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