Judy from Nunawading

Gday Judy, let me be the first to say to Sudokuland. Careful, posting is addictive! May I offer you something from this plate of nibblies, I already poured you a glass of bubbly so now that we've introduced ourselves we can party hard.

Hi Gail! Didn't notice that I had a message - Doh! Thanks for the welcome and the nibblies - I reciprocate with ... chocolate! (Always!) :D

That's alright Judy, I didn't make a lot of noise when I broke in to your page!!!
And besides, it's only been a year!!!
I hope we see more from you this year than we did last year.

Wow, Gail, that was quick! You haven't been waiting all year for my answer have you?
Actually, I've only just remembered what my password is :O! (Wrote it on a piece of paper, which I promptly lost)
Anyway - not QUITE a year - one whole day off! ;)
Cheers!

Judy, I can't remember if I ended up sending you a message in your inbox or not!!! Out it down to suffering from CRAFT disease.

Thanks for your note. Yes I get that eureka feeling and only last week a guy contacted me through the Ancestry site. Turns out our great grandfathers were brothers and also witnesses at each others weddings. He had photos of his g-grandad but I have none but he kindly sent me copies.
Unfortunately my ancestry route is paved with common surnames which doesn't help.
Goodluck with your searches.
I am a full subscriber to Ancestry uk so if there is any record in their library that you cannot access let me know and I'll see if I can help. I love a bit of detective work.

Judy, so sad about Jack...

Thank you Mary! I guess talking/writing about it helps. At least he is no longer suffering - and he will certainly never be forgotten!

Judy, I have just read about your family's loss.
I am so sorry about Jack.
They are our family, not our pets.
Thinking of you all.

Hi Judy.
As you obviously know, one of the best things about this site is being able to share our thoughts, feelings and experiences. I really emphasized with that poem as you obviously did. It is incredible the imprint that a young scallywag like your Jack can leave in your life. It never ceases to amaze me that one can feel such grief and depth of pain when one of our four legged friends leave the pack. You didn't say how old Jack was [or your children]... not that it makes a lot of difference. As a mother it hurts to see your children grieving but there is so much to learn there even tho that is the last thing on your mind.
We have a dog, 'Old Tom', [you can see him on my page], and one day I think I should write a book about his exploits and maybe that would be a positive thing for your kids to do. It may make them cry but it will help as it has helped you today to share your story.

Thank you Gail and Bean. Jack was sixteen, so quite an old dog, but he was a part of my kids childhood - the younger ones soon learnt that having a dog gave them license to wander the neighbourhood, as I would never have let them do alone. It seems they ranged fairly widely, but I'm told that Jack really enjoyed his trips, and was soon unphased by going down the slide at the park, and whatever else they found to amuse him! The kids are all grown now - we will wait till they're all home and maybe scatter Jack's ashes around the garden. We've been collecting photos of him to share around the family, and I think that's a good way to remember him and share stories about him. I really appreciate all the kind thoughts and comments. :)

Gail - I haven't forgotten your suggestion to meet up some time! We are still coping with builders coming and going - but once the painting is done I will be free as a bird (I think), so I will look forward to meeting with you - maybe Bean can come too! :)

Hello Judy - to the wonderful world of Sudoku. (I see I have not officially welcomed you, and I am sorry for that.)

I just read about your beloved Jack. Parting with a pet is such sorrow. It is very much like losing a family member. I can see by your story how much you loved and cared for him. I am very sorry for your loss.

I have brought you a warm Rhubarb Pie to welcome you. Please stop by my place sometime for a chat. The door is always open.

Judy.... that sounds like a brilliant idea.
Good luck with the painting..... we could have a painting party at my place!!!!
Just joking!!
Leave a message on my page or a private msg in my Inbox when you are free. Depending on where in Nunawading you are prob. midway between the two of us.
Ciao.

Oh Judy - Lemon Cheese Cake? Yummy I enjoyed it so very much. Thank you. Boy oh boy! Today I have had brownies, one of CG's beavertails with Shosho's coffee and now cheesecake! I will need to go on a diet next!!!! Thanks for thinking of me! It was delicious.

