On The More To Come

Well, a few weeks have past since my last neurology visit, and I have been doing a lot of think, and soul searching. Its tough realizing you have a disease that seems to be as unpredictable as a Donovan McNabb pass. Some days are good, and I have no problems, others really suck and then there are the days that are so-so, meaning a mixture of good and bad.

Through all this, I am still an employee, a husband, and a father, and with that the responsibilities that are part of being the aforementioned. Balancing life, work, and still managing to stay focused on all the tasks at hand is quite a task at times. Most of the time I do so with very little complaining, and keeping a smile on my face...even though I am really having a tough time mentally and sometimes physically coping with the challenges of MS, and a heart condition.

I still mange to get 4-5 days of indoor bike riding, averaging about 13 miles or so (35 +/- minutes). Depending on how I feel I go more or less. When I go less because I am too fatigued I get mad at myself, and it typically affects my mood.

Then there is the newly developing cognitive issues, which are frustrating especially when speaking. Hopefully the visit with the specialist next month will shed some light on, and we can move forward with some treatment options.

One day at a time, as easy as it sounds, its a lot tougher than it is.

--gfo

The Church Is Clean

A banner is hung, the people are ready and waiting, for Cardinal Foley our priest son, now Cardinal to make his visit next Saturday.

Today a bunch of folks came to the church and gave it a stem to stern cleaning. In fact at the 1700 mass tonight, the aroma of Murphy's Oil and Pledge still filled the pews. The church looks great, and the anticipation is strong amongst the faithful of our small parish community.

A Cardinal Foley Welcome Home banner was hung earlier today, and looks great. Other last minute preparations are coming together and now all we need is the Cardinal.

--gfo

Wow What A Week

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a busy and hectic work schedule, driving kid's to and from various activities, I haven't had much time to blog this week.

I have gotten a little bit of Christmas shopping done albeit on line. I still have to get the Mrs some things, but I have ideas.

Next week, we have some final preparations for the Cardinal Foley's mass next Saturday at our Parish.

Even though things have been tumultuous around here. I have managed (with some help from my elves) to get the house mostly decorated, and the tree up. I still have one set of lights to put up, which I hope to get done this weekend.

More to come later.

--gfo

Eagles 24 Seahawks 28

Another game where AJ Feeley comes up small again, especially in the waining seconds, the Eagles dropped a heart breaker to the Seahawks 28-24. This loss puts the Eagles at 5-7, and although they still have a slim chance to make the playoffs, the are mathematically still in the hunt.

Brian Westbrook continues to carry the team on his shoulders, gaining, 93 yards on the ground, 46 in catching, and nearly busting a game winning punt return of 64 yards.

I don't know what else to say, about yesterday's game. Four interceptions, and completing less than ½ of your passes does not win football games. Its obvious, at least to me, that the Eagles need to concentrate more on their running game, as that is where they seem to having the most success. But the Eagles coaching staff is content on throwing the ball, and we see the results.

I have little faith left in the coaching staff, and I think some changes need to made, especially in the play calling. Ownership needs to sit the coaching staff and put their jobs on the line. Also it would be real nice if the ownership would go out and get some talented receivers, and screw whether they get along with Donovan McNabb.

Also, I think its time for the Kevin Kolb era to begin. Feeley just doesn't have what it takes to be an NFL starter...unless you play defense.

--gfo

Our First Snow

Well its more freezing rain than anything, but its the areas first winter storm (in the fall). I just stepped outside to get the paper and its a bit on the slick side.

If its a slow news day, maybe the local media will have something to do today.

Should make for an interesting Eagles game today.

--gfo

Wow Three Days Have Past

Since my last blog entry. It's been a busy and hectic week both at home and the office.

Monday started out with a mid morning visit to neurologist for a regularly scheduled visit, which as expected did not got as well that I would have like. The neurological exam's showed increasing progression of the MS, plus I have been noticing some cognitive changes in the last few months, mostly with reading and speaking. For the latter I am seeing a neurological psychologist in early January for a six hour test.

On Tuesday morning, I got a phone call from my home care that administers my IV on a monthly basis, that the doctor want me to another dose of solu-medrol...which I had just a week and half early. We scheduled it for the next day, Wednesday. He got there around 1530 or so, and started doing his thing, and a couple of hours later it was done.

The whole time the IV was running, I had brought some work from the office that needed to be done by the end of the day. So I logged in to the office and worked diligently despite being connected to an IV. I had to make a phone call to our San Francisco office to iron a few of the last minute details, but in the end, due some things that needed to be reviewed, the invoice had to wait until yesterday, first thing to get done.

Yesterday was just a hectic day here in the office. We are getting to our busy time of year, where everything needs to be done an hour ago, instead of yesterday. Its the norm for this time of year, so its not something that unusual, just a little added flapdoodleness that comes with this time of year.

