Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Had a good nights sleep. Body clock now adjusted. In the bus most of the day. Knee is \ok which I was worried about after all the stairs yesterday.

Still working on my adventure site.


Quote for the TOPP:
Be Honest with those you love.

Greetings friends, it is a ovely tuesday morning here, cool, breezy, sunny. My floor cleaner person comes today, I am hoping she oes better today than last month. I was her first client in this facility, not sure she had been a cleaner before, I think she had worked as a sitter, she just did not have a good idea of what she was to do. Hopefully in the last month of cleaning for clients here, she has figured it out

Sunday, Tanya and I finished the containers that go in front of the azaleas on one wall of the garden. Nothing of interest there except for the 2 weeks the azaleas are blooming. that is where I put 3 shepherds crooks, with 6 hanging pots, plus a large container in front of each crock. We got the last 2 of those large, 20 inch containers planted Sunday. So a total of 8 blooming pots, one had wandering Jew in it, those all a lot of color to a very shady dull part of the garden.

Gee, just had to correct 9 typos in the previous paragraph, that might be a record hehehe.

I need to be off, finish my breakfast, wash up dishes and de clutter the table fore the cleaning lady comes. Hugs to each of you, and will try to respond to other posts later.

Just a quick call in. Thinking of you all.

The ear infection has now segued into the inner ear. The whole world seems to be spinning, and I can't keep my balance.

And I had to put the oldest collie... Izzy... to sleep.

Oh Heidi - you are having a horrible time. Hoping things get better for you - they can't seem to get worse. Do you have a date for your epidural yet? I find it hard to imagine what it would be like to be in constant back pain, coupled with ear infection. RIP to Izzy. So good to see you are going ok Mamacita. And MizT - you amaze me with your garden - how much enjoyment you get and with Tanya also. June and Broni - have fun on your adventures and wish you stay safe. Will post again later - work as usual beckons.

He's baaaaack.......

Oh Heidi...it seems to be one thing after another for you to deal with, and it must be a hard slog for you, with all you need to do in keeping the farm running smoothly. I feel so sorry for you with not only YOUR health but to have Izzy's passing, adding to your woes.

The epidural is scheduled for Monday morning, May 4th, at 10 am. I don't know if I'll make it. I'm on crutches now because my left ankle is is massive pain and I can't put any weight on it. My left ankle has been broken twice, and I suspect it's pain radiating down from the back. And the ear is now oozing chocolate brown colored fluid.
Back to bed. I had to feed and water the birds.

Hi DorA. Hi Nola.

June and Broni.
I am glad you are having a good time on your adventures.
10 days now, until I leave Bundy on our US trip.
Son and I, will spend the previous night to the long flight, in Brisbane. SIL, will take the car to his brothers place for safe keeping, (and free parking). I am getting excited now, and still have lots to do. Watching the US/Aust $ daily for a slight increase....haha Oh well, thems the breaks.

Heidi..could you get someone in to do some paid help eg make you both a meal, feed the animals?
How about asking some cousins, or neighbors that you are always doing favors for?
You are the 1st one to offer help to others and maybe are due for payback, and they would love to help if only they knew. Just a thought.

Sorry, that I have to keep making short posts so as not to loose them.
Tricia..spring, would be a pleasant time for you and those who enjoy the garden, as all the flowers start to emerge after the winter. I wish that I had more time to do all that I would like to do.
Son, loves chillies.He was given some, and he planted the left over seeds in pots,and we have hundreds that germinated. I doubt if they will survive the 3 weeks that we will be away though.
Midge..hoping you are coping well also.

Mamacita..hope you are OK, Did you get a private message from me?

Thinking of you all.

Hey all...just a note to let you all know that the meet between Nola and I will happen...yay! Yes Nola..I got the messages and have responded Will send an email shortly.

A very busy day in Krakow. First down the salt mine and then walking around the castle and old town with it's cobbled streets. My knee is now protesting. Actually I can hardly walk across the room. More medication and arest tonight and should be OK tomorrow. Not much driving tomorr9w as we drive to Budapest. It is a great trip. Some showers today but it has now cleared. We are not going out tonight.
Heidi, go get that epidural, even if Gil has to carry you or you get out the wheel chair. Get well again soon.
Nola, have agreat trip.
Hi to everyone else. This computer is slow.(like me!)

At least I'm able to walk with a cane now. ... but nothing else has changed. At least I finally have health insurance again... and at a reasonable rate.

