Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.

Can’t believe you read the daily mail DorA. I won’t be reading the article because I refuse to give the site traffic.

MizT, I hope everything, including BP, gets back to normal soon! I'm glad you're keeping track of your BP, as the low bottom number is a bit concerning. With luck, your sleep cycle will correct itself as your BP situation and overload of potassium gets worked out.

Thank goodness they discovered the problem with your heat and got it corrected, MizT, especially with low temperatures in your area!

Good news that the storm brought lower temperatures with it, saltie!

I didn't realize you used to be an Avon representative, saltie. I haven't seen an Avon catalog/brochure in years. I'm not sure if there are just no representatives in the area, or if Avon is no longer as popular as it once was.

Suzy, so sorry you lost your post! A couple of times when that has happened to me, using the back arrow once or twice got me back to the page with the comment. It doesn't always work though .

DOrA, that's interesting about the lack of interest in the speaking tour. I didn't even know they were doing one.

I'm glad the girls got home safely, but sorry to hear that Maddy got airsick. I hope it didn't last for the entire flight! I hope she feels much better now that she's on the ground!

Great TOPP, CynB!

Just thought I'd let you know that I got through the holiday recital without any MAJOR mess-ups. I'm glad its over! Just 2 more lessons before Christmas.

It's time to head to bed. Sending positive thoughts, , healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers for everyone.

I consider myself very lucky. There is a major storm moving thru the area, and I'm just barely out of it's range. Got a slight dusting of snow, only. I was going to take some ancient cows to the sale barn, but they got a nasty ice storm starting a mile south of me, and extending way down south. I decided that the trip wasn't worth the risk.

I'm about to go see the ice storm for myself. I'm off to a visitation. My dear friend Anita's father died on Friday. He had been seriously ill for the last few years. The funeral home is about 20 miles south of me, in the storm area. I feel safe enough driving there without a stock trailer full of cattle behind me.

We had a family gathering yesterday of cousins from my Mum's side of the family, there were 15 of us. So in honour of our Greek grandfather we lunched at the Brisbane Greek Club where we had their feast for $30 each (good price by Aussie standards). It included greek salad with scrumptious fetta, greek flatbreads with 3 different dips, saganaki (baked greek cheese with figs and walnuts), slow baked greek lamb with lemon potatoes, finished with baklava and greek shortbread. Topped off with refreshing orange juice with ouzo and finished with greek coffee. So full when we left.

Afterwards we called in to see the girls, they had a wonderful time but are happy to be home. I'm now the proud owner of a red china apple tree decoration with all things NY on it. And a compact watercolour set from the Met! Colin likes to collect model cars, he is now the proud owner of a NY cab. Looked at a small selection of their photos - they took so many!

By the time I headed south, all the ice just south of me had melted. I saw none.

I liked the ''smilie'', Heidi...

Just for Suzy (and any others who don't like the daily mail)

https://www.theblaze.com/news/clintons-slash-ticket-prices-offer-groupon-deal-amid-dismal-s peaking-tour-turnout?xrs=RebelMouse_fb

Hi, Everyone!

Looks like I forgot to post yesterday - or at least forgot to hit 'Submit.'

Heidi, I'm glad the major winter storm mostly missed you, and glad that you didn't need to drive on icy roads to go to the visitation for your friend's father.

CynB, how nice that you were able to have a gathering of relatives from your Mum's side of the family. I'm assuming that 15 is a good turn-out. The dinner sounds delicious! What a perfect follow-up to the dinner - getting to see the girls and hear some of their NY adventures and see some of their photos! The gifts for you and Col sound perfect!

DOrA, the article seems to be essential similar to the other one you posted. I was hoping for more information, but I guess there really isn't any more.

I need to get a lot of things done in the next week or two, so might be missing in action more often than not. (We have family coming for Christmas, so the house will be full.)

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

It won’t open for me. Doesn’t matter anyway since it’s really irrelevant. Orange is orange independent of anyone else, so that’s just a distraction.