Not much going on this afternoon after I leave at noon today. Have a couple of small errands to run. Then pick the kids up from the bus, and get the final preparations ready for the girl to go on a camping trip for the entire weekend.

and so it goes

--gfo

Eagles 28 Patriots 31

Well in what expected to be massacre turned out to be a damn good football game. Even though the Eagles were bested by the Patriots, and the Pat's remain undefeated, the Eagles made them earn a victory.

Backup QB AJ Feeley save for his game starting and ending interceptions played a remarkable game, and WR receiver Greg Lewis came up big once again versus the Patriots.

Feeley used eight different receivers (27/42, 345 yards 3 TD/Int) and Coach Reid dialed up some gadget plays and called an aggressive offensive game.

I would be remiss without saying the defense line and linebackers did a hell of a job yesterday, even though Brady was 34/54, 380 yards, he only threw one touchdown, he was sacked three times. The secondary gets a C-, that got burned a few times, but they all earned their money yesterday, breaking up passes and keeping the Patriot's receivers gains to very little as they were often tackled at the point of impact with the ball.

Curious to know why the Jabar Gaffney touchdown at the end of the first half was not reviewed. It was definitely a review-able play, and looked like it could have gone either way. But there wasn't even a look by the booth.

Overall I was very impressed with the way the Eagles came out and played yesterday, and even more so that it was without McNabb. Sure AJ had three interceptions, but his passes were on target, and not at the receivers feet or twenty feet over their heads. Pay attention Donovan, AJ just taught you a big lesson last night.

It would have been nice if the Eagles pulled a win out, and sure the Patriot's faithful and bandwagon jumpers are still pumping their chests about how good their team is, but I am sure the before that chest pumping, they had a major case of angina.

and lastly, since we will probably hear it all week on sports radio, I start early...Donovan who? Give the keys to the ship to Feeley.

It was also nice not seeing D-Mac's smug smile on the sideline every ten seconds.

--gfo

The Red Hat Has Been Placed

Well Sharon Hill native John Patrick Foley is now officially a Roman Catholic Cardinal, as he received his red hat today at ceremonies at the Vatican.

Cardinal Foley will be returning to Philadelphia for masses at the Cathedral Basilica of St's. Peter and Paul, on 13^th of December and two days later at our parish.

Congratulations Cardinal Foley, and continued best wishes from a very proud parish

--gfo

The Latest On Gas

Its been awhile since I have posted a gas price update. As of today we are at 3.019. With the winter season coming up, I don't expect prices to be dropping anytime soon, especially since the price for a barrel of oil was at my last glance over $100.00/barrell.

and I have oil heat too...its gonna be an expensive winter

--gfo

McNabb Out

It was officially announced earlier today that Donovan McNabb will be inactive for tomorrow's predicted slaughter versus the undefeated New England Patriots. Backup QB AJ Feeley will be starting and depending on how the game is going, we may see rookie QB Kevin Kolb as well.

Can't say that I am surprised by this move, given McNabb's injury, the fact the Feeley took most of the snaps with the first team this week, and most importantly, that the Eagles are expected to get killed. I heard one commentator refer to it as the Boston Massacre.

I don't expect to stay up for the whole game since it starts at 2015. Hopefully Feeley can at least keep it competitive and not too embarrassing.

--gfo

iPod Music Library Update

I spent most of this evening adding some more songs to iTunes, and specifically organizing playlist by decade. It took me about three hours to go through my library and update the songs that were missing years, plus in doing so, I also updated other relative information as needed.

Here is my breakdown:

• 1960's and older: 23 songs
• 1970's: 272 songs
• 1980's: 348 songs
• 1990's: 571 songs
• 2000's: 235 songs

The artist that I have the most of are, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eric Clapton.

I was actually surprised that my 90's number was as high as it was. Granted some of those are greatest hits albums or compilations that were released during that decade. I thought for sure most of my music would be from the 70's and 80's. That being said. The Allman Brothers, and Eric Clapton box set's counted as 90's and 80's respectively, even though most of their songs were from the 70's, so the there is some skewed numbers right there.

As of my last sync I still have 21.60 GB of space left, with 1425 songs, about five pod cast, and all of my pictures from my hard drive, (almost 800 MB). Its amazing how much music you can get on this thing, and I have barely touched my memory. I don't think I will ever fill this thing up. I even have most of my CD collection on my hard drive and subsequently my iPod.

--gfo

Black Friday

Surprisingly my Mrs was up early, and went out and got the first of our Christmas shopping done. She wasn't planning on going out, but was up, and decided to give it a shot. She told me that if she does this again in the future, she will definitely go out with a list.

