Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the Gods.

Thank you, CynB, for the BOPP and TOPP! Great Valentine's Day Greetings!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our Sudokuaholic Friends, including those who are frequent posters as well as those who post infrequently. Also sending greetings to those who no longer post. And Valentine's Day greetings and remembrance for those who are no longer with us! What a great group of people brought together by Gath's great Sudoku site! Thank you, Gath.

We have had another long day. We were out of the house well before 9 a.m. and got home around 6:45 p.m. Tomorrow (Valentine's Day here) will be a quieter day, as we have no appointments or commitments, so more time for cello practice. (That's what hubby told my cello teacher after my lesson today.)

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

Well, we're nearing the end of Valentine's Day here, so the 2-day holiday is coming to an end. I hope everyone of our fellow Sudokuaholics had a wonderful day, regardless of where they live and when it happened!

MizT, I hope you are feeling better and getting better results from your prescribed medications! Happy Valentne's Day!

Heidi, I hope the rain has stopped and you are feeling better! Happy Valentne's Day!

Midge, I hope all is well with you and your family! Happy Valentne's Day!

Thinking of saltie and DOrA, and hope you both had a nice Valentine's Day!

Tami, I hope you, your hubby, and your young men (I almost typed boys) are well and had a Happy Valentne's Day!

CynB, I hope you, Col, and all of your family had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Broni, we haven't seen you in a while, but I hope your Valentine's Day was special!

I'm sure I've missed someone, and I apologize for that. Take care, Everyone!

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

Thanks Julie, for the Valentines wishes. We, as usual, did nothing other than acknowledge one another on FB.
Yesterday, 15th Feb, was the first anniversary of Colin's accident. It's nice to see how far he's come. Long way to go before we even know whether he will get any or much sight in that eye - but he is back at work, driving his car, dealing with his vision limitations and our life is back to near normal. Yayy!

CynB, it's so good to hear how well Col is doing! I hope he'll get good news at his next appointment!

Cyn, it sounds like you and Col celebrate Valentine's Day the same way we do. We wished each other a good Valentine's Day, but no card or present. We didn't even go out for fast food. We're that boring.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Sending healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , positive thoughts, and prayers for all!

Everything has turned white again. Too bad it's going to melt tomorrow and make more mud. We're due to have rain for 12 of the next 14 days, too. I'm sick of it.

Wow, Heidi! This winter must be one for the record books. What a lot of rain you have had. (But, if it were snow, things would be really crazy. I think they consider one inch of rain to equal about 7 inches of snow. Of course, it depends on how wet or dry the snow is.)

It's time to head to bed. Sending positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, , and healing energy for each of you, and enough to be shared, if you'd like.

Today, as I was buttering my breakfast toast, I had a 'flashback'. A childhood memory...

Does any one else remember making toast, under the broiler, in an electric oven?

Strange some of the things that are coming back to mind...

Thank you Julie - hope your Valentine Day was good. Have been travelling a bit the last week or so - to Brisbane for a few days then to Sydney to pick up hubbys car and we drove back to Melbourne the long way by the coast. Stooped at Mossvale, Narooma, Eden and Lakes Entrance. Was a lovely trip after a few hectic days work. Weather was hot so reading about the rain, snow and sludge you northerners are having is a bit unreal, although Aust. has had droughts, floods, heat waves and fires in the past few weeks. Going for checkup on iliac stents tomorrow - am able to take nearly 100 steps now so big improvement. Will try and catch up on the news later. Cheers to all.

Epidural tomorrow. All the snow (~3 inches) melted already. No rain due tomorrow, but we're having a lot starting Tuesday.

Hi, Everyone!

Yes, DOrA, I remember my Mom making toast under the broiler in an electric oven. I don't know why. I don't remember us having a toaster around that time. I also don't remember having toast very often. I must have been pretty young - maybe 4 or 5?

Midge, I'm glad to hear that you had an opportunity for a bit of relaxing, traveling, and time away from work after some hectic times. What wonderful news that you can take 100 or so steps now! I hope the improvement continues!

Heidi, I hope your epidural tomorrow is a doozy! I'm glad no rain is expected, and wish you could have many more days without rain!

It has been a number of days since we have heard from Suzy and MizT. I hope you are both well!

Thinking of everyone (even when I forget to mention everyone's name in a post) and sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, , positive thoughts, and prayers!

Midge, you were an hour away from me! A couple of mountains, but an hour.

We are test driving a rescue doggy. He’s older and a mini poodle like gizmo. So far he and Gizmo are getting along well, except when Jasper is on my lap. Then he gets all jealous and growls.

