Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass
all four essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
- Alex Levine

DOrA, your dinner sounds divine. Sure beats what I threw on a plate! (I'm overdue for shopping, so slim pickings here.)

Great TOPP, DOrA Thanks for providing it.

I must admit that I've never had Irish coffee, though. And only rarely have had coffee of any 'nationality.'

Our day started early today, and we'll have much of the same for the next 3 days. We spent 4 hours yesterday updating the member list for our wood turning club, printing new membership cards and a thank you letter, and stuffing & addressing envelopes. So, of course, we received another member's dues in today's mail. Our meeting is tomorrow, and we wanted to have membership cards ready to hand out to save on postage. About 65 or 70 of the 160 members have paid their dues, so we'll be doing this again every month for the next few months as people bring or send their dues.

Speaking of sending, I'm sending the usual healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, positive thoughts, and for everyone.

Irish coffee is yummy

Yep, I love Irish coffee too but not had it in years. Good TOPP!

Well Maddy turned 18 at 7.54 our time this morning. She is now at a tattooist being inked.
Her cousin from the other side of the family, Matthew, who would have been 18 in May and with whom she was very close, died in a car accident in March 2018. He was a budding artist, so in homage to him she is getting a tattoo of a Koi fish that he had drawn and she loved. It will be on her rib cage, below her right breast so not often visible to others, only if she's at the beach. She had to wait until today because it's illegal to tattoo minors. She will be sore tonight when everyone at her party wants to hug her.

I bought her a piece of Art that one of my Art Group friends had done. It's an acrylic painting of some stylised horses. She saw it at a gallery exhibition last year and just loved it, so I bought it for her. I wanted something she could keep. Art is forever. She and her mother have more jewellery than anyone ever would need and I'm not into jewellery, so this was appropriate for me.
I will get a photo of it after she's opened it. Since I've had it here it's been wrapped in bubble wrap.

Surprise! I got a phone call this morning, I’m just down the road and I have a surprise for you. She took two trains, two buses and walked a couple of km so I wouldn’t have to be surprised in public. I think she was also worried I would yell or something. I’m a grandma again. She’s 2 months old. She’s beautiful. Apparently she was almost adopted but Dana couldn’t do it when it came down to it. Not 100% sure if that was said so I wouldn’t be angry. And yes, same dad.

The rest of the kids will arrive tonight. They are coming by car

Oh, what a gorgeous surprise!
What's her name?
When do we see pictures?
You can never have enough grandchildren. You enjoy them, let the parents do the worrying.

Poor Daniel is being outnumbered again!

Not for Facebook

Messenger Cyn

Wonderful news Suzy. How lovely to have another little precious in your family. Congrats and best wishes to Dana.

Thanks Suzy!

CynB, wishing your Maddy a very Happy and Speciall Birthday! She obviously thought highly of her cousin Matthew to have a tattoo of one of his drawings. I hope she's not too sore to enjoy her party. Having never had a tattoo, I can only imagine what it feels like.

What a thoughtful gift, Cyn! She'll be able to enjoy it for many years and can easily move it from one location to another. I will patiently wait for you to have an opportunity to take a picture of it and post it here.

Suzy, what a surprise! Dana thoughtfully arranged it so that you could receive your surprise privately. Do you think you would have been upset or yelled if you found out in public? What an exciting surprise - and amazing that no one 'spilled the beans' prior to her arrival - or even after. Congratulations to you, Dana, and all of the family! I'm glad you'll be able to see everyone tonight! Of course, it's exciting news, and we're anxious to find out particulars, and hopefully see a photo here. Wishing all the best for the new little cutie, Dana, and family!

It's late, after a long day and a long meeting tonight. (We have another meeting Thursday night.) Sending more Congratulations Welcome to the new little one, , positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!

For anyone who may be interested, I have posted a picture of Madeline with the painting I gave her for her 18th. I actually posted 2 because the first one I forgot to resize.
I won't post a photo of the tattoo here but for those on FB, you know her name, or can find it among recent posts, look at her current profile picture - you can see that without being her friend.

Cyn, it’s an amazing tattoo

Cyn, it's an amazing painting. What a great gift! Now I need to find her facebook page and see Maddy's tattoo!

WOW! I love Maddy's tattoo! What a beautiful way to honor her cousin! It's bigger than I expected, so she must have been uncomfortable yesterday. It's really lovely! (Is it OK to say a tattoo is lovely?)

