Sudokuaholics Anonymous 10

Chopsticks are one of the reasons the Chinese never invented custard.

“Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
I'll draw a sketch of thee.
What kind of pencil shall I use?
2B or not 2B?”

― Spike Milligan

I've gotten a few things done today. Ran errands, planted some giant sunflowers (maximum height 26 ft and 1 ft seed heads) and started some heirloom tomatoes. One variety is snow white, one is deep indigo blue and one is red & yellow striped. My throat is still hurting a lot, and I have another headache. So it's time to rest.

Hi all. It is Friday and a long week is over. I didn't say anything but my dad was in the hospital for the week. He came home today. It was due to complications from his COPD. He has oxygen at home so hopefully that will help. It was hard on my mom as all his doctors are near their old house. It is about a 30 minute drive now to the hospital he was in rather than the 5 that it would have been before they moved. I am still happy they moved. They have less to maintain and there is a guard gate, so it is safer.

SO glad to hear that Bernie is back home, Tami. I bet you and your mother were worried. COPD is not nice.

It's raining out, and is supposed to rain through the weekend. Just a few thunder-boomers, so nobody is upset. I just don't want to be out there with any metal implement.

We have rain here today also, Heidi, but so far no thunder. I was out and about today, got errands run, so I do not have to go out this weekend in the rain. Came home to a late lunch and then a nice nap. It was a bit cool out and I forgot a jacket, fine if you stayed in the sun and away from the wind.

I just got a phone call from a friend here at EP. She was waiting for results of breast biopsy and IT WAS FINE, I am so happy for her.

I bought new cards today so can get caught up on the birthday cards, I did not do this weeks celebrants yet. they can get them tomorrow.

OH, everyone cross fingers that it really happens, please. I talked with Shannon, our services coordinator, yesterday. If all goes well, I should have my power chair in 2 weeks. I will be able to get downstairs to sit on the patio more days, before it gets too hot to be out there!!

I bought groceries today, and have some nice lean beef patties and some onion buns. I think a burger sandwich and a salad would make a good supper tonight, or tomorrow lunch. Lots of fruit on hand now, between Aldis and the veggie man. I bought plums, they were expensive, must be out of season now, but just been wanting some. If I can't have some of the things you want now, when am I gonna get them???

I read all the comments, but have forgotten who said what. I will try to come back later to re read and post.

Hugs to each of you, with extras.

, MizTricia!!! Just 2 weeks until you have mobility!

The first of the puppies is spoken for. It's the sable rough female that I named ''Kola'', which is Souix for ''friend''. Cousins Don and Barb want her. She'll have a great home.

Ooh, I wish I could take a puppy Heidi. I love Collies. Probably just as well that I am so far away, Jewel has become very territorial these days.
Tami - sorry about your Dad being in hospital, glad he's out and I hope he improves so it's not so hard on Bobbi.
Tricia - glad you're getting your wheels.
June - it was a good idea to go to the movies - a nice cheerful movie always takes one's mind off their troubles. The SiL - words fail me!

Where are the Aussies?
June was here yesterday but -
Broni, Rolanda, Gail, Suzy, Nola, Bean - I've missed someone I think, lucky them!
Come back - all is forgiven!!

Anybody watch the Kentucky Oaks today? The winner was Princess Of Sylmar, the longest shot of the field at 36-1 odds. She ran from almost last to blow past the unbeaten favorite. Great race. Tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby.

Greetings to Everyone!

From the previous page, June, what a good idea to go to a movie for a change of pace and an opportunity to laugh! It sounds like you got a couple of nice prizes at the bowls BBQ!

Great TOPPS, Heidi!

Heidi, you were very productive today! I hope those giant sunflowers live up to their billing! I'd love to see them when they're grown! Your heirloom tomato plants sound great. I hope they taste as good as their bright colors suggest.

