A Hard day....

Today turned out to be a hard day to be a pediatrician...really, overall, to be a human being who cared truly and deeply for another. Even tho' he was only 2 years old he lived more in his two years than a lot of people I know have lived in their 20, their 40, heck, even their 60 years of life. He enjoyed EVERYTHING around him, be it a tickle, a smile, a plastic stormtrooper, a night at the Travelodge so he could swim in the morning. He always had a laugh and a "happy dance" for you, whether you were a friend, relative or stranger. He was a joy to see come through the door of the office, and we celebrated his good times (like when his blood counts looked good), we troubled over him (when he had belly pain, when he first got sick), we cried over him (when he had his relapse at Children's) but most of all we just loved him. And he loved us back--whole hearted, unconditional. That's the beauty of children like him--little happy giggling smiling angels. And now he gets to be one full time, without any of the pain, without any of the "bad stuff"--he gets to be full D-man, all the time. We will miss him in body but we'll see him in spirit, in the flowers that will come up in spring, in the smile of a brand-new baby--he will be all around us, everywhere. I will NEVER EVER EVER forget what a pleasant sweet lil' dude he was--I hope those lucky angels who get to hang out with him appreciate what a gift they have--I'm gonna miss mine forever! I thank his parents for letting me get so involved with their lovely family and the light that shone so deeply from it...what a blessing. Good night sweet prince.

opps...

sorry ya'all...i can't believe a month has almost gone by and I haven't had time to say " HAPPY 2008!!!" I was waiting to try to see if I could download a picture from my cellphone (since my usual reliable camera fritzed out and is still at the repair shop and I've had to use whatever was handy!) but once again technology gets the best of me...hence you don't get to see the new yummy wall that is the summary of me for the new year--bright, cheery, somethin' new ya haven't seen before!! (some of you are laughing now..cut it out!) Mom and I had a great holiday, baking, relaxing (I tried not to drag her too many places/ show her off like the show pony she is!!), doing the story inventory (mom rocked at that!) as well as spending time where all mom/ daughter relationships are the best--Home Depot!! We rocked that joint, man! So now the downstairs has the bright red accent wall, rest pita-bread brown (or soon to be--have to finish the kitchen) and the hallway is offwhite (amazing how it makes it lighter/ easier to see without lights) and upstairs is "belvidere cream"--slightly creamy/ greeny--all those beat the dull gray color everywhere I've lived with for the past 4 years--yikes!! I can't believe I let it go on that long..esp in an area where as much light as possible is a big beni! I think the new colors will go a long way....I also found out I SUCK at the trimming..never hire me to paint, please.
I know my talents lay elsewhere...hahaha.

Happy (Post) Holidays

Just a quick post to say happy happy happy to all...I had a great holiday with my mom (got lots of baking in--yum!!) that was fun, relaxing and very enjoyable--esp. for my second holiday not at home and without Mr. E (no dog pictures next to the tree--also the first year ya'all aren't getting the classic a & e picture--I'm sure some of you say "yeah" to that and some may say "boo"!!) Then we celebrated mom's birthday in style (a very nice dinner) and are looking forward to days of continued house repair/ painting/ store inventory (which I say "ugh" to and mom says "yeah!!" to--to each his/ her own, right? thank god.) I hope you all are doing well and are finding your peace, health and happiness in some way this season--even tho' I did not send out cards specifically to each of you, I did send out loving thoughts, wishes and dreams!! Take care and we'll continue to stay in touch throughout the upcoming years!

WHAT THE...?????

What the heck happened to this month?? Talk about time flying by...I swear I just blogged on the preparation for gallery walk a few days ago and now BAM! it's a couple weeks later, almost Christmas....I still have LOTS to do to get ready for my mom's visit; getting ready to start daily exercise routines for pre-marathon training; getting all those packages out for godchild/ nieces to get before the holidays, etc. Talk about feeling even more scattered than I already are...or am (you know what I mean). I did buy a tree this year (such a beautiful tree/ so yummy smelling and full)--my roommate and I had fun decorating it (even tho' Anji's kids told me what a bad person I am for buying a REAL tree--getting guilt trips from 5 and 8 year olds can be killer!!) and that helps make it feel more festive in the house. It'll be weird not to be at home this year--only the SECOND TIME EVER to not be in Colorado or with the majority of my family at the holidays...It sucks not having the lil' ones around on the big day (that's my favorite part--seeing them all psyched up)--that and the holiday traditions (like Christmas morning brunch for the neighbors, Christmas eve and the happy birthday Jesus/grandma and mom cake--maybe I'll still try to do that one while mom is here to keep somethings in line...and beg mom to do bread and holiday eggs on Christmas morning. sorry you guys won't get to have that...we'll think of you as we chow down!!
oh--speaking of giving (and hearkening back to the marathon mention)--check out my link to my run/ please consider giving so people with leukemia/lymphoma have hope and I can reach my goal way before the run/ deadline...I appreciate it all!!:)

Gallery hell

well, this week has consisted of the pukey/fever virus going around (caught by yours truely on wednesday...I like being able to sympatize with my patients, dont'cha know!!), several colds and..the massive preparations for Juneau's annual Gallery walk. This is a night where all the galleries are open/ showing their "goods" and encouraging all good alaskans to spend spend spend! The Creating Place is, of course, gonna join in and offer two of our friends wares (both do glass work--should be beautiful displays!! However, I must say from a photographers stand point, getting pictures of glass SUCKS!! The only decent picture gotten is the one included, the work done by our friend Heidi Johnson, who has a art space in our backroom...for a bit longer, that is. I love her stuff...also see the video filmed there by local paper, the empire.) Anji made me in charge of everything--the food, drinks, cleaning the store/ space--its been a bucket of mayhem. Hopefully the night will go well, tho'--last year was a dismal crowd (our gallery sure has changed in the year, I must say) but we looked stunnning and served awesome food..in fact, I have to go to make the dessert sushi for the event. Off one project to the next...

a couple last ones...

oh--there's the (what's the french word? the "piece-de-resistance??") the best picture that you didn't see...I ran out of space so it's here...the most amazing outfit (that I even have a hard believing that even in the fashion-challanged 70's people didn't look at this and say "what in the..." in who's right mind was this even a possible look? i mean, it's too dumb to even be french, let alone european. and i throw the child's/ pre-grandpa outfit for an additional chuckle..nice belt henry. even on his dorkiest day my brother NEVER NEVER EVER looked that bad....looked like a "don johnson wanna-be" a chunk of the time but not this dorky...and also as they stated in the email...nothing says commitment like matching (godawful) swimsuits...-

End the month with a belly laugh....

hey there--not much going on but store/ life cleaning, arranging...seems like a constant at the present time. I did get this email from a friend--apparently an intact 1977 JC Penny's catalog was found in the ceiling while some work was being done and..well, as you can see, the pictures speak for themselves. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time...it's amazing what a good belly laugh will do for you. I couldn't get over the (sic-lovely) styles, let alone the beau-ty colors and well, flattering fashions--I mean, who wouldn't want jumpsuits? esp matching? and prision orange--that says classy in my book! and I love the guys trying not to look gay in the terry cloth nightie..what's that about? And the "oh-don't-I-look-hot" boy in the suit...my, it's amazing how fashion rolls around, we think we are sooo cool and happening and years later--someone is spewing coffee on their desk, choking because 30 yrs have gone by those previously "cool" looks make us we look like someones autistic orangatan picked out our clothing....ANYWAYS...this was too rich to pass up/ pass on and help someone else end their month in a tear-jerking belly laugh! so enjoy!!