Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

My doc noticed I’d lost weight! I didn’t think it showed.

Well I guess that’s as good a topp as I would have come up with anyway.

The chicks are here. They're adorable!.... but all chicks are.

Surgery good. Pain manageable. Posting on tablet tough. Thanks for the well wishes.

Hi, Everyone!

Great TOPP, Suzy! I'm glad Gizmo's cast is off. Hoping the abrasions heal quickly and he can be done with the cone of shame!

Hooray for the new chicks, Heidi! I hope you're feeling well enough to enjoy them.

DOrA, thanks so much for the update! So glad the surgery is finished and the pain is manageable! I haven't used a tablet for posting, but I'll certainly take your word for it being tough! I have enough difficulty reading what I'm typing on a desktop computer.

Sending many warn {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, and healing energy for everyone!

Glad the pain is manageable DorA. I’m remembering what my mother had to do when recovering and thinking of you. Hope you recover relatively quickly.

I don’t mind posting from my tablet now. I’ve done it so much that predictive text does a lot of the work for me. It was tougher before it got to know me. And I’m down to once every few months almost reporting posts as abusive.

Heidi, I miss my chickens. Every afternoon I feel a little lost for a while knowing I don’t have to feed them anymore.

I didn’t get to hear the jets today, probably because it’s very windy. I bet they go over tomorrow when I’m out!

Thanks for sharing the good news, DOrA. Things should get better each day as well.

The Vet will be here 1/2 hour before post time at the Kentucky Oaks. It's time to put my 30 year old paint mare, Miss Kitty, to sleep. She is in a lot of pain from the cancer.

Greetings friends, dripping in again. Not sure what I remember from posts I read, but I did read the last 2 pages.

DORA, glad you are finished with the hip replacement surgery. Hope the recovery goes smoothly.

Suzy, sorry you lost your chooks to foxes. Maybe you can find some on sale like Heidi did.

Heidi, good luck with your chicks. Yes baby chicks are adorable. I remember begging for a black fuzzy chick it's mother had abandoned. she only wanted the yellow ones. I brought it home and I forget how now, but kept it alive and fed. It grew up to be the biggest meanest black rooster you have ever seen. None of siblings or I could go int the back yard, it would come at us, tooth and claw! After it did real damage to my younger brother, Grandfather slaughtered it, Grandmother made chicken and dumplings. It was too old and tough to eat any other way. Yes, I was ha[[y to see 'Cheeper' go.

Heidi, so sorry it is time to say good bye to Miss Kitty. I know you do not let your animals suffer, but am sure it is hard to say goodbye after 30 years.

Have my nose back in another book, finished the 904 pages I was reading. This one takes up the story where that one left off. I can get lost in a good book. Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

Posting from wings over illawarra. First up with the Roulettes! They are incredible!

Hi, Everyone!

Suzy, too bad you'll miss all of the jets flying over. That must be very loud!

Heidi, I'm so sorry you'll be saying goodby to Miss Kitty. I know you have enjoyed having her as part of your extended family.

MizT, I enjoyed your 'chick' story about 'Cheeper.'

I'm going to try to get to bed earlier than usual tonight. May you all have a pleasant day, afternoon, evening, or night, as the case may be. Sending all of you much , healing energy, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers.

I’m home.

Heidi, I’m sorry about miss kitty. Hugs.

MizT, none of my roosters were mean to people, just to each other and the hens. I won’t get any more chicks. Now the foxes know the big dogs are gone I’d just lose them too.

The air show was amazing! The roulettes are incredible! Here is some information about them.
https://www.airforce.gov.au/displays/air-force-roulettes
There are probably YouTube videos of parts of their shows out there. The precision of their formations is incredible. They let us listen to the instructions roulette 1 was giving the others for a part of the show. When they break off he yells, go for each of them. I got to see an Fa18 after all, he finished the day out. At one point I said to the friend who took me, I think I’ve heard that name before. The same guy ended up doing aerobatics in at least 4 different planes. Then there was the guy who owns 2 jets. He recruited a guy straight out of the Air Force to fly formation with him. We were joking about buying our own jets so we could do that too.