Morning all!
Suzy, I didn't realize that Gizmo was a mini-poodle. That's what Jewel is, but she's so very boisterous and bossy.
Midge, if you were in Brisbane you were very close to me too. I live between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, 10 minutes to the east of the Pacific Highway.

Heidi, as usual, best of luck with the epidural. Hope it's a 'doozy'!

Yesterday, I looked at something called a 'punk case' a waterproof sealed plastic bag to keep a mobile phone safe in the water. I decided against buying it because I won't be going swimming or doing any water sports on the cruise, The only time I could end up in the water is if the ship sinks and, to be frank, I don't think that the survival of my phone will be my utmost concern. So I decided against it 3 minutes after looking at it. But no, the internet, with it's stalking abilities has decided to remind me of it on every website that I open.
I think I'll mention winning the lottery, maybe the stalkers can manage that for me! Sigh.

We chose Gizmo because Alie is allergic to cats and dogs. When we saw Jasper advertised we jumped. If we’d been 30 seconds later we would have missed out.

Heidi I too hope your epidural is a doozy. Have you finally gotten rid o that nasty ear infection? Suzy - I knew the rough area you live in - next time I will pm you and hope to meet up for coffee. We always go to the GC too CynB - would love to meet with you also. We lived in Jindalee in the 70's and now my s-i-l lives at Broadbeach. I would love to be back in Brisbane but my family is in Melbourne. All going well I should be your way in June. Hope Gizmo and Jasper become great friends - they will be good company for each other when you are out Suzy. How is Dana going with her kidlings? She must be so busy. Julie - keep up the cello - it must give you a lot of pleasure (I don't count high blood pressure!). Hello to DorA, MizT, Broni, Nola and to anyone I have missed. Cheers.

Midge, if you lived in Brisbane in the 70's, you may remember Cleveland, Victoria Point and Redland Bay on the south end of Moreton Bay, gateway to the islands. I live just between there and the highway. Let me know if you do come back in June, I could meet up with you for a coffee or lunch at the GC. That would be great!

Suzy, how thoughtful that you're 'test-driving' a rescue dog! (That's a cute description.) It's great that he and Gizmo are essentially getting along well, except for a bit of jealousy. Hopefully two mini-poodles don't take up too much space or create too much energy. Suzy, were you looking for another dog, or did Jasper kind of randomly appear on a site where you were visiting?

CynB, I also didn't realize that Jewel is a mini-poodle. When I was in college, our housemother got a mini-poodle. We forty-nine girls 'helped' her to name 'Lady.' Unfortunately, she wasn't very Lady-like. I think there were times when Mrs. L. regretted getting Lady.

Cyn, doesn't it irritate you that so many websites keep bothering you and reminding you of things you have looked at. I learned of a website called duckduckgo.com that seems to reduce the number of references to previously searched objects.

Heidi, I hope your epidural was a 'hum-dinger' and you get plenty of rest in the next few days!

Midge, how exciting that you were rather near Suzy and CynB and could possibly meet! The only other fellow Suduko-ists I have met are Jane del Pino (Ooops, can't remember her new last name) and Plum. We had lunch in Chicago a few years ago.

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

Midge, that would be great!

Gizmo is a mix of high energy and snuggler. Jasper is around 10 years old and, apart from running around the yard a few times and one joyful game with a stuffed toy is much quieter. Both of them are obsessed with the budgie. We left them home alone together today for the first time and they were in one piece when we got back. Still some growling but it’s only been a day

When we got Jewel, we had no idea that mini-poodles weren't cuddly lapdogs, they are balls of energy and were bred as circus dogs over the years. Jewel, despite being female is an alpha dog, and considers us her pack. I can discipline her but Colin can't. He's too soft with kids and animals, that's why they all love him so much.

I'm about to start a portrait to submit for a competition at the local Art Gallery. The subject is 'Motherhood'. I have chosen a picture taken of my son and I on the day we came out of hospital 48 years ago. The photo quality is not good so I won't post it in my gallery but if the painting is good enough to submit, I'll post a photo of it.

Computer ''reformat / reload'' to start soon. I may be missing for a while...

Suzy, I'm so glad Gizmo, Jasper, and the budgie were all in one piece when you got home today. It's a good sign.

CynB, I had no idea mini-poodles were bred as circus dogs. I guess it makes sense when you think of their size and energy.

Cyn, I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of your Motherhood portrait when it is finished. I know it will be good enough to be submitted in the competition!

Hi, DOrA!. I hope the reformat/reload of your computer goes well! I expect we'll be able to see a post from you soon!

MizT, I hope you are we'll and enjoying games of Scrabble and Canasta with your friends! Take care!

Heidi, we hope you relax a lot after your epidural! We don't expect to see you for a few days. Here's hoping the rain has abated!

