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