I just did a search on YouTube and realised how lucky we were today. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky so everything was easy to see. The video I saw had lots of clouds.

Greetings to All!

Heidi, I've been thinking of you today. Sending warm {{{{HUGS}}}}. You have allowed Miss Kitty to move on to a better place.

I hope all of the new chicks are doing well! Are they free-range, or do you start them out in a barn or enclosed area?

Suzy, I'm sorry about the foxes. It's probably the best decision not to get more chicks because of the foxes. On a much happier note, it sounds like the air show was amazing! How wonderful that the weather cooperated for it!

MizT, I hope you're doing well and enjoying the latest book. Since you said you could hardly put the first book down, I'm assuming the second book is just as engaging! Will you be recommending the author?

DOrA, I hope your recovery is going well and pain is at a minimum. Sending gentle {{{HUGS}}} and healing energy.

CynB, I hope the reno is going well and hope Col is enjoying some time away from work during the weekend!

Thinking of all fellow Sudokuaholics and sending positive thoughts , healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and !

These are newly hatched chicks. Right now they're in a brooder in my bird room. They'll move out to my poultry barn once they're 3-4 weeks old.

Thanks, Heidi! I was pretty sure they were quite young, but wasn't sure if they could go in the bird room. I hope you're enjoying them!

Oops, forgot to say Hello, Everyone!

I hope all are well, and DOrA is making great strides in her recovery. Also hope MizT and Heidi are doing well. That also goes for Col.

Not much happening today. Just some yard work replacing some bushes and putting down mulch. Then practicing. Lots of cello practicing. (The recital is in 2 weeks. I only need to play 1 piece, but that's more than enough, as far as I'm concerned.

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

Julie, that does sound like a quiet day for you! Good luck with the recital, though I really mean have fun.

DorA, hope your recovery is going well. I hope the pain is at least better than your bad days before.

Cyn, how is Col? How are you surviving without your kitchen? Is it nearly done.

Julie, the books I am reading are not new books, but since I have never read them, new to me Barbara Taylor Bradford. The first one was A Woman Of substance. Over 900 ages, and the one I am reading now is a continuation of the story. Hold The Dream. I have another couple after this one, well, a friend is sending me one of them. I started this series at the end, someone had left the book on the Free Table. Realized there were several 'prequels' out there. Since I had enjoyed that one, I searched and found some of them on thriftbooks.com. The one I am reading now is a huge, heavy hard back, with 3 books printed and bound together. Kind of hard to hold, sometimes I put a pillow in my lap to prop it on.

Did I tell you that we no longer have the free table? Our director decided it was a problem, and said NO MORE. Many of us have tried talking to him, about how we miss it as a place to put things we no longer needed but were still useable, and how we had enjoyed finding things we could use on it. Even his sister, who comes once a week to fo nails, told him we need it, she had even brought some things to put on it. Some few of us have started putting things out on Friday after 5 pm, when staff is gone, and removing them if not gone to new homes by Sunday night. Nothing I have put out lasted that long.

I am happy about one thing, our 'veggie man' has started coming again, now it is spring and he can find things at farmers market. I bought tomatoes today, and oranges.

Time to go down for lunches, I think we have turkey and dressing today. I hope it is good. Our lunches come from a large facility, that has seniors from independent living, assisted living, to different levels of care in nursing home care. They have had a lot of turnover lately in chef, and some of the meals were not good at all. I hope today is better.

Hugs to each of you, with extras.

Hello, Everyone!

Thank you for the good luck wishes for the recital. And I appreciate that you really mean to have fun. I'll try, but really don't look forward to it. One of the parents is a professional cellist. (I hope he doesn't come to the recital. He didn't come to the December recital, but that was because the orchestra had a concert that night. I have my fingers crossed that he'll have another conflict.)

