Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Where in the US are you going, Nola? I would love to meet up with you.

I had to retrieve Bill the turkey. He started wandering all over the farm, first visiting with the wild turkeys on the far side of the property, then harassing the newborn goats and their mothers next to Gil's lab. He decided that he wanted to take up residence in the maternity pen, and eat all the goat feed. He was also bullying the kids a little, enough to upset their mothers, who started butting him. Apparently, he thought this was fun, because every time Gil kicked him out of the pen, he'd fly back in. I had to fetch him in the truck, bring him back, and lock him up in the covered pen. I'm afraid if I let him out, he'll go back there. Turkeys have long memories.

Hugs to Ouima, hope the back pain gradually gets better, that your computer soon if back in operation. You are doing what is best for Jazz, even though it is breaking your heart.
RIP, Jazz.

Hi all,
Heidi, We arrive in NY, 29/12.15 at 12.15pm, but already had a change to itinerary. Now not going to Sydney.
We would like to drive down to Mamas and Atlantic City but that depends on the weather.Have never driven in snow, and I suspect you would need practise for that. Just staying on the East Coast this time.
Would love to meet you too.

Just a brief visit. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, , healing energy, and prayers for all!

Hi, Nola! It's good to 'see' you, even if you feel like not much is happening in your life. Enjoy your return trip to the U.S. in December/January!

Maybe we could meet at Mama's? It's only a 13 hour drive for me.

Gekko my friends,
Just south of Darwin, very warm temps here 36c/97f but beautiful cool nights for sleeping. Staying at a free camp which is one of the airstrips from WW2.
Mama, missing you. Bella and I are sending lots of love and sloppy kisses. Jazz will be waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge, hope the good times remembered give you strenght.
Sending luv and jugs to all I have not mentioned.

Hi, Everyone! I'm about to head to bed, but first wanted to say Hello.

Heidi, you must really enjoy driving when you say it's'ONLY' a 13-hour drive to Mama's.

Hi, Broni! I'm glad those hot temperatures cool off at night so you can sleep! I hope you continue to enjoy your extended holiday!

It's time to send lots of positive thoughts, , prayers, healing energy, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Been busy. A couple of days at Belinda's doing housework as Laura wants some friends to go there on Sunday for her party. She was 10 today. We will pick her up from school tomorrow. We will shop for the party on Saturday. Maybe next week I will have time for comments.

Julie, Heidi has said before that she really enjoys driving. she thinks the 5 hours to visit me is nothing, will come for one night stay, even offered once to make the round trip in a day, over icy roads, just to take me to hospital for my same day breast biopsy surgery. Turned out it was not necessary, but she would have come.

June, enjoy Laura's birthday, even if it is extra work for you. I am so glad she wants to spend time with relatives, they soon outgrow that for a few years, when friends are more important. Tell her Happy Birthday wishes are sent from Alabama.

HI JULIE, what is keeping you so busy these days? Good to see you drop by.

Broni, that is very hot daytime temps, and I thought this was late winter down under. Happy the temps cool down for good sleeping. What is the humidity daytime? And do you have a nice breeze? Are you camped near water for a cooling swim? Is there something for shade, trees or man-made?

I spent over 4 hours in my power chair yesterday, more than usual, but I was having fun. Visited Linn, my scrabble buddy, took a sack of discarded clothes from my and Tanya's closet. she found several things she was interested in, will be fun to find out how many fit her. Then I went down for veggie man, brought stuff to apartment and left again, for the game room. Sat and chatted and colored in my color book, and time slipped away.

I have paid for the time in chair. When in chair, there is an area that gets very dark, more than warm, and therefore moist from perspiration. I now have a rip roaring yeast overgrowth. I had nothing to treat it with last night, medicines were out of date. Phoned doc this morning, and glory bee, his nurse practitioner, Daniel, answered the phone! Tanya has gone to pick up scripts for me now. Hope they work fast, I was miserable middle of the night.

