Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope you are having a wonderful time during your holidays with family and friends, and taking some time to rest and recharge too. The new year is always a time I take stock of where I am and where I am going. I received this message from a friend and thought I would share it with everyone!

Wishing you a new year full and rich with family, friends, good health, and happiness. I am so happy to have shared this past year with you!

Here's to a fabulous 2008!

Love, Julia

New Years Thoughts

* Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
* Memorize your favorite poem.
* Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
* When you say, "I love you", mean it.
* When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
* Believe in love at first sight.
* Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
* Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
* In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
* Talk slow, but think quick.
* Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
* Call your Mom and Dad.
* Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
* When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
* Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
* Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
* When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
* Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
* Spend some time alone.
* Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Read more books and watch less TV.
* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
* Trust in God but lock your car.
* A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
* In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
* Read between the lines.
* Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
* Be gentle with the earth.
* Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
* If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
* Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes the blessing.
* Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
* Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
* Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
--- And most importantly -----
* Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.

--unknown

Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho! It snowed for about an hour on Christmas Day - it was beautiful!

John Denver

Nigel purchased us tickets to a concert held last night at the Seattle Rep Theatre...a Tribute to John Denver. His massage therapist's husband played in John Denver's band for 7 years and created the tribute/concert. Kristie liked it too!

Here's some trivia for you John Denver fans!

Real Name: Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.
Birthday: 12/31/1943
Birthplace: Roswell, New Mexico, USA
Occupation: Singer
Sign: Capricorn
Death date: 10/12/1997
Death reason: plane crash

John Denver began his career in Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he was a struggling folk musician. Taking the stage name Denver from the city in his favorite Rocky Mountain state, the young musician got his first big break in the mid-'60s when he began singing with the folk group the Chad Mitchell Trio, replacing founder Chad Mitchell. During the 1970s Denver received 14 gold album awards and 8 platinum album awards. His 1972 Greatest Hits became one of the most popular albums of the decade, selling over 10 million copies.

Christmas menu:

Turkey, roasted potatoes, gravy, cranberries, brussell sprouts, rolls, chocolate cupcakes (for Kristie), apple tart.

Have been trying to find Miso paste but can't find it. I have a soup I want to make that calls for either white or red miso paste...if anyone finds it, please let me know where!

I miss Katie and Calla...

Kristie and I are going to a Christmas Eve service tonight. We both still have laryngitis and are coughing all the time, but are slowly getting better.

Merry Christmas!

I have laryngitis...ARRGGHH!

Babyland

It was soooooo much fun having Calla here for a week! I miss her already...they left yesterday.

I like living in babyland. Babyland means you get to play, smile, laugh and have fun. Babyland means you get to talk babytalk and sound cute. Babyland means you put her needs before your own and get to quit being so selfish. Babyland means you get to smell that comforting baby smell. Babyland means you get to blow on her tummy and hear her giggle. Babyland means you get to listen to her cool. Babyland means you get to watch her watch you which instills in you a sense of wonderment with the little things we do every day.

Life is precious. I'm amazed we all start out like little Calla...

We made an appt with the Transplant Center at Swedish for January 28th.

It'll be real after that...if you know what I mean.

I love watching Katie be a Mom...she's the best! Katie is so patient and loving with her! Calla was overtired yesterday and not going to sleep so Katie bounced her on the bouncy ball and she drifted off...she misses her rocking chair.

And Calla adores her Daddy! He walks her around (her favorite thing) and plays with her, making her laugh and smile.

She's reaching for things now and is starting to get up on her knees...a couple of months and she'll be crawling. Too too cute!

They leave tomorrow and Kristie and I will be so sad. But, our New Years resolution is to hop down to CA once a month to visit.

I LOVE
Baby smell after a bath
Friends whose friendship is not based on what you do but rather who you are

Update on Kristie

We went for the EPO shot and Kristie was a trooper. Thanks for your prayers, they worked.

Here's the latest from her doctor who I talked with privately today. We have to make an appt with the Swedish transplant unit - which will be an all day thing. It will take a month or two to get the appt so I will definitely call tomorrow. I guess you meet with multiple individuals who walk you thru the transplant process.

Kristie has about 20% of her kidney function left, that's the bad news. The good news is that her creatine level went down from 4.1 to 3.0 which is where she was a few months ago. Why did it go down? Because we got her blood pressure under control, not too low and not too high. Yay!

Our doctor's best guess for the actual transplant is about a year or two but anything could happen so you know what that means...keep praying!

Her blood type is A and Katie thinks she is an A too. I will have to get my blood typed since I don't know what mine is...lame. Katie and I will go thru the testing process to see if we're a match since the Northwest Kidney waiting list is 1.5 to 5 years long! Yikes! Anyone can be a living donor and save a life. Its asking a lot though...such a huge decision. I hate these big life decisions, they're so hard to make.

Katie and Calla went with us to the EPO shot this morning and we all held Kristie's hand. She didn't even cry. I did though, inside. I hate this whole thing. Its too scary.

I LOVE
Purses
Life

I love Calla!

My little Calla Suzanna is so delightful! Here are some photos...




