CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS

It has been a busy month preparing for the holidays. I had some mixed feelings this year due to the events in my life these past six months. We have never gone all out materialistic at Christmas, but this Christmas I really felt like going overboard. So many people have been here for us, and I just wanted to show my appreciation. Needless to say, we did not go overboard, but instead tried to get gifts with a significant meaning for friends and family.(the one picture is of my daughter Marissa with a very significant gift) It was mostly about our grandson and his joy at each gift he opened. We again had the family over (Monica's Mom, sister and brother-in-law were here from Ohio). Christmas is very casual, no sit down dinner, just come and drop in and visit and eat. We are not real big football fans, so watching football is not a problem. We do have some traditions though, We go to Christmas eve service, and then as part of our Christmas gift to our kids, we go to a Chinese Buffet. Everyone came over after the buffet;we just visited and since Monica's mom and sister were leaving on Christmas Morning, Jonathan opened their gifts. He is so much fun to watch. He is very dramatic with his expressions. A very nice Christmas and New year.

Monica has a cold, so she has been "taking care of me" by sleeping on the couch, so I don't catch the cold. Not much fun for either of us. She just doesn't want to take any chances.

I have been doing Pulmonary Rehab at St. Joes two days per week, and taking a mind and body class three days a week. But both are done now, and I am wondering how to spend my days. The insurance company approved rehab until the end of Decmber, that time really went fast. On my last day, Bonnie the director of Rehab, went over my exercise charts with me, from the first session to the last session. The first session, I could not walk on the treadmill even THREE minutes as a very slow speed and stationary bike for five minutes The last session, I was walking 25 minutes at a much faster pace and riding the bike for 20 minutes. I am planning on continuing my rehab at the gym at the senior center down the road. (Just incase you are wondering, the gym at the center is open to the public)