Heidi, Two more sleeps till your epidural. I hope the days and nights go by quickly for you. Congrats on graduating to the cane, hope that is sufficient till after the epidural. thanks for dropping in with short messages to let us know how you were. Hugs to you, dear friend.

June, I do hope the day on the bus helped with your knee pain. You did a lot for sure, and hope the rest restored it to good health so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.

Mama, Nola, so glad you two shall meet on her trip to USA. I know you will enjoy it, I have never met an internet friend I did not enjoy tremendously, and feel sure you two will experience the same.

Hi Broni, so glad you have time in your busy roaming life to think about us. I think about you also, and am enjoying the few photos you have posted on TOS. Some lovely spots you have set up camp. Enjoy for me too, please.

NOLA, post as many short posts as needed, we do not mind. I do understand about loosing posts before you can send them. Yes, I have enjoyed this spring, planting and having things grow. I found a support stick for the clematis vine, and it has attached itself to it. It will do until I can find something larger, wider, prettier to place there as it grows. I need to fertilize some of the containers today. I do think all the rain has washed away what fertilizer that was mixed with the potting soil. Nothing is growing as fast as expected. We will see if that helps.

Well, there is an exception to that. the ferns Tanya and I put outside on the front covered patio are growing. Lots of new lighter green fronds unfolding. I am so glad they overwintered so nicely, those $10 ferns I bought last spring are now $100 ferns, so big and lush. This is the first time since I have lived here, and from residents reports for much longer, that anything has thrived that was planted in those urns. Just takes finding a plant that likes the location, and then giving it the water it needs to thrive. those ferns are very thirsty, take one gallon each, twice a week. But they do reward us nicely for the expense in time and water.

that reminds me, when talking to my BIL last fall, I was just in from watering some of the garden with a hose, the part that is not covered with the on ground soaker hoses. I told him how relaxing I found it, sitting in a shady spot, and watching the water arc over the plants. He came back with, yes, it is, if you do not have to pay for the water hehehe. His water rates had just gone up, and he had just had a walk in soaker tub with jets, for his back, installed. It takes a lot of water and his bill was much more than he had budgeted for.

OK, shall post this fore I loose it, hugs to each of you, with extras.

At last, Social security has been notified that I lost the Extra Help from the state, and deducted my premium for medicare from my check. Not too bad, as it was for only 2 months, getting me caught up. In the mail I also got notice that my insurance was notified that I am no longer eligible for the policy I have. they sent some information for me to choose another plan. I have 2 months to choose, will be covered at the old policy till I choose. I think I shall delay choosing as long as I can, as it is going to be more expensive for every doctor visit, prescription filled, everything. I need to go over this and discuss with both Shannon and Joy to decide what I shall choose.

Linda here at EP has never phoned me for an appointment to turn in the paper work for her to figure my new rent. Rent is a percentage of your income, once medical expenses come off the income. Now I shall at least have proof of what my insurance expense will be. Just that figure will reduce my rent substantially. Glad she was slow to respond hehehe.

My bathing suit I ordered came, and it will not do. It is separates, a top that fits fine, but the bottoms have no stretch, no give to the woven fabric, and a waistband without elastic. That was not stated in the description, so back it goes and I must order something else. I did like the shorts bottom, it had a pocket with Velcro closing, a nice place to keep key to the room. Less than 2 weeks, I MUST get another ordered today, bummer.

I was asking my sister if we would have room for my walker, she said she has a roof rack. It can ride there if no room inside. Will be nice to have it going out to eat, a place to sit waiting in line for a table. It will be a good way to take all the stuff to the pool, it has a basket under the seat. Also there previously was a bird sanctuary with a board walk, I could use it there, IF that facility has been rebuilt. I am certain it was washed away in one or both of the hurricanes that came ashore since last time I was at the beach there, oh my so many years ago. Almost 30 years, back before I met Al. I started visiting there when Tanya was a preschooler, so that is almost 40 years ago! a lot can change even without a hurricane in that many years.

A lovely clear day today, and it will be a bit warmer today, but still not to 80. I need to get out and enjoy these temperatures, I missed several nice days this week. I have just not felt good, and Tanya reminded me yesterday just how long I have been saying that. Not sure what the doc can do for such a vague complaint, but perhaps I should give him a try. I also need to get an appointment with Joy's chiropractor. Often when I hurt for long periods of time, I find that something in my back will 'move' with a click and pain is immediately reduced. That is something he could help with I feel sure.

