So, how’s everyone doin’? You getting into the holiday spirit?! We’re right in the middle of it here in our apartment….candles in the windows (fake ones ), real (yummy-smelling) candles in the kitchen, a gorgeous tree (by default, her name will be “Daphne” because only 2 voted, so majority wins)! My mom thinks you will all be seriously worried about me ’cause I’m naming a Christmas tree, but it’s got character—I feel that it’s merited!!! So unless we get any “write-ins”, “Daphne” it is!!! My mom surprised me with some more ornaments today—all these cute little animals that are made of brushed wood. Oh, and I can’t forget the kissing ball, nightlights, 2 wreaths (one inside and one outside), our table tree with the fat little snowmen AND the lovely red frame with the Xmasy frog inside.

This morning, we (mostly me) relaxed and got some errands (can you do “errands” around the house?!) done. It was nice, because we were all together in this cozy atmosphere, yet we were doing our own thing and actually getting stuff done!! What a good feeling!!! I enjoyed my pumpkin bread and some coffee (I’m never awake in time for coffee!—and, well, to be technical, I had to make my own pot this morning too once I woke up.) While my mom and Aunt Bitsy did important errands, I looked into more fun activities in the Seattle area. Later this afternoon, my team asked me about what I had done this past week, and what I planned on doing this week, so I went through a long list. They kept saying “Really? Where’s that? What’s that like?”, and they suggested I put a list together in case other patients might want to try some of the activities…so I did! I e-mailed one to Jackie, my nurse, and left one on the volunteer services desk. Just in case you’re interested, the activities I included are: 1)”Bellevue Botanical Gardens” (you’ve already seen pictures of those gorgeous lights!); 2)”Reindeer Festival” (it’s at a nursery and they have real live reindeer—how cool, huh?!!!; 3)”Snowflake Lane and Celebration Lane” (it’s in Bellevue, and they have fake snow, live toy soldiers, music, lights…you get the idea); 4)”Gingerbread Village” (a “spectacular” gingerbread village at a local hotel—different architectural firms contribute)…I wonder if mine will be there (I call them “mine” now because they built “my” building out here!); 5)”Candy Cane Lane” (this sounds supercool also. Apparently it’s like a wonderland, spurred on by a decorating contest the city hosted in 1949. It sounds like it’s one street in a neighborhood); 6)I also wrote about the fact that there are lots of places where boats show off their lights and gave a website……hopefully one of these suggestions can help someone else have a happy holiday out here despite the circumstances. I DEFINITELY plan on hitting all of these—don’t worry, Mom, we’ll do it little by little.

When we went to my team visit today (it’s only been once weekly the last several weeks), I asked about my chimerism results for my peripheral blood draw they did December 3rd. Apparently (I can’t remember if I tried to explain this before), this is to ensure that any blood (whether from my marrow or any other part of my body, thus my arm and extremeties), is 100% Laura, and there is no stray Julie running around. AND……..the results are…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I AM FULLY LAURA!!!!!!!!!!

What do you think about that?!!! They said I look great and they were bragging to my new doctor about me before he met us this afternoon (remember that only my nurse stays the same…my PA and physician alter each month). They notice my increased puffiness and hairiness, but assure it will go away after the steroids. Basically, I ask a lot of questions; in fact they probably think I’m crazy. I’ll ask things like “I feel like I smell…is that because there’s more hair around my face so it filters in? Or could it be my sinus issues?” Nobody thought I smelled….thank god! I say “sometimes my back feels kind of hollow or like slight bone pain—usually when I’m sleeping, but nothing bad….maybe 1 on a scale to 10, 1 being the lowest level of discomfort”…”sometimes my neck feels sore on the side and sometimes in the front, but it’s not too bad, I just notice it sometimes.”…”can I go to a Celtic Holiday Concert inside a church?”….and the list goes on. Also, that’s pretty much how I word things. I’m lucky I feel so comfortable to ask them all these questions, whether silly or major, not that I’ve had many major ones…knock on wood. They listen carefully, ask questions, do a check-up, and I leave! By the next week, I have another list waiting. I wonder if just saying everything makes me feel better because it’s off my chest, and I know I’ve told the experts.