Thanks for the names and author of the books, MizT! I'm always glad to get recommendations. By the way, I like the 'work-around' for the free table. Weekends sound like the perfect time to put things out, and sharing is SO much better than throwing things away that still have a useful life! Spring has finally arrived if the 'veggie man' has returned!

MIzT, I heard an ad on the radio today for something called 'Inspire.' It says it's for people who have been prescribed the use of a C-PAP machine who don't want to deal with the mask and hose. I haven't looked it up on Google, but perhaps it could be a solution. I'm guessing that it's a medication that helps regulate breathing while asleep, but don't know for sure.

It's time for me to get a few more things done before bed, so I will say good night and send the usual supply of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , positive thoughts, healing energy, and prayers.

Wow, I haven't been here, even to read, in more than a week. Putting in a new kitchen is more stressful than I ever realised. And it's only half done. Waiting for the stone benchtops to arrive. The stonemason came and made templates last week, now they have to be cut out and polished etc. When they go back in, tomorrow would be good, then the sink and the plumbing go in, all the electical appliances, then the tiling. So co-ordinating all those tradies will be a nightmare for us, since we are responsible for the electrician and the tiler.
I just keep repeating - it will be great when it's done!

To top it all off, renos for the ensuite begin on the 17th!
And, we have Hayley here this week, she is on break from Uni and her visit was arranged before the kitchen. Poor girl is sleeping on the couch because both spare bedrooms hold the contents of the kitchen. Col isn't sleeping because we are going to bed earlier than normal, because staying up means that we are invading her bedroom. She goes back to her father's tomorrow.

DorA, glad surgery went well and that the pain is manageable.
Suzy, watching those Roulettes must have been spectacular. My Dad (ex RAAF) used to take us to Air Shows at the RAAF base at Amberley, west of Brisbane in the 50's. Haven't been to one since.
Heidi, sorry abouy Miss Kitty. You are certainly having a run of bad luck with elderly animals in recent months.
Julie, I hope your recital goes well!
Hi MizT, hope you enjoy 'A Woman of Substance'. I read it years ago but have no memory of it now.
Hi Midge, yes organ donors and their families are wonderful to be ready to offer strangers another chance at a better life.
Love and hugs to all!

Oh, and one more!
Col tried to go back to work last week. He drove there and back successfully, but it really took it's toll on him. He was attempting data entry on the computer, something he would have found easy beforehand. He ended up with severe headaches for days. He has this aversion to bright lights. It is so bad that we are getting our front windows, which face the afternoon sun, tinted on Friday to keep out the glare. The white honeycomb blinds, which were great until now, don't do the job sufficiently.

I haven't just lost elderly animals this year. Daisy was just 6 years old.

Tomorrow morning I report to the Doctor's office for fasting blood tests. This is for a re-check on the horrible blood tests I had when I had the pneumonia. I'm hoping that things like blood sugar levels are back to normal.

Surgery post-op check was good. Long day. 400 miles. 12 hours I'm tired. Night all y,all.

Greetings, Friends!

Thanks for all the newsy posts. Cyn! Do you think tinted glasses would help Col? He may need to use sunglasses, even while inside

Heidi, I hope the fasting blood test results tomorrow will be greatly improved over the ones when you had pneumonia!

DOrA, thanks so much for the update. Wow, that's awful that you had to travel 400 miles for the post-op check! I hope you wake up well rested and refreshed!

Speaking of waking up, I must get to bed soon. I'm struggling to stay awake at the computer. Good Night, Everyone. Feel free to share the positive thoughts, healing energy,{{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and !

I slept for 4 hours last night, then spent today driving Alie to and from work, and running around organising paperwork in between. My anxiety was so bad my hands were shaking. Unfortunately I drank coffee so couldn’t nap when I got home.

DorA, glad your check up was good. Shame about the 400 miles though!

Heidi, hope your test results are good.

Cyn, I hope Col’s head ache is gone! It sounds like he went back too soon.

Cyn, I don’t think the roulettes were formed until the 70s. I’ve never seen such precision!

Just dropping by to say Hello and see any updates.