She also told me the stores she was at were absolutely nuts. I never understood the fascination with getting up and out before 0600 to get to the stores. Yeah there maybe good sales, but the rudeness of the season seems to far outweigh the benefits.

I try to most of my shopping online, anyways. The only person I have to shop for is her.

Guess I am a scrooge.

--gfo

Happy Thanksgiving

We all have a lot to be thankful for, so let's take the time and thank those that are near and dear to our hearts.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend

--gfo

Back In The Saddle

Well the ride last night turned out to be better than expected. Managed to spin out 15 miles, although it was a slower than what I would have liked. I felt good, and probably pushed it harder than I should have.

Felt good to at least have a good ride, and I feel some redemption for my debacle of ride Sunday night.

--gfo

Eagles/Patriots

Talk about what looks to be a boring game, and the way that the Patriots are playing, the Eagles look like they have no prayer to win Sunday in Foxboro.

QB Donovan McNabb, is nursing an ankle and now a thumb injury is day to day. Personally I don't think he is going to play. If I were Andy Reid, I'd sit McNabb, and let A.J. Feeley start the game, and if the game gets really out of hand, bring in rookie Kevin Kolb to get him some experience.

The over/under I believe is 70 and the line is 22 points.

My hope is that the Eagles at least make it somewhat competitive, and not as boring as the last couple of Patriots game .

--gfo

Trying It Again Tonight

After a very disappointing cycling ride last night, only managed, 4.34 miles, (average for me is 13+). I plan to hop back on the bike tonight, and hopefully manage at least ten miles, 13 would be ideal. I could tell right away that it wasn't going to be a good ride. My legs felt heavy, and I felt tired right from the get go. Sometimes it just takes a few minutes for me to get loose and get my legs ready, but yesterday morning the old legs weren't having any parts of it.

That was the shortest distance I have ever ridden, since I have been riding the bike. Even my average speed was well below par for me. Sometimes if I preserve, I can at least get eight to ten miles out of my self, but it just wasn't happening yesterday morning.

Normally, I would get real discourage, and typically more disgusted with myself, but I seemed to take it all in good stride yesterday. Kind of shaking it off to a short night of sleep, due to having to get up earlier than normal to take my oldest to a girl scout function.

Although, the inconsistencies have been more prevalent of late, and I don't know if its a matter of timing, or part of what is ailing me. Yesterday morning, I seem to feel fine, I had been up for almost two hours before heading downstairs, so in thinking about it, the ride should not have been a problem.

Let's see how tonight goes, and maybe I will crank out a nice ride...

--gfo

My Favorite Work Week Of The Year

Thanksgiving week, since we only have to work Monday through Wednesday, and have a nice four day break.

Will be nice to lounge around for four days and not think about work

--gfo

Eagles 17 Dolphins 7

Well it wasn't pretty, especially the first ½, but the Eagles managed to come up with a win today here in a rainy Philadelphia. QB Donovan McNabb had to leave the game midway through the second half and was out for the remainder of the game. Early reports indicate an ankle injury. Backup Quarterback, A.J. Feeley, did a pretty good job filling in for the remainder of the game, completing 13/19 passes for 116 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. McNabb however had one of the shittiest games he has had in a long time, completing 3/13 passes, for 34 yards, and throwing two costly interception, both in the red zone, and no where near any green jersey's.

The star of today's game however was running back Brian Westbrook, who, had a career game today. Rusihing the ball 32 times for, 148 yards, although his receiving game was way off today, catching only one pass for zero yards.

Major props need to go out to the defenses who played a heck of a game, allowing no touchdowns, and holding the Dolphins offense to just under 200 yards of net offense, and keeping newly promoted quarterback John Beck to 109 yards, on 9/22 in passing.

The Eagles special teams were the big goats today, giving up the only touchdown, on a second quarter 87 yard punt return by Ted Ginn, which was probably the only spark the Dolphins showed today.

Should be interesting to see how this McNabb injury plays out. They travel to New England next week for a Sunday night showdown, against of the as of this post, are still undefeated.

Although it was an ugly win, it gets the Eagles to .500, and still keeps their slim playoff chance alive.

McNabb's injury was probably the spark the Eagles needed to get their momentum on.

--gfo

All Done

Steroid treatment started around 1300 my time, and finished around 1430ish. Me and the Fluff dosed off on the sofa. Kids walked home from school by themselves.

Now I have to deal with this God awful taste in my mouth for the next twelve hours or so.

--gfo

Steroid Day

Well, its that time of the month again, steroid day, and boy do I need it. My back has been bothering me all week, with the occasional bonus of shooting pain down my right leg. I have actually had to take darvocet in the evening to alleviate the pain, so I could at least get some sleep.

So I am hoping that the steroid treatment helps with the discomfort.

--gfo