Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Laugh when you can...✿ Apologize when you should...✿ Let go of what you can't change...✿ Love deeply and forgive quickly...✿ Take chances and give your everything...✿ Life is too short to be anything but happy...✿ You have to take the good with the bad...✿ Love what you have...✿ Always remember what you had...✿ Forgive and forget...✿ And always remember that life goes on...✿

Good 'top', Julie...

I'm home. I spent 3 weeks, post surgery, at my brothers place. He went above and beyond to provide for my needs. Bonus - His wife is a good cook. I was beginning to be bored with the lack of activity, though. I'm not very good at ''laying around''...

On a positive note, I think I am about 2-3 weeks ahead of where I was, in my recovery, with my first hip replacement. While there is some pain, I am walking, well, without a walker or crutches. (How about 3 weeks post surgery, on the tractor, mowing the fence line and trails.)

I am having to retrain my taste buds. The sister in laws choice of spices and combination of spices is much different than mine.

It is nice to, once again, have a desktop computer with a real keyboard.

A big to those who have inquired about my recovery. It helps to know that ''someone cares''.

That said, I'm forwarding on the healing thoughts / vibrations to those in need...

Though I don't post as often as some, I do ''copy the mail'', i.e. read the posts of others, most days...

DorA, flashback! Mum decided to mow the lawn after her hip replacement. With a push mower. Before she believed in cell phones. She dislocated in the front yard, but lived in an area with a farm across the street and trees between her and her side neighbours. I don’t know how long she lay on the ground calling for help, but it was long enough to get a bad sunburn. I’m glad your efforts involved a tractor! That is impressive, so soon after surgery.

P.s. you have a great family

The temporary tooth installed over the gaping hole from the root canal came off. And my next appointment is next Thursday. The dental office hasn't returned my call.

DorA, nice to hear you are doing well and have been looked after well by your brother and sister-in-law. The good cooking must have been a nice bonus.
Julie - great TOPP.
Suzy, I hope you are settling down a bit this morning after your encounter with the tree.
Heidi, I hope the dental surgery gets back to you soon.
Hello to everyone else, hope you are all well and happy.

I have a fully working new kitchen with one exception. My canopy range hood has still not been installed. We have only found one company that will install it at a cost of $540 and not until next Friday. I felt like asking did he want me to throw in my firstborn as well. I couldn't believe it. We have booked him but are still looking for someone with a more realistic price. When it's finally installed I will post pictures. It looks great, I love it.

Well Cyn, I believe you said the range hood was glass. Installer has higher risk. Higher price...

Cyn, at least you have found someone who will install it!

I must have recovered Cyn. I did something last night that I haven’t done since I was a teenager. I stayed in bed, alternating reading and sleeping for 12 hours! It helped that every time I thought about getting up I noticed it was too cold to expose myself to the air in thin pjs.

Time to break out the ''flannels'', Suzy...

I don’t have any DorA!

OOPS! It's very late and I need to get to bed. Sending healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, nd {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!

Julie, The insurance has approved, and I have an appointment, it is for June 5, the earliest they could get me on schedule. It is getting more difficult to do the things I have to do, and not much room for the things I WANT to do.

CynB, vitamin C is a catalyst for the building up of new body cells, so it is needed in healing. An extra serving of a vitamin C food a day would not hurt Col, and might help. I am glad Col is OK with the prognosis, and hope he and you continue to be positive. Is he still going in to work some? I can only imagine how uncomfortable a lose stitch in the eye can be. I had a stitch that had not dissolved as advertised. I kept complaining until doc said come in, let's see if something is wrong. 'No, nothing wrong but I saw this little stitch that did not dissolve, I snipped and removed that.' Guess what? Pain was gone by time I got home! In the eye, it must have been many times worse, the eye is so sensitive. Thanks for letting us know how the appointment went.

Suzy, I can understand you being a 'mental Mess' after an episode like that. I saw the photos on TOS, and thanked the little tree for stopping you. I am so glad the only damage was your license plate, that can be replaced.

