Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Good on you Heidi for the new pens for the alpacas - just in time.
CynB - I hope Col's immune system can handle the next 4 treatments - it does get harder. I found soup the most tolerable food.
I hope Suzy is ok - the bush fires are terrible. NSW is in extreme fire danger mode and we just had a hailstorm here - typical Aust.
No 1 son is leaving Chile in 2 weeks to go to Costa Rica - wonder what will happen there! He says the curfews and shop fires are getting worse - McDonalds is a major target. The riots are getting more violent - I really feel for the people, there is such a vast difference between the have and the have-nots. I find it strange our news media do not show any of this happening - the military are becoming very aggressive. One scene of the riots I found myself smiling - there was a dog happy as larry, trying to catch the water from the hoses the military were using against the people.

Thank you for the reminder, DOrA! A big to all of the veterans!

Heidi, I hope the snow wasn't continual from last night until tonight! Also hoping the ice stayed away and the temperatures didn't drop too much!

We were lucky that we had sun during the day, though the temperature didn't go above 20 degrees F (-6.7 degrees C). It's currently 11 degrees (-11,7 degrees C). Predictions are for temperatures in the mid-20's tomorrow.

It has been a long day, and I'm dragging. Sending healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and for Everyone!

The snow stopped at 2 inches, but there's ice underneath and the temperature hasn't gotten above 25˚F in the last couple of days. This is February weather in Kentucky, not November. We're setting records for cold right now.

OOPS! I thought I posted this yesterday for a TOPP + 1. Most have forgotten to submit comment before leaving the computer to help hubby.

Here it is, better late than never.

Life isn't about keeping score. Life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness, and compassion. It's about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance, and building confidence. It's about what you say and what you mean. It's about seeing people for what they are and not for what they have. Most of all, it's about choosing to use your life in a way that could have never been achieved otherwise. These choices are what life is about. ~ Anonymous

Heidi, I hope you get some warming, and soon! Ice under the snow make for some very treacherous walking and driving.

We were luck that the sun helped to melt some of what was left on the roads, so roads are pretty decent here. Walkways are a different story. Our high today was about 25, and tomorrow's high is predicted to be 31 or 32 (freezing point). We're also setting low temperatures here.

Heidi, are the alpacas enjoying their indoor pens? I hope the transition has gone smoothly!

DOrA, I'm not sure how cold your temperatures are. Did you need to bury water lines below the possible frost line?

To all our friends down under, stay safe! I hope the fires are well controlled and far away from you!

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

Yes, Julie, The water lines are below the frost line. Actually deeper because, in one area, I intend to scrape 12 - 18 inches off the top when I re-profile the surface area. I also move equipment around and want protection from possible damage from increased ground pressure. The last section of pipe is between two and four feet deep.

This time, instead of renting a trencher, I had my neighbor do the job with his excavator. It worked out better because most soils tend to slough off and one has to take a shovel to re clear the bottom of the trench. The wider trench, 12 - 14 inches wide, created using the excavator, was much easier to clean than the narrow (6 inch) trench created using a trencher.

There are, of course, larger piles of dug up material and it required more sand in the bottom and covering the pipe to, hopefully, protect it from damage.

The 'payback', for the neighbor, was firewood. Trees that had either fallen or had been cut down. Wood I needed to get rid of anyway. He probably has enough wood for this winter, now. Win, Win situation...

I haven’t read, but I can’t put this anywhere near Facebook so I’m venting here.

My daughter’s sort of boss has cancer. He’s actually had cancer for 12 years or so, controlled by chemo. They stopped chemo because his body couldn’t handle it anymore. That was a few weeks ago. The cancer is back. He has a choice, go back on chemo and get a little time with his family, or a bone marrow transplant that will kill him if it doesn’t work. So maybe less time, maybe a new life. So far he’s choosing the chemo. He was sobbing and hugging his long term employees today while he told them.

