Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

For us Christmas is almost over and we have had a great day celebrating with family and friends. I have bread butter and something to put on toast for breakfast but I did not have anything at the motel for dinner tonight. We ended up at the only take away in three towns and having a hamburger tonight! Even the Golden Arches was closed.
For those still celebrating I do hope that you are enjoying your Christmas.
sorry no quote for top of the page.

I think ''MERRY CHRISTMAS'' is enough, June.

Had a delicious brunch today of french toast (made with home-baked bread) and lean bacon. We just finished Christmas dinner of a lamb shoulder roast, 5 grain rice pilaf and baby peas. With nonalcoholic Mexican Sangria to drink. My tummy is REALLY happy.
Gil got me what I wanted for Christmas, for the first time. All year I've been talking about getting a 22 rifle, and he got me one!!!! Now I need to work on my marksmanship. I'm a good shot with my 22 revolver, but have never fired a rifle before.

Christmas night greetings to all! (Hooray! The smilies are working tonight!)

Thinking of all of my Sudoku friends and praying for peace and happiness as the holiday spirit surrounds us.

Drat; now I'm having problems with the computer.

Sending positive thoughts, , healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers for each of you. Good Night!

Heidi, how is the weather up there? I am checking on too many people to get weather maps for all of them. Report in when you can. Hope no one else is/was in the path of this latest tornado/flash flood producing storm.

I am thrilled for you that Gil bought you what you wanted for Christmas. Might should wait on target practice until shoulder is better?

For any who missed it on FB, building one of our two building facility was hit once again by flash flood. Barely missed a tornado, just before, also. The Serv-Pro or similar people have now arrived, they will be working all night to make it 'like it never happened'. (Advert for the clean up company) A minor inconvenience compared to 6 known families who tonight have no homes, destroyed by the afternoon tornado touchdowns in Birmingham. Daylight tomorrow, or the heavy rains overnight could show more damage to buildings, roofs and such.

JUNE, will you be going home now? Or visiting a few days before leaving? so glad you had a good time. I hope the hamburger was good, it is a chore to find many eateries open Christmas day here, unless located on the freeways, or operated by people who do not celebrate Christmas.

A lot has been happening to friends here at EP lately. One resident just yesterday fell in her kitchen, and reports she broke both bones in her leg. this lady has had both knees replaced this last 6 months, then developed a sudden onset rheumatoid arthritis. Such a struggle for her. she was scheduled for surgery tomorrow, but later posted she would be transferred from a great hospital to the Trauma Center at the local university teaching hospital. As Cathy said, 'It must be worse than they originally thought.' Requesting thoughts, prayers, and wishes for Cathy tomorrow. It is my sincere wish that the fall did not damage the artificial knee, and bones involved in same, beyond repair.

Just saw EMT here again, because of all the rain falling I could not see if they transported a resident or not. Stop already with the need for medical attention. Too much, just too much.

We are back home. Belinda needed to get back to her animals. No traffic jams today and with a brief stop (KFC) for lunch our trip was about 8 1/2 hours for about 670 kilometres. Belinda had another 80 minutes to get to her place.
About to have a lamb chop and salad for dinner but hubby 'just had to pop down the bowling club' to check something. I was about to put the chop in the pan!
Sorry about all the rain Tricia. Prayers for your friend.

OH MY, there are two parties going on in our public rooms, Jackel and Johnson Commons. the rooms are reserved far ahead, in 2 days they had 4 rentals.

I did find out that the lady who always had Johnson Commons reserved for her family gathering held her party in her apartment. She and her husband have a 2 bedroom, one of only 6 in the buildings. It is located at end of the hall, so she just set up a table out in hall for soft drinks, ice, A trash container. She tried to bet me one of her neighbors would be waiting for management first thing Monday morning to complain. No one would take that bet. .

Just finished meal the first from the 'to go' plate Tanya made for me at the pot luck lunch yesterday. Turkey, a lovely fresh cranberry relish, and raw veg from a veggie tray. meal the second will be the ham and sweet potatoes and slaw either tonight or lunch tomorrow. I did not bring home any sweets. I enjoyed it so much more today than I could have yesterday, our brunch at almost noon yesterday, then the pie I ate with friends downstairs before the floods, left no room for a big meal last night. I again had raw veggies and some ham and cheese and nuts from the nibbles tray. already lost 2 of the pounds the doc fussed about last week BP was MUCH better this morning, too, back to the 120s over 60s. I am glad my BP machine has memory, or he would not believe how much it has changed.

