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
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a shot from yesterday...trespassing near the houseboats to get you a good pic!
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Thought this turned out cool....my dad took it last night. I think the Xmas lights reflecting in the window make it extra special, don't you?!
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My dad walked up to meet my mom and walk back with her after her massage this morning.
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Don't think I would make the best private eye or anything...you can't tell who it is!
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Dad with the iphone at lunch....yup, we're all addicts now...even my mom!!!
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Look! A fireplace! It's not real, but it's still nice and gives off a little heat, so that's sayin' something, right?
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Here I am! No I'm not storing nuts in my cheeks...just a lil puffy from the Prednisone. :)
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Here we are at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens where they will light up special X-mas lights at 5 PM....first my dad and I took a little jaunt around the gardens (if you make the picture bigger, you can see him wandering around in his green coat). :)
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Beautiful, isn't it? I warn you though, if you don't want to look at trees or plants or lights, you might as well stop now!!!
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Dad points out a cool rock.
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Not sure what this is, but it's beautiful...and it's a bloomin' in December!!!
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It's chilly out here, but somehow it's the perfect day to do this.
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My dad and I with our expert tracking skills....looks like a deer!
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It actually came out well the first time--you know, one of those "hold the camera out and take it yourself" shots
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Here's a cool shot of a "bleeding heart"---I thought the "antique" effect made it look cool.
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Dad admires an owl statue....once you get back home, Dad, you can go on the porch and call the real owls yourself!!
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Look at me crouching down to get you shots!!
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What a beautiful day!
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Yes, I love these trees...check out the bark on them!!!
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A little holiday greens, some red berries...who even needs Christmas lights?!
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Do you think bright green and orange go together ok?!! Well, I don't care anyway 'cause I'm warm!!!
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I love this one...blow it up to see the cute little ducks.
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In search of a good shot...I almost look like an expert photographer! hahahahaha
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I'm glad we got here before the lights came on--it's gorgeous!
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Look at how hard I'm concentrating!!
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We both love the fern and moss growing on this big tree.
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Kind of a pretty mix of textures...a cool fence, some berries and other....well, um, cool plants. :)
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Look! Another good reach-your-hand-out shot!!!
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Look hard and you'll see my dad!
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WOW!!! Now that's gorgeous.
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I think when I'll get back, if I still have some steroid energy, I'll build one of these in the yard!!
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Just pretty and colorful!
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José Luis seems to be guarding the gardens.
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Ready for the show, Dad?
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And let the lights begin!!! They lit up at 5 to the tune of Christmas music and excited adults and children alike stood in awe, then started walking the trails!
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Alright..time to get to work and get some pics!
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Mom and I...it's so nice to be out and about and feeling well...I'm a lot more fun like this, don't you think, Mom?
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Beautiful, huh?
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The rest of the pictures are, well...lights...I don't know if you need a description for each one!
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I love this one. :)
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Look at the sky behind those lights....I'm loving it. :)
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A verrry cool evergreen, the moon and a plane--this must be pretty to see from the sky!
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Anyone out there know how to put up lights like this?
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Laura, these sunflowers are for you!
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That's Dad in the foreground...we were all like little children!
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I know it's a little dark, but I like this one a lot.
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And here it is with a flash...which do you prefer?
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Wow, that's one big spider!
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Look, Tiso, a scarecrow!!!!
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Dad got this one with his phone...good shot, huh? Made me hungry for grapes!
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If you look hard, you'll notice the golden lights make up a squirrel...looks as chubby as the one who ran up on me yesterday!!!
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Mom and Dad enjoying the evening.
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I kicked out all the kids and families who were in my way so I could get this shot. :)
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Looks a little bit like fireworks, huh?
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Don't worry....this is the final image!!!!!! Hope you enjoyed your holiday lights tour through the Bellevue Botanical Garden....just imagine the night with a nip in the air and some Xmas music playing over the speakers. :)