Grandchildren are the absolute best! I cannot imagine life without her! She's a little bundle of joy. Calla peed on the couch Friday night...joy, joy, joy! Of course if I hadn't left her diaper off...

Kristie loves listening to me talk to her and then she'll mimic my voice. She doesn't like it when Calla slobbers on her though. Kristie gets her EPO shot on Monday. She hates it so please say a little prayer for her.

I've been cleaning out my office - I think I'll repaint - the yellow is just too yellow now. I need something fresh and new to go with my new business! Will let you know what I decide.

Nigel got the Christmas lights up, with Nich's help, yesterday and we all oohed and ahhed when it got dark last night. Finally got the Christmas cards mailed out. I really like sending Christmas cards and this year its all about the grandchildren on the card!

Joyce Meyer is coming to Tacoma, WA! The dates are May 29, 30, and 31. I've been waiting to see Joyce Meyer in person and I'm so there! If you want to go with me, please let me know...it'll be fun!

I LOVE
Snugbugging with Calla...just feeling her little head against my cheek is so comforting.
Organizing - I could be a professional organizer!
Purging the old and getting the new!

Amateurs built the Ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

I am GOD. Today, I will be handling all of your problems.

Please remember that I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFJTD (something for Jesus to do) box. It will be addressed in MY time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution to your problem.

If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution.

Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away. Never be afraid to try something new.

Remember amateurs built the Ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

I Love You, GOD

Update on Kristie

Hi everyone! I just received word from the doctor last night on Kristie's latest test. Her creatinine level actually went down from 4.1 to 3.0 which is GREAT! he was very pleased with that. However, her 24 hour urine test showed her clearance level was at 20 which means that she is eligible for the transplant process. Her blood type is A so she can receive from an O type or an A type. I'll know more when I actually talk with him today so will update again later.

Katie and Calla are coming this morning...YAY! I finally get to see my bundle of joy...she weighs 16 pounds now and is 5 months old! I can't wait to snug bug with her!

I LOVE
sweet babies
People with minds open to new possibilities

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Kristie and I are leaving for AZ later this afternoon for a quick visit with family - we're home on Saturday evening. My phone always wigs out in Arizona, although it works fine across the river in Nevada - go figure. So if you need to get ahold of me and you've left me messages, just know that my friggin phone is not working...can you tell I get really irritated about this?! Sigh. Just let it go...

I LOVE
Knowing that God is in control of everything that happens in my life
Computers & phones that WORK!

I HATE
Anxiety about things you can't control (wish I could let that go; its a constant aggravation)
Computers and phones that DON'T WORK! (Specifically, Active Sync...grrr!)

I can't wait to see Jack Claus - I love Vince Vaughn. Maybe I'll take Kristie and my niece and nephew to go see it in AZ.

Kristie's latest labs and 24 hour urine test we did last weekend should be in Friday - please pray for good news - we could use some. Of course, my doctor has to call me and if my phone isn't working!!!!!!how can I get the information? Solution? Drive across the river into Nevada and call him. Okay, I feel better now. Sigh. Let it go.

Richard Branson

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la la la la la la la la. Tis the season to be jolly. I think I 've caught it...the Christmas spirit!

We decorated 2 mantles yesterday and put up the Christmas trees. Last year we decided that we were tired of worrying about a "real" tree burning the house down so we switched to a pre-lighted fake tree. I have to say, we're much happier. No mess, no fuss, and no shelling out $75 each year for a tree. (I do miss the smell though.) We have a big tree upstairs and a 3 foot tree downstairs. I love the little tree because that is where all my really pretty ornaments go. Every year I go to Crate & Barrel or Pier One and buy a few new ornaments for the little tree. Its sort of my special thing I do just for me...I know, selfish, but it makes me feel good.

Given the changes that Nigel and I are making in the next couple of weeks - you'll learn more about that next week. And even with all that is going on with Kristie's health, I am optimistic that all things will work out for the good.

I watched You've Got Mail yesterday while decorating the little tree...I LOVE THAT MOVIE! Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are two of my favorite actors and that movie is so quirky and witty. it makes you think about what you should really value in life. Relationships with family and friends.

So, this Christmas season, I have resolved to treasure family and friends; focusing on those relationships because that is where real happiness lies. Stuff is just stuff, spending time with people who you love is the key to happiness. (That, and good food!)

Oprah magazine for December had articles about various family Christmas traditions. One family implements the LTOYW - Love the one you're with - rule. To stop the whole expensive gift giving frenzy, they only give gifts to people they see that season. I LOVE IT!

Another family records interviews with family members. Here's some questions you could ask:

What was the happiest moment in your life?
The saddest?
What is your favorite memory from childhood?
Would you sing the song your mother sang to you as a child?
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
the kindest?
What are you most proud of ?
What's your favorite memory of me?
Is there something about you that you think nobody knows?

Fun!

When you go to a family dinner, ask the question: What was the best thing (or most favorite thing) that happened to you this year? This will get the conversation flowing around the table!

Got $25? Help someone in another country finance their business by going a microfinance loan. Log onto kiva.org and read about it. Its cool.