I am off to start my day, hugs to each of you, again. Never can get too many hugs hehehe

Hi all.
Wishing you all good health and happiness.
Getting down to the little details now as we prepare to leave Brisbane in 6 days.
As you can tell, I am very excited. Never been out of Australia before.
I paid for my membership ages ago, still not showing!

Contact Gath, Nola.

I'm able to walk... carefully... without a cane now.

Just under 19 hours until my epidural! I REALLY need it!

I leave for the epidural in 25 minutes!

Heidi, I hope today's epidural was a doozy, and you are now home resting to let it work as much as possible. I do hope you are feeling a LOT better now!

NOLA, I hope you have a wonderful trip, full of good things and safe travels.

Just back from a trip to the bank and a 'stop at Aldis for milk'. I came out with 10 or 11 items hehehe. Tanya who was with me was 'just going to look' and almost spent as much as I did. I realized that I missed the veggie man here today, was low on fruits and veg, so picked up those as well as the milk.

I also bought more clothes hangers. I found some flocked hangers at the dollar store, they cling to my tops so they do not fall off the hangers as they do now, even if I use a clothes pin to try to hold them on. I had bought some to try, but was not enough for all my shirts, so back today in hopes I now have enough. If not can always pick up more at a later date. I do like them, and they take up less room on the rod, so the closet does not look as crowded even with the same number of hangers. A win win for me .

I think it is nap time, a busy day today. We had a speaker this morning, from local TV station, their weather man came and did a nice presentation with computer generated graphics. He also gave away two weather radios, tiny things now, hand held and smaller than some of the smart phones. I need to purchase one, since I did not win. I did win one of Shannon's door prizes, a reusable grocery bag. She bribes residents to attend these educational programs with prizes and/or snacks. Today we had both! I needed the grocery bag, so many of mine have self destructed.

Last night we had the fire alarm go off again, with instructions to 'walk to the nearest exit, do not use the elevators, a problem has been reported'. this time I soon found out it was for real, as about 3 police cars and two fire trucks responded. A resident on third floor had burned dinner, her apartment filled with smoke. I do not think there was ever flames. I am proud of my floor, 4 of the 5 residents now living here went down and outside as required. that was more than all other floors combined! Our fifth resident on this floor was not home at the time, so we were 100% in compliance. I did take the time to get my medicine, especially the pain meds from my safe, to take out with me! I knew those could not be replaced if damaged, pain management will not replace meds for any reason!

I think I have time for a bit of a nap, walking today has left my hip complaining.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till next time!

The epidural was a humdinger! I'm back to resting now.

That fire alarm sounds exciting, MizT.
GOOD for your floor!
You're right... Pain Management does not replace medicines, because about everything they prescribe are controlled substances that would get big money from drug dealers.

Greetings to Everyone! As is so often the case, I have not been able to accomplish as much as planned, but have made some headway. In addition, I have made progress on memorizing the song my teacher wants me to play on the spring recital! I have a recording of the piano accompaniment and can adjust the speed, so have played through it over 30 times today at about 4 slightly varying speeds. There is a lot of shifting up and down the fingerboard, so pitch accuracy is a problem with the increasing tempo. Memory is also more difficult with the faster tempo. Because I'm a perfectionist, I tend to stop when I make a mistake, so playing with the recorded piano part is forcing me to keep going. I only have 10 days to make the necessary improvements.

Broni, I'm glad your adventures are going well. I guess I must not be your friend on TOS, as I don't recall seeing any photos so far. Enjoy each and every day of your journey!

June, your trip sounds very busy and strenuous. I'm glad you have been able to do so much walking, but am also glad you have been able to find time to rest and recuperate between. I hope you have good weather for most of the days of your trip. It seems you have timed it well to avoid the much hotter temperatures of summer!

Nola, how exciting to have the days counting down to your departure! Have a wonderful and safe trip! Enjoy your meet-up with Mamacita and please give her hugs from all of us!

Mama, will you please give Nola hugs from all of us, as well! How exciting that you will have the chance to meet! Enjoy your visit! In the meantime, I hope you and Jaz continue to experience good and improving health!

Heidi, I'm SO glad the epidural was a humdinger! I hope you can do a LOT of resting over the next few days and hope this epidural will last all the way to the next one! My condolences to you over the loss of Izzy. I know how much your animals mean to you. Take care of yourself, please.

MizT, you and Tanya have indeed been busy! All the flower and plants you have brought to EP must be cheering to you, as well as to the other residents! Congratulations to you and the other residents on your floor for excellent compliance to the fire alarm. Also, it's good to know you have a plan to retrieve the pain meds before exiting your apartment. I hope you will have a nice stretch of warm, but not humid weather, so that many of the aches will disappear!

