Julie's Journal

Michael and I were on the move again this weekend. We left work early on Friday and went camping at the Valley of Fire.

It had to be the most amazing place we have been camping. The deep red sandstone formations jetting out of the ground are truly breathtaking. Our campsite was tucked into a small sandstone formation and we were surrounded by these dunes filled with wind blown caves and holes.

We met our neighbors Saturday afternoon and ended up partying with them around their campfire until the early hours of the morning. As it turned out they are two artist from different states that meet in the past at an art show. They have been planning this trip for some time now. They were very interesting guys, and they even have web sites I can share

Kris Sacksteder, (Weird Woods) is from Seattle and he has been selling his wood art at Pike Place Market, a place I have been to several times now, and he’s been there for 20 years. I can’t wait until the next time I am there to say hi, and see his wood work!

David Gibson, (David Gibson Ceramics) is from Salt Lake City, soon to be Sante Fe. I was very fascinated at hearing him tell how he creates his wheel-thrown Raku fired pottery, and it’s so beautiful! We will definately be visiting his new studio he is building in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

As always…Valley of Fire pictures can be seen in the Just Julie’s Photo Gallery. ENJOY!

What is this…the 5th season…the 6th??? I got so into this show during the Kelly Clarkson era that I thought there could never EVER be a better winner than she was. I remember being just blown a-freaking-way by her (and I still do when I watch her perform). But where on earth have these contestants been hiding?

WOW!

Taylor Hicks is the next American Idol! I sat here on my bed CLAPPING when he was done with his performance as if I was sitting in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium watching him live. I got soooo excited during his interview when he said he was going to sing Levon and I immediately recognized it as an Elton John song.

I’ll really be showing my age now, but that album was one of my favorites growing up. The sound of Elton’s voice coming from that scratchy, dust clogged needle on the vinyl…Levon, Tiny Dancer…OMG! He picked one of the greatest songs EVER.

Having said that…CAST YOUR VOTES! These are my favorites so far…

GIRLS:

• Paris Bennett: 866-IDOLS-05
• Katharine McPhee: 866-IDOLS-12
• Kellie Pickler: 866-IDOLS-02
• Ayla Brown: 866-IDOLS-04
• Lisa Tucker: 866-IDOLS-10

BOYZ:

• Chris Daughtry: 866-IDOLS-06
• Elliot Yamin: 866-IDOLS-09
• Ace Young (and his brother – HOTTIE!): 866-IDOLS-11
• Taylor Hicks: 866-IDOLS-12

Oh this week has been hell. I have been so tired, achy, and just plain not well at all. I have 1 fever blister, 2 cold sores, and another one on its way. My monthly visitor, Aunt Flow, has kicked into high gear making me totally forget the last couple months that I thought maybe I was going to come around and have normal visits again. And my neck…OH MY GOD…my neck feels like someone has shoved a large knife in the base of it and every now and again gives it a little twist that shoots pain from each shoulder, back and forth. Someone take me out back and just shoot me puhleasssse!

I’ve been getting plenty of rest, eating right, and we’re on the go every single day so it’s not like I am sitting around getting no exercise whatsoever. I’ve even been walking to get food at lunch instead of driving for it. I’m down to ONE soda a day and sometimes I don’t have one at all. I’ve been drinking enough water to cover my entire families recommended intake for the day. So yeah, I have no idea why my immune system is telling me that it hates me right now. I thought I was being kind to it.

I went to the doctor on Friday and she ordered X-rays on my neck. I had those done and I hope to hear something this week. Aunt Flow is just the bitch she always has been and I just have to deal with her. And I have to play the waiting game for the cold sores to go away.

Maybe I just need a vacation. Anybody want a house guest? I promise I won’t bitch and moan too much.