Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

''Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.''
- Charles Bukowski

Nola, got the pics, thanks. Have family coming over this morning so won't get a chance to resize them until later today and then I'll post them.
(But I'm going to crop myself out of the one I'm in, it's embarrassing, especially when my daughter took the pics for you - you'd think she'd check that her mother looked okay, wouldn't you??)

Hope he doesn't let you down Heidi.

Come on Cyn, you look lovely to us all the time.

http://www.ellentv.com/2013/10/22/andy-and-amys-haunted-house/

Heidi, I know you love Halloween so I searched and found this somewhere other than facebook so you could watch. I had tears running down my face and was laughing out loud watching this...

Mamacita, I hope your appointment goes well.

Nola, I can't do as much as I used to either. It's no fun.

Hope you got to go to dinner Heidi.

MizT, so much entertainment! I agree that it's good for the performers to have rehearsals.

I'm just waiting for a call from Alie about picking her up from a party.

Cyn, thanks again for doing that when you can,no hurry. It looked like you were trying to get out of the picture, but I will search again for a better one of you that will do you justice. I hate having my photo taken. I think..THAT CANT BE ME!
Heidi...hope you get out for dinner after helping IH
with the fridge.What a great idea.
Suzy...I'll have a look at your link now.

Oh Suzy...that was so funny! He was so scared he had to hide behind the producer and got very upset by telling them to stop it. The poor bloke.

Greg and I recently arrived home after a few hours at the other house. Well, Greg hasn't, he went to see Renae and the girls. I came home.
Put up more curtains, fitted new light bulbs after washing all the fittings. Reinstalled the a/c and cleaned the filter. It was so heavy to lift back into the window!
I wiped out all the drawers and cupboards in the kitchen,it had a lot of sawdust from the installation. Cleaned up the mess from drilling curtain fittings into block walls and tried to keep busy handing Greg stuff, while he was up on the chair.
We were going to have a swim but I couldn't be bothered. Have made a list of little things that we have to get like batteries for the smoke detectors and the odd fluro light bulbs that now no longer work.One light switch doesn't work and we found a dead gecko in it. Still doesn't work after removing his body.
I am going to visit my neighbor now with Sonny.
Catch you later

Ok, photos are posted, I didn't cut myself out but to be honest both Col and I look decidedly dodgy!! Haha!
Nola, I hope you don't mind but I also posted them onto the Sudoku Friends (private) page on FB. I did it for 2 reasons, some people don't come to this page to know they've been posted, and I had trouble resizing them but I knew FB would do it automatically. So I posted them there and copied back into my photos and then to Sudoku. Easy Peasy!!

Hi, Everyone! I'm here late tonight, so will only comment briefly. I apologize in advance if I miss any posts.

I hope everyone is at a safe distance from the fires - and hope they are all being controlled now.

Broni, I'm glad you're back safely. I understand your feelings about camping, especially in tents. I've decided I'm too old for 'roughing' it and prefer a bed and 4 walls.

Lizzy G, that's wonderful news about your mole. Now you can 'sleep easy' with no worries - at least about that.

MizT and Heidi, we have been having the near-freezing or below-freezing temperatures at night and 'warming' to around 40* F (4.4* C). I'm hoping we'll also see a warming trend in the next week.

Heidi, I hope you don't encounter any more mattresses on the road when you return to see MizT or when you drive Anita to Chicago!

Suzy, the folk festival sounds like fun! Are you remembering to take care of yourself and get enough sleep?

MizT, I love all the activities and entertainment you can partake of at your new place! You chose wisely! Sorry about the 'false alarm' on you medic alert, but it's good to know that it works and they make an attempt to confirm that they are needed. Sorry about your coffee pot malfunctioning. Also sorry to hear that your friend Molly had to put down her cat.

Nola, it sounds like you and Greg have made great strides on the house and may be nearing completion soon!

Hi, Mama! Hope all is well and the rescheduled doctor appointment will be productive. We also turned on our heat here. Talked with hubby about putting a blanket on the bed, as sheets/linens were washed today. (We use a fitted bottom sheet, a flat top sheet, and another older flat sheet on top of that, so the cat doesn't track or leave hair on the sheets touching us.) He decided to wait until it gets 'really cold.' That's great, but he pulls the sheets around him into a cocoon when he gets cold at night.