Learn about Richard Branson's latest plan to change the world for the better utilizing a group he organized called The Elders. Log onto www.theelders.org and read about it. I shook Richard's hand in New York a couple of years ago while freezing with Katie outside on the Today's show set...neat. I admire his courage.

Our snow is gone and now we have a river under our bridge in front of our house. All of western WA is under a flood warning.

Have a GREAT Monday!

THE SNOW IS HERE!

THE SNOW IS HERE! It snowed from 4 p.m. yesterday to this morning at about 9 a.m. Now its raining so hopefully it will all be gone by tomorrow when I have to venture down the mountain to take Kristie to her program.

Hmmm, I think I have to upgrade the Mercedes to an all wheel drive version!

Kristie and I are decorating the house today...oh, and watching Legally Blonde II! Katie gave me a fluffy pink robe and both Legally Blonde movies for my birthday...we watched the first one yesterday and it was soooooo funny. My niece, Alicia, looks exactly like Reece Witherspoon so its fun watching those movies!

I LOVE
movies that make me laugh
helpful medical personnel - (Kristie's doctors' staff are very helpful!)

I HATE
mediocre food
it when my feet hurt

More Hawaii photos & Kristie update

Isabela was taking the photo...great job Bella!


The fun pony ride!

Gabriela and her Dad swimming...her favorite thing to do!

KRISTIE UPDATE
She had a GREAT time with Katie and Calla and Nich while we were in Hawaii. Katie is such a fantastic sister to Kristie! Thanks Kate!

Unfortunately, her creatinine level went from 2.9 to 4.1 before we left for Hawaii. The next step is to figure out just how much kidney function she has left. So this weekend we are doing the 24 hour urine test, then our doctor will be able to let us know more accurately if her kidneys are below the 20% functioning level. If they are, we can enter the transplant program and start preparing for that.

We've already asked the doctor if he thinks Kristie could get thru a transplant given her mental age of 8 to 10 years old and he said yes.

Got kidney? Anyone? We will be looking for living kidney donors, as well as putting her on the Northwest transplant waiting list - the average wait is 1.5 years to 5 years...yikes!

One step at a time...please keep praying!

Praise God that Kristie is not showing any signs of her illness...its funny that for someone who is supposed to be so sick that she's not...so our prayers must be working in that regard! Yay!

Kristie got home last night from Sacramento and is happy to be back to her normal routine. She's on the treadmill right now so I'm going to work out too.

Have a GREAT DAY! Love, Julia

Beautiful Hawaii

Grandpa and Isabela...aren't they cute? Isabela is almost 5 years old and LOVES pink!

Grandpa and Gabriela...aren't they cute? Gabriela is almost 2 years old and LOVES the sand!

The view from the top of Diamond Head. We made the mile high trek and survived!

That's me surfing...NOT! The surfing was awesome at the North Shore. This was taken at the Turtle Bay Resort where we stayed for two days.

As you can see, we had a GREAT time on Oahu over Thanksgiving. We had lots of fun playing with the grandkids and visiting with Diane and Fernando. Diane is due with their third child in March and she looked radiant! She also cooked a scrumptuous Thanksgiving dinner with all the favorites!

I'm off to pick up Kristie from the airport!

A year or two

Kristie's monthly appt was yesterday. The routine now is get her blood drawn, wait for about an hour and then see the doctor so he can review her preliminary lab work before deciding whether or not she gets the EPO shot.

She had to have the shot and she HATES shots. Its hard as a mom to watch your child cry and feel her pain.

But, she was brave and inside I am not.

This is the hardest thing I will ever do. Make decisions that affect my innocent child who lives her life making others smile that she cannot see.

Nigel and I had a discussion (Kristie was not present) with her doctor about the likelihood of her being able to tolerate dialysis, especially on a long term basis and he agreed that it is not the best option. He agreed that a transplant is her best option. When we asked him to give us his best estimate on a timeframe, he hesitated to answer because anything can happen, but said it would be probably be a year or two.

A year or two. This does make me feel a bit better but only for a year or two. My mind is already jumping to what will happen in a year or two and none of it is good.

This sucks.

The whole thing sucks.

And I wonder, once again, why bad things happen to good people. I read a book on that once and it didn't give me any answers...because there are no answers.

Kristie is flying to Sacramento today to spend Thanksgiving with Katie and her Dad's family. She gets to see Calla and I don't...darn it.

I'm counting the days until December 12th when I get to hold that little bundle of joy and hug her silly. I was listening to her sing over the phone the other day...talking and singing...just like her parents.

Amidst pain there is happiness. Its interesting how you can be sad and happy all at the same time. And its astonishing how feeling all these emotions wears me out. I'm not really good at feelings...not one of my strengths.

Talking Kermit the Frog - Anyone?

Kristie wanted a talking Kermit the Frog and the Shrek 3 DVD. So we went to Toys R Us. No Kermits at all! So if anyone finds a talking Kermit the Frog, please buy it and I'll buy it from you! We did manage to get the Shrek 3 movie though. Although, I must admit that I fell asleep during that movie at the theatre...I think the first Shrek was the best.