I hope I have convinced Lin to phone me when she goes grocery shopping, so I can come deliver her groceries to her apartment. she is having great difficulty making the trip now, and by time she gets home, no energy left to get them upstairs. With my 'ride' it is super easy for me to take them for her, we can hang a lot on my chair,and more on the foot rest. Even if I need to make two trips, it is no big deal. She said she was not sure how much longer she could make the grocery trip. Only one very busy working mother for a daughter who is anywhere near, so she cannot depend on her for grocery delivery. She may need to find someone to shop for her before long, but if me getting her groceries up to the apartment will help, I will be glad to do so. Now if she will just phone me . . . I had offered before and she would not phone. this time I told her I could come spank her if she did not, and I could move faster than she can, she could not get away. hehehe Lin has COPD, is on oxygen most of the time now, so taking her oxygen in basket of her walker does not leave much room for hauling groceries with it.

Time to get back in my recli

I do love driving!

The last epidural wasn't the best. The back is borderline, not responding for the full 8 hours for each pain pill. I'm really not supposed to take them more frequently than once every 12 hours, but I'm allowed 8 hours in an emergency. So I'm hurting for 6 out of every 12, unless I really have to do something.

Hi, Everyone!

Just a quick hello! I have been spending more time practicing again, so less time here. That will pick up in the next week, as my first 'fall' lesson is scheduled for next Wednesday. I'll apologize in advance, in case I don't get here for a few days.

I was called by the blood bank yesterday evening. Five babies very much in need of platelets. Could I come in in the next few days. Today was the only day I could squeeze it in, so I wasn't able to practice. (Triple units of platelets take me about 2.5 hours, then add on 30 minute trip each way. There went half of the day. I find it hard to say, 'No.'

Sorry your last epidural wasn't the best and isn't lasting,Heidi! I'm sure you're incredibly frustrated.

I hope you soon feel better, MizT.

Mama, I have been thinking of you and hope your health is improving while you struggle with the grief of Jazz's trip to the Rainbow Bridge. {{{HUGS}}}

Sending the daily supply of healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and !

Julie, thanks for the hopes for me, and I am feeling better, thanks to Modern Chemistry. How wonderful you were able to go and help those babies by donating platelets. I wish more people found it hard to say no to the blood bank. Enjoy your practices and fall lessons. Too bad you cannot multitask, and practice while donating platelets, I know, impossible, but just a random thought that popped into my brain.

OH, Heidi, I am so sorry you are hurting 50% of the time. To have to plan your day around the times you are in less pain, and your sleep too? Not much time to do what you want. Feel better, dear friend.

Looks as if I lost the last sentence of my previous post, and I forgot to check that all went through. You did not miss much, just my usual offer of hugs [smiles].

Yesterday was Scrabble, lots of fun, lots of dark chocolate. We do not recommend choc covered pomegranates, though. . Judy was showing us her new emergency call button, it looked like a watch with a leather band. A bit of excitement just as we were starting. First Shannon popped in to see if Judy was OK, then Jan for same thing, followed by 4 of our friendly firemen. It seems that when she showed the new button to one resident, not one of the Scrabble players, that resident reached out, took the watch like thing and pushed the button. Firemen were nice, came in to see how our game was progressing, and joked with us a bit. Nice interruption to our game hehehe.

Hugs to each of you, with extras.

What's wrong with chocolate covered pomegranates? Both Gil and I adore them. It's one of the few candies we have around the house.... but not for long.

I goofed, it was chocolate covered mangoes, big strips of dried mangoes, and tough as leather. I needed to take teeth in for sharpening to help bite into those! I did hold the smaller ones in mouth till the dork chocolate melted in my mouth.

My favorite is dark chocolate covered almonds, but Aldi's was out the last visit.

Just a quick visit, as it's later than I thought.

The next few days look very full. Besides lots of practicing and house straightening (I won't say 'cleaning'), I have hopes of getting back to water aerobics AND getting more sleep. We'll see how that all goes.

Sending positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and ! Take care, Everyone!

I am tired. It has been a long day. Saturday morning I always set my neighbours hair. Then I shopped for three hours with Laura getting things for her party. This afternoon it has been some cooking and getting other things organised for tomorrow. We have a pass the parcel and a treasure hunt. They can also go for an accompanied walk to see the creek, dam and the wombat holes. There will also be some rides on the horses. Should all be OK and I do have plenty of food. Nine children and eight adults.

