Nothing, nothing, nothing

Last Wednesday, I went through another mammogram and then the ultrasound.  Both technicians were kind, considerate, and reassuring. Nothing, they told me.  Nothing to be concerned about. 

Hypochondriac on the loose

I was up late last night, worrying. I’m good at that—worrying myself to no sleep. 

Turn off the TV

The past year I have spent countless numbers of hours in front of the TV, watching favorite shows like True Blood, Hung, or Castle.  Or re-running episodes of Sex and the City; I know, I know. Sick. Sick. Sick.  I am a little embarrassed to admit I love that show. And using my powerful remote control to surf through movie after movie after movie.  Choose one and then on a whim, switch to another.  And it being Saturday night, well, I planned on more of the same. 

Pizza-to-go

What gift will I give away tomorrow? I asked myself.  I'm in the middle of a 29-gift giving challenge, inspired by the book by the same name: 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker.  I've chosen the likeliest time of year to give--Christmas being all about giving.  But it's a lot harder to give consciously, in terms of being aware of "from where" I give and reflecting on it, which is part of the challenge.  The goal is to give, not from responsibility or obligation, but from service and honest willing feel-goodness.

Happy New Year (and a year or so in review)

Hair-cuts.

2011 is drawing to a close, and I feel lucky to have seen so many friends and family come through town the past year and a half. The circumstances haven't always been the best.  But the good part about being so burned up and burned out by treatment is that there is no where to go but up. And so it was.

Here's some of my memories from the past year (and before for those of you who haven't been following this blog).

29 Gifts

Nearly a year ago my sister Theresa gave me a book called 29 Gifts by Cami Walker, who founded the 29-Day Giving Challenge, which has been taken up by 15,800 members in 43 countries, and counting.  Walker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis one month after she was married and only 33 years old. She's in tremendous pain, barely able to walk. And a neighbor of hers offers her "a remedy."  Give away 29 gifts in 29 days.  Rather than feel depleted, Walker finds she gains energy, momentum and joy with each gift.

Green and walkable

What better inspiration to get out and walk in the blustering chill and dampness of Seattle winters than hot chocolate, musicians, and luminaries lining Green Lake?