Got the horse's feet trimmed today. Pandora was starting to come in season so Shadow was acting up. He forgot that he's a gelding. Whimsey has a sore shoulder and is moving slow.... which is the best thing she can do. Sadie, Red Hawk and Buddy were on their best behavior. The new alpaca pens came in handy keeping the alpacas out of the way.

DOrA, it's interesting to learn more about your project. It sounds like a lot of work, but it makes sense to use an excavator that provided a wider trench and hopefully less shoveling by hand. The trencher makes less dug-up material, but possibly ultimately more work. Seems like a very good plan to bury the lines deeper so you can eventually change the surface profile. Still a lot of work, but as you say, a win-win for you and your neighbor.

Suzy, I'm glad you posted, though sorry it's such a sad situation for Alie's sort of boss. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place and having to make a decision between 2 awful alternatives. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for him.

Heidi, sounds like a busy day today for you and the farrier. What a good thing that the alpaca pens were completed to they weren't in the way. I hope you'll have a relaxing weekend!

And to all of the Sudoku and Sudokuaholic Family, may you have a happy and relaxing weekend! Sending healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , prayers, and positive thoughts!

Sending warm greetings to everyone!

It has been a long day here, so I'll say Good Night and send healing energy, positive thoughts, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and !Takd care, Everyone, and STAY SAFE!

Oh Suzy, I feel for that man. Chemo is the most brutal form of treatment. Col has 7 weeks and 4 more treatments to go. He, and I, are dreading them. Each one is probably 100% worse than the previous one now and he has had only 8 treatment cycles. I can see that man's dilemma. It is a Hobson's choice.
I wish him all the best but I fear for him.

I can report that Emily loved her dog painting (picture on my page), had a wonderful 18th birthday and a loud happy party!!

Bushfires still raging around Queensland. Col's brother found that a fire-bug had lit some spot fires near his perimeter fence the other night. Firies and neighbours helped put them out. Worst is that everyone knew who lit them. His 20yo daughter's ex-boyfriend! His car was seen on the road at the same time. My BIL lives on a large acreage near the NSW border. He and his wife and daughter plus pets and livestock were all in danger because this low-life wanted to get back at them.

Then we had severe hail storms batter some areas last night. We were okay but Emily's car got some hail damage. Luckily for her, they had parked it under a tree near the fence so that party guests would have room to park. It was still there so got some protection from both the fence and the tree.
There was a lot of damage on the Sunshine Coast with tennis-ball sized hail. I saw a video of people sitting in a car being pummeled by the hail, the windscreen was completely smashed.

Hi, Everyone!

CynB, I'm so sorry to hear how awful Col's treatments have become. Sending an abundance of warm, positive thoughts and healing energy that both of you get through the next seven weeks, and that the last 4 treatments won't be as bad as expected!

I'm so glad Emily loved the dog painting! The person you hired to do it is quite obviously very talented! I'm glad Emly had a fun party, but so sorry to hear about the hail storm and accompanying damage to her car! Tennis-ball-sized hail is quite large and can do a lot of damage!

How awful that the bushfires are continuing - and even more horrendous about the spurned boyfriend who is setting fires! I hope he will be punished to the full extent of the law, and hopefully prevented from ever again having the opportunity to set fires!

Thinking of everyone and hoping the week is off to a good start! Sending warm and positive thoughts, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , and prayers for everyone!

Just staying very busy with various little chores around the farm. It's enough to keep my muscles sore.

Julie, I should have said that the friend who did the painting for Emily also did the one of the horses that I gave Maddy in January for her 18th - both photos are in my gallery. My friend is very talented but can't see it herself. Recently she put 3 paintings in a local Art show. All 3 of her paintings were sold and no one else sold a thing. At an Art show once I found a self portrait of her which was magnificent. Half of her face was completed, the other side just had the basic drawing. It was amazing how well that worked. I so wish I had taken a photo of it.

