Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Julie!

May this be the start of your best year ever, and may each succeeding year be better than the previous one.

I have an extremely sore throat right now. All swallowing is excruciating. I had to turn down an invitation from some dear friends for a second Thankgiving meal yesterday because of it. Thank goodness I already have an appointment with the ENT in 3 days.

'Ain't' is a contraction, and contrary to what grammar prudes will tell you, it was actually considered a high-class word until the 20th century.

Julie

Tuesday morning, almost December. Most Christmas shopping done, phew. House and tree decorated, phew, thanks to Maddy.
I dropped her back to the bus station to get her bus home and Emily got off another bus after finishing school for the year. So I drove her home and got conned into bringing her and Hayley back for the night. Bonus, Hayley cooked Gnochhi with a napolitana sauce, plus bacon and parmesan for dinner.
This morning, we are going into the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. Hopefully the crowds won't be too bad yet and Em will have the patience to let us enjoy the galleries.

Julie, hope your birthday was enjoyable.
Feel better soon June and Heidi.
Big hugs all around!!

Thank you for the birthday wishes, June, Heidi, DOrA, and CynB! It has been a quiet day, as hubby is under the weather yet again. Because I received an email for a free sundae at Culvers (better than McDonalds, but still fast food), hubby suggested we go there for dinner. How's that for romantic? I'm not complaining, as the food is pretty good and I had shrimp, a couple of his French fries and a few bites of his North Atlantic cod. Then I got to have my sundae - a pumpkin sundae. It's just their vanilla frozen custard with a spoonful or two of pumpkin pie filling that they use for pumpkin shakes. (Occasionally they have pumpkin pie as their daily frozen custard flavor, but we missed it this year, so this was the closest I could get.)

We also did face time with kids & grandies, but haven't heard from any of my siblings. I should check my email and facebook!

June, it's good to know that you have some better days. I just wish you would have more of them! Good luck getting your Christmas shopping done early! It's the best approach and less stressful. I should start that, too!

Wow, Heidi! Now a sore throat to go with the ear infection! I'm so glad you have an ENT appointment in a few days! Will they prescribe something over the phone to give you some relief?

DOrA, I knew 'ain't' was a real word. What are the words that it contracts? Obviously, 'not' is the second word.

CynB, you and Maddy are fantastic to have finished the decorating! And now you tell us that most of your shopping is done! That's impressive! It's interesting how you did the granddaughter trade! Was it planned, or just happened? Hooray for Hayley cooking dinner! Sounds Yummy!

Thinking positive and warm thoughts for everyone and sending healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and

Tried to read the posts I have missed, just too many for my sleepy, medicated condition tonight. I hope to get back tomorrow to read and comment.

Today I decorated the new 7 foot tall tree in our lobby. Activities director Jan had the tree out of box and connected the pieces. she plugged in the cord she saw hanging doown, and no lights, bummer. Tree was scrunched to fit in shipping box, and it looked like a charlie brown on a larger scale. I started fluffing out all the tips, it is said to have 1000 tips and I do think I touched all of them at least once. In reaching through the branches, I found lights with plugs not lugged in. Started tracing wires, what had been plugged in was the extension cord wired to tree trunk, none of the strings were plugged in, No wonder no lights. took a while to get the lights to reach the plug, but got it, yeah, let there be light. finished fluffing the branches, at least I thought I did all of them. Needed a break, had lunch and a rest and pain meds and back to it. As I started putting on ornaments, I found 5 more big branches Unfluffed, got that sorted out. Made the bow and streamers for tree top, nice sheer ribon with silver snowdlakes. All silver ornaments went on, 3 sizes, 4 finishes, mate, shinny glittered, swirled. I had help for that, and started on the tourquoise, got half those on. called it a day, but it is looking good.

that is why I am hurting so much today, it has been YEAES since I put up a tree in one day, but once I started, I wanted it done. I might not get out of bed tomorrow, at least nit till lunch time. Has anyone else started putting up a tree?

Cannot stay awake, or type without typos, so bed time for me. Hugs to each of you, with extras, till next time.

I did a good deed today. Debbie had heard on the radio about someone wanting to sell a large number of finches in a big cage for $100. That sounded too good to be true, so she called the redio station and got the person's phone number. We called. They were selling ~18 finches in a 5'x5'x18'' cage. They didn't know what species they were. I found out that they were located about 20 miles from me, so I drove down there pulling my trailer. The people were very nice. They had just adopted 4 young children, and were selling the birds with cage for money for Christmas presents for the kids. I examined the birds (healthy Zebra Finches and a couple of Society Finches ) and an attractive well built cage (It looks something like the one in your bird room, MizT), and told them it was worth a lot more than they were asking. They said they knew that, but they wanted a quick sale. I then told them that I was going to pay them what the birds and cage were worth, and gave them $300. The kids will have a better Christmas.
We then loaded the cage onto my trailer (It has a ramp), covered it in blankets that I had brought along and tied them securely around the cage, Then we tied the cage onto the ramp, which was secured vertically. I had to keep them in that cage because there were several nests in the cage full of babies. I then drove home very, very slowly, backed the trailer up to my bird room door, and slid it out into the bird room. (The cage weighs about 75lbs.) Easy Peasy. Fortunately it was a warm day for this time of year. All the birds and baby birds survived the trip unruffled.