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

Thanks to those of you who looked at the photo of the painting and who were able to look at the tattoo. I said it was on her right side - of course it's on her left side to be close to her heart always.

Ah, Cyn, left side makes so much sense! Maddy seems to be a very sensitive girl.

Her reasoning reminds me of my Dad. Many right-handed people hug with the right side of their chests in closest proximity. My Dad preferred to do the opposite, so the left side of each person's chest touched - and, therefore, their hearts. Thanks to Maddy for triggering that memory!

Keeping everyone in my thoughts and sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, warm and positive thoughts, and prayers!

It’s so noisy! The little kids are in bed, but 4 big kids are playing computer games in the next room with the volume on high.

Did my good deeds today. Debbie's husband left her with not a penny. She was not able to pay for his funeral... she still owed a lot on her mother's funeral 5 years ago. I just scraped together the funds to pay the funeral home for both. The funeral home staff have started greeting me warmly by name every time they see me. They understand why I do this. The person who has lost a family member has so many things to go through that I try to make it easier on them the only way I can. Bob died with no life insurance and no will. She cannot afford to hire an attorney so I sent her to a nice one who has offered to walk her through all the steps without charging her. It's not looking quite as overwhelming to her now.

Smokey and Heidi are finally settling down and following my rules. I think I've got them largely convinced that they are not to jump the fence and get out. I still cannot leave then loose when I leave the house, but they're now good when I'm here. Since they're still puppies, I'm cutting them some slack. I'm not expecting miracles.... but they're such loving dogs. And every time I come home, I greet them with new treats and toys, so they face my time away with anticipation instead of anxiety. That way they're less likely to be destructive while I'm gone. Smokey may not be as thrilled on Monday. He goes in to the Vet Clinic to be neutered.

CynB, what a lovely gift to Maddy for her 18th. Was she surprised? Did she like it? I could not remember her name to look for the tattoo, but it sounds to be a lovely tribute to her cousin.

Suzy, what a surprise. If memory serves this was not the first grandie that was a surprise to you was it? hope Mom and baby are both doing well, and you too now you are over the shock.

Julie, you sound so busy with the wood turning club records. You have done this same for how many years now? I know you did last year, and perhaps for a couple more years also. or more? Hope you get a bit of rest.

Julie, I also have never had Irish coffee. I love coffee, and drink it with a little coffee in my milk, so I might like it, but not sure about it.

I had an adventure Wednesday afternoon. the good news if I got a full prescription, whole month of the pain meds by pharmaceutical Co that works best for me, the bad news is it tool from 1 till 5:30 to get it done. I still had 12 days of meds of the terrible kind, took them to pain clinic with them, asked them to waste those and get me a script to be filled that day. After consulting with all the proper persons, they did. Then I took it to my regular pharmacy, who usually picks up and delivers for me, but this required parking a block away, walking in. they had nothing but the terrible ones. Phoned another pharmacy for me, the nearest one did not have any but the terrible ones, but another of that chain, about 25 minuets away, had others. So I drive to get them, rush hour c=traffic already started.Park and walk again, and of course the pharmacy is all the way in the back, as it was in my pharmacy. They filled the script, after I paid FULL price for it, insurance would not pay cause it had not been a month since they paid for a month's supply/ Then I needed to drive home in worse traffic, into the setting sun with a very dirty windshield. found a service station, no make that a gas station, NO SERVICE at all, and used their squeegee to wash my windows, and started home. By then the sun was behind the buildings, could have skipped the wash. I spent 15 min getting the last 4 blocks home, traffic is always terrible that time afternoon on our street. when I stepped out of my car, I almost fell on my face, jy leg was hurting so, and not functioning wel. Of course I had lost my close parking space I had occupied for about 4 months, making only short trips and back fore it was taken. I was not sure I could walk to the lobby to get my power chair, but no option but to do it, with gritted and using cane to keep as much weight off that leg as possible. For 2 days I had to use the power chair inside apartment, and my apartment is noit designed for a wheel chair, it is not a handicapped accessible apartment.

I managed, using the old aluminum folding walker, my chair, and planning trips to get as much done when up as possible. Today I could walk, bearing weight on that leg with moderate, not severe pain. Heating pad

I managed, using the old aluminum folding walker, my chair, and planning trips to get as much done when up as possible. Today I could walk, bearing weight on that leg with moderate, not severe pain. Heating pad to first back then leg , it has improved. Just totally over did it, way to much walking,sitting in chair, and driving, but the medication they had was the one that works best, so I think it was worth the cash outlay and the pain for 2 days. Today I discovered my left leg had been hurting through all the time the right was, pain from right leg was just so much worse, I did not feel the left leg pain. So happy things feel a lot better today!

