Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Keep calm and be crazy, laugh, love and live it up because this is the oldest you've been and the youngest you'll ever be again.
(Credit: American Hippie)

Cyn, I know what you mean about the smell. I hear ex smokers hate the smell, I’m the opposite, if I walk past someone and recognise that they are a smoker I enjoy the smell.

After I quit smoking, I would still, on occasion, enjoy a 'night out'. However, after spending an evening in various dens of inequity, when I woke in the morning and smelled the smoke on my clothes, I nearly gagged. Into the washer NOW! And a shower to defunk me...

But, that's just me.....................

There’s no smoking in denns of iniquity here... you’d be safe

Warning, sad story. Alie is visiting a friend in Sydney. They live in a block of flats/apartment block. The garage area was smelling really bad, they must have individual lock up garages, because one of their neighbours died in his and wasn’t found for 6 weeks. What they call ‘no suspicious circumstances’, I hate that description of suicide.

So nice to see your post, MizT. That must mean that your internet troubles are being solved!

Midge, thanks so much for answering my question!

CynB, thanks so much for the great TOPP!

Heading off to bed, so sending the usual supply of , healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and positive thoughts.

Thanks for the no longer smoking stories and congrats to each of you who has managed to quit. For those who were not successful this time, maybe next time will be the charm. I quit three times before it stuck.

I gave up smoking on Dec 31, 1999. No, not another new years resolution, that is just when I had such a raw throat and entire upper respiratory system I could not bear the pain the smoke caused. After hubby realized his second hand smoke really was causing the terrible coughing fits I was having, he moved his smoking outside, to either his office out the back or on our back porch. I washed walls, cleaned curtains, fabreezed carpets and upholstry to get smell out of my house. I found I was more addicted to the menthol in my heavily menthol ciggies, so got me some menthol cough drops. when I craved a cig, I popped one in my mount. I also found something to do with my hands, that was great advice for Col, but I doubt he would want to do blue-work embroidery like I did hehehe. Took about 9 days to get over the sore throat, figured with that many days in, I could keep going. I bought the patches, and at that time they were a big chunk out of our budget cause insurance would not pay any of the cost. I put them on the bench in kitchen and every day I would say 'If it gets any worse than it was yesterday, I will use the patches.'

Never did use them, actually took the unopened carton back for a refund, used the cash to buy more embroidery supplies

Midge, I no longer consider myself a smoker, I no longer have any desire to smoke. OH I did for a while, the cravings that really got me were after weeks, even months of non smoking, no desire to smoke, one would creep up on me, strong urge, ambushed me. but I managed and after a couple of years, I realized I have not had any urge to smoke in so long I could not remember when it last happened.

Now the smell of a dirty ash tray or smoke on the clothing and in the hair of a heavy smoker is nauseating to me. Going into the home of a heavy smoker just was not going to happen. I had to get off the elevator recently, one of the men who had a long bushy beard, got on elevator after being out in the outdoor smoking area. smell in his beard, on his hands and clothing was too much, I got off and waited for elevator to return without him!

This was my third time to give up ciggies, and after 19 years I am truly a non smoker. Pulmonologist said my lungs are now as clear as someone who had never smoked. I was very lucky.

We had another afternoon, evening of rain yesterday, yeah, another day the plants are happy. I was able to pull up the patch of weeds on the edge of the lantana bed today, ground that soft a slight tug pulled them up by the roots.

Nothing else going on here, so I am off to bed. Hugs to each of you, with extras, till next time.

I picked up another rescue collie yesterday evening. Shaunte is a 16 year old mahogany rough collie who's owner is very old and no longer able to care for her... especially since she's now hosptalized. She's showing her age, but has a sweet disposition. And she seems to like it here. The other dogs have accepted her already.