Julie, loved your TOPP. I just need to keep that in mind every day.

DorA, I know you are happy to be home. How wonderful your brother took you in after your surgery, and you had really nice meals courtesy of his wife. A change in activity level is hard to become accustomed to, I hope you can find things interesting enough, but not to difficult to do, now that you are home. OH DEAR, tractor work, mowing fence lines was not what I had in mind hehehe, hope it went well.

Understand the joy of a desk top and real keyboard. What I have, what I want. My BIL was building me a new computer after the hard drive died on my old one. He offered me this nice laptop, which I had to decline. so he found an old desktop and rebuilt it for me. I do so much better than on my phone or a lap top. Glad to know you 'copy the mail' and we invite you to post more often. That might give ya something to do while taking it easy Good wishes, thoughts for continued recovery

OH HEIDI, sad to hear the temp tooth has come off, and this now a long holiday weekend. I do hope the office returned your call or someone moniters calls the weekend.

Suzy, I think I would be looking through my clothes for some substitute for flannel PJs. I have slept in my fleece sweat suit, or track suit down there, when our electricity, therefore heat, was off. It does not have to be PJs, just needs to be comfortable and warm

I watered containers yesterday, today I watered the shade garden. My helper for watering can no longer do this, bummer. I also dug up some sick looking impatiens, from a container, and put in some fertilizer and soil amendment before replanting it with red begonias. Looks a bit skimpy now, but they will quickly grow to fill the huge pot

Did a bit of weeding, ground is soft from recent rains, but much more is needed, both rain and weeding. I do waht I can, when I can. If every day I could just weed for 15 minuets, it would make a difference. that is my goal, hope I can make it every day. Rain is scheduled every day this weekend and beyond. Most significant rain predicted for tuesday. I should not have to water outside again for a whillle. Maybe I can use that time for weeding.

Did I tell you about the pumpkin vine that came up volunteer? It has been sending out long runners into the parking lot sometimes. I had cup some of the long vines, and left them to dry, so they were not so 'stickerish'. one of the vines was in the flower bed. I noticed it wilted at first, them it was putting out new blooms. HUMMM, what? The dern thing sent down roots from the vine and it was growing again. It is a determined plant, eh? Some of the residents have been interested in watching the pumpkin vine grow, so I have left part of it. Wonder if we will get a pumpkin?

Hi, Fellow Sudokuaholics!

DOrA, I'm glad you have progressed enough to be back at home. It's great that your B and SIL invited you to stay with them during your recuperation! Even better, your SIL is a good cook; makes for healthy eating that leads to faster healing. That's evidenced by your being 'ahead' of your recovery after previous surgery. It's amazing that you have already been on the tractor and done some mowing. Please continue to take care of yourself! The experience of Suzy's Mum is kind of a 'wake-up-call' warning agains over-doing too soon.

Oh no, Heidi! I hope you received a call from your dentist. A long weekend is NOT the time to be dealing with the loss of a temporary tooth or the gaping hole left behind. Please be careful.

Cyn, so glad you are able to use your new kitchen, but shocked at the price quoted for installing the new range hood. I hope you have luck finding a better quote. If not, I hope the person you have found does an outstanding and careful installation!

Suzy, good for you for having a long and restful sleep! That sounds wonderful - and necessary after the experiences you had! Good advice from MizT - look through your assorted clothes to find something that would be comfortable and warm. It doesn't need to be 'official' PJs.

MizT, I enjoyed your posts! I'm so glad your insurance approved the visit to the pain clinic and that you have an appointment! I just wish it were sooner than June 5! I hope the days fly by.

MIzT, thanks for the words of advice regarding Vit. C and its ability to aid healing. I need to remember that!

Sounds like you accomplished a lot of gardening. Your idea of doing a small amount each day may help get the tasks done regularly and without a huge expenditure of effort all at once. I'm sorry your watering assistant is no longer able to help. I'm picturing the pumpkin vine struggling to get a 'foothold' in the dirt. It would be fun if it produces a pumpkin for the residents to enjoy.

