Howdy all!

Well. I think I've figured out a way to access the group after over 2
years without it. My internet provider quit supporting  NG's
altogether. I understand that AOL and others have quit as well. With
the help of some of you I think I've figure out how to do it using
Google. We'll see, huh?

Other than health stuff I've really had a great year. I was in the
hospital 3 times (a week each time) in January and February 2005. I
then went in (almost dead they tell me) last summer for 10 days then I
spent the 3 days right after Thanksgiving and then the last 2 weeks of
2005 in as well. I just got out on the 15th after a 3 day stay for back
surgery! Yup! They think they've fixed my back FINALLY! That would be
the best Christmas present I could think of! Cross your fingers, it
will take a few weeks (or maybe even months) to see if it's really
gonna be "fixed."

I had to sell my great little house last summer after 2 years of fixing
it up. I came out real well financially but I moved into a 2 bedroom
townhouse and it sure isn't the same. Still, me and Mugsey are
looking for the good in the whole situation and Lord knows there's
lots of it. I have a terrific upper level with a great front room with
a huge bay window. I have a big TV in there, my recliner, one of those
little fridge/freezers and my computer. We spend just about all of our
time here, even been sleeping there mostly since I got home from my
back surgery. And I do like the bedroom too as my new bedroom furniture
that I bought last year fits (well, it almost fits).

Best of all I'm located just blocks from the  hospital, my Doc's,
the pharmacy, the lab, my bank, the post office and bunches of
restaurants. It's turned out to be a great move for a lot of
different reasons and I get a lot of help and support from my ex-wives
Sharon and Jennifer. They get along pretty well and are responsible for
talking g me into selling the house and moving to smaller, more
manageable "quarters."

Sharon goes with me to most of my Doc appointments as I forget what the
Doc said before I get out to the car. She also has been doing my
laundry, helps me with cooking and cleaning and other stuff too.
Jennifer takes care of Mugsey when I'm in the hospital and does a lot
of my grocery shopping and also helps with the dishes. Pretty good when
you've got that kind of giving and unselfish people in your life that
you can trust 100% as I do both of them.

So I'm just hanging around, trying to get better and doing what the
Doctor says to do. I've become a lot weaker this past year and have
had to cut way back on activities. I really haven't driven much this
past few months. I may just give up the car when the annual insurance
premium is due in April. I put new tires on the thing (my beloved VW
van) just after Halloween and I think I've put 50 miles on it since.
I know I haven't bought any gas since Halloween.

Now that I've figured out how to post to the NG, I'll fill you in
more about what's going on with me. I get real tired sitting at the
computer anymore and don't last very long when doing this sort of
thing. When I moved out of my house I got rid of all my computers and
the network, scanner, blah, blah, blah. I then bought a new Dell
machine with all the bells and whistles and I'm happy with that. If
you look too technical people start wanting you to work on their
computer when they've got a problem and I sure don't want to do
that!

More later, Love to you all and I'm glad to see some of the same
cheerful faces as before.

Michael