Hi Judy!!

You are the second person (2nd Judy as a matter of fact!) I have gone down memory lane with this week, but it is fun sometimes to recall those memories! That was quite a story about the wolf and bear!

Thanks for the alka-seltzer! The beavers have large tails and they can be very destructive with them. Well......Canuk Greg's beavertails are a pastry type food. (Here we have "elephant ears.") They are a "short" pastry and I think sometimes they deep-fry them or they are baked. They put sugar and cinnamon on them. I love Cinnamon! We have had the elephant ears down at the State Fair in Detroit. They are quite large.

Have a great day, Judy!

Thanks for looking at my photo gallery. If you like Florida photos, look at NAL from Miami, she has lots. I have no idea where Nunawading is- up north in QLD, where because of the crocs "None a-wading?"
BTW, Alligators cannot climb trees- but bird predators like snakes and racoons and skunks can. So birds like to build nests above alligator ponds. Many of my best bird photos are of birds at zoos like Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida and Gatorland in Orlando, Florida.
As a belated welcoming gift, I offer Florida Key Lime Pie. Visiting Aussies love it!

Judy, so you're having your share of aggravation too! We're on our last nerve here, and it's even begun to affect my sleep. I so want to reclaim our house, resume having friends over, especially now when we really need them, and be done with the excuses, the passing the buck, and no one taking responsibility. There! Now I've vented back! Let's hope we're both done with these pesky problems soon. Thanks for the visit!

Hi Judy, for the kind thoughts. Actually I am just around the corner from you tonight in Forest Hill. I see you are really getting into the sudoku scene! Hope you enjoy every minute of it

Excellent news Judy, this will make up for the coffee we never got to have! Can you believe it is already September?
As for details, I will let you know which cafe we choose and exact location etc. We are definitely aiming for 12.30 and planning on going on till we cant eat or drink another thing!
Get back to you asap and thanks for replying so quickly.

Hi, Judy! Thank you for your lovely comments on my photos! You asked about the buildings adjacent to the beach access in one of my pictures, and they are condos. So you most certainly could buy one and move right in!!! We wouldn't quite be neighbors, though. I live about 4 1/2 miles from there!

Hi, Judy! Sorry it's taken me so long to answer your last message. In the US, "apartment" or "flat" generally refers to a rental unit; whereas "condo" refers to an individually-owned unit. Many of our apartment complexes have "gone condo" over the past several years, taking rental housing out of the market and creating a housing shortage in some lower-income communities.

Gday Judy, sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you re: the gathering for Viv's visit to Melbourne.
The date and time is as you know - 5th Oct 12.30pm
The venue has been decided -The Blue Train Cafe, Southbank
http://www.bluetrain.com.au/index.htm
Hubby and I are going there next Friday to work out the best place to meet up or the easiest directions on how to get to the cafe.
Do hope you can still make it, let me know if you need any more details. I am thinking of catching the train in so I don't have to find a park in the city.

Judy - the cat is in Vici's posting #8 on the Medium page. It's wearing a rabbit-ear costume, something cats won't normally do, hence my suggestion that it's drugged. It's got that dignified inscrutable feline look on its face, but the rabbit ears ruin the effect.

Back again!

Just went in today to find out where the cafe is and it is easy to find. It is on the level above the food court at Southbank. Will send you a private message with my contact details, in case we have trouble finding each other.

Also thought I'd better let you know, so far it looks like it is going to be a bunch of women! Hubby is welcome of course, but thought I should give him a heads up that he will be the only fella.

Hi Judy! I just saw your post on Easy and realized I have never been here to welcome you to the site, so a belated welcome to you! I have a tradition of leaving a double chocolate fudge beavertail pastry from Ottawa as a page warming gift, so please enjoy this treat. Enjoy your time here on the site!