Hello everyone. Been out of action for a while but have read through most of the posts, Julie sums it all up so well - thanks. Hope the aircon costs are not too high Heidi so you don't have to put off your surgery. it takes a lot to prepare mentally and to have a break for a while is just not fair. MizT - hope the meds are finally sorted - it sounds like you have been given the runaround and left in the too-hard basket. Imagine if you were not mentally able to follow the changes and had no help - it would be disastrous. Julie - wish I could hear your cello recital - it sounds wonderful and you will be too. CynB - glad the travelers are back safe and sound and you are already enjoying some of the Xmas celebrations (minus the creepy one). Suzy - how are you spending Xmas? Will the grandies be at yours?
Nothing much going on here - my favourite horse had another throat operation -may not be able to race again but we couldn't leave her and not try to fix her problem. I was surprised that some of the syndicate members voted against it. She is going well and only time will tell. The other one is out for a rest for a couple of months. Old dog Truman on new trial of drugs for his arthritis - so hope this helps him through the summer. Have finally gone private and out of the public system and new dr has found a cause for my mobility loss - a stenosis near transplant so having tests done early next week -fingers crossed. Fell a bit like Grinch at the moment - have 2 birthdays right on Xmas and lunch to organise and haven't started. The old saying applies - tomorrow is another day. Cheers to everyone and in case I don't get back before, I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and all you want in 2019.

I'm hurting all over... both the back and fibromyalgia... I'm out of pain meds.... and my appointment for epidural and new prescription isn't for 5 days more. This is going to get ugly.

Hi, Friends!

Just a quick visit to say Hello and Good Night. It has been a long day, including a quick visit to wish the former principal (from a school where I taught for 20 years) Merry Christmas. She has an annual party for people who taught or worked at the school. The principal who followed here was also there, as well as a teacher I worked closely with for 3 years. We could only stay about 25 minutes, so missed a lot of friends. Then we drove about 45 minutes to the location for our wood turning club's Christmas party to help with the set-up (because hubby and I work with membership). We had a buffet meal and gift exchange. Then finally returned back home & had to get all of the garbage & recycling set out for tomorrow morning's collection. Now just a few minutes, and then to bed.

Hi to Suzy, Midge, and Heidi!

Midge, I hope your favorite horse heals well from the surgery and is able to get back to racing. I hope the other horse enjoys the 'vacation.' Hoping Truman's new drugs help him to deal with his arthritis during the summer months.

Midge, I hope the tests next week don't find any surprises. Seems like there's always something new to deal with. I'm with you on not making progress in preparation for upcoming holidays. Luckily we don't have birthdays to deal with right now. I'm confident that you'll be able to pull it all together on time for the celebrations!

Heidi, we'll be thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts as you wait for your appointment and prescription.

And I'm off. Sending healing energy, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and for everyone!

Who knew?

If you have a ''front loader'' washing machine, you may want to look at this:

https://www.kidspot.com.au/birth/pregnancy/real-life/mum-discovers-the-disgusting-reason-he r-wet-washing-stinks/news-story/db2f87ba3b8523d7fb38c53701f29822

There will, probably be spaces to remove in the link.

Funny thing is, I read that I had to clean that when I first got my front loader. I don’t know how she missed it. Not that i clean it as often as I should, but I don’t have mould. Maybe I’d better get to cleaning it more often so I don’t get it

Thanks for the tip, DOrA. Suzy, we have been cleaning our front loader since we got it and dry any visible water. We even leave the door ajar for several hours to air dry. Even so, there is some discoloration, but at least we don't have a horrible smell. I wouldn't get a front-loader again if I need to replace this one. You'd think they would be easier to clean and dry than a top-loader, though.

Thinking of everyone. Hoping MizT is getting things back to normal since the trouble with the BP medicine. Heidi, just a few more days; I wish I could send you some relief.

I need to head to bed. Sending healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and positive thoughts for each of you!

We’re getting rain again. Although we need it, I wish it was falling inland where it’s so dry they are getting dust storms.

I am so disappointed. Both of the Malinois' that I was trying to adopt have been adopted by others. I wish the rescues had been honest with me.

