After the Fall

Well, I am totally a lot better now. The bruises are gone, and the swelling has all but disappeared. But I’m still wheelchair bound, and I am no longer able to use my walker. Woe is me – having to be wheeled everywhere. Yeah, right. I’ve been secretly just waiting for this day to arrive. I was so sick and tired of that walker. They made me walk everywhere with it, and I was super slow. Plus, walkering (not a word, I know, but that’s how I term it) just from my room to the dining room was an ordeal. I had to stop and rest every so many feet, just to catch my breath. But boy howdy, did I show them. After so many falls, especially that last one, they finally got the message and let me have this cool wheelchair. It’s not motorized, but who cares. I’d probably run somebody over if it was motorized. And I actually like the idea of being wheeled around. I’m practicing now for the wheelchair races we’re bound to have – anybody seen my checkered flag?

Seems like my memory’s not what it used to be, at least that’s what they tell me, I’m not sure. I can reminisce about the old days and days gone by, but I can’t remember what I had for breakfast. They say that’s normal. They did have me on some kind of dementia drug, but that didn’t work – I forgot stuff anyway, and it made me way too sleepy all the time. So I’m back to regular meds now, I think.

This lady I share my meals with is 97 years old. And I thought I was old at 88. She’s from some farm in Pennsylvania where she lived most all of her life. Guess living on a farm is good for your longevity. I wouldn’t know. I was kept too busy moving around all over the world and raising kids. If that don’t want to make you forget things, I don’t know what will.

Oh well, it’s back to the hair dresser. I do love getting my hair done, makes me feel good and pretty again. So until next time, we’ll talk again – unless I forget to post.

Oh, one more thing. I've put together a couple of digital books specifically for the Kindle library. If you've a mind, look for them under the JPH Publishing Ventures byline.

Joan

PS - Don't forget to check out my EReader site at http://jphvideoventures.com/ereaders.

Glory Be - I'm Back

I am telling you, it has been a frightful last2 - 3 weeks. I told you all about the fall (I think). Then about getting shuffled off to the other rehab place (I think). Well, that didn't work out to well, and my daughter Carrie and my eldest Dick decided to move me back home to Summit Place. Boy Howdy, was that ever a good move, and now I'm back. Does it feel good to be home. Al, the Summit Place driver and dispenser of all good things mobile, came to get me from the clutches of that other place. Actually, they did a good job of trying to rehabilitate me, but soon discovered it's no use. I am, in the words of my middle daughter, Melissa, "incorrigible, irascible, and at times implacable." 'Nuff said on that.

Since the fall, then the hospital stay, then the rehab place, I can no longer use my walker, and am wheel chair bound. My legs have just gotten too weak. That's what one of the theories behind my multiple falls have been, failing leg strength, but nobody knows for sure. Whatever, I now have to be wheeled around from place to place. Oh me oh my, what a dreadful predicament. Having to be catered to and wheeled around everywhere. What's a girl to do. Actually, they got me a new wheel chair with big wheels I can wheel myself, but that's going to take some more physical rehab. Slowly but surely, we'll get there.

But it really is good to be back. I missed everyone (I think). Now - where is that girl who said she'd wheel me to dinner. (That's what I call rehab).

Where has the Time Gone? And Where am I?

What? It's been since mid December since I last posted? As strange as that may seem, it's true. But in my defense, a lot has happened to really slow me down.

I took a really bad fall a little over a week ago, and I was laid up in the hospital for about a week. Then, when they didn't want me anymore, they couldn't do anything more for me, or the benefits ran out (take your pick), I was shuttled off to a specialty rehab center. I got myself banged up pretty good, and I got sort of discombobulated so they thought vocational rehab might be just the ticket. So that's where I am now. I mean, what's an 88 year to do?

Talk about getting really spread out. Now I have 2 places, my old one in assisted living, now this one. If you want to know specifics as to where i am, you'll have to email my son because I really don't have a clue as to where I actually am. The hospital docs said I had early onset dementia, so maybe that's why I feel geographically challenged.

