Happy new year. Hey, I am thankful that another year has gone by and I am still here in this world.

I am thankful for good health. I am thankful for my garden and my dogs. I am thankful for my wonderful friends.

I feel I have a good life. Not perfect but I am a happy person.

I am thankful I am alive ..

It is raining today.

I am thankful for a furnace and heat and a warm house on this exceptionally chilly winter day. I am thankful that it has been such a mild winter so far this season.

I am thankful this is only a two day cold spell and we go back to nicer higher temps tomorrow.

I know what you mean, Rita. Our lows have been in the mid-20's for two mornings. We get some lows in the 30's for a few days and then it looks like we are back into the 20's. Winter has finally arrived in earnest here.

drdawg said:I know what you mean, Rita. Our lows have been in the mid-20's for two mornings. We get some lows in the 30's for a few days and then it looks like we are back into the 20's. Winter has finally arrived in earnest here.

I really dislike winter. Before I had my little dog I mostly stayed inside as much as possible and rarely went outside. Now I can't stay in since the dog needs to be walked. No fenced backyard for us here.

I remember last year walking in horrible weather us both bundled up as much as possible. But this season I have been spoiled as the temps have been so mild. Record breaking December highs many of the days and certainly for the entire month. So the weather was perfect for my exercise walking. I got in the habit of walking 3 miles or more each day with my dog.

The exercise is good for both of us. My dog is little but very active and just loves her long walks. But who wants to be outside for any length of time in this frigid cold spell? Not me!!!

Nor I. Perhaps after my back surgery I will be able to walk again. It is difficult for me now and has been for quite a long time.

drdawg said:Nor I. Perhaps after my back surgery I will be able to walk again. It is difficult for me now and has been for quite a long time.

Ken, hope it is soon and even more successful than you expected.

Ken, when is your back surgery scheduled ?

I am thankful to be back inside after getting myself and my dog all bundled up and going on our exercise walk even though it is fairly chilly out there. At least the sun is shining.

Saw a cardiologist yesterday and was told my heart is in excellent condition. The shortness of breath which I am still experiencing may be due to some infection from pneumonia lingering in my lungs.

My friend/partner/son/father Tony and his oldest son Luis and I left for La Paz yesterday morning at 4am. My appt was scheduled for 11:30. At about 10 we had car trouble and had to get a mechanic. The distributor on my van had fallen kissed me a lot. . Tony called the doctor who said he'd wait for me. We got to La Paz and the doctor at about 4 and I spent about an hour with him. EKG's and a long stress test. Excellent results. I am ten years past the age at which my mother had a no-fatal heart attack to this news is beyond excellent for me.

Tony and Luis had a brief visit with Luis's in-laws and then we came home arriving aroung 1am.

One funny thing at the doctor's: his nurse had her daughter, who is about four there, and she participated to the best of her ability. Only in Mexico. She is very cute and was no problem.

I'm still short of breath but not as worried about it. I am gradually getting better.

Our weather here is great. clear and blue. The dogs were delighted to have me home. I got Inky Dink from neighbor Dana this morning and she kissed me a lot. Dana calls her Insitagator Inky as she likes to tease Dana's dogs whoa re small like she is so not as dangerous as my big ones but older and more sedentary - unwil Inky goes after them.

I'm very relieved about the test results and can get on with my next problem: resolving my residency status. Planning on going to Santa Rosalia tomorrow too see the immigration man there.

katie

January 19.

That is truly great news, Katie.

drdawg said:That is truly great news, Katie.

drdawg said:January 19.

I'll keep you in my prayers, Ken.

Thank you, Lyn. I have no concerns about the surgery. I worry more about the recuperation period. Even though this is my "slow-period", I have so much to do. I'm afraid I don't do well "waiting to heal". My wife has already laid the law down on me. "You do exactly what the doctors tell you to do after the surgery. I don't even want to think about how you spent the recuperation period in 1990!" I had back surgery in 1990. Since I was told I could not bend over for two weeks, I figured I could go out in the yard and pull weeds sitting down. My neighbors snitched on me. Can you believe that? At least it will be too cold to pull weeds. I was supposed to be off work for six weeks and then, the neurosurgeon said he would discuss with me when I could go back to work. I was back in three weeks. I had patients that needed me. My wife has never forgotten and I don't think my neurosurgeon was too happy with me either. At least this is a new neurosurgeon. He won't know (unless my wife snitches).

@katiebear Glad to hear the good news
@drdawg Will be thinking good thoughts and sending prayers for you.