Hawaii, here we come! Nigel and I are leaving next Wednesday to visit Diane and her family on Oahu over Thanksgiving; we'll be there for a week. We're staying at the Marriott, then a couple of days on the north shore at Turtle Bay too. I'm looking forward to relaxing but will miss Kristie. Hopefully though this will be a good time to recharge.

I feel like this year has been one thing after another.

Nigel's mom was just diagnosed with uterine cancer and will be having a hysterectomy, possibly followed by chemotherapy. Please pray for her. She lives in England and we saw her this past March at Nigel's sister's wedding. The doctors are hopeful they will get all the cancer with the surgery.

Kristie's appt with the kidney specialist is Monday. Will also do monthly lab work but we probably won't get the results back for a week. Please pray that her levels have stayed the same - no increases please! She's then headed to Katie's in Sacramento on Tuesday where she'll spend time with her Dad too and attend her Grandma's funeral in southern CA.

Dancing with the Stars update. I was surprised that Cameron was voted off instead of Marie. Helio is kicking butt and Mel is still just as good - those two will be in the finals. I love that show.

It took me an hour to get thru QFC yesterday because I had to READ EVERY LABEL! Sodium, potassium, protein...I think I can go to work as a Dietician soon. (I'm sure Garrett will disagree though, since he went to school for it!) Then, I went to our neighborhood family meat market and the fruit/vegie stand. I was food shopping for two hours. Luckily, I like to food shop.

Amazon.com finally shipped my Deceptively Delicious cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld. So cool! I made the chicken nuggets last night. She's all about using vegetable purees and hiding them in food so your family gets their vegies in without knowing it! I'm excited to try the brownies with the hidden spinach in them. She swears you can't taste the spinach...I'll let you know. I was excited to see that she uses all low sodium chicken stock.

Nigel is painting the dining room red today. Its looking good!

I LOVE
Staying home when its cold and rainy
People who are decisive

I HATE
Being disappointed
Iron board covers that don't fit an ironing board

SALT IS OUR ENEMY!

Salt is our enemy. To Kristie's kidneys, its dangerous, as is too much protein and too much potassium.

I learned all this at the almost 3 hour Healthy Eating class I attended at the Northwest Kidney Center. I got a great cookbook too!


Normal kidneys clear out excess protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorous. Excess sodium makes your heart work harder and your blood pressure go up. If your ankles swell, you're retaining fluid and probably had too much sodium.

Our dietician, Beth, said that it used to be they preached no salt shaker to those that had high blood pressure. Now, its not the salt shaker that is the problem. Its all the pre-packaged, instant, frozen dinner, microwaveable, canned food that presents the problem...they are all high in sodium.

Kristie is supposed to have less than 2000 mgs of salt a day. Let's review:

A small fast food hamburger has about 500 mgs
1/2 cup of canned chicken noodle soup has about 700 mgs (and who has 1/2 cup anyway?)
Chicken broth has 700 to 1000 per cup
Frozen dinners - most are over 1000 mgs for a serving
No smoked meats or sausages, too high in sodium

A salt substitute is a death threat to those with kidney disease as its made with potassium chloride, even a sprinkle is life threatening. Yikes.

To make matters worse the food industry is catching on that we want less salt in our foods so they're substituting potassium chloride and then not listing it on the label because they are not mandated to do so. At least they list it in the ingredient section.

Sigh.

The bottom line is this...read labels and choose lower sodium products; shop in the organic section more as most of those items have lower sodium foods. Limit canned or pre-packaged food and use fresh most of the time...hmmm, sounds like what everyone should be doing anyway.

Interestingly, the salt shaker is not a problem if you are limiting your sodium content as indicated above.

THE BIG POPCORN LIE! Microwave popcorn has too much sodium. Instead put regular popcorn (a couple of handfuls) in a brown paper lunch bag, fold over the top, stable one time. Put in the microwave and hit the popcorn button. Add about 15 seconds and you've got popcorn with no additional fat or salt. Beth suggested this and I've tried it twice now...works GREAT!

THE BIG COCOA LIE! Instead of buying high sugary cocoa. Put a cup of milk in a microwave bowl and heat until hot. Add 1 teaspoon or unsweetened cocoa and a packet of sweetener. use a whisk to mix it and pour into a mug. Yum, Yum! No more cocoa packets for us!

I LOVE
Cookbooks
Hot drinks like hot tomato juice, cocoa, soup, tea

I HATE
Being cold
Junk mail

Bibles & Dancing Shows

Kristie's birthday was Sunday.
Licking the cake batter is a tradition!
Thank you to Treena, Mason, September, Dana, Nicholas, and Louis who all made her birthday special this year!











So so cute!

Let's hear it for the Baby Bumbo chair!












and my beautiful daughter Katie!







I'm attending a Healthy Eating class at the Northwest Kidney Center this morning. Woke up at 5:30 and couldn't get back to sleep so I'm up early...sigh.