And, the BIG question of the day today (that apparently they’d all been waiting for me to ask!) was “When do you think I can go home?” They said that you can usually take day 80 post-transplant (or maybe it’s 84, ’cause I just checked my schedule and that’s my next bone marrow biopsy) plus 14 days after that, and you can go home! I believe those two weeks are filled with the same pre-transplant work-ups so my days will be busier. So basically, I’m looking at about a month!! If anything changes, we will stay on longer, but I’m thinking good thoughts and I know you are too!! Gosh…can you believe it? Time has truly flown by.

As I walk through Seattle these last few weeks, I wonder if leukemia helped me more than it hurt me. Before you think I REALLY did become crazy, just hear (errr, read) me out. Because of my cancer experience, I have the distinct opportunity (especially for someone my age) to hit a “reset” button when life feels out of control…though that button is in the form of the word “leukemia” lurking in the depths of my mind for each and every day to come, my perspective on life will always be altered in a good way. It has also, I don’t want to say “given me a purpose”, but in many ways it has. I can more deeply understand traumatic situations in other people’s live, and I feel I have a lot to share with those who are struggling to handle it. I feel more well-rounded…..very weird, I know.

I guess you also have to remember that I don’t yet have a career. The past 4 years centered mostly around leukemia. When other people talk about their jobs, their children, their fiancés, their homes, sometimes I struggle to be part of the conversation. I’m not saying I’m a dolt!—I’m just saying our paths were different. I’m jealous in some ways, but I’m grateful in many others. Getting rid of cancer has been and is my job, and I work hard at it (thanks to Laura), and I think it was meant to be. Call me crazy.

I also analyze my living situation here, and I think part of the nostalgia I’ll have for Seattle is because I never lived in a city before. I never looked out and saw a skyline, or learned the rhythms of a city neighborhood (and its dogs!) :), I never spent enough time to really get to know a city and its neighborhoods and eccentricities. Sooooooo, I thought to myself, “Well, let’s get prepared to possibly feel a little down when returning to VA–1)because my steroids will be tapered and 2)everyone will return to work, and 3)lives will continue as usual. I will have my pups, and friends and family, but I’ll be in the suburbs, and I’m a little worried about cabin fever.”

This is what I decided: I WILL finish all my projects (photo projects, recipe projects, organizing projects), and I will enlist the help of friends (if you’re willing!) because it makes it a lot more fun. I’m glad I know myself well enough to know that what I need is people and projects (and dogs).

Anyhoo, enough nostalgia…I still have a month!! I know what I forgot to tell you. My mom told my team how I wrote a note to the architects of the SCCA clinic building and how responsive they were, and I was surprised that the team was surprised. They asked me what it was about the building that made me feel like that, and it made me realize that this building was a totally different experience for them. They walk into the building every day for work so it’s obviously through different glasses. I told them how all other patients love the building as well. I am so glad I decided to send the note and that the architectural firm circulated it.

On a final note (I know, it’s long today!!), I thought I’d share a text with you that I received from Laura today after telling her I was completely her:

“I figured you must be ‘completely me’ since you have so much more energy and seem happy and more generally just a better person…smarter, more creative, I think you get the picture! :)”

Laura, my gift of life!!!!

And there you have it. I hope you enjoy the photos…there’ll be more coming!

Lots of love on a great day out in Seattle.

Julie

Anyone else out there find rain to be cozy? I mean, you have to be bundled up (if it’s a cold rain) and dressed for it, but to me (other than snow), there’s nothing better than rain. It mixes your days up, throws you a bit of a challenge in the wardrobe/accessory department, and as a plus, it cleans off dirty cars! Mom left the white Chevy Impala we’ve rented outside to be cleaned….don’t tell her I said this, but I think it will need a lot more than a little rain to do its job.