I think Heidi posted while I was typing, will have to respond to that later, bed time for me. Hugs!

MizT Re: ''a little coffee in my milk'',

Suzy, it 'sounds' like you have a house-full. Seems like the little kids must be able to sleep in spite of the noise. At least the 'big kids' are getting along with each other and enjoying themselves!

Heidi, thank you for being the kind of person you are. Your good deeds have helped so many. Now it's Debbie's turn again. Luckily there are others like you, as it seems the attorney is.

It's good to hear that Smokey and Heidi are settling down and realizing they are part of a family. As part of a family, there are rules to be followed. I hope it continues to be easier as they make the transition from the puppy months. You have such a good way with animals. I'm sure they will continue to mellow and learn to be good dogs. Good luck to Smokey on Monday. I hope all goes well!

MizT, thinking of you and hoping the new year is off to a good start! I also hope all the medication problems have been worked out!

DOrA, Midge and saltie, I'm thinking of all of you, too, as well as anyone I've missed!

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

Cyn, I hope Maddy didn't have too much pain from her tattoo! How are you and Col? I hope all's going well!

So, drama llama today. Mostly upset because she’s supposed to be my friend. The neighbour who mows my lawn and gives us tomatoes came over and I invited him in to meet the grandkids. He drove his golf cart over so it was out the front. My so called friend commented to my busy body neighbour that he’d been here a while do something must be going on. They decided we’re having a fling. I was peeved to say the least so I sent out a group text to my the group of friends she is in saying I was cranky because someone had told my busy body neighbour that I was having it off with my friendly helpful neighbour in front of my grandkids and daughters. One called me and asked if I was okay. The suspect called me and asked why I’d sent the text to her. Boom! I told her it was a group text. Nobody would say anything like that she says. I just said somebody did. I didn’t tell her I knew it was her.

Good on you Suzy - nosy people need to be put in their place. Will be interesting to see if she avoids meeting you face-to-face. What is your new grand daughter's name? Please put a photo on site for us to see all of your grandies now. You are so fortunate - I don't think any of mine will ever have children for u to spoil. Dana has her heart in the right place - she loves her children above all.
MizT - what a dreadful day. Glad you now have the meds you want but what a way to get them. I hope the person who took your convenient parking spot will realise how much you need it.
You sound like you have a similar problem to me. I am going to have an op tomorrow to have a stent put in the common iliac artery (from the aorta) - if they can;t, they will try an artificial artery replacement. I can no longer walk further than about 20 metres without lots of pain in my left leg and it going grey. Hubby went to China yesterday to meet up with 3rd son for work and will be back in 11 days. I didn't tell him about the 2nd option, didn't want him to stay home.
Julie - how are you and your hubby now? Is he well again? Hope this year is a really good one for you and a bit quieter - you seem to be so busy.
Heidi - well, what can anyone say--- I think you are one of the kindest people I have ever known. Debbie is a very lucky person to have you as a friend.
CynB - a lovely thought for Maddie to have a tattoo in honour of her cousin. See you are finally getting some more stable weather but the forecasters don't say how humid it is - that is one of the main things I remember from my first summer living in Jindalee in the 70's.
Cheers to everyone.

Hmm. Wondering how I missed MizT's posts from yesterday. I didn't know they were there until I read Midge's response to it. Thank you for commenting on it Midge.

MizT, I apologize for missing your explanation of the horrible day. What an adventure you had - and spent the entire afternoon. The good news is that you finally got the prescription you needed. What a hassle it was to finally get it, though. I'm sorry the pain was so bad and you almost fell. I was thinking. There MUST be some reserved parking spots for those with a handicapped hang tag or license plate - most of the places you went AND where you live. Surely you qualify for the hang tag or license plate. Running errands and going to doctor appointments would be much easier if you could park closer! Good news that you are feeling better.

MizT, you're right. We have been the membership chairmen for our wood turning club for ten years. We will remain on the education committee, and on the Tee-Shirt committee for the seminar held every other year. Of course, we know we'll be asked to do other things, but will be glad to be finished with the membership duties.