Midge, I hope your health is improving and the dialysis is going well. I'm hoping that, since you mentioned work, you are able to do as much as you want without becoming exhausted. Stay well, please!

I see I missed Devil or Angel while I was taking a break from the computer. I hope he's well.

Time for some shut-eye here. Please feel free to take as many of the positive vibes, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and as you can use! Good Night!

Greetings friends. I have come to the conclusion that I have to many clothes in my closet! I found some flocked clothes hangers that are great for my shirts and knit tops. Mine always fall off the hangers I have, cause I do not like high necked shirts. Mine are either V necked or U shaped neck, therefore the opening is wider. I was even trying a clothes pin to keep them on the hanger and unless I used 2 pins, they would still fall off. If I moved the hanger, the pins would fall off, then the h=shirts would soon follow. Well, I bought 2 of those flocked hangers back last month to see if they would work. they grab onto the fabric and it does not slip, love them. So I first bought 20 more. Not enough, went back yesterday, without counting how many I might need, to buy 20 more. I decided on 24. Now if you are keeping score, that is 46 hangers. That is still not enough! In my defense, I do keep both summer and winter shirts and jackets hanging all year in my closet. I have a double rod and the top is for winter shirts and long pants, the bottom is for short sleeved shirts and capri pants. The only thing that goes to storage is winter weight long pants are changed out with light weight long pants for summer, one drawer, so they are still accessible in spring and fall when weather is changeable. I am almost finished with the summer shirts and many of the winter ones, but once I use up the remaining few hangers, I will get a count of how many more I need and make one more trip for hangers hehehe.

I DO try to get rid of shirts I do not wear, but find myself taking things back from the donate pile and hanging again. there are 2 shirts I have pulled out I know 3 times, long sleeved heavy weight striped knit, they are soo comfy, but now both too big and worn at the neck opening. they are now in my pajama drawer, I sleep in them winter. Just not ready to let them go. those are not the only ones either, Oh dear. But as long as I have room for them, no real harm done in keeping them, is there?? I do toss something each time I buy new, I have got rid of a lot of worn or too big or too small shirts, things that need repair that I am not going to make the repairs. I have just collected a lot of clothes over the years.

One of our residents here almost always dresses in black and white, rather dressy clothes. she had her own retail shop, selling to prom and mother of the bride, so the rule back many years ago, if you sold clothing, especially high end clothing, you wore black. She said she would never need them to work again, so she wears them daily here. she bought so that any top would go with any bottom, so they are many combinations available to her. She, like me, keeps clothes for many years, she still has most pieces she bought 20 years ago, and for all the years since. I gave her one shirt I had, that was given to me, but I just never wore it. It was a fake silk/pllyester sheer woven print, and I find that fabric to hot for me. I see her wearing tha

I see her wearing that as a light weight jacket over a sleeveless shirt, often. I am glad she is getting some use from it. I loved the look, but not the feel of it.

today is the day to do paperwork. I have to go through my checks and pull out any medical expenses for the year. It is time for re evaluation for my rent, which will change Sept first. This will be the second change, I should get one change as soon as she decides to phone me with an appointment to verify my change in income now. Always something to make like interesting

another sunny day here. the days are warming up, more nearly summer temps, into the mid 80's this week. That is up from highs of mid 60's to mid 70's lately. As Julie said, let's hope there is no increase on humidity yet, the low humidity has been so nice.