Tami, I'm guessing you have been a bit preoccupied this week. I'm sending gentle {{{HUGS}}}, positive thoughts, healing vibes and prayers for Bernie, Bobbi and you and your family. I guess your Mom had some extra driving this week. I'm so glad to hear that your Dad is now back at home!

MIzT, it sounds like you were plenty busy today! How nice that your friend got good news about her biopsy! I'm also glad for your good news that a power chair may soon be on its way to you!

Heidi, hooray for Kola finding a new home! It's nice that she'll be nearby! The Kentucky Oaks race must have been very exciting! Did you have any money on it?

It's about time for me to head to bed. Sending LOTS of positive thoughts, , healing vibes, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}} and prayers for everyone! Take care of yourselves!

Good Afternoon all.
Had a rough few weeks here.
Came off the Tramadol and onto morphine pain patches. Hopefully I will feel a tad better than I have been. Ethan finishes at the council on May 16th. He was lucky they kept him on for a couple of months at casual pay after he finished the traineeship with them.

A lovely 25c here today. I have the wood stove outside going as John came to my place to do crosswords this morning. I made scones and have eaten too many. lol Nothing like fresh scones with butter and jam which I do not usually eat.
Hope everyone is fit and well.

Whew! She's asleep! I hope....

June, I've been thinking about you. Should have known you'd think of a way to make things survivable. Hugs and love to you.

Tami, what a horrible week. And just like you to go through it without us! I hope your dad is on the mend and you can get a good night's sleep. Hugs.

Heidi, I'll join with Cyn and be glad I live too far away to have a puppy. We had a Collie for a while he was a senior citizen when we got him.

Brain dead. I'll have to go back when I'm on my computer rather than my phone.

We've had tahli today and she is exhausting. But beautiful. And finally asleep..

Hi all. Another Aussie checking in. All is good but very busy and trying to organise to get away next Friday for a week.

Sorry Heidi but I don't want another dog. One spoilt dog is enough for any family.

Hi folks... haven't dropped in or had time to read or even play a game of sudoku for days...was last here on the 30th... will have time to read and catch up on all your news on Monday. Did drop in to TOS and managed a quick post re my b'day. Finished the painting.. but not before my visitor arrived and didn't get to take the trestle down until my birthday. In fact I spent part of my birthday shunting furniture around. Was spoilt rotten by close friends .. enveloped by love and friendship. What more could I want? Even went over and spent an hour with Margaret while hubby was on an errand. She doesn't look or sound well. She is still at home and was affronted when palliative care stuck their noses in the other day. I told her I could do the night shift to enable hubby to rest because that is what is likely to push her out of home sooner than anything. He is over 80 now I think... I lose track of time..

I'm in the midst of a 3 day workshop which has turned out [the content] to be particularly relevant at this time & place in my life. Even won the door prize today.. some tapes and CD's that I was trying to work out how I could rob Peter to pay Paul and be able to purchase them..

Have to be up in 8 hours so best say g'nite
Take care everyone

Today is the Kentucky Derby. I'm cheering on the favorite, Orb. A great horse and a fantastic trainer:Shug MacGauhey (sp?).

Heidi, your heirloom tomatoes reminded me of something my niece was talking about, a seed 'library'. You check out seeds this spring, and must return them after harvest, from your plants. An inexpensive way to get people to growing heirloom foods, increase the seeds bank, and keep lines pure. None of those genetically modified foods. It is good someone is keeping the old heirloom seeds, we might need them once mother nature decides what to do to those genetically modified foods.

Happy that Kola now has a good home to be. Pups still nursing without problem? Tallest sunflowers I have ever grown were 13 feet tall ones. My 5 year old friend and I made a bed for them at end of the elevated deck, we could stake them to the privacy fence around the deck. Yours will be twice that tall, really spectacular.

TAMI, happy your father is home, the home oxygen should help him get around better I hope. May he continue to improve. Send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to him, and hugs to your Mom having to care for him. It can be a challenge, caring for these men.

