Hello everyone!!! Now don’t be overwhelmed by the number of pictures in this blog…….hello?! hello?! Are you still there?!!! Oh well…I’ll just keep on writing whether or not you’ve already fallen asleep. hahaha Dad, remember when you said “less can be more”? Well, I just can’t seem to whittle everything down!!! Most of these shots are street shots, just little pics for you to see Seattle and for me to remember it, street by street. OK, we don’t go down every street, but each different photo reminds me of something, so to me it was important to capture it.
OK, enough defending my photos! Guess what?!!! Yesterday I received a beauuuuutiful book from Zimmer-Gunsul-Frasca Architects, LLP (the firm that designed the SCCA Clinic). It’s called “Future Tense”, and it includes photos of the firm’s designs from the past twelve years. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to go through it page by page, but I’m looking forward to it! The most touching part was that there are five pages of “thank yous” and well wishes from employees. Wait ’til you see it—their work is beautiful and their words are both touching and thoughtful.
All is going well medically. I went in to have my blood drawn to check my Cyclosporin and Magnesium levels today (they do that every Tuesday and Friday). The Cyclosporin is the big gray scary pill that turned out not to be sooo bad, but they often have to adjust the amount I take. The magnesium is what they add to my fluids which I give to myself through a pump twice a day (with the help of Mom, of course!) You know, I was just thinking….I wonder how often I repeat myself in this blog? I can’t remember what I’ve written…I’ll keep blaming the chemo/radiation and now Prednisone. Anyway, sorry if I repeat myself. Anyway, sorry if I repeat myself. hahahahaha
Yesterday was a big day for my mom, Aunt Bitsy and me. We went to “Pike’s Place Market”—basically we did a run-through because we didn’t want to be around a crowd; we saw the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton (very cool—see pics ); we went for a walk on “Julie and Carol’s Way”; we ate some delicious leftovers, AND we went to look at Christmas lights!!! It felt like snow all day, but nothing yet! They’re talking about possible snow this weekend, and Seattleites are freaking out! They say that since they don’t get snow in the city often, no one knows how to drive in it and they don’t have much in the way of public trucks/sanders, etc to clear the roads….still, I would love just a little snow! There’s supposed to be lots in the mountains around here for all the skiers/snowboarders/snowshoers. Has anyone ever been snowshoeing? It sounds like fun! Difficult, but fun. I haven’t been skiing in a very long time…I wonder how I would hold up on a slope?!! Guess now’s not the time to try it out. And as for snowboarding, I do not think I am capable of that high level of coordination, although I do have the Wii so I can practice. By the way, I’m really good at the snow jump on the Wii…don’t think I’ll see if that translates to real life or not–a liiiiiiiittle risky, don’t you agree?
Oh! I know what I forgot to tell you. While I was resting in bed yesterday morning, I heard a little “thwack!” on my window (my blinds were up because I like to see the sunlight coming in during the early hours), and guess what?!! There was a cute little gray bird….nope, it wasn’t our cardinal, but I think Uncle Pete must have sent a trusted friend just to check in on me. He didn’t stay long, but it was long enough to make me smile. It also made me think of VA, where all my animal buddies are…not just Jameson, Guinness and Bella, but also the many deer, foxes, skunks, owls and birds that frequent our yard. You don’t get that in the city, and I always find great comfort in nature (although no offense to them, but not the creepy crawly members of nature).
So I realize there will be things about the city I will miss, and things that I long for awaiting me in Virginia. I suppose this is a good place to be. Here we are, “deep thoughts with Julie” again! I know I’m feeling this way because we’re getting ready to leave here fairly soon, but I also turn 31 next week. I truly surprised myself when I felt sad last year. Of anyone, I thought, I should simply be glad I’m here…age is nothing…but there were some tears and I did indeed feel a little down, I guess because of what I didn’t have at age 30 that friends did, even though I realized the leukemia held me back. It sounds so silly. Well, this year is different. More than ever, I realize what I have and what matters, and I don’t have time to think about the other stuff…I guess none of us should ever waste the time doing that, but it’s easy to fall back into the daily grind. Anyway, this year I plan on celebrating being older!! After all, we can’t avoid it, right? And the older I get, the closer I am to making all my dream trips come true–accomplishments take time and that’s what I’ve got now (thanks to Laura, my gift of life).
Well, I hope you’re not asleep at your desks!! Aunt Bitsy, Mom and I are watching an old movie, “Madame X” and looking outside at the rain. I’m not sure what the rest of our day will entail, but it’s certainly nice to have good companionship, relaxing momemts to catch up on the blog, and a Christmasafied apartment looking out over the city.