Just a quick hello and good night! I hope all are well!

Feel free to share these {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, positive thoughts, , and healing energy!

Greetings friend. Well, the Christmas night EMTs I mentioned earlier did transport a resident to the ER. Nancy's hip popped out of joint, and this is her artificial hip. She came back home in a large brace to try to hold it in place until she can be seen by her orthopedic surgeon. I am praying that the new year will be much better for all of us here at EP.

I had meal the second for lunch today, the Ham and sweet potatoes from my to go plate from Christmas, and I added some broccoli. Still have a serving of butter peas. Also need to cook chicken I thawed. Sounds like a start on my evening meal

The public areas downstairs are still drying out. I smell soured fabric when I walk into the entrance lobby, a small area between 2 sets of doors. YUCK, not good. There is hot air being blowed onto carpets all downstairs, trying to dry them. the back door from Commons to the patio is inoperable, with a sign asking residents to go out front and around. It is accessible to those who walk without assistance, but the 4 steps from parking area to garden make it inaccessible to walkers and wheelchairs, bummer. I wanted to get back there to see if the storage chest I use was damaged, needed to be up on bricks to let bottom dry or whatever. The weather change has made walking not fun ATM, so I will hope for ability to get out there tomorrow.

Heidi's last post was Christmas afternoon, before the tornado/flash flood storm came through here. It looked like storm could have gone her way. I hope all is well with her, no power outages or damage.

Did Mamacieta get snow from same storm? AND there was another part of this same system that went through Texas, Near Dallas FT Worth, with lots of damage and several deaths. I was watching the weather channel and saw the storm before dark, actually saw live coverage from a storm chaser. After dark, an occasional glimpse of the tornado, when lightning gave a split second of light. So scary. More damaging wind expected here tomorrow, the gulf is just pouring moisture into the South east, ahead of a front slowly making it's way across the US. Behind the cold front will be snow. this serino is one of the hardest to accurately who will get snow, ice, freezing rain, or just a cold rain. All will happen, but who knows who will get which. Interesting weather week, and we will get cold here by week's end. ATM I see 3 nights at or below freezing once again, at the end of the 10n day forecast and no idea what the days after will bring. Must watch to see what to do about plants.

Hugs to everyone, hope you are just busy with the holiday weekend, enjoying it all. check in when you can, terrible weather events and disasters in so many places world wide. Stay safe, keep in contact and check on the elderly.

Sorry for not posting. The back has been killing me. I still have 2 weeks until my epidural.

Cant stop but hope everyone had a peaceful, contented Christmas.

Greetings to all, especially June, MizT, Heidi, and Midge. as well as others who have not had the opportunity to post.

Nola, I hope your visit to the U.S. goes well, and you have the opportunity to see some snow, but not too much!

I hope your back improves somewhat before your next epidural, Heidi! Of course, we hope for the worst/best results when you have it.

D, SIL, and grand dog (the miniature schnauzer) were here for a few days, but left for home this afternoon. Traffic wasn't too bad, so they were home in about an hour or so.

I need to get back on track, doing my daily practicing, and find time to do my Christmas cards.I suspect the next few days may be a bit busier than usual.

I hope everyone can benefit from some prayers, healing energy, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and ! Take care, Everyone!

Hi everyone.
I haven't always had the best internet connections but today is a good day in Dusseldorf Germany.
MizT..sending condolences to Mary and Dave with the sad lose of loved ones. Just awful for the young, not to experience life's wonders.
I am glad you are safe after the tornado caused damage to your buildings and the destruction is Texas is devastating.
Midge...How was your Christmas? Do you have awhile now until the next transfusion?
Suzy..goodness, you are in the wars with the graft bleeding and a small stroke. As others have said, within a short time, it may not even be noticeable. Are you now back on blood thinners? Bummer about not being able to drive but better safe than sorry.
Heidi...You must have been so pleased to get your xmas gift wish of a 22 rifle. Hope the ankle isn't causing you much grief and the epidural comes around fast to give you some relief.
Mama..lovely words from a lovely lady.
June.. glad you had a safe trip and return home, over the Christmas break. Must have been nice to see some of the family.
Julie..I am sure our trip will be all that we hope for. If Paul doesn't see any snow, he will continue to travel and possibly see it one day.
Love to all

