Merry Christmas, Readers

And warm wishes to you all!

Ernie

The Must-Have Toy

Move aside Playstation 3, outta' the way T.M.X. Elmo- the most coveted toy for Christmas this year is...me!

Tickle me a little, and I'll laugh. But tickle me a lot, and I'll roll on the ground hysterically while pounding the floor! Best yet, I will only speak German to you!

K,M.X. Ernie was only available in two countries, believed to be only Germany and Spain.

Ugg- Starstruck Again!

It's amazing how often my sister Ellen sees stars in New York! It's becoming a regular report- and yesterday was a big sighting: while shopping inside the only Ugg store in America, Clive Owen, star of many movies such as "Closer," "Sin City," "King Arthur," and "Derailed," enters the shop and browses through the store. She nervously makes short darted glances at him, when he finally catches her eye. She quickly turns around as if to not notice, reaches into her purse with quivering hands, and calls me.

While it doesn't seem too thrilling to read about this, I felt like I was right there with her at the store. (It's cute to hear her swoon and attempt at acting normal while she was near him!)

Unexpected Phone Call

My doctor called today to tell me the official results about my MRI performed last week. While he was right about two of the tumors shrinking in and around and my brain, "there were twists" (those were the words he used).

Twist #1: There's a growth in my spinal cord. Is the "horse out of the barn?" He's not sure, because the only way we know whether it's cancerous or not is to take a sample out and test it.

Twist #2: The "original tumor" that started it all has started growing again.

To put it mildly, all of us, including Paul and my family, are shocked. What was 100% good news last week turned somewhat sour this week.

I'm tired of blogging about my health's ups and downs. I'm going to put entries about my health on hold through New Year's.

"Less Than A Year"

That's how long the doctors said I had to live when I spoke to them this past summer.

I now wonder whether they're right. I heard something yesterday from a set of parents that got my head thinking: their daughter was born with cystic fibrosis and according to doctors, she wouldn't live to be ten years old. They were wrong, she lived many years later.

This Christmas is hitting me differently because it could be my last. I've done some things a little differently: I spent more than I normally do on a couple of people on my list, I've been reflecting more on what Christmas really is, and I think a lot about the loved ones in my life.

Will I make it through to Christmas 2007? The only one who really knows is God.

That, my friend, is where Ernie's head is tonight.

Happy Birthday, Paul!

Here are snapshots from his 36th birthday party today. His mom and dad spent the weekend with us, and my sister and brother-in-law arrived last night from NYC.

Short-Term Good News

The unofficial results of my MRI yesterday showed that the tumors growing in and around my brain have shrunk! My doctor said that I don't have to do any type of treatment for the next three months!

It's my first good health news in 2006- I can exhale.

(Ahhhh.)

Tomorrow...

could be a big day for me. I get an MRI done on my brain and spine, which may show whether radiation worked, and more importantly according to one doctor, it could also be a sign of how long I really have to live.

I'm also going to ask my doctor about his previous patients who had a brain tumor similar to mine. What went first? Their hearing? Vision? Hand-eye coordination? What was the progression of the tumor in his other patients? Motor skill impairment, followed by immobility?

I want to know these things. I want to know what to expect.

"Air" Turbulence

Oh, poor lady.

A passenger on a flight from DC to Texas got up to use the bathroom. In order to prevent others from smelling what she "did", she lit four matches, causing the plane to make an emergency landing in Tennessee.

Poor thing.

What's worse: after the plane was considered safe and ready to take off again, the woman was not allowed to reboard.

Sad, sad lady.

At least the press withheld her name.

"Bloody"

I'm not quite sure what to think of "Blood Diamond"- was it a horror or an action film? There's so much violence and senseless killing, it makes "Schindler's List" look like a Disney flick.

I turned my head to look away so many times, I should have just left the movie. I will, however give Leonardo DiCaprio credit for proving once again his amazing ability to act.

Home Sweet Home Part II

Ahh, home is once again so delightful that Hurricane Ernesto came through one more time and wiped it out.

(Note to person who gave me this: you are a wonderful baker and an elegant woman. Thank you.)

Angels Get Their Wings

(cough.) Um, I watched Victoria's Secret Fashion Show the other night.

Yeah. I know. That's like Superman eating kryptonite ice cream.

I wanted to see what the hype was all about. I have to admit, the drama on the runway was pretty good. I'm sure some poor wives had to fight off their husbands that night.

Kudos to Justin Timberlake who performed at this year's show: he flirted and played with the models, unlike Ricky Martin who paid them no mind at last year's show.

Home Sweet Home!

The dust is finally settling, and I'm reflecting on what has happened over the past four days:

*My best friend had a baby boy with his wife whom I admire for her strength and courage to go through the birth process. Congratulations, I love you guys.

*Paul and I schlepped every morsel of our stuff into our house in Arlington on Saturday. We have lots of shtuff, and it only took thirteen hours with the help of two movers.

*I missed yet another party (because I had the wrong day! I just can't get my act together.)

I've also been off-line for four days, which is why I haven't written. Thanks for tuning in. More to come in the next couple o' days.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

It's so weird to think that I'll be writing the next entry from my house in Arlington, Virginia living again with Paul. I've lived at my parent's house for over a year and believe me, it's a good place to be while you're sick, but it's also a good place to make you sick (of your parents).

So next time you check in and wonder "Where's Ernie's Head?", he'll be in a new location with new adventures galore. (Oh, the suspense! I just can't wait.)