I need to get some more practicing done, then check email. Bed time needs to be earlier tonight, as we need to get up and on the road in the morning to have a visit (and haircuts) with my Sis.

Sending along an adequate supply of {{{{{UGS}}}}}, healing energy, , positive thoughts, and prayers for everyone!

MizT, good idea! I’ve got trackies that would work! And one of my old long sleeve shirts.

You should have seen Alie’s face when she looked at the front of the car. We both expected a lot more damage as the tree was on top of the car. So lucky it was just the right size to stop us without causing too much damage.

I didn’t sleep as well last night. Three cups of coffee have kept me awake though.

Greetings to All!

I think we're all glad for that tree, Suzy. It must have been just the right size to help you start without causing much damage! I hope you and Alie are able to get past the experience and return to some sense of normalcy all day long and restful sleep at night.!

I now have my 'summer' haircut - shorter than it has been for a while. That's good, because it will probably be nearly 3 months before we have time to get another haircut. (And our temperature today hit almost 100* F, possibly a new recored.

Keeping everyone in my positive thoughts and sending healing energy, , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers. Take care, Everyone!

Julie, I gave up on hair cuts, mine is just growing longer and longer. I wear it in a ponytail. Short hair is work to maintain, and these days I barely feel like walking from one room to another so anything I don’t have to do is appreciated.

I had to drive the same road to pick up Alie that day. It was nerve wracking, and I was perspiring by the time I got to the bottom, but I made it safely. I just have to go slower since they put the gravel on the road.

I’ve just realised I haven’t taken my night time pills. What made me realise? I was reading and something made me think of another book I enjoyed so I moved on to that one, read a few chapters, and it happened again. I started my fourth book of the night and thought d@mn, what’s going on? Off to take my pills....

I've been back to sleeping excessively. At least it's helped my injured groin muscle. It's finally starting to heal.

reporting in, in case any of you have seen TV coverage of tropical storm Alberto that made landfall today. Cloudy skies, cooler temps and very high humidity today, a couple of sprinkles, but the rain bands wrapping around the center are still south and mostly east of us. We are forecast to get over an inch of rain over night, as the system moves further inland. Slight possibility of isolated flash flooding, maybe a spin off small tornado hope it is not too bad and not here.

My sister came by today to bring some things, like the bowl I sent food for the family reunion I did not make it too and a couple of other things. then we went to one of the big box stores, they had hanging baskets 2/$10. She bought 2, I bought 4. Think I said before I will use those plants to fill in containers that contain pansies that will die out soon in the heat of summer. One I bought is Wandering Jew, a vine with purple backed green leaves. I have had one inside since I moved here till last fall. I took it outside for summer and did not get it back come fall. another is purslane, with lots of different colored flowers on the same plant. another is verbena, and the fourth is zennias. Also a couple of pint sized containers of polka dot plant. The hanging baskets can be set out in that pot, on tables and other things to raise it up a bit, and when I must remove the dead pansies, I can just plant out the very large plant in that empty pot.

We went to lunch, and looked for a place to buy some peach schnaps, but the state run stores are closed for the holiday. Yes, the state sells alcohol in Alabama.

This morning I took a tablet of cortisone, left over from a previous episode, so I could make the trip. I felt better than in over 2 weeks, but it gave out about the time we got home. Now I am paying for the walking I did. Pain from back to bottom of my foot, bummer. but getting out was wonderful, yesterday I did not get out of my apartment, or out of my nightgown, and rarely out of my recliner.

Well, my weather app just sent warning that storms have entered our area, hummm, sooner than expected. no wind, no rain here at the moment.

Hope everyone is well, and enjoying their day, evening. Hugs to each of you, with extras.

Heidi, I’m glad you slept if it means you’re starting to heal. Did you hear from your dentist?

MizT, your day out sounds like fun. I’m sorry you’re hurting now though. Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Hi, Everybody!

