coming soon

Coming soon...my top books of 2011.

In the meanwhile, if you are interested in these types of lists, here are two sites that compile lists of the lists:

largehearted boy

The Reader's Advisor (look at the right side bar)

holiday road

sweet relief

It's winter solstice today.

My ultrasound experience could not have gone better. The tech was very friendly and professional. She took the time to look up my previous abdominal ultrasound in 2007, probably because she was wondering if I'd had some strange symptoms that had brought up the suspicion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although she cautioned that she could not officially give me "results," everything was all clear. I'm so relieved. RELIEVED. Right now I feel as though all traces of the holiday blues have vanished. I guess this experience has reminded of two things: 1) even if things are not exactly how you wish them to be and you're disappointed, things can always be much, much worse. 2) my husband is a complete sweetheart and I'm so fortunate to share my life with him.

So, even if we are spending Christmas by ourselves with my husband working swing shifts on both Christmas Eve and Christmas, we are both healthy and have a solid, loving relationship.

I had a third bout of oral surgery this time involving sinus lifts back on Dec. 2nd [should be the last in this long, painful and expen$ive trip through the rabbit hole -- strangely, this started exactly a year ago when a root canal redo failed]. Things are healing very well. I feel great today and am going out to enjoy the sun -- after all, her journey back begins today.

Happy Solstice!

Merry Holidays

Source: Post Secret

distraction is a good thing

Took a moment to capture last night's sunset while we were out and about. The sunsets lately have been spectacular, probably due to the sketchy air quality.

Come on, get happy

Avila Pier on the morning of my birthday in early November.

I've been battling the so called "seasonal mood disorder" and thought I could pull out of it by making a holiday mix CD. My husband listened to my first version and was concerned. He declared it "melancholy." I've improved it. It seems pretty good now.

As I faced going to my annual gyno exam, I thought I'd feel better once it was behind me. Never expected to be scheduling an ultrasound for a discovered pulsating mass in my upper abdomen. Instead of feeling sad, I was freaking out a little last night. Fear & uncertainty.

What can I do besides scare the bejesus outta myself by googling abdominal aortic aneurysm? Well, I looked through recent photos I'd taken on my phone and discovered this one. It was a pretty good photo but came to life when I tweaked the colors a bit in photoshop elements. I don't know what's around the corner; could be nothing -- could be something pretty shitty. I'm going to try really hard to enjoy the days ahead.  Maybe some baking today and a walk outside. A movie?