Hi Judy!
I went to your page and read about Jack - I am so sorry! I have a very old dog and do everything I can to make her life comfortable, but know perfectly well she shouldn't even be here (liver disease from being poisoned when she escaped her pen many, many years ago), but she's my best friend and I will be undone when I lose her. Anyway, Angie gave such good advice about the avatar - I had been struggling to reduce my photo for weeks in my spare time, and had just decided that I was LD in that department when I stumbled on the Forum page, so it wasn't difficult at all. I didn't even know it had gone through until someone wrote to me the next day! I don't know where folks are communicating with one another, but I'm slowly getting in touch! I also empathize with the house work - I started renovations/repairs last year, am still struggling with getting things completed and being able to find stuff and walk freely down the hallway without falling over boxes. I figure it's a test of character, and perhaps I am becoming more saintly (except when the bad language erupts as I grip my bruised leg, or spill something, or ..... anyway, you get the picture). I think working in southern Italy has helped me with my life attitude - Domani - tomorrow, everything will be o.k. Maybe. I am actually thinking about doing some volunteer work in Australia this year - isn't that amazing! Maybe I could finally meet some of you guys! I very much like being a part of this website!

Judy, Rob is a veeery brave (or silly) man to want to be with a pack of mad sudoku women! I am sure we will make him feel either more than welcome or can't wait to get the heck outta there!
Also, it is time to put your smart alec daughter straight...numbers indeed! Doesn't she know that appropriate attire for a sudoku meet is tiaras and boas ?
Silly girl!

My apologies for not having said 'thank you' earlier. I am always touched by the kindness of our sudoku family.

It's all you!!! You are wonderful, so great to finally meet up. Mustn't let too much time pass before we do it again.
Can you believe it...I now have to make dinner for the tribe! I really should be jogging around Melbourne to get rid of that dessert!
So glad you and Rob took advantage of the day, haven't done the Eureka but might when Rena is here.
Thanks once again for coming today, it made the day even more special.

Judy, I am already over it! After all, I'm not a fella so it certainly wasn't going to be manflu! Just a coldsore now as a reminder.
My main fear when I felt the cold coming on on Monday was that I may have passed it on to you all, what a way to remember me!

Good morning, Judy!
That was interesting about the "Iceman" exhibit - I've read about it and must say, even though I am an archeologist, I have mixed feelings that he should be put on display (although I would go see the exhibit if I were there, to be honest). But that is really ironic - I just thought about this: I take my students to see the skeleton of the Man of Altamura every year, and that's sad as well. He fell into a crevice about 250,000 years ago, couldn't get out of the cave and ended up in a blind alley, so apparently sat down to die and is still there. Although it is a rare find - a virtually complete skeleton in situ, the bones are covered in calcite formations and can't be removed, so he is still in his last resting place. I always feel sad when I see him. And - yes, it's true - I bought a key fob that is a tiny replica of his skull, probably the world's strangest and ugliest key fob - so I think about him every day when I go out to drive my car!
Re: housekeeping - I am the world's messiest (although it's relatively clean), but over a year of renovation is really telling on my nerves and disposition! I'm tempted to move and start over, leaving it all behind me! I'm glad for you that yours is coming along well! Re: Italy - I have taken students there for five years, am not doing it again in 2009 - American students can be dreadful (particularly small all girl groups), the UNiversity makes it rather difficult for me since I am not an on-campus prof, and the Southern Italians are far too lackadaisical (they totally lack planning skills) to work in conjunction with an American University that has deadlines. So now I am free to travel and TAKE A REAL VACATION! Yay!!!!!
Thanks for the kind words about my photos - my friends think that I am "Mad as a snake" - which I am, of course, but I enjoy sharing on this website, feel I've "met" lots of really fine folks here! Like you!