JUNE, you are so lucky, winning prizes at bowls again. Do you win the majority of prizes, or are there just an abundant amount of prizes given? Glad you got out and to a movie, and that it helped.

Julie, I too wondered if Heidi had wagered on the horse race. Would have been nice to had about $10 on Sylmar.

Viv, coming off pain medication can be rough, I am glad it is over for you. Here is hoping the pain patches work much better for you. Unrelieved pain is such a drag. Your report of scones has me wanting buttermilk biscuits. Might have to make some today. would be a good day to have oven on, it is cool and cloudy outside, a chilly 43. At least no snow for us, so many getting May snows, not represented, where it is falling, but uncommon and very widespread.

Suzy, it is good to sleep when the baby sleeps, so hope you got to bed early after getting her down.

Victoria, do enjoy your week away. Have you said where you are going? Safe travels to you.

BEAN, how fortunate you won just the CDs you wanted to buy. I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from them. You sound very busy lately, but happy.

Did I say that my rent here will not change after the sell of property? Linda let me know just this week. NOW, we have to do the one year review. NOPE, have not been here a year yet, but this has to be finished by the year, September 1, even though I moved in September the last, so getting started. I signed my name enough times yesterday, and discovered I have more to sign Medical expenses are deducted from income before rent is figured. For each person, doctor, pharmacy, physical therapist, etc I paid, they must send a request for information, and I must sign a permission. Rent should not change much, probably down a few dollars if any change at all. That will be nice, I can still indulge in such things as plums out of season and an occasional beef roast. hehehe.

Good Luck He

Oh, yeah.... one jockey to watch in the Derby today is on Oxbow... the great Hall-of-Famer, Gary Stevens. He recently came out of retirement after 7 years being an actor (Seabiscuit & other projects) and working as a sportscaster. He's back in his winning form. I like the horse he's riding, but I dislike the trainer (D. Wayne Lukas).

Great race! A muddy track, but it was a fast pace and Orb won.

In 2 weeks, on Preakness day, I'll be at Churchill Downs (site of todays race). I'll be able to bet on the simulcast of the Preakness. I do believe that I'm gonna put some money down on Orb to win. Just 3 weeks later is the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. That's where Shug McGaughey and Orb are based. Barring a disaster like Barbaro had, we have a good chance at a Triple Crown winner this year.

(I wear a picture of Barbaro on my watch strap. I watched his masterful win in the Kentucky Derby from my grandmother's bedside in the hospital in Wisconsin. One hour later, she gently passed away.)

Hi, Everyone! It's so nice to see posts from so many today!

Viv, I hope the change from Tramadol to morphine patches is a huge help! Does Ethan have plans to after May 16? Scones sound yummy!

Suzy, a little one can really tire us out. I hope you got a nana nap while Tahli was sleeping! If she sleeps through the night, I hope you did too!

Vicki, busy can be good, at least some of the time. I hope it's a good busy for you. Certainly seems like you're due for a week away. Enjoy!

Bean, I'm so glad you were able to celebrate your birthday with friends. Enjoy your workshop! And congratulations on winning the door prize! How nice that it was something you really wanted!

Heidi, I'll try to remember to think positive thoughts for Orb for the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes!

Positive thoughts, healing vibes, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and for everyone!

Got the horses locked in for the night.... it's REALLY wet outside and this way they can eat to their heart's content and stay dry and comfortable. The puppies are scarfing down their last meal for the night, the birds are fed and watered and the adult collies have all they can eat. Time for me to go to bed. I hope the coughing lets up tomorrow.

Gekko my friends.
Another Aussie checking in.
Life has been a bit rough the last couple of weeks but nothing life threatening yet.
Cous decide to move out the other week without a word, drugs were involved. Please no comments, just move on.
I am OK.
Luv and Hugs to you all.

Hi all,
Goodnight Heidi and sleep well.