Suzy, how awful! Your 'friend' certainly ISN'T! Some people just aren't happy unless they're stirring up trouble for people. I'm glad you were able to confront the perpetrator. I hope she will think before doing something like that again. Sometimes life can be less of a problem with one fewer friend.

A similar thing happened to my Dad. The person who spend the rumors to my Mom was his sister. I'm sure it was not out of spite or being nasty. She didn't start the rumors, but thought my Mom should know. I wish she had asked my Dad for clarification before passing it on, though. I think my Dad finally was able to convince my Mom of the true story, but it was uncomfortable and hurtful.

Midge, I hope the surgery tomorrow goes well! Since your hubby and a son are in China, will your daughter or another son or a good friend be available to help you? Keeping you and your doctor and medical staff in my thoughts and prayers for all to go well and be completely successful!

Midge, thanks for asking about hubby. He has been having some specialized PT. Well, I guess it's special in some way because the closed PT that uses the equipment is 15 miles away. The neuropathy is improving somewhat on some days. His digestive issues also seem to be improving, as they've taken him off some of the meds and adjusted others. He still has ongoing pain, but not as severe as before, and there are some times when he almost feels pain-free.

It's getting later than I thought, so I'm off to bed. Sending healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, , and prayers for all!

What an awful day, MizT!!! Thank goodness it ended with you getting home in nearly one piece with your new meds!

My ear is bleeding again. I'm really getting sick of this. I can't consider getting the bariatric surgery until that infection is gone. And it refuses to go away. Which is playing havoc on my ability to fight infections, so they won't do surgery.

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow, Midge. I hope everything goes smoother than expected. You need a break.

Best wishes for your surgery, Midge! And for a smooth recovery from it.
Our weather hasn't been much different from usual Qld January weather. It seems to us that the southern states are getting the bad weather and the heatwaves. Highest we ever got to in recent weeks was about 30c. Western Qld got the heatwave, not us. I don't even think I've used the aircon as much as other years. But, yes, humidity had been the usual uncomfortable deal.
Suzy, glad you put the gossiping neighbours in their place!
MizT - hope things have improved for you, especially in the mobility department. I felt for you trying to get from your car to the lobby.
Heidi, hope you get on top of that infection quickly.
Julie, you give lovely summaries of everything that has been said on here. But not much about yourself. Hope all is well with you.

Thinking of you Midge ❤️

I tried to put up a photo of Kaylee, but it’s on my iPad and this site refuses to accept that form. I’ll try later to see if I can get it onto my phone so I can share it..

Heidi, I'm sorry your ear infection is stubbornly refusing to go away! How frustrating for you. I'm sure the pain is unpleasant, and the fact that is preventing you from getting the bariatric surgery must be even more frustrating. I hope something can eventually and quickly eliminate it!

Midge, hoping your surgery goes better than expected and you'll soon be on the road to recovery!

Suzy, thanks for trying to post a photo of Kaylee (Dana's new daughter?) I hope you'll find a way to post it without too much effort!

Well, tomorrow afternoon we're supposed to meet with the 2 people who will replace us as Membership Chairmen. I spent about 4 hours today trying to write instructions for some of the duties and entering and updating information on most of the members who paid their dues at the meeting last week. I left a half dozen or so of varying kinds (family, individual renewing, individual new, etc.) for our replacements to try to enter with our help. If we have time, we'll try to show them how to print the yearly Membership Card and the name badges for the next meeting. I suggested they plan to spend about 1 1/2 hours. (When we started, the person who developed the database spent about 40 or 45 minutes telling us how to do things. Most things we figured out by ourselves in the 10 years we've been doing it. I hope they don't get overwhelmed and decide not to take the job!

Off to bed, so I'm sending along some , prayers, healing energy, positive thoughts, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!

Smokey is at the Vet Clinic. It's the day for him to be snipped. We still may have a problem, tho'. Angel has come in season and Sandy, Katy and Ruby are acting like they're coming in, too. Even though Smokey's testicles will be gone, there will still be one dose of semen ''in the system'', so he can still possibly impregnate one of the collies. I'm hoping that still being a puppy, he won't know what to do correctly and lose that one shot.

If you're into cold weather tourism, check this out:

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/01/photos-2019-harbin-ice-and-snow-festival/579607/

With daytime highs in the mid to high teens and overnight lows around zero F., I'm not sure I could 'hack it'. Brrrrrr