Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

I am OK but get very tired and do not want to eat. I thought I would be feeling much brighter by now.

Greetings friends, I appologize for being absent for so long. Part of the time was internet problems. both my internet and telephone were out for over 36 hours. Two days and a night, bummer. Nice technician came out, got me back working, but continuing problems and will be because signal is slow. He said they would phone to schedule someone out to run a new line from the hub, but has not happened. He said I will continue to have problems until they do. Others are having problems, too, and have not been as lucky as I was, getting someone who can work around the problem.

I really did too much, putting up that tree in one day, took several days to rest up again. Then it was pansies. I planted a total of 5 pots in 3 days over weekend. that is hard on my back, and takes a time to rest up from that. I thought I could finish yesterday, but still have one more container to go. these are the really large containers we found this summer, have no soil in them, I usually just replenish the compost and slow release fertilizer in the pot of old soil. Having to fill with new potting mix, that horrible stuff I do not like, mostly a mix of sand and sticks, with black dye to make it look like rich soil. this is the 'premium' brands, too. So I add compost and more slow release fertilizer, even though it has some. those bits of sticks will steal any nitrogen it can to finish the composting it was not given time for. Will have to water with miracle grow often, too, bummer. but we will have a lot of pansies for the winter.

Forecast if for 4 scattered nights of near or below freezing this week, will most likely get the rest of the summer plants. they are looking sad, tired, and I am tired of caring for them, it is unusual to have summer flowers in December.

I read, I thought of you, but I do not have time to go back and comment today. Supposed to have a worker in to repair a bad sleet rock mudding job HUD wants redone. Yes, my apartment was one inspected. they found my smoke detector did not work, installed a new one, but left the old one there. Worker is only one hour late, oh well.

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

''Perhaps one has to be
old before one learns how to be
amused rather than shocked''

~writer Pearl S. Buck

Gentle hugs June! Maybe it would help if you sent someone to get you your favourite food that you don’t have often, because it’s unhealthy, expensive, a pain to prepare, whichever. Now I wish I could show up at your house with an Apple turnover or something.....

I haven’t posted because my life has been the usual, boring, ferrying kids around. My neighbour has visitors so I haven’t been over in a couple of days. She was out when I came home earlier.

I went back to the Doctor today. All tests were good results. I have Osteoarthritis and only in my finger joints. I have lived with that while they worsened for 20-30 years. I know my limitations. The other pain I have in my wrists, along with tingling fingers and shooting nerve pains up my arm are all associated with the Carpal Tunnel. I am to keep my wrist splints on whenever possible and that should ease it. And I have to take the anti-inflammatories.
Review in 3 months.

Hi to Suzy, June (feel better soon), MizT, Heidi, DorA, Saltie - if you're lurking, and anyone else who passes by,

Good news Cyn,

My quiet day devolved into drama. I’ve just driven the longest I’ve done since my last ‘episode ‘. Doing a trip hubby wouldn’t have let me do, to try to minimise the discomfort of my baby. I’m so glad I’m not 21 anymore.

No time to read or comment. Just sending lots of positive thoughts, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , and prayers to Everyone!

Suzy, what is happening with your baby? I am thinking you mean Alie? whatever, I hope it is resolved now, or at least better cause Mom was there. Glad your longest trip was uneventful, just be careful.

Hi Julie, it is always good to see you have taken time to drop in every day, even if just to say hi and good night.

Cyn, glad your tests were all OK. I hope the braces help with the carpel tunnel. Can they not do the surgery to correct that? Or must you go through months of less invasive (read less expensive) treatment first? Let us know how they get along, we care.

June, I too hoped you would be feeling much brighter by now. If eating a meal is just not appealing, how about several mini meals, or just bites of this and that throughout the day? and as suggested, make it something that has been a favorite food of yours. Are you having nausea that kills your desire for food? If so, try something cold, like frozen grapes. Are you managing to get in enough liquids? You would hate to be back in hospital for dehydration.