On another note regarding rain, these Seattleites know how to do it. They put on comfy shoes and waterproof jackets, they wear hats, a few carry umbrellas, but I daresay that every other citizen carries with them a hot cup of tea/coffee/latte/whatever it may be to help them ease through the day with a spring in their step. Plus, they layer….I think I am becoming a much better layerer just by observation. For instance, today, I’m wearing jeans, a camisol, a v-neck long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, a windproof fleece-like material AND my Gore-tex coat (if I’m outside). I’ve pretty much lived in my low-top hiking boots that I got right after moving out here. Anyway, I guess my point is, no one minds the weather out here and that’s how I like it! No whining, just dealing and even enjoying!!!

So, what else is going on out here….I did some research last night, and discovered the architectural firm that designed the SCCA clinic. Lately, each time we go up to the building, I think “I’m so lucky to be coming here, not only for the medicine, but for the view from the building and its beautiful design”…I can thank all the doctors and nurses and employees of SCCA, but I felt like I needed to let the architects know what a difference a building, yes, a building, has made in my treatment. I thought you might want to read what I wrote, so I’ve included it below:

“To whom it may concern:

It is not often that you can find comfort in a building when you have cancer on your mind, but my family and I experienced just that when we came to Seattle in July to visit the SCCA clinic for a consultation. My leukemia relapsed in June after being cancer-free for three and a half years. Luckily, I had a perfect match in my sister, but we were not sure where to have the procedure done.

Thus began the research. We live near Washington, DC, in Virginia, but most people seemed to be directing us either to Seattle or Boston. We visited Boston, which was fine, but the moment we stepped inside the SCCA Clinic, it just clicked. It was a beautiful day, a day I spent much of the time in tears because I could not imagine living so far from home while undergoing a transplant and then staying for 100 days….sounded like a jail sentence to me!

We walked into the clinic and it was brightly lit, everything was clean, and the view….THE VIEW from the 6th floor, where I would spend most of my time, was spectacular. We all had so many thoughts racing in our brains, but we went down to “Chandler’s” for lunch after the consultation and decided Seattle it would be….despite the distance.

I can’t say it was just the building that hooked us, because of course the medicine is world-renowned, but I can tell you that every time I walk in the building, I feel a weight lift, I look for boats and seaplanes, and somehow I relax. That is true talent when you can transform a clinic into a place of peace for any patient or family member.

I’ve just been thinking about it lately, and I wanted to make sure someone received my note. Thank you for helping to make our stay in Seattle full of sunshine (and I even love looking out at the fog and the rain). Just in case you ever wonder whether design truly makes a difference in someone’s soul, it does.

Sincerely,
Julie Matthews”

I even received a couple really nice responses from employees, which really touched me. Mostly, I’m glad that the note was circulated, because I really wanted everyone to know that design and aesthetics has such an important role in life, no matter who the “client” entering the building may be. I often hear others talking about the building and how much they love it, and I wondered, “Do the architects know? Does anyone ever contact them to tell them what role (yes, a building can play a role) the SCCA clinic plays in treatment and recovery?”…and thus the note. I feel so happy to know that there is an entire architecture firm that received my note…happy and thankful.

While I’m typing in my blog, Mom is talking back to the TV. I hate it when the news is wrong and annoying! Sometimes you just have to talk back, you know! We’re gearing up to go pick up Aunt Bitsy later this evening….we’re looking forward to seeing ‘ya, Bitz!!! Plus, I thought of a fun game we can all play. When we were watching “Frasier”, they were playing “pudgy bunny”, and it got me to thinking, “Now, when was the last time I’ve played that?!! Have I ever actually played it?” SO, I think we’ll have to be heading to the store for some marshmallows to play. Really, I’m doing it ’cause I know I’ll totally win ’cause my cheeks are fat and can hold more already!!!! Caution: if you try this game at home, be aware of choking! We are professionals.

