I just opened up my 2009 calendar to put it up, and found this quote of Henry David Thoreau (I love him):

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”

Pretty, simple, something encouraging when you’re starting out a brand new year. 2009, I’m coming! I have my dreams and my strength, and I’m ready for what you have to offer me. In fact, I can’t wait to see what it is!!

No worries…I’m not writing another long one, but I wanted to post the pictures we just took up on the roof. It was actually very touching. Though it was a little cold with some sprinkling rain, the roof was crowded with other residents and their families, and it felt good to be among so many people, especially so many people who truly value the coming of a new year. I took up my hot cocoa, some people had champagne, but we oooed and awwwed over the fireworks together, and it felt like a uniting, warm and cozy experience. It will certainly be something I won’t forget, and a lot more fun than a hot crowded party. Also, we all went up in our pjs and it’s on the roof—what a view we have, huh? I took video also, so we’ll try to get that hooked up later.

Enjoy and Happy New Year!

PS Did anyone else happen to see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BocpiQ7LZ9k

This guy rode his motorbike OVER the Arc de Triomphe in Vegas and then free-fell (or falled or whatever it would be) five stories with the bike….very cool to see….long, but worth the watch.

One more quote, since you know how much I love them!!

“Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed”. - Corita Kent

Love AGAIN (don’t worry…I won’t write a third blog today!),

Julie —and technically one was written on 12/31 and the second on 1/1/09, so it’s all good.

Happy New Year, all you east-coasters!! It’s only 10:10 right now, so we still have all the excitement to look forward to. We had a good day today. My mom and Katie picked my dad up this morning at the airport, and Laura and I walked up to SCCA for a couple different appointments. It was a full afternoon, but so far, so good. PLUS, I received a call from Angel Flight West today, and they are arranging reservations for us to fly Alaska Airlines January 16th. It’s so wonderful that different organizations provide this service. It’s free for a patient and his/her caretaker. In addition, the clinic sends a note asking the airlines to let us board last and disembark first, and to be upgraded to a better seat if possible, considering the fact that I’m immunosuppressed.

There are other companies I’ve contacted, and if we have to change our flight, we will. Ideally, we’d love to do Corporate Angel Network because they fly private planes which are obviously more comfy and less packed with sneezing, coughing, sticky people and kids. Only problem is Corporate Angel Network will not know whether we have a flight until a couple days before it leaves! It’s all so complicated, huh? So right now it’s the 16th, but that can change according to our flights and also my treatment. We have to make sure everything is A-OK with me before shipping me back home to VA. In the meantime, we have to clean our apartment, pack everything up and let the manager know when we’ll be leaving so she can contact the next person on the waiting list.

Anywayyyyyy, sorry, that’s boring stuff to read, but that’s what’s going on right now. So let’s now get to New Year’s plans….anyone do anything crazy and exciting? All day, we planned on going up to the roof to see the fireworks over the Space Needle, but they’re dropping off like flies! The couch has already been pulled out into a bed and Katie’s sleeping. My dad went to bed a while ago, my mom’s yawning an awful lot, and Laura’s getting a little quieter. Hmmm….well, I don’t care!! I’m making me some hot cocoa and going up to the roof alone!

As far as resolutions, hmmmm…any good ones out there? Obviously mine is to get healthy and back in shape (slowly but surely) and to organize photos that go back to 1995!!! As for hopes for this year, my hope is that we are all healthy and we have a happy year full of memories like those on this blog…and just think! Those pics full of laughter, smiles, hula hoops, friends and family were taken during a very challenging year.

So 2009 is a fresh slate, clean and shiny and ready for new memories and lots of laughs!!

Cheers to you all!

Love,

Julie