Suzy, I'm glad your return drive on 'that road' was uneventful. It's probably good that you had to drive it again so soon. You did it successfully and know that you can do it. Do you have any idea whether put loose gravel on it? Is it just a gravel road ordinarily, and they were just filling in worn patches?

I understand your letting your hair grow. I would be tempted, but mine grows VERY slowly and is getting thinner. I'm afraid it would take quite a few years for it to grow long enough to pull back into a pony tail, & would need to be pulled so tight that it would show how very little hair I have.

I hope taking your night-time pills later than usual isn't a problem. Some of hubby's seem to do best when taken within a certain span of time.

Heidi, I'm glad the extra sleep is helping your pulled muscle to heal! I hope your tooth can soon be replaced. That may help you to sleep better, as well.

MIzT, you and your sister had an amazingly busy day. I'm glad you had a pill to help you through all the activity. Too bad it wore off by the time you got home. Hoping tomorrow will be a better day with little pain. I hope there will be no severe weather overnight!

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

Hi Julie, it’s a dirt road. I’m not sure why they put gravel on it, but they used to do it on the road I lived on when I was young. There must be a reason, but I don’t know it. I usually take my nighttime pills as I’m getting into bed. I discovered the hard way that about an hour after I take them that I feel like I’ve been drinking enough to be staggering and even nauseous. It’s better if I’m asleep before it gets to that stage. When I started the new one my doc was emphatic that I not take it until I was going to bed. At first I thought he was overreacting because I felt fine, until the night I got up to go to the bathroom after an hour or so. I thought I was going to fall over!

Greetings to all Friends!

Suzy, do you suppose the gravel on the dirt road is to keep it from turning to mud if it rains? (That's just a random guess, as I'm not sure if you'll be getting much rain during your winter.)

Those nighttime pills really pack a wallop, Suzy. It's a good thing your doctor was insistent that they be taken just before or AS you are going to bed. Different medications really work differently, especially considering how quickly or SLOWLY they begin to work. It's a good thing you found out how yours work!

Heidi, I hope your muscle is continuing to heal as you continue to get lots of sleep!

MIzT, I heard about a lot of rain in the Birmingham area. I hope all is well where you are and you and the other residents are safe!

Time to send tonight's supply of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, prayers, , and positive thoughts to each of you!

I know it’s really cold, and not just me, when Gizmo is wearing his doggy coat and still goes completely under the quilt I have over my lap. I checked and our feels like temp is about 10C or 50 F.

Julie, the weird thing is they’re not supposed to be sleeping pills, they are to help with my nightmares, and I’m not even taking the whole dose the psych said I might need.

That cold snap has hit us overnight but not as bad as you are getting, Suzy! But it's so lovely, crisp and clear. I love a winter's day when it's like that.

For the first time since the start of May, we have a weekday to ourselves. We either have had tradesmen here or have been waiting for someone or something to arrive. Tomorrow, we have the rangehood going in - that will finish the kitchen; and we have the shower screen being installed, that will finish the ensuite. Renos on the main bathroom will not start until 14th June so we have a 2 week break. Phew.

Wow, Suzy! You weren't exaggerating about how cold it is. Gizmo agrees. Is this colder than usual for this time of year?

I'm glad your doctor forewarned you about the medication. I hope your sleep is restful and you feel ready to take on the day when you get up in the morning!

Cyn, how wonderful that almost everything in this portion of the reno is completed and you'll be able to have some quiet time before the next phase starts. I hope the installation of the range hood goes easily and without any 'hiccups.' Now to relax and enjoy it!

Heidi, I hope your sleep is helping with the muscle recovery. I also hope you have been able to get in to see your dentist, or at least get an appointment made.

MizT, how has your weather and rain been since Alberto made itself known? I hope all's well, and hope the time leading up to your pain clinic appointment is passing quickly.

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

I was perusing the ''Sudokuos Cookbook'', and came across this. (I haven't seen or heard from Dorthea for ages.)