OK, looks like it’s dinnertime! Sending all our love all the way from Seattle!!!!

Julie

Don’t worry….I’m not going to overwhelm you with pictures today; I’m just ‘gonna write a reaaaaally long one. hahahaha Only teasing.

Before we begin, let me pay homage to one of the greatest movies ever, “A Christmas Story”….check this out: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/08/christmas.story.turns.25

/index.html Apparently it’s been 25 years since the movie came out! I think I’ve watched it every year since 1983…at least once a year. I know, you either love me or hate me for this nuance of my personality, but you gotta accept it along with the rest of me! “Christmas Vacation” is wonderful also, but it’s not quite up there with “The Christmas Story”. When we were in the Christmas store yesterday, they had leg lamps, little bobble leg lamps, and a leg lamp clock that says “Fra-gee-lay” on the hour. hahahahahaha They also had ornaments…who knew there was a whole “leg lamp underground”? APPARENTLY, someone even bought the house from the movie!! One day when I’m in Cleveland, I’ll have to make the trek.

Currently, we’re watching “Frasier”!! (surprise, surprise!) I’m still looking for some good Christmas movies on the family channel and Lifetime (you know, the good, cheesy, girly kind!!!!). We dropped my dad off at the airport today, and he got home safely. He made a flight to come back out on New Year’s Eve, so he’ll make it in time to see fireworks over the Space Needle! Aunt Bitsy arrives tomorrow…Aunt Bitsy, I’m ready to be treated like a “princess” (not that I haven’t been treated like that anyway!!).

After Aunt BItsy, Laura, Gobind, Dr. Sethi, and Katie will also come!!! And then my dad again. AND THEN HOPEFULLY I’LL BE GETTIN’ READY TO COME HOME!!!!! I called up some numbers today to see if we can get a free plane ride home through an organization. Anyone who is traveling for cancer purposes is allowed to apply for travel for themselves and usually one other (I believe) traveler. I don’t have an exact date, and I have to make sure I’m ready healthwise, but I feel pretty comfortable thinking it will be just over a month ’til I’m back at home.

Regarding my health, I think I must be doing great! I feel good, and my scheduler called me today to bump me from the doctor’s rounds tomorrow! She said out of seven patients on my “red team”, six are sick and one is well, so bump me they did! I was pretty happy about it too; I mean, I hope the other six start feeling better, but I’m happy to be bumped. So I’ll go in on Wednesday instead….no biggie!!!

I think my mom may be growing weary of my fairly constant talking. :)) hahaha OK, probably not, but I’ve noticed I switch topics and I talk a lot….I’m blaming the Prednisone again!! I’m not crazy unfocused, but it’s just a different side of me….you’ll see ’cause I don’t think my steroids will be totally tapered by the time I come home. LUCKY YOU!!

Let’s see…what else?! Remember those pictures of the pretty big bulbs at University Village? Well, my mom and I were walking around there getting some stuff done today, and I went into the Manager’s office to find out where they got them (I know you liked them too, Rachel!!!). Apparently you can find them at http://noveltylights.com/ . I’m going to check out the website and see what else they have, just for fun! I’ll let you know.

Before signing off, I received a beautiful card from the Bruces today, and I wanted to share the verse with you: “Praise bright blue skies and dark rain clouds. Lift happy voices upon the morning air. Murmur sweet words softly in the evening breeze. Be present in all things and thankful for all things” (Maya Angelou). Don’t think I could have said it much better!!! (um, yah, I don’t think I will EVER be comparing myself to Maya Angelou!)

Anyhoo, that’s all over here on the west coast. I’ve included a few more photos, so I hope you like them!

Love from Seattle,

Julie (and of course, Carol too!!)