My snake made it onto Facebook. It was in my junk room, the snake guy took a photo.

Great good deed Heidi!

Hi Suzy, I just saw your snake on FB! Although I'm okay with pythons, I wouldn't like that in my house. Luckily we're in the oldest part of our estate so we seldom see snakes of any kind here any more.
What a great good deed, Heidi! I'm glad those kids will have a better Christmas thanks to you!

Quick post. Chemo yesterday, bloods down so blood transfusion today. Thanks to people like Julie (who give blood) that are keeping me going. Feeling OK.
Good for Heidi, Tricia and CynB. Things well done.

June, I’m glad you’re doing okay. I hope the transfusion makes you even better.

No time to read tonight, but should hopefully get here earlier tomorrow, even though it's a 'music day.'

Feel better, June! I hope the transfusion helps a lot!

Here's a Christmas tree for CynB and MIzT!


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

The sore throat segued into a killer head cold. I can barely breathe, but at least the throat doesn't feel so raw.

Heidi, I had one of those sore throat to head cold viruses back late summer. I used 2 boxes of Kleenex and 2 rolls of bathroom tissue for all the blowing and dripping, yuck. I hope you get better soon, it was not fun.

Tomorrow is the big HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) for out building. Just had maintenance man in to make sure I had working stoppers for sink and tub, reminded him about doors that do not latch when gently pushed closed (not sure why that is a priority, but it is) so someone came up and adjusted the striker plates so they catch each time. My cleaning lady came today, so everything is clean and neat. My apartment may not even be inspected. A computer generated program in the morning will select a limited number of apartments for inspection. Mine was selected about 3 years ago.

I had been feeling a lot better today, but suddenly, pain back for no known reason. bummer. I need to plant some more pansies and finish the tree downstairs. I have glass icicles left to put on yet, love how those sparkle, always have on my tree, and found these at a really good price a few months ago. Lots of residents have said how much they like the tree, I am glad. I had so much fun hunting for decorations, and bought everything on sale, too.

I am making dressing, southern cornbread sage dressing. My sister gave me the remains of the turkey she cooked for Thanksgiving, I boiled it for some very rich broth. Went to grocery Monday for celery. My niece who made our dressing does a good job, it is tasty, but she does not like celery and leaves that out. I wanted some with, so am making my own. It is mixed and ready for oven, will cook it in time for dinner tonight.

June, I hope the blood transfusion helps you to feel much better. Huge hugs, dear.

Heidi, glad you found the finches and the cage for them. It is a good thing you did for the children's Christmas.

It is time for meds again, and a rest in my recliner. Hope that and the rub on pain reliever will take care of the back problem, I have things to do, places to go hugs to each of you, with extras.

Suzi, I saw the photo of your junk room, never could make out where the snake was though. It is time to get eyes tested again, I do believe.

If you have a MAC computer, you should check this out - stat...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5127949/Password-glitch-MacOS-High-Sierra- discovered.html

There will, in all probability, be at least one space to be removed from the link

Fortunately, I haven't downloaded High Sierra. But Apple will get it fixed.

Greetings, Everyone!

MizT, I hope you are feeling better today and have recovered from all of the work and time you spent on the new Christmas tree in the lobby! I'm sure it is beautiful!
Thank you, Heidi! We can always count on you to do the right thing! Bless you for paying the people what the birds and cage were worth, and in so doing, making a happier Christmas for 4 newly adopted children! I'm glad the birds and nests made it safely to your house! That was good news for the birds, too!

Suzy, I will need to search on Facebook for the picture of the snake in your 'junk room'. I haven't had too much time lately for Facebook, and seem to be missing a lot of posts!

Heidi, I'm glad your sore throat is feeling somewhat better, but a horrible head cold isn't much of a trade-off!

Thanks for the information, DOrA! I think we have downloaded High Sierra. On the other hand, as I've had the computer on, there is a dialog box telling me that a 'Security Update (is) Available.'

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

Feel better Heidi!

MizT, it’s coming out from behind the round tin with the green lid onto the window sill.

I use an iPad, not sure if high Sierra is relevant to me.

Back from the ENT visit. The infection was cleared up enough that they could put another T tube in my ear. The doctor was amazed at how much fluid had built up behind the eardrum in the past 2 weeks. Which meant that they had to suction it out.... which I dislike. But it's better than earaches and hearing loss.

Good morning all. 1st of December - no denying that Christmas is on the way now.
Heidi, I hope what the doc did to your ears will finally fix the problem.
I'm off to the Doctor today. For those that know me that is unusual. But - my hands are killing me. I have had arthritis in them for years. It was never painful and I learned new ways to do things to cope with any stiffness. Then earlier this year I developed an RSI type injury in my left hand from too much use of my iPhone. I wore a brace for several weeks and stopped playing games on my phone. Now my right hand is displaying the same symptoms. I am careful how I use my phone but anything, even TV remotes, or just certain movements of my hand, causes excruciating pain.
I need to find a way to fix or deal with this problem because losing the function of one or both of my hands is not in my life plan.

Oh Cyn! I’ve been there! I hope the doctor can help you, but I suspect nothing but surgery and/or resting it like you are doing will help. And time. Which totally sucks.

There is good news though. I didn’t have the surgery because I had a 6 month old at the time, but I’ve pretty much got over it. I don’t write as neatly and my hands go numb if I knit too much, but the unbearable pain is long gone.

Hi Suzy, he sent me for blood tests and for xrays to make sure that it is osteo arthritis that I have, I was told that back in the 90's. If it's rheumatoid I may have to see a surgeon. Back on Tuesday for those results. In the meantime, I have anti-inflammatories and a second wrist brace. He thinks my RSI problem is Carpal Tunnel but if I use the braces while resting, do not overdo messaging on my phone, or knitting etc, and with time, it will settle down like it has before.

I must admit that sitting here typing on the laptop with the braces on is quite comfy, so my computer time shouldn't be affected.

No, what the ENT did is only a temporary fix. This ear infection will keep returning for the rest of my life, we believe. That's because all the scar tissue in the eustachian tube is still there and preventing any fluid from draining. So the infection will reoccur over and over. Antibiotics and tubes give me temporary relief but they don't last forever.

Hi, Everyone!

Heidi, I'm glad the ear infection was cleared up enough so you could get the tube! How is your throat and cold?

CynB, I'm hoping the brace and rest will provide enough improvement and you can avoid surgery. I should heed your warning and quit playing so many games on my phone. My wrists get enough of a work-out (bowing with my right hand and fingering with my left) on the cello.

Thinking of all of our Sudokuaholic friends and sending healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, warm {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and !

Cyn, I hope it’s not rheumatoid! That’s what Alie’s bf has and it’s not good. He has a special thing, kind of like Star Trek, for the shots, but still freaks. Apparently last week Alie held it while he pressed the thingy, and it took him 6 minutes to press it. She usually does it for him. I’m wondering if he’s preparing for when she isn’t around. She is very confident in their relationship and I think I’m just being paranoid. I hope I’m being paranoid. If I’m not, she’ll be in a bad way.

My neighbour’s wife called me today. I know she’s my neighbour too, but... she called an ambulance on him last night. He was bleeding from the mouth, she’d spent 2 hours trying to get him from the floor to his bed. He said no ambulance, she said it wasn’t fair to her.... yep, guess why he’s my neighbour and she’s his wife. He needed to go through so, despite her motivation, it was the right thing. He’s an amazing man, so giving, I’m very sad.

The ear spent the night oozing blood. It just does not want to give up being the center of attention. I was babying the head cold, which is still bad, so it HAD to get into the act.

Yes, I did call the ENT. He told me to continue using the antibiotic (Cipro) ear drops.

Just popping in to let you know I'm sending , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, positive thoughts and prayers to everyone! I need to be up before 6 and should be in bed. Good Night!

Hi, Everyone!

Suzy, I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbor! Any updates yet?

Heidi, I hope the antibiotic ear drops knock out the infection! Take care!

I hope MizT is feeling better and recovered from all the work to decorate the Christmas tree!

Thinking of everyone! We worked all day at a fundraiser for local food pantries and are both pretty wiped out. Hoping to get to bed early tonight.

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

Good Morning all,
Julie, I really don't know how you keep up your busy schedule. Hope you slept well.
Heidi, hope the ear is feeling better for now.
Suzy, I, too, am wondering about your neighbour.
June and MizT - neither has been here for a few days. Hope you are both okay.

I'm feeling a little broken-hearted today. My eldest granddaughter Hayley lived with her mother after the split in 2009, then came by choice to live with her father (my son) 3-4 years ago.
She has gone back yesterday to live with her mother supposedly because the commute is quicker and easier to her choice of uni next year. Why she has to go before Christmas beats me; oh yeah, except that her mother needs a baby-sitter for Chloe when she finishes school this week for the long break.
She keeps telling me that she'll still see me every 2 weeks but I hate to see her under that woman's influence again.
I feel sad for my son and for Emily, who was a different girl with her sister there. I guess it is what it is and I have to learn how to deal with it.

Change of Avatar. My Christmas spirit has gone.
Bah Humbug!

Greetings to All!

Cyn,I'm so sorry to hear that Hayley will be back staying with her mother. I hope she is old enough and mature enough to weather the storm. Given time, she may decide the a longer commute is worth every minute. {{{HUGS}}}

And now, Folks, it's off to bed for me. Sending positive thoughts, , healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers for everyone as we approach the holidays!