RECIPE FOR LAUGHSDorthea From San Francisco

* It's fun to cook for Tom. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbors were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls.
* Tom wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said to serve without dressing. So I didn't dress. What a surprise when Tom brought a friend home for supper
* A good day for rice. The recipe said wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway. I can't say it improved the rice any.
* Today Tom asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe. It said prepare ingredients; lay on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Tom asked me why I was rolling around in the garden.
* I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said put the ingredients in a bowl and beat it. There must have been something wrong with this recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left.
* Tom did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. I don't have any clothes that fit it, and for some reason Tom keeps counting to ten.
* Tom's folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast but all I had was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.
* GOOD NIGHT, DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week! I'm eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Tom. If I can talk Tom into buying a bigger oven, I'd like to surprise him with a chocolate moose.

Julie, we have not had flash flooding here at our area, though some surrounding areas have had some. We got periods of moderate rain, mixed with light rain till this afternoon, when the sun came out. humidity was so high, being outside was like trying to breathe with face covered in a wet sponge. Everyone here safe weather wise.

I moved the hanging pots of flowers out to areas providing thier desired amount of sun. Hope they like their locations. Moved a couple of pansies to an area where they get morning sun only, perhaps that will extend their growing season a bit longer.

A resident had donated some bulbs for red double tuberous begonias. One had poked it's head up a coupe days ago, now has two large (for first leaves large, that is). today I found another one had just poked it's head through. Celest is very excited 'her' flowers are coming up.

I have not pulled another weed, that 'bit a day' is not working out for me, bummer.

tomorrow is housekeeper and then scrabble day. Our food pantry was open today, I stopped in to see if anything was interesting. I found LEMON Oreos, those are really good. I have repackaged in a gallon bag to take to scrabble tomorrow, do not need them in my house, I would eat them all.

They also had cranberry juice cocktail in concentrated form. An 11 oz bottle, add 33 oz water to get a normal amount of product. Love it, not paying to package, transport, store all that water in product. Takes up little room in pantry. Nice to have on hand.

Way past by go to sleep time, meds just not working tonight, sleeping meds nor pain pill. If I stay up another 30 min I can take repeat dose and hope that will then work.

More rain forecast for over night. then by weekend temps forecast to be in 90's. To early for temps that high, bummer.

I did read, but no time to comment tonight, hip/leg say get out of this chair. Hugs to each of you with extras.

I have 2 dental appointments tomorrow ... the first is a cleaning at noon and the second is the final appointment for the root canal at 2:30. I'll take a lunch break in between.

Cyn, I hope you enjoyed your worker free day. How is Col doing?

Heidi, hope your dental appointments are pain free!

MizT, hope you got some sleep.

DorA, that was funny. I wondered though, what were you looking for in the cookbook?

Under a quilt again. Actual temp 10.1, about 50, feels like about 42. I saw today that we’re supposed to have a warm, dry winter. Doesn’t feel like it so far. About half of town is without power until 10.30 tonight. I don’t know why, but I’m lucky, I’ve still got power.

Suzy, I was looking for Pinto Beans w/ ham. Didn't find one, But -

I did find

OLD FASHIONED MEAT LOAF Suzy From Oz

I'd like to try it, but the oven in my ute won't stay lit. Bummer!

DorA, hubby used to make pinto beans with ham. I’ve got no idea what recipe he used, sorry.

DorA - love the recipe for laughs. I haven't thought about the sudoku cookbook in years. Must go and have a look at it.
Suzy - Col is doing okay at the moment. The removal of that loose stitch took away a lot of the irritation on his eye and he's better able to cope with things.
Heidi - hope your dentists visits go well.
Hello to Julie and MizT
Hugs to all.

Back home, finally. I left the house a little before `11 am and got home just before 7 pm. All spent at the dentist's. My face is sore.... but all went well. I'm not allowed solid food tonight.

Heidi, enjoy your liquid dinner.

I too loved the 'fun' recipe, no wonder her hubby was shaking his head hehehe.

Suzy, no, never really got to sleep. I kept dozing for about 30 mins, then waking with pain. Maybe total of 3 hour with my little naps.