Tomorrow, we arrive in N.Y. Staying in Brooklyn this time, close to the bridge.
We have had an awesome time, with each place being so different and not enough time to see all the sights. Paul is loving the cool weather, don't like his chances of seeing snow though.
Oops already said that.
We really enjoyed London and the small part of Germany that we have seen. Paul is out sightseeing now, but my knees need a rest so I am catching up on that and emails.
Renae has moved into her new home which I am yet to see. She has Sonny the dog, our guinea pig and all that it involved with relocating. Good timing for me haha
Greg is on his way back from taking his Dad home to Taree. We also are in need of new tenants for our rental, bad timing for me. It will just have to wait until I get home.
A Happy and productive 2016 to you all.

Nola, we have a HUGE snowmaker storm up north now, just not going to be where you are? This winter storm Goliath is causing the whole country misery. We get more rain today, tornado watch again, possible flash flooding. Be glad you are not involved, even if it means no snow this trip.

I have the cat scan th doc wants today, get that done fore my co pays go up. this mornings BP was 116/66, but heart rate had jumped up again, strange. He will have to sort that all out.

Computer is acting up, would not sign on to internet last night, when I needed it to check weather radar. So if I am absent, first think computer problems.

Hugs to each of you, till later.

Nothin' much happening here. VERY wet outside, and I'm achy all over.

The rain has stopped. We might see sun tomorrow, before another rain event on Wednesday.

Cat scan done today in record time, I came home for a late lunch and a nice nap. I got a bit damp getting to and from bus, was chilled, so a change of clothes, heating pad and my warm covers put me right to sleep Meds help keep the achies tolerable today. I am most grateful for that.

Heidi, hope your aches soon are relieved.

Nola, thank you for your condolences for my friends. I have not seen Dave since Christmas, need to phone him. Saw Mary day after our flood.

Nancy is doing well after hip out of joint, plans to tell her doc, 'fix it, can't do this out of joint again'. Cathy of the broken leg is still in hospital and this time she plans to go to rehab, until she can get around better. Bless Margeret's heart, she is visiting Cathy's dog several times a day, more than just taking out to potty, just going to play with her.

OK, time to settle down for the night. Take sleeping pill shortly and hope for a better night's sleep than last night.

Hugs to each of you with extras.

Just a quick hello! I hope all are well

Weather here was crazy today - windy and mostly freezing rain, then some snow. Several inches of WET snow accumulated. Hubby spent more than 2 hours on our driveway & sidewalk (with small electric snowblower). His jacket was soaked through. One of his Christmas presents was Carhartt 'base layer' (think long johns) top & bottom for extreme weather. Certainly came in handy today!

Heading to bed, so sending the usual {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, , positive thoughts, and healing energy for all!

That sounds like a VERY appropriate gift for the Chicago area, Julie.

The rain has finally stopped. Now if only the mud would dry up.

Greetings to Everyone! Certainly hoping the weather improves with each day!

We watched the Kennedy Center Honors program tonight. It was very moving and enjoyable!

It's past my bedtime, so I'll just send a large helping of healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, and to be shared with anyone in need.

Hi all,
Paul and I are in NY which is a little more relaxing than being in Europe. We managed the airtrain and subway to Brooklyn and the Motel is close to the train. Hope to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and sightsee today. We both woke at midnight after the long journey from Germany, and we walked up the street for something to eat. Talk about cold wind. Brrrr Paul is loving it.
Take Care everyone.

It's in the mid-40's here, a very comfy temp. for this time of year, and IH is complaining about it being bitterly cold.??!!! I can't believe this! He was born and raised in Wisconsin, which has 9 months of winter and 3 months of bad skiing weather... where the temperature doesn't get above 0˚F for 4 months!!! He's insane!