Some weeks there are not enough hours in the day.
Just the usual everyday things going on but a few of the little extras make me too tired to get on the computer. Sewing a button on a uniform,(couldn't find the button) contact solicitor, council & electricity over missing bills of Judy's. It took days of phone calls and Greg going in to the office to sort it out. Run out of wool, had to unpick and buy new colour as the other dye lot had gone.etc
Unlike some others here, nothing was concerning.

June...after the rough time you have had dealing with a funeral and SIL,I hope you hold your head high knowing MIL loved you very much, and tried to show you that.

Suzy....I sympathize with how exhausted you felt having bub. Hope you are still improving health wise.

Thinking of Viv, MizT,Broni,Cyn,Judy,Tami,Brenda,Theresa,Victoria Gail,Julie,Bean,and others not mentioned that frequent here. I am too far behind to catch up with you all.

Quick drop in as I'm tired.. I didn't sleep well last night and can't work out why. It was like I had a cup of strong coffee at bed time, only I didn't. Tahli was very naughty when we took her home and reached back out to me from her mother's arms... Poor mum was a little hurt as she'd missed her baby. I suspect the grandmother spoiling phenomenon.

Hugs to Broni...

Viv, hope your pain levels are much reduced.

MizT, a lot of the hype around genetically modified food falls into the same category as the anti-vax scare mongering. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. For example, it's pesticides killing the bees not GM crops.

Heidi, I was only thinking the other day when our media was obsessed with a story about a bookie, a horse trainer and a horse owner that the only horse race I watch is the Melbourne cup, oh and Black Caviar's last race - though that was a fluke.

Julie, any news on your grades yet? I'm hoping you do as well as I think you deserve!!

Vikki, I would accidentally leave my phone (or charger) at home when I went away if I were you.

Nola, one of those AAADHD weeks where you are constantly busy but not getting as much done as you should considering how hard you are working?? I hope next week is better.

I have every one else's name running through my head trying to remember what they said in their last post and I'm stumped. I have thought of you though... Hugs to you all.

To Broni, Nola, June and Suzy especially, since they need 'em NOW, but also to Viv, MizT, CynB, Judy,Tami, Brenda, Theresa, Victoria, Gail, Julie, Bean and anyone else whose names I've forgotten.

Sandy has decided that she's done voluntarily nursing the puppies. In fact, she's drying up fast. They only get an occasional meal from her when I take them out of the box to clean it. Fortunately, the puppies are enjoying 3 meals a day from me. If it would stop raining, I'd set up a puppy pen outside on the lawn for them. I'm gonna go check the forecast to see when they can go out during the day.

The rain is supposed to continue for 2 more days. Drat.

My oldest grand-baby turns 10 today ... wow, into the double digits. Happy birthday little one.

Suzy, just read an9ther guess as to the plight of the bees, High Fructose Corn Syrup! Bee keepers remove the honey, bees natural food, to sell, and feed then on high fructose corn syrup instead. It ws said there are pollen and other things in the honey not found in the syrup, and perhaps those things are necessary for the bees. Bees who swarm from their commercial hives and take up residence in the walls of houses and such, who eat their own honey, seem to be much more healthy.

There will be a Mother's Day Program downstairs this afternoon, Just out of the shower, must curl and dry my hair and get ready. Feeling a LOT better this morning, hope it lasts the day. I shall check back in later, hugs to each of you, with extras.

I was always taught that beekeepers only take the extra honey, and leave enough for the hive. Honey is the perfect food. It can be stored for 2500 years and still be edible, bacteria can't grow in it, and it can heal burn victims. There is no substitute. Only a moron would take all the honey and foist junk like high fructose corn syrup on bees. I guarantee that the bees would either die or leave the hive to live in the wild.

