Sudokuaholics Anonymous 8

Quick update on our holiday.
We went around Bruny Island on a jet boat(South of Hobart) and into the Southern Ocean. It was rather cool at times but most interesting and we saw lots of fur seals, dolphins, albatross and other wild life.
Then up the West coast to the mining areas. The main interest of the trip was the train trip between Strahan and Queenstown. We also did a cruise on the Gordon river but that day was a bit showery so the scenery was not quite as good as if the weather had been fine. Then more mines and railway line. (We saw almost every line in Tasmania!!!)

I had been in contact with eaa when we first organised going to Tassie but the morning that we could have met up we would not have got to the town till after 11am and she hoped to leave about 10am. I did talk to her on the phone.
We then travelled along the top of Tassie and we did visit some gardens and old historical homes.
We visited the Beaconsfield mine where the miners were trapped underground for two weeks , 3 years ago. They had a very interesting museum.

We then travelled from Launceston back down the centre, chasing train lines and visiting some interesting villages, to Hobart and flew home the next day (Friday). It was a pretty full on holiday as Ken does not believe in staying anywhere and relaxing. He like to be travelling around as much as possible. However it was so nice to get away from everything and do so much sight seeing. The last time we had visited most of those areas was back in 1964 so we saw a lot of changes.

Great update June, thank you.
I'm exhausted now!
Heading off to bed shortly, need my beauty sleep. Bean and I are meeting up for yum cha for lunch tomorrow for belated birthday celebrations.

June, earlier someone said you needed another holiday to rest, considering such a busy schedule like you have this first week home. Nope, not another holiday like that one, no rest and relaxation there. WOW you make me tired just reading all you do, at home and on holiday both. You go girl!

Pardon my lack of manners, Good Morning Sudokuland.

Cloudy, humid and cool here. We had storms through last 2 days, but they are south of us now, just showers and clouds. Suzy, achies not as bad this storm visit, something must be working in my favor.

Straight line winds as the line of storms approached brought down trees in areas close to us, but no dammage here. some trees were even down blocking a lane on freeway. We were in dome, and watched trees dancing, bending and reaching, very dramatic. We could not even hear the wind blowing in there.

Tricia, I did have a lovely relaxing day today. I was umpire for a lawn bowls game. It was a beautiful autumn day. Sunny and no wind. I was only called twice for a measurement in the three+ hours that I sat out in the sun, and when it got a bit hot, under the awning. There were friends around to talk to and it was great!

Good morning all! Cloudy this morning, looks like rain. But then again, it's been like this for the past two mornings and no rain and the sun peeks through. Hopefully, today as well.
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. They are a great uplifter!

Jerry took off from work today. We'll go to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and then to a movie before picking up Ian from school. Haven't decided which movie. It's between "The Soloist" and "State of Play."

June, you had a very busy vacation! I do the same when I'm visiting an interesting place. So much to see, so little time! Relaxing vacations are nice too, where you just hang out at the beach or pool all day and read a book!
Glad you enjoyed your day umpiring.

Gail and Bean, have a great birthday lunch tomorrow! Cheers!

Stella, How nice of hubby to join you to celebrate your birthday. You two have fun today.

I had a long post going, reading and making comments. Changed the page and you know what happens then, post gone! I had such lovely comments to each of you! Would love to recreate that post, but I need to move before I am permanently attached to this chair. . Maybe later.

MizT, they had pictures of the storm damage in Alabama on our local news. It looked like a lot of trees were down. Glad it missed you!!

Viv, I hope you're feeling better! Get well soon!

Have a great day tomorrow Gail with Bean.
I am exhausted reading about your holiday June.
Hi MizT, how is the sewing going? and Hi to you too Stella.
I am knitting a cushion cover for my outdoor area couch and I was watching TV and broke the end off a needle.
Of course I do not have another set the same size do I? Never mind. Time to hit the sack here I think anyhow.

Hi Stella. Yes have got over that headache, vomiting thingy for now. Just seem to have to push myself to do anything.

Good night Viv!

V-Viv.... it sounds an awful lot like you had either the 'flu or salmonella poisoning. Neither is nice.

June... that was no vacation! That was a forced march! With lots of great scenery and sightseeing. Too bad you missed seeing our dear Dame Edna Above Average.

Happy (actual stateside) Birthday, Stella!
I saw State of Play and really enjoyed it...can't wait to see The Soloist, too!
Enjoy the Cheesecake Factory - I know it is your favorite!

Twin Viv - I'm hoping you are done with those awful symptoms...keeping healthy thoughts and fingers crossed for you.
June - your vacation sounded heavenly! Sorry you missed our furry nosed friend, but sounds like you had a very small window to make it happen.

all. I wanted to sleep in, but Gil is a morning person (unlike me) and made a lot of noise this morning.

I can actually see patches of blue sky through the clouds! I was forgetting what that looked like!

Ha-ha MzT! Where are MY manners???
Good Maen to all!

Gail and Beanie Baby - have fun pulling the "Gail" today and take some pictures to share!(No fingers in your noses this time!)
I'm off to the dentist early this morning - no troubles, just the semi-annual cleaning and check-up.
Wishing everyone a great day!!

One last note - hugs to Ali, Suzy - can't believe that kids luck...and the pictures of the group are stunning!

VIV, I finished the 2 shirts, did a count of the wearable ones, and decided that would do for the time being. I actually pulled out an unfinished quilt to work on a bit. This quilt is the FIRST I started and the largest I have attempted.