Good day all, Nothing much to write about and weather is weather...damp and cloudy at the moment...not too inviting but bearable.
Having read and answered post in my head at the time of reading, I'm not sure where I have left off so will not try to wrap this old gray head in too much thought about it...and you all most likely have had similar thoughts...but I do send condolences to Dave and Mary and healing wishes to all in need. We all have a need for the best of what is yet to come, so those too are included.
Nola, glad you and Paul have made it to New york and have a chance to relax and regroup before the onslaught of the New Years Eve gathering...Have a blast. Heidi, I understand your wonderment with Gil's assertion of cold weather considering his birthplace...Lol.
To all of you, I send my wishes to enjoy fully a healthy, safe, and prosperous year 2016.
May the year be entered into with that joy and exit having been found over the course of the year. Peace and Love.

Heidi..maybe as we get older, we feel the weather changes a bit more. I feel the heat much more than I used to and the cold gives me achy joints from arthritis.
Watching the news tonight, NY has had the warmest December ever.
Today, we DID walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and it was 5 deg C. Cold for us coming from the sub-tropics but thoroughly enjoyable, rugged up.
Times Sq was packed with people so I wont be going to the new year celebrations tomorrow because I would lose Paul in the crowds. It was even too busy for me today.
I gave up counting after Paul mentioned 8 times how much he loves the U.S.A. At the moment, he has gone to the roof top bar to get some photos.
We walked over 5klms today before deciding to catch the subway as my knee (even with the walking stick) was killing me. Steps are the worst.
Having a wonderful time though.

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope 2016 brings you all you wish for. Have had a few days break (except for yesterday in bed after a particularly rotten test) and looking forward to the beach for 2 days with my daughter. Love these special times we have. Safe travelling to those away from home - how lucky are we that we can see so much of the world now. I enjoy this site as I can share others' experiences. Cheers.

The second one worked better.

Hi, Everyone!

Nola, I'm so glad you and Paul are in New York City and enjoying it. I'm also glad you aren't experiencing the other extreme of record temperature! Take care and be sensible! I'm glad you will have time to recuperate a bit and not need to walk continually. It's much easier for younger people to pace themselves, and rarely do they enjoy our pace when using a cane. Although the slower pace with a can encourage a more thorough sight-seeing experience.

Mama, as usual, it's a pleasure to read your post. Take care!

Midge, how nice that you and your daughter will have the opportunity to get away and enjoy the beach for a couple of days. It's especially nice that it will follow a day in bed after a rotten test. Take care and relax!

Heidi, I like your sentiment. Live long and prosper! (and ignore IH's complaints about the temperature extreme. Maybe he's preparing to complain and avoid any outside activities as the weather gets colder. Or, maybe his iron level is low, or possibly he enjoys complaining. Many possibilities, it would seem.

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

Wishing everyone a wonderful, healthy, prosperous, Happy New Year!

I would like to wish all my SA friends a happy and healthy 2016. I always get very maudlin as one year finishes and another begins. To make it worse I was looking for some photos today and kept finding ones of Sharon with Laura when she was a baby. How the years have gone by.
About 14 of us went to the bowling club. We took some nibbles, meat to BBQ, salads and pavlova. We watched the 9PM fireworks on the TV and then came home. it is a clear night so the fireworks on the Harbour will be spectacular. We can hear them here although we are about 15k as the crow flies. We can also see the reflection in the sky.
Getting too old to want to sit out from early afternoon and then queue for trains to get back home.

Nola, sorry that you will not see the ball drop in Times Square but I can understand your apprehension with such a crowd. I used an elastic support to help with my Knee.
Midge, I do hope your health problems give you less concern in 2016. I admire both you and Heidi with all you do as you fight your health problems.

Mamacita, Julie, Tricia, Suzy, Broni, and so many others who keep in contact on SA, thank you for your friendship and may 2016 be everything you hope for.

We had a very noisy start to 2016. A clear night and the noise carried from the fireworks over the Harbour. everyone.

to all.
Wishing you a great 2016 filled with many joys that life has to offer.

Paul has gone to Times Square to see the new year in. I will watch it on tv.
Pity that I didn't know that the Sydney fireworks was televised here.
Catch you later.

To all Y'all

and {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to all!