Last SUNDAY in Autumn for the MVM

[zip2play]

Hi gang,

Shows yesterday was very nice. THE BALTIMORE WALTZ was a fantasy about dying and a last fling. It did a dramatic study of the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross stages of terminal illness (with many laughs Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance...and added 2 more: Hope and Lust...the Lust part was fun as she and her brother SLEPT their way through the bars of Europe!
Lots of plays about death lately and as the baby boomer demographic (guess who) works it's way to the pearly gates, there will be more and more of them.

Some day I'll do a ramble about my theory that the baby boom generation has truly TRULY changed the world as no generation before.

Last night saw a movie I can recommend on DVD or tape: THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR with Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger...funny and poignant.

Julie,
I think those hyaluron shots need more large scale testing before they can be considered "safe and effective." And $2400 every 6 months would NOT be a walk in the park. Also one shot injected slightly wrong will set up a horrid amount of inflammation. I'd be afraid of them.

Linda,
Diovan will treat you very well...GUARANTEED. If you can get enough control with them, the ARB (angiotensin receptor blockers)class is the gentlest by far on our systems. My Cozaar is of that class...I HOPE it's enough to do the job without diuretic but only time will tell.
I still have the 5 pounds of water this morning...I can feel it in every joint. The thiazide beckons like HEROIN, but I will resist for a total of 2 weeks...then a test with only HCTZ.
Diovan is stronger than Cozaar but I have a stockpile...BIG... and so Cozaar it IS for me.

Shawnee...MOWING in December- AMAZING. Grass stopped growing here MONTHS ago.

Hey gang,
If my GP spent the next couple years studying blood pressure exclusively he could HOPE to learn all I know about it if he works really hard. Right now I every time he opens his mouth on the subject he makes an ass of himself...and he is BETTER than my last one.
My cardiologist is in my league...JUST! This isn't chutzpah, but the result of long study (and CARE) on my part.
All these doctors know is what was in the last Pfizer or Merck flyer (usually attached to a check.)

Susan,
Bundle up.

Loretta,
Congrats on the long successful maintain...a feather in your cap.

Ginny,
After the cold snap this week, have a nice run with Bubba...bet he'll be up to it.

RAIN coming soon here (no sneaux yet this year!) Bobo wwants to see MOTORCYCLE DIARIES in Hoboken but I won;t go in the rain so HE'LL STAY HOME TODAY! ("and I am UNANIMOUS in that!!"...Mrs. Slocum!)

THIRD DAY NO CHEESE!

[SuSUN]

Good Morning Roger and the Gang!

It is a sneuxy-flurry-type morning so far. I finished off some wrapping this morning, lots of presents this year!

DH is watching live British soccer in the basement, and Oliver is napping, all cozy and warm. In these temps, he goes out for the necessary and runs right back in! Oliver that is, LOL!

Roger,
I remember studying Kubler-Ross in 1st year. I had great respect for her work. I worked in geriatrics for a spell, oncology and end- stage medical illnesses. It is interesting how we are Soooo individual at finally reaching acceptance. Some take a longer route to get there and keep regressing to the other stages, back and forth.
I saw her on a one-on-one interview recently and she was quite spacey, but she was termally ill at that time.

Enjoy the gang at the department store, Mr. Peabody and Co...chuckle! How is Mrs. Slokum's kitty? LOL!
Thanks for the movie reviews!

Ginny,
Bub and your family are in my thoughts daily, sounds like a good prognosis! Well done!
I think you have the best Christmas present yet! Enjoy!

Shawnee,
Just loved the inspirational message!
I like the idea of a buffet Christmas dinner. Not sure if DD will go for that. We are splitting the duties, all four of us! Ella will just have to be a good girl in her new high chair from Santa (Grandma and Grandpa.)

Wavin to y'all and hope to be back tonight.

SuSUN

[Jewels]

DAY THREE OF CHEESELESS!!! Yep!!

Roger, hard to believe terminal illness shows can have laughs in it. It does sound interesting though. Wish I could see that one, THE BALTIMORE WALTZ.

I'd love to hear your ramble about the baby boomer generation. I think all of us will probably agree with you about it. So go for it!

About the shots, I just can't see spending that much money on something that is only about 60% effective so I won't. I didn't realize they were still experimental....another good reason to wait. Knee feels better today so hoping the cortizone is helping.

SuSun, your description of your home with DH cuddled up and Oliver, snow and all, sounds so nice and comforting. Bo loves the snow. When we get it, he's out romping all over, course we don't get as much as you do.

Had a good nights sleep last night, 10 hours with only one potty break!! Chuck is trying to find out whats wrong with one string of lights. Been working on it since last night. He just left for the store, probably just giving up and buying another string. They are so cheap anyway.
Jana, 15 yo DGD is coming over from Seattle today. DH and she make mints for the holidays every year, big tradition. With her move over there, I'm glad she made the time to come over and continue the tradition. She will spend the night too. Am so looking forward to seeing her. Last time she was here was under bad circumstances so this will be nice for all of us.

Off to get dressed after having my 2 cups of coffee. Seahawk game at 10 so best run.

[JackiCWa]

Hello everyone. Lurkey reporting in.

No salt mines to go to until Jan 3.

Is everyone ready for Christmas? I have one more gift to purchase and all the others are wrapped. I did that last night while watching tv. My dd is hosting christmas this year. (well, every year now that it's become 'her job'. ) It's her turn to do the honors....Mama did Christmas enough years. My assignment to the meal is the potato salad (I'm accused of making the best tater salad) and I'm going to smoke/cook 3 big fat hens. I have one of those brinkman's charcoal smoke cookers and it makes the best chicken. When you take those whole chickens out of that cooker they are the most beautiful beautiful red glazed birds. Looks like Martha came to your house and cooked them. They look great on the holiday table.