Yah, I know…can you believe it? But I know you’re loving all this Christmas stuff!!! How is everyone doing? My mom, dad and I are guess what?!—-watching “Frasier”! My lips are annoyingly chapped (a side effect to all this stuff) and I’m so full of food, I feel like I could burst, but other than that, all is well!!!! I don’t know if it’s the Prednisone that makes me eat more…I’ve gained five pounds, but some is water weight (and cheek weight) :), but when dinner rolls around, I’m hungry! I pretty much clean my plate at each meal, and have some Doritoes at night. It’s weird because I know I certainly don’t need to eat because I’ve already eaten, but the food’s there, and I think to myself “Well, pretty soon I’ll be back in VA and I won’t have so many sweets around…” I know, I have to get myself under control here! No worries though. I’m still walking and I can hopefully step up the exercise and step down the eating.

I’m feeling a little tired tonight, so maybe that’s a good thing! I didn’t sleep too poorly last night, so hopefully tonight will be a repeat!

My dad leaves tomorrow, and I’ll really miss him, but I know I’ll be back in VA soon!! I just keep thinking those good thoughts.

I hope you’re all doing well and you enjoy the photos!!!

Love from Seattle,

Julie

At least, I hear you’re getting snow on the east coast! It’s chilly here, but no snow…no real snow down in the city anyway. Apparently there’s a Christmas festival in Bellevue where they have fake snow! We’re ‘gonna check that out sometime soon.

Oh man, I just wrote a whole blog, and then it erased. Well, all in all, I’m doing great! Other than being puffy and having to give up on the shaving/plucking/spa routine because my hands are a lot less steady (can you imagine me having to explain how I poked myself in the eye with a tweezer?!!!). By the way, speaking of a funny story, once when I was shaving my legs, I cut my nose. I never heard the end of that one. My nose itched, and unfortunately, I raised the hand with the razor to scratch the side. Then I had to come downstairs and explain to everyone how I cut my nose while shaving my legs. Everyone loves that story!!!!! I trust you will do no harm with it. Just a funny little story to share with ya.

So we had a relaxing morning. My mom had her massage at a massage school only two blocks away, and I think she really enjoyed it. We then had a lazy breakfast, and eventually made our way out to Bellevue, WA (a fancy area…where Bill Gates lives, I believe) for a late lunch and to see the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. My dad and I wandered around the grounds which were gorgeous (but I’m warning you….there are loooots of pictures of plants in this post, just so you’re ready!!!). Then they lit up Xmas lights and put on some Xmas music at 5 PM, and we walked through the trails to find out what little wonders awaited us. I hope you enjoy the pics. If not, I do, so too bad for you.

Now we’re getting ready for bed. We watched several “Frasiers”…that series has been so much fun to watch, and I think it will always remind me of good times in Seattle.

Healthwise, all is well. I have my next bone marrow December 30th, and then I have all the tests I had before my transplant….respiratory function, x-ray, etc. I’m thinking lots of good and happy thoughts, but I do admit that although the Prednisone seems to give me the energy to do anything, it sucks when it’s time to go to bed!!! I have constant nightmares or I just lie there. To be honest though, I haven’t truly slept very well since I was first diagnosed in January ‘05. Someday I look forward to going to bed and sleeping through the night!!

OK, I’m off to try and declutter my mind so there’s some room for good dreams in there….maybe some Christmas lights or something.

I hope you’re all doing well, and, as always, thanks for helping to make my time here in Seattle enjoyable.

Love,

Julie

Can you believe it? Day 59?!!! Woohoo!!! Are you all getting excited? Or are you sick of my photos and entries?! My dad told me nicely today that sometimes “less is more”, and perhaps I should just put 5 or 6 photos in each blog, but I told him that’s impossible!! As well as a way to keep you all informed on everything, this is a photo (and obviously written) journal for me to look back on during my stay in Seattle, which I realize more each day I will miss. There is no comparison for city living, and of course there is no comparison for home, but Seattle signifies mostly positive thoughts and energy for me. It is and will always be like a second home…I just feel like I fit right in.