Hi again, Judy!
I forgot to say that, when I resized Sammie's photo, the comments dropped out. She lost her eye as a kitten when she was in "foster care" (for a cat rescue group) - she had an upper respiratory illness that ruined her eye. She was considered unadoptable since she was "ugly", so the woman in charge called me (where exactly does it say "sucker" on my forehead?) as I had just adopted Smokey and Abby - so of course I went down there and picked her up. I think she's cute! After she tamed down (both she and Smokey were quite feral when I got them, and each lived under the dresser in the guest room for weeks as I fed them and lay on the floor and talked to them and inched my hand forward to caress them until they learned to trust me. Smokey is still a bit wild, but Sammie follows me around like a tiny dog (she's quite small) and talks to me constantly. Unfortunately she still goes into heat (after three surgeries to spay her - the one I had done revealed a tumor and we (the vet and I) felt that was causing the heat episodes - wrong!) and this summer disappeared for two weeks (probably because, with visitors and house repairs going on, I think her boyfriends didn't come around so she went off to find them - little hussy!). I cried a lot over that, and scolded her when she came back, but was so glad to see her!
By the way, if I ever appear to use a word or phrase that seems a bit off, please let me know! I've told Ian that I will have trouble speaking in a manner to be understood when I visit Australia - he thought that was funny! But I've noticed the differences between American English and British English, now there's Australian English to add to the linguistic pot - it's fascinating! Not to mention the short-cut language of the web that still startles me (like using lol - that puzzled me for a while) and teen-age language (I am struggling to speak Italian and, while I was there this summer, a young friend, age 11, loaned me her teen magazine to read while I was at her home - and there was Italian "teen-speak" in it - intriguing!

Must get moving - just spent some time asking Angie about reducing my photos - which I thought I had successfully done until I looked them in my gallery this a.m.! Sigh.

Hi Judy! Thanks for the information on Thomas the Tank Engine and the Fat Controller. I think I'm the only one on the site that didn't have a clue (not an unusual occurrence for me. lol) I learn something new everyday on this site!

JUDY, so glad you enjoyed my photos! Ahh, from your messages on my photos it seems you quilt? or at least buy fabric? I have enjoyed quilting, sort of took a break from it this last year, hope to get back to it soon though. Thanks for the nice comments. I looked up Nunawading
and find you are near Melbourne. I have a daughter in Melbourne, FLORIDA, USA hehehe but same name at least!

Do drop in and visit on the comment pages and let us hear from you. would love to know more about you and your area.

Hi, Judy! I don't think I have had the opportunity to Welcome you to SA6. WELCOME! I'm sorry to hear that the going has been rough, but you're always welcome at SA6 to join in the craziness and fun! Hope your days improve! (And nights, too!)

Judy, so much for your kind words, they really do help. It was a difficult decision, but the right one. No-one wants to watch a loved one suffer and he was just that, a loved one.
Any time you feel like meeting up for a cuppa and a chat, I am here.
{{{{{Hugs}}}}} straight back atcha.

Hi Judy! Was thinking about you and house remodeling/repair/insanity. Poor Sandy came down the hall to get her biscuit (it's 5:00 and all small creatures demand their treats at this hour!), I did my usual silly nonsense dance (it gets her interest up to take her dog bone) and then I realized, to my horror and sorrow, that she had to back down the hall to get back to the living room! And she has a bit of trouble walking what with her arthritis in her back legs - what a guilt trip! I have the place stacked with boxes again, and none of us can move well through the obstacle course. I should have just moved instead of renovating! Sigh. How is your house work coming along?

ATTENTION: All Sudokuists

To any members and their family
who might be anywhere near Melbourne
on Saturday November 29th,
come celebrate the visit of

Rena from Christina Lake, Canada.

Perth will have met her, Adelaide will also have had the pleasure, now it is our turn!
A BBQ lunch gathering will be held in her honour in Cockatoo from 12pm.
Meat supplied
BYO Salad and/or Sweet and Drinks

Please RSVP via my page by Wed 26th for further details.

Fantastic news Judy, Can't wait to see you both again. Please bring a salad and/or sweet, preferably not gruel! So far on the salad menu, we have a potato and a Caesar salad and Bean is making a Bean salad of course! Not sure about what sweets are coming. I will be providing a birthday cake, as it will be Amber's birthday a couple of days after and a pav, cos it's my specialty!

Hi Judy. Have a great time at the meet for Rena & Amber at Gails. Wish I could be there, know you will all enjoy yourselves. heheheh