I got home late from a meeting last night and Nigel waited for me to watch Dancing with the Stars...it was SO GOOD! As anticipated, Marie needs to go, but certainly put on a brave front after having lost her Dad this past week. Helio and Julianne were awesome - the best dance of the week! Mel and Max were stunning as usual. And if Jenny Garth could just let herself dance from the heart, she'd be so good!! Cameron is cute and has alot of fun dancing so he's fun to watch but Helio is a better dancer. The results show is tonight and then next week they're having the Riverdance Guy on! I can't wait for that! We saw Riverdance a few years ago and I was stunned at how fantastic it was! So, I got tickets to see it again next February - can't wait. I love dancing shows! Probably because I took 10 years of dancing when I was a little girl...mostly tap though.

Say a prayer for Kristie as I have to tell her today that her Grandma died. Kristie has a soft place in her heart for Grandmas - and anyone that wears polyester is a Grandma - fyi. Life according to Kristie - LOL.

New discoveries
Blueberry Green Tea - get it at Trader Joes - it doesn't have that green tea taste - its light and great to drink anytime! (Another good tea line is "Mighty Leaf" which you can get at QFC - very good!)

Rice Milk - get the original and put on your cereal - can't tell the difference from regular fat free milk. Kristie likes it and its low in potassium (30 mg vs. 385 for milk!)

I LOVE
Bibles - Weird, I know. But I have a plethora of them and they all have their own special personality Lately, I've been reading the Living Bible which is so interesting. Then there's the Amplified Bible which I recently purchased from the Joyce Meyer website and has all her notes in it - so good! Then there's the standard NIV Bible (New International Version) which was my favorite until the others came along. The King James Version is not my favorite, too hard to read. And, in Ecclesiastes it does say there is a time to dance - sweet!

I HATE
That underlying feeling that something is about to go wrong & struggling to shake it
Feeling sad

Kristie LOVES Star Wars! This is her in 2006 as Darth Vader for her Halloween party...nuf said.

Nicholas won our hearts forever when he said he would have an all day Star Wars marathon with Kristie and then actually did it! Thanks Nich, you're the best!
















I took this photo today. Kristie loves playing the piano! She can play almost any song by ear. Since she owns all of the disney movies - she plays all those songs. Harry Potter and Star Wars too. Her new favorite movie is Fiddler on the Roof and she sat down the other day and played "If I were a Rich Man". I love that song.

When she was about 5, we had an old piano and one day I was attempting to play (but am not good!) and she crawled up in my lap and started plinking away.

I tried a couple of teachers over the years but she prefers to place her fingers her way if you catch my drift.

YOU TUBE

I have a confession. I knew nothing about You Tube until Oprah had the two founders on the other day. Although I have nothing to be ashamed of as Oprah admitted she was a You Tube Virgin herself. These 20 somethings year olds started You Tube a couple of years ago and recently sold it for close to 2 billion dollars!!!!!! Astonishing. They evidently still run the company.

So, this morning I logged onto You Tube for the first time and did a little searching. I searched for Oprah and watched her 6 minute video on how she was responding to and dealing with the abuse allegations at her school in South Africa. Very well done.

Then, I watched a 3 part video of her on the David Letterman show and afterward Dave escorted her across the street to the premiere of the Color Purple - very classy Dave! It was a great interview and anyone who is a David Letterman fan (Katie, that's you!) or Oprah fan would find it interesting. (FYI, Katie wanted to marry David Letterman in high school! Don't deny it Katie!)

Then, I did a search for debates and up popped the Democratic candidates debate hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper and You Tube itself! They broke the debate into 10 minute clips and I watched 1-3 this morning; have more to go. I'm really impressed that this stuff is so easily accessible online!

In addition there are all the democrat and republican candidates profiles on the site as well. They're only 1 to 4 minutes long so it doesn't take much time. I know we're not voting til next year but it might be a good way for you to get acquainted with the candidates early.

And, speaking of Anderson Cooper, have you read his book yet? ITS FANTASTIC! Its all about how he came to be a news reporter and his rise thru the ranks with CNN. He also writes about some of the assignments that have changed his life and view of the world.

I LOVE
The Mitford books by Jan Karon - if you're looking for a good series, read these books! So good!
My heating blanket - especially the preheat setting!

I HATE
Trying a new cheese and then not liking it
People who don't RSVP

Formal or Casual? Shopping with Kristie

Are you Formal or Casual? I thought I was casual until I started listening to my audio of the month club CD by psychologist Pat Pearson! Pat was interviewing the author of "Bless the Stress" and her terms for personalities: formal or casual.

She explains it like this. If you're formal, you like to be on time (or early). You usually wait for other people. You are fairly organized. You have a place for your keys, a place for your receipts, a place for your mail, etc. You simply do not understand it when others lose things and have to look for them. You want your casual friends to "respect your time."

If you're casual, you don't mind being late. You'd rather get to the airport as the plane is boarding. You spend time "looking for things" and really don't mind it at all because when you're looking for things, you find other things and get so excited about finding them! You want your formal friends to "chill out" and just have some fun!

How do you know if you're formal or casual? Its easy if you're a woman, just look at the type of purse you are carrying. Does it have compartments? Is it shallow as opposed to deep? Is it wide/long? Is it made out of stiff leather or fabric? All of these allow you to be organized and find things quickly in your purse. Then you're a formal.