At last, I have planted all the pansies I had bought. I thought I had enough left for one more large container, even posted about it, but today found only 4 little plants from a 6 pack. I thought there was one more 6 pack, remember counting and saying the 10 would not really fill the big pot I had, but they would grow. I do wonder if someone helped themselves to the 6 pack, to put on their balcony? Some residents are just that confused, and others feel entitled to anything they see. OH well, I hope they enjoy them and can keep them alive. I planted a 8 inch pot, they will grow to fill it.

Today was Christmas crafts day. I forgot to go down when they started, and when I did see them, still had the pansies to plant and all the area on the potting table to clear away. They were making Christmas trees from cone shaped Styrofoam cones, among several choices. One idea was to use about 70 plastic spoons, spray paint them silver or green, cut off the handles, and glue the bowl of spoon s around the cone, overlapping them, to look like tree branches. They looked surprisingly good. Others just used glittery garland to wrap the cones. these will be used as center pieces for the Christmas lunch in a couple of weeks. Jan, activities director, had some long silver glitter spiral 'sticks' only way to describe them. I said to her that they would look really nice on our new tree. she said 'Lets do it', so I added to our tree. I need to find a way to get photos here, but cannot access this site from my phone, nor get photos from phone to my computer. Drats!

Time to find something light for dinner. I ate my main meal today at lunch, one of my favorites offered, Teriyaki chicken, with egg role, rice and veg . It was yummy. So just a sandwich and soup will do tonight.

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

MizT, my baby broke up with her boyfriend of 3 years. He has severe anxiety and depression problems and just couldn’t deal with being in a relationship anymore. The long drive was to pick up some of her stuff. We couldn’t put it off because she needed her passport to use for ID. Deadline of tomorrow or she’d have to do her RSA again. She’s already had to do it over because she missed the last deadline to get it converted into an official ID. It’s Responsible Service of Alcohol. You have to have that here to serve alcohol and she sometimes does that at events. She was going to take the train up, stay overnight and come home the next day. No way could she stay so I drove her up and back. I have to say he looked as upset as she did. First love is the hardest break up.

It sounds like a good thing, Suzy. She needs someone more stable who is more concerned about her feelings than his. She can do better.

My head cold is finally letting up. But now my friend Debbie has it. It's a real nasty one, and I feel for her.

Oh, yeah.... the ear is still bleeding.

He’s a nice guy Cyn, just messed up in the head. I identify with that because I am too. A friend of Alie got dumped by his fiancée this week too. He, Alie, and a few friends are going to the movies tonight.

Tomorrow we’ll go visit my neighbour in hospital. He was originally given 9 to 12 months with treatment. They are now saying maybe 2 months, if he stays in hospital on high flow oxygen. We have a special place for palliative care, but they don’t have the ability to provide high flow oxygen. And even if they did, ambulances don’t so he’d die before he got there. He also has several blood clots that could kill him at any time. I’m kind of shattered. My father was sh1tty and Ken did more for me in the time since hubby died than my father did in 16 years.

Oops, it was Heidi. Sorry.

When I was feeding the chooks tonight, I fell down. I’m owey now!

I fell down again! Maybe I need more sleep.

Do the Alphabet song and
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
have the same tune?















Why did you just try singing the two songs above?



Got-cha

....

Morning all,
MizT, the operation for Carpal Tunnel is a last resort because there is no guarantee of it being successful. If I can ease it this way it will be better.
Suzy, sorry about the 2 falls, hope you're feeling better, and sorry about your lovely neighbour. Quite often life is so darn unfair!
I hope Alie's broken heart heals quickly. Maddy got dumped by her boyfriend of 10 months recently, he said she was 'too close' to her family, but really it was because she was not ready to take it further. She only turns 17 next month and like I said to her (a) she'll know when she's ready, and (b) it's his loss, he wasn't worth it. 6 weeks later she's having a little flirtation with a guy from work, we'll see where that leads.
Meanwhile Lachlan had such a bad experience with a controlling stalking ex gf last year that he is loath to get involved again quickly. Hayley just picks the players every time and gets her heart broken. Emily is often 'in a relationship' but it never lasts. It's usually at school with no dating involved. Gotta love her.
Teenage romances and dating have changed since the 60's, that's for sure.

