HAAAPPY DECEMBER, EVERYONE!!!!!
Guess what? I still have that damn cold. I know, it’s been over a week!! A new symptom developed since I last wrote, something to add to all this fun. :) I burst my left eardrum. Yup, can you believe it? Now it’s full of drainage. I went to my primary care both Tuesday and Thursday of last week, and they switched me from the Z-pack to Levaquin, which I’m used to taking from all my treatment. It’s a stronger antibiotic, and it’s fared me well in the past, so I’m hoping for a cleared-up cold any day now! Yup, any day…….in the meantime, I’m watching every Christmas movie out there on Lifetime and the Hallmark channel. If you need any advice as to which ones to watch, I’m your girl!
Wednesday through Sunday, my mom’s kept me company because unfortunately she has a bad cold as well. So we laid here together with the pups (who are thankful when Judy comes to play with them Tuesdays and Thursdays!), consumed lots of Italian ice and drank lots of Coke (never ever forget the power of Coke…I think you should recall that from many previous posts where I attest to its healing abilities). Despite feeling, well, crappy, I loved watching the snow fall yesterday, and I donned my Dad’s old winter coat to throw a few balls to the pups. After about five minutes, it was back inside by the fire with all the freshly cut wood courtesy of Dad, Steve, Eric, Ethan, Glenn and Tyler…thanks so much, guys!!! You did a spectacular job!!!
I canceled my appointment with Dr. O last week because I should know better than anyone else that I do not belong near anyone undergoing a transplant. I rescheduled it though, and I will meet with him on the 17th. I also rescheduled the excision of the mole on my knee. I think it’s more important to get rid of this infection right now. Tomorrow, I’ll visit with my ENT, and hopefully we can move forward and clear up all this crap.
I’ve been thinking though…remember when I said I wished anal fissures on anyone who crossed myself or a loved one? Well, I’ve modified that. Now I wish them an anal fissure and my present cold (including ear drainage) at the same time. Isn’t that in keeping with the holiday spirit? :) Lucky for you I wasn’t blogging back in ‘05 when I had the fissure, but you probably remember me writing about it more recently. It’s not one of those treatment side effects whose memory fades with time, no siree bob! Anyway, the moral of this story: don’t make me mad!Â
On a happier note, how’s the holiday decorating coming along for everyone? Ours is a bit delayed what with all the colds going around. Hopefully we’ll get stuff up this week! I’m needing some holiday cheer!! I have to get out of this house and be among the crowds shopping and eating and feeling jolly. Please, Dr. O’Halloran, fix my ear tomorrow so I can enjoy my holiday season to the utmost! I’ll keep you posted.
Aside from requesting a cured eardrum, I’d like to add another request.  I have a new friend on facebook and her granddaughter, Jade, will be six on Christmas Day. Jade’s currently in the hospital being treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia. From what her grandma tells me, she must be one of their favorite patients! The nurses taught her how to draw her own blood from her catheter, she opened up her room as a nail salon, and she just generally seems to have a bright and spirited personality. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts.
I’m sending all of you happy holiday season wishes!! Don’t forget to check out all the great flicks on Lifetime and Hallmark!
Lots of love,
Julie
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Just shome shots of my buddies, Husky and Max...look at them go!
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I love this one.
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Howl, Husky, howl!!
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Yah, I told you I was a bit behind. They had a pumpkin-designing contest at my oncologist's office, and here are the top ones.
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This was muy fave (and it won the contest)!!
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Another finalist.
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hahahaha too cute...I never thought of painting a pumpkin before...so simple and such a good idea!
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Alex is my friend Kathryn's little girl. What a cutie!!
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And meet her new little boy, Jonathan!!
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What a smile!
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Lori and Tim are all decked out for Halloween...Tim as Coach Ditka and Lori as Strawberry Shortcake.
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I know it's not the best shot, but I thought it was cute how Jack was leaning on my boy Guinness.
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"Just Jack!!"
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Beautiful fall days in Burke Lake Park
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Pretty peaceful place, don't you agree?
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And here we are in my hood!
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My beautiful Bella.
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Get ready for a Bella photo shoot!!
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She's loving the new toy I got her.
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Look at that adorable face!
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This December marks seven years that Bella has been with us.
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Jameson
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Guinness
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And now....meet Apache!! This adorable little Husky is Laura's friend Danny's puppy.
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Oh my gosh...look at those eyes!
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I LOVE it!
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Can you smell the puppy breath?
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I bet you're jealous I got to meet him!
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What a handsome little guy!
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A few weeks ago, I got to go on a ride-a-long with a friend, and one of the most interesting parts was seeing the heliport.
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Fairfax County currently has two police helicopters. Sometime I'd like to do a ride-a-long in one of them!
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Ed, thank you so much for the wonderful night!
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Moving on now to the UVA football game. Here's Lori with our friend Ashley's little girl, Clemmie.
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Not my favorite pic of me, but Clemmie is a cutie (and Ashley looks good!).
