Happy Saturday, everyone (well, technically, it’s almost Sunday)!

What a wonderful day it was.  I went to my friend, Paloma’s, bridal shower today, and I haven’t seen her since before I left for Seattle.  I felt like my normal self almost, meeting new people and catching up with some whom I haven’t seen for a long time.  It’s interesting to be among a mixed crowd, where some knew of my illness and others didn’t (the latter were probably wondering, “What’s with the girl who doesn’t wax her eyebrows?  Someone needs to tell her that’s not the style these days!” ). hahahaha  Seriously though, although I enjoy talking about my experience, it’s also fun to be anonymous, and just be the hairy girl at the party.  :)  By the way, that should end relatively soon, I hope!!  My Cyclosporin taper ends April 6th, and I’m looking forward to that day!

Oh, and before I forget, Katie informed me that I spelled “tattoo” wrong about a hundred times in my last post, so I wanted to correct that!  Now I know–two “t’s”, two “o’s”…thanks for the info, Katie.  :)  OK, now back to Cyclosporin and hair.  So, yes, I’m looking forward to going off of it very soon!!!!  I actually plucked a few eyebrow hairs today–they were right in the middle–the connecting part of my unibrow.  :)  I didn’t do anything crazy, I just wanted to test it.  I did OK, but then bled a tiny bit, so I stopped.  My platelets are just so good right now that I thought it would be OK, but I won’t try again.  I was actually thinking of wearing makeup today.  Today was special not only because it was an important day for Paloma, but also because I actually dressed up a bit (OK, I wore a nice top…I admit I still wore jeans)!  Wearing that top made me feel pretty and proud all at the same time, pretty because it’s nicer than t-shirts and sweaters, and proud because it seems like a step closer to recapturing my identity.  I mean, dressing up means I’m A-OK, right?  I didn’t end up wearing any makeup because my eyebrows are so ridiculous, it just seemed silly to try and cover them up at all–no need to highlight the extra hairs, right?!!!  I got excited just thinking about wearing it though.  I know I’m a lot closer to being me again…my cheeks aren’t nearly as swollen, hopefully the hairs will disappear in April/May, and then I can use makeup again!  I’m working on fitting into my “skinny jeans”, and I hope to go back to Seattle in October wowing them with my appearance.  I’ll do a little visualization just for that special occasion.

You know what was funny?  On my way to the shower, I was driving down Braddock Road and I noticed a bus next to me.  The side of it read “US Army Band, ‘Pershing’s Own’”—that’s the band that includes SFC Colin Eaton who sings the version of “Precious Lord” that I love so much…I thought to myself, what are the chances of ever seeing that bus?  I think it was a sign to remind me that everything was all right, that someone’s lookin’ out for me.  I pray a lot to relatives who have already died, because it makes me feel secure to think about them looking out for me…I picture their faces, and imagine how they would reassure and encourage me.  I firmly believe one of them put this bus in my path today to remind me they’re listening and they’re still with me (maybe Mary Ann or Uncle Pete?…what do you think?).  Either way, it made me smile.  Don’t worry though…I don’t see dead people for real or anything…and speaking of, is there anyone else out there who thinks the “Sixth Sense” is one of the creepiest (yet best) movies ever?!!  Whenever I see a bike helmet, the first thing I picture is that lady beside the car door….oooooohhh..creepyyyyy!!

If my relatives are watching out for me, they’re probably having a good old laugh too, because I’ve really gotten into dancing around the house when no one else is home.  :)  I keep adding songs to my ipod, and I just can’t help myself when I turn it on!  It drives Jameson crazy…he runs to get a toy to keep himself from barking at me.  Guinness, however, gets super-excited and jumps on me (and if you know Guinness, you know how laid-back he is—this is not his typical behavior!!).  He loves music in general.  You should see him when I play the piano.  He comes and lies on top of my feet.  Jameson, however, runs to find  a toy again.

I was so in to the music today that I made a new CD called “Julie’s Most Random Mix Ever”, sharing copies with Katie and Laura as well (Katie, you inspired me to make it because of the country song we heard this morning).  I can never say enough about the power of music.  Suffice it to say that I sang and car-danced all the way to Falls Church for the shower, and from there to Haymarket to visit Laura, Tiso and Indie.  Haven’t you ever just loved a song so much that you can’t wait to get back in your car and listen to it again?  I love that feeling.  Part of the reason I love driving so much is because of the music…I obviously can’t be doing anything except for driving, so it represents one of the few times I actually sit and listen to the music just for music’s sake.  It makes traffic bearable.

So just a few comments about Paloma’s shower…as you can see from the photos I’ve included, it was a wonderful celebration.  Paloma, your friends and family are so easy to talk to, and today made me superexcited for your wedding.  Not that I wasn’t excited before, of course, but today was a little preview of what’s to come in April, and I can tell it will be a lot of fun!!  I’m looking forward to some salsa dancin’…I bet it will feel just like Spain has come to Virginia.  The hispana wannabe that I am, I know it will be a blast…I’ll have to see if I’m allowed to have sangría by then!  I hope no one tries to talk to me in Spanish though because you know, I only speak a poquito (pronounced poooh-keeee-toe with a country accent).  hahahaha  (sorry, it’s a special inside joke only Paloma and I share)  :)  It’s nothing crazy….one time she introduced me to a relative and told them I spoke a little bit of Spanish.  Well, of course I exclaimed “a little?!” and acted very sensitive about it, and I’ve never let Paloma live it down.  Not as funny without the full context, huh?  Oh well.  Anyway, Paloma, I am so excited for you and Tony!!  You two are good role models for how a relationship should be–you’re both very caring, respectful, and you can find humor in anything….I know you have many, many happy years ahead of you (and lots more trips to Spain too!).  Can’t wait ’til you have a party to try out all the new gifts you got today (except for you don’t have to wear the neglige…actually, I mean, please don’t wear the neglige.  :)  We just want food and alcohol).

As I wrote above, following the shower, I drove (and sang) all the way to Haymarket.  Dinner was yuuuummy (and I loved the jalapeno poppers or whatever they were called–would love to have the recipe, por favor), Indie was adorable, as always, and the conversation was scintillating, especially when Laura told us about the new way people are getting high…by canning their own stool and smelling the gas weeks later.  I think I could have lived without knowing that one!!  You’re all probably wondering why we were talking about getting high in the first place.  Well, Laura made these special brownies…….hahaha just kidding!!!  Katie has a new apartment, and her neighbors told her the former resident sold drugs from the apartment.  Somehow this led to a discussion over the most common ways people get high.  It was pretty disturbing, to say the least!  But that’s the Matthews’/Tiso family!!  There’s no topic we’ll shy away from!!!  But no more poop/gas talk, OK?  That’s just gross, and I’m going to try and forget you ever told me about it.

Well, it’s 1 AM now, Guinness is on his back with his feet up in the air (his late-night sleeping pose), so I’m going to sign off.  I’ll just end with a little shout out to Maria, one of my faithful blog readers.  It was so good to see you today, and if you aren’t able to come to Paloma’s wedding, we’ll have to all arrange another time to meet up.  Congratulations, and I can’t wait to see pictures when you add little Elise (is that how you spell it?) to the family.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Love ya lots,

Julie

PS I included some photos of my friends’ dogs I take care of a couple days a week–aren’t they cuties?