Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

No act of kindness,
no matter how small,
is ever wasted.
~Aesop

DorA. thanks for the story of Wayne and Sally. Brought a tear to my eye as well. Also, nice to see you posting.
Sorry to everyone that I haven't been here in weeks. Downsizing is much harder than I thought, but we're getting there. I'm hoping to have the house ready for the photographer by Wednesday so that we can do an Open House on Saturday. Fingers crossed for a quick sale!

Good luck, my friend. I hope everything goes easier than expected and you get a quick sale with a high price.

Forgot to change my avatar.

After 15 1/2 years of having this crazy little ball of energetic fluff, yesterday we had to do the inevitable and say goodbye to our Jewel. She could not cope with what was going on, her sixth sense told her things were changing and she was so anxious that she barked almost constantly for days. We gave in to the inevitable and got the vet here yesterday afternoon. There was no other solution, she wouldn't have coped with the move or with going to some else, no matter how kind. She fought every step. The vet said she had never seen such a determined dog. The first injection to calm her down and settle her had no effect. So she got another dose. It still took several minutes and she fought it until she literally cound not keep going. We sat with her, stroking and soothing her while the vet inserted the catheter. She settled and passed quietly. I feel so sad even though I know it was the kindest thing to do. She will be missed, not just by us but by our family.
Rest in Peace Jewel, you loveable little ball of mischief.

💔 It's a very hard decision to make, my friend, but you did the kindest and most loving thing a person could do to prevent suffering.
Rest in peace, Jewel.

CynB - such a hard choice but so right for Jewel.
Hope the house showing went well - I feel you won't wait long for a sale in such a nice are of our country.
Nothing much happening here - havng anti-body infusins monthly which are knocking me around a bit. Seems I am open to all allergies these days.
Going to be busy in the next month - 2 birthdays, son moving back home for a month, van to the beach and Christmas. Sister's partner having hip replacement on 30/11 after a 2 year wait - thank goodness - it has been a painfully long time waiting for this. Very hard at 77 years old. That will make both knees and hips - that's what you get for being a top cricketer.
Having a high school reunion tomorrow night - can go and see how all of my old acquaintances are looking so ancient (haha). Will stay in a motel for the night with my girlfriend of many years - been friends for nearly 70 years. Will have a lot of catching up to do - that is if we can stay awake .........
Hubby decided the jasmine growing on our front fence looked a bit shabby so out with green house paint and painted the main stems that were bare ?????? Son back from Thailand yesterday and can't stop smiling ..

Countdown to Christmas

Can't Wait?
How long 'til Christmas?

38 Days
12 Hours
7 Minutes

...But who's counting?

We're working the cattle herd next Saturday. Preg checking cows and weaning calves.

Heidi hope you get the number of preggies you want. How long before the newbies arrive? How are the alpachas?
Thanks DorA for the reminder of how long we have before utter chaos sets in. Not feeeling too Christmassy this year - so many horrible things happening in this fragile world of ours. Hard to keep your distance.
CynB - did you sell your house? When will you be making the big move to your new adventure?
Have replenished veggie garden in high planter boxes - just can't get down to the garden any more (or if I did, would never get up on my own).. Tomatoes, lettuces & apple cucumbers along with heaps of herbs. Not a great deal but enough for us at the moment.
Hope you are going o.k. Julie.
Cheers for now.

I feel very sorry to see that chatter on this page is falling away. I have been so busy lately getting ready to sell the house, which we did, on the first Open House, even got a better price than we expected. It has now gone unconditional. Woohoo! Settlement isn't until the middle of January. That means one last Christmas here with the family.
I hope everyone who still posts here and those who just ghost are all well and happy. .

Hello CynB, Heidi, Midge and all others who, like me, mostly just 'copy the mail' without posting.

This years Thanksgiving was a mixed bag. It was good to see those who gathered together. BUT with my hearing, such as it is, I have a hard time, frequently, understanding what is being said in a one on one conversation. Groups are impossible. They might as well be talking a language foreign to me. I can only understand an occasional word, here and there.

On the bright side I have an appointment with a VA (Veterans Affairs) audiologist, tomorrow. Hopefully they'll be able to help me. A previous attempt at hearing aids was a dismal failure. I returned them after a month. They just made everything louder. Volume is not my issue...

Midge, I can relate to getting back up. (Down is not a problem. Gravity assist, works well - but sometimes too well.) Nice you found an alternative for your gardening.

CynB - Good news on the sale of your home. Leaving memories behind is tough, but when it's time, it's time. And you got your price, plus. BONUS! With the January settlement, you have the opportunity to make more...

Heidi, I've, recently, come across a YouTube channel, from Australia, where they are raising dairy cows for meat. I can't remember the breed, but it is said that the meat rivals wagu for marbling, texture and flavor. I'll most likely never experience wagu anyway. I saw it at a Costco for $98.00 a pound. I'll pass. I've found that cooking my steaks 'sous vide' and finishing them on a HOT grill gives great results.

I, too, miss the days gone by where posting was prolific. Both here and on ''easy''. It seems many / most have jumped ship and gone to that ****book site. Do the puzzles here and bail...

Not sure about my Christmas, this year. I haven't heard a word from any of the family. In the past I've had to beg to get an Amazon wish list from people. As a senior with little or no contact with the 'younger generation', I have not a clue what to gift without guidance. This year I'm not begging and may opt out, all together.

I'm trying to get caught up on my neglected dental work. Two extractions. Two Implants and one crown replacement (to repair decay under the old one). The ''soft food diet'' isn't my favourite...

Yeah, I know. Too much info. I'll just roll off and try to complete something meaningful, today.

I didn't mean to break the site. Honest...