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Ashley, Clemmie and Ben, big UVA fans!!
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I love football games!!!
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Lori and I in Scott Stadium.
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Clemmie loves this!!
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She doesn't quite have the cheer down yet, but I think next year. :) "Wahoo-wa wahoo-wa, Univ-v-Virgin-ia, Hoo-ra-ray, Hoo-ra-ray, Hey, Hey UVA!!!!"
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Yah, I got some spirit!!
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Clemmie and Mommy. :)
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I love this expression.
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Fiiiiiiiiiirst Dooooooooown!!!!
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I guess it's true what they say: the grass is greener on the other side!
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Moving right along...Maya, Lori and I at Maya and Brant's baby shower...can't wait to meet little boy Horio!!
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Now we've arrived at Thanksgiving! Ethan visits with the Dowdy's horses (the same ones who were opting for the grass on the other side of the fence).
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Dad, the ultimate turkey carver.
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"Mmmm...that smells deliiiiiicious!"
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"Oh yah, I'm all over that."
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Katherine and Addie peruse Laura and Tiso's Costa Rica photos.
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This is Addie's silly face!!
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And this is her serious book-reading face.
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Look at Addie staring at Laura out of the corner of her eye!
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Katie entertains Addie and Ethan on the piano.
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When I was looking the other way, Laura put my vest on Indie...it looks good on her!
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Thanksgiving is a perfect day for a walk in the woods.
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Dad and Ethan on the bridle trail.
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Looks like Addie has a nice ride there!
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Tracie just met Indie, and they were fast friends.
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I'm pretty sure this is my favorite picture of all.
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Indie loved Addison, even allowing her to sit on her!
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My buddy Ethan.
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Dad explains the mill site to Ethan, who took in every word. If you've never seen the mill site, you're missing out! It's wonderful to live somewhere with so much history.
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I really like this picture of Noah. He loves to go on all these walks.
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Ethan loves the outdoors too.
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And Addie as well!! By the way, don't you love her coat?
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You have to click on this...Ethan welcomes Glenn and Tyler and gives them a tour of Katie's room, which of course includes the shark in the bottle!
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Checking out the backyard. They're so happy to see each other!
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Everyone loves Aunt Carol!! Mom, Glenn, Ethan and Tyler
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With my beautiful goddaughter.
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Tyler and Addie Bean sliding down the stairs.
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Meet the newest member of the Matthews' family, Luke! (Jeff and Cole's little boy and Liam's little brother)
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Lindsey and Addie read "Stellaluna", a great book if you haven't read it!
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Sorry the shot's blurry, but how funny is it that Ethan and Jake were wearing the same shirt?!!
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Glenn and Tyler dining on a scrumptious spaghetti dinner (in lieu of "shrimp night"...we will wait to re-introduce that next year when our Georgia peaches can be up here with us).
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Liam was soooo happy with Ben and Jake showed up...he was lucky to nab a seat right between them!
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Addie had an outfit change for pasta night. :)
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Glenn, Tyler and Grammie (AKA Aunt Di). :)
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Time for "Father Abraham", a Matthews' favorite sing and dance-a-long! Come on...everrrrrybody up!!
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Come on, Addie, you can do it!
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Afterwards, Addie does her special dance to "What You Gonna Do With All That Junk, All That Junk Inside That Trunk?". I love it!!!
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"Sorry, Aunt Nancy...you can't have my doll!"
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"But I'll give you hugs and kisses anyway." :)
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Not a good picture, but I love how Addie's sitting.
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Remember all that work I was talking about? Here's Tyler in action.
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You go, Tyler! That wheelbarrow is heavy!
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Ethan lends a hand with logs that were too heavy for the wheelbarrow.
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I'd say these are some hard-workin' cousins here!!
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Tyler obliges and puts the log right where his brother tells him. :)
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Get a move on! Time for the next load!!
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Eric, Glenn and Ethan sportin' their firewood splittin' and stackin' gloves.
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I think it's best that Steve handles the splitter...they're still a tad too young for that!
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Eric and Steve are professional logsplitters after all these Thanksgiving weekends spent stocking up for winter.
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Dad helps to steady the wheelbarrow.
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Alright, Glenn! You got it, buddy!
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Dad looks quite proud of his new apprentices.
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Eric and helpers wheel in another load to be stacked.
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Good job, guys!!!!
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Best buds.
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Meantime, inside, Addie's thinking she'd be a pretty good substitute for Tyler since he took a break.
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"I can't understand why they haven't come in here and asked me for help yet..."
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"I mean, the gloves fit and everything!!"
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"Oh well, their loss. I can't sit around forever."
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Tiso, thanks for picking up that extra Wii remote...I think it was a great investment!!
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Ronnie and Indie pose for a shot.
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Ronnie, Addie, Tyler and Ethan.
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"I think maybe I should ask for one of these iphones for my 2nd birthday. I mean, everyone seems to have one and I can work it just fine."