Definitely no energy. Saw the oncologist yesterday and he said I did no get enough blood last week. I will probably get a 'double dose' next week. I try and eat what I feel like eating. I do not care about cost etc. It is just that I need to eat more protein and I have problems drinking sustagen. The good news is the cancer markers have taken another good drop. That means the treatment has really made an impact on the one in the liver.
Even working at the computer makes me tired so no long posts.

June, my mum was similar to you - I got her onto '2Cal' - a canned drink Peter McCallum Hospital uses to maintain weight - it was wonderful. Maybe your chemist can help - drink it cold. Great news about the markers.
Suzy - give Alie a hug from us - it is always hard. Hopefully they will remain friends.
Heidi and Cyn - hope you are both feeling better - wrong time of year to feel lousy.
MizT hope yo9u can get the photos up on this site - would love to see them.
Our small holiday looks like it has gone into the ether - my legs have given up on me at the moment - went from walking a few kms a day to 20 metres before I have to stop and rest - really annoying - not sure if it is anti-rejection meds or vasculitis, so waiting for news from renal clinic. Whatever it is, I am definitely going camping after Christmas at Tyrone Beach - have been going there for 40 years in tent or caravan and will not stop now.
Hi to Julie, Broni and everyone else, hope all is good - cheers for now.

Suzy, you had mentioned Alli's boyfriend might be preparing to break up. I am sorry it happened to Allie. Hope she can adjust to being 'single' again. Going out with friends is good start.

Midge, so sorry your little holiday has disappeared on ya. Sending wishes that the docs figure out the walking, or not walking, problem and have a workable solution for you.

Heidi, I had about 6 weeks of that cold this early fall, and as you said, it was rough. Hope your friend recovers quickly.

DORA, nope, I did not sing the songs. I have been knowing they were the same for a long time, so you did not 'get' me

June, I hope a double dose of blood will give you more energy. Does reading here wear you out, or is it the typing that does it? when I am very tired and achy, I use the talk to text on my cell phone, for FB. To bad I cannot get here from my cell, just have not taken time to figure how to find it. It did not take long for talk to text to learn my voice, we do pretty good most of the time. The times it messes up can be hilarious at times, so good for a laugh. I can carry on longer PMs with my sis, or answer more posts when I use it.

Well, it is a LOT cooler today than yesterday, the high about 25 degrees colder and feels like even more, that is some cold wind. I have not got used to putting on gloves, and that is what caused my blowout of tire on my car this afternoon. The steering wheel was cold, I had my knot gloves out, so smart me just holds one around the steering wheel. needed to make an adjustment at intersection, it has a tiny zag, and my hand and mitten moved, but the wheel did not. POW, I hit the curb and blew the tire. Was only one block from home, and felt certain the tire was already shot, so I did a U turn, and drove the block back home. Tomorrow I shall call my roadside service, have them change the tire. I think I have a full sized spare, as I never have really trusted those little toy things they pass off as a spare nowadays. I can get that put on, and then go buy a tire, bummer. Gotta find the energy for that somewhere.

My home tree is still not up. I am waiting on them to return to repair my Sheetrock, cause he would knock over my table top tree if it were up, it goes on the table right under that spot on the wall. If they do not get it repaired soon, I just might not have a tree this year. I have the big one downstairs I put up, and have candles that come on at dusk. Might get the lights around my window and call it decorated. Or just put the bare pre lit tree up, lights only.

Time for evening meds, and I can use the pain pill, the last one has worn off. I am so happy that today pills are working, they had not done much lately.

Hugs to each of you, with extras.

Greetings to All!

June, what wonderful news that the cancer markers have dropped. Certainly hoping that the 'double dose' of blood next week helps to restore some energy and increased appetite, especially for protein! At least you are eating what you feel like eating/what sounds good and tastes good. MizT's suggestion of multiple mini meals may be a good idea. Sometimes the thought of a full meal can be daunting, but a few bites might be delicious. Thinking positive thoughts that there will be a noticeable improvement for you next week!