Heidi - you are truky a generous lady. Hope Shaunte settles in and is happy. Hope you are feeling better too.
MizT - still no-one to help you with the garden? Surely the management there cn arrange something to assist you.
Julie - hope your hubby doesn't have the same as me and the drs can help him.
Suzy - it is a sad story. My D has a facebook flash every year with a picture of a very close friend who suicided (a couple of hours before they were to meet up)- saying how long they have been friends, The first one appeared on the day of his funeral. it is a constant reminder to the 'r u ok' contact.
Having a couplke of hours off today to set up D's sewing machine we gave her for her birthday last December and to help her sort out some sewing- so glad she is finally going to use it. She wants to make a kimono for a dear friend who lives in Cairns. She is going to do a surprise visit on her birthday if she can get a really cheap airfare. Weekend at home coming up - decided it is time to clear out one of her two rooms - I hoard enough without having everyone else's junk.

Heidi, congratulations on the new addition to your collie family. I'm glad to read that Shaunte is already happy to be in her new home and that the other dogs have already accepted her!

Midge, thank you for the wishes for hubby. He has become very frustrated with the situation and pretty much unremitting pain. Dr. & physical therapist haven't pinpointed primary or secondary causes of pain, sciatica issues, neuropathy, etc. He had a neuropathy test at hospital last week, but no report on results yet.

Midge, I hope you got everything set up on D's sewing machine and hope she enjoys it! Sorry to hear about her friend and the annual reminders on Facebook. Good luck with the clearing out of rooms. We definitely need to do that here!

I spent the evening proofreading and making notes of necessary changes or corrections for a 30-something page booklet for the multi-day wood turning seminar our club sponsors every other year. That kept me from stuff I desperately needed to do, but, Oh well!

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

Quietly going out of my mind. My iPad died. Well, the screen died. It's still making noises so it's chugging along, I just can't see what it's doing.

So sorry, Suzy! I wonder if that's 'fixable.'

Off to bed, as I need to get up early. Sending the usual healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, , and positive thoughts for all of you!

Gizmo is snuggled against me, which reminds me of a story. The kids are planning for when im not around. Both have said they would be happy to take gizmo, but apparently Dana said he'd just have to learn to play an outside dog. Alie thinks that is completely unacceptable, and rightly so. Even her friend has said he'd take gizmo. It's like they're planning for me not being here!

Busy night last night. All sorts of tornadoes in the neighborhood. One even went over my place, but didn't touch down. One of the neighbors saw it go over at a little after midnight. My friend Debbie had a closer scare with her tornado, but fortunately only a little damage. The phone wires were pulled out of her house, and the road was blocked by downed trees.

Suzy, glad the girls have a plan for Gizmo. But here's hoping they will never have to use it.
I keep telling Sue, the lady who comes to clip and wash Jewel that she will be inheriting her if anything happens to Colin and I. She is the dog whisperer and can control Jewel like no-one else. She would be quite happy to take J in such a case, she loves her.

We have had some good news. Chloe, our youngest grandie who is 12, has been chosen to go to the UK with a team of young soccer players to meet and train with teams there. Not sure just where but she said Scotland was included. The trip isn't until the end of 2019 and by then she will be 14 or near to it. What a fantastic opportunity for a young girl. She has always been an athlete, runs like the wind, plays most football codes but likes soccer the best. Very proud of her; we are not an athletic family, she is the only one.
(She eats enormous amount of food because she is so active. But she stays slim and trim.)

Midge, no, management here would be no help in getting assistance with the garden. Their attitude, I can do the garden if I want to, but that is the limit of their involvement. they would reimburse me for some of my expenditure, if I turned in receipts, but mostly I just donate supplies and flowers. I once posted a notice, asking for help from residents. I had one person reply, and his first question was 'it is a paying job?' One resident does water the plants in the ground under the steonc story bridge between buildings. She is wheelchair dependant, and can get the garden hose to sit and spray that area. Saves me a lot of time, her doing that. Plants needed watering today, but by time I was up and dressed today, I slept in till almost 9 am, the feels like temp was 107. Just going to grocery using my auto, the getting to and from the car, I was drenched with sweat. I changed clothes from skin out when I got home.

Heidi, I was happy to hear the other collies had already accepted their new kennel mate, and glad she seems happy there with you. I know several friends who will no longer have a pet, since they have no one who would take them if they became unable to care for them. that is one of the reasons I will not get another cat, that and I do not have Al to train one in good behavior for me. His well mannered cats spoiled me, every one we ever had would mind him, never bothered anything.

