Thursday Thoughts

Does this look like some sort of torture instrument? Read on and you'll find out who will be using it soon.

We were watching TV on Tuesday evening, when an ad come on for Steak and Shake. The ad featured their foot long Chicago Hot Dog. We both looked at each other and thought, maybe we would stop and get one before going to the seminar last night. Ah the power of advertising! There was a seminar going on at the hospital where Joe will have surgery...given by his doctor and another orthopedic surgeon....and his doctor suggested that we go. Well, we stopped at Steak and Shake and we weren't disappointed. I can't believe I ate the whole thing! It started raining with a little sleet as we left the restaurant and drove the few miles to the hospital. There were tables set up in the big conference room with information to take home. The surgical table was even there.Here's info from the net about this table....The hana® is a state of the art fracture table that optimizes the Anterior Approach to Total Hip Arthroplasty (AATHA). Its unique patient positioning capabilities enable the surgeon to replace the hip through a single incision, Anterior Approach without detachment of muscle from the pelvis or femur.Joe got to see it up close before he has surgery. By the time the Drs. started their presentations the room was filled. It was very interesting...with questions and answers about knee and hip surgery.It seemed that most everyone there was contemplating surgery or had a loved one who was. We came away with the thoughts that it's really wonderful that Drs. do this to put fears to rest and tell it like it is. I know much more than I did before attending...now I know what to expect and why they do things the way they do. Both Drs. said that they don't send many patients to rehab facilities anymore...they go directly home, because in rehab they have a lot of time to just sit or lie around. At home they are apt to get more exercise by doing things for themselves....and they have found that they heal faster. Well, we are ready...The day after Christmas can't come soon enough for us.

The house is decorated now and I am looking for recipes for appetizers, hot cider, and other things to have on the 1st.... when both sides of our family will be here to celebrate Christmas. It's coming fast and we are looking forward to it.

Today, is really kind of gloomy and foggy out. I have to fill the feeders and maybe start baking a few cookies to put in the freezer for the 1st. I'm making Scottish Shortbreads, Coconut Christmas Cookies, and Christmas Biscotti There are a few little candy things that I'm going to add to my tray.... using pretzels, and m and m's and then fudge of course. I'll be checking other blogs for some appetizer ideas. I need something simple, but delicious.

I'll close with a little Christmas joke....Why does Santa have three gardens? So he can 'ho ho ho' :)

Bye for now...Balisha