I'm getting excited about Monday. Debbie and I are going to Vent Haven Museum just south of Cincinnati. It is the world's only museum/ retirement home for ventriloquist dummies! All the famous ''Vents'' are there: Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd, Farfel, Lambchop, and MANY more. I believe there are over 800 of them there, including lifesized ones, walking ones and even dancing dummies!!! I've been wanting to go there for a long time.

ANOTHER thunderstorm! This has gotten old.

I hope everybody is getting plenty of restful and revitilizing sleep.

Hi Everyone, I'm feeling a tad better today...still lots of pain, but it does respond to the meds better now. Tricia, yes, I'm taking the pills by the clock mostly and have learned to not stretch things out....as you have said, it's easier to control the pain rather than trying to let it get out of hand first.I'm learning!
Nola, please let me know when the glasses get there. I'm looking forward to seeing you and Paul again in December, but do hope there isn't any snow when you get here. Heidi...I'd love to have you come visit then too...Oh what a great way that would be to end a bad year. Keeping my fingers crossed. Keep me posted. Trying to play catch up on the puter so am going to cut this short for now....more later. Peace all.

Greetings friends. I went grocery shopping today, alone. I try to do that occasionally, minivan needs to be driven. and a different parking space for those who notice if any auto is not moved often. I fear if I continue to depend on Tanya every time, I will get where I cannot go on my own. Not a happy thought.

A young man, older teen, was such a big help for me today. I was tired, and had tummy ache, so broke out in a sweat while putting groceries out of cart. I think the young man's mother prompted him to help. He unloaded my cart, helped me bag the groceries (bag your own at Aldis) and took them to my car for me! I could have hugged his neck, but fearing that would embarrass him, I shook his hand and told him once again how much I appreciated his help. His Mom did a good job of raising him.

We had a nice gentle rain, no thunder that I heard. I did not know it was raining till it was almost over, a few stray drops hit my window and caused me to look out.

Heidi, enjoy your trip to the museum tomorrow.

June, hope the party went well, and you are able to rest and recover now. Did Laura have a good time? anything exciting happen?

Julie, hope you get to water aerobics this week, and enjoy it. I need to try to get back to the pool. But first I need the chair lift for my van. Perhaps soon.

Tuesday I will have a new floor cleaner person. I hope I can get up, awake and coherent by 10 am!

Must be up and functioning by 9 tomorrow, the young lady audiologist should phone in morning, and get things going for ordering hearing aides.

Enough for today, hugs to each of you, with extras.

Mama, I did not see your post until after mine came up. Strange how that happens.

I am happy to hear your pains are responding to medication. It is almost bearable if you know soon you get another dose to take the edge off.

Today is the 'clean before the housekeeper comes' day. Not really cleaning, but clearing of the clutter, so she can dust and clean. Al most finished, still need to de-clutter the desk.

I cooked a pork tenderloin roast. Tanya cooked veggies, and we had a very nice meal together. She left before washing dishes, yet again :(. I hope she gets home fore the next round of t storms come . . . ooops, just heard the first thunder in the distance and it is getting darker by the minute. .

Hugs to each of you, with extras.

Good morning all.
A cool foggy morning here. Lovely time to be outside in the garden.
June..how did the party go?
MizT.. nice to hear that you are getting out and about.
Mama...I truly feel sorry for your pain. Many of you here suffer badly. I hope you improve very soon.
Broni..You must be having a ball in NT, enjoy the warmth.
Must go before I lose this post.

We had a WONDERFUL time at Vent Haven Museum. There's too much to see at one visit, so I'll HAVE to go back. I allowed extra time in case of road construction or accidents, and we encountered none, so we arrived early. The people who had the tour before ours were late, so our 2 small groups were combined. Two of the three people in the other group were ventriloquists.

