A SHINY NEW YEAR & MY "FALL"& WIND STORM DAMAGES ROOF & DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS DINNER AT SISTER'S HOUSE

By OLIVENE GODFREY

A shiny new year now stretches before us--365 unused days, without blemish, unspoiled, each day a new leaf, a new challenge. Once past, a day can never be used again. How will you spend the precious minutes of 2010? You can fill them with hope, endeavor, love, honesty, tolerance, and trust in God and your fellow man. But, if uncertainty and doubt mar your days, it will be a year to remember with sorrow. Days cannot be lengthened or shortened. But you can make the most of each day, taking each one as it comes, and not worrying too much about the days ahead. By living each day to the fullest, doing each task the best we can as it comes to us, accepting each challenge with everything we've got, the days in our future will be better, too. I wish for each of you a happy and rewarding New Year, and that all of your sorrows will be little ones.

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On Christmas eve, I fell in our den but, thank God, I wasn't injured. For a couple of days, my neck and shoulders felt stiff but I am fine now. Also, on Christmas eve and for awhile on Christmas day, we had a wicked wind storm that did a lot of damage in our county here in northwest Georgia . We had some roof damage and again, my neighbor and friend, Genevelyn, came to our rescue by recommending a roofer who came out and repaired the worst spot and said the damage was limited to the roof on the front of our house which he will do as he can. We enjoyed Christmas dinner at my sister, Jeanette's house with her large family. Jeanette and her daughter,Charlene, are both good cooks and our dinner was delicious. Son Barry and I received some nice gifts, including two bulbs to be planted in pots. Barry takes care of our plants with a little advice from me so he is interested in watching these bulbs turn into flowering plants.

I started our asparagus fern from seeds 31 years ago and it is still large and pretty in the garage where we keep the plants during the winter months. Barry has a "grow light" in the garage and has kept last summer's impatiens plant alive and still pretty with the light that simulates sunshine.

See you next time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Last week, son Barry drove us to our family doctor's office. I had an appointment for a check-up and while we were there, Barry and I got seasonal flu and swine flu shots-one in each arm. I will return to the doctor's office in a month for fasting lab work. I am also scheduled to have a vitamin test and a breathing test to determine the current statius of my COPD in month. My blood pressure reading was fine at the doctor's office which was good news. I also have an appointment with blood doctor fora blood test and booster shot in a month.

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For a couple of days, the rains came down in torrents. Barry bought groceries during a slight lull in the rain. It has been very cold here in northwest Georgia, and some forecasters are predicting a slight chance of snow Christmas which has seldom happened here.

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We have received some beautiful Christmas cards from relatives and friends, some with notes, which we enjoy. I have been trying to get the Christmas spirits and have been listening to Christmas music on CDs, one which Barry made for me. We’re looking forward to Christmas day when we will visit with my sister, Jeanette, and her large family and to a delicious dinner.

WISHING FOR YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MEDICAL UPDATE & SON BARRY REACHES DIET GOAL ON DECEMBER 14 & GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Yesterday, Barry and I went to Calhoun,Georgia to the blood specialist office for a blood test to determine if the booster shot I had about a month ago is still working. (The booster shot helps your body produce red blood cells and anemia develops when fewer red blood cells are produced.) I had more energy all month until the past weekend when I had to rest often. Shortly after we arrived at the doctor's office, I had a blood test. My test was a little lower than it was two weeks ago and it was determined that I needed another booster shot. I return to the doctor's office in a month for another booster shot. And, I think I will need the shots for the rest of my life. But, having more energy is worth having a painless shot once a month.

About two months ago, son Barry set a goal to lose a small middle-aged spread that was creeping up on him. He set the date of his December 14 birthday to be free of the fat. Then, he cut out all sugary drinks from his diet. He says he didn't feel deprived as he continued to eat small portions of sweets but also ate more sugar free desserts and his usual diet. On his birthday, he weighed on his new bathroom scales and he had lost the "fat" that he disliked so much. He says he will permanently cut out all sugary drinks as I did several years ago.

Barry did his and my Christmas shopping last weekend and I have wrapped all of the gifts and have sent out cards, and we have the food for our Christmas eve dinner in the freezer, fridge and pantry. Our green holly bushes' red berries look like nature's Christmas tree. I received several nice birthday cards on December 10, my birthdate. As usual, my sister, Jeanette, sent a funny card. I also received an original card from my long-time friend, Jeanette, who lives in Atlanta. And, my niece, Charlene, sent me a nice e-mail card.

