MORNING COFFEE

I ate too much, drank too much, and stayed up way past my bedtime all week. That is what your do on vacations and holidays!!!

The 26th, I had a lumbar transforaminal steroid injection into my back. It felt sooooo good. I don't know what UPMC is trying to do at Horizon Farrell, but it stinks. I have had this procedure done several times over the last 4 years and never has the experience been what it was on Monday. You had to change into a gown (lovely hospital attire) and walk to the Cath Lab in front of all to see while you carried a plastic bag with your clothes. Once in the holding area of the lab, I sat on the edge of a cart with 3 other patients while we waited our turn. What ever happened to privacy and being able to relax for the big moment? We may as well have been awaiting the firing line! And after the shot.......You got up from the table and put on your clothes and left, all in a matter of minutes. Now, granted, the old way of doing this procedure may have been over kill. An IV with fluids and once in the lab, verced to relax you for the injection. After, you were able to lay quietly and rest while they monitored your vitals until you were stable enough to get dressed and leave. To me, the most important part of the experience is to relax and allow the injection to take effect without jarring and moving too much. Just what would they have done had I not been able to stand afterward? I had such an experience last year and I was at the hospital for over 4 hours and had to walk with a cane for two days. What do you want to bet, the price is not any less with less care, and possibly will be more expensive! You can be sure that I have complained and will continue to complain for the foreseeable future! I feel very sad for the employees at the hospital, as they kept apologizing for the way things were handled. It was a most unfortunate situation. I am going to seriously consider going to Edgewood Surgical to have this done in the future. Edgewood is not in our network, but I know the procedure will be much more patient oriented and worth the increased cost.

On Christmas Eve I lost a filing in a front tooth. Always at Christmas. Once in NYC over the holidays, and once in Florida. Unfortunately, that kept me from jumping in the car and driving to Minnesooooota on Monday. Maybe next time.

The bedroom is coming along. The final coat of paint is on the walls and ceiling. Tomorrow, the trim is being delivered. I am so happy to have a new room and also happy to be able to clean up the dust!

Joe & I went to see Borat last evening. What a waste of time! Poor, poor, poor. You should not have to pay to see such crap.

Our New Year's Eve plans at C'est si Bon fell through. Not enough people made reservations. We will find someplace to go because I refuse to sit at home while Joe reads and falls asleep at 9. Not my idea of a fun time. They say "What you do on New Year's is what you do all year long." I love NYC. Maybe I will get the pots and pans outside and bang on them like we did with Emily & Tess when they were younger.

Today, I took my Oreck to Niles to get a yearly check up and cleaning. The day was beautiful.... 52 and sunny. I rode around with the sunroof open. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as nice, so that means another ride with the sky above my head and the Sirius radio blarring. Oh, my newest favorite channel is 14. Classic Vinyl. It is even better than the 60's & 70's.

Tomorrow when I go to pick up the sweeper, I will go to Goldstein's and look at bedroom furniture. I think I want something plain and maybe Mission style. The room will appear larger without a footboard.