Remember the sheet of fun activities I typed up in case other patients might want to try them out too, well we went by the volunteer desk today just because I wanted to make sure they received it, and they had made copies of it, and it was the top page open in their binder! I hope someone out there has some fun with it! Only annoying thing…I was being all cutesy, and I made part of the font green and part of it red, then I remembered the resource center only has a black and white printer. Oh well!!!
It’s dark now, and my mom is getting ready to make some more Steak Diane (mmmmmmm…), along with my favorite, spinach and artichoke casserole (Steve, I’m glad you’re not here so I can eat all the leftovers….but Aunt Bitsy loves it too!).
Enjoy the photos!! Did anyone go crazy decorating their house?
Lots of love from Seattle,
Julie
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There are some pretty street shots...no need to explain them all!!!
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Driving to Pike's Place---are we driving into the clouds?
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I love how this turned out.
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And going down the bumpy hill--see the market?
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Still at Pike's Place!
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I think those hanging signs are the name of stores in the area.
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We drove right by the "Virginia Inn" on Virginia Street...Virginia is beckoning me!
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If you look reaaaally closely, you'll see Aunt Bitsy (in a camel-hair coat) and me (in my orange jacket) by the first Starbucks ever!
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There we are again! I love this photo because of the cute man walking right in front of us.
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I liked this shot too (I'm pretty impressed with myself, huh?)--those are beautiful glass ornaments that look like they're hanging out over the Puget Sound.
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the market
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Those beautifuil fresh flowers that were here in the summer are now dried flowers--still gorgeous!
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Just thought these little carrots were cute.
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The produce is looking pretty good for December, huh?!!
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Mom and Aunt Bitsy---I know you two love it when I keep stopping to take your picture!
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Aunt Bitsy and I by the pig at Pike's Place...her name is "Rachel" and apparently she's a piggy bank! I didn't know that until 2 seconds ago...next time I go down there, I'll have to put some change in!
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Mom and Aunt Bitsy get a little tired of waiting for me to find all my shots. :)
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I forget what these are, but they sure are adorable!
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I like it!! Pigs instead of reindeer--and the front one even has a red nose!!! :) Most of you know about my love for pigs ever since I watched "Charlotte's Web" when I was 2. You know how everyone (well, at least all girls anyway) has one stuffed animal that they keep forever and ever? Well, mine happens to be a pig named "Wilbur". :)
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I love the decorative peppers! Apparently they start to dry up after a year or two, but they still have a gorgeous color.
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Katie, I wanted to get all these Pike's Place pics for you!
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Now this is gross....that's cheese in that big tub!! Ewwwww!!!!
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I'm sure it tastes fine, but I'm no stinky cheese lover....just give me manchego......lots and lots of manchego.
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Mom and Aunt Bitsy posed for you, Katie! Guess where they are?!
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Yup! You guessed it! Katie's favorite bakery--unfortunately we didn't go in and eat anything, but there's still a month before we leave, right?
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Hmmm....I don't see any window-washing equipment up there, do you?!! What ARE they doing? :)
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Just driving through the streets---near Westgate Center, I believe.
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Mmmmmm......I looooove the "Cheesecake Factory" (minus the cheesecake).
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Pretty street shot!
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And here we are at the Sheraton to see the gingerbread homes---as I mentioned before, the theme was "superheroes".
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I won't describe each of these (especially because I don't know what this is!), but enjoy the houses!!!
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I thought this was simple, yet elegant...I'm missing my days in the flower shop!
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pretty self-explanatory
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OK, I haven't gained that much weight!! My pockets are stuffed with my camera case, phone, and various other necessities. :) My cheeks ARE that fat though....I don't have any marshmallows in them yet....just wait 'til we get around to playing that game!!
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I love this ornament!!!! You have to have a big tree to fit him on it though!!---maybe this is Santa on steroids and that's why I feel a kinship. :)
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The kids were pretty funny to watch (at a distance) when they saw the gingerbread houses....lots of exclaiming and "Wow!" "Look at that!"
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OK, here we go!!!!
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I like this one.
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A little dark and blurry, but the Seattle skyline up there!
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Yah, you can understand why I'm not writing comments on all these b/c I don't know their meaning....I don't know too much about those superheroes!
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I do know who this is though! I thought Batman's cape looked supercool, especially with the lighting behind it.
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And I know Super Mario!!
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An ornament on a tree...you have to make it bigger to get the full image, but it makes me hungry to look at it!
