party at the Lion's Camp Crescendo! Your schedule is sounding as full as ours! Remember to take care of yourself!

Hi and Gekko, Broni! I hope you and JD's brother have a fun visit with the grandkids. This is definitely a child kind of holiday - and can be more fun with well-behaved kids than with only adults! Enjoy!

June, your TOPP is good advice for all of us! We are not indispensable and probably won't be missed as much as we think/hope if we miss a meeting or special gathering. I hope you're feeling well and enjoying the weekend!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, , and healing energy for everyone!

The play was truly wonderful! The lead actor was the son of some friends of ours, and he was incredibly good. He's planning on going into the theater in New York as soon as he graduates. He's a drama major. In his previous play he played the titular character in Hamlet. I can see him succeeding even on Broadway. In a few years, you may be hearing about Taylor Litton. (Boy, does time fly. I remember going to his mother's baby shower for him like it was yesterday. )

I need to water the birds, then off to bed. Busy day tomorrow.

I can't seem to get rid of this headache. It's borderline migraine, and making me nauseous. I'm thinking that I will skip the Christmas meeting/party. I'll make up my mind within the hour.

Greetings friends, I hope the day, evening is going well for each of you. I think I have finished gift wrapping, unless I go shopping again. OH, I do have to wrap a 20'x20' cushion I covered for Tanya, I looked for a gift bag, but did not see one that large. Do not have a box that big either. I hope I think of something soon, I am ready to get the box of wrapping paper and ribbon out of the living room.

Made some split pea soup, I wanted it with ham, but also vegetables, so I combined a vegetarian recipe with the regular ham and split pea recipe, it is good. Not as high carb per serving now, which is a good thing.

Nothing else going on now. I am planning a trip down the block to the pain doc office Monday. they have NOT got the MRI scheduled, so I can have the epidural block. they keep sending me reminders to call for an appointment. when I call, no one seems to know anything about it, IF I can get a real person. Usually it is 'no one is available to take your call, please leave a message'. Messages are not being answered. I hope showing up in person will get this straightened out. In the 4 days they have had to get this done, I could have had the MRI, and the epidural and been feeling better already.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, and hope the countdown till Christmas is going well for you.

I am OK. I did not go into the City today and I have never visited the Lindt Café. I do know where it is and I have visited Martin Place many times.

Greetings, All!

I am so glad you were not in the city, June. Sending prayers for the hostages and the police personnel hoping to get them out safely.

Heidi, I hope your headache is better!

MizT, the soup sounds good! Tree is up here, most presents purchased online and have arrived, but no wrapping yet and no Christmas cards.

Sending lots of , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , positive thoughts, prayers, and healing energy for everyone!

Hope everyone down your way is safe June.

Broni, I do not know anyone involved in the siege.

Big day at bowls tomorrow. Our Christmas lunch and entertainment. I am in charge of the entertainment. We are doing synchronised swimming (4 ladies between 70-80) I am not taking part. Another friend and I are doing a 'An Abbott and Costello buying a computer' a take on 'Who's on First'. We talk to one another on the phone so we can just read the script.
I have defrosted the puddings and cut them into 12 pieces, then rewrapped. I have carved a half ham, sliced the turkey loaf, and got every thing else done that I had to do.
Must go and charge my camera batteries.

Looking forward to seeing the photo's June. Sounds like a blast. I remember seeing a You Tube with guys on stage doing a sync swimming number that was so funny but you did require agility.

Today is turning out to be a great late fall day here in Alabama. Temp is already 56*F and still climbing. Abundant sunshine, no wind, just a lovely day. I took a quick ride in my chair down to the pain clinic, I now have an appointment tomorrow for the MRI that is needed before the epidural block is done. The young lady was most helpful, she had sent the request on Tuesday last week, so she got them on the phone and got it scheduled. I could have gone today if I had transportation, but did get it scheduled for tomorrow. Daughter had a doc appointment herself today and would have been difficult to schedule them both.

this afternoon here at EP we will have a Dirty Santa party. I found a suitable gift, got it wrapped, and now have 3 hours to get beautiful. It might take that today eheheh, and beautiful is a bit of a stretch, but clean and neat is doable.

June, your party sounds like a lot of fun. I too will be looking for the photos. So happy you were not in city center when the hostage situation took place. I am also praying for a good outcome for this.

