Hi. It’s Julie. I’m listening. hahahahaha I think we’re watching too much “Frasier” out here!!!!

I’m sorry it’s over your holiday weekend, but I guess when I feel like “talking”, I feel like “talking”!! Anyway, my day started off a little difficult, but it turned into a wonderful one.

I woke up this morning from a nightmare. I’ve had lots of nightmares since the Prednisone, but most of the time I don’t remember much about them. This morning around 7, I woke up crying. It was the strangest feeling. I dreamt that the leukemia came back. Of course, this thought lingers in my mind often, but it never struck me like this before. In the nightmare, I was half in home/half in Seattle (you know how that dream stuff works!), my nurse and some docs in Seattle were there, my dogs were there and my family, and I looked at all of them and asked “Well, what’s wrong? Why do you all look so down? What is it? I thought I was in remission and doing well?!” The doctors finally answered, “it’s back” and they gazed down at their shoes. It was just so real, this nightmare, not that I think there is anything real in it!! In fact, as I’ve said, I feel quite clearly the other way that Laura’s cells were what I needed for a cure.

But I wanted to share the dream with you. I’ve never woken up crying before, and it was certainly off-putting, but of course my mom was awake at 7 AM and we talked a little bit, and I went back to sleep. I know now the only way to look at life is you either live it or you don’t. No matter how much I have left, I plan on enjoying it. I was just a little shocked to have these feelings during the holidays when I was feeling so good!

And the rest of the day made up for the strange morning. Laura and my mom woke me with Starbucks hot chocolate, a package, some cards, and smiles. I spent the early afternoon catching up with friends and family. Whenever I feel sad, I’ve found that reaching out makes me feel stronger and happier, whether those I contact are home or not…knowing you all are there makes it all better!!

Afterwards, I got ready and spritzed myself with my favorite perfume (you’re not allowed to wear any at the clinic, so I enjoy feeling myself on my days off), and off we went to a cool shop my mom and I found in Belleview. We got some Christmas stuff, everyone!!!!!!!!! The best of all (at least Laura and Mom’s favorite) is “the kissing ball”….I’ll take a pic of it later, but it’s basically a ball of Christmas ornaments with some ribbon and garland twirled in. The lady at Pier 1 saw me looking at it, and for whatever reason she said “It’s called a kissing ball, but don’t worry….no one really has to even know that’s what it is”. I was like, “Um, OK. Thanks.” What’s that supposed to mean? I think maybe “No one’s gonna want to be kissing you, so it might not work in the typical way!” haha Cracked me up….then, as I left the store, she yelled “And why don’t you shave while you’re at it!” hahahahahaha No she didn’t say that. hahahaha It would have been funny though.

Although Mom’s Christmas shopping attitude could have been slightly improved :), we had a great time!!! I’m teasing, Mom….you did very well!!

On the way home, Laura noticed one of the many cranes all decorated in Christmas lights with a tree on the end!! Remember, Seattle is the city of cranes!!!

Enjoy the pics…some are from last weekend, some from today. Lori and Tim come in tomorrow, so we’re looking forward to hanging out with them! Maybe before they leave, we’ll have this place all decorated for Christmas!

Lots of love from Seattle,

Julie (and Laura and Mom)