Heidi, staying busy is good, just so you don't over-work your muscles, especially those in your back!

CynB, your friend is obviously very talented! Good for her for selling three paintings when no one else sold any. Maybe she will begin to see that she has talent.

Midge, just one more week in Chile for your son, and then he will be on the move again. I hope Costa Rica will be a much calmer and more enjoyable place to visit!

I hope the fires are less of a problem. Stay safe, Everyone!

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

CynB, I looked again at the paintings for Maddy and Emily! They're beautiful! Your friend is certainly talented!

Sinus infection is driving me nuts. Ear oozing pus. Head thick and stuffy. Sleeping a lot.
Besides that, it's been raining all day, yet the weather channel radar shows no clouds and rain over me. Strange.

Heidi, I hope the weather will soon improve, and hope you will feel better soon, as well! Will you be going to the doctor to treat the sinus infection? I sure hope it clears up quickly! Here's hoping there are no necessary big projects waiting to be done!

Thinking of everyone and sending lots of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , healing energy, positive thoughts and prayers for all of you! Good Night!

Greetings to Everyone!

It must be a busy week for all. I know it sure has been for us! I hope everyone is well and hope the fires are out or at least well away from all of our Sudoku friends!

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

Still very much under the weather. I feel drained of energy, light headed, stuffy headed and lots of pus is oozing out of my ear. I'm doing the bare minimum and sleeping the rest of the time.

Heidi, I hope lots of sleep and very little exertion help you to feel better quickly!

CynB, I hope Col is doing well - or at least OK - and hope both of you have a quiet and relaxing weekend!

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

THE STRESS DIET

BREAKFAST
½ GRAPEFRUIT
1 PIECE WHOLE WHEAT TOAST
8 OZ. SKIM MILK

LUNCH
4 OZ. LEAN BROILED CHICKEN BREAST
1 CUP STEAMED ZUCCHINI
1 OREO COOKIE
HERB TEA

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK
REST OF THE PACKAGE OF OREO COOKIES
1 QUART of ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
1 JAR of HOT FUDGE

DINNER
2 LOAVES GARLIC BREAD
LARGE MUSHROOM & PEPPERONI PIZZA
3 LARGE PITCHERS of BEER
3 MILKY WAYS
ENTIRE FROZEN CHEESECAKE, EATEN DIRECTLY FROM THE FREEZER...

Miserable weather outside. Wet. Misty. Foggy. And hovering at freezing temperature. It cuts right to the bone. It's hard spending time outside with my head so stuffy and sluggish.

Hi, Everyone!

Wow, Heidi! Your weather is definitely miserable! (It's even worse than ours, though we have had some fog in the mornings. Our temperature highs have been around mid-30's, so a little warmer than yours. We actually have had an occasional peek at the sun the last couple of days. I certainly hope you start feeling better in the next day or two and can get ready of that horrible stuffy feeling!

DOrA, thanks for sharing your stress diet! I have plenty of stress and could benefit from a diet, but I'm not sure this one will be much help (other than for a good chuckle).

I hope all of our friends down under or safe and far away from the fires! Here's hoping the winds stop and some gentle precipitation finds its way to you!

Thinking of everyone and sending warm and positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and ! Enjoy the weekend!

It's a MUCH nicer day today. Sunny and low 50's. I bought a load of straw bales for bedding horse stalls, and got the stalls ready for the bad weather due to hit next week. I'm amazed at how much more work I can do now than before the surgery. I'm starting to get all gung-ho about getting back in the saddle again. I've been cleaning tack and doing repairs. I'm hoping that I can start riding again in a few weeks. I swore that I would not get in a horse again until I got below 200 lbs. There's only 5 more lbs to lose to get there.

Ah, the beginning of a new week!

Heidi, sounds like a MUCH better week if the temperature will stay in or near 50, and the sun will make a daily appearance. I'm sure the horses will be pleased to have fresh straw in their stalls when the awful weather arrives! How exciting that you will soon be riding the horses again!

