Everything is funny to me these days, which is a good thing because it means my mood is improving and I’m not taking things too seriously. I have to admit after shaking hands with death, my sense of humor is a bit skewed but that’s not a bad thing. Laughter is the best medicine.

My mom and I were at the grocery store the other day, and she asked me, “What else is on your list?”

“Honey and sugar.” I replied.

We looked at each and laughed. It still makes me laugh! 🙂

I’m done drinking the tap water, and I shouldn’t have been drinking it for the past three years. Mason has terrible water. I’m sorry; it’s the truth. It’s like clay. People put down Hamilton, at least the water there isn’t full of calcium, lime, and rust. I found some good bottled water; it’s called Simple Truth Artesian naturally balanced ph of 7.6. I’m also thinking of buying a blender, so I can make fruit and veggie smoothies this summer, now that sounds good.

I had a quiet book launch, I’m not a celebrity after all. It took me three weeks to send my family and friends the email announcement. I got a lot of congratulation replies which made me feel good. My friends were glad I finally finished it. I didn’t know it was going to take that long. My friend, Tracy, who lives in Colorado is going to carry the book in her yoga studio which is very exciting for me. I still need to have an official celebration dinner party with my family and friends.

I’ve applied and been accepted into a book fair in Berkeley, California. It’s called the Bay Area Book Festival; it’s the weekend of June 4-5.  Despite being nervous, I’ve decided it’s going to be a great learning experience and good exposure for the book. Obviously, there’s no possible way that I can make a profit. This isn’t about money; it hasn’t been about money from day one. There’s a part of me that’s ready for an adventure, she’s the one making all the plans! 🙂

At first, my mom didn’t want me to go, and we fought about it for almost a week. I’m sure my neighbors were wondering what we were yelling about, since I had her on speaker phone. They’ve heard me crying for three years, and now I’m yelling, “Let me out!”

What I lack in patience, I make up for in stubbornness, so my mom knew it was a losing battle. I knew that if I didn’t back down, she would back down. She’s right, it’s going to be difficult. I haven’t been getting out much. It will force me out of my comfort zone and challenge my OCD and phobias. I will have to face my fears and find out what in the hell am I really afraid of and why did I stop living to write a book about nearly dying.

It’s funny, one minute my mom was yelling at me, telling me I’m not going, the next minute she’s helping me get things figured out. I guess it’s a test to see how bad I want it. I feel like I owe it to the book and myself to take it out into the world. No, I’m not perfectly healthy. I need to wash the new clothes I bought last year and never got around to washing, because the book always came first.

I need to buy a carry-on luggage, it’s only a weekend, so I don’t need to check a big bag. I need to buy toiletries, a tablecloth, and book holder. I need to order business cards. I need to get an affirmation card made into prints so that it can be “free with book purchase.” I need to be grateful, let go, and have fun! 🙂 And I’m looking forward to seeing my new friends: Mike, Rosy, Patty, and Larry.

I made the hotel reservation first, they put a list on their website, and I got a really good discounted rate on a hotel that’s a block from the festival. From the map, it looks like there’s a Starbucks on my way, which is awesome. There are themed blocks, and I’m an exhibitor on Inspirational Avenue which makes me laugh because my life has become inspiration, so it doesn’t surprise me to end up there.

I made the flight a few days later and got a great price. It had to be Delta because that’s what I’ve always flown. I wanted a non-stop flight, but the only one was at 8pm and that would’ve gotten me in too late, as it is, I have a 45-minute bus ride from the airport to the hotel. I get to go across the big bridge. (I know it has a name, that’s what I like to call it, things are less intimidating with nicknames.) Hopefully, I will get a window seat and take pictures like a tourist!

My excitement switched to fear and now it’s switched back to excitement. Yeah!!! Hopefully, I can find a middle ground soon. Put things in perspective, take the pressure off, and count my blessings! 🙂

Have a good week,

Julie

p.s. I forgot to tell you about the synchronicity. When I went for the TSA pre-check interview, the lady that did my fingerprints recognized my last name. She stopped and looked at me strangely. She kept saying, “I think I knew your dad.” I told her my dad’s family is from Harrison/New Haven. And her jaw dropped. I said, “My dad died nine years ago today, he would’ve been 69. You don’t look that old.” She thanked me for the compliment and then named his elementary school. She said, “I went to elementary school with your dad.” It makes me cry now, because I think my dad was giving me his blessing, as crazy as that sounds.