Julie, sounds like you have a good handle on your Christmas preparations. Wrapping gifts was once my favorite thing to do, and I did some very elaborate bow making, with all kinds of additions. there was one I did for my Mom, with wide gold ribbon and a lovely golden hued rose and rose bud, she liked it so much she gave it back to me to use again and again. that was always on Mom's gift, she knew at a glance which was hers hehehe. I found a similar small one with the same type rosebud, in with my Christmas decorations, it is on my tree as a reminder. That is why I love decorating my tree, each ornament has so many memories with it. It is much harder now to wrap gifts, and I often use gift bags now, my hands just do not cooperate, I have to wrap then rest, which is not as easy as when I turned my sewing room into Santa's workshop for the season. Al had made me a hanging rack to hold my paper and wired ribbon rolls, that made wrapping so much easier, and so much fun. Of course no room for that when I moved, I do not even have room to store all my Christmas stuff here now. Such is life and it goes on.

Broni, I saw the same Youtube video I think, it was so fun. I am sure the ladies at bowls will do a great job.

Heidi, are you in bed with a migraine? Did you make it to the party? I hate when health things keep me from the holiday fun, I hope you got better and were able to attend.

It seems then new script for pain meds is working better, so far at least. I am keeping fingers crossed that continues to be true. I have missed to many of the entertainments we had here at EP. Missed dress rehearsal of a play at the theater next door, a couple of speakers we had, and 3 choirs that came to sing carols. I am planning on making 2 things this afternoon, a news journalist who will speak, and the Dirty Santa Party.

Time to get moving, I need to pack away all the gift wrap stuff and sto

Time to get moving, I need to pack away all the gift wrap stuff and store in the closet, and I am sure there is need to clean the kitchen, always in need. Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

Head is a bit better today. But my back is hurting a lot. I suspect the aches are due to a virus.

The closing is tomorrow at 2 pm. Debbie is so thrilled. This will be the end of a lot of her problems. She deserves a lot better than she's gotten in her life.

Heidi, pleased for you and Debbie. You must be great friends.
Our party went off very well and the entertainment was a hoot. I am very tired. Ken is playing Bridge and the bridge group (with spouses) are going to a Thai restaurant tonight. So pleased I do not have to cook.

Just a brief hello to everyone tonight. Took time out today to attend the annual Christmas gathering hosted by the former principal of the elementary school our children attended and where I worked for 19 years. (She had retired quite a few years before I was transferred to a different school. I think she's in her late 80's now.)

Sending prayers, positive thoughts, , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and healing energy for all! I hope tomorrow is a feel-good day for everyone!

What a fun Dirty Santa Party (aka take away) we had! More residents attended this than any other event ever except T-giving and Christmas dinners! There were 40 people present. Some very fun and even silly gifts, someone brought a can of soup hehehe. The most popular gift, which was taken away more than 10 times, 2 ladies having it in their possession twice (but neither one having it at end of the game) was a lovely soft coral colored hand knit shawl. Sue makes these, she has a knitting machine, and is what she does to entertain herself. I was asked several times if I gave the shawl, because I have one just like it! Sue gave it to me a couple years ago when I was helping her at a rummage sale. I was cold and borrowed one she had for sale to keep warm, and she gave it to me! I have worn it enough that people remembered it. Now two of us shall be wearing one. There was a pickle ornament, a plastic 'flower' lei, a red high heeled shoe Christmas ornament ( one of the men had this for a while) a very funny winter hat with a snowman head and the long ties, reindeer antlers to wear, and some very nice gifts in the mix too. I received a red, white and green knit Christmas Stocking. I took this away from a friend who had had the shawl and I thought she really wanted it. I had a pretty high number, thought if I took her gift she could reclaim the shawl, but she did not, bummer. People were even telling her, get the shawl again, but she got a new gift instead, so that did not work out as I thought hehehe.

My friend Mary chose the gift I took, because she liked the silver box and bow. I took a silver tree ornament that could have a photo inserted, I had 4 of them, and do not have room for all of them on my small tree now. I still had it in the silver presentation/storage box, just added a wired ribbon silver bow and it looked pretty nice.

I did make the trip to the pain clinic to straighten up the MRI appointment. I have one for later today now, they never received the fax requesting it, I think, cause the young lady said she would re send the request. Could have done it yesterday afternoon, but daughter needs to take me, and she had a doc appointment yesterday afternoon. Besides, I would have missed the party .

JULIE, your party sounds nice, I am glad you were able to go. It is always nice to see old acquaintances again.

JUNE, how nice you did not have to cook dinner after the bowls party. I am sure everyone enjoyed the entertainment, hope to see the photos soon.

Heidi, I am glad you are over the worse of the headache, but no fair exchanging it for a back ache! I hope that gets better soon. I do hope all goes as planned for the closing today. what a great gift you have given to Debbie, the security of a roof over her head, that is priceless.