Thinking of everyone and sending healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, positive thoughts, and for each of you! Have a great week, Everyone! Good Night!

Got an important, small, yet dangerous job done. I had to replace a rope on the top of my feed bin (it holds 3 tons of cattle feed). This rope is used to open the bin from the ground. I had to get up on my 22 ft ladder, resting on a slick poly bin, climb to the top, remove the broken rope and install the new one. I got smart. I called a friend to come over and be there in case of accident while I did the job. I figured that only an idiot does that kind of thing alone. So now they can deliver the feed in a few days.

Starting on Monday, I have jury duty. This is why I'm trying to get everything done right now. If I get accepted for a jury, I won't be able to do much else for a while.

Heidi, the rope thing sounds like something I'd do, but probably not call for help. I don't really have anyone close by anyway.

I truly hope you used a resilient, long lasting rope for the replacement...

The other day, I went to the 'other place'. Forgetful me, I didn't apply a tick preventive to the hound. Yeah, he picked up one. By the time I saw it 3 days later, it was easy to see. It was nearly 3/8'' long. It was on his right ear. Fortunately, the hound is pretty mellow about being 'handled' and didn't fight the removal process...

That's two things to be happy about!
Heidi, I'm glad you got someone to be there when you did such a tricky job. I can't tell you how many people I've heard of that have had falls because they chose to do something involving ladders without help.
And DorA, glad you got that tick off the hound. It's tick season here and we check our little dog, who thinks she's a big dog, every day. She like to check our boundaries, snuffles around and gets herself into awkward places, all in her quest to keep us, her people, safe from intruders.

Oh, and I love that stress diet. That's how I diet, I start well and then get tempted.

Col's only got 3 more Chemo treatments to go but is not handling it well at all any more.
He told me last night that he has made the decision that if ever, in the future, he may need Chemo again, he will refuse it.
Whilst I totally understand and will respect the decision if it becomes necessary, it fills my heart with terror and grief.
Fingers crossed that it will never happen.

I understand where he's coming from, CynB. He'd rather have a good quality of life for a shorter period than extend it in agony. IF the cancer returns, he will be able to get in some nice memories for you instead of having you watch and remember him suffering. Lets just hope that these sessions, however nightmarish, will destroy the cancer and let him have a long life to forget the chemo.
My friend Debbie's husband, Bob, went thru 3 series of chemo. The first group of chemo treatments he barely reacted to. The second series was just unpleasant. It was the third series that he reacted as badly as Col is reacting. Since this is Col's first (and last) series, and he's reacting so severely, I suspect that the chemo is really working it's magic and destroying the cancer cells. Bob waited until his cancer was at stage 4 before even going to a doctor for the first time. Col caught his very early. It makes all the difference in the world. Why don't you ask the doctor if they can cut back a little on the amount of toxic drugs being pumped into Col for the last 3 treatments, so his reaction isn't quite as severe?

Morning Everyone.
just an update on my health.

I have the all clear from both the Cardiologist and the Heart Surgeon. :) Both were very happy with my progress. The new Heart Valve is performing perfectly. and the Chest Xray showed that all is good and the Sternum is healing well.
Next appt with Cardiologist and have an Echocardiogram will be Nov 2020.
I have started a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, twice a week, over 5 weeks.. (should be 6 weeks, but Christmas and Holidays is the 6th Week, so I am doing a modified program). Mondays and Thursday, a hour of Exercises (ie Treadmill, Bike, Machines you pull or push or... etc etc) to improve strength and well being etc
and I am allowed to Drive again. Started last Thursday.
meanwhile the Bones, Muscles Ache.. No Pain No Gain.

Cyn (((HUGS)))

BOPP
Great news, Rolanda. It's wonderful to get a progress report from you. I bet you're excited about being allowed to drive again. Freedom is special.