Merry Christmas To All !!!

    I have been ready for Christmas this year since Halloween was over. After a little bit of thought, I came up with the fact that if this hadn't been caught when it was, this probably would have been my last Christmas. I usually put up a Bah Humbug type of front with my actual feelings held below the surface so as to have everyone believing that I don't like Christmas. I really do love Christmas, it's just that I absolutely hate the way that in August Wal-Mart has replaced the garden section with trees and decorations, etc. and Home Depot and Lowes put up their Christmas aisles around Halloween.    

   Uh, HELLO, I need grass seed and insecticide. Oh, the insecticide has moved to the paint department and I'm afraid there wont be grass seed until February. I love Christmas but I don't want it shoved down my throat months ahead of time. Black Friday isn't black Friday anymore, it's black Thursday afternoon. What's next Black Halloween ? They're already half way there with the black. Baaahhh !! Humbuug !!!

    Where were we ? Oh yeah, Christmas. I have had my radio tuned to an all Christmas music station since it came on before Thanksgiving. I'm just happier this year. Without getting too preachy, I just turned this whole thing over to God. I am no model christian by any means, but my faith has pulled me through some pretty bad situations and I don't see any reason to give up now.

    That being said if I had the means I would hack into something and delete pretty much everything that the music group Wham! has ever done. I realize that an all Christmas program on a radio station is going to have to repeat songs every so often. But I can't count the number of times in a day that Wham! is whining about last Christmas. ( I do have to confess here that when Taylor Swift sings the same song I like it. )

    Something I've always liked about this time of year is that people are usually friendlier and in a better mood. I'm sure that all of the parties that abound this time of year just may have something to do with it. Whatever it is it always seems to make getting used to old man winter a little bit easier. By the time the new year has come and gone everyone has had a chance to get used to the cold. Granted everyone has lost their Christmasy demeanor and depending on your area you might have snow up to your second floor window ledge, but you know that spring is right around the corner, right?

But Christmas is about cheer and good will towards men and this year I have my cheer and it's not with a glass of cheer either. ( I'm not supposed to drink anymore, remember ? ) Never fear, I'm sure I can find something to catch up to the party with.

    Christmas is also about extending a hand to those who are less fortunate. And you don't actually have to give money to make a difference. You can give your time to food banks, go ring a bell, help out at your church, etc. With the financial situation we're facing this year, I've taken to making small gifts for those people in my small circle, and mowing several yards for those who can't get to it themselves. Even if it's just babysitting the two brats from next door while their parents do some Christmas shopping. ( Hmmm, where did that come from ? ) So, if you haven't helped someone yet, go out and get to it. The rewards you will receive will far outweigh the small amount of effort that you will have put into it.

    12-18

    Today I had an EMG. This is where they apply voltage to different nerves and gauge the reaction. You are hooked up to a machine not unlike an oscilloscope that displays different nerve reactions. The juice that they run through you is a low voltage, but with plenty of amperage. Almost every time he hit that thing I jumped. The idea is to find your reflex points and apply it there. Evidently the idea is not to see if I can feel it, but to see how high they can make me jump. Mostly it feels as if someone has hooked up your funny bone to electricity. It's not the most unpleasant procedure I've had done, but it's in the top five. ( The dentist is still number one. )

    I'm eating a couple of meals a day now and still doing a couple of cans of formula. My strength is returning slowly as is my stamina. My biggest problem seems to be being able to stay in a good temperature range so that I'm not too hot or cold. The weather in Texas hasn't been to bad yet and I'm still able to get out to my shop to work on small projects. Everything from the doctors still looks good, so I am hopeful.

   A continued thanks for all of those that are praying and rooting for me. I know all of the prayers are working because I'm still here to pester everyone. Thanks again. I couldn't have done it without everyone's help.

      So, until next year,

             Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.