I am out to water the flowers in containers. I have one pot of pansies that have not bloomed. they get sunshine and water, so I shall give them fertilizer once again to see if they

I am out to water the flowers in containers. I have one pot of pansies that have not bloomed. They get sunshine and water, so I shall give them fertilizer once again to see if they will bloom for me.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

That's done. It went smoothly. The house and property are now mine and Debbie's. I'm keeping it in my name for a reason. Debbie's husband is a real jerk (we refer to him as Boob instead of Bob) and she is seriously thinking about divorce. If the house was in her name, Boob would fight to get half of it, forcing her to sell and become homeless. If the place legally belongs to me, he can't touch it, and Debbie is protected.

I've got the Christmas tree home. It's a gorgeous 7 ft Frasier Fir. I just have to talk IH into carrying it into the house for me.

The tree sounds fabulous Heidi. I love the smell of fresh pine but they are not practical to have inside with our climate. They quickly die and there are needles everywhere.
I am having a day at home catching up with wrapping presents and finishing my cards.
Your party sounded fun Tricia.

At last, I got the MRI done today. My appointment was for 3:45, the test takes only 20 minuets, but we did not get out of there until 5:30. they were running so far behind, no apology, no explanation. I am glad that is over. Before I went back, Tanya and I were talking about what to do for dinner, when I came walking out, her first words were Mom, you are in no shape to go home and prepare dinner. I must have looked rough. she offered dinner out, I asked that she prepare something from the freezer for us when we got home, did not feel like eating out, just get me n=home kind of thing, for my meds and for my heating pad and recliner. by the time she had out=r food thawed and heated, I was feeling MUCH better.

I got a letter from the hospital radiology dept, they want a second look at my boobies. First time that happened, many years ago, I was a nervous wreck waiting for results of that second and once even third look, by now so accustomed to it that it does not phase me. I wish they would just get the old pictures from Shelby where I went last year and compare. Heck, they are digital now and can be sent via e-mail, what's so hard about that?

Heidi, a very good reason for the house not to be in Debbie's name. You did good, taking care of her not only now, but in the future also.

June, I read the recipe you sent and replied in e mail. Thanks for sending it, I enjoyed reading about Christmas Pudding. Hope you enjoy your day home and get all the wrapping done today. Like you, I still need to do a few cards, mostly to friends here in the building, and those are hand delivered, slid under the door. I have been finding cards in my entry way this week

Hugs again, till tomorrow.

Finished the cards I want to post tomorrow. They still have to be stuck down, address stamped on the back and stamps attached. I have 60 stamps so hope that is enough. Ken can do some of that while he watches TV.

Hi, Everyone!

Tonight was my cello teacher's annual holiday concert & party. Every student (and families who are able) are expected to play a Christmas, holiday, or seasonal song. The teacher thinks it's the 40th year. Our daughter started as her student 30 years ago, so we know it's at least 30 years. I played a duet with her - Frosty the Snowman. Well, I guess you could call it a trio, because we were accompanied on the piano. The pianist teaches piano and composition at the music school and has his doctorate. He played with no music, no rehearsal. I just let him know what key we were playing in, and he played with us.

Tomorrow is my cello lesson, so I need to do a lot of practicing, as I've spent a lot of time this week with Frosty. My mind goes blank while I'm playing and I usually remember very little of what happened. I also feel my face getting warmer and warmer. Hubby thinks I forget to breathe. (Yes, it's very stressful for me.)

June and MizT, so glad you're doing well with your Christmas cards!

MizT, the Dirty Santa party sounds like fun. Too bad your plan didn't work out.

Heidi, I hope you're feeling better and IH brought the tree into the house. Will he help with the decorating?

It's time to call it a night. Sending positive thoughts, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, and for everyone!

I was having a lovely sleep but leaning over doing the cards ahs effected my neck and I have pains and pins and needles going down my arms and fingers. I will take some Panadol and go back to bed.

June, I am so sorry the card writing has stirred up the neck problem once again. I do hope you got back to some much needed sleep. Perhaps next time you should take more breaks from the same position? Easier said than done, I know from experience, we get started, we just want to get finished. Feel better tomorrow.

OH JULIE, you must remember to breathe when you play! Is it playing for an audience that is so stressful, or is it just playing at all? How many students preformed at the party? And I am a bit unclear who you played a duet with, your daughter or your instructor? I hope you were able to enjoy the rest of the concert after you played, even if you were not able to enjoy the parts before your turn. The pianist is talented to be able to accompany you with no rehearsal at all.