MizT, it's amazing all that you get done. The tree undoubtedly looks fantastic! The pansies will be spots of color and cheer through the winter months. It's a shame that some of them disappeared, whether due to someone's confusion or sense of entitlement. I wish you could find someone who would be interested in helping you! You do so much to bring cheer to the other residents and those who work there!

DOrA, I really like the Pearl S. Buck quotation. I knew about Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the Alphabet song already. Does anyone know a song with the same tune as Baa Baa Black Sheep???

Cyn, your diagnosis sounds less concerning than it might have been. As you said, you've been dealing with the osteoarthritis for many years already and know how to deal with it. I hope the wrist splints and anti-inflammatories will help lessen the carpal tunnel symptoms! It's certainly worth a try!

Suzy, I hope Alie doesn't have a horribly tough time dealing with the break-up. In the long run, she may find that she feels stronger, more energy and happiness if she doesn't need to deal with his anxiety and depression. In spite of that, they obviously must have had a close relationship if it lasted for 3 years. That must have been a difficult drive for both of you when you went to get her stuff, but it may have given you some quiet time to talk. Sending {{{HUGS}}} for Alie. And now, after a couple of falls, I think you're right - you could use some sleep.

Suzy, keeping your neighbor Ken, his wife, and you in my thoughts. His condition doesn't sound good. I'm glad you have been able to have such a good relationship with him. I'm sure he feels the same about you! Sending healing and positive thoughts. {{HUGS}}

Heidi, I'm glad your head cold is getting better. On the other hand, your ear doesn't seem to be making as much progress. Will you need to go back to the ENT? Sorry to hear that your friend Debbie now has a head cold!

Cyn, wow! Your grandies are all dealing in one way or another with developing relationships! You're right! Things are SO different now. Our oldest grandie just turned 12, so we're not yet hearing about these things. I just can't imagine what it's like. I have a few friends who have lost a spouse, then met someone new and had a developing relationship. A few are now married. Hubby's Mom remarried about 8 or 9 years after his

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the post ran over. Here's the rest:

I have a few friends who have lost a spouse, then met someone new and had a developing relationship. A few are now married. Hubby's Mom remarried about 8 or 9 years after his Dad passed. I was happy for her to find someone who made her happy and her life richer, but I still find it amazing.

Midge, I have not heard of '2Cal' but it sounds like it might be helpful for June. Being sure that it's cold might make it more palatable.

Midge, I hope you're not too discouraged about your lack of energy for walking. I hope the renal clinic will have some GOOD news for you! Hopefully it has only had an impact on how far or long you can walk, but nothing else. I admire your determination to go on your camping trip after Christmas. Maintaining traditions is so important - and can even be energizing.

Thinking of everyone I haven't mentioned - Nola, Saltie, Broni, Tami - and others I have forgotten to mention. Sending a HUGE supply of positive and ENERGIZING thoughts, healing energy, {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}, , and prayers for Everyone!

MizT, you snuck in while I was typing. What a bummer about your tire! We had a flat about a month ago - hit some debris in the road. With two lanes of traffic moving in each direction and no shoulder to swerve to, there was nowhere to go but over the debris. Guess what? Our car does NOT have ANY spare. All it has is something you plug into your cigarette lighter that first sprays some chemical into the tire to 'plug' the hole, them pumps air in. We were able to get to our destination, but had to get the tire patched before driving home, then a day later ordered a new tire. We could only get it from the car dealer, so expensive. They also told us that the stuff sprayed into the tire can cause problems down the line. Good thing we were planning to replace the tire because of the size of the hole and damage to the 'belts' inside. Then, a few days later, another flat tire. Luckily, the dealer where we bought the new tire patched it for no additional cost, and the hole was not as destructive as the first one had been. I hope you are able to find a good replacement tire without paying an arm and a leg!

