Happy New Year!

2006 is almost over and we survived.

Next year has got to be better.

I am going to try to get out more next year.

I have a Dear Friend who stroked out during surgery last year. Her recovery has been remarkable but she has been mostly house bound.

As soon as the weather lightens up, my friend and I are going to take walks together. I dare say we could get half way around the block at least. It's a start.

She was my support system when I was down and struggling to survive. Her humor and her phone calls cheered me more than she will ever know. Words can't express how grateful I am to the woman.

Now I'm close enough to her, and the more well of us, so I can attempt to return the favor.

The short jaunt to her house to visit and play ball with her little dog will soon change to me walking over and getting her for a short walk back here so she can see the new house and say hello to my little dog.

She has said she can't wait to come and visit. Now that the house is in order and the mad rush to get everything done for Christmas is over, and the snow and ice is melted off the sidewalks, I think it's safe to have a coffee fest with my friend at my new place.

I'm only hesitant because if, (God forbid) she should fall, I couldn't get her up again. While I'm a bit more steady on my feet, I'm not as strong as I used to be, and because of the stroke, she has lost the feeling in her left leg and foot. She also has tunnal vision to deal with.

We'll begin on a day when my daughter, or one of the other able bodied kids are here to go with me the first few times.

I wish the two little dogs would walk well on a leash together... We could all go walking soon. Sadly, neither of the little dogs want to walk on a leash.

I wish all my friends a Happy New Year, and if you are still young and healthy, take care of your body, you may live longer than you think.