Heidi, I'm assuming IH showed up to take you to dinner! He owes you for 'saving' him again! Does he charge his old customers (or the other processing plant) for delivering the meat from a different processing plant?

Suzy, thanks for posting the clip from the Ellen show. Hubby and I were laughing hysterically!

CynB, I understand your feelings about the photos, but I think you look fine - just leaning back so everyone could be seen. (I have the same feeling about a photo of hubby and me posted by a friend when a group of us met a month or so ago. Hubby doesn't like it either. I'm SO tempted to delete it, but I think that would only delete it from my page.)

Time to head to slumber land. Healing vibes, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers and for each of you!

Thanks for the reminder to change my avatar, Heidi!

Very tired tonight but we got a lot of work done at Belinda's. A big help having Ken there. I even did some work getting her old step ladder more stable so I was able to get some of the leaves out of her gutters. I am not sure if 'gutter guard' helps keep the leaves out or stops the ones that do get in from getting out!!! She has some gutters that are too high for me to reach.
Came home and had a long soak in the bath and them a medical G&T to grease the aching joints and back.
I could get up and down the ladder OK but I have trouble getting out of bed or a chair and managing to stand upright!
I think it is an early night in my own bed. Back to Belinda's place tomorrow afternoon.
I have read all your post but a bit too tired to comment.

Cyn, I didn't mind at all that you put it on facebook, just very glad you were able to do what I
cant do.
Thank you....and look you fine.Thank Karen, for taking the pix too.
Julie...thanks for your terrific input, it makes us feel very special to have out posts commented on with such thought.

Morning friends, much warmer overnight last night, and the 10 day forecast is excellent. I must remember to get out every day, this fine weather will not last.

Nola, sou8nds you are almost finished with the other house. It has been a long road for you, but I join you in celebrating the end in sight. Couldn't be bothered with a swim? That is tired! And you were totally right in your comment to Julie, we all do appreciate her insightful comments on our posts, we know someone read them

June, up and down a ladder? but can't get up and down from a chair or bed? I know that is bothersome for you, but I had to grin at the way you expressed that and the mental picture I got. I am glad you got so much done at Belinda's, hope it will make her home safer and easier to defend if fires get close.

I must remember to look at photos, thanks CynB for getting them up for us to see.

My computer has the time wrong again, this is the weekend we once changed time. It will be first Sunday of November now, a week away. I was a bit confused seeing the computer time, but then I confuse easily these days. I will change my time zone, send my puter to Atlanta for a week, easiest temp fix for incorrect time. One of those things that did not bother Al, the computer having wrong time, so he never corrected it.

Boy did I sleep last night. I was so tired and hurting when I came in from laundry room last night at 7 pm. I sat in my chair for a rest, and woke at 9 pm in a major hurt, past time for meds and the trauma of doing laundry. Too much bending of back in a way it does not want to bend. One of the residents doing her laundry, poor dear, so lost to Alzheimer's. Ramona and I had to help her keep tract of where her clothes were, what needed tending, moving. She once was putting coins into machine I was loading, and she was opening doors to dryers looking for which were her clothes. but you know, she still remembered how to tell when someone needed help and she folded sheets with me. My sheets look neater than they have in some time. As Iris said, they looked just like they came from the store. Not quite, but I know what she meant.

I am still tired today, I think only tiny small chores today and a couple of naps are on agenda. It does not matter I slept 10 hours last night, it was not enough. My story, and I am going to sleep on it hehehe.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

Evening everyone.
Just popping to let you all know, we have arrived home.
Our holiday was fantastic.
Bedtime here, the clock says 11pm, the body tells me it is 2am

Yes, IH showed up... only 20 minutes late. It may have been a good thing. We were at the restaurant at the same time as some neighbors (Buddy & Geneva) and Geneva told us that her brother James, who we're both very fond of, started having liver problems 3 weeks ago. When they started doing tests, they discovered a major, and unsuspected, heart problem. He was rushed into heart surgery the next day (2 weeks ago), and is now in a rehab center waiting to recover enough to have the liver surgery. So IH and I are heading out to the rehab center in half an hour to visit him. We've heard that he's doing well since he'd never been sick a day in his life before this. James is in his mid 70's, I believe.

