1. My surgery was pretty much a complete success.  I say “pretty much” because I’m a little disappointed on my prognosis.  Okay, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, so on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being thoroughly disappointed, I’m a “1”. The doctor fixed my knee, he repaired a torn cartilage and Mencius tear and cleaned up some arthritis.  I was on crutches and pain meds that day and a little the next.  The out-patient procedure was Friday; I was back to work on Monday.  Stitches removed on Wednesday.  I start physical therapy to strengthen my left knee next week.

The problem?  It’s been recommended that I give up running/jogging due to the arthritis.  I was looking forward to my first 5K in 2015.  Yeah, I know it was just a recommendation, but I’m leaning towards swimming, biking, brisk walking and some hoops from time to time might have to be enough; but I can’t help but think, my knees had never given me trouble before the injury.  I never noticed I had arthritis.

I am completely thankful I’m no longer in pain.  I had just been so proud that I had pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started exercising four years ago.  I turned off that little voice trying to talk me out of pushing my body.  My first time sweating due to exercise was four years ago while running; now I totally consider sweating a badge of honor!  I had never run before; I had never pushed my body. Oh well, I’m healthy, I’m active, I have other exercise options.  Glass half full, right?  And…it was a recommendation.  One 5K couldn’t hurt, right? By the way, the two days I was on the couch, I had lots of comfort from my furry friends.  I knew I could count on Sammy to keep me company, but I was quite surprised that Molly felt the need to keep close. So sweet!  And the two actually did their best to tolerate each other.

2. Sydney Rose will be home for Christmas.  She comes in on Tuesday but has dinner plans in LA so she won’t be around that night.  She’ll be home Christmas Eve and Christmas and back on a plane to Oregon Friday evening.  Short visit, but so worth it! I sent her the picture of the stitches on my knee which grossed her out…but she did say she was going to show her boyfriend the photo.  Confidence is high my knee will look pretty much normal by the time I see her in a week.

3. One evening recently “A Charlie Brown Christmas” came on the TV  while I was working on websites.  I had seen it every year growing up, it was a tradition in my family; but now I fear times have changed and this cartoon special doesn’t hold up.  Those kids were just plain mean; they actually bullied Charlie Brown.  That Lucy was a bitch! And even though the kids had a change of heart at the end, I couldn’t imagine that comic strip special would get released nowadays.  Even Snoopy turned on Charlie Brown!  Damn!!

4. Another thing I like about City Hall is the annual chance to visit with Santa Claus where City employees round up their kids who get to visit with St. Nick. One of these days I’m going to take advantage of a photo op and sit on his lap. 😉

Oh!  And yet another thing I like about City Hall…every week us employees receive an email called “Open Line” from the City Manager’s office and it’s an update on what’s happening in the City and some updates from all the different departments.  Each one of these memos start with a “Quote of the Week”.  Last week the quote was: “Who can’t relate to the idea of leaving one chapter behind and moving on to the next?”  – Mike Shinoda

Yeah, that’s Mike Shinoda from Linkin’ Park.  I even double-checked with the City Manager’s office to see if there was another Mike Shinoda, but I was told, “Oh! He’s a member of a band called “Linkin’ Park”.  How cool is that?

5. Did I ever mention I use to do surveillance work?  Yep, my friend had a P.I.’s license (Private Investigator) and he use to hire me to keep an eye on certain people.  Trust me, this was the most boring job I ever had.  Most cases were women trying to see if they were being cheated on.  The stupidest case was a psychiatrist who wanted to see if her boyfriend was seeing other women; the kicker?  She was married.

6. Has anyone ever received a Chia Pet for Christmas?  Do people still give those away? While searching for a picture of Chia Pet, I came across a real live chia pet.  Love this sense of humor!  Poor pup!!

7.  By the way, not only was my doctor the best, but the team at CMH outpatient facility totally took care of me.  They were cheerful, attentive, caring and professional.  I didn’t even have a mark on my arm where the IV was inserted!  I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!

8.  Now something even harder to confront.  Wish me luck, I’m about to start my Christmas shopping…any day now.

9.  No matter what religion you follow, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season.  I suspect my next post will be after Christmas.

10.  From my favorite quotes file, “”My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” — Bob Hope Thanks for your time!!