Tomorrow is my dgrdaughter's 8th birthday. She and I are going to go to town and she's going to pick out her own birthday gift. Also, she can help me shop for that one last gift. It's for her mom but I won't tell her that...she'll squeal. Then we'll have a nice lunch out...just her and Gramma. We'll dress up and everything.

Has anyone bought any new christmas cds this year. I have a suggestion...a really strong suggestion. If you want something that will bring tears to your eyes go get Clay Aiken's Merry Christmas With Love. Voice of an angel and his rendition of 'Mary Did You Know' will give you chill bumps and tears to your eyes.

[SuSUN]

Hi Jacki,

I just love your lil' sleepin mouse all tucked up in bed!

Thanks for the tip on the Clay Aiken CD. DD has, Miracle by Celin Dion, that too brings tears to the eyes. Her DH bought her, In my daughters Eyes, not sure who that is by but that sure is a tear jerker too!

No salt mines for yer! Yeah, you deserve the break!

Those hens sound mouthwatering delicious, along with the tater salad! Any recipes welcome!

To another December baby, your DGD, 8 years old. Sounds like a heavenly lunch and shopping day for you tomorrow!

Roger,
Do you know of anyone that has seen the Bourne Supremecy? I saw the last one and enjoyed that, not sure about sequels? I saw Collateral at the movie theatre with DS last time he was home. I was disappointed with that one, too slow, too long in the taxi.

I was just out for a couple of errands, locally, it is -30C with the windchill, same tomorrow, yuk! That is a bitter cold wind.
DS said they are having a cold front going thru in Fla tonight. It was 60*F for them today, poor babes. DS said he had to wear a sweater this morning to walk his Pup.

Wavin to the busy gang.....getting ready for the holidays!

SuSUN

[JackiCWa]

We saw Bourne Supremecy...more of the same but worth a look see. I just got back from the video rental place with I Robot and Collateral. I'll give my reviews tomorrow.

[Loretta V]

Just reporting in to say all is well and no problems at this end of the world.

Hope you all are having the same type of peace.

More tomorrow.

[LoveMontana]

Hi kiddies,

Cold and snowy here today. I picked up my mom with the Rav4 because she won't attempt this hill in her front wheel drive. Can't say as I blame her. When I took her back home, we decided to drive around and look at some Christmas lights in a few neighborhoods. Wow, some are spectacular. Sorry I didn't take the camera.

Roger, Oh the Baltimore Waltz sounds wonderful!! You seem to be on a winning streak now with your shows and plays. Hope it continues.

Can't wait for your Ramble on the Baby Boomers.

I'm hoping Diovan will work out but have my doubts. LOL Meds and I don't get along very well at all. Someone on my asthma BB can't take it because it caused bronchospasms. UGH!!
Hope you will be able to take just that without the diuretic and have my fingers crossed for you.

Susan, Kubler- Ross was most interesting although a bit wacky.
You are so right about terminal patients being so different in reaching the final acceptance stage. Odd how we humans react so differently, eh?

Julie, Glad you finally got a good night's sleep for a change. Hopefully that knee will settle down for a few years. I see there is a new knee replacement that is supposed to be far superior to the old. They keep perfecting these things and the surgical techniques. Hang in there.

How great that Jana still likes to spend time with her grandparents. Have fun.

Can't say as I blame your DH for buying a new string of lights. I would never bother to try to fix them. Did that once and never again.

Jackie, Enjoy every minute of your "winter break". You have earned it.

Isn't it great when our kids step up and take over planning and hosting these big holiday dinners? I do want to see some pictures of those "Martha" chickens.

We don't do much for the holiday anymore. Christmas eve we will go to DH's sister's house and stop at my kids places to wish them well. Hope none of them want us to come for dinner because we have already accepted an invitation to Ginger's party. Our Low carb contribution will be meat balls and sausage in a homemade sauce and perhaps a lc cheesecake.

Now where are Shawnee, Loretta, Barb?

Edited to add this keeper:

Knox Gelatin Chocolate Mousse
6 tablespoons of Ghirardelli Cocoa powder
1 packet Knox
2 egg yolks
1 cup cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup splenda or to taste
vanilla, Kahlua, orange or coffee to flavor...
combine the above, whisk and bring slowly to almost a boil.
Cool

In the mean time beat pasteurized egg whites ( equivalent of 6 real egg whites) until stiff. Fold cooled chocolate mixture into the whites, spoon into serving dishes and chill for several hours. Top with homemade whipped cream.

[zip2play]

Linda,
It's the ACE inhibitors that are notorious for bronchospasm because they block the production of Angiotensin-2 which has two functions and one is to block bradykinin (a bronchospastic agent.)
That's why they deleloped the ARB's which allow Angiotensin-2 to still me made from Angiotensin-1 and thus block bradykinin in the lungs. But the Angiotendsin-2 is BLOCKED from its second function which attaching to the receptors in the vascular system and adrenals and thus blocked from causing blood pressure to rise. Clever little devils, aren't they?

[Jewels]

My God Roger, I didn't understand a word you wrote!! Wish I was as smart as you?

[LoveMontana]

Thanks Roger, I'll rest a bit easier and try this damned angiotensin II receptor antagonist med.

BTW what the heck are you doing up so late?

Edited to add:
Hi Julie, you just have to research stuff, but none of us can be as "smart" as our dear Roger.

Humm, here is an article about the big fire that Gerard fought. Interesting that Dr. Schecter is involved with the Viktor Yushchenko case.
http://www.pressconnects.com/monday/...4s137169.shtml