Glad you had a fantastic holiday, Rolanda. Welcome home.

Heidi and everyone, I have just made a pirates' flag to fly over my power chair for Halloween! I printed a flag on card stock, 8.5x11 (letter size) and taped to a dowel stick. Now I am toying with the idea of making my bag on back into a treasure chest, hanging jewels and such as if spilling out of it. Still have to make buckles to turn crocs into porate shoes, I have the white knee high trouser socks. Must decide on the pants and figure some way to blouse them at bottom. My costume is coming along nicely, and I am having fun! hehehe

You don't have to ''blouse'' them. Just wear capris. I wish I had thought about the treasure, MizT. I have a lot of ''gold'' and ''silver'' doubloons and big glass jewels for the treasure. I even have a couple of the ''Aztec gold'' coins. I can send them to you priority tomorrow, and they'll get to you in time. Would you like them?
I don't have any pirate flags. One of these days I'll probably get a Long Ben Avery flag or a Bartholomew Roberts flag. I don't want a Calico Jack Rackham flag, and those are the most common.

I'm glad we went to visit our friend James. He's a fighter and is recovering well. He needs to be strong for the next surgery which will be around Thanksgiving. They'll be removing 80% of his liver, because he has cancer in it. I'm going back to visit him in a few days, and I'm gonna see if there's anything that he wants me to smuggle in for him.

I bet the flag you chose, MizT, is the flag of Edward England. That's a skull with 2 crossed bones below the skull. That isn't the flag known as the ''Jolly Roger''. The true Jolly Roger is the flag used by Blackbeard and many other pirates. It's a skeleton standing, holding a spear, which is piercing a bloody red heart, with three drops of blood falling from it.

Heidi, I think I can find enough pirate treasure here to put into my chest, but thank you just the same. Packages do not arrive here in a timely manner, even priority ones. My sister and I have a lot of the beads on a string from making Christmas ornaments, and some of my made and purchased ornaments look like treasure, I think I can do with that. Yes, I do have capris, but they are not as full at the leg as some of the photos I was seeing.

I am not sure what flag this is, the skull and cross bones, but skull is wearing a bright red bandana, an eye patch and a big toothy grin. It was the first image that was not protected, meaning I could print it, that I found when I googled Pirate Flag. You sure do know more about the pirates and their flags than I do.

Lovely hour and a half of music again this afternoon. Group of 5 here playing and singing bluegrass. They usually practice on sunday afternoon, so they practiced here. Not really, just ran through some of the songs they already know, it was lots of fun. the young woman on fiddle can make that talk, her fingers were a blur when they did 'The Orange Blossom Special'. One of the men played the hammer dulcimer, now that was some interesting music from that. Only five of them, but most played multiple instruments and also sang so it seems like a lot more. OH, the base player and lead singer also played a squeeze box, or concertina. In all there were 2 banjos, 3 guitars, 1 mandolin, one base, the dulcimer, the concertina, the violin, and a harmonica used.

I got more and more compliments on new hair-do again today. I wish I had a camera when one of my friends saw me first time. such a shocked look on her face. She came asking is this really Tricia?? Said I looked 15 years younger, now if I just FELT it Since I do not, and since I also watered all my plants, I guess I should try for a nap. It is windy and damp outside, might blow up some rain. Yeah, after I watered everything good, now it will rain hehehe

I saw the Jolly Roger, just as you described it, on the page of flags I got with 'images of pirate flags'. I had not seen that one before. Wondered what it was, now I know. Thanks Heidi.

I have added a few more photos from Rolanda's visit for those of you who didn't see them on FB.

7 Loads of Washing..

Just call me the Laundry Maid!!!!

Wanna do mine, Rolanda?