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

It's raining fairly heavily right now. Thunderstorms last night. And a LOT more rain predicted.

As you guessed, I've been sleeping after the epidural. I NEED to make this one last, since it will be a while until my next one. My bariatric surgery is scheduled for March 25th, and they want to wait for a long time afterwards to do the next epidural. I start the special diet in 2 weeks, the one designed to shrink my liver. They cannot do the surgery until my liver has been shrunk down much smaller. That's standard procedure.

My tractor is finally home!!!!! And it only cost me $800!!!!!

Heidi, Good news on both accounts - surgery & tractor...

A mother and her son were flying Southwest Airlines from Kansas City to Chicago. The son (who had been looking out the window) turned to his mother and asked, “If big dogs have baby dogs and big cats have baby cats, why don't big planes have baby planes?”


The mother (who couldn't think of an answer) told her son to ask the stewardess. So the boy asked the stewardess, “If big dogs have baby dogs and big cats have baby cats, why don't big planes have baby planes?”


The stewardess responded, “Did your mother tell you to ask me?” The boy said, “Yes she did.” “Well then, tell your mother that there are no baby planes because Southwest always pulls out on time. Have your mother explain that to you.”

Hooray, Heidi! I'm so glad you are able to rest after your epidural. I wish I could send you some dry, rain-free days while you rest! Such wonderful news that your tractor is back at home and only cost $800 to bring her home in good health!

And further good news, Heidi. Just a month until your bariatric surgery is scheduled! I hope the special diet is an easy one to follow and successfully shrinks your liver in preparation for the surgery!

DOrA, that's a funny joke. I have never flown Southwest, so therefore no experience with its schedule. I wonder if it's as prompt as the joke suggests.

About 3 inches of snow was predicted for today, but me mostly had misty cold rain - at least while I was outside or somewhere I could look out. I had a very challenging cello lesson today. My teacher said she was pushing me because the tempo gets very fast in one section. Well, the whole thing is supposed to be faster than I have been able to play it so far. But it gets extremely fast at the end. It's 3 pages long. So far I've only been able to memorize small sections, but she seems to be willing to let me use the music when I play. She has basically assigned one page per lesson, so I now have been introduced to the whole thing and have a LOT of work to do to begin to really learn it, and hopefully play it a bit faster. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to play it as fast as it's intended to be played.

It's getting late, and I'm pretty exhausted, so I'll say Good Night and send many {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, healing energy, and

I see it has been a quiet day here today. Thinking of everyone and sending powerful thoughts, prayers, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and

This isn't going on TOS but I've had Col up at the hospital on Thursday, again today and we have to go again on Monday. The Opthalmologist put him on a new eye drop in lieu of the prednisone and antibiotic he had been on for all the time since his accident. It had a bad effect on his eye, making it stream, become bloodshot and cause some shooting pain. So we fronted up to the Eye ER on Thursday and after 5 hours, they changed his medication, said his graft was still good and sent us home. All symptoms stopped as far as Col was concerned but when he went back today, the formerly 'clear as crystal' graft was grainy and unclear. Now we're back at home, with the original prednisone and antibiotic, hoping that clears up the problem by Monday's appointment.
Arrgghhh!! They had better get this sorted and soon!! Cruise in 4 weeks today. Our travel Insurance wouldn't cover his eye injury. If we can't go, we will lose thousands $$$$$.

Cyn, I'm sending some prayers that all is well and will right itself with Col's eye! How very frustrating! From what I've heard, many doctors don't want patients on either a high dose of prednisone or even a lower dose over a long time. Perhaps that was the reason for the change. Regardless, the results were undoubtedly frightening for both of you. Many positive thoughts are headed your way!

Many positive thoughts for everyone, as well as healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and

Sh1t, a google ad popped up and I lost my post. Not happy, Jan!

It won't stop raining!

Poor Col!!! There has got to be a better treatment, such as cutting back on the prednisone to minimize side effects.

I remember being given prednisone after a severe asthma attack 30 years ago. It started with a high dose and then decreased at each dose, probably 6 doses, to nothing. This one they've got him on he has to have the drop hourly when awake. I was so thankful I didn't have to set an alarm to wake us up during the night.
Fingers crossed that all will be well tomorrow.

We have has a huge cyclone off the coast threatening to ram us for days, well according to the media who love a new disaster story, like we need more of them.
This one petered out yesterday and moved away from our coast. Not one drop of rain. Some high winds. Caused fabulous waves for the surfers on our beaches. It has been exciting to watch some of the action. Reminded me of my misspent youth sitting on beaches in the sun watching the boys hanging five!

I'm feeling fairly good right now. That epidural 5 days ago has done me a LOT of good.

If only it would stop raining.......