Midge, how nice you and daughter can have some time sewing together. It is good she is going to use the machine you gave her. Has she sewed before, or will the kimono be the first attempt at sewing?
Suzy, how sad your iPad screen is blank. Like Julie, I hope it is fixable It is good that the girls would take Gizmo, but I understand your thoughts about them preparing for your demise. Being prepared does not mean they think it will be soon.

How scary, tornadoes going overhead. I am so glad they did not touch down at your house. Debbie was lucky only phone lines pulled off her house. Reminds me of how Al and I came to live together, before we got married. He was in hospital, injury from a fire in a warehouse where he was working on office machines. A tornado came through our area the sunday before he got out of hospital. I took him home, and we found he had no power, no phones, cable. Again, a tree had fallen and pulled everything off. the power co came out and turned everything off, after neighbors saw sparks from the downed lines in his back yard. So, I take him to electric co, they cannot get to his house anytime soon to reconnect wires. He was going to try to stay without power, and he could hardly get up and down because of his back injury, so I took him home. He was so afraid f what my neighbors would say. they never noticed hehehe. Besides, I told him, I pay the bills at my house, it is none of thier business what I do there.

what a wonderful opportunity for chloe. Do you know the length of the trip yet? Visiting different count

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what a wonderful opportunity for Chloe. Do you know the length of the trip yet? Visiting different countries sounds like it will be an extended time. Congratulations to her, I know you are proud.

I have slept on and off this evening, might be a while before I can get back to sleep for the night. I do think my trip to grocery today over tired me. First time in months I have walked the grocery, I have been going on bus in my chair. First time in months I have driven that far, and oh, the heat today. All of it together, I think I slept 3 hours of the last 4 and 1/2. I would wake up and realize I missed an entire TV program. I went to Aldis, they have finished the remodeling of store. Everything has been rearranged, the aisles are wider, store is brighter, more cold food cases around the walls. I was lucky, I found everything on my list, in it's new location, except my dark chocolate. I had planned to ask just before getting into check out line, but by then I was past ready to get finished and be able to sit again.

Did I say I now have a new AC unit? It seems to be working well so far. Even today with such high heat outside, I did not need the fan I had been using all summer, the unit cycles on and off as one should. the old one ran all the time and never got comfortably cool in apartment. I still need the fan in bedroom, but it is more comfortable than it was. I cannot imagine what today would have been like with the old unit. Tomorrow is forecast to be much cooler.

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

Suzy, it's actually kind of sweet that Dana and Alie are letting you know that they have thought of planning for Gizmo, should the need arise, which we hope will not happen!. I suspect they want to remove that worry from your shoulders. As MizT mentioned, it's a consideration we all must make as we age. For us, it was kind of a relief that we no longer needed to think about our cats or ask our neighbors to come once a day to check on food, water, and litter boxes. We considered a dog, but then one of hubby's friends adopted 2 dogs, one of them a puppy, and we thought about what it would be like to train and raise a puppy. We don't mind having D's dog for a week or two if needed, but realize owning a dog is a much bigger commitment.

Heidi, I'm so glad neither you or Debbie had major problems to deal with after the tornadoes! Were the dogs frightened?

CynB, what wonderful news for your youngest grandie Chloe! It sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime! Will she (and family) need to come up with large sums of money to pay for the trip, or is it sponsored by an athletic group, or perhaps a company? It's still rather a long way off. And I just thought about the weather differences. The end of 2019 would be winter in the northern hemisphere. But I know there are many places with indoor soccer fields.

MizT, it seems you have had a long and tiring day. It's difficult to get to and from a store from the parking lot, and needing to walk the entire store to find new locations for displays can be tiring and frustrating. Sounds like you were mostly successful.

I'm glad you have a helper to water some of the plants. That saves you some time being out in the hot sun.

MIzT, hooray for your new AC. That should be a big help!

Midge, I hope you and your D have some time to enjoy each other's company as she sews a kimono for her friend!