Off to bed early. I have to have all the horses up in the barn by 8:30 am, so we can work on their feet. I also have a Lions Club meeting , and need to get their checking account balanced before the meeting. I did warn them that they were making a serious mistake asking a person who is dyslexic with numbers to be the Treasurer. I am their worst possible choice. No, I correct that. I am honest. Incompetent, but honest.

oh gee Heidi, what an offer but NOx!

How did that 'x' get in after the word NO

Good Evening to All!

June, it's no wonder you're tired! I hope you get a good night's sleep before heading back to Belinda's and more work. Wow! Up & down ladders! Good for you! I don't have experience with 'gutter guard' or 'gutter helmet' type of products, but I think they're supposed to prevent the leaves getting into the gutters. I'm glad Ken was able to help you for part of the time.

Nola, thank you for your kind words! I hope you're nearing completion of the work on the other house! You must have been exhausted if you didn't want to get into the pool for a little cooling and relaxation. Sometimes it just feels good to get into your own shower at home.

MizT, you had another busy day and finishing laundry at 7 p.m. It was good that you and Ramona were there to help Iris keep track of her laundry. I was thinking that a fancy or colorful magnet to place on the machines she was using might be helpful, but then she would need to remember to take them back to her apartment each time she did laundry. It's too bad she doesn't have someone, perhaps a relative, who can help her weekly or a couple of times a month. But then, maybe she feels a bit of independence doing her own laundry.

Rolanda, I'm so glad you and P arrived home safely! I suspect you will feel exhausted for a few days. WOW! Seven loads of yrdnual! That's some heavy-duty swearing, young lady!

Heidi, at least once IH being late was a good thing. Prayers for your friend James who must recover from heart surgery in order to have most of his liver removed. He's fortunate that he was a healthy man when this all started! Hope his recovery goes well!

MizT, your pirate costume is going to be terrific! Sounds like you will have all of the appropriate accessories! I'm glad you were able to enjoy the music again this afternoon! They sound like a very talented group!

Heidi, thank you for the information on pirate flags. I had no idea that what we often call the 'Jolly Roger' isn't correct.

CynB, thank you for posting photos for us to see the Sudoku gathering!

Must head off to bed for a 6 a.m. alarm. Hubby is taking an older friend and his wife to a teaching hospital too far away for them to drive. They will get to our house (about an hour drive), then he will take them the rest of the way (about another hour). The husband has been having unexplained episodes of passing out. None of the tests done by their family doctor can explain why, so he is being referred to a specialist. He hasn't been allowed to drive since the first episode almost 3 months ago, so his wife has had to take him everywhere. They are very active and fit mid-80's, and he does a lot of wood-turning and wood-carving for one of the world-famous turners in our club (little things, accessories, etc.) while the famous one does the major stuff.

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

Julie, I thought of magnets for Iris too, great minds and such hehe. Like you, I figured out the pitfalls in her using them. I have no idea why she does her own laundry, and the laundry room is the only place I have seen her, twice in this past year.

I do not understand how family can hold up to care for Alzheimer's patients. It was exhausting yesterday just the 2 hours I was there with her. she asked the same questions again and again, and then would say 'Oh, I remember now', which I doubt was true.

Up for intermission, getting sleepy now, time to get back to bed. My first leg of sleep was supposed to be a short nap at 5:30 pm. I slept till 10:30!

Heidi, hope your friend James makes a brilliant recovery from heart surgery and the p;anned liver surgery. Two really major surgeries so close together will be hard on him. I am happy you found out about his hospitalization and were able to visit.

Gee, Rolanda, so much practice with your own laundry, you could have Heidi's done in record time! I just do not understand your refusal of her offer

Today I was asked to join the cast of a play written by yet another resident. I will be narator, but only if they can find a stand in. I told them I am not dependable, so many things medical can happen so quickly with me, I do not want to leave them in the lurch. Hope she found someone to share the job. We will have 2 performances, so each of us could have a night in the play. sounds fun.

back to bed, I need to be up early for the pool.

Hugs once again, till later.

Tricia.... Is that the best facility for Iris? I would think that there isn't enough supervision for someone with Alzheimer's. The staff isn't even there on weekends. She's lucky to have you and Ramona around. BTW.... I'm glad I got to meet Ramona. She seemed like a very nice lady.