So pleased that you enjoyed the museum Heidi. Sounds like a fun and interesting place.
The party was a huge success. Plenty of food, the kids ran around and had a ball. The parents, sat chatted and watched. Very relaxing sitting in the sun on a winters day in the country. We had a treasure hunt and pass the parcel, horse rides, a walk around the farm looking for wombat holes. They played with the dogs and did not want to go home. I was worn out!

I am about to go to lunch with Gail, Lizzy G, Kate (Leia's Mum) Hannah and baby Willow (Gail's grand daughter). A small Sudoku gathering.

I had it wrong, it was Gail's daughter Cloe, not Hannah. Ian and Anne were also there. It was a fun lunch. (No photos). Willow is a beautiful little girl who will be one next month.

Sounds wonderful, June! Both the party and the gathering!

June, so happy for you that the party went well. Yes, I can imagine you are tired after all that. The Sudoku get together sounds wonderful too. So nice that so many can meet and enjoy.

Heidi, your trip sounds fun, also. I imagine having ventriloquists in the tour group made it even more interesting. did they share their skills?

How am I always so lucky? We have a new company handling the housecleaning services here at EP, and once again I was their very first client. she did not get as much done, but it was well worth the price . she was even aware, and told me, next time I will be more efficient. Bathroom and kitchen are clean, floors are vacuumed and mopped, it is nice to have it all done at one time.

I cooked a pork loin roast yesterday, looking forward to lunch today to have another serving of that. It was yummy.

My short garden hose has returned. I was able to fill my watering cans yesterday to water those plants that are under cover (rain watered the rest) . Our Maintenance man Dean had 'borrowed' it, and had not returned it, but did once he knew I used it several times a week.

It rained off and on most of yesterday, and was cooler, too, but humidity was so high. My eyeglasses fogged when going in or outdoors. the large windows overlooking the back patio were fogged also. It was like walking out into a sponge, that wet.

We will have the grill lit again Friday, I can cook my hunk of beef, yeah! Someone remind me to thaw it Thursday, [ease.

that's all for today, more later. Hugs to each of you, with extras.

Hi all. Sorry I haven't been here for a while. Missed over two pages. Did a quick read but don't remember much.

Mama, so sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose our furbabies. Glad you got checked out and are feeling better.

Nola, wish I could get up north to visit you. Sure you don't want to visit Sunny South Florida????

I went back to school yesterday. I have a student teacher with me. He is a polite young man I look forward to working with. This is his last semester in college and he has to be a student teacher to graduate. I am thrilled to have the help and already know that I will be sorry when he leaves in December. I will do my best to teach him well and hope he gets a job offer quickly.

Spent the weekend getting Mitchell settled into his dorm room. He is rooming with his two best friends. They are settling in. Classes start tomorrow. I can't wait to hear from him how his first classes went.

I bet it'll be strange not having Mitchell at home all the time, Tami. I can't believe how fast he's grown up.

I need to clean out and prep the RV for a trip to Cincinnati on Friday. Four of us are going to a concert (Sawyer Brown) and will probably spend the night before driving home the next morning. It depends on how tired we are afterwards. I'll be picking people up starting at 2 pm, then we drive there and have a nice meal before the concert at 8 pm.

Heidi, hope you enjoy your concert on Friday. Nice to have your home on wheels to have the option of staying over night if it is late and you are tired after concert. You are one person who has really used your RV. So glad you have it, so glad I got to enjoy it also.

Tami, One young man away at college, and another young man steps into your life for the next 4 months. I do hope you enjoy having your student teacher with you. I am sure you can be a great help for him.

Bedtime here, hope my body is ready to wind down.

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

Just a quick hello, as a found a minute or two. Hope all are well!

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

Long time no see.

I hope you feel better soon Mamacita and MizT.

Morning all. It has been a busy week getting my class set up. My student teacher, Khalid, has been a big help. We had a faculty meeting Tuesday morning that lasted 3 hours. Normal for before the school year. We were talking about student use of cell phones in class and the school's zero tolerance policy. Khalid raised his had to say something. He pointed out that as teachers we should set the example and not be on our phones. I can tell the principal and assistant principals were impressed. A student teacher will not usually speak up.

It sounds like you have a good helper there, Tami. And one with not-so-common commonn sense!!!