But then I see the beautiful brick homes and traditional structures scattered among the architecture of the northwest, and my heart wanders back to Virginia, DC, Old Town, cobblestone….I guess for a while I will live the rest of my life as a bi-coaster (is that even a word?!) I will always come back to Seattle to visit, whether it’s for fun or to visit the doctor. It is truly a wonderful city, but I miss you, east coast!!!

I know I shared a little bit about finance worries, but I just wanted to tell you how proud I feel that I have finished applying for everything my social worker thought appropriate for me. I think this is such a real worry for many patients, and I am extremely fortunate to have help from my family, but I need to give back to help ease any burden, so I’m waiting on a couple organizations to respond to my request for assistance. I don’t know if anyone really knows quite how overwhelming it can be to be sick, to feel tired, and to be handed one and a half sheets typed of websites to review for assistance. Everyone at SCCA has been very helpful, and with the help of the steroids, I’m pretty much done applying for everything. I’m just waiting for someone to call me Monday for one final interview with Social Security.

As you can read (and see), we (my mom, dad and I) are doing well out here!! We plan to hit some more Christmas lights sometime tomorrow night, and my mom is having a massage in the morning. Right around the corner from us, there’s a school of massage, and they will give you an hour-long massage for $30! I hope she relaxes and really benefits from it–we all know she deserves it!!

Hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for the holidays, and I’m sending lots of love out to all my peops all over the country (and world) during this season.

Enjoy the photos, but no worries if you don’t feel like looking at 50 of them or reading all this!!!!! It’s here if you want it.

Love from Seattle,

Julie

Hey there everyone!!! Well, today is my mom’s birthday, and we were able to surprise her by having my dad show up today instead of tomorrow!!! Luckily, the SCCA was able to have a volunteer drive him here from the airport, so my mom didn’t have to know anything. He just knocked on the door (someone let him in downstairs…I guess he looks innocent enough).

OK, now it’s the 4th, and we had another wonderful day. My mom and I awoke early (yah, our appointment was for 10:15 AM…that’s early for me!) and got our hair cut! My designer is a five-year cancer survivor, so we had a wonderful discussion about basically everything surrounding the illness: the fear; the way it alters your perspective; how once it touches you, you feel a responsibility to reach out to others in the same situation. When I left to thank her and pay, she reached out and hugged me and said “You know what, this is my gift to you. Merry Christmas!!” I was shocked and obviously very touched. I hope to stop by and see her again before we leave. By the way, I LOVE the way she did my hair!

After the haircut, I went across the street with my dad to see if they could fix one of the jackets I got not long after moving out here. At first they said, “Well, we’ll have to remove that whole panel and send it in to the company, assuming we can find a company close by that can fix it, but you might be without your coat for a couple weeks”….mmmm….I asked if I could simply exchange the jacket for another one they had there, and he asked if they had the right size…..waaallllaahh–they did, and off I went with a brand-new jacket…no waiting! I was certainly having a special morning.

My dad and I walked home (it was a gorgeous day) while my mom got her highlights, and I decided we would go to “Buca di Beppo’s” for lunch. Check out the website: http://www.bucadibeppo.com/ It’s not far from our apartment, and we constantly drive by it. It’s family style, like “Maggianno’s”, and it just looks like a lot of fun! Plus, the food was delicious, and I got my mozzarella sticks!! It has a lot of character…hope you enjoy the pictures. Our waiter gave us a couple recommendations for things to do around town, one of them being a Celtic Holiday Christmas Celebration. I’ll have to ask my docs if it’s OK to be in a church to listen to them come December 20th.

This evening we took a trip up to SCCA and took advantage of one of the many volunteer services activities. We went to the Boeing Museum of Flight. It’s open the first Thursday of every month from 5-9 (usually it’s not open at night), which is nice because not as many people (or children) are there at night, and that’s much better for patients. If you’re ever out here, you should visit it—here’s the website: http://www.museumofflight.org They even have overnight programs for children. Sounded cool to me!