Anita was just here trimming the horse's feet. We discussed Challenger's death in depth, and his behavior beforehand. Everything she told me convinces me that he died of heart failure. She is relieved that I don't blame her for his loss, but she still feels responsible since he was in her care. I told her ''Sh*t happens, and nothing you do can prevent it.'' We're taking the RV and trailer up to Chicago on the 9th, not the 19th, so there's less chance of encountering icy roads. But if the weather does get bad, we can camp out in the comfort of the RV until the roads are safe. I REALLY enjoy my RV!!!

Nice to see so many people getting together after meeting on this site.

I'm off in a few minutes to the local Lions Club meeting. I get to break the news to them that I'm helping a friend transport horses to and from Chicago on the 9th instead of helping at the chili supper that night.

Back at Belinda's. Decided to take it a bit easier today. I might drive to the nearest shopping centre (15-20 minutes away). Have look around then find a nice splace to have a coffee and some lunch. I will do some house work for her this afternoon. No up ladders outside when I am here by myself.

Tricia, I think you will be the best dressed person at the Halloween party. I have a few individually wrapped mentos in case we have any callers. i will be back home on Thursday.
Rolanda, glad you enjoyed your holiday. Sorry about all the washing when you got home.
Enjoy your trip to Chicago Heidi. The RV is giving you so much pleasure, which you deserve.
Julie, you have such a busy life but you still manage to make wonderful responses to us all in your posts.
Nola, will your son be moving back into the 'flooded' house or will you be renting it out? I know it will be a load off your mind when it is all finished.

Brenda, looking for statuses on facebook to see if your home, or worse, was hurt in the weather that hit the UK yesterday...or was it today for you.

Morning everyone

Heidi, I can understand you loving your RV, I love my Caravan :)

Greetings friends, another busy day, Lakeshore from 9 till 12, a fast lunch at home, then down for the last storytelling class with Elizabeth. We all hate to see her go, but she has promised to come back, if not in her official capacity, then to visit as a friend. I hope she does. I was so tired, I took a 4 hour nap, and went two hours past medication time.

Heidi, I doubt this is the best place for Iris at this point. There are a few here that could be better served elsewhere, but the government's 'age in place' police is keeping more and more elderly from getting skilled care. I would imagine next move for Iris will be to have an attendant/caregiver come in to help with things that she cannot do, IF government can find the $$ for it.

This age in place is supposed to solve the aging problem with less money. I find it is often about as laughable tragic as the 'shelter in place' program, or non-program, that is government's answer to a nuclear accident; go inside your home, seal up your windows and doors (with what? Just happen to have 10 rolls of duct tape that have not dried up and become useless?) About as well thought out as the Super Dome as 'shelter of last resort' for New Orleans. It really means, folks, you are on your own, but we are going to sound good talking about it, put a good spin on it for you.

The age in place does help many who do not want to leave their home, friends, church, neighborhood. But only if the parent company does a careful assessment and provide what the client needs. It has opened jobs for many CNAs (certified nurse assistants). How well the client fares depends largely on how these minimum wage, unsupervised workers really care. Some are really compassionate, some are lazy and take advantage of the situation. I know one here who spends HOURS each week sitting in laundry room, her cell phone to her ear, watching the machines go 'round. Another comes in, puts her client's clothes in machines, checks the time, goes back to client and other chores, and magically appears just as machine is finished. I would hope to have someone as caring and thorough as my niece who is now a CNA in Georgia.

OK, anyone got a ladder? This soap box got a bit high, I need help getting off of it .

Yes, thanks to Heidi, I will have the bestest costume at the Halloween Party. June, I will miss having any trick or treaters, but then, I did not have any for several years at home. Rural areas are not popular. Rural Moms load up the kiddos in the vehicle and head for the upscale neighborhoods, with sidewalks, street lights, and the good candy.

Time to put together something for a light supper. I have some cooked chicken, some vegetables and salad fixings, so it should be easy.

Hugs to each of you, with extras.