Lot's to catch up on so here goes, Lesley recently spent four days in hosp, some intestinal bug really got hold of her. Home now and much better but still recovering her strength.

Other news, well winter has arrived! We wanted snow, we got snow, and along with it real cold. We have had -50 wind chills, very brisk indeed.

I have FINALLY finished rehabbing from the shoulder surgery and can now start on the backlogged list of honey do's on Lesley's list. It feels good to finally be doing something useful again. What I thought would take six weeks of rehab has taken four months. In addition, I shared some of Lesley's stomach problems although not as severe. The blood pressure has also been a problem, but better now since I have cut back on the meds a bit. All in all, a rough start for the new year.

A quick update on the final results of the acupuncture. First the bad news: The earlier reported improvement in left hand and foot temperature has reverted to what is used to be since the stroke. The improvement lasted about two weeks. The good news is that the improvement in the stroke side leg and foot seem to have become permanent. No more leg twitches, can still run and lift leg as it should be, virtually no foot drop anymore. I no longer wear the new ultra lite AFO I got a few months ago, very little toe drag anymore, walk in a straight line without thinking about every step. Real improvements. Since I got the new AFO about the time I started the acupuncture, I cannot be sure if all the improvement is due to the acupuncture or the new AFO woke up the leg and ankle muscles, but who cares which it was! Some other minor points, the acupuncture helped upper back and shoulder tightness and seemed to improve the range of motion somewhat. During the treatment however, I did have a major muscle spasm on the left (stroke) shoulder and upper arm, very painful and the left arm was essentially useless for a few days and painful for a week. What caused it I do not know.

A few last odd bits, our last renter moved out. We have given up on the renting idea. We have recovered much of the construction costs of finishing the basement and do not plan on renting again. A movie we highly recommend to all: "Outsourced". It is based in India, one of the main characters is a beautiful lady called "Asha", we really enjoyed it, makes you want to go to India and see the country. A bit about my friend "Mike" As you may remember we stroked about the same time and met in rehab and still talk every week. Mike has decided to visit us next summer and plans to ride his bike up all the way from his house to here, a distance of about two hundred miles. This trip will be in preparation for what he plans in 2010. That summer he plans to ride from Wisconsin all the way to Seattle, Washington and back to see his brother! Mike is 70 and had a stroke. He used to be suicidal after his stroke, I considered it my mission to keep him wanting to live, mission accomplished.

Well, my coffee cup is empty, Lesley just woke up you'all know what that means.