If you're casual, you probably have a soft fabric or leather purse that does not have compartments. Its a deeper purse and can be as tall as it is wide. this allows you to search for things in your purse. Its stylish so what's the problem?

She points out that neither is right or wrong, its just different styles! And if we respect each other's styles and can laugh about our differences then we can be less stressed.

Interesting. I'm definitely formal. My sister Sue is casual. My sister Laurie is formal. When Laurie and I get to spend time with Sue, we sigh alot but she's so fun that we just love her!

SHOPPING

Went bra shopping with Kristie today. Let me tell you, Kristie is VERY particular about her bras. No front closures, no straps that slip off the shoulders and since her shoulders are small and rounded ALL the straps slip off unless its a racerback bra. But racerback bras all close in the front! And let me just say she is WELL endowed! Sigh. We hit the jackpot at Nordstroms though. They had a bra with sort of indented staps that closed in the back.

If you think that's fun, wait til you go shoe shopping with her! Remember, Weebles wobble but don't fall down? Kristie walks like a weeble wobbler and has specific requirements when it comes to a shoe. Katie and I had a laugh attack a few years ago while shoe shopping in Macy's for Kristie.

And what about jeans? She has no butt! Don't get me started...

I LOVE
Dancing with the Stars! Said goodbye to Jane this week. Marie has to be next! Please!
American Idol. Its Kristie's favorite show and yes, we vote!

I HATE
Stuff in the freezer that you cannot identify
Leftovers (just ask Nich!)

I MISS
John Denver. Its sad he died, I know its been a while now, but I definitely miss him. Was listening to his greatest hits while working out this morning.

P.S. Its Kristie's birthday on Sunday. She'll be 27. How is that possible?

Pumpkins & Prayer!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie - only 1 point on Weight Watchers!

15 oz can pumpkin
1 can fat free evaporated milk
3 egg whites
½ t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
½ t. nutmeg
1 t. vanilla
2/3 cup baking splenda

Spray a pie pan and bake at 400 for 15 minutes then reduce to 325 and bake for 50 minutes.

THIS IS YUMMY! I especially like it cold but my sister Sue likes it any which way!

I LOVE
Coats (the older I get the more I love them!)
Hawaii

I HATE
Getting shots in your feet or for that matter, anywhere!
Figuring out what to have for dinner

The Power of Prayer

A special prayer for Kristie. This is a prayer that a nice lady at my church gave me over email the other day. For those of us who believe in the power of prayer but stumble thru it sometimes, perhaps this will help us to know what to pray for Kristie on those stumbling days...

I lift up Julia’s daughter before you. You are the great healer and you know all about her. I ask for your healing touch to be with her. I ask that her kidneys continue to function and even improve because you can do all things. I pray that you give her doctors wisdom and that her medication will keep her blood pressure down. I ask that you will work in her body and in her immune system and in any other area that may need your touch. I ask that all of your plans for her would be fulfilled. I know that you have plans for her welfare, plans to give her a future and a hope. I ask that through the miracle you are working in her life that you would be lifted up. I ask for peace and strength for her family at this time. Draw them into your warm embrace. May they find refuge under the shadow of your wings.. Thank you God for hearing this prayer. I humbly ask knowing that only you are able to do that which we ask. In Jesus name, Amen

Thank you to everyone who have been spreading the word about Kristie and getting her on prayer lists across the country! I appreciate it!

Many have asked how she is. Here's the scoop...Kristie knows she has kidney disease and that she has to be on a low potassium diet and that she has to get an EPO shot and blood drawn every month. She knows she has high blood pressure and has to take 2 special medications for it. She knows that we have to take her blood pressure every day. Other than that, she doesn't know the seriousness of the situation. Since she functions at about an 8 year old level, there really is no sense in explaining it to further to her so we have opted to take this one step, one day at a time. The only thing I've noticed so far is that she gets tired more easily thru out the day now.

Sign the Petition!

My very very favorite photo of Calla!

I LOVE
photos
little girls

I HATE
unhelpful, stupid, retail clerks (specifically at Target)
cute clothes that are too expensive to even consider

I've just signed a petition to the 2008 presidential candidates asking them to go on the record and tell us exactly where they stand on fighting extreme poverty and global disease.

You can take action on this important cause too by visiting http://www.one.org/ontherecord

Thanks! Julia

I love Calla!

Isn't she the cutest baby you've EVER seen! I mean really...she is just the cutest EVER!

I can't wait to hold her and love her and cuddle her in December! I'm counting the days!

Kristie told me today that in December I get to talk to Calla in my baby voice. She loves it when I talk baby talk to Calla and especially when I recite the Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed story to her. She meaning Kristie, well, Calla too.

Thank you Katie and Nicholas for giving us this wonderful gift! She's the best present ever!

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA! Now, can they just move to Seattle???

Flowers make us happy! Exercising does not.

This is a photo I took while walking around my mother-in-law's neighborhood in England earlier this year. We went to England for Jackie's wedding, Nigel's sister. It was as England is - rainy. But, the wedding was lovely and it was pleasant hanging out with family in England.