I have a few phone calls to docs to make today, then scrabble this afternoon. One thing and then another, I have not played in 3 weeks. first was day before Thanksgiving and a couple of the ladies were out of town. Once it was called off cause one was playing in a Mahjong tournament that day, and another was not feeling well. Two handed scrabble is not as fun. Last week I just did not feel up to it, I think they played without me, so I must make it today. I have missed my friends!

I really think my current bottle of medication is working much better than the last. Until recently it was all the same, but for last 6 months I can tell a difference from month to month. I am very happy this month seems to be some good meds that work.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

I got back to sleep and feel OK this morning. hair appointment this morning and the lady comes to vacuum.
Pleased you have a good bottle of meds this time Tricia.
Relax Julie. You are playing for your enjoyment.

Yes, Julie. You started playing the cello for your enjoyment. Why play if it stresses you so much? I'm a bit confused here.

I'm about to bring in the tree myself. If I wait for IH to do it, it'll be after the New Year.

OK.... the tree is inside and in the stand in the living room. Now I just have to decorate it.

Oh, yeah. Debbie took some pictures of some necklaces I made, while we were at the Crestwood Festival disaster...aka the party that nobody came to. I'm going to post a pic or two on my page.

Greetings!

June, so sorry that your card-writing efforts aggravated neck, arm and finger pains! I hope you were able to get enough sleep before officially starting your busy day.

MizT, seems you also had a busy day. Hopefully the scrabble game was enjoyable.

Heidi, will IH at least help with the tree decorating? Hopefully dragging the tree in and getting it in the stand securely didn't upset your back too much. I will look for the pictures of necklaces after posting. I imagine Debbie must feel that a weight has been removed from her shoulders. You are a good friend.

Clarification about the holiday party: I played the duet with my teacher. (She was our D's cello teacher throughout elementary and high school.) The pianist who accompanied us is brilliant. I found out today that he has a PhD and is a world renowned pianist. All I did was tell him what key we were playing in, and he accompanied us with no piano music - and not even a chance to look at our music. Yes, I play for my enjoyment. However, I don't enjoy performing. The string orchestra I play in just learns to play the music, but doesn't perform. The same goes for the quartet I play in. My teacher has been accommodating and know I have no intention of performing. It's just that all of her students are expected to play at the holiday party (for fun) and in her final concert, and a few performance classes leading up to the final concert as a sort of practice. I am willing to be a good sport, and hopefully set a good example for the kids (from age 3 to about 18), so I play when it's pretty much required. I'm just not particularly comfortable doing so.

And now, off to bed, as it's midnight, and had hoped to already be in bed (early alarm in the morning). Sending , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, and healing energy to everyone!

I got a call from the dentist's office. They had a cancellation and can get me in tomorrow to work on the leaky molar. Oh joy. I can't remember if that tooth has already had a root canal, but it probably has, since it doesn't hurt. I've already rescheduled this appointment 3 times due to illness and schedule conflicts.

I have a nice Boston Butt (pork roast) cooking in the oven. The house is smelling divine.

Enjoy your roast tonight Heidi. My dinner was a fail tonight. Tanya had bought some fish at the grocery, because she forgot to bring the fish she had bought for our lunch today. We were so tired after grocery shopping and last minuet gift shopping, we only brought in the cold things, and both of us took a short nap. that made lunch VERY late, and I had sandwich makings, so sandwiches it was. I tried cooking the fish, baking it as she had done in the past, but it was inedible. biggest fail I have done in a long long time! sure could use a serving of your roast Heidi, and I am sure you would share, but a bit of a long trip to come get it hehehe I had a vegetable dinner, which is not a bad thing, but I wanted fish

JULIE, the scrabble game yesterday was very nice. One of the ladies brought little gifts for each of us, a coffee mug filled with tiny cookies, hard candy, a papermint stick and a tiny tiny tangerine. One of the staff, whose office is across the hall from the meeting room where we play brought in a small blx of chocolates she had received as a gift. she cannot eat chocolate, triggers migraine headaches, so she brought it to us. So we snacked on chocolate and chatted and played our game. The second game was one of the lowest scoring ever. The only word I could make for first word was a 3 letter word, so was the second word, and it was very difficult all through the game to add a good word. Happens sometimes.

Heidi, glad you got the tree in and into it's stand. I hope you get it decorated. I imagine the tree smells good, real trees always do. I would bet dollars to donuts that Gil did not help decorate. Am I right Heidi? He does not seem like the decorating kind, or he would promise to help then disappear until it was finished. Tomorrow is make the sweet potato casserole day, then Saturday is our family Christmas. Rain is forecast tomorrow night, hopefully ending before we leave Saturday morning.