I think I told you a while back that I now have two hearing impaired telephones that continue to be a blessing for me. Now I don't have to strain my ears trying to hear people on the phone. My niece, Connie, in Florida, and our good English friend, Annie, called a few weeks ago and I could hear them speak clearly for the first time in years.

See you next time.

SNOW PAID US A BRIEF VISIT & LOVE MY QUICK RESPONSE "BUTTON" & WATCHING TV RE-RUNS OF MUSIC SHOWS

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Last Friday morning, I woke up about 7 A.M. and remembered that the local weather forecasters had predicted snow for early that morning here in Georgia,s high country. I got out of bed and looked out of window, and sure enough, I saw snow drifting down from the sky. It was still dark so I finished my morning routine and then went to the den and opened the draperies and switched on the patio light and the snow was showering down, leaving a white dusting on everything. Son Barry had the day off but he seldom slept late. So, on impulse, I got on the intercom and sang in a cheerful voice," Good morning, Barry. It's snowing up a storm!". In a few minutes, he entered the den and looked out the window at the snow. When it was daylight, he made a lot of pictures. In about two hours the snow had disappeared but the temp was dropping all day, bringing frigid weather into Northwest Georgia. Snow is rare here and came early this year.

Barry has been good naturedly kidding me about becoming so attached to my security "button", the pendant on a nylon cord I wear around my neck now for quick access to assistance when I need it. The Lifeline unit that's a phone and two way communicator is a 24 hour personal response if I press the button. They have a test about once a month and I was in the kitchen when the recorded voice instructed me to press the button which activated the response center. I hope I never need this service but it gives me a sense of security. I also like that the button is waterproof and I can wear it in the shower.

Since I had the booster shot at the blood doctor's office in Calhoun, Georgia, I am having more energy as the days go by. It has increased my appetite which I didn't need. Barry says the extra food intake will turn to muscle instead of fat. Boy! I hope he's correct. We return to the doctor's office in about a week to have another blood test. The doctor will monitor my blood tests to be certain that my blood doesn't become too thick which could cause a clot and stroke. The doctor says its a rare occurrence but he keeps a close check on it.

Maybe it's a part of old age, but I often watch re-runs of T.V, music shows I've seen before. My late husband, Ralph, in his advanced age and retired, would watch T. V. shows, such as the Andy Griffith shows re-runs. He also watched every Clint Eastwood movie shown on television countless times.

I haven't done much to prepare for Christmas yet but know what gifts I'll buy soon. Barry and I will go over to my sister, Jeanette's house on Christmas day for a dinner and party. Barry and I will have a special dinner on Christmas eve.
See you next time.

GOOD MEDICAL REPORT & THANKSGIVING REFLECTIONS

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Son Barry and I went to the blood/cancer doctor's office in Calhoun, Georgia. yesterday (Monday) and I had a blood test to determine if the booster shot that helps produce red blood cells that I recently had is working. The news is very good-I no longer have anemia, but just barely. I return to the doctor's office in two weeks for another blood test. I think my family doctor and the specialist believe I have AI/ACD
(anemia of inflammation and chronic disease.) This type of anemia commonly occurs with chronic, or long-term, illnesses or inflammation, such as my COPD and Arthritis. I don't feel chipper yet but Barry says I am more active than I was for awhile. Barry says the doctor will monitor my blood tests to be certain my blood doesn't become too thick and clot.

With Barry's help, I was able to prepare our usual Thanksgiving day dinner of turkey breast and dressing and trimmings. Barry did most of the clean-up after dinner and loaded and turned on the dishwasher. We left some of the kitchen clean up until the next morning. Our guest, an old friend, gave a beautiful blessing at our meal. Barry and I missed my late husband, and his dad, Ralph, as early on Thanksgiving morning, he would go outside and bring in an armful of fire wood and build a roaring fire in our huge fireplace. Then, he would relax in his recliner near the fireplace and in front of the T.V. until time for dinner. He would eat a large meal and then compliment me on the dinner. Barry and I vividly remember that as he never complimented me except on special occasions. When we were newlyweds, I would get hurt feelings and one day, he explained that if he didn't say anything about a meal, it was fine, and if it was special, he would tell me. And, if he didn't like a food he would tell me so I wouldn't cook it again. So, during the 55 years we were married, we had an understanding about meals.

My Thanksgiving cactus is in full bloom as it has done for 20 years this time of year and it is a thing of beauty. The garage looks like a greenhouse with all of the big plants brought inside when the weather turned cold. Our garage has a lot of windows so the plants get a lot of sunshine.

See you next time.