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Street shot!
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I think we might be in the courtyard by the Seattle Convention Center....I think.
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Beautiful, isn't it?
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Ooohh....fancy schmancy!! I'm lovin' it!
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Aunt Bitz and I :) I'm so glad you're here, Aunt Bitsy!!!
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Hey! Look who I found!!! :)
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You have to enlarge this to see it all...this is funny. I heard a man blowing leaves (he's way in the right-hand corner), so I started across the street to get away from him---didn't want him spraying any leaves or mold or anything on me!----Aunt Bitsy made it across, but when my mom turned around for a sec, we were gone! And she had to wait for a bunch of cars to go by. hahahaha Sorry, Mom.
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Time for our walk!
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I really love this one--it's a great picture of both of you!
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I went to visit Carlo, but he was playing with one of his favorite friends, Darwin.
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They played almost through our entire walk!!
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OK, question for you all....do you pronounce this street "Pon-tee-us" or "Pon-shous"? My mom and I are curious.
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Laura, we copied you! We found some houses that were recommended on-line as good ones to see with lots of Christmas lights, and i stopped by "Vivace" and picked up a hot cocoa for the trip.
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I love that hat, Aunt Bitsy!
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No need to explain each house....enjoy!!! We had a good evening traveling around.
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hahahaha I thought this was a BEAUTIFUL Christmas design! hahaaha only kidding.
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I know, it's very dark, but there's a huge tree with lots of lights on it!
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LOOK at that!!!!
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OK, you can't get a clear view of this, but that's a power truck there trying to fix something that went out on the house....I wonder how often they have to come by and do that?!! Anyway, it made us laugh. :) I bet the owners of the house are good friends with the power companies!
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I would have no idea how to even begin doing a project like this...if someone asked me to do it, I think I'd probably stand frozen in the middle of the yard with an extension cord and be like "Um.....whaaaaaaat?" (according to my siblings and friends, when I'm not paying attention or I'm overwhelmed, I say "Um...whaaaaat?" like I'm high or something).
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THAT'S IT?!!! I was excited to come see this house 'cause they had a martini, but that's it?!!!!!! Yes, I was a little disappointed.
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This is actually a white picket fence, and the white lights looked so elegant.
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We thought this looked like a gingerbread house. :)
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I like the style of this house.
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Tell me...how do you get the lights that straight? How is it possible?
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Katie, I thought you would like this one!
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How cute are these guys?! They're the wallpaper on my phone right now. :)
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A very famous bookstore in Seattle.
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The Macy's star---I think the whole street looks pretty nice, don't you?
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Now it's today (Friday)--just hanging out!
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Posing with my fluids and pump (they're in the backpack)---it's so handy that you can walk around while infusing yourself!
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It's windy and chilly today, and we might get snow this weekend! (That's Mom and Aunt Bitsy up there, walking down Minor Ave)
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Are you girls cold?! Mom, can you see?! :)
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This is the loan cart (or, I guess, "giveaway" cart) at the Pete Gross House...Aunt Bitsy tries to pick a wig for herself.
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My neighbors back in VA have sent me many wonnnnnderful packages, which I always look forward to receiving. Today, it felt like Christmas Day!! Thank you so much for the gifts, notes and thoughts.
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I love these reindeer antlers! I think I'm going to wear them tomorrow when we go to the clinic holiday party.
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Verrrrrry cute!!
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Now THIS is a good shot!!!
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That’s a great entry, I love the photos! It looks like you got to see a lot and that’s cool they put your ideas out at the Pete Gross House!
How early did you go to Pike’s Place? I loved all of the photos! I hope you guys are still getting some use out of Le Panier apron…
The Mario Bros. house was my favorite–they were all so creative!
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OK, re the Pontius issue, poisonally I say PON-tee-us (no clue if that’s right or not). And that reminds me! I didn’t realize we were supposed to vote on the XMas tree’s name. Mark me down for Daphne, too, please.
I can’t wait to the architecture book and read the firm’s comments. I got teary again when I read that part of this entry!
Julie, in one of your photos, you’re wondering how the people who hung the lights were able to get them so straight. Lola– do you remember once taking me to go see a house (years ago) to show me how absolutely perfectly straight the lights were? Just wondering if you remember, and whether Julie has ever been to see that house. I feel like it was maybe in Chantilly or Centreville? It was like those people used a T-square and a protractor, etc. !!
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Love the photos. And your writing is always so poignant. And also I do enjoy your “more is best” philosophy for your blog So glad that you’re enjoying the holidays up there!