Today was scrabble day. We were in the building 2, second floor community room. Kept hearing this humming type noise, could not figure it out. then later heard lots of sirens, could not tell if they stopped outside or not. then Friend Ron came in to tell us Matt, a young man with mobility issues who lives in building one, second floor, had a fire in his apartment. It was his smoke alarm we were hearing from a distance.

the really strange thing, workers were in building all day testing the fire alarm system, both Mary and I had thought earlier 'what would happen if we had a real fire' during the testing. Well, we did, and the alarm system did not sound the warning. I think that is because firemen were here quickly and decided it was no danger of spreading. Residents who saw said there were many fire trucks and even 2 ambulances responding. The smell was bad, I went into building 1 for elevator down, did not want to cross drive outside after dark. YUCK, there was burned wood smell. I imagine kitchen fire and cabinets were burned. His mom was there, I spoke to her, and she looked so very upset. After finding Matt was ok, I gave her a big hug and she broke down, crying, sobbing. It seems some years ago, the apartment building she lived in had burned to ground at midnight, and from her first received phone text messages all she had known was fire in Matt's apartment. Lots of bad memories of standing in the dark watching everything she owned go up in flames. a lot of guilt for her too. she was at doctor with her husband and had no reception on her phone for 2 hours, when son and staff were trying to contact her. 'the only time I have been out of contact with Matt in 18 years, date of his accident.

I think meds are beginning to work, have had a lot of pain in leg. Five more sleeps till epidural appointment. Please cross fingers or whatever you care to do, with wishes this epi does as well or better as the last one. Pain can be so exhausting.

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

Good Evening, Fellow Sudokuaholics! I hope everyone is feeling well! It must have been a good day for most, as we have some great posts!

DOrA, thanks for sharing Dorthea's Recipe for Laughs! It reminds me of the children's books about 'Amelia Bedelia.' Amelia Bedelia was a maid who regularly got directions, recipes, and tasks assigned by her employers confused, often because of taking things literally or not understanding things like 'dress the chicken' or 'dust the furniture.'

MizT, I'm glad you didn't get the extremely heavy rain and accompanying flash floods. The extreme humidity sounds awful! And very high temperatures predicted for this weekend won't be fun, either. I hope all of the plants like their new locations, and hope the pansies will last a bit longer in their new 'home.' It's great the the bulbs Celeste donated are growing and so nice that she is excited and enjoying them.

MizT, seems like you hit the jackpot in the food pantry. I've never had lemon Oreos, but they sound good. I hope you and your Scrabble group enjoy them! I'm intrigued by the concentrated Cranberry Juice Cocktail, as I haven't seen that in the store. What a great idea! I hope the repeat dose of medications helped you finally get some sleep!

WOW, Heidi! What a long day at the dentist. I'm glad it was at least broken up long enough for you to get something for lunch, especially since you're not allowed to have solid foods tonight. I imagine your jaw muscles are sore from holding your mouth open so long. I hope everything heals well and you don't have much pain!

Suzy, your cold temperatures don't seem to agree with the forecast for a warm and dry winter. I'm glad you at least have power, so can read, listen to radio, or watch TV. Have a great weekend!

Cyn, I hope you and Col are able to enjoy the worker-free days! What a relief that the removal of the loose stitch has eliminated much of the irritation he was dealing with! Hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

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

Cyn, your range hood looks fantastic! I’m glad Col is more comfortable.

Heidi, that’s a long time at the dentist! I’d probably just be in bed and not worried about eating at all. Actually, I’d probably be curled in a ball on my bed.

I’m glad Matt is okay, it sounds like it could have ended differently with the tests going on that day. I feel for his mother who must have been terrified, and probably felt unnecessarily guilty that he wasn’t home with her. I really really hope the epidural is successful! Pain is exhausting, mentally and physically.

Poor Gizmo. Apparently standing on the cold kitchen floor to eat his dinner was horrible. He was so cold, he shook under my quilt for at least 15 minutes. He’s okay now. He has stuck his head out so mustn’t be cold anymore.