You all won't believe this, but I now have an actual roommate. Me? A roommate? What's next? Assisted Co-habitation? Anyway, her name is Mae, and she's originally from New Jersey, and a Philly fan. Go figure.

I'm not sure what my short term prognosis is. I guess they'll keep working me here until I either get back to where I was, or until I just can't do nothin' no more. I am not having any more fun, let me tell you.

Well, the physical therapy people are waving to me, so I guess I had better get motoring. I can't use my walker anymore till my legs get stronger, so I'm wheelchair bound for now. Anybody wanna race me to the dining room?

Till next we meet again,
The MOM

Grandma Reviews EBook Readers - the Downside

What's a girl to do. I've finally got my tree all up and decorated (thanks to my daughter and daughter-in-law, Carrie and Sally), but it's still not the same. I guess it's because I miss all my kids being around, you know, that pitter and patter of little feet as they ooh and aah around the Christmas Tree, wondering what Santa's going to bring them this year.

Then I remember, oh yeah, all my kids are grown, and half of them even have kids of their own, making me a grandma. And two of my grand kids even have kids of her own, making me a great grandma. Wow - now that's some living. Maybe I don't need all that pitter and patter around here after all - that's a lot of little feet. After all, this is only a 1 room apartment.

Now I feel better - and it's time to move on to other things.

I know I've been touting ebook readers for awhile now, what with all their obvious benefits and all, but there are also some negatives you've got to be aware of before you take this particular plunge.

By that I mean, everything comes with its downside too. Here are a few of the reasons why digital book readers may not be for you.

1) Powered By Electricity

One of the first obvious drawbacks of the eBook reader is that they need electricity to work (unlike physical books). You will need to check the battery life of any reader you buy to see whether it suits you (especially if you travel a lot - as having to charge your reader could limit just how portable it really is).

2) The Cost and Availability of the eBooks

When it comes to buying eBooks, many people expect them to be far cheaper than physical books due to the fact that there are fewer materials involved. However, at present eBooks are almost the same price as physical books. Another major drawback is that the title you are looking for may not be available in eBook form. eBook availability is constantly growing, though.

3) It’s Not the Same As Reading A Real Book

There’s no getting around the fact that reading a book has a certain feel that handheld eBook readers can’t quite match. E-Ink is far better than reading a computer screen, but still not the same as paper - especially when you consider the fact that eBook readers are not yet available in color. However, designers make sure that readers are as comfortable as possible, and you will generally get used to them in no time.

4) eBook Readers Are Not More Eco Friendly

Some people argue that, though eBooks save on paper, they are not more eco friendly due to the electricity, plastic and other factors that go into making handheld eBook readers. However, the sheer amount of printed books and paper that could be saved as a result of the eBook reader should outweigh these concerns.

5) The Cost

There’s no escaping the fact that handheld eBook readers are going to cost you a lot more than a book - however, this cost will be made up for over time the more you use it. You will have to be more careful not to damage your reader, though!

6) I Don’t Need A Whole Library of Books With Me, and What About the Books I Already Own?

Some people claim that they don’t need to be able to take thousands of books wherever they go, which is understandable. If you travel often, then an eBook reader is probably useful due to the fact that you don’t need to carry as many heavy books. However, a major drawback is the fact that you can’t convert the books you already own to digital format unless you buy them again (and they are available as an eBook).

7) Can’t Share eBooks

Lastly, many book lovers get joy from sharing their books with others, and selling them on, or giving them away, when they are done reading. This isn’t possible with eBooks, and you’ll each need to buy your own copy, which could work out more expensive depending on your book reading habits.

Conclusion

There are, inevitably, some drawbacks to using handheld eBook readers - and they won’t be for everyone. However, many people are already enjoying the new technology and finding that it can help them access books they would previously have just left on the shelf unread!