Tanya was dissapointed earlier this week when I told her a church was sponsoring our Christmas Dinner, so her help would not be needed. Today she talked to Jan, activities director, and Jan said much the same thing, that the church brought plenty of people to serve, but then said she could use help setting up the room before they arrived. So Tanya will be here Monday morning at 8:00 AM to help set up the room.

Nothing else going on here so I guess I am done. Hugs to each of you with extras, till tomorrow.

no, not papermint, but peppermint, too funny

bix = box

and spell check did not catch either of those, sorry.

Hello All....I'mmmmm Back....at least for now. All is going forward, but my Christmas preparation has been thrown off schedule. My grand daughter brought all of the zillion boxes into the house to sort out what we'd use this year, then got sick, we struggled along until I too became sick..meanwhile the house was a wreak, and Angelique still had school and I still had Jazz to care for...we were a mess...My daughter came after working all day to help out and we managed to finally get things done and to restore the house to some reminder of livable..Grand daughter is mending well and now getting into her baking, but still has to give me a hand with Jazz's care since I'm not doing as well. I've been to the doctor twice now and have another appointment for Monday. The meds help , but not enough and she tells me if the change isn't better by then I will need the hospital...not what I want...so I'm taking it easy, sleeping all kinds of crazy hours and length of times,and trying to follow what's going on here and the world...Glad things sound like others are having a better time than I right now, but I'll catch up soon. I hope to take some pictures and post of the decorations when I get caught up..I'll let you know. Keep the spirit bright where you are and it sounds as if you are doing it well..Stay well as possible..hugs and good vibes are included in this post if you wish ...plenty available. Peace.

Hi, Everyone!

Heidi, I hope the dental appointment went well! At least you had a nice roast to come home to!

MizT, too bad the fish didn't turn out well for dinner. How nice to have refreshments during your Scrabble game, even if the score was low! Enjoy your family Christmas dinner and the dinner for residents! It's nice that Tanya wants to help!

Mama, get well soon! I almost yelled that! You're wise to get as much sleep as possible! So sorry you and your granddaughter have been sick and delayed your Christmas preparations. Thank goodness your daughter cam to help!

Sending healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , and prayers for everyone!

Hi everyone,
Wishing you all the best for the festive season,
lots of love

Off to the dentist appointment. See you all later.

Mama, I am so sorry to hear how sick you have been. I know the last time I was at the doc, about 2-3 weeks ago, I was told they had a lot of very sick people who had to keep coming back again and again, as the reason the doc was behind schedule. There must be some nasty bug out there going around and it is at your house. I am glad Angelina did not get it, and that you are at least well enough to get to your computer today. I agree, you are doing the right thing, take your meds and sleep as much as you can. Let your body use all its energy to heal itself. I do hope Monday finds you much better, so a hospital stay is not needed, but sometimes the hospital is the best place. I know it is not what you want for Christmas, but it is best to get the care you need, no matter what the calendar says. You can have your Christmas Celebration when you are well again.

HI NOLA, sending wishes for your Holiday also. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Heidi, I hope your appointment at the doc goes well. Check in to let us know when you can.

I am baking sweet potatoes this morning, to make my potato casserole later today. My house is smelling good. I have on all the Christmas lights, as it is a cloudy day today and I need some light to cheer myself. We have a sing-along later today, I hope it is Christmas Carols today. There is a Christmas Movie on the big screen TV downstairs this afternoon. No One should get bored around here, hehehe.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

I spent several hours in the chair, without novocain. That tooth already had a root canal, and previously was a nightmare to numb, so we decided to skip that part. No pain, but being shaken up by the drill for so long exhausted me. I stopped at the mattress store on the way home to buy new mattresses for all the beds in the house (they had to order the ones I chose... they weren't in stock) and then I came home and slept for nearly 5 hours.

Poor Mamacita!!! I hope Santa gives you much better health for Christmas. You'ver been through way too much. (((((HUGS)))))

Heidi, I do hope the 5 hours of sleep revived you. I always hate it when they have to use the old vibrating drill.
Mamacita, so sorry that you are not well. I do hope that you feel much better soon.
We had a prawn and chicken night at the club last night, pizza the night before but it seems that I will have to cook tonight.
I am supposed to be cleaning up getting ready for Christmas but there are so many places need clearing and cleaning that I do a bit here and a bit there instead of getting at least one room cleared! I think both rubbish bits might be full when they go out tomorrow night.
Ken's birthday tomorrow and we will probably get Laura on Monday so I guess I had better get back to work!