Suzy - only 4 hours of sleep!? Surprisingly, I'm trying to get more than that on a regular basis. And what a busy day! I'm not surprised you had some anxiety OR that you drank some coffee. I'm sorry that when you finally had time for a nap, the coffee made it impossible.

Cyn, I hope Col is feeling better and take some more time before trying to go back to work. I hope the reno is going well. That could lead to a few headaches as well.

Heidi, I hope the blood tests showed improvement.

MizT, I hope you're enjoying your book and taking it easy.

DOrA, I hope the recovery continues!

Midge, thinking of you and hoping all is well with you and your family!

Thinking of all of our other friends and sending positive thoughts, healing energy, , prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and some spring flowers from the northern hemisphere to all who miss seeing them.

Hello all. Quick update on my end - no. 1 horse won on Monday at country races -so exciting. She will be be racing again soon in this preparation as she is fighting fit. A beautiful gentle horse that just loves being scratched on her ears. No 2 horse back at the horses' resort for six weeks break - truly is a resort, swimming pool, lovely paddocks to run around in and great stable hands. The trainer for True Kisses is quite special - he has paddocks with all the old horses in retirement and looks after them very well. So glad we are with him. Trying to get the others in our syndicate to move Double the Magic to him but they want to stay with Darren Weir who is a top trainer here but not so good with horses that are not in top grades, which ours isn't. They are both country horses. Just back from the vet with Truman - poor old boy has bad arthritis and trying him on different meds. He is also going blind and quite deaf (or just plain ornery - not sure which). He is still a bit psychotic with trying to spin - a legacy from being locked up in the pound for many months. Haven't been so good lately - drs don't know why I am in pain at the tx site. More tests grrr. Hoping to go to the football on Sunday but with the weather forecast, might think twice. Melbourne is very cold today with hail and thunderstorms. Typical of Melbourne to have a beautiful sunny day about 21 degrees down to 13 today. Would love to hear you play the cello Julie - I so envy people who have musical talent. Dora and Heidi - hope you are both going well. Suzy if you drink coffee and it keeps you awake, try 2 glasses of water after or before. Usually works to delete the caffeine. Will drop by again tomorrow, best wishes to everyone,

Hi, Everybody!

Hi, Midge! Congratulations on Horse No.!'s win on Monday! I hope she does as well in her next race! She sounds like a wonderful horse. Oh, wow, a horse resort for Horse No. 2 to relax!

I hope Truman does better with his new arthritis meds! So sorry that he is going blind and possible deaf. Our D's first dog went deaf as she aged As she had always been a 'diva' there was always a bit of a question as to how deaf she was or if she just had no interest in listening.

Sorry to hear you're still experiencing pain. I hope the doctors get that sorted out soon. I hope the weather improves, especially if you decide to go to the football on Sunday.

Midge, I appreciate your faith in my ability to play the cello. I'm not too sure that there is any talent present, but I am determined and persevere. I've been audio recording the piece I'm to play for the recital once each day. It is VERY discouraging, as I'm not hearing the improvement I have been hoping for.

Thinking of everyone who posts, even occasionally, and sending a supply of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, , positive thoughts, and prayers!

Julie - I think you are your worst critic. Just the fact you are playing is an incredible achievement, let alone in a recital. Have confidence in your ability. It is Mothers' Day on Sunday and I do not like one particular day where your family feel obligated to see you. I am very lucky and see my children frequently so a football match is a great alternative - even if it is freezing. Also I do not like the team we are playing against and it will be a great day if we beat them. Go Collingwood. For my birthday nearly 2 years ago, my kids gave hubby and I a voucher for the ferry to Tasmania - I have finally booked our holiday for June when the 'Dark Mofo' is on, and they are also planning on coming for a few days with us - it will be wonderful (even though Tasmania is much colder than here).

Congrats on your win Midge! I hope you are able to convince the others to move your horse. It sounds like a much happier and more caring place. Good luck with your tests. I hope you are able to find the cause of your pain, and a solution.