Good morning all - hope everyone is well. Just checking in because I haven't been here for a few days. All is well. Just busy with Christmas stuff which I shouldn't be. I have tried to cut down on every aspect of Christmas, but still have more to do.

Suzy, I'm glad you can use the rain. I could try to do a rain dance to encourage some for the inland areas. On second thought, any dance I do might offend the rain gods and send more heat and dry area. I'll just think some positive and moist thoughts.

Heidi, I'm sorry the dogs went to other adopters. Is there a chance the rescues will keep your name and application on file for any future Malinois rescues? I also hope you're feeling better!

CynB, good for you for getting things done in preparation for Christmas. I wish I could say the same. I'm going to run out of days before I run out of things to do.

So, I'm off to do some Christmas preparations. Sending healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and

I have located a 12 week old Malinois puppy just 45 minutes drive from me. I'm trying to get in touch with the breeder. With any luck.......

A little ‘’blue humour’’…

She's single ...

She lives right across the street.
I can see her place from my patio.
I watched as she got home from work
this evening. I was surprised when she
walked across the street, up my driveway
and knocked on the door. I rushed to
open it, she looks at me and said,
'I just got home, and I have this strong
urge to have a good time, dance,
get drunk, and make love tonight!
Are you doing anything tonight?'
I quickly replied, .. Nope, I'm free!'
She said, 'Great! ....Could you watch my dog??

Being a senior citizen really sucks!

Lol DorA! I’m fending off a fellow senior citizen right now. He lost his wife a few years before I lost hubby and seems to think I’m as desperate as he is!

Well, although my D drives me nuts because apparently dishwashers are just something you take clean dishes from, and bins? They’re what plebs use. She has a magic bench that miraculously empties into the trash. But she has really come through for my day, buying me wine, giving me a gift even though I already got one etc etc. she even put up half the Xmas decorations, saving me from my “I don’t want to do Xmas this year “ funk. Here’s the weird thing, hubby hated Xmas and I loved it. Now he’s gone, it’s lost its meaning for me. Good news though, that dreaded foster uncle called today because he usually spends Xmas day with us. I told him the kids weren’t going to be here so I wouldn’t be home Xmas day. He’s making other plans. He’ll probably end up at my bro’s too, but he won’t be here. I feel a little bit bad about that, but then I flash onto the “incident “ when I was 20 and all my guilt goes away. For those who don’t know, it involves friends visiting from the posh part of Sydney, a night out, followed by a very drunk, very nekkid, foster uncle professing his love (lust). Now he’s apparently gay but I still don’t leave him alone with my girls.

Heidi, those dogs are a lot of work, are you sure you want to take that on? Gorgeous dogs, but soooo energetic!

Well, THAT puppy is no longer available. Drat. But the breeder knows of two 9 month old Malinois puppies just 25 miles from me. Their breeder hasn't gotten around to advertising them. She's going to have the breeder call me tomorrow. This is my best lead yet. Neither has been abused and they have been given nothing but love, unlike the 2 rescues I tried to adopt. So I won't have to work through any problems or phobias.

Greetings to Everyone!

Heidi, I'm sorry you're facing a roller coaster of emotions trying to adopt a Malinois

LOL, DOrA! That's a good one, and I hadn't heard it before.

Suzy, I'm glad Alie helped to make your day special. It's nice that she even helped with Christmas decorations! I'm glad you won't need to deal with the foster uncle at your place this year. It sounds like it's well past time for another family member to have to deal with him.

Heidi, good luck with getting one of the two other puppies. I hope everything works out for the best!

I need to get to bed as I'm literally falling asleep here at the computer desk. Sending many {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, much healing energy, positive thoughts, prayers, and for everybody!

Finally, something is going right with my Malinois search. Those two 9 month olds are still available and I will be going to meet them in a few days. I don't know yet if they're male or female, nor is it important to me. I don't know if I'll take one or both. They'll adjust quicker if I don't split them up. Supposedly, they're both show quality, so if I want more Mals, I can breed a female. I will not breed dogs unless they're excellent specimens of their breed.
I can't meet them sooner 'cause tomorrow is for sorting out ~15 ancient cows and taking them to the sale barn. Monday is my appointment at Pain Management.