But back to flowers...I planted about 100 bulbs in the yard yesterday. It was a fantastic Fall day in Newcastle, partly sunny and about 65 degrees (for a few hours). I had always wanted to order bulbs from Brecks Bulbs - you know that flyer you always get in the mail, then you mark everything you want but never actually order? That's the one! I actually ordered and the bulbs arrived the other day. Thank goodness it came with planting instructions! I've only planted bulbs one other time in the my life and am convinced I didn't do it right because I don't recall seeing the flowers the following spring.

I planted wildflowers and tulips and hyaciniths. My girlfriends, Tammy and Virginia, would be proud! They are yardaholics - they say working in the yard relieves stress. Eating popcorn (with real butter) and watching a happy Oprah show relieves my stress, that, and naps.

You know those exercise commercials where they say take time for yourself? Let me just say that exercising is not first choice when taking time for myself. Reading, Cooking, Eating, Napping, Shopping, Blogging, Watching a movie with Kristie, Playing with Calla, Talking to friends and family, but NOT exercising. Who are they kidding. Nobody likes exercising. We may like how we feel when we're done or a few hours later but nobody really likes it when they're going thru it.

We're going to see the Bee Movie today. Will let you know what we think.

Two friends, Spamalot

Katie sent me this link to http://www.onekidneysjournal.blogspot.com/ - see link to the right - and its awesome! Its all about two friends and how one is donating a kidney to the other. One lives in Portland, the other in Seattle. The surgery will be done in Seattle on November 9th. Please keep Anna and Nicole in your prayers. And read Nicole's blog - she's funny and its very easy reading. Nicole is the one donating to Anna who had complications with her lupus and thus kidney failure.

On a Kristie note, it looks like we're headed for a transplant ourselves; will talk to the doctor more about that on Nov. 19th and will keep you all informed. A living blood relative is the best donor and lots of testing will need to occur first. Dialysis is an option but a transplant is the best option so why not go for the best first?

Kristie and I attended a class yesterday at the Northwest Kidney Center called "Choices" and it was 2 hours of listening about dialysis options and transplant information. They advocate that transplantation is the gold standard and then home dialysis of which there are two types.

Kristie's creatinine level is now at 2.9, up from 2.5. Not good but not critical yet. Prayer would be good here.

Nigel and I went to see Spamalot a couple of weeks ago and it was one of the FUNNIEST plays we've ever seen! So fun and so goofy and so nonsensical that it was just FUNNY! Not just chuckling funny, but LOL funny! So if you just want to have a good time and laugh, go see this when you can. (It's Monty Python humor at its best!). This was completely sold out when Katie I traveled to NY for our mother/daughter trip a couple of years ago so I was glad to see it finally came to Seattle.

For those who don't know. I watch Oprah every day at 4 p.m. Don't call me during that hour b/c I won't answer the phone. I know that's annoying to my family (Sue, Laurie, Katie, Nigel) but get over it. If I'm not home during the 4 to 5 hour time period, I DVR the show each day and watch it faithfully later.

Anyway, Dr. Oz (whom I ADORE!) was on a few weeks ago and they did a special on people who had really bad cancer but were still walking around looking healthy and feeling pretty good but the prognosis was they had only a few months left to live. One lady who was in her 30s and had Stage 5 cancer in her liver said "I can't control this disease, but I can control what I eat, drink, and think." She said (and I'm paraphrasing) I choose to eat and drink only stuff that will make my body healthy and I choose to think about living every day. I take life one day at a time and live in the moment.

Hmmmm, my Life Philosophy has always been to take life one day at a time and the future would take care of itself. Life has always been a challenge with Kristie but when I remind myself of this each day, then its a little easier.

I LOVE

Broadway Plays

Blankies

I HATE

Crying every day

Talking and then not Doing

Favorite photos of Kristie

These 3 are a few of my favorite photos of Kristie.

The first is when she was "Inspector Gadget" in the play she did with her social group in Renton a couple of years ago.

The second is with Reece Witherspoon, oops, I mean my niece Alicia Irgens taken at Alicia's graduation party in June.

The third is Kristie with my nephew Soren who rules the Irgens' household!

I LOVE
Nieces & Nephews
Little kids dressed up in costumes (although I don't necessarily enjoy Halloween..sigh)

I HATE
Calls from doctors in the middle of the day - its never good news
Learning about potassium

Please pray that Kristie's potassium levels decrease dramatically right now. Thanks to all you believers who pray continuously for Kristie! I love you all!

Have you tried corn dogs made with a meat substitute? They are GOOD! Find them in the frozen section. Kristie and I love them. Had them for dinner. Yummy.

Lovely Fall Colors

I love our new neighborhood, especially with its vibrant colors from the past few weeks. The leaves are falling and the cute deer are hanging out in our back yard!


Okay, today Nigel and I had a tuna salad (no mayo) for lunch; very healthy. Kristie decided to opt out on the tuna and, instead, had a peanut butter (Adams, no salt added) and honey sandwich - her favorite in the whole world.