To check out our variety of ebook readers, just go to http://jphvideoventures.com/ereaders

Till we talk again,
Joan "The Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma" Hale

Thanksgiving Day at my Daughter's

Hale, Hale, the gang was all there. Well, at least 1/3 of them anyway: my daughter Carrie and my oldest Dick, along with Sally & Susan. What, you might ask? Well, Thanksgiving Day feasting of course. And it was grand, I must say. Roasted turkey and all the trimmings, with baked ham, the traditional green bean cassarole, smashed taters, "roasted in the bird" stuffing, "from scratch" cranberry sauce, and a whole bunch of tasty apps (food, not cell phone). I might not eat a lot, but I did at least taste everything, and it was good, good, good. Miz C did the bird, ham, stuffing and taters (see, I TOLD you there was no P in taters), while Dick did his (now infamous) GBC, Lowe's did the wine and desert, and Sally and Susan helped with just about everything else. Me? I sat and watched "Miracle on 34st Street," a fitting Christmas movie on Thanksgiving Day.

But that was yesterday, and today's what they call Black Friday, and I just had to pass along something I just learned from Amazon.Com. Today, starting at noon Eastern Time, the Kindle 2 will go on sale for $89. That's a heck of a deal - free 3G access, the whole shootin' match except for WiFi capability. Compare that to $189 for a K-3 with the 3G option. Even if you yourself are not in the market for an ebook reader (which the Kindle is), you probably know someone who is, at that is the lowest price I've ever seen for a Kindle.

Look to you right, over there >>>, and you'll see where I've posted the links for both the Kindle sale, and the other Amazon Black Friday deals going on today. But if you link over there before noon EST, (9 AM PST), the price will show $189. So be patient.

Or you can click HERE for Your Kindle Black Friday at Noon link. Trust me, it doesn't get any better price wise, than this. So go check it out. And yes, Virginia, I do get a small commission from each sale. But a couple, and I might be able to afford a new shawl for my bony, cold shoulders.

This is a short post, I know. My main goal was to tell you about yesterday, and the Amazon ting, so TTFN and toodle-do! Till next time, when I may tell you about the "Real Denizens of Summit Place."

Lordy, Lordy, Do I feel Groady

Actually, not really. These folks around here do a good job of taking care of me. When they discovered I wasn't showering as often as I should, leading to overly dry skin, they made sure I did on a more regular basis by helping me in and out of the shower. Let me tell you, that is a big help. I also have the physical therapist helping me with my shoulder movements, which has been hurting lately (my shoulder, not the therapist). Sometimes I wonder, where doesn't it hurt anymore.

We had a Halloween dress-up awhile back (cannot remember that far back, actually), but I didn't dress up or anything. I felt I was already dressed for Halloween without any extra help.

I seem to be making a lot of visits to the doctor lately. Actually, I don't mind because it gets me out of Summit Place for awhile. But he's constantly checking me for this and that. I let either Dick or Carrie worry about that, though. I wouldn't remember what he told me, anyway. Had a bronchial thingy for awhile, but it cleared up. They were worried it might be pneumonia, but I fooled them. I just want my leg and back pains to go away. Can't walk, can't dance, and they say it's too wet to plow, so I might as well watch the Weather Channel some more.

Leave a comment, drop me a line, give me a call, whatever. Sitting around here on my fanny gets boring and I could use the distraction.

TTFN, or Ta Ta For Now as we used to say in prehistoric times BFS - before Frank Sinatra.

Docs, Docs, and more Docs

This is going to be a short post - my back is killing me.

We went to Conway today (me and my eldest) to see Dr. Mills, my Ortho Doc. Now I have to get fitted for a special ankle brace (so maybe I can walk better), get an MRI (whatever the heck that is), then see Dr. Mills again before I can get some diagnostic treatment, all for this lower back pain that just won't go away. And I am sick and tired of being sick and tired - seems like all the time. But maybe he'll order me up a cortisone shot like last time. That seemed to do some good. And if it does, we're hoping we can get my geriatric doctor to cut back on the meds some. Well, it's a thought.

I've taken some minor falls recently, and we're wondering if it's the meds making me disoriented and unable to stay on my feet. Cut back on the meds, increase the wine, and howl at the moon, now that's a plan.