Gosh, I hope the person comes soon to repair the sheetrock in your apartment. At least you have a tabletop tree with lights that could pass for a holiday decoration, and your 'smart' candles that come on at dusk! We are likely to leave our Christmas tree in the boxes in the basement. It is big and heavy - too much for hubby to deal with since we won't be having any guests over the holidays. We made it through last year without a tree, though we put wreaths on our outside lights, both last year and this year. Maybe we'll get some mini lights to go around the windows, like you mentioned.

And now to check email and head to bed early, I hope!

But first, time to add some festive decoration here.

Hi all,
I went to visit my neighbour in the hospital today and got to hear what a doc said to him. It’s not going to get better, surprised you’ve been active for this long. There are several things that could happen, lists them, if any of those happen, you won’t make it and you’ll be in great distress. I assume he means pain. There is another option, if you want it, you tell us when you’re ready, we’ll put you under heavy sedation, then slowly turn the oxygen down. So, basically, choose the day you’re going to die. I managed to smile through the visit, just.

Oh, and it looks like my toe is broken. I’ve been driving all day, manual transmission, with a probable broken toe. I’ve just taken extra strength panadol. Wish me luck.

Any boyfriend who would break up with a sweet girlfriend right before Christmas is a louse. I repeat.... Alie is much better off without him.

Oh no, Suzy! Between worrying about Alie, worrying about a beloved neighbor who is dying, and now broken toe.
They say bad things come in threes, and I'm hoping that it's true for you.

I hope you get more energy soon, June. I'm glad the markers are going in the right direction. May they continue to do so.

June, I'm glad your markers are down. I hope you can find a replacement for Sustagen that you can handle.

Good morning and hugs to everyone! I'll try to get back later. Going to an auction of some family land today. Fingers crossed that all goes well.

Julie, I had someone who helped, for most of the summer. Brian did all the watering in the garden, both containers and the landscape plants (lantana, hydrangeas, azaleas, and some whose name escapes me at the moment)but Brian and his wife both have developed serious health problems. He is now full time care giver for her, so does not have time to work in the garden. I have seen her downstairs only twice since her return from hospital. both are on so much medication I wonder how they function. I shall just have to do a better job with fewer containers to water next summer.

Julie, I have the mini lights for my window, I just need to get them up there. Since family forbids me getting on the step ladder, I have not got them up yet.

The sheet rock has been finished! It was late fore he came, and needed time for paint to dry before I can put up that table top 4 foot tree. I did get the tiny 12 inch table tree out and plug it in. I have another I have not located yet, it has gardening implements as decorations, mini rakes hoes, straw hats, flowers and a larger, out of scale watering can for the top of the tree. This will be it's 4th year, once I find it.

Suzy, you are a very strong person, 1) being able to remain calm and collected while you listened to your friend's doctor give such bad news and discuss end of life plans with him and 2) driving around all day with a broken toe. Takes both emotional and physical strength. I am sorry the toe is giving you such problems, hope the Panadol helps.

HI Cyn and Heidi. Heidi, I too wish Alie's boyfriend could have waited till after Christmas, but there is never a good time to end a relationship, is there?

Did I tell you we had a second unattended death here? I did not know this lady, she did not come down often, I might have seen her, and would have recognized her if there was a photo. I hope these deaths do not come in 3's.

When family does not live nearby, there is a lot they have to do clearing out apartments. John's family has put a LOT of things on the free table, things usually taken for extended family. I got his vacuum cleaner, a really good one for pet hair. I might see if one of my friends with a cat wants it, since my old one still works. Old one is just loud. I do need to decide soon, one of them needs to go. There was also an almost new microwave, coffee maker, sets of dishes, art supplies, every day they filled 2 tables and a shopping cart for residents to choose from. Now the second family is bringing down things to donate to residents.

Tire has been changed, I went to grocery. Good thing I did, we have the S word in our forecast. tonight's low will be at 8 am tomorrow, at 32, and stay there for a while, High for tomorrow will be 36, or 2C. Rain over night, then the cold, how much snow depends on how long the rain lasts after the temps drop.