Tonight we're having roasted vegie salad with fresh mozzerella balls and salmon. Hmmm, guess its fish day.


I LOVE
Jerry Maguire - that Tom Cruise is soooooo cute in that movie!
Calla's little face


I HATE
Hurting feet
The pharmacy


If you're into it, you can check out my Cookie Lee Team blog at http://www.tidbitsandtraining.blogspot.com/ I love this blogging thing!


We watched Dancing with the Stars last night - too fun! We even voted for Mel and Max. She's a Spice Girl, not that I'm into the Spice Girls, but its a fun name.


Have a Great Day!

Eggplant & Mushrooms

This was our friend in Australia - cute!

Okay, I really like eggplant and mushrooms! I always liked mushrooms but I think I like eggplant just as much! We had an eggplant and mushroom marinara sauce over polenta tonight - was soooo yummy!

Last night we had Sweet and Sour Tofu with pinapple and brown rice. We all loved it! I know what you're thinking - tofu? Tofu is really good because it takes on the flavor of whatever you're cooking. Kristie loves Sweet and Sour Pork so this was a great substitute for her!

I found out that Kasha is really buckwheat - thank you Katie - and QFC did not have buckwheat so I am on the search for that so I can make my mini-non-meatballs.

Personal Note to Nicholas and Cathie: I had a spinach salad with pears, walnuts, and blue cheese today for lunch with a cup of tomato soup! I think you two are rubbing off on me!

I LOVE

Dancing with the Stars - Nigel and I are hooked on it! Marie needs to go home! Please!

My new house

The Food Network

I HATE

Blue things - yes, the color - one exception: a blue sky

The Dentist - nothing personal, just not my cup of tea

Nigel's sneaking Halloween candy so gotta to!

Love, Julia

The Quest for Healthy Eating

Oh the never ending quest to eat healthier! Since our family is now dealing with Kristie's kidney disease we are on another quest to eat more vegies and cut down on protein. Did you know that if you are a meat eater in the U.S. you are probably consuming too much protein. For those who know me, you know that I always say I don't like vegies. But, I'm changing my tune and instead of saying "I don't like vegies", I'm saying, "I'm finding vegies I like." And, in reviewing my Vegetarian Cookbook (which I have always loved), I'm starting to pay more attention to how I can prepare vegies that I know I already like and have more of them that way.

I also love cheese so will now start exploring the world of lower fat cheeses and maybe soy cheeses and perhaps if that doesn't work, then just cutting down on the quantity of the full fat variety will probably do the trick.

In addition, there is a world of grains that look yummy. I'm going to try this week a grain called Kasha and make mini-balls with onion gravy. Sounds great!

Oh and the world of sodium is now a consideration - drats!

Favorite Cookbooks
New Vegetarian Cuisine
Everyday Italian by Giada DeLaurentis

Update on Kristie's kidney disease
Went to the doctor last Thursday and her blood pressure is still too high so started her on another blood pressure medication. This morning's blood pressure was 117/76 so its working. Your blood pressure should be 120/80 or within 10 points (up or down) of these numbers. She will need to take EPO shots each month because she's very anemic and needs more red blood cells (your kidneys produce a hormone called EPO that help produce red blood cells). She was a trooper and had her first shot and was very brave. Also has to have her blood drawn each month to check for creatinine levels. If that level climbs to a 4, she will have to go on dialysis. right now, its at a 2.5.

The goal is to keep her kidneys functioning at its 25% current level for as long as possible. So keep those prayers coming that her kidneys remain at this level forever!

Kristie's kidney disease is linked to her Leber's Congenital Amarousis (which is a rare genetic disease which caused her developmental delay and blindness) and has now just appeared. She was just diagnosed about 6 weeks ago.

This blog is about enjoying life and love while also managing an annoying kidney disease. We will not give it power by focusing on it but we will be smart about managing the effects it may have on our lives.

I LOVE
Friends that care - you know who you are
Family that is supportive - you know who you are

I HATE
Non-friendly people at event booths
Greed

FUN SITES
Shutterfly.com has fantastic Christmas cards that are easy to drag and drop your own photos into to customize your own card. I spent a few hours last Sunday creating the card - although it would take more computer saavy people MUCH less time - and it only took 3 days for them to ship the cards to me. Very inexpensive too! Check it out - you'll love it!

Love, Julia
P.S. The photo is Kristie at her happiest - Disneyland!

Yay! I did it!

I actually created this blog in about 10 minutes; for a non-techie like me, its truly an amazing accomplishment.

Life and Love - I chose this title because I'll be writing about those topics; Life mostly and love too.

My life involves many people. Most importantly are family and friends.

Katie and Kristie bring light to my life and, thus, love.
Calla Suzanna means newness and sunshine (especially when life becomes routine and dull.)

I LOVE
Calla's nicknames like Callamazoo and Miss Mazoo - so cute!
Five Little Monkeys - especially singing it to Calla

I HATE
Kidney disease
Doctors who are smug

Kristie will be featured as a guest writer soon! She doesn't know it yet though; will inform her later.

This is fun!