Well, I’m feeling a little sleepy, which is a very good thing!! It was a full day, a special day, and I feel blessed.

Hope you’re not overwhelmed by the photos!! Enjoy them at your leisure.

Love ya,

Julie

Well, Laura had to leave today, and we just said goodbye to Lori and TIm (who have to leave by 4:45 AM or something!!), but all is well in Seattle.

I had a bunch of pictures I wanted to share with you….I’m tellin’ you, these steroids really motivate me to get stuff done!!! Only problem is it’s 12:46 AM now, and I’m not feeling too sleepy. Oh well.

I had a wonderful time with Laura, and I’m so glad she was feeling better by Thanksgiving. And Lori and Tim came into town Sunday, and of course time flew by. We had a good time getting around Seattle, despite the rain and clouds…the Christmas lights made everything brighter, of course!! Lori and Tim also met Carlo twice, lucky them! We went to coffee shops, Theo’s chocolate shop, the clinic (I’m always proud to show that off to everyone), my neighborhood walks. We had a wonderful time, played “Table Topics” and got into some deep thoughts (that somehow always ended up in giggling!

I was so relieved yesterday that Laura had a good experience with her nurse when they took her blood for the study. It didn’t last as long as she thought, she wasn’t in pain, and it sounds like she actually really enjoyed talking to her nurse. Thanks again, for ALL your gifts of life, Laura! Sorry I couldn’t hang out at the hospital with ya, but it was much more fun to go out for dinner at “Joey’s” and celebrate. Thanks for getting us that private room!!!

Oh, and I can’t forget the delicious cod Mom made Sunday….mmm..mmm…good!!! One of my favorite sauces for fish…I can’t remember what it is now, but once I get to my recipe project (and I will soon!!), I’ll have it forever to keep in my special recipe box.

I did go to the clinic today for all my appointments. Everyone thinks I’m doing great. They do notice the puffiness, but are blaming it on the Prednisone. They also negated any eye creams or makeup, so I’ll just have to wait a little longer! I am having my hair cut on Thursday though…..thhhhhhank goodness!!!!! I’m getting good exercise, and other than slight stiffness in my knees, I truly feel wonderful.

I better go try to wind down now…I think I’ll do some reading.

Thanks, Mom, Laura, Lori and Tim for the wonderful weekend/past few weeks. I feel truly special and blessed to constantly be surrounded by so many funny, upbeat, kind, thoughtful and loving friends and family. You make this easy!!!

Lots of love from Seattle,

Julie —- ENJOY THE PICS!

Well, you can’t see the skyscape or the Space Needle tonight because of all the clouds, but the lights in our place and all the decorations sure are bright and cheerful!!!

Just a couple highlights from today…Lori and Tim came this morning!!!! We had a wonderful day walking around and then hanging out back at Pete Gross. Lori decorated our place, and as you can see, it looks great, “kissing ball” and all!!!!!!! We EVEN watched “Christmas Vacation”, one of the greatest movies of all time.

I also called someone from the “Seastar”, one of the boats from “The Deadliest Catch”, to see if they still did any tours. I spoke with someone named Mike, and I believe it was the Mike Day from the show! Check out this link….give her a sec to load though. I know it’s ten minutes, but if you’re bored at work or just want to see it, it’s really interesting. I guess the “Seastar” is actually the chase boat that would get the crazy images of the other boats out there crab fishing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tlwb33VvTg&feature=related It was pretty funny. I was nervous to call the number, but I was a little confused between some research I did on-line and a brochure I found somewhere. But I just called and he was very friendly!!! No tours now though…next summer, hopefully when I’m healthy and back for a check up!!!

OK, enjoy the photos–I’m off to enjoy the lights.

Love from Seattle,

Julie