Hubby and I got our hair cut today - well, actually, all of our hairs. (Joke one of my grandfathers used to tell.) It's one less thing to worry about when our wood turning club holds its 3-day seminar in a few weeks,

It's time to 'hit the hay,' so here are the usual positive thoughts, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , and prayers for everyone!

Heidi, I’m so glad the tornado didn’t touch down!

Cyn, incredibly exciting news for Chloe! I’m so happy for her!

MizT, the funny thing about your story is that most people live together before they’re married now, that nobody would bat an eye. In Australia, people don’t seem to get married as much anymore. There are laws that make the relationship everything but marriage after you’ve lived together for a while. We don’t have husbands or wives anymore, we have partners.

Okay, I’m posting. My girls have won the competition for best kids ever! They bought me an iPad!! Somethings kind of suck, e.g. the predictive text used to know me so well I barely needed to type and this new pad has to recognise me all over again. But these are small things I will overcome.

The tornado did damage my cell phone tower, though, so I cannot get service at home. It really is a pain in the butt.

Heidi, I do hope you can have cell phone service again soon. We sometimes forget there must be working towers, because usually a cell phone is what works after some disaster, when phone lines are down.

Suzy, yes, your girls are terrific, getting you a new iPad. I hope that machine soon 'learns' you quickly. About Al moving in before we married, that was back in the mid 80's and things had not changed as they have today, especially for some of the 'church ladies' . They seemed to mind everyone's business but their own.

Today was much cooler. I was late getting out to water, nearly noon, because as I predicted, I did not get to sleep again till about 3 am, and then slept till 11:00. Some of the plants were drooped, but I think they will perk up again. I just did not need to be back outside in the heat yesterday. Probably would have helped if I had drank a glass of gator aide, if I sweated all my clothes I might have been a bit low on electrolytes.

My sis and BIL left today, on way to Montana for the national cavers convention. since BIL retired, they have been every year. Taking a week to get there, BIL has planned out interesting places to stop and visit on the way up. No freeway driving, but the scenic back roads. He enjoys his planning trips almost as much as going on them, then enjoys again when he sorts all his photos of trip. Keeps him out of mischief . They plan on going on into Canada, seeing one of the glacier parks they did not see on their Alaska trip a couple years ago. It had forest fires then, they are hoping for no fires this year.

Pain doc for me tomorrow, hope they have a suggestion to end this back/hip/leg pain.

Had on my coolest, most comfortable dress yesterday. mentioned I wished I had 2 more just like it, so when I got home, I checked the website. Dress was on clearance, more than 50% off, plus they had clearance items 'buy 2, get one free'. I have 3 new dresses on the way to me for less than the regular price of 1. Love when I find a sale!

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till next time.

Greetings to Everyone!

Suzy, your girls won 'Best Kids' without a doubt! How nice to have a working i)ad again! I hope it gets to know you quickly so the predictive spelling will be a big help!

Heidi, how awful to have no cell service. I hadn't thought about that possibility. We no longer have a land line, so we also need to be aware when horrible weather conditions exist. I hope you'll get service again soon!

MizT, I'm glad for the cooler weather and also that you at least got a good 'morning's' sleep, considering that you fell asleep until about 3 a.m. Chances are good that the plants will perk up soon after the drink you gave them.

MizT, I hope your sis and BIL have a wonderful trip and enjoy themselves every step of the way! Here's hoping there will be no forest fires to prevent them from visiting the glacier parks they missed a couple of years ago on their Alaska trip.

Good luck tomorrow when you see the pain doc. Here's hoping he'll be able to suggest something to prevent the back/hip/leg pain! Congratulations on being such an excellent shopper! WOW! Three dresses for less than the price of one! It's great when you can find something yuu like that feels comfortable and fits well - and then goes on SALE!

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

Just a quick hello! Seems like everyone must have had or be having a busy day. I totally understand, as the next few days look to be a bit crazy for us, too.

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

I haven’t posted because nothing has been happening here, but my niece posted an interesting photo tonight. She just arrived at the airport from 6 weeks traveling around Europe. Her boyfriend met her in a suit and bow tie with a bunch of roses with doughnuts in it. She appears to be wearing a ring on her left hand, but she wears several rings so that might be misleading. It would explain the suit though....