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

Happy Tuesday from here to wherever you may be...May the weather be cooperative and comfy, and may you feel well enough to enjoy the gift of life to its fullest.
What a great day to enjoy such nice newsy post from both Julie and MzT...Now Julie...you really gave us a good idea of things going on in your world with that post...and it was great...so very glad that while you haven't done all that you'd like, you have been able to move forward...we'd all like to do that. I'm sure that you will perform very well at the recital, however you will not be fully aware of just how well you do. It seems as if that happens to all of you who are perfectionist...sigh. The most important thing about your music that I see, is that it brings you joy and keeps you trying to do your best...and that's a good thing.I will be sure to deliver those hugs from all of you when Nola and I meet in a few weeks.
Heidi...I was reading and feeling encouraged as I read where you were able to again move about w/o aids before the epidural and simply elated to hear that the expectation is that this time, with continued rest, the long standing pain has been eased into what is your 'normal'. I do hope the relief is long lasting. I too send my condolences on the loss of yet another dog...they are all so loved, yet they are so lucky to live their final
years/weeks/or even days with loving, caring folk like you who share so much love and comfort for them. It is what we humans have to give to those who give so much to us.
Tricia...I love the way you seem to have your closet organized...now you just have to get your body in gear and feel well enough to come to my place for a visit and help me learn how to do this...like you I have lots of things that I just can't seem to part with, and little space to store them...but I keep trying...lol. Weather here the past few days has turned quite warm and is most welcomed.My flowers are staring to bloom nicely and when my daughter finds a day free where she can give me a hand....or hopefully two, I'll go to the garden shop and pick up several pots and flats to plant for the summer display under my kitchen window...I hope she soon finds the time because I look forward to seeing the color as I work around the kitchen.Happy to see DorA posting and am looking for more...Midge, always good to see your post when you can squeeze them on your busy and full plate.Well, I think I have rambled on for far too long, my hands are starting to tire of the typing just a tad, so I'll move on for now and give them a rest as I start to think about what I need to do other than sitting in front of this computer all day. Folks, enjoy all that we have been given and share the blessing with others. May the promise of Peace be ours. Hugs and healing vibes are yours for the taking. Until we meet on these pages or elsewhere....be well.

Mama, wish I could come up for a visit, that would be so great. You would like my closet if you like organization. My clothes hang sorted by color. I first did this back when I could never find what I wanted, in a closet that was not light enough to tell colors, like my dark blue from my black pants. Nothing was separated, just hung in as they came from the wash. I would find first a shirt, then look for pants to go with. Not finding any, I would see pants I liked, then look for a shirt, and 10 minuets later I still had not picked clothes to wear for the day. This was very time consuming. One day my entire closet had to be emptied because of a water leak at the hot water tank, the tank resided in a walled off section of the closet. So while they were stacked on my bed, I decided to separate. First hung all pants together, then sorted those by length. Hummm, while I am at it, how about like colors together?

This has made life so much easier for me, that I continued. No, they are not in rainbow order, but it works for me.

Another advantage of the new hangers, they take less space in the closet. It should be easier to find what I want now with a bit of breathing room.

Well, I did do the first sort of the checks, time to get back to that chore. It is just that every time I come to the computer to work, I have to check in here and facebook. by the time I am finished with that, I usually have forgotten what I came to computer for in the first place hehehe.

Hugs again, cause you never get to many hugs.

Doing a bit better than yesterday. The back still feels fragile, so I'm taking it very easy. Absolutely nothing done today, except feeding and watering the birds.

Just a quick visit. I had hoped to have more time, but time just slips through my fingers.

So glad to see the newsy posts from MizT and Mama. I, too, am intrigued by the organization of your closet, MizT. Maybe one of these days I'll give it a try. I have a couple of those hangers you mentioned. They certainly do a good job of keeping blouses off the floor!

Heidi, good for you for taking it easy. You and your back deserve a good long rest. I hope your epidural works a good long time!

Off to bed soon, so here are the daily dose of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, healing vibes, and !

In Vienna with a hotel that is situated on the dirty Danube Very nice though. We leave today for Prague. Getting about OK with the use of a walking stick. Went to a Vienna concert last night. Julie would have loved it. Lots of Straus ,Mozart etc. No time to read much but I see heidi has had her epidural.

June, thanks for checking in and keeping us up to date with your travels. the concert sounds wonderful, I hope you and Ken enjoyed it. Does needing a walking stick mean your knee is playing up now?

Julie, glad you made it in for a short post, we know you are OK at least I think today or tomorrow I shall go to the store and get the rest of those magic hangers I need to finish 'doing' the closet. Aren't they wonderful? No blouses on the closet floor is a very good thing.

Heidi, so happy your feeling better. Have another 'no day' if you can. You did more than just feed and water birds, you took care of your back, in hopes this epidural will last the 3 months needed. that is a full days work, friend.

I need to get out and water, we have not had rain in a week and the temps are getting up to high 80's with a possibi8lity of hitting 90. Boy did temps jump up fast!

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

I'm waiting for the Heating & Cooling people to call before coming. (They need to call first so I can lock up the dogs). The heat pump keeps tripping the circuit breaker, and may be dead. It's past it's life expectancy already. We're having a heat wave for May, and do need the A/C a bit.

It sounds like a wonderful trip, June. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

The heat pump is as dead as a Dodo. We need to buy a completely new heat pump and furnace! They'll give me an estimate tomorrow, but I'm expecting it to run ~$10,000.00.

Just a quick hello before heading to bed after a long & busy day and long meeting tonight.

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