Many problems along the way, and each time I ran into a problem or difficulty, I would put it aside for a while. I really want to finish it, it is bluework embroidered flowers, 16 big ones, on 12 inch blocks. I embroidered them when I stopped smoking, something to keep the hands busy, you know.

Heidi, you must have stolen my blue skies, nothing but clouds here today and possibly for several days to come. I need sunshine, I think I am part plant.

SUZY, glad Ally was OK, but I imagine that was very frightening for her and you when you were told about it!

VIV, headaches and vomiting, I think migraine, Been there, done that, not fun. Hope you are feeling much better today. Just want to know, how to you break a knitting needle? Back years ago when I knit, mine were aluminum, brightly colored, did not break those!

MizT.... the little bit of blue has vanished. Oh, well.

I'm going to be at Churchill Downs on the day of the Preakness Stakes (simulcast)!!! I'll be with friends on Millionaire's Row.

Hi all!! Well, I see I had 3 pages of reading since yesterday!! WOW!
Stella. Hope you have/had a great day!!!
Bean: Halloween already??!! Good God!! It's not even summer yet!!!!
Take care, check in later, time for lunch!!

Hi everyone.Another day where I can only pop in for a short while.Enjoy your day.
June...your flying visit seemed to be packed with lots of sightseeing.
Broni..I am glad you had a lovely bbq.
Heidi..poor Gil,it is a very sad time for you both.
Suzy..what a shock for poor Ally,lucky she wasn't hurt.
Viv..hope you are feeling much better now.
To everyone else,be happy and stay healthy.
Catch you later.

Heidi, now that seems like the way to watch a horse race. For us uninformed, when is the Preakness run?

Hi Nola, glad you could pop in if only for a short visit.

Suzanne, what's for lunch? I had corn chowder and strawberries with bananas for desert.

May 16th. Two weeks after the Derby.

Hello All,
Although I have not been around for awhile, you all remain in my heart and thoughts...
Heidi and Gil, Deep felt condolences....this is a very hard time for you both, but you will come out stronger simply because that is what your Mother and MIL wanted. I'm glad you had an uneventful trip back home and was able to get some restorative sleep.
To those of us who are remembering our loved ones who have gained their peace, may we feel the blessings of having had them in our lives for as long as we did....their leaving was much too soon for us, but right for them. May we find peace with the joy of what we hold in our hearts.
To those celebrating life, birthdays and or anniversaries...reflect on your blessings, shake all that is still shakable( is that a word..lol) and kick as high as you still can. These days are to be filled with the joys of good food and drink...so go for the gusto and have a blast...or as in Bean's case....follow her lead....a whole bottle by yourself girl??????Hmmmmmm, you sound as if you could be related to me....lol...
Heidi...loved the Derby results and hope you have a blast at the Preakness...I'll be watching so give a wave.
June, Your trip sounds enjoyable, yet exhausting, yet you were able to come back home and pick up a very full schedule right away....you aren't fibbing about your age are you now???? you are one strong lady....glad you had a great time.
To the rest of you...I send my love, but my mind has gone blank and I didn't take notes so can't remember other items that caught my eye...Peace.

Morning all!
June, your trip sounds amazing! Apart from missing eaa of course. I hope your new camera did justice to it. Will you be putting up some photos?

Gail and Bean, have some extra yum cha for me!

MizT, I'm glad the achies are better. You know me well - I did think about it and decided not to hassle you by asking... Watching the trees bend would have been 'interesting'. The kind of thing you want to know ahead of time that everything will be okay so you can really enjoy the site.

Stella, have a wonderful day today! And enjoy the Cheesecake Factory. Yum Yum. If we ever get back to SoCal I'm going there and ordering Spicy Cashew Chicken.

Viv, glad to hear the worst of the symptoms are gone. I'm not surprised you have no energy after going through that for so long! Look after yourself. I have had that knitting needle thing happen before too - but it only happens when you don't have time to replace it, or it spoils your plans for the evening - Murphy's Law!

Vici, thank you! And good luck at the dentist today. I've been thinking, while you're over here, do you want to work some magic with your green thumbs in my brown garden?

OK... for the non-horsey set.... The Kentucky Derby is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, the Preakness Stakes is run at Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes is run at Belmont Park in Elmont NY. I will be at Churchill Downs watching the race in Maryland on the big track screen. I will not be visible on your televisions.

Suzanne and Nola, glad you popped in! Catch you again later.

Mamacita, words of peace again. You are wonderful and I'm glad you're here.

Drat Heidi! Though I know what you look like thanks to Skype - though it was 1am and I'm sure you'd look different at the races!

Well, I'm off. I have one of those fasting tests today (nothing wrong, just routine screening tests). Luckily it's only a 4 hour fast so I'm gulping my coffee down before it starts! Still haven't decided whether or not to contact the bus company. I did go and reassure the mother of the boy who closed the window that if the bus company tried to blame him Ally would come to his defence. Time to wake up the girls....

MizTricia: Hi! Lunch was a roast beef & swiss cheese sandwich, apple turnover (dessert) and milk. Have to watch what I am eating, too much junk food lately...Tough to eat healthy when hubby works such strange hours. Had to get photos out this weekend. Hubbys retirement from the Air National Guard is in August. Bought a collage frame a while back, finally put photos in it...looks nice.

Heidi: Lucky you going to the races!! Always wanted to do that!!! Especially at Churchill Downs, it looks so pretty. Glad Gil got home safe & sound, comfort food always works for me when I am upset/sad/etc. My hubby snores too!! How do you sleep when he does that????