I too would like to hear Julie play. I’m not expecting major orchestra experience because I know you haven’t been playing long for learning an instrument, but I’d bet it still sounds good.

It’s very windy here today, but not as bad as the warnings said it would be, at least not yet. They forecast average 60k, with 90 k gusts. We’re getting average 40ish, with up to 60 k gusts. 90 is when damage becomes more likely. The feels like temp was below freezing when I got up this morning, around 6.30, that is rare in autumn.

I, too, would like to hear Julie play. I love music recitals and went to many when our Maddy was in the school orchestra. She left the orchestra and stopped ballet classes when she got into the higher years at school. But both gave her good training, discipline and experiences.
Midge, I'm glad you're going to Tasmania. Lucky you weren't there in the last few days. Amazingly awful weather. My son is a mad Collingwood fan and took his girls to the Gabba to watch them thrash our own Queensland Lions last Sunday. I pointed out that he should have some state loyalty. He says he does with the NRL State of Origin and the Broncos! Very true. Haha!

I think I have been brought down to earth with a great thud in thinking that it would be 'only a week or so' to fit a new kitchen. My stone benchtops are still not here, have been told Monday (please keep you fingers and toes crossed for us) as they are holding up everything else.
I keep repeating to myself - it will be great when it's done, it will be great etc etc......

The window tinting yesterday has become a godsend for Col. The glare has gone! I wish we had thought of it beforehand. He's had 3 months of discomfort.

, Everyone!

Huge thanks to you, Midge, for your confidence. Many thanks also to Suzy and Cyn! I admit to being 'a bit' of a perfectionist. It's discouraging that I'm not currently hearing/seeing improvement in my cello playing. The audio recording every day or two is probably too often. I wish my teacher had suggested one weekly or biweekly recording a month ago. Then, I might have heard any small improvement. It's not noticeable with daily recordings. Oh, well, it will be over in 12 days.

Midge, I hope the weather won't be too cold and your preferred team wins the football match, so you can enjoy the day! Will you take refreshments with you, or are warm food and drink available for purchase at the match? If you can stay warm, that will go a long way to making the day enjoyable!

Midge, I hope the get-away to Tasmania is a wonderful experience, and hope the weather will cooperate! It could be fun to have your children join you for a few days! Have you or they been to Tasmania before?

Suzy, I'm glad the winds haven't been as bad as predicted, at least so far! The feels-like temperature sounds discouraging. We finally had some spring/almost summer-like temperatures for almost a week. Today, temperature is back in the low 40*F range (5-6* C) with rain. I pity the birds who are in mid-migration. We have feeders which we're trying to keep filled for them.

Cyn, does Maddy miss her ballet and playing the cello? It can be so hard for teens to keep up extra-curricular activities in the higher grades and when they often want or need to earn some money at a job.

Cyn, I hope the stone bench tops will be delivered on Monday so that tradespeople can get back on track and make progress with your kitchen reno! Of course, you're right that it will be wonderful when it is completed!

Cyn, what a great idea to have the windows tinted. I'm so sorry I didn't think of suggesting that. When we moved to this house about 14 or 15 years ago, we had a lightly tinted film put on some of the windows. It made a huge difference! I'm glad you thought of doing it. It should be a great improvement for Col!

Heidi, I hope you have received (or will soon receive) the results of the fasting blood tests. Here's hoping that they will be greatly improved over the last tests. Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts. I hope you're feeling well and all of your animals, including the new chicks, are also well!

MizT, here's hoping that you are feeling well and all of your plants are thriving! I keep forgetting to do some research on that program or medication (or whatever it is) that I mentioned a few days ago. I think it was called 'Inspire.'

DOrfA, I hope your recuperation is progressing well!

Broni, I hope all's well for you!

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

Alie and a friend went to see the avengers today. Second time actually. This time they went to one of five cinemas in Australia and New Zealand that were live streamed with the Russo brothers (?) talking about the movie and answering questions. They got a poster and a medallion that you can’t buy and a commemorative ticket. Very exciting!