Heidi, common sense and greed do not go hand in hand. Some people will do anything for making a few more dollars. And I just read about the bees being given high fruit corn syrup, not sure how accurate the report was.

https://www.google.com/search?q=feeding+bees+high+fructose+corn+syrup&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls =org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox#q=feeding+bees+high+fructose+corn+syrup&client=firefox&hs =5An&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=univ&tbm=nws&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=082GUbutMYmE9QShjoDIDQ&ved=0CD 4QqAI&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45960087,d.eWU&fp=a4a5b41ff12fb526&biw=864&bih=584

May not be accurate but that story is going around and around. This huge link is to a page of links about bees and fructose. Not sure if it will work, Heidi, if not ask Mr Google about bees + high fructose corn syrup, that is what I did. Think I will read awhile.

Hi folks.
I've tried to read but the words seem to be be reflecting off my eyeballs without comprehension.. didn't sleep well last night. Was awake though to chat with Lachie when he got home from work which was good. Hadn't seen him since Thursday.

Workshop went well and was very inspiring.
Learnt heaps. After such a busy week I was looking forward to visiting Margaret today. Too late. She deteriorated really rapidly after I left her on Thursday. We had even joked together on Thursday that we could keep the palliative care people at bey for a while. She died peacefully with her husband, daughter and one of her son's at her side on Saturday morning. I'm so grateful she is no longer in pain and suffering. It just doesn't make any difference to the waterworks. Can't stop crying. Funeral is on Friday.
I'm in a state of shock I think. Love hurts.
I am so lucky to have had a friend like her.

Oh Beanie, so sorry about Margaret. Even though expected and she is at peace, it's still hard for those left behind.
Broni - big hugs!
Theresa - Happy Double Figures to your grandie, hope she has a lovely day.
Love and hugs to everyone else - Heidi, Suzy, Tricia, Viv, Nola, Vicki, Julie, Brenda, June, Tami, Gail, Rolanda - I hate writing lists of names, I know I'll forget someone!

I'm sitting here waiting for the men to finish installing more solar panels. They didn't give a time for today but arrived just after 8am so I'm glad I don't have to be in all day waiting.
From tomorrow, I will be delivering leaflets locally advertising the launch of Neighbourhood Watch, run by the Qld Police, in our area. I'm very happy about this, our crime rate is low compared to other areas and I'd like to keep it that way.

Hive of activity outside my window.. reported the smell of gas outside or on our fence line the other day.. I suppose it is a nice day to be wielding a crowbar and pick... hope they find it outside my fence line and they don't have to trash my garden. I had hoped to catch up on some sleep while my car is being fixed. Can't see that happening.

The leak turns out to be in a hose at the back of the block. I've really been very lucky. If it wasn't for that I wouldn't now know that the timing belt is deteriorating and has a split / crack in it. Requiring urgent replacement. The car would be a throw away job if that happened whilst driving. Have done a fair bit of research in the last week since the leak started. Car will be gone for most of the day (5 hrs labour) and I will need to find $550+ within the next few hours... Cheaper than a new car. Everything else (over than wiper blades) is in good nick thank goodness.

So glad to come back inside and my last post still here. [been chatting to the gas man and helping him find owners of parked cars..] The humungous hole is going to involve digging up my kerbside garden only.. agapanthus are so tough.. they haven't been killed by the leaking gas but everything else has. Hope the tree's roots aren't effected too much... even though its roots are responsible for the problem. I love the trees and the birds they invite into my garden.

Time for a puzzle or two..will be back to read later.

ps... you are VERY brave Cyn to attempt a list of names.. I wouldn't the way my brain is feeling to
day!

MizT, I liked your link, worked first time and to more reputable sites too. When I googled it, I got all the 'health' sites whose content is often not very evidence based. Yours even linked the syrup to the pesticides, so they're getting a double whammy there. (Corn sprayed with pesticides, made into syrup..) I agree with Heidi, morons working with hives. I'm wondering about the bees they carry around and use to pollinate crops though. I wouldn't have thought they'd be taking the honey from them, but I guess that's a way of making extra money so why wouldn't they?

Cyn, have fun with the neighbourhood watch thingy. It's a good idea in a low crime area. In a high crime area I'd be nervous..