Hope everyone is well and have a peaceful, relaxing time over Christmas and the New Year.
My plans were dashed a couple of weeks ago - bumped the edge of the bed and tore my shin open. Having bandage change at Drs every 2nd day and looks like it will continue for a few more weeks yet. Unable to walk so Christmas get together is transferred to D's for tea.Feel like a grinch, no decorations and haven't even bought my KK a present yet. Will have to get one of my sons to do the shopping for me.
Hope you end up having a family get together DorA.

Move over DorA - my turn to break the site.

Does anyone know about or heard from Heidi (our resident prolific poster) Her last post was 19/Nov. I knew its been awhile. I just looked and its been over a month now. So unlike her...

Midge, So sorry to hear of your injury. Beds can be dangerous. Must have been a serious ''bump''.

I've been invited to a small family get together for Christmas. Too far for one branch to make it and another is traveling to join another branch. No young-uns, this year, so a lot of the magic will be missing...

Hello everyone, I just came here to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I agree DorA, it is not at all like Heidi to be missing for this long. I will get onto the FB group for Sudoku Friends and see if anyone has contact details for her. I think Julie or Tricia might do. I will let you know if we find anything. I hope she's just been busy.

Back to Christmas, I hope you all have a lovely Christmas with family and/or friends - eating too much, maybe getting tipsy, laughing a lot. For me it's not about gifts, it's about family.
Speaking of which, we are down 2 for the day, my grandson and his fiance have just found they have Covid!! Just when it seems a distant memory, it rears it's ugly head. (Insert swearing here &%$#@#$)
Anyway, have a good one!

Good Morning and

Merry Christmas to those celebrating today.

CynB Any luck tracking down Heidi?

Not so far, DorA!

I spoke, today, with one of Heidi's acquaintances who assured me that as of last week Heidi was fine. That's all I know...

Good to know that DorA.
All I found was a possible ? phone number from one the people on the FB Sudoku page.

Happy New Year 2024 to all who come to this space!

Echoing what CynB Just said..

Me too - same as above.
So many absent but still the number of readers are going up - maybe just too time pressed to comment.
Anyway, to all who come to this page, a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024.

It's fine to eat a test grape in the produce section, but you take one bite of rotisserie chicken and it's all, 'Sir, you need to leave!'

I owe everyone here an apology or two - or ten. First, I haven' been here in far too long. Second, I had a text from Heidi that she was planning to get a new computer soon, but it would have thought she would have if and would have visited here soon after. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember my password and was not having any luck signing in. I am so sorry for leaving everyone hanging and wondering about her.

Life has been crazy and complicated. Still haven't finished Christmas cards, but I finally got the carpal tunnel release surgery done on my dominant hand, so will hopefully be able to hold a pen or type for more than a few words at a time, then take a break before the next few words.

I hope everyone has had a favorable start to the new year, and find 2024 to be a year of good health and positivity!

It's far too late to try to call Heidi now, but if time allows, I'll try to call her tomorrow, then let report back here.

Take care, Everyone and stay comfortable and healthy!

Such good news Julie, firstly that you have had the Carpal surgery and that you have spoken to Heidi,. I hope she's back soon.

After several hectic, stressful and exhausting weeks, we finally moved into our new home yesterday. Now so much unpacking to do. Advice to everyone, do not hoard!! I will post some pictures when all is tidy. Suffice to say I am sitting on our balcony at 6.20 am, it's still cool (the day will get hot and humid soon ) I can hear the birds everywhere and can see glimpses of the bay through the trees. Slept well last night too.
I think I'm going to like it here.

Good news from Julie - Did you ever get in touch with Heidi?

CynB - My do not hoard plan..
When moving from caravan (I've lived in for 12 + years to a new house - If I don't have a current need for it, it doesn't come in. There are, as always, exceptions, however...

Good to hear from you Julie. I hope this year brings you all you wish for. You have had a couple ofpretty hectic years.
DOrA - like your idea of hoarding - I am going through the throes of getting rid of some things that I have kept for years (like my paisley jumpsuit from 1969). Trying to sort out my books - I have huge collection and find it very hard to let go of the ones I liked. I always think I may read them again (not likely). Our local RSL has a smll library and I will be going there wih some boxes. After being n a caravan for so long you would really get to know what is essential and what is just sentimental and not necessary.
CynB - your new place sounds lovely. I hope you have settled in by now.
The wharf strike and port congestion in Aust have affected us - we have been going to Sydney for the past couple of weeks and think we may finally get there at the end of next week for a special delivery to a new customer. Then up to the Gold Coast and Brisbane for a few days. Lookng forward to it but still have work to do before I can leave. It seems to just keep piling up.
Rejection has slowed down so want to take advantage of getting away while I can.
Hope you are going o.k. Heidi.

Some sad news out of Alabama today - our wonderful MizTricia, who started these SA conversations many years ago, is in palliative care with only days or even hours to live. She has family by her side. Tricia has touched the hearts of most of us over the years. We wish her peace and love as she transitions.

I will keep you updated on Tricia.
Otherwise, we are settling in here well and enjoying life. Waiting on a handyman to install a few things here and still have picture and wall hangings to complete. But most is done. Yesterday our grandson came over and helped his Poppy build some Ikea furniture.
Off to a very belated family birthday celebration for my son and I today. We had birthdays on the 16th and 18th, but haven't been able to get together until today.

That is sad news. I really liked reading about her garden beds that she established and looked after - she had so much enjoyment from them and her new lifestyle. Peace.

Tricia (MizT) passed away peacefully a few hours ago.
Rest in peace dear lady. ❤️

Rest n Peace MizT

Rest in Peace MizT. Condolences and Blessings to family.

The Strongest people make
time to help others even If
they're struggling with their
own personal demons...
~author unknown~

Good friends
are like stars.

You can't always
see them, but you
know they are
always there...
~author unknown~

Heidi