If my hound 'caught wind of this', I'd never hear the end of it...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/china/article-5983239/Blogger-splurges-330K-turning-abandon ed-warehouse-luxury-mansion-beloved-pooch.html

Massive earache today. I don't know what's wrong, but I'm not happy.

Decided not to save this for a topp.


Life Is Short.
Live It To The Fullest.
It Does Have An Expiration Date, You Know!

Heidi, I was prescribed ''Antipyrine & Benzocaine'' for an earache. The first application of 3 drops and the pain was gone......

It would have been a great TOPP, DorA!
Suzy, what wonderful girls you have. Enjoy your new iPad. When Col had his accident I bought us both one (we had never bothered before) because I saw him trying to read the small screen on his iPhone with his good eye and decided he did not need to go blind. It has been a godsend for him. I bought one for myself and I do use it at night if I'm sitting in front of the TV, but I still prefer my laptop that I'm using now.

We had some sad news overnight which denotes the end of an era. My dear Aunty Sybil, my Dad's sister, passed away in her nursing home at 3am this morning at the ripe old age of 99 years and 4 months. She misses out on getting her letter from the Queen by 8 months. She was holding out for that. Anyway she was the last of my relatives of that generation and indeed the last of my parent's family and friends of that generation.
Sybbie had 6 kids, numerous grandies and great grandies. Her beloved husband died only 3 years ago. She had dementia. She is at peace with her husband and her eldest son who passed away not long after his Dad. Rest in Peace lovely lady.

I’m so sorry Cyn! No matter how old or I’ll, it’s still hard to lose family members. ❤️❤️❤️

Check before submitting! Ill!

Hi, Everyone!

Heidi, I'm sorry to hear about the earache. I hope you will be able to get an appointment and treatment quickly!

DOrA, I like your not-quite-a-TOPP! Feel free to post it again as an actual TOPP!

CynB, condolences to you, your family, and your Aunty Sybil's family. She certainly had a long life, hopefully in good health for most of it!

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

Pain clinic had unwelcome news for me. The government has decided I take to much pain medication, and come Jan 1, will not allow the amount I have been taking. They hope to 'wean' me to lower dose by changing to an extended release capsule. I got that script filled today, my co pay was $222.34, for a month. I had been paying $12 a month for my pain medication, a huge difference. See me not happy, and not a damn thing I can do about any of it. I have spent the day 'chasing my tail' from my social worker, pharmacy, insurance co, and leaving message for the pain clinic. Pain clinic promises to get back to me in 2 or 3 business days AAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHHHHHHHx

I need to find something to take my mind off this a while, I am not fit company for anyone at the moment.

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

Watching the saddest thing. A lady in her pj's, which are not warm enough to be outside in, bare feet, walking down the street one step at a time. As in stop for a while, take a step. She was stopped in the middle of the road when i first saw her, with the lights green. I dropped alie off and came back and she'd moved maybe 50m. I called the police, did a uey and parked watching her. I'll call them again soon.

Oh, no, MizT! That's awful! In fact, it's criminal! Is this what's coming for all of us who are old enough to be on Medicare? It's just not right. I hope something can be done - that it's an error that can soon be fixed! Sending lots of gentle {{{HUGS}}}!

Suzy, that definitely sounds very sad. Something needs to be done to help that woman. She obviously is dealing with (or trying to deal with) something very serious. Thank you for being there to call police and watch her until they arrived.

Thinking of all Sudoku friends and sending healing energy, positive thoughts, , prayers, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

That's what happens when you have a president who cares about his own ego and not the welfare of the people. Unfortunately, it will get worse unless he's removed from office.

The ear still hurts, and is leaking a LOT of fluid. If it doesn't let up soon, I'll have to call the ENT and make an appointment. I have so many earaches that it would cost me a fortune to make appointments every time my ear hurts.

Heidi, please see about your ear, especially now that it is leaking fluid. Col's nephew died from something like that back in 2011. It was left unattended because he and his family didn't believe in doctors. These things scare me now.
(Those of you who were around then probably remember me telling you all when it happened.)

Suzy, did the police come to the aid of that lady? I do hope so because I'll worry about her now.