Thanksgiving 2010

There are so many things that come to mind on this day of thanksgiving. 
I am thankful that my far flung family is healthy and safe.
I am thankful that there is always the bright light of hope for those in dispair.
I am thankful for true friends.
We are truly blessed.

Rural Democrats: Whatever Happened to Independent Thought?

Rural Democrats: Whatever Happened to Independent Thought?

The Knee & Me

I've learned that "a normal knee glides smoothly because cartilage covers the ends of the bones that form joints. Osteoarthritis of knee damages this cartilage, progressively wearing it away. The ends of the bones become rough like sandpaper. This damaged cartilage can cause the joint to "stick" or lock and your knee may get painful, stiff and lose range of motion."

That's me!

I had steroid shots but the last shots lasted less than 5 weeks. I went back to the doctor and the decision was made to try gel injections that will form a cushion between the knee joints.

Today, I received the first of three shots. Fluid was removed from the left knee and the gel injected.

It is the consistancy of a heavy cooking oil. Over the next 48 hours this liquid will set and begin to build the cushion.

At the risk of sounding like a real worry wart, I am not sure exactly what to expect. I'm not experiencing any of the reactions that I read about. No heat, no pain, no swelling. Nothing! The knee is just there acting as if nothing went on. I guess I come from the school of "no pain, no gain".

So, I'll wait out the 48 hours of babying myself. I'll stay off it as much as I can and see what happens.

The original plan was to do the left knee first and then start the same three week series with the right.

Now that I know the procedure, I think I'll ask them to do both together. That way I'll be done just before Christmas.

If this offers any relief I'll be happy. What I'm not happy about is that these injections only last about six months and then we do it again

Glow Democrats

Did you know that Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties make up the GLOW Democrats region?
Good sites to watch are:
http://www.thealbanyproject.com/
http://charvella.blogspot.com/
http://www.glowdemocrats.com/

The Buffalo Bills Take the Bengals. Wheeeehoooooo!

Sunday morning came way too fast and sped like a locomotive to 1pm kick off time.
The Snack Shop sponsors the tailgate party in the community room.  Consequently, I have to be there at kick off in order to learn how many people are watching the game and how much pizza and wings to order for half time.  Die hard fans will show up every week, but when the outlook is dismal, the number of people coming for the game drops.  Food seems to be the key to getting people out of their apartments and to the game.  After trailing by 21 in the first half, the folks were ready to turn their attention to the food. It was going to be another same old game.

The second half was a different story.  You would think, from the whooping and hollering coming from the community room, that we were watching the Bills playing in the Super Bowl. 

The change in the dynamics of the room was incredible.

Suffice to say that the Bills outscored the Bengals 35-0 in the second half and won the game 49-31.  Life, as we know it, was good at 400 Towers.  The crowd, dressed in their Bills' colors left with big smiles on their faces.

In Keeping With the Spirit of the Upcoming Holidays

I planned to write something about the Bill's game today, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
In the meantime, please enjoy this joyeous prelude to the holiday season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

400 Towers' Book Discussion - The Five People You Meet In Heaven

The residents of 400 Towers have an active book discussion group.  We partner with the Richmond Library, in Batavia, for suggestions and books. 

When - Monday, Nov. 29  1:00pm
Where - Community Room
Discussion - The Five People You Meet in Heaven (book and movie)

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a novel by Mitch Albom. It recounts the life and death of an old maintenance man named Eddie. After dying in an accident, Eddie finds himself in 5 other heavens of the 5 people he will meet in heaven, where he encounters five people who have significantly affected his life, whether he realized at the time or not. Mitch Albom dedicates the book to his uncle Edward Beitchman. He says that he wants people like his uncle who felt unimportant during their lives to realize how much they mattered and how they were loved.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven was published in 2003 by Hyperion, and remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for 95 weeks.