Monday, November 23, 2009, Nashville, TN., 4:15 a.m., C.S.T. *yawn!*~

Dear Journal~

Johnny here.  Sorry I'm up so early; couldn't sleep, so I decided to write.  Besides, I don't have school this week, so I can go back to bed when I am done, and mama won't get mad or call me a lazybums.  LOL

I am doing pretty good, all things considering.  Some days, I have the world by the tail; on others, not so much.  Trying to remain positive, but having this darn disease makes it so hard at times!  I'm just thankful that I am still around; am going to be 17 years old next month, on December 26.  That is major!!!!

Considering the dumb doctors said I'd be dead by the time I reached the age of five ...  I'd love to meet some of those dumb doctors face to face and prove them wrong!!  Boy, would THEY be surprised!  LOL

In any event, my girl, Rebekkah Cohen, is coming over for Turkey Day.  It will be so cool to see her; I just love her so much!  And my brother, Erick, who lives in New York City, is here.  He's in college and is planning on getting married in the summer of next year.  His girlfriend is named Kimberly, and she's really nice.  (She's here too.)  In addition, some of my brothers and sisters who live out of state are due in today or tomorrow, so we will have a house FULL of people!!

I always love holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas because the whole family's (usually) together, and it's so awesome seeing everyone and catching up on the latest doings in their lives!

I love it now:  the house is perfectly quiet, broken only by monitors (or my breathing machine), and the snores of animals and/or people.  I just wish I could get a decent night's sleep, but that just ain't in the cards.  I am going to have to flick the lamp to get Michael up, so he can turn me; getting a bit stiff in the back and joints.  *OW*  I hate bothering him or Porter to turn me over; I wish I could still do it by myself.  This MD is getting to be a royal pain in my backside!  GRRRR!!!!

It is kinda nice, though, to look out and see the moon and stars.  I have seen a few meteors streaking across the sky (what I can see, anyway), and planes passing overhead.  I know it's cold out (in the thirties here), so the windows aren't open:  the storm glass is over the regular windows, to keep winter's chill out. 

I get cold so easily:  not much meat on my bones.  I have to be bundled up like a caterpillar, or else I'll turn into a Johnny-cicle.  LOL  BRRRR!!!!

I am looking forward to Thursday:  we are going out to eat at Golden Corral.  More turkey.  Had turkey yesterday at church; after the service, the staff fed the congregation.  It was yummylicious; it was some of the best turkey I ever ate:  so tender, and so tasty and juicy!  Yum!  Making me hungry all over again just thinking about it!  *pardon me while I wipe off my face*   LOL

Before we go to GC on Thursday, we are watching the parade (well, most of it, anyway), then after we get back from stuffing ourselves, we will watch the Cowboys play (hopefully they'll win!) and let our fat bellies flop around until we go to bed by nine, so we can be up earrrrrrly the next morning and go SHOPPING!!!!

I'm about done Christmas shopping; have some things to get for Rebekkah and my brother, as well as mama and daddy.  We start our Christmas shopping back in August.  Have to, with our family being as big as it is.

On Saturday, we will go to downtown Nashville and watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and see fireworks, plus hear special Christmas music.  I will be participating:  I will be doing the sign language.  I am very good at that.  :)  That way the deaf people can know what is going on or what is being said, so they aren't left out in the dark.  (Seeing I am very hard of hearing myself, I've used sign language practically my whole life.)

Ronee', Deborah, Gemini, and other members of my family will be singing/playing music; they are taking part in the celebration as well.  I know they will do an awesome job; they always do.  I just wish I could still sing, but nope.  No can do.  Bummer!!  Yet I still can sign or maybe ring the bells.  :)  It's not like I can't do anything; at least I'm still useful! :)

We'll see the parade, too; that's before everything else.  So the Christmas season is going to be kicked into high gear in a big way; Nashville really knows how to throw a party!!  Looking forward to it!  It's going to be soooo exciting!!

Well, I am going to scoot.  I am getting sleepy all of a sudden.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Johnny wishing y'all a very happy Thanksgiving!  Don't be a turkey and eat all the food; save some for someone else!  LOL  May it be full of joy, love, family, and above all, God's blessings!  Don't forget to give thanks to Him for those blessings!  I know I have plenty to be thankful about, that is for darn sure!

Take care!  Love you!  God bless!

~As always, your friend in Tennessee, Johnathon.  :D