OK... One male, one female. I just saw pictures of them and am in love already.

Heidi, I hope this time you are more successful getting the dogs.
Suzy, yep, that's a person to avoid where possible but, what can you do? Avoid him as best you can, I suppose.
Good joke DorA!
Julie, I hope you get you Christmas preparations done.
Hugs to all!!

Good Evening!

Heidi, I'm glad things are looking up in your search for a Malinois (or two)! Now that you know one is female and one is male, will that affect your decision? If they are perfect specimens and you hope to breed them, I'm wondering if you'll need to keep them apart. I'm thinking you still might have some collies, as well.

Good luck tomorrow sorting out the 'ancient' cows. I hope you'll get a decent price for them when you take them to the sale barn. And I hope your appointment at Pain Management goes well on Monday!

Suzy, good luck avoiding that person at Christmas. That's a lot of baggage you have had to carry around with you for too many years!

Hi, Cyn, hoping all is going well with you and Col and your grandies!

And I'm off to try to get some Christmas preparations done.

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

If I get both, the male will be neutered. That will prevent accidents with his sister and the collies. From the pictures, I prefer the female, but I want to meet them both before making a decision.

Hi all! I won’t have a pet I can’t afford to neuter. There are enough homeless animals as it is. Here’s the weird thing here though. If you find a homeless animal you are required by local law to turn them into the pound. If you want to keep them you then get to pay $320 to adopt them, plus $38 to register them. If you’re lucky you can get a vet who turns a blind eye, microchip them and then you can register them bypassing the pound. You kind of have to pretend they were always your pet though.

Busy day today. We took all the old open cows (17 of them) to the sale barn. One ancient girl had a calf at her side but it wasn't growing since mama had no teeth to eat with. The calf went, too. It ended up taking 3 trailers to get them all down there. These were big old girls that took up a lot of space.

Heidi, we will look forward to hearing the outcome of the Malinois search. I hope everything turns out for the best. I was wondering if the breeder might want to sell the male but retain rights to use him for breeding. I knew you wouldn't allow any accidents between the siblings.

Suzy, that's an interesting law there. Are the pounds government run? It's strange that strays are required to be turned into the pound. Does the $320 fee include vetting, grooming, and micro chipping? You would thing they would prefer to allow someone to keep a dog, rather than turn it in.

Heidi, your day certainly sounds busy. Seventeen cows and a calf is a lot to transport. I hope you'll get a good price!

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

I hope so, too. But these cows are being sold because they're older than Methusela. They have no teeth any more and are not fit for human consumption, not even McDonald's. They won't bring much per cow. I will be thrilled with $300 per cow, but believe that several will go for less. There's one that I will be lucky to get $100 for.... and won't be shocked if she sells for only $25.

I'm up at this hour because several dogs woke me up smelling of skunk. I believe one was stupid enough to come in the yard with the dogs, or at least up to the fence where it felt threatened. I'm just hoping my truck didn't get sprayed. I have to leave in 4 hours for Pain Management and don't want to ride in a truck smelling of skunk. Again.

Going out on a limb, here

A Christmas love story for all married couples...

A couple was in a busy shopping center just before Christmas. The wife suddenly noticed that her husband was missing, and as they had a lot to do, she called him on his cell phone. The wife said 'Where are you? You know we have lots to do.'

He said, 'Do you remember the jewelry store we went into about 10 years ago, and you fell in love with a diamond necklace? I could not afford it at the time, and I said that one day I would get it for you.'

Little tears started to flow down her cheek, and she got all choked up. 'Yes, I do remember that shop,' she replied.

'Well, I'm in the Hooters next to it.'

I got about $500 more for the cows than I expected to. I'm quite happy. I figured that these old girls paid for themselves a long time ago and owed me nothing. This money is all bonus, as far as I'm concerned. A few of these cows have given me as many as 15 calves during their lives!

** The next post is a TOPP **