HEIDI, our new Scrabble player today made 75 points on one word, she was so excited. Put the Q on a double letter score, and

HEIDI, our new Scrabble player today made 75 points on one word, she was so excited. Put the Q on a double letter score, and the word also hit the triple word space. she is very competitive and learning the game more each week.

Night time meds beginning to work, I need to finish up my night cap and then get me to bed. KNOW I have run over, just wonder how much. Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

Oh, Suzy, I am so sorry that you had to hear the diagnosis for your neighbor. That would never have happened in the U.S. because of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws. Those laws are what prevent people at MizT's apartment from telling other residents about those who are taken to the hospital, etc. In some cases, a person even needs to sign paperwork to allow a spouse to receive information. Was his wife also in the room? That's one heck of a diagnosis and choice for him1

Suzy, sorry about your broken toe! There seem to be a couple of ways to treat that, at least in our family's experience. One is to tape it to the next larger toe for support. Most recently, the doctor had hubby use about 8 or 10 inches of tape with the middle going over the affected toe and crossed underneath with one end going to each of the adjacent toes. (Imagine the shape of the cancer awareness ribbons.) http://awarenessribbongifts.com/awareness-ribbon-colors/

Suzy, I hope the extra strength Panadol is helping! I'm with Heidi. It looks like you've had your 'three unfortunate circumstances/episodes of bad luck! I hope the rest of the month is a great improvement!

Heidi, how is your ear? Is it still bleeding? I hope it is finally on the mend!

MizT, I'm so glad the sheetrock has finally been repaired and you will be able to set up your personal trees. I hope you are able to find the gardeners tree, as it sounds very cute! I'm sure you'll enjoy the decorations you are able to put up!

IMizT, 'm sorry to hear about the lady who died. It's nice that family members put out items to be shared with other residents! We were able to do that a few years ago when hubby's Mom passed. Often, other residents in her building had very little and were able to get a desk or night stand or TV.

I'm so glad your tire was replaced, and in time to shop for groceries. I hope you will only get minimal snow or just flurries, if you must get snow.

I haven't really paid attention in past years, but it seems that there have been a number of our acquaintances or extended family of friends who have passed in the last 2 or 3 weeks. I need to get to the store and buy a supply of cards.

MizT, it sounds like the new Scrabble player is enjoying the experience. I hope she also enjoys the company and doesn't become too competitive.

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

I REALLY NEED TO LEARN HOW TO READ A RECIPE!!!!!!

I was trying to make a really easy veggie dip that my mum used to make. I mistook tsp for TBL. Needless to say the dip is 'well seasoned'.

The ear is still acting up. The bleeding just stopped, but the hearing is going again, and the ear is crackling and popping inside again. I'll call the ENT on Monday if things haven't improved. I'm dreading the possibility of another bacteriophage treatment. I haven't forgotten the one I had 53 years ago.

53 years is a long time to remember something Heidi, it must have been really bad. Here’s hoping there’s an alternative.

DorA, hopefully the extra seasoning didn’t ruin the dip and you still get to eat it.

June, I’m hoping the extra blood next time has your energy coming back.

I think I have a couple of groups of threes going on. I hurt my back, chopped my finger, and hurt my toe. My hubby died, my dog died, and my neighbour/father figure is dying. That feels like enough for one year! Oops there’s a skin cancer removal in there too. Oh well, it’s lucky I’m not superstitious.

Anecdote: today I saw a family, husband, wife, and 5 kids. 4 of the kids had dark hair like dad, one was a strawberry blonde like Mum. Dad’s skin was darker, though not too dark. Turned out he was French, his wife Australian. She bought 2 milkshakes for the kids, paid and left, leaving him to buy 2 milkshakes. Separately. It was the weirdest thing I’d ever seen. I know they were married because I told him I thought his little girl was gorgeous. She was. Dark, curly hair, bright blue eyes. And he told me it was what you get when you combine his French with his wife’s Australian. It was so weird to see them together, but separate. Even with the kids. Maybe three were from